Woodbridge Truck Accident Attorneys

If you are involved in a collision with a large truck, here are six steps to take following the accident. However, please be advised if you are injured, take care of yourself and your health first. 

1. Call 911. In New Jersey, you are required to report a motor vehicle accident to the police if anyone is injured or more than $500 of damages have occurred. If anyone is injured, you can also request that emergency services be called to the scene. 
2. Seek medical attention. Even if you feel “fine,” you should get evaluated by a medical professional as you could have internal injuries or injuries with symptoms that take hours to manifest. 
3. Take photos at the scene. You should take photos of your injuries, the damages to your vehicle, and the scene as these images can be used as evidence later. 
4. Collect contact information. If possible, you should get the name, phone number, email address, driver’s license number, and insurance information of the other driver. You should also ask for the contact and identifying information of witnesses and the officers who responded to the scene. 
5. Avoid posting on social media. What you post on social media can be accessed by the opposing party and the insurance company. A seemingly innocent post about your injuries or the accident can be twisted and used against you. 
6. Contact our attorneys. Having reliable and experienced legal counsel can be a determining factor in the success of your case. With over 100 years of experience, our attorneys are equipped to help you. 

Truck accidents can be caused by commercial truck drivers or other drivers on the road. Common causes of these accidents include: 

• Distracted driving. Truck drivers may be distracted by their phones, conversations with a dispatcher, GPS issues, grooming activities, or eating and drinking, which can cause an accident. 
• Drunk driving. If a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may be involved in an accident as the impairments can affect their driving abilities. 
• Exceeding weight limits. If a truck is overloaded, the additional weight can affect the driver’s ability to come to a complete stop, steer, or control their vehicle. Overloaded trucks also have an increased chance of suffering from a rollover and can cause roadway collapses, and the additional weight can cause a severe accident. 
• Fatigue. Drivers (of trucks and other vehicles) may cause an accident when they are tired. Driving while tired is similar to driving while under the influence because the senses are dulled; your reaction times are slower, and you often drive recklessly while fatigued. 
• Faulty truck equipment. Truck companies, manufacturers, and drivers should make sure that the truck is well maintained and in working order. However, truck accidents are often the result of equipment failure. 
• Inclement weather. Poor weather conditions are the cause of many accidents, including truck collisions. During heavy rains, blizzards, ice storms, or other dangerous conditions, drivers should either pull over or take extra precautions. However, truck drivers and others on the road may not be as cautious as they should be.  
• Inexperienced drivers. Truck drivers must be properly trained and licensed before being allowed out on the road. However, companies allow underqualified drivers to make trips before completing their training, which can lead to deadly accidents. Other vehicle drivers, like teen drivers, who are also inexperienced can make driving errors that impact their safety and cause an accident. For instance, an inexperienced driver may not safely pass a truck or drive in the truck’s blind spot. 
• Speeding. Because of the deadlines they must meet, truck drivers may speed to make it to their destination on time. However, speeding can not only cause an accident but can contribute to its severity. 

New Jersey truck accident victims may suffer from a variety of injuries, and the type and severity of the injury can vary based on the types of collision (i.e. rear-end, front-end, etc.) as well as the material the truck was hauling. Common truck accident injuries include: 

• Back, neck, and spinal injuries 
• Broken bones
• Burn injuries 
• Head trauma 
• Lacerations, cuts, and bruises 
• Rib and torso injuries
• Seatbelt injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Death 

The settlement award that truck accident claimants receive varies based on a host of case-specific factors such as the nature and severity of their injuries, the expenses associated with their past and future medical care, lost wages, and other economic and non-economic damages. To understand how much compensation you may receive, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as they can help you calculate your damages.

Establishing liability after a truck accident can be complex as multiple parties can be held liable depending on the circumstances of the accident. Parties that may be totally or partially liable for the truck accident include: 

• Freight loaders 
• Truck drivers 
• Truck maintenance or repair services 
• Truck owners 
• Truck parts manufacturers 
• Trucking companies
• Other vehicle drivers on the road

To determine who is responsible, your attorney can investigate the accident scene and: 

• Work with an accident reconstructionist
• Speak to witnesses 
• Review the police report 
• Request a copy of the driver qualification file (DQF), which is required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and should include details concerning the driver’s history, medical records, and more 

A lawsuit can take anywhere from six months to a few years to complete. How long it takes to resolve your lawsuit depends on the specifics of your case concerning liability investigations, insurance company interactions and negotiations, medical treatment, and more.