Paterson Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents Lawyer

Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) involves great skill and practice. That’s why there are special licenses and requirements for these types of drivers. However, things go wrong on the road, and the damages can be significant when they do.

If you sustained injuries due to a CMV accident, you deserve a fair recovery for your losses. With the help of our Paterson commercial motor vehicle accident lawyers, you can pursue justice for your accident damages. The experts at Morelli Law are prepared to take on your claim.

Types of New Jersey Commercial Motor Vehicles

A commercial motor vehicle transfers goods from one location to another for profit. According to the Federal Highway Administration, commercial vehicle sizes can range from 20,000 and 80,000 pounds. 

Examples of commercial motor vehicles you may encounter on New Jersey roads include:

• Trailers
• Pickup trucks
• Buses
• Minivans
• Box trucks
• Cargo vans
• Limousines
• Sport utility vehicles

In addition, passenger vehicles (like taxicabs) are considered commercial vehicles if the driver is conducting business while on the road.

CMV Regulations for Operating Large Commercial Trucks

When driving commercial trucks, there are specific requirements that a driver (or their employer) must follow, such as possessing:

• A valid business license
• Commercial trucking insurance
• A current commercial driver’s license

There are Class A, Class B, and Class C licenses, and the type you need depends on several factors.

Motor vehicles need to be familiar with commercial trucking laws because they can impact the outcome of your accident claim. To ensure your claim gets handled correctly, partner with a skilled truck accident lawyer in Paterson.

Commercial Motor Vehicle Statistics

According to fatality facts from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (III), over 4,000 people died in large truck crashes in 2019. The fatalities consisted of truck occupants, passenger vehicle drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Most commercial truck accidents occur during the day (with Thursday being the deadliest) and in rural areas.

Medical data shows that some of the most prevalent injuries after a CMV crash include:

• Head and brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal damage and bleeding
• Lacerations
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Whiplash

The most common reasons for commercial vehicle accidents across America are speeding, distracted driving, and impairment.

Filing a Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident Claim in Paterson

After a collision involving a CMV, your lawyer will begin the process of showing how the other party was at fault. They will manage all communications and negotiations so that your only concern can be healing from your injuries.

Our Paterson commercial motor vehicle accident lawyers will:

• Interview eyewitnesses
• Gather and review medical records
• Analyze the police report
• Draft motions and pleadings
• Negotiate a settlement with the other party
• Represent you in court

In order to prove liability, your lawyer will demonstrate how the guilty party violated their duty of care to cause your damages.

Proving Duty of Care

Commercial drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles within a reasonable standard of care. This means they must not engage in careless or reckless behaviors that put other people (including motorists, pedestrians, and construction workers) at risk.

Showing Breach of Duty

A party is liable for accidents where they breached their standard duty of care. Our lawyers use evidence to demonstrate how the commercial driver acted recklessly and failed to operate their vehicle within a reasonable manner.

Linking Damages and Causation

Your injuries must be linked to the commercial vehicle accident to receive compensation. Your accident attorney will use medical records and receipts to demonstrate how the commercial drivers directly caused your damages.

How a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Can Help You

After a commercial vehicle collision, you have the right to a fair settlement. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance providers will try to prevent this from happening. But when you hire a commercial vehicle accident attorney, you receive a legal team fighting for maximum compensation. 

In our experience handling commercial truck claims, insurance companies will attempt to:

• Offer a settlement that does not cover all the accident victim’s damages
• Pin some of the blame on the accident victim
• Delay accident claims for as long as possible
• Deny the insurance claim altogether

To prevent this, our accident lawyers build a sound case. We collect evidence, consult with accident reconstruction experts, and use receipts to prove the extent of your damages. If insurance companies give us a hard time, we will file an accident claim with the appropriate Paterson court.

Recoverable Damages After a Paterson Commercial Motor Vehicle Collision

When your lawyer files a claim and begins the negotiation process, they will fight to cover every loss you incurred from the accident. Damages can vary from case to case, but there are general categories that your attorney will pursue.

After a CMV accident, you may be able to receive compensation for: 

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Diminished future earnings (if the injuries are long-lasting)
• Damages to your personal property
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life

There are complex calculations used to determine the amount of financial compensation you are eligible to receive. Therefore, it helps to hire a Paterson personal injury lawyer to manage your settlement.

Pursuing Damages for a Fatal Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident

Commercial vehicles are powerful, and they can cause severe damages to accident victims. Unfortunately, those injuries include death.

Losing someone you love due to a commercial trucking company’s negligence is devastating. Our lawyers understand this, so we do whatever we can to minimize your stress so you can focus on healing. We help our clients pursue damages in a wrongful death that cover all their losses, including:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Medical expenses for your loved one before the death
• Loss of future income and financial benefits
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

After a fatal accident, we make it our mission to hold negligent parties accountable. Our New Jersey wrongful death attorneys work diligently to build a strong case on behalf of your loved one.  

Seek Justice With a Paterson Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents Lawyer

If another party caused your motor vehicle collision, you have a right to pursue justice. And with Paterson’s commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Morelli Law Firm in your corner, you can feel confident that you will receive the settlement your injuries merit. Learn what our legal professionals can do for you by scheduling a free case review now.