Were you or a loved one injured in an accident involving a commercial track? Don’t face it alone. The Jersey City truck accident lawyers at Glugeth & Pierguidi are here to help you recover and ensure your rights are protected.
Being involved in a tractor-trailer accident can leave you with severe, permanent injuries. If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be able to hold multiple parties liable, depending on who was negligent, allowing you to recover compensation for your damages. Contact the Jersey City truck accident lawyers at Glugeth & Pierguidi for a free consultation today: 201-699-5070
On average, nine people pass away in traffic accidents in Jersey City every year. While this number may seem low, many more people experience severe injuries that might cause permanent harm. Many of these injuries and fatalities involve tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks.
If you are hurt in a truck accident, work with Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. A Jersey City truck accident lawyer from our firm can help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Our city’s roads are always full of trucks carrying deliveries locally and to New York City. While most drivers in Jersey City drive carefully, many take risks or make mistakes that lead to accidents.
Some of the typical causes behind truck wrecks include:
- Driver fatigue,
- Distracted driving,
- Improper lane changes,
- Poor weather conditions, and
- Speeding.
In some cases, accidents might seem out of the driver’s control. These often involve mechanical issues or defects that cause sudden, unexpected hazards.
Types of Truck Accidents
All truck accidents can be severe, but each type of accident comes with its risks. Our firm often handles the following types of incidents.
Rear-End Collisions
In these crashes, a truck collides with the vehicle in front of it, often resulting in significant damage and severe injuries. Even at slow speeds, commercial trucks’s sheer size and weight amplify the consequences of these accidents. Victims often don’t see the incoming truck, making the force of the impact even worse.
Jackknife Accidents
In some situations, a truck driver might break or turn quickly. This shift in momentum causes the truck’s trailer to swing outward. Jackknifed trailers can block several or all lanes of traffic. This sudden obstruction can lead to multi-vehicle collisions and extensive property damage.
Underride Accidents
It’s dangerous for small vehicles to share the road with large trucks. These vehicles can become wedged beneath the rear or side of a truck. Once a car gets stuck, it can be dragged for several miles or crushed beneath the truck’s wheels.
Rollover Accidents
In a rollover accident, a truck tips onto its side or rolls over entirely. These accidents can crush nearby vehicles, block traffic, and litter the road with cargo. Many rollover accidents also lead to spilled fluids like gasoline and diesel that can ignite and cause fires.
How a Jersey City Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Hiring an attorney can help you seek compensation after a truck accident. A legal professional can take on the stress of managing a lawsuit so you can focus on recovering.
Legal Knowledge
Lawyers understand federal and state trucking laws. They can review your case and identify any violations of these regulations. An experienced lawyer can also review liability factors, such as driver negligence, inadequate maintenance, or violations of traffic laws. Their knowledge will help you identify possible liable parties and initiate legal action against them.
Gathering Evidence
A truck accident attorney understands that evidence is the deciding factor in most cases. Your lawyer will investigate the accident to find support for your personal injury claim. Evidence can include black box data, witness testimony, police reports, and photos or videos. Additionally, a lawyer can work with accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate how the accident caused your injuries.
Negotiation Abilities
Attorneys undergo years of training to sharpen their negotiation skills. They understand transportation and insurance laws, as well as the legal elements of personal injury claims. Using this knowledge, your attorney can negotiate with liable parties and insurers to help you get compensation. They will work to show how the accident caused your injury and request a fair settlement to pay for your damages.
Court Representation
Your attorney can take your case to trial if a settlement isn’t possible. They will manage the entire legal process on your behalf. This includes filing documents, presenting evidence, and making legal arguments. Your lawyer’s courtroom prowess can help show the judge or jury why you deserve compensation.
Compensation Available After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents often lead to life-altering injuries and destroyed vehicles. You can recover compensation for any physical, financial, or emotional harm caused by the accident.
Victims often seek compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Property damage,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Wrongful death.
Calculating your total damages can be difficult, especially if you have mental or emotional injuries. Your semi-truck accident lawyer will assist you in reaching a total settlement amount that offers a fair resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Jersey City truck accident lawyer can answer any questions you have after an accident. Here are some answers to common questions we get from our clients.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
New Jersey law requires you to file a lawsuit within two years of the accident. If any children were in the accident, they must file a claim by their 20th birthday. A judge can dismiss your case if you file after this deadline, so you need to speak with an attorney immediately after an accident.
Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Determining liability in a truck accident is a complex process that requires a thorough investigation by a Jersey City truck accident attorney. Multiple parties can be responsible for these incidents, and each will try to avoid liability.
Possible liable parties can include:
- Truck drivers,
- Trucking companies,
- Mechanics and maintenance companies,
- Truck manufacturers, and
- Other drivers.
In some cases, several people or entities can share liability for an accident.
Can I Still File a Lawsuit If I’m Partially at Fault?
New Jersey’s comparative fault statute allows you to file a lawsuit even if you share some of the blame for an accident. You are eligible for compensation if you are no more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, a court will limit your total compensation based on the amount of fault you share.
Contact a Jersey City Truck Accident Lawyer
Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. is ready to fight for you. We have decades of experience litigating complex cases and have recovered several six- and seven-figure settlements for our clients. Our firm doesn’t charge a dime unless we get compensation for you.Call today to schedule a case evaluation.
Our Jersey City truck accident lawyers also handle the following types of cases:
