Commercial vehicles are a common sight on the roads around Newark. We count on commercial vehicles to handle shipping and deliveries through our area. These vehicles may also provide transportation services for people who need to reach their destination without driving on their own. While these vehicles often perform valuable services, they may also cause major accidents.
You could be hurt in a collision with a commercial vehicle. If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, they may be liable for your damages. In this situation, a Newark commercial motor vehicle accidents lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
Call Morelli Law Firm today (212) 751-9800 for a free consultation on your case with a member of our team.
Understanding Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents
There are many different kinds of commercial motor vehicles in Newark. Large trucks, like tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers, make up a large percentage of the commercial vehicles that we see.
These vehicles are involved in many fatal crashes every year, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In 2017, large trucks and buses operating as commercial vehicles were involved in 4,455 fatal accidents around the country, resulting in 5,005 deaths.
Large trucks and vans are not the only commercial vehicles that could be involved in an accident in Newark. You may be involved in an accident with a:
- Taxicab or limousine
- Ridesharing vehicle
- Delivery driver or van
No matter what type of commercial vehicle was in your accident, if an involved party’s negligence caused your injuries, they may be liable to you in a personal injury lawsuit.
Liability for Commercial Motor Vehicle Collisions
The issue of liability may be complicated when dealing with a commercial motor vehicle.
In a standard motor vehicle accident, responsibility for a collision may rest with one driver or the other. This may be true of a commercial motor vehicle collision, as well. However, sometimes other parties may be liable for the accident, including:
- The company that owns the commercial vehicle
- The manufacturer that built the commercial vehicle
- The manufacturer that created parts for the commercial vehicle
The company that owned and operated the vehicle may be liable for the accident if their driver was on the clock and performing work tasks when the accident occurred.
The company could also be liable if they hired a driver that was not properly trained or experienced. Putting an unsafe driver behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is a dangerous action. In addition, the company may be responsible for a collision if they did not perform proper maintenance on the vehicle.
Finally, manufacturers could be at-fault for an accident if they built faulty vehicles. Sometimes, a commercial driver adheres to all the rules of the road and drives safely, only to be involved in an accident because their vehicle broke. In this case, the manufacturing company could be held responsible for your medical expenses and other losses.
A Newark commercial motor vehicle accidents lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can investigate your case and identify the liable party when we represent you. If you believe that another party’s negligence caused your accident, call us today for a free consultation at (212) 751-9800.
Newark Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Injuries in Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents
An accident involving a commercial motor vehicle in Newark could have serious consequences for you. Commercial motor vehicles are often larger than other vehicles on the road. When they strike smaller passenger vehicles, they could cause severe injuries to the driver and other occupants, including:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Burns, cuts, and soft tissue injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
In many cases, you may need to take time off work to recover from your injuries. Sometimes, a commercial motor vehicle accident leaves victims with a disabling condition. You may never be able to fully recover from a disabling condition.
Your vehicle could also be damaged after you are struck by a commercial vehicle. Additionally, you may experience significant amounts of pain, suffering, and mental anguish after your accident. All of these losses may be recoverable in a personal injury lawsuit.
Building a Claim for a Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident
New Jersey requires all drivers to carry no-fault car insurance, which you may have to use first in some situations. There may be limits to the amount of compensation your no-fault coverage will pay out or the types of damages that it covers.
However, there are circumstances that may allow you to seek additional compensation from the responsible parties. This may require proving that the other driver caused your accident.
Commercial motor vehicle accidents may occur because a driver is:
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Breaking rules of the road
- Driving aggressively or dangerously
When a Newark commercial vehicle accidents lawyer from Morelli Law Firm represents you, we will gather evidence to demonstrate that the other driver caused your accident.
Once our investigation is complete, we will present this evidence to the responsible party’s insurance company in settlement negotiations. If they are not willing to make you a fair settlement offer, we can take your case to trial.
Get Help from a Newark Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents Lawyer
A Newark commercial motor vehicle accidents lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to represent you.
Do not delay if you are considering legal action for your injuries. According to New Jersey Statute (N.J. Stat.) §2A:14-2, there may be a two-year statute of limitations, or legal time limit, that pertains to your ability to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey.
To discuss your case in a free consultation with a member of our team, call Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 today.