If a steel truck struck you in Newark, New Jersey, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A Newark steel truck lawyer can help you begin working on your claim, allowing you to try and secure damages for your medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and more.
The team from Morelli Law Firm can help. Contact us after an accident involving a steel truck in Newark by calling (212) 751-9800.
First Steps After a Steel Truck Accident in Newark
If you were involved in a steel truck accident in Newark, there may be serious injuries. Some common injuries associated with collisions involving large trucks may include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head, back, and neck injuries
- Cuts, abrasions, and burns
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
Seeking medical care as soon as possible after you are injured may also be important to have documentation that shows your injuries were caused by the accident. However, if it is at all possible, you should also take these steps before you leave the scene of the accident:
- Get contact information from the truck driver and eyewitnesses
- Take pictures of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle
- Contact authorities to report the accident
You should also consider contacting a Newark steel truck lawyer to begin working on a claim to get the compensation you may be entitled to for your losses.
Possible Causes of Newark Steel Truck Accidents
Steel trucks are large vehicles that haul loads of metal. These vehicles, and other large trucks, are involved in thousands of accidents on a yearly basis. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 4,889 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes in 2017, and there was around 116,000 injury crashes that same year.
These accidents do not necessarily share a common cause. There are many potential causes for a steel truck accident, some of which involve the steel truck drivers themselves. Drivers may cause accidents if they break the rules of the road by:
- Speeding
- Changing lanes without looking
- Running a red light
- Ignoring a stop sign
In addition to these dangerous actions, drivers may cause accidents if they become fatigued while driving and fall asleep behind the wheel. Steel truck drivers may also become distracted, which according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be a result of factors such as using an electronic device like a cell phone behind the wheel, messing with the radio, or eating and drinking. Distracted driving led to 2,841 deaths in 2018 according to the NHTSA. Some accidents are also a result of drivers drinking alcohol or using drugs.
A lawyer can help investigate your case to determine what may have caused your steel truck accident in Newark. Find out more about your options for building a case by calling the team from Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800.
Trucking Company Liability for Steel Truck Collisions
You should be aware that steel truck drivers are not always solely responsible for accidents. In some cases, the trucking company may bear some responsibility for the accident, especially if it occurred while the truck driver was carrying out tasks associated with his or her job.
In some cases, a trucking company may be completely responsible for an accident. This could occur if the trucking company fails to hire properly trained drivers, or if they do not provide drivers with the training to operate a large vehicle safely.
Some trucking companies also fail to perform adequate maintenance on their vehicles. This may cause an accident in some cases. In these situations, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses directly from the trucking company with the help of a Newark steel truck lawyer.
Defective Vehicles and Steel Truck Accidents in Newark
Steel truck accidents in Newark are sometimes caused by defects in the vehicle. In this situation, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses from the company that manufactured the truck or and its parts.
A lawyer can also potentially help you build a product liability claim. In this situation, your lawyer may need to dig into cases involving similar defects to help prove that a mistake was made in the construction process.
Types of Potential Compensation for Steel Truck Accidents
After a steel truck accident in Newark, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your losses. A lawyer may need to demonstrate that someone else was at-fault for the accident and that those actions led directly to your injuries. In this situation, you may be able to receive damages to cover your:
- Healthcare expenses
- Lost wages at work
- Lost earning potential
- Vehicle repair expenses
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
Some cases involving steel truck accidents in Newark end in a settlement, which occurs if the insurance company agrees to compensate you for your losses. Before beginning the negotiation process, a lawyer can investigate your accident, review your police report, go over your medical records, and more.
Your lawyer may also advise you to take your claim to court in some cases. This could involve filing a lawsuit against the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the vehicle manufacturer. Note that it often takes longer to resolve an accident claim in court, and you may face court fees if you file a lawsuit.
Speak to a Newark Steel Truck Lawyer
Begin working on your claim after a steel truck accident by contacting the team from Morelli Law Firm. Call us at (212) 751-9800. We free initial case consultations.
