Freehold Truck Accident Lawyers

Car drivers in Freehold often tend to avoid commercial trucks on the road. The wide turn radius, erratic speeds, and sheer size of these vehicles can cause severe accidents if something goes awry, so we minimize the chances of getting into these collisions as much as possible.

Unfortunately, even the most defensive and experienced drivers get into truck accidents, which often result in catastrophic property damage and severe—even deadly—accidents. If you or a loved one have been in a truck accident recently and do not know where to turn, let Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. guide you through your next steps.

What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Freehold?

As with all vehicle accidents, truck drivers can get into collisions for any number of reasons. For instance, our legal team has seen many fatigue-induced accidents. Truck drivers often work long hours and drive long distances with minimal breaks, which can lead to exhaustion, reduce reaction times, and promote poor decision-making on the road. Federal laws, such as the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, attempt to limit drivers to 14-hour shifts and mandate 30-minute breaks. However, drivers and truck companies do not always follow these rules.

Mechanical failure can also contribute to on-road collisions, as trucks’ size, weight, and constant use demand regular maintenance. If a trucking company neglects to perform this maintenance, crucial vehicle components like brakes, tires, and engines can fail under extended use and cause a loss of control while driving.

If the driver or the loading company fails to distribute the weight of the cargo evenly before the drive, this imbalance can hinder the driver’s control over the truck and potentially lead to tipping or jackknife accidents.

As with most other drivers, truckers can get caught talking on their phones, adjusting their GPS, texting, or eating while driving. Unfortunately, the visibility limitations and size of trucks can exacerbate the consequences of distracted driving, which can have deadly consequences.

How Can You Prove Fault in a Truck Accident?

Because a commercial trucking route usually has several stakeholders, such as the driver, the trucking company, the maintenance crew, the party that loaded the vehicle, and the party receiving the contents of the truck, you may find it difficult to pinpoint the at-fault party in an accident if you wish to pursue compensation for your accident.

After ensuring that you receive medical attention for any injuries you may have sustained in the collision, you will need to work with forensic and mechanical professionals to gather all the relevant evidence, including driver logs, maintenance records (which can point out any potential mechanical flaws in the truck’s operation), and the truck’s black box data (which logs speed, braking patterns, and hours of service). If bystanders saw the accident as it happened, you may need to collect their testimonies and contact information as well.

If you decide to take your claim to court, you may need to hire accident reconstruction specialists to analyze the scene and provide detailed reports on both how the accident occurred and who caused it.

What Injuries Are Common in Truck Accidents?

Because of the size and relative speed of commercial trucks, we often see severe and life-altering injuries from truck collision victims. Our clients often come to us with Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, fractures, and internal organ damage from truck collisions, which result in long-term disabilities, extensive medical treatment, and significant financial burdens.

TBIs occur when a victim’s head strikes an object inside the vehicle or jolts violently during the collision, and this impact can induce lasting disabilities in cognitive function, memory, and emotional well-being.

Depending on the location and severity, a spinal cord injury can create partial or complete paralysis in its victim, altering their life permanently and necessitating ongoing rehabilitation.

Though not as debilitating as TBIs or spinal cord injuries, most victims come away from truck accidents with fractures that require painful recoveries and, in some cases, surgeries. Fractures usually accompany other instances of internal damage, such as organ injury, concussions, and nerve damage.

What Legal Options Do You Have After a Truck Accident in Freehold?

New Jersey law requires that you report your truck accident to the police in the case of injury, death, or damages exceeding $500. After you have fulfilled this requirement, you have several options to cover whatever damages you sustained in the collision.

In most cases, you can file a personal injury claim against the responsible parties to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. If you choose to go down this route, we recommend hiring a seasoned truck accident attorney to negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, as adjusters tend to lowball initial offers or pressure claimants to accept inadequate payouts.

If insurance negotiations fail, you can take your case to court to sue for the compensation you deserve. Though lawsuits can drag out, you can mitigate the time it takes by securing quality evidence before the court. Remember that under New Jersey’s modified comparative negligence rule, the court may deduct the monetary award you receive by your percentage of fault in the collision.

If you believe a defective truck part contributed to your collision, you could file a product liability claim to hold the manufacturer responsible for the resulting damages. In other scenarios, if you think the trucking company subjected their driver to unlawful work hours, you could file a claim to hold them responsible for breaking the law.

How Can a Freehold Truck Accident Lawyer Help You?

In all these scenarios, you will vastly increase your chances of a successful insurance claim or lawsuit by hiring a seasoned truck accident lawyer—especially a compassionate one who knows your physical, emotional, and financial burdens. They can help you understand your rights, gather all relevant evidence, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and advocate for you in court if necessary.

Additionally, an experienced attorney will help you abide by all relevant statutes, such as the statute of limitations, and navigate the complex legal landscape to maximize your payout.

The Freehold Truck Accident Lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. Help Victims Injured in Truck Accidents Collect Compensation

When you get into an accident with a truck, let the Freehold truck accident lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. guide you through your next legal steps. We have years of experience working with truck accident victims. Call 732-906-1500 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Brick, Freehold, and Edison, New Jersey, we serve clients in the surrounding areas, including Point Pleasant.