East Orange Truck Accident Lawyers
More than 37 million tractor-trailers are in circulation in the United States on any given day, increasing the risk of accidents for motorists encountering these massive transport vehicles on all types of roadways. Truck accidents are the most dangerous type of vehicle crash, causing extensive and catastrophic injuries, typically resulting in permanent disabilities or life-altering conditions. However, the truck driver is the only survivor in most accidents.
Commercial truck accidents are exceedingly complex and require representation from experienced truck accident lawyers capable of handling cases of this magnitude. Our East Orange truck accident lawyers at Goldstein & Goldstein are skilled at representing clients injured in truck accidents and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
What Types of Truck Accident Cases Does Goldstein & Goldstein Handle?
Our East Orange truck accident lawyers represent clients injured in all truck accidents, including head-on collisions, jackknife accidents, and rear-end, rollover, T-bone, and underride accidents.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Pinpointing the exact cause in the most severe accidents can be highly challenging due to the extent of damage trucks cause, but some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted, drunk, fatigued, improper, inexperienced, or reckless driving
- Equipment or safety system failure or blown tires
- Failure to yield or stop at lights or intersections
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Poor maintenance
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Weather conditions
What Are Common Truck Crash Injuries?
Survivors of truck accidents suffer severe and extensive injuries that require extensive, and sometimes life-long, medical care. Some of the most common injuries include amputations, burns, neck, spinal, nerve, and organ damage, severe traumatic brain injuries, psychological trauma, severe disfigurement, and paralysis.
Do Trucks Have Different Regulations Than Passenger Vehicles?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) strictly regulates the trucking industry to increase safety and reduce accident risks for all motorists. Companies and drivers are required to follow specific rules both on and off the road, including but not limited to:
- Driving and resting hours
- Drug testing and medication use
- Hazardous materials transportation
- Licensing requirements
- Medical evaluation and fitness assessments
- Required, permitted, and prohibited devices
- Size and weight restrictions
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection
Do Truck Drivers Have Special Training?
To obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL), truck drivers are required to complete extensive training, which includes learning federal truck driving regulations, defensive and emergency driving techniques, proper shifting, hazard identification, and avoidance, navigating mountainous roads, proper vehicle inspection, and safe backing and night driving techniques.
What Are Truck Underride Guards, and How Do They Work?
Underride accidents are among the deadliest collisions between trucks and passenger vehicles. They occur when a passenger vehicle collides into the rear of the trailer and slips underneath. Nearly all underride accidents result in the instantaneous deaths of passenger car occupants. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) requires commercial trucks to be outfitted with rear underride guards, a bar below the trailer that strikes cars in the grill during rear-end collisions rather than windshield level and prevents it from sliding underneath the trailer.
Who Is Responsible for Truck Accidents?
Accidents involving semi-trucks can be especially challenging because there are often multiple parties who may ultimately share some level of responsibility, such as:
- Truck driver: If the truck’s driver engaged in reckless or intentionally dangerous actions, such as speeding or cutting off other motorists, they may bear responsibility for the accident.
- Trucking company: The most common liable party is the driver’s employer if the company owns the truck.
- Truck owner: Tractor-trailers are commonly owned by a third party, including the truck driver, who may be responsible if the accident occurred because the truck was poorly maintained, does not meet federal safety regulations, or failed inspection.
- Truck manufacturer: If the accident is found to have occurred due to defective parts or safety systems, the manufacturer may be responsible, especially if it failed to notify customers or knowingly continued producing the dangerous component after discovering defects.
What Should I Do if I Am Involved in a Truck Accident in East Orange?
Evidence is vital to any truck accident and can prove your accident claim. If you are uninjured, you should take the following steps:
- Call the police and report the accident and any injuries.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver but minimize any further conversation and do not apologize or admit fault. What you say can be used against you later.
- Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, injuries, weather and road conditions, and any other factors contributing to the accident.
- Exchange contact information and gather statements from witnesses about what they saw.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you believe you are uninjured. Certain internal injuries have delayed symptoms and can be life-threatening if left untreated. A medical report documenting your injuries is also a crucial element of your claim.
- Maintain all medical records, reports, expenses, and communication-related to the accident.
- Hire a skilled and experienced truck accident lawyer who understands the complexities of trucking law, has experience handling these cases and negotiating with insurance companies, and has a successful track record of recovering maximum compensation for injured clients.
Do not worry if your injuries are too severe for you to gather information and evidence following a truck accident. Your lawyer and their network of investigators and experts are fully adept at understanding and gathering the valuable evidence needed to support your claim.
What Is My Truck Accident Worth?
Each case and its value is unique, based on the circumstances of the accident and severity of injuries, and compensation in truck accidents is significantly higher than in passenger car accidents. You can be compensated for economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and other fixed costs, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, wrongful death, and other intangible losses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations to file truck accident claims is two years from the date of the accident or death. Truck cases are considerably more complex and take longer to settle, so the sooner you speak with a lawyer after the accident, the better.
How Can Goldstein & Goldstein Help Me With My Truck Accident Claim?
Trucking law and accident claims are complex, and working with a knowledgeable and experienced truck crash lawyer is vital when you are injured in a truck accident. Our skilled East Orange truck accident lawyers are adept at evaluating and investigating your case and holding the responsible parties accountable for your injuries and losses. On your behalf, our team can handle the following:
- Investigate the crash scene.
- Review police reports and interview responding officers.
- Identify the responsible parties.
- Gather witness statements.
- Work with your medical team to establish your current and ongoing medical care needs.
- Hire trucking, engineering, medical, and crash reconstruction experts.
- Negotiate maximum compensation with insurance companies.
- Represent you in court should the case move to trial.
Our East Orange Truck Accident Lawyers at Goldstein & Goldstein Fight for Justice and Compensation for Clients Injured in Devastating Truck Crashes
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a tractor-trailer accident, our experienced East Orange truck accident lawyers at Goldstein & Goldstein can help. Call today at 973-675-8277 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in East Orange, New Jersey, we serve clients in the surrounding areas.
