One minute, you’re worry-free on your routine commute to work. Then, an intimidating big rig pulls up in the next lane. It’s about 30 times heavier than your vehicle and makes you feel claustrophobic as you increase your speed to get further away. For many drivers, a collision with a tractor-trailer is a nightmare scenario, but even being near an 18-wheeler can be hazardous. A truck’s tire blowout or accident with another car can send dangerous debris toward your vehicle, resulting in serious damage or injury.
If you have been injured due to a truck driver who was not driving safely or properly maintaining their equipment, a Lakewood truck accident attorney at Rothenberg Law Firm can help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.
Why Choose The Rothenberg Law Firm as Your Lakewood Truck Accident Lawyers?
Selecting your legal representation after a truck accident is a decision that could be central to your journey toward justice and rightful compensation. At The Rothenberg Law Firm, here’s why we are well-placed to take on that pivotal role for you:
A Reputation That Speaks for Itself
Our commitment to our clients and our passion for delivering justice has earned us immense respect in the legal fraternity. Colleagues from other firms, clients from different jurisdictions, and even the opposition hold us highly esteemed for our professional conduct and legal acumen. Our results and the numerous word-of-mouth referrals we receive bear testament to this.
Comprehensive Accident Experience
Our vast practice area spans multiple accident types, from trucking accidents to motorcycle collisions. We’re familiar with all the legal intricacies of these different accident types, giving us an edge when building your compensation claim.
Transparent and Honest Communication
By choosing The Rothenberg Law Firm as your truck accident lawyers in Lakewood, New Jersey, you’re opting for a dedicated, experienced legal team committed to your cause. We’re here to navigate the complex legal terrain for you, advocating for your rights to ensure your recovery isn’t burdened by financial stress.
Truck Accident Statistics
18-wheelers are particularly dangerous on the road. Even if you do your best to be safe around large trucks, they still pose a huge danger. An average long-haul trucker works 60 hours per week and drives more than 107,000 miles annually. A review by the CDC found that 73% of truck drivers felt squeezed by their tight delivery schedules, which could lead to drowsy or distracted driving.
According to the National Safety Council, they make up just 4% of registered vehicles but are involved in 9% of fatal crashes. Since 2016, the number of trucks involved in fatal crashes has increased by 5%. Highways are a frequent way to travel in New Jersey, but unfortunately, the average driver must deal with the added risk of commercial trucks.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Lakewood, NJ
Truck accidents are often a result of a combination of factors. Armed with the knowledge of how truck driver negligence and the negligent behavior of other parties cause these accidents, our lawyers are equipped to establish liability effectively. Here are some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents:
Driver Error
Professional drivers can make mistakes or act negligently. This can include reckless driving, inattention, impaired operation due to fatigue, alcohol or drugs, as well as non-compliance with traffic rules.
Equipment Failure
Equipment failures, such as brake malfunction or tire blowout, could lead to devastating accidents. While sometimes this can be due to a manufacturing defect, lack of proper maintenance can also contribute to a truck accident case.
Improper Loading
Commercial trucks have specific guidelines for how cargo should be loaded. If cargo is not properly secured or is overloaded, it can lead to imbalance, making the truck challenging to maneuver and prone to accidents. If improperly loaded, a tractor-trailer’s cargo can also pose a considerable danger to surrounding drivers.
Poor Training or Inexperience
Driving a tractor-trailer requires a unique skill set. If a truck driver lacks adequate training or experience, they’re more likely to make errors that can lead to an accident.
Inadequate Inspection and Maintenance
Owners and operators of large trucks are responsible for inspecting and maintaining their equipment so that malfunctions like tire blowouts or brake failures don’t cause harm to the occupants of nearby vehicles. If a trucking company neglects this responsibility, it can result in mechanical failures leading to accidents.
At The Rothenberg Law Firm, our lawyers have extensive experience investigating and determining the cause of various truck accidents. Using this information, we can pinpoint who is liable, be it a negligent truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, or a third party, ensuring that justice is served.
Who’s Liable for an Accident Between a Car and a Truck Driver?
If you have been injured in an accident with a large truck, several parties might share part of the blame:
- The truck driver
- The company that hired the driver
- The owner of the truck
- The cargo loaders or manufacturer
- The truck company
- The company leasing the truck
- The company leasing the trailer
- A shipper who wanted the load transported
- A truck, trailer, or parts manufacturer
- The broker who retained the operator of the truck
Because they are so hazardous, tractor-trailers are subject to many federal regulations. Due to the involvement of various individuals, truck accident cases can sometimes involve multiple responsible parties. Only an experienced personal injury lawyer can determine who must be named in your personal injury claim to ensure that the injured plaintiff achieves full compensation.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The sheer size and mass of commercial trucks often make accidents involving these vehicles severe, leading to critical injuries. For truck accident victims to achieve the maximum compensation they deserve, determining the true cost of these injuries is vital. The following are some of the typical injuries we frequently see as a result of truck accidents in New Jersey:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries are serious injuries that occur from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body, which can jolt the brain or cause penetration to the skull. These injuries can lead to cognitive problems, sensory issues, emotional changes, or physical impairment.
Spinal Cord Injuries
When the spine suffers damage during an accident, it might result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting the victim’s ability to move or even feel. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are among the most catastrophic results of a spinal cord injury.
Broken or Fractured Bones
Given the immense force involved in truck accidents, victims may suffer from broken or fractured bones, which can be incredibly painful and require prolonged treatment like surgeries or physical therapies to regain function.
Internal Injuries
The force exerted during a truck collision can lead to internal injuries, causing damage to organs, internal bleeding, or even damage to the abdominal aorta.
Burns
In cases where a truck accident leads to an explosion or fire, victims may suffer from severe burns, which could lead to long-term damage, permanent scarring, and significant emotional trauma.
Psychological Trauma
The experience of a severe truck accident can inflict significant emotional trauma on victims. This trauma could manifest as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions that may need long-term treatment.
The Rothenberg Law Firm understands the severe implications of these injuries. Our New Jersey truck accident lawyers work zealously to ensure that any claim filed includes compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of income, and other associated costs. We aim to secure you the comprehensive compensation you need to facilitate your recovery journey.
Do I Need a Truck Accident Attorney?
Absolutely, yes. Unlike a typical crash between two drivers, an accident with a truck means you might be dealing with lawyers from one or several insurance companies. Be warned – it is an extremely common tactic for these corporate lawyers to offer you a quick settlement that is way below the true dollar value of your claim. They assume that with mounting medical bills and other financial stress, you’ll be desperate to take any money you can get.
How We Can Help
If you have lost a family member or been injured in an accident involving a large commercial truck, navigating the web of regulations and parties involved can be daunting. Trucking and cargo companies will seek to avoid responsibility for tragic accidents, and gathering evidence is difficult. To give yourself the best chance at a favorable outcome, it’s important to have an experienced Lakewood truck accident lawyer at The Rothenberg Law Firm by your side. We have the resources and tenacity to go toe-to-toe with the big trucking companies and insurers. Moreover, our truck accident lawyers can help you see the big picture and outline a roadmap to getting you the timely and fair compensation you deserve.
Compensation in a New Jersey Truck Accident
Your New Jersey truck accident lawyer will work to calculate the full extent of your losses, considering the full range of effects that the accident had on you and your loved ones.
This can include damages for, but not limited to:
- Medical expenses, past, present, and future
- Physical rehabilitation costs, both now and in the future
- Lost wages from work
- Reduced earning capacity due to your serious injury
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Call The Lakewood Truck Accident Attorneys at The Rothenberg Law Firm Today
Due to their size and cargo, large trucks can cause some of the most devastating injuries and losses on the road. The personal injury attorneys at Rothenberg Law Firm can help you take the steps needed to obtain justice for the harm done to you and your loved ones. We’ll take on the legal responsibilities so that you can focus on your physical recovery and mental health after a life-altering accident. Contact our Lakewood, NJ office today to schedule a free consultation.
Lakewood Truck Accident Attorney Barbara Rothenberg, Esq.
Lakewood Office Location
The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP
300 Boulevard of the Americas, Suite 100,
Lakewood, NJ 08701
