Truck Accidents

Woodbridge Truck Accident Attorneys

Over 100+ years of Protecting Your Interests in Middlesex County Truck Accident Litigation

large truck speeding past another car on highway

One of the most serious types of motor vehicle accidents in which you can be involved in a Raritan Valley truck accident. Trucks, especially those loaded with cargo, are extremely large and heavy and can cause serious damage when they hit other vehicles. At Palmisano & Goodman, P.A., our Woodbridge truck accident attorneys are here during your time of need to provide you with emotional and legal support.

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To learn how the counsel of our experienced and focused legal team can protect your interests during your personal injury claim, call (732) 709-4400 or contact us online today.


Providing Sound Legal Guidance & Representation

We can give you a clear idea of the value of your case and then present your proof in clear terms both in settlement negotiations and at trial. Our accurate claim evaluation and formidable litigation skills can represent powerful advantages toward a favorable outcome for truck accident victims.

We advise clients about their legal options in a wide range of truck accident situations, including:

  • Semi or tractor-trailer accidents caused by driver fatigue, improper maintenance, or defective equipment.
  • Truck crashes involving jackknifes, overweight or oversize loads, freight shifting, loose flatbed loads, or other risks of operating an 18-wheeler.
  • Accidents involving commercial vehicles from taxis, airport limos, delivery vans, maintenance trucks, or construction vehicles.co
  • Wrongful death litigation related to fatal trucking wrecks.

Frequently Asked Truck Crash Questions in New Jersey 

Semi-trucks are larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road and can be quite an imposing force on the road. Being involved in an accident with a large truck can have devastating financial and physical consequences, and after the accident, you may have a lot of questions about how to move forward, what you should do, and more. The attorneys at Palmisano & Goodman, P.A. can not only help you understand your legal rights and option but can also answer some of the questions you may have after being involved in an accident. 


To speak with a member of our team and get case-specific answers to your questions, contact our firm online or call (732) 709-4400 today. 


What Should I Do If I’m Involved in a Truck Accident?

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. 

What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

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. 

What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Collisions?

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 

How Much Compensation Can I Get After a Truck Accident?

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.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Claim?

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 

How Long Does a Truck Accident Claim Take?

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.

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If you still have questions or need experienced legal representation, contact the attorneys at Palmisano & Goodman, P.A. With over 100 years of collective experience protecting the interests of our clients, we can provide you with sound legal guidance. Call (732) 709-4400 today. 


WHAT IS THE AVERAGE SETTLEMENT FOR AN 18-WHEELER ACCIDENT?

After being involved in a collision with a large delivery truck, big-rig, or 18-wheeler, many people understandably want to know how much they can expect to receive in compensation. After all, these accidents tend to result in severe, catastrophic injuries—and massive medical bills. Victims are often left unable to return to work while they obtain treatment and recover; in some cases, victims may suffer disabling injuries and be entirely unable to return to work for the remainder of their lives. It is completely understandable that truck accident victims and their families would wonder how they are going to be able to cope with these financial challenges and what compensation they could expect to recover by filing a truck accident claim.

Unfortunately, there really is no average settlement for 18-wheeler accidents; these cases vary widely depending on the unique factors involved. Some of these factors could include the nature, degree, and severity of your injuries; the current and future expenses associated with your damages; whether or not you were partially at fault for the accident; whether there were other motorists or additional third parties, such as parts manufacturers or maintenance companies, involved; the cause of the accident, and much more. In a given truck accident, a victim could sustain tens of thousands to millions of dollars in damages. 

Securing a settlement for the full extent of your damages is also not always guaranteed; if the trucking company or other liable party is unwilling to settle, your attorney will need to litigate your case and seek a just verdict at trial.

After speaking with you about the unique factors and circumstances present in your case, our attorneys can provide you with a clearer picture of what to expect. Remember: No reputable attorney or law office can give you a specific settlement amount to expect or guarantee any particular result. However, an accomplished truck accident attorney, like those at Palmisano & Goodman, P.A., can answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. We can guide you through the process and walk you through the next steps.

Representation for Truck & Commercial Accidents

Our extensive experience with the proof of liability and damages in complex, disabling or fatal truck accident litigation can help you collect the money you need to support what might be a long and incomplete process of recovery. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you don't have to pay us until we recover on your behalf.


For a free consultation with a Woodbridge truck accident lawyer about your rights following a collision, please reach out to our firm today at (732) 709-4400.


What Sets Our Team Apart From the Rest?

  • We provide all clients with honest advice, energetic representation, and personal attention.
  • We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are no fees unless we win.
  • We have upheld a tradition of superb service and results since 1974.
  • We offer free consultations for all prospective clients.
  • We get results because we invest in cases and we are willing to go all the way to a jury.
  • Wrongful death
  • Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle
  • Motor Vehicle Accident
  • Car Accident
  • Car Accident

What Clients Are Saying

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    “Thank you so much to the team at Palmisano & Goodman, it has been a pleasure.”

  • He kept his word & guided me throughout my entire case.

    “From the first day I stepped into Gregory Goodman’s office I felt completely comfortable with him.”

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