Driving along the freeway with large 18-wheeler trucks can sometimes be nerve-wracking. With the damage these vehicles are capable of inflicting, using caution near these trucks is always the best course of action. Accidents involving 18-wheelers often result in significant and costly damages.
After an accident with an 18-wheeler truck, securing compensation from the liable party can be an essential step toward recovery. At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of 18-wheeler accident lawyers in Clifton, NJ, has helped countless accident victims recover compensation. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to get started today.
File Your 18-Wheeler Accident Lawsuit on Time
When pursuing compensation through a lawsuit, it is critical to pay attention to how long you have to submit your paperwork to the court. In New Jersey, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years. Failure to file within this time period will likely mean the forfeiture of your right to pursue damages from the liable party.
However, you need to realize that the statute of limitations is not immovable. Many exceptions exist that can alter the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit. Depending on the details of your case, an exception could permit you to file long after the standard two-year window has passed.
Alternatively, you may find that an exception further limits the amount of time you have to submit your lawsuit. Rather than two years, you could be constricted to a matter of months in which you can file. The best way to ensure that all deadlines are met is by hiring an experienced 18-wheeler attorney in Clifton, NJ, shortly after your accident.
Damages You Can Recover After a Clifton 18-Wheeler Accident
When pursuing compensation after a car accident with an 18-wheeler in Clifton, NJ, there are many types of damages you will likely be eligible to recover. The specific damages you will be able to collect after an accident depends on the particulars of your case. All compensatory damages are divided between economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
All the losses you suffer after an accident that impact you financially are categorized as economic damages. These losses include any income you were unable to earn or money you had to spend because of your accident. You can receive economic damages to cover both losses you currently face and projected future losses.
Commonly awarded economic damages after an 18-wheeler accident include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Decreased earning ability
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
All other losses resulting from an accident are labeled as non-economic damages. Non-economic damages can cover a wide range of losses. While these losses can be varied, one similarity they tend to share is that they are typically irreversible and irreplaceable. Because of this, the money awarded for these losses is usually significant.
Commonly awarded non-economic damages after an 18-wheeler accident include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
Following an 18-wheeler accident, you can get help determining the damages you are able to pursue from an experienced lawyer. In addition to the compensatory damages mentioned above, your case may qualify you to receive punitive damages.
Punitive damages are only awarded in extreme cases. To qualify for punitive damages, the at-fault party must have acted in a manner deemed criminally negligent or behaved with the willful intent of causing harm.
Clifton 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Who Is Liable for an 18-Wheeler Accident?
The first step on the path to recovering compensation is determining who is liable for your damages. Unfortunately, this task is often easier said than done. Establishing liability without help from an experienced professional can be challenging.
However, when you hire an 18-wheeler accident attorney, they will know exactly what to look for when attempting to prove fault. Your lawyer will investigate your case with a focus on determining liability and gathering evidence to support your claim.
The Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side
Insurance providers spend a lot of money on ad campaigns designed to portray them as friendly neighbors, ready to help you get back on your feet after tragedy strikes. However, the truth is that these companies are far more focused on protecting their money than on protecting accident victims.
Unfortunately, a large portion of accident victims are taken in by these companies and believe that they do truly have their best interests at heart. This belief often leads the accident victim into situations where the insurer is able to manipulate them into devaluing their claim and possibly even putting them in a position where the insurer can deny the claim altogether.
The best way to protect yourself against the predatory tactics used by insurance adjusters is to hire an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer. Hiring an attorney will prevent the insurer from contacting you directly. By forcing them to deal with your lawyer, you will neutralize the tricks they would attempt to use to avoid paying out the full value of your claim.
Hire an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Clifton With a Proven Track Record
When you are pursuing compensation after an accident, it is critical that you obtain the services of an experienced lawyer with a proven track record of winning cases similar to yours. At the Morelli Law Firm, our 18-wheeler accident attorneys in Clifton have a long history of helping accident victims recover the compensation they need and deserve.
Fill out our online contact form or give us a call to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team today.