A collision with a large truck can be devastating. You may have serious injuries, and be unsure of who is responsible for paying the medical bills. You may not be aware of the legalities surrounding your case. And you may not have a clue what to expect from the injury rehab process.
What if there was someone on your side who was able to handle all of these problems for you? Our New Jersey truck accident attorneys do more than just recover the maximum amount of compensation for our clients. We step in to make their lives easier, from handling medical bills to helping them figure out how to get quality medical care.
The Severity of a Truck Accident
Vehicles such as tractor-trailers pose a significant risk to other drivers due to their massive size and weight. The average 18-wheeler weighs around 80,000 pounds, compared to the average passenger vehicle that weighs about 3,000 pounds.
It’s not difficult for a collision with a large truck to cause serious injury. Even an accident that would have been minor, had it involved passenger vehicles, can be destructive when it involves a truck.
In addition to the force of the crash, truck accidents can also pose additional risks. Trucks can sometimes be loaded with cargo that can be dangerous, such as flammable liquids, chemicals, and other hazardous materials. If this cargo breaks free as a result of the collision, the outcome could put many people at risk.
Causes of Truck Accidents
At times, just being in the wrong place at the wrong time could result in your being involved in a truck accident. Someone was responsible for the accident, and finding out who that may be is an important step to recovering damages.
What causes a truck accident? As with most motor vehicle crashes, the cause is often rooted in one of two things: driver error or vehicle factors.
Truck Driver Errors
When a truck driver takes a risk such as breaking a traffic safety law or ignoring right-of-way, everyone else on the road gets put in harm’s way.
Unfortunately, truck drivers’ lifestyles can encourage such behavior. Truck drivers endure long hours and work on tight schedules, making the compulsion to speed a strong one.
Of course, it’s not always reckless behavior on the part of the truck driver that causes the crash. Our New Jersey truck accident attorneys will investigate the crash and help determine who is at fault, holding all parties accountable.
Vehicle Factors
Sometimes liability lies with whoever owned and failed to maintain the vehicle. Truck parts can suffer wear quickly due to regular long-distance trips. Mechanical problems such as brake failures and the neglecting of routine maintenance can often lead to accidents.
Contact us Right Away
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, call one of our experienced New Jersey truck accident attorneys today. We will investigate and prosecute your case to the fullest extent of the law.