Common Causes of Truck Accidents
With New Jersey being just a few short hours from some of the busiest areas in the U.S. it is common to see numerous commercial trucks on the road. While the majority of work trucks practice safe driving habits and drive in a safe manner for other drivers’ on the road, this is, unfortunately, not always the case.
Common Causes of New Jersey Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can, and do, occur in New Jersey. These are a few of the most common causes of truck accidents:
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to adjust driving based on weather conditions
- Fatigued driving
- Lack of commercial training
Of course, some truck accidents are also caused by pedestrian vehicles. A few examples of these causes include:
- Misjudging distance between their vehicle and the commercial truck
- Cutting off a truck with minimal braking ability
- Driving in a truck’s reduced visibility
- Slamming on their brakes in front of a truck
It is the responsibility of both passenger and commercial trucks to operate in a safe manner to protect drivers on the road. It is possible for both drivers to be at fault. However, New Jersey does require commercial truck drivers to practice an increased level of care. Trucks tend to be much larger than pedestrian vehicles, which often leads to a worse outcome for the passenger drivers.
Even minimal mistakes when operating a truck can be disastrous for every vehicle and truck involved. That is why truck drivers are required to complete certain training requirements before being allowed to drive a commercial truck. It is also why drivers must follow certain regulations like limiting their time driving and reducing their speed during inclement weather.
Your Legal Options Following a Truck Accident
Unfortunately, if you are involved in a truck accident, you are likely to experience costly damages and medical bills. Trucks do not have the same safety features as pedestrian vehicles. Trucks cannot come to a stop as fast and they do not have the same safety alerts. With their increased weight and lack of braking ability, many truck accidents are severe.
Individuals involved in a truck accident can be left with broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, or even death. If you experience injuries from a truck accident, you may be able to file a personal injury case to recover medical costs and lost wages.
When you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer, they will help you build your case, collecting the documents you need to determine liability. Whether the truck driver or the pedestrian driver was at fault, it is important to collect documents like medical records, driving records, witness reports, and a copy of the police report. These documents will determine who is at fault and who is liable for the damages caused.
File Your Truck Accident within New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations
In addition to how fast medical bills and lost wages can add up following a truck accident, you also have just a short time to file your case with the state of New Jersey. We have just two years from the date of the truck accident to file a case.
Contact a Nutley Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Truck Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a truck accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Birkhold & Maider, LLC represent clients injured because of a truck accident in Mercer County, Union County, Nutley, Hudson County, and throughout New Jersey. Call 973-784-8583 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 189 Franklin Avenue, Suite 1, Nutley, NJ 07110, as well as an office in Hamilton, NJ.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
