18-wheeler trucks fill our roadways. While these vehicles play a critical role in the functioning of our economy, they also pose a grave danger to other drivers on the road. It is critical to use caution when driving near these trucks, as accidents involving 18-wheelers often result in catastrophic damages to all other vehicles involved in the collision.
If you were injured in an 18-wheeler accident, recovering compensation from the liable party can be an essential step on the road to recovery. At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of 18-wheeler accident attorneys in Paterson, NJ, has a long history of helping accident victims recover the compensation they need to get back on their feet after a crash.
Determining Who Is Liable After an 18-Wheeler Accident
Before you can begin the process of recovering compensation after an 18-wheeler accident, you must first establish who was at fault for your collision. An 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer in Paterson, NJ, can help you with the challenging task of proving liability so that you can begin the task of pursuing compensation.
When you hire a lawyer, one of the first actions they will take will be to begin an investigation into your case with a focus on establishing liability.
Don’t Miss the Deadline for Pursuing a Lawsuit
When attempting to recover compensation through an 18-wheeler truck accident lawsuit, it is critical that you pay attention to the statute of limitations. In New Jersey, the standard personal injury statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit is two years. Failing to file within this time frame will likely result in the loss of your right to pursue compensation from the liable party.
However, the two-year limit is not set in stone. There are many exceptions to the statute of limitations that could potentially alter the amount of time you have to file. Under the right circumstances, an exception could permit you to submit your lawsuit to the court long after the standard two-year deadline has passed.
It is critical to realize that an exception can work the other way around as well. Instead of having two years to file your lawsuit, you could be restricted to a window of mere months. Hiring an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney shortly after your collision is the best way to ensure all deadlines are met and protect your right to recover compensation.
Paterson 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Damages You May Be Eligible to Claim Following a Paterson 18-Wheeler Accident
When attempting to recover compensation after a car accident with an 18-wheeler in Paterson, NJ, you will need to determine what damages you are eligible to claim. The specific damages you will be able to pursue vary from case to case. All compensatory damages are categorized as either economic or non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Any losses resulting from your accident that hurt you financially are considered to be economic damages. These losses include income you were unable to earn as well as the money you were compelled to spend as a result of your collision. In addition to the losses you currently face, you can receive economic damages to help cover the cost of projected future losses.
Economic damages you can commonly claim in an 18-wheeler truck accident case include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Lost income
- Lowered earning ability
Non-Economic Damages
Any other losses you incur as a result of your accident fall into the much broader category of non-economic damages. Non-economic damages can compensate you for a wide range of losses. Despite the diverse nature of these losses, most non-economic damages share the traits of being irreplaceable and irreversible.
Non-economic damages you can commonly claim in an 18-wheeler truck accident case include:
- Mental anguish
- Decreased quality of life
- Permanent disability
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
When pursuing compensation after an 18-wheeler accident, an experienced attorney can help you figure out which damages you are eligible to pursue. Beyond the compensatory damages already mentioned, you may qualify to recover punitive damages as well.
Punitive damages are only awarded in a small percentage of 18-wheeler accident cases. In order to qualify, the at-fault party in your case must have acted in a criminally negligent manner or with the willful intent of causing harm.
Using Caution When Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance providers go to great lengths to convince people that they are only interested in helping people get back on their feet after tragedy strikes. However, the reality is that insurers care far more about profits than people. Insurance adjusters will use a variety of tricks to attempt to deny or devalue a claim.
Sadly, many people are taken in by the advertisements these companies use. As a result, they put their trust in the insurance company. Inevitably, this comes back to haunt them, as the insurer is able to manipulate them into a situation where they are forced to take a payment for their claim that is far below its true value or unable to recover money altogether.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself against the predatory practices that are common in the insurance industry is to hire an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney. By hiring a lawyer, you will prevent the insurance company from contacting you directly. Having to deal with your attorney will force the insurer to play fair and respect your compensation claim.
Speak With an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Paterson Today
When attempting to recover compensation after an 18-wheeler accident, it is essential that you hire an attorney with a history of winning these types of cases. At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of 18-wheeler accident lawyers in Paterson has a long history of helping accident victims get the money they need after a collision.
Use our online contact form or give us a call to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team today.