Can I File A Claim For A New Jersey Truck Accident?

Did you know that approximately 85 percent of all goods that come through the Port of New York and New Jersey are moved by truck? It’s true. The Port of New York and New Jersey is situated about 700 miles from major cities in the Northeast, meaning that trucks can access millions of consumers in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas in a mere four hour drive. This efficiency of transportation, however, is not without its drawbacks. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), 4,136 people died in commercial truck accidents in 2018. However, 67 percent of all fatalities were occupants of other vehicles, with only sixteen percent of deaths involving those driving in the commercial trucks. This highlights just how catastrophic a collision with a commercial truck can be. 

Learn more about these types of accidents below and how a personal injury attorney can help below. 

How Do I Know if I Have the Basis for a Truck Accident Claim?

In order to move forward with a personal injury claim, four elements must be present. These include: 

• The plaintiff was owed a duty of care from the defendant
• The defendant broke that duty of care
• The plaintiff suffered injuries as a result of the breach
• The plaintiff’s damages are able to be financially compensated 

If these elements are present, you have the basis for a personal injury claim. Next, we take a look at what pieces of evidence and documentation you should bring to your truck accident consultation. 

What Items Should I Bring to My Consultation?

The injuries one can sustain from a truck accident are often severe and will require medical attention and in many cases, ongoing treatment. As such, individuals should bring their medical records and any receipts for medication and office co-pays to their consultation. In addition, injured individuals should also bring the following:

• Police report filed at the scene of the truck accident
• All medical bills associated with the injury and subsequent treatment
• A detailed report of the damage to your vehicle, including relevant photos and the mechanic’s diagnostic report
• Witness statements and contact information such as name and phone number
• Your ID and other contact information
• The trucker’s contact information including their insurance information

Related Blog: Commercial Truck Black Boxes May Provide Evidence for Your Accident Claim

How Long do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in New Jersey?

New Jersey residents who are injured in a truck accident have two years from the date the crash occurred to file a personal injury claim against the truck driver or trucking company. This window is known as the statute of limitations and once it closes, so does your opportunity to pursue compensation. 

Related Blog: Statues of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases in NJ

What Kinds of Damages Can I Sue For in a Truck Accident Claim?

Because the injuries resulting from a truck accident are often so severe, injured individuals can seek damages for the following: 

• Medical bills and related expenses
• Lost wages from being unable to return to work

Individuals can also seek damages for any of the following:

• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Permanent injuries such as vision or hearing loss
• Disability
• Loss of limb
• Loss of an unborn child
• Broken bones and/or fractures

If an individual tragically passed away as a result of the truck accident, surviving family members can bring forward a wrongful death claim and seek damages for the death of their loved one, loss of consortium and funeral expenses. 

Related Blog: Reasons to Need a Truck Accident Lawyer

Contact an East Orange Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Truck Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a truck accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at CourtLaw represent clients injured because of truck accidents in Perth Amboy, New Brunswick, Hoboken, Newark, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, as well as offices in New Brunswick, Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy, and Trenton.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.