New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyer
Because of their massive size and weight, fully loaded commercial trucks may cause injuries that are more severe than those from a typical car crash. If a negligent trucker caused you harm, a New Jersey truck accident lawyer could help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Truck crash claims are rarely simple. They may involve federal regulations, trucking companies, and insurers that seek to limit payouts. An experienced personal injury attorney could help you address these challenges and hold responsible parties accountable. At Goldstein & Bashner, we can provide that assistance while focusing on the issues that make truck accident claims more complex.
How Do Federal Safety Rules Apply to Commercial Trucks?
Commercial trucking operations must comply with strict federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These rules address driving hours, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. When a trucking company or driver ignores these requirements, the violation may contribute to a crash.
Common violations include exceeding hours-of-service limits, failing to perform mandatory maintenance, and overloading a trailer. After a commercial truck crash in New Jersey, a skilled attorney from our firm could review the driver’s logbooks and inspection records to identify which rules the driver or company violated.
Multiple Parties May Share Liability
A key difference in these cases is that several parties may share liability. A typical car crash usually involves two drivers, while truck collision cases may involve drivers and companies. Determining which parties contributed to the accident may affect the amount of compensation available. Depending on the facts, parties that may be liable include:
- The careless truck driver
- The owner of the truck or trailer
- A broker that hired an unsafe carrier
- The trucking company that employed the driver
- A contractor that negligently maintained the truck
- A company that negligently loaded or secured the cargo
Sorting out those responsible takes investigation and industry knowledge. Our lawyers could identify each responsible party and the available insurance coverage after a New Jersey truck collision.
Key Evidence Can Disappear Quickly
Trucking companies often act quickly to protect their interests after a crash. A company may overwrite or lose critical evidence, such as electronic logging device data, dash camera footage, and maintenance files. Prompt action by a lawyer may help preserve this evidence.
After a trucking wreck in New Jersey, our attorneys could send a legal spoliation letter that requires the company to preserve important information. The state also follows a modified comparative negligence rule under New Jersey Statutes Annotated § 2A:15-5.1, so developing strong evidence is critical to contest unfair fault allocation. You generally have two years to file a personal injury claim under N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2, making prompt evidence preservation essential.
Contact Our Attorneys After a Commercial Truck Collision in New Jersey
A serious truck crash can leave you facing substantial medical bills, loss of income, and a long recovery time. Trucking companies and their insurers may act quickly to protect their interests, so prompt legal investigation may help preserve evidence and support your claim.
At Goldstein & Bashner, a New Jersey truck accident lawyer could review the circumstances of your crash, preserve available evidence, address issues involving the trucking company, and help you pursue compensation for your losses. Contact us today at no cost to discuss the facts of your case.
