Seasoned Woodland Park Lawyer Effectively Resolves Trucking Accident Claims

Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, accidents involving them can result in especially serious injuries and fatalities. In one recent year alone, there were approximately 90 deaths in accidents involving trucks in New Jersey, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most of the fatalities were occupants of other vehicles in the accidents. At Licatesi Law Group, LLP in Woodland Park, our respected accident attorneys help trucking accident victims in Passaic County and throughout the state navigate the legal and financial aftermath of these devastating crashes.

How truck accidents happen in New Jersey

Interstate highways that pass through Passaic County, including the I-80 and I-287, are essential corridors for transporting goods to neighboring states and to New Jersey's cities, towns and boroughs. State highways and local roads also support the movement of goods. When large trucks share space with passenger cars on heavily trafficked highways and roads, dangerous crashes between them are not unusual. Reasons that accidents can happen include the following:

The negligence of multiple parties may contribute to trucking accidents. At-fault parties could include the truck driver, the trucking company that employs them, another driver on the road, a shipper or loader of cargo or a manufacturer that produced a defective part. A New Jersey injury attorney from our firm will work to identify and hold accountable all involved parties.

Catastrophic injuries in trucking accidents

Life changing catastrophic injuries can result from crashes with big trucks, causing victims permanent limited physical and/or mental function. Catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injury and spinal cord damage causing paralysis and loss of limbs or organ function. These injuries are very expensive to treat and may require ongoing medical care for years or even for a lifetime. In addition to physical injuries from trucking accidents, emotional suffering can be very high. Victims may undergo post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health conditions.

In a legal claim, you could receive payment for your medical and rehabilitation bills, as well as for your emotional suffering and distress. We will fight to get the optimal settlement or award possible. If you have lost a family member in a truck crash, you could potentially receive compensation through a wrongful death claim.

What to do after being in an accident with a commercial truck

Immediately after the accident, call 911 to summon police to the scene. If you are able, gather evidence. Get contact information for the truck driver, take photos and videos of the scene and obtain contact information for any eyewitnesses. When police arrive, give your account but do not admit any fault on your part. Request a copy of the police report. If you are hurt, seek emergency treatment or see a doctor as soon as possible. Next, seek advice from an injury attorney familiar with trucking accidents.