Since dump trucks are much taller than most vehicles and usually weigh far more—especially when loaded down with loose material like gravel and concrete—when a collision occurs, the accident often causes severe injuries or fatalities.
If you or someone you love is suffering because of an accident with a dump truck, you have the right to hold all negligent parties responsible for your losses.
A Jersey City dump truck lawyer who has worked on cases like these before can stand up for your rights and help you pursue compensation for your injuries.
For a free review of your case, contact Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800.
Types of Injuries that Can Occur in Dump Truck Accidents
Dump trucks weigh far more than the average car. Many of them also are much taller, causing the smaller vehicle to go under the dump truck during the accident. Victims often suffer severe injuries, including:
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is not visible, and the victim may not realize they are bleeding until the symptoms become severe. Some of the symptoms that accompany severe hemorrhaging include external bleeding, seizures, and coma. Without immediate medical attention, this type of injury can be fatal.
Traumatic Brain Injury
If the victim suffered a severe blow to the head during the accident with the dump truck, they may have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are the second-leading cause of TBIs, an injury that can cause impairments to the victim’s thinking and change his or her personality.
Fractures
Broken bones are extremely common because of the force created during a collision. The severity of the fracture and its location determines how long it will take to heal, although anywhere from several weeks to a few months is normal. In most cases, fractures heal with medical treatment and rest. If the bone pierces the skin, it creates a higher risk of infection.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury is an extremely serious injury that can permanently impact the victim’s daily life. The spinal cord is responsible for sending messages to all parts of the body. It also relays messages from the body back to the brain. If someone injures their spinal cord in a dump truck accident, messages may not be able to be relayed, and the victim may suffer a loss of sensation or mobility, according to Healthline.
Regardless of the injuries from which you are suffering, you have the right to hold the negligent parties responsible for your losses, and a Jersey City dump truck lawyer can help. For a free review of your case, contact Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800.
How New Jersey’s Negligence Law Could Impact Your Case
New Jersey is a modified comparative fault state. That means that even if you were partially responsible for causing the accident, you can still recover compensation. Your damages would just be reduced by the degree to which you were responsible. For example, if you are 10% responsible for causing the accident with the dump truck, you can still recover 90% of the amount awarded.
However, New Jersey does have a fault threshold of 51%. If you hit the fault threshold, you will be barred from recovering any type of compensation. This means that you can recover compensation even if you are 50% responsible for the collision, but if the insurance company can prove that you are 51% or more responsible, you will be barred from any amount of recovery.
A lawyer can help defend you against claims that you are more responsible for an accident than you really are.
Jersey City Dump Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Recoverable Damages After a Jersey City Dump Truck Accident
There are many types of damages you may be able to recover as a result of an accident with a dump truck. Ultimately, the types of damages will depend on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial losses, and the impact on your total quality of life and future. Some possible types of damages include:
- Ambulance rides
- Hospitalizations
- Surgical treatments
- Medication
- Doctor’s examinations
- Physical therapy
- Assistive devices like wheelchairs and walkers
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Property damage
Wrongful Death
If your loved one did not survive the accident, your family has the right to hold the negligent parties responsible by pursuing a wrongful death claim. Some types of recoverable damages in a wrongful death lawsuit include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
- Medical expenses left to the family to pay
- Funeral and burial costs
A Jersey City Dump Truck Lawyer with Morelli Law Firm Is Here for You
We understand how overwhelming it can be to think about pursuing damages in a lawsuit, especially if you are still suffering because of your injuries. However, we are here to take the burden off of you and stand up for your rights. Some specific ways we can help are by:
- Investigating your accident and gathering evidence to determine liability
- Gathering employment records, medical bills, and receipts to determine the full value of your financial losses
- Speaking with your doctors and medical professionals to determine the cost of your pain and suffering, including your future pain and suffering
- Negotiating with the insurance company to pursue a fair settlement for your injuries
We understand these cases are complex, but you do not have to go through it alone. A Jersey City dump truck lawyer can help. Contact Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800.