When Must You Help from an experienced Newark Truck Accident Attorney?
A collision with a big truck is one of the worst and most traumatic accidents that a driver can face. In addition to the fact that a truck can do more damage to a smaller car, and cause much more serious injuries, the legal issues surrounding a truck accident are often more complex. If you have been the victim of a truck accident, our firm of experienced Newark truck accident attorneys are available to assist you.
What are some of the main causes of truck accidents?
Truck accidents can be caused by:
- An unqualified driver;
- dangerous road conditions;
- a tired driver;
- driver error;
- excessive speed;
- an improperly loaded or overloaded vehicle;
- mechanical failure.
Who can be held responsible for a truck accident?
Most accidents involving passenger cars or light vehicles are quite straightforward in that the individual drivers are responsible for their vehicles, and will be held liable for their conduct.
Liability for truck accidents can be more complex and may turn upon the actions of:
- The truck driver;
- The other car drivers;
- The truck company or owner
- The cargo loading company;
- parts manufacturers supplying defective parts;
- the truck manufacturer supplying a defective design;
- the maintenance company for the truck;
- government agencies responsible for road maintenance.
Because of the larger pool of potentially responsible parties, liability questions become intricate and confusing. An experienced Newark truck accident attorney can help a victim disentangle the web of responsibility for the accident.
Can A Newark Truck Accident Lawyer Assist with the Investigation of a Accident?
The technical investigation of any accident involves significantly more work than the ordinary car accident, and can turn upon many sources of information, such as:
- Evidence from the scene of the accident;
- logs, black boxes, and performance records for the driver and the truck;
- the maintenance records of the truck;
- the design and safety features of the truck, its trailer, and the component parts of each;
- expert reconstruction of the accident.
The insurance companies for the truck driver, truck company, and other potentially liable parties will send investigators to the scene to secure evidence and prepare reports of their version of events.
An experienced lawyer who has extensive knowledge of truck accidents will be able to assist a victim by conducting similar investigations in a timely fashion.
What do Other Factors Bear on Liability for Truck Accidents?
Specific laws govern the operation of trucks in New Jersey as in the rest of the United States generally.
Drivers are strictly limited in the number of hours they can drive and must take rest periods at specified intervals. Because of the need to turn over cargoes quickly, and because of the nationwide shortage of truck drivers and other employees, truck companies often seek to cut corners and encourage drivers to work extra hours or otherwise evade safety regulations, which increases the danger for everyone.
An attorney who handles truck accident cases regularly understands how to investigate compliance with regulations by truck drivers and truck companies alike, and will be quick to spot any dereliction of duty.
Can a victim recover if they are partially at fault?
Because New Jersey is a comparative fault state, a victim can recover compensation even if their behavior has contributed to the accident. Their share of responsibility will be assessed by a court and their compensation will be reduced by a certain percentage.
A truck accident lawyer in Newark can assist a victim in presenting their side of the case in the best possible light to mitigate the comparative fault system.
Can I Contact a Newark Truck Accident Lawyer?
Because of the disproportionate size of trucks, accidents are often more severe, and more likely to lead to catastrophic physical injuries and serious economic loss. Truck companies and insurance carriers make great efforts to avoid liability in such cases. If you or a loved one have suffered from a truck accident, you should contact an attorney with experience in this area of law.
Our Newark personal injury attorneys work diligently to recover the fullest and fairest compensation possible for our clients’ losses, and we can help you in your time of trouble. If you’re ready to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Newark, call The Law Offices of Samuel Fishman today for an appointment.