Roughly 4,000 large trucks and buses are involved in fatal accidents in the United States each year, and it is the people in smaller cars that typically receive the most severe injuries. The size and weight of many commercial trucks, including 18-wheelers, positions them to overpower smaller passenger vehicles, leading to catastrophic or fatal injuries of their drivers and passengers.
The NY & NJ truck accident lawyers at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman understand the impact that a devastating injury can have on the lives of victims, their families and their communities. We are here to help you understand your rights and fight to put your emotional and economic situation back on track.
Truck Accident Attorneys in Bergen County
A serious accident can cause physical, emotional, and financial damages for the victim and their family. The dedicated attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman can help guide you through the recovery process. We fight on the side of victims throughout New Jersey to gain the compensation they need to pay medical bills, replace lost wages, and provide the ongoing care needed to adjust to what may be a new normal.
Expert Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyers
It takes a professional familiar with big rig accidents to thoroughly investigate and effectively prove a claim.
We work closely with trucking industry, medical, and engineering experts to understand how the accident happened and the long-term physical, mental, and financial effects it will have. We examine whether the trucking company followed all of the rules and regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). We make sure a jury understands these factors. This approach has led to our recovery of millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of accident victims.
What Injuries Are Caused by Trucking Accidents?
Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers have handled a wide range of cases involving commercial and semi-truck collisions. These have involved significant injuries, including:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back, neck and head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Wrongful death
What Are Some Causes of Truck Accidents?
Sometimes the trucking company has done something illegal. Sometimes the truck driver was negligent. There are many causes of truck accidents and each can impact liability and legal strategy.
Some of the common causes of truck crashes include: driver fatigue, distracted driving, aggressive driving, and alcohol or drug use. Other causes include trucker blind spots, improper loading, inadequate maintenance, or manufacturing defects.
Whatever the cause, KGG attorneys conduct a thorough investigation to ensure those at fault are held responsible.
What Happens in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Time is of the essence in a truck accident lawsuit. First, a plaintiff loses the right to sue if he or she waits too long. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for both personal injury and wrongful death is two years. Unless a legal exception occurs, lawsuits not filed in that time are barred.
It is also important to act quickly, because evidence can be lost. Retaining a lawyer as soon as possible improves your opportunity to present reliable evidence.
A lawsuit is instituted by filing a complaint in the proper court. After the defendant responds, the parties exchange information through discovery. At any point, from before the complaint is filed until after the parties have presented arguments at trial, but before a jury has rendered a verdict, the parties may negotiate a settlement. It is important to have a committed attorney who can convey the strength of your case at any of these stages to ensure fair compensation.
How Much Is My Claim Worth?
Each case is unique, but our accident attorneys can give you an idea of what factors will impact your claim.
In general, injury settlements are based in part on:
- The cost of past and future related medical expenses
- Prognosis for recovery
- Whether the injury results in a partial or total disability
- Past and future lost wages
- Emotional suffering
- Impact on family, including loss of consortium
- In wrongful death cases, funeral costs and losses suffered by the survivors
When Should I Speak With an Attorney?
If you have been involved in a truck or tractor trailer accident in New Jersey, it is important that you speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. We will walk you through the case and explain your options. You should never accept a settlement without talking to an attorney because your compensation can vary based on so many factors in your case, including the severity and permanence of injury, who was negligent, and whether the FMCSR were followed.
Speak With NJ & NY Truck Accident Lawyers
This is likely your first truck accident case but it is not ours. At KGG, initial consultations for our personal injury clients are always free. Call our office toll free or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation at our offices in either Bergen County, NJ. For injury clients who cannot travel to our offices, we may be able to visit you upon request.
Additional resources:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2015, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2015
- NY Courts, Statute of Limitations, https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/GoingToCourt/SOLchart.shtml