The roadways are full of commercial trucks transporting a wide variety of products around the world. While these 18-wheeler trucks are an essential cog in the machine of industry, they can also be incredibly dangerous. Due to the overly large size and weight of these trucks, damages resulting from a collision with an 18-wheeler are often catastrophic.
After suffering injuries in an 18-wheeler accident pursuing damages from the responsible party can be a critical step in rebuilding your life. At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers in Union City, NJ, has been helping accident victims get the money they need for years. Give us a call or use our online contact page to get started.
Make Sure You File Your 18-Wheeler Accident Lawsuit on Time
It’s essential to make sure you know how long you have to file when submitting an 18-wheeler accident lawsuit to the court. Under New Jersey law, accident victims can sue the liable party up to two years after the date of their accident. If you don’t submit the appropriate paperwork on time, you could lose your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
While the statute of limitations generally bars victims from filing a lawsuit after two years have passed, there are exceptions to this rule. Various circumstances can create an exception that allows you to submit your lawsuit long after the original statute of limitations has expired. However, you need to understand that an exception can have the opposite effect as well.
Rather than granting you additional time to file a lawsuit, an exception could further limit the amount of time you have to take action. Instead of two years, you could discover that you have as few as six months to file. Hiring an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney in Union City, NJ, soon after your crash is the best way to ensure all paperwork gets filed on time.
Establishing Fault for an 18-Wheeler Accident
The first step toward recovering compensation after an accident is determining who is liable for your damages. You can’t pursue damages until you know who you need to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against.
Unfortunately, determining fault in an 18-wheeler accident is often complex. On the positive side, you don’t have to prove liability on your own. An experienced attorney will know exactly what to look for when attempting to establish liability.
Union City 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Damages You Can Recover After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Union City
Following a car accident with an 18-wheeler in Union City, NJ, there will likely be a variety of damages that you will be able to collect. Recoverable damages are unique to each case, depending on the particular circumstances. All compensatory damages are divided between economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages include any monetary losses you incurred after an 18-wheeler accident. Economic damages cover losses in the form of various bills you had to pay related to your accident, as well as income you were unable to earn after a crash. These damages can assist you with both current and projected future losses.
Common economic damages you may be able to pursue following an 18-wheeler accident include:
- Lost income
- Lessened earning ability
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include any other losses that result from your accident. Rather than affecting your finances, these losses tend to have a much more profound impact on your life. Because of the serious nature of these losses, the money awarded for non-economic damages tends to be substantial.
Common non-economic damages you may be able to pursue following an 18-wheeler accident include:
- Permanent disability
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Decreased quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
When attempting to recover compensation after an accident, identifying which damages apply to your case can be critical to getting the money you need and deserve. Fortunately, an experienced Union City 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you identify which damages you are eligible to claim. As well as the compensatory damages reviewed above, you may be able to claim punitive damages.
Punitive damages are reserved for a small fraction of accident cases. For your case to qualify, the liable party must have acted with criminal negligence or with the deliberate intention of causing harm to others.
Don’t Trust Insurance Providers
Insurance companies work hard to convince the world that they are friendly neighbors, always ready to help when people are in need. Sadly the truth is that these companies are far more focused on making money than they are on protecting people. After an accident, you can expect the liable party’s insurer to use a variety of tricks to deny or devalue your claim.
Unfortunately, the efforts of these companies often pay off, with many accident victims believing that the insurance company has their best interests at heart. Because of this belief, accident victims end up finding themselves in positions where they are no longer able to recover the compensation they deserve and have to settle for a fraction of the true value of their claim.
When facing these predatory practices, the best way to protect yourself is by hiring an experienced lawyer. When you hire an attorney, you will force the insurance company to work through them. Taking this action will prevent the insurance adjuster from using the tactics they would employ if they are able to deal with you directly.
Contact an 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney in Union City for a Free Consultation
When pursuing compensation following an 18-wheeler truck accident, you need to ensure you hire a legal representative with a proven track record of recovering fair compensation for their clients. At the Morelli Law Firm, we have helped countless accident victims get the results they need to get back on their feet after a crash.
Contact us today by phone or through our online contact form to schedule a free case review with a member of our team.