Somerset County, New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers

Arlen Law Firm: Big-Firm Strength, Small-Firm Care

Unlike other New Jersey car accident lawyers, I never outsource my cases to junior attorneys or support staff. I pride myself on a uniquely client-facing approach to case management. I combine large-firm experience and resources with an eye toward a positive client experience.

We are here to make your life whole after a devastating loss. Call today for your free, no-obligation consultation: (908) 212 7660.

Truck accidents require truck accident lawyers.

No two truck accidents are the same. From head-on collisions and rear-end accidents to sideswipes and cut corners, each case has its own complexities. Many attorneys claim to handle trucking cases, but without a specialty in this field, they may not use every nuance to their client’s advantage.

With trucking collision cases, you need a New Jersey truck accident lawyer to help bring every element of your case to light. From tracking down various lines of insurance and launching your personal injury claim to calculating medical expenses, wage loss, and pain and suffering, our personal injury lawyers in New Jersey are here to make settling your truck accident claim as easy as possible.

If the trucking defendant fails to offer a fair settlement, our experienced truck accident lawyers are here to bring your case to court if needed. At Arlen Law Firm, we see it as our duty and honor to seek justice for New Jersey truck accident victims.

Even though trucking companies have to adhere to a high standard of safety, truck crashes are disturbingly common. According to a recent study in Forbes, over half a million truck accidents happen every year. (That’s about one crash a minute!) 

Fortunately, commercial trucking companies are required to carry at least $750,000 of liability insurance for every vehicle in operation. Many trucking companies have $1-5 million to protect them from financial losses after a trucking accident.

 

Trucking accidents are unique—but not uncommon.

Truck crashes are rarely straightforward. Some involve interstate trucking laws; other issues may arise depending on the type of vehicle. To make matters even more complicated, you may have to file separate insurance claims for every legal entity responsible for the accident. Responsible entities could include the tractor manufacturer, the trailer manufacturer, the dispatching company, the municipality where the accident occurred, and even trucking parts manufacturers.

The trucking industry fully understands how to use these complicated systems to its advantage. After a trucking accident, they may reach out to you and offer to pay all your medical bills, on the condition of settling the case in full. Don’t do it! Always contact a lawyer before agreeing to an insurance settlement.

The trucking attorneys at Arlen Law Firm Firm know how to pursue your trucking case for maximum value. If you have been injured in a trucking accident, you need a New Jersey law firm that specializes in trucking litigation. Our team includes experts in New Jersey state laws, as well as federal safety regulations. Our record of outcomes speaks for itself. 

Before talking to a trucking insurance adjuster, call Arlen Law Firm for a free case evaluation: (908) 212 7660. 

Finding the Best Somerset County New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’re looking for the best New Jersey truck accident lawyer near you, your search needs to start by asking the right questions. Look into their length of practice, client satisfaction rates, and experience with trucking accident cases. Most personal injury attorneys will not be familiar with the common problems we see in trucking accidents: things like catastrophic injuries, insurance disputes, and claims against multiple parties. 

If you are looking for a top trucking accident lawyer in New Jersey, here are some questions to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a truck accident?

A truck is defined as “every type of motorized vehicle used for commercial purposes, such as transportation of goods, wares, and merchandise” (See Commercial Truck or Tractor, Code 11). New Jersey law defines a truck accident as any collision involving a vehicle as described above.

Why should I hire a New Jersey truck accident lawyer?

Commercial truck accidents are more complicated than most people realize. Not only do they involve a great deal of physical and medical costs—trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds—but there are often many parties who may be found responsible. This requires tracking down multiple lines of insurance to apply to your claim.

What causes trucking accidents?

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has found that about 90% of all truck crashes are caused by human error. The main causes are safety defects, long hours, and poor training. Additional truck accident causes include:

• Distracted driving
• Driving while fatigued (“falling asleep at the wheel”)
• Failing to adjust road and weather conditions
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Negligent hiring (improper vetting of drivers)
• Poor or insufficient driver training
• Failing to maintain safety standards within the truck fleet
• Failing to observe or enforce drivers’ break periods

Commercial trucks can weigh as much as 30 times more than your car—which is why trucking companies carry large amounts of insurance to use after an accident. 

Each year we see over half a million trucking accidents on American roads, resulting in some 5,000 fatalities. The vast majority of these tragic accidents could have been prevented with appropriate precautions. It takes just one moment, one careless truck driver, or one faulty truck part, to change your life forever.

Who’s responsible for your trucking accident?

Sometimes it’s not that simple. 

While the vast majority of trucking accidents are human error, sometimes the liability is more complicated. If you get hit by a truck driver… were they asleep? Did their braking system fail? Had their trucking dispatcher put them on too many back-to-back shifts, leading to fatigue? Rooting out the underlying cause of your accident is what we do at Arlen Law Firm. You need an experienced New Jersey truck accident lawyer to help navigate the legal system, understand your case, and negotiate the best settlement with every party responsible.

What is the statute of limitations for a New Jersey truck accident?

You may be wondering how long you have to file a personal injury case in New Jersey. In our state, the statute of limitations for automotive accidents, including trucks, is two years from the accident date. Once your time is up, the plaintiff may no longer sue the at-fault parties or file for compensation.

Have you been injured in a New Jersey truck accident? Don’t wait! Call us today for a free case evaluation: (908) 212 7660.

Does every truck carrier have insurance?

Yes. Every trucking company operating within the United States is required to carry liability insurance. The minimum amount of liability insurance is $750,000, but many trucking companies wisely elect to carry more insurance, sometimes upwards of $5,000,000 per vehicle. Most interstate trucking companies—FedEx, UPS, J.B. Hunt, Knight-Swift, XPO Logistics, Old Dominion, etc.—carry multimillion-dollar insurance coverage on every vehicle.

Should I accept a settlement from the insurance company?

Never accept a settlement offer without speaking to a New Jersey trucking lawyer first. You may not have a clear sense of what your future medical bills will be, how long your recovery will take, or how much pain and suffering the accident will end up causing you.

When you take the first settlement offer, you often walk away with for far less than you could have received with legal representation. Always speak to an attorney before settling your truck accident case.

What should I do after a truck accident?

Step 1: Gather evidence from the scene. Immediately after your truck crash, exchange your information with the other driver(s), including, names, insurance details, addresses, the name of the trucking carrier, and the DOT number of the truck(s). Take photos and videos of all vehicles and injuries you see. Also get the names and numbers of any witnesses who saw the accident. Finally, give a full and complete report to the police and request a copy of the police report.

Step 2. Get a medical evaluation. See your doctor for a full medical evaluation and prognosis as soon as possible after your truck accident; this helps determine the medical costs and damages associated with your injury. Keep all your medical records, referrals, out-of-office days, workers’ compensation paperwork, and lost wage reports from your employer.

Step 3. Retain a New Jersey truck accident lawyer. The final step is to contact an experienced local truck accident attorney to evaluate your case. Arlen Law Firm will start collecting the evidence that requires legal involvement. This evidence may include black box data, system control modules, dashcam footage, telematic systems, GPS devices, collision avoidance technology, ELD, and so forth.

Who will pay my medical costs after a trucking accident?

If the truck driver is found at fault, their employer, the truck carrier, will pay for your medical care and property damage through their commercial vehicle insurance. These policies are at least $750,000 in the US, and can be over $5 million. Depending on your case, you may be responsible for any copays and deductibles until your case settles, or reaches a verdict at trial. 

Do all truck companies have insurance?

All truck companies operating in the US are federally required to have at least $750,000 in insurance coverage. Larger truck companies frequently have insurance policies in excess of $5 million or more.

However: insurance companies rarely disclose all the benefits available to their policyholders. After a trucking accident, you may be contacted by an insurance adjuster offering you a quick settlement. Never take this settlement. You will almost certainly get more money after seeking an attorney and filing a claim. Call us today and let the team at Arlen Law Firm navigate your New Jersey truck accident case: (908) 212 7660.