As one of many states along the I-95 corridor, New Jersey sees more than its fair share of interstate commercial trucks and tractor-trailers every year. While many trucks drivers operate their vehicles safely, some engage in risky behavior that can lead to devastating accidents. Any collision involving a large truck and a passenger car is likely to cause severe injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
In a past case, Founding Partner Jon Ostroff represented a client who ran out of gas on the interstate highway and was struck by a tractor-trailer traveling at full speed. Our client suffered catastrophic injuries in this explosive crash. Jon secured $10 million for his client in only 14 months, despite the fact that the police blamed Jon’s client for this crash. If you or a loved one were in a collision with a commercial truck, do not hesitate to reach out to an NJ truck crash attorney at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers.
Establishing Fault for a Truck Crash in New Jersey
Recovering financial compensation for the effects of a severe truck accident begins with proving someone else is liable for your collision. You must meet your burden of proving that another person’s negligent or reckless actions caused the crash. Legal claims for tractor-trailer collisions can be complex, as the truck operator is typically not the only liable party. Often, a trucker’s employer shares blame and legal liability.
The trucking company may be held responsible for its employee’s negligence. Additionally, the employer may be directly liable for negligent hiring practices, ignoring safety rules or failing to follow trucking regulations. If the crash was primarily caused by a maintenance issue, a faulty part, or even poor road conditions, there may be other potentially liable parties.
The companies that own and operate commercial trucks often have large legal teams dedicated to fighting civil claims and insurance providers that know all the tricks to minimizing how much they pay to the victim’s they injure. When going up against opposition like this in a truck accident claim, you need the help of a respected New Jersey injury lawyer.
What Laws Apply to Tractor-Trailer Collision Claims?
Even if you have overwhelming evidence that a trucker or their employer is to blame for your accident injuries, you could have trouble recovering the compensation you need without fully understanding how to maximize your recovery in light of New Jersey Revised Statutes §2A:15-5.1. Under this statute, civil juries can assign a percentage of fault to any plaintiff they believe is partly responsible for their accident. This assignment of fault can reduce your final damage award by your percentage of fault, or prohibit you from recovering any compensation at all.
Additionally, N.J.R.S. §2A:14-2 allows most injury victims just two years after the accident to file a legal case, no matter how severe their injuries are or how long the consequences of those injuries last. A skilled NJ truck injury lawyer can inform you of all the laws that apply to your tractor-trailer wreck case.
Talk to a New Jersey Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you were in a crash with a commercial truck, you know all too well how traumatic and debilitating these incidents can be. If you want to seek compensation from the at-fault party, retaining knowledgeable NJ legal counsel should be one of your top priorities.
A New Jersey truck accident lawyer from Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can be the ally you need. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and we will fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
