Jersey City Trucking Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a commercial truck accident in Jersey City, New Jersey, you may be dealing with severe or catastrophic injuries and related expenses. You may not know who is responsible for paying for these losses. Our Jersey City truck accident lawyers can help you understand and protect your rights, as well as move on from a collision with the justice you deserve.
At Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC, our Jersey City truck accident attorneys can answer your questions and address all of your concerns after a devastating collision. We understand these cases and how damaging truck accidents can be for victims. We can help you and your family if you suffered a life-altering injury. Learn more today during a free initial consultation.
Why Choose Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC?
- Our law firm was founded in 1965. Since then, our attorneys have acquired a reputation for aggressive litigation and achieving positive outcomes, even in complex cases.
- We will put you and your needs first. Your truck accident lawyer will always be available to answer your questions, update you on your case status and pursue your unique goals.
- Our Jersey City personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay us anything until and unless we win your case, guaranteed.
Why You Need to Hire a Jersey City Truck Accident Attorney
It isn’t easy to go up against a trucking company or its insurance provider alone. Truck companies in New Jersey have aggressive legal teams and expansive resources to fight liability suits. The truck company’s main goal is to protect itself by minimizing the amount it pays you in insurance benefits. Combatting the tactics used by a truck company may require assistance from an attorney.
An experienced truck accident lawyer in Jersey City will have the knowledge of the law, connections to qualified experts and legal resources you need to level the playing field between you and the defendant. Most importantly, an attorney can provide you with the peace of mind you need during this difficult time by taking care of the confusing legal process for you.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Jersey City
Almost all truck accidents are preventable. The commercial trucking industry is relatively safe when trucking companies, cargo companies and truck drivers obey federal safety standards and exercise reasonable care. Unfortunately, many truck companies and truck drivers break the rules and behave carelessly or recklessly, increasing the risk of serious truck, pedestrian accidents, and car accidents.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in New Jersey are:
- Truck driver error
- Texting while driving or distracted truck driving
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy truck driver
- Improper lookout and large blind spots
- Making an unsafe wide turn
- Making an illegal turn or U-turn
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Breaking other traffic laws
- Poor fleet maintenance and truck breakdowns
- Tire blowouts and other defective parts
- Lost cargo loads from poor securement
If there is evidence that a trucking company or one of its employees caused or significantly contributed to your truck accident, that party may be liable, or financially responsible, for the collision and your related damages. You will only have grounds to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party in New Jersey, however, in certain circumstances.
How Does a Truck Accident Claim Work in New Jersey?
Unlike most states, New Jersey operates on a no-fault auto insurance system. This means that after a traffic accident, an injured driver will file a claim with his or her own insurance company, regardless of fault for the crash. The driver’s personal injury protection (PIP) will pay for his or her medical bills. The tradeoff is that drivers in New Jersey do not have to prove fault to be eligible for PIP benefits.
In most other states, drivers request benefits from the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Although a third-party insurance claim generally results in greater financial compensation, the driver must establish fault for a successful suit. In New Jersey, the only time a driver or injured crash victim can hold an at-fault party accountable is if the injuries meet the state’s serious injury threshold.
The serious injury threshold (New Jersey Statutes Annotated Section 39:6A-8) is a bodily injury that results in significant disfigurement or scarring, dismemberment, displaced bone fractures, loss of a fetus, death, or a permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability. An injury is considered to be permanent if the organ or body part will not function normally, even with further medical treatment. Most truck accidents cause injuries that meet New Jersey’s threshold, giving the victim the right to file a tort-based lawsuit.
What Makes Truck Accident Claims Unique?
The catastrophic nature of most truck accidents is one of the many things that make these collisions unique compared to other types of motor vehicle accidents. Some of the most common injuries suffered are broken bones, head trauma, traumatic brain injuries, back and spine injuries, whiplash, lacerations, organ damage, burns, and losses of limbs.
If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury, prepare to go up against a powerful adversary during your tort claim. This is another unique element involved in a truck accident case. The size of the adversary makes it even more important to hire a truck accident attorney to represent you. Otherwise, you will be at a disadvantage and risk settling for less financial compensation than you need.
Another unique element you or your attorney must contend with is federal trucking laws. There are different regulations and rules for truck drivers and trucking companies than for standard motor vehicle drivers. There are hours-of-service regulations, for example, that limit how long a truck driver can drive without taking a break. A truck accident attorney will understand these laws and how they may affect your injury claim. If the truck company or driver violated federal law, for example, this may serve as evidence of fault during your suit.
You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible following your accident. Whether you require the services of a commercial or delivery vehicle accident attorney in Jersey City, we can help.
Consult With Our Jersey City Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you were recently injured or a loved one lost his or her life in a commercial truck accident in Jersey City, New Jersey, don’t hesitate to contact Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC for a free legal consultation. Our attorneys can help you and your family get what you need to recover and move on. Discuss how we can help with your truck accident case in more detail today. Call (201) 997-0030 now to request your free case review.