South Brunswick Truck Accident Attorneys
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Truck Accidents in South Brunswick
When Big rigs, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers and other large trucks are fully loaded they weigh up to 80,000 lbs. The sheer size and mass of these vehicles makes them an extreme danger when colliding with a passenger car, van, truck, or SUV. Although truck drivers attend special training programs and are required to adhere to many state and federal safety regulations, the trucking profession is still rated as the eighth most dangerous profession in the country.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in South Brunswick, you are likely experiencing one of the most difficult times of your life. The injuries sustained may be serious or catastrophic, requiring extensive medical care, multiple surgeries, and weeks or months under medical care, followed by rehabilitation.
Negligence in Truck Accident Injury Cases
Every trucker and trucking company is required to follow a set of laws and rules to operate a commercial truck legally. As drivers rely on meeting schedules to earn their paychecks, truckers and their managers may engage in negligent driving behavior to attempt to deliver a load on time and violate federal driving safety regulations. When this is the case, you have the right to be compensated for your losses.
Some negligent driving behaviors known to lead to serious truck accidents include:
- Improperly loaded trucks: Weight distribution of a load is vital for safety on the road. The company that loaded the truck may have failed to distribute the load evenly, leaving the truck dangerously unbalanced and prone to jackknife during various road maneuvers.
- Driver Fatigue: Tired drivers are dangerous, which is why truckers are legally required to rest at regular intervals. A driver may violate the hours of service in an effort to deliver a load on time and drive while tired, putting all others sharing the roadways at risk.
- Impaired Driving: In many truck accident cases, the driver was found to be driving impaired by alcohol and/or drugs (legally prescribed or recreational).
- Reckless driving: Truck drivers may violate the law by speeding, recklessly changing lanes, or driving too fast for road conditions, or other dangerous actions.
Freeways and High-Traffic Areas
Unfortunately, commercial trucks drive on the same streets and highways shared by regular drivers in passenger cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, including in high traffic areas. A truck accident on a freeway or busy street can result in multiple collisions, and many injured victims.
Typical Compensation for Trucking Accidents
Due to the severe injuries that commonly occur in commercial truck accidents, the compensation pursued in an injury case is often very high value, reflecting the long-term impact on the life and future of the victim. The compensation sought will include:
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical bills
- Transportation costs
- Rehabilitation
- Medications
- Nursing care
- Cost of home refits to accommodate wheelchairs, etc.
- Pain and suffering
Insurance Claims in Truck Accident Cases
Trucking companies are required to carry high value insurance policies, as an accident can lead to very extensive injuries or loss of life. Federal law requires commercial trucks that weigh 10,000 lbs. or more to carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance. If you file a claim to attempt to seek justice and compensation for what occurred, you may be treated unfairly, unless your right to fair compensation is protected by an experienced South Brunswick vehicle accident lawyer.
If you attempt to file a claim or a lawsuit without an South Brunswick attorney, you may be offered a settlement far lower than you deserve. With Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C., on your side, our reputation for winning multi-million-dollar settlements can be of great benefit in negotiating a fair settlement. The insurance company defense attorneys will know they are dealing a trial law team with a reputation for excellence in court, and may prefer to settle the case fairly, without the need for a trial. If taking the case to a jury is necessary to seek justice, your case will be in good hands.
Contact Us Today
We take only a select number of cases and offer our services on a contingency fee basis (no legal fees unless we win compensation for you). At Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C., we dedicate the full resources of our firm to each case we take on, going the extra mile for each client. With over 25 years of experience, we have the skills, knowledge, and experience to pursue the maximum in compensation. Despite being a small firm, we offer the skills of a range of experts, engineers, and consultants to provide supporting evidence needed to win. Contact us today at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation.
The firm’s principals, Gabriel R. Lependorf and David E. Silverstein, have each been representing injured victims in the State of New Jersey for over thirty years.
Call Our Office At (609) 240-0040 Today for Help
