New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers

Semi-truck and tractor-trailer accidents are much more common than many people realize. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal organization responsible for regulating trucking companies and their drivers, truck accidents result in thousands of injuries and fatalities each year.

If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a truck accident, the future can seem incredibly uncertain. However, you can turn to The Donnelly Law Firm for guidance and support during this difficult time.

In most cases, victims of truck collisions can hold the trucking company, the truck driver, the truck manufacturer, and/or another liable party responsible. The New Jersey truck accident attorneys at our firm can help you fight for justice. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of severely injured individuals and their families.

Call The Donnelly Law Firm at (800) 398-1866 or contact us online to request a free, confidential consultation.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

A report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2019 found that over 4,000 people died in truck accidents in 2019. This number is 51% higher than it was 10 years ago, despite stricter guidelines for truck drivers and their employers.

The majority of these deadly collisions are caused by:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Aggressive driving
• Hours of service violations
• Severe weather
• Road construction
• Overloaded cargo
• Brake failure

If you or a loved one was injured in a collision with a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or another type of large commercial vehicle, The Donnelly Law Firm can help protect your right to financial compensation.

Who Is Liable for Truck Accidents?

In order to effectively pursue compensation in trucking accident cases, it is crucial to determine exactly what happened and how the accident occurred. This means looking at the obvious causes, as well as the underlying causes of the accident.

At The Donnelly Law Firm, we thoroughly investigate truck accident claims in order to determine who is responsible for the accident by looking at the following factors:

• Whether the driver was fatigued or asleep at the wheel when the crash occurred.
• If the driver violated hours-of-service regulations by not taking appropriate rests.
• The truck driver’s driving history—was he/she involved in any other collisions/incidents?
• Whether or not the trucking company conducted a full background check before hiring the driver.
• Whether or not the trucking company conducted regular drug/alcohol screenings.
• The truck driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash.
• Signs that the truck driver was using a cell phone, eating, or was otherwise distracted.
• Whether or not the truck driver was speeding at the time of the incident.
• If the trucking company encouraged unrealistic quotas or driving schedules.
• Whether the truck was properly maintained by the responsible parties.
• If a defective part, such as the truck’s brakes or tires, may have contributed to the accident.
• The road the accident occurred on and whether it was defective in some way.

The Complexity of Commercial Accident Claims

Truck accident claims tend to be more complex than other types of auto accident claims for a number of reasons.

Firstly, semi-trucks are huge vehicles. They are often carrying heavy and/or hazardous materials. Because of this, they tend to cause extensive damage—including catastrophic injuries and death—when they collide with other, smaller vehicles.

Secondly, truck accident claims are complex due to the multiple parties involved. A truck driver may actually cause an accident, but his or her employer, the trucking company, may also share blame. Additionally, a truck manufacturer may be liable for an accident if it is determined that a faulty or defective part led to the crash.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Firm Today!

Our New Jersey truck accident lawyers leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of the justice and full, fair recovery you are owed. We understand that you are likely dealing with lost income/wages and mounting medical bills, not to mention an immense amount of physical pain and emotional suffering. Our team can handle all the legal aspects of your case so that you can focus on healing.

Call our office at (800) 398-1866 or fill out and submit an online contact form today to request a complimentary case evaluation.