Commercial vehicles can move all types of cargo, often on tractor trailers. According to a 2017 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) report, there were 116,000 injury-related crashes involving large trucks and buses nationwide — 4,889 of which were fatal.
Accidents involving commercial vehicles typically result in serious property damage and severe bodily injury, due to their size and weight. A Jersey City commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Morelli Law Firm can help victims recover compensation for their damages such as medical expenses.
Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
Commercial vehicle accidents can have fatal consequences for all parties involved. When the victims survive, they may be facing long-term treatment for severe injuries and be out of work recovering. The most common injuries that an individual can sustain include:
- Head injuries
- Internal injuries
- Injuries to the spinal cord
- Paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Knee trauma
- Broken ribs
- Broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Whiplash
How to Win a Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim in Jersey City
If you are hoping to win your commercial vehicle accident claim in Jersey City, you may have different options for pursuing compensation.
You Could File a Personal Injury Protection Claim (PIP)
First, you may be able to file a claim with the insurance company. New Jersey is a no-fault state for car accidents and insurance purposes.
This means you will file a claim with your own auto insurance company, as you have previously purchased personal injury protection coverage as part of your auto insurance policy. However, dealing with your own insurance company does not mean the claims process will be easy.
Insurance companies may try to avoid paying out your claim. As such, they are only required to cover certain types and amounts of economic losses. You have the right to be compensated for every loss.
You May Have the Option to File a Civil Case
Whatever the insurance company is unable to cover, you can seek through a civil claim against the liable party. Bringing your case to court may be overwhelming, but when you have a legal advocate from our team backing you up, we can help secure the compensation to which you are entitled in civil court.
Jersey City Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Common Causes of Jersey City Commercial Truck Accidents
Figuring out who is responsible for causing your accident will be essential to your case. In many commercial truck accident claims, the truck driver is responsible, because they were engaging in some type of unsafe driving behavior, such as:
- Speeding
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Road rage
- Tailgating
- Failure to stop
- Failure to yield
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Drugged driving
- Drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving
When truck driver negligence is the cause of your commercial truck accident, the trucking company could be liable for your injuries, as they are responsible for the actions of their drivers.
Commercial truck accidents can also be caused by dangerous roads and defective or malfunctioning motor vehicle parts. When this happens, there are multiple parties who could share fault, including government agencies and municipalities, as well as auto parts manufacturers, distributors, and dealerships, respectively.
Evidence to Collect From Your Commercial Vehicle Accident
Regardless of how severe your injuries may be, the first step to take following a motor accident is to get treatment. The medical reports from your treatment are evidence documenting the direct connection between the accident and your injuries. Your personal injury lawyer can use this information in settlement negotiations with insurance companies.
Following up on the police reports is the next important step to find out how the accident happened. Your commercial vehicle accident attorney in Jersey City can also handle these technicalities for you, initiating proceedings on your behalf. This paperwork is also vital to your case.
The more evidence you collect from the accident can only improve your chances of obtaining compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Photos of each vehicle involved in the accident and the scene of the crash, witness statements, as well as any street camera footage are all valuable pieces of evidence that can prove liability in the accident.
NJ Statute of Limitations for Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations under Statute §2A:14-2 gives a limited period of two years to initiate a personal injury lawsuit. By hiring a Jersey City commercial vehicle accident lawyer, you have someone to work to your advantage because they understand the dictates of the law and can file your lawsuit within the required time limit.
Your Lawyer Can Fight Against Insurance Companies
Insurance agents and their legal representatives make sure they assess the scene of the crime as soon as it occurs to help build a strong case and reduce your compensation. Even as you recover, the insurance company and their agents work to ensure they save money.
You do not want to take the chance of negotiating with an insurance company without a lawyer. You can end up settling for the first offer, which usually does not match the harm you suffered. An attorney on our team can help make further negotiations that will push the insurance company to raise the amount.
Benefits of Hiring a Jersey City Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer at Our Firm
Consider seeking the legal advice of an attorney as soon as you are well enough to begin legal proceedings. An attorney levels the playing field for you. While the insurance companies and their agents inspect the scene, your attorney can ensure evidence is not lost or misplaced.
It’s in your best interest to hire a Jersey City commercial vehicle accidents lawyer on our team as soon as possible. They can:
- Help you conduct investigations for your case
- Ensure collected evidence is safe and preserved
- Make negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf
- Help you with the court proceedings since they understand state laws better
- Help you understand the protections you have in the law
- Assist you in pursuing compensation for all the injuries sustained
Our law firm understands the common tactics that liable parties and their insurance companies make, and we can help you maneuver through the process.
Our Commerical Truck Accident Attorneys Will Serve You on Contingency
After learning about the services our team provides, you might feel hesitant about
working with us due to the attorney’s fees. Not to worry, as we will take your case on a contingency-fee basis, meaning:
- When you call, one of our team members will offer you a free case review that comes at no obligation.
- Don’t use your savings, because our firm will finance your case.
- We do not require any upfront or out-of-pocket costs.
- Your lawyer will not ask for retainers or a by-the-hour rate.
Should your attorney recover a settlement or court award for you, they will take their payment. This way, you take little financial risk.
Compensatory Damages in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case
The damages you can collect for a commercial vehicle accident depend on the specific losses you have experienced. You may also collect damages for losses that you are likely to experience in the future. This can be:
- Hospital bills
- Additional medical expenses (therapy or medications)
- Out-of-pocket expenses for transportation
- Lost wages
- Loss of future wages
- Funeral and burial expenses in the event of a wrongful death
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Your attorney can total these damages and assign a value to your non-economic losses to be used in settlement negotiations.
Speak With a Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney in Jersey City
If you have sustained injuries in a commercial motor vehicle accident, a Jersey City commercial vehicle accident attorney can help you take legal action against negligent individuals. Motor vehicle accidents often have complexities, from multiple liable parties to the presentation of evidence collected from the scene. You may want help throughout the legal process.
Contact our legal team at Morelli Law Firm to learn more about how we can protect your rights. We have years of experience handling personal injury cases and have won billions in settlements for our clients. Get started today with a consultation free of charge.