Truck Accidents and Personal Injury Attorneys serving in Trenton and Bensalem
Due to the fact that New Jersey is a major thoroughfare between several major cities like Philadelphia and New York City, the roadways here support a large number of trucks and are critical to east coast trucking. Sadly, serious and even fatal accidents on New Jersey roadways are all too common. However, assigning blame for these accidents is not always an easy task.
In these types of accidents, there are a number of parties that could be potentially liable including:
- The driver of the truck– Mistakes by truck drivers are often the cause of many truck accidents. Violations of traffic laws, such as speeding or unsafe lane changes, can make large trucks very dangerous for other motorists.
- The owner of the truck be it an individual or a company– When the trucking company provides the vehicle for a trucker, the owner may hold liability in a trucking incident. In most cases, the owner has the responsibility of inspecting the machine, checking the engine, upkeep with tires and the internal workings of the truck. The owner of the truck is required to maintain the brakes, fluids inside the vehicle and even the tires and electronic system. Failure of these systems due to lack of maintenance can open the owner of the truck up to liability in any accidents involving that vehicle.
- The leaser of the truck be it an individual or a company– Many long term lease contracts can transfer responsibility for maintenance to the leaser. As with the owner, if the leaser fails to properly maintain the vehicle leading to an accident, the leaser can be held liable.
- The manufacturer of the truck, its tires, parts or equipment– When parts malfunction and lead accidents such as a tire blowout, mechanical failure or faulty brakes the manufacturer of the parts retains liability and may be held responsible for paying damages to any victims.
- The shipping freight loader or shipping company– Many accidents involve the cargo being carried by truck. Rapidly shifting loads can cause a driver to lose control of the truck or objects falling off or out of a truck and cause injury or damage to other vehicles. If the loader did not properly inspect the cargo and secure it properly, the loader may become liable when the boxes or equipment falls off and damages another vehicle or causes injury.
What to do if involved in an accident with a truck
In the regrettable instance that you are involved in a crash with a truck or any cargo carried by truck, whether it be minor or major it is highly recommended that you follow these steps.
- Check to see if either you or any of your passengers have sustained an injury
- Remain at the scene of the crash or collision
- Call 9-1-1 For Help
- If possible Snap Photos, Capture Videos & Record Audio
Furthermore, you should exchange information with any drivers that may have been involved including:
- Name
- Phone Number
- Driver’s License Number
- License Plate Number
- Insurance Carrier & Name of Agent
- Insurance Policy Number
- Refrain from making any statements about the crash
Keeping a level head and having a fresh record of the facts can be critical, as details can change or can be forgotten with the passage of time. In some cases, truck crash lawsuits can take months or longer to reach a conclusion. Damage to your property and health that can result in medical expenses and missed time from work are not uncommon in truck accidents. Having an experienced attorney skilled in personal injury involved in vehicle accidents can be crucial to getting the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Trenton and Bensalem Car Accidents Lawyers Today
Insurance companies, as well as truck carriers, will put their efforts in trying to avoid the legal consequences. That´s one of the main reasons why you need to retain an experienced firm that will also do whatever possible to get you the benefits you deserve.
At Cohen & Riechelson, we are familiar with truck accidents, and we know they can be complicated involving causation, and oftentimes with multiple parties involved.
Don´t hesitate to schedule an initial consultation by calling (609) 528-2596 or visiting our website and fill out an online form. We are here to help you!
