A Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer in Union City may be the best play for the surviving family members of a wrongful death victim in a truck wreck. The experienced legal team at Morelli Law specializes in helping victims and their relatives to recover compensation after a truck accident caused by negligence.
We understand pursuing damages may be the last thing on your mind, especially in the aftermath of losing a loved one. But filing a claim may be the best or even the only way to recover compensatory damages to cover medical bills, funerary services, and the emotional impact of losing a loved one.
A Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer in Union City, NJ, Can Defend Your Rights
Trucking companies are known for investigating every accident in an effort to find reasons to minimize or dismiss any personal injury or wrongful death claim. But some of the biggest companies also have a team of attorneys to defend their economic interests. Those are two of the main reasons to look for an experienced attorney right after a fatal accident.
Besides defending your rights, a lawyer can do many more things for your family and your case after a fatal truck accident, such as:
- Investigating the accident
- Obtaining medical records and police reports
- Contacting and interviewing eyewitnesses
- Accessing the trucking company schedule and mechanic reports
- Finding new evidence
- Dealing with insurance companies on your behalf
- Represent you in court
Although, depending on your circumstance, our attorneys can help you in many other ways. Contact your attorney to find out the best way to proceed with your claim.
How Does a Fatal Truck Accident Attorney in Union City, NJ, Determine Liability?
Truck accidents are more complex than other accidents on the road. One of the reasons is how many parties can be involved in the wreck. But other aspects can complicate things even more for someone trying to recover damages after a loved one’s wrongful death.
An experienced fatal truck accident lawyer can determine which party is liable and calculate an appropriate compensatory amount. Some of the parties that can be liable are:
- Truck drivers. Truck drivers are liable for many fatal truck accidents. A trucker can be responsible, for instance, when they fall asleep behind the wheel or when the accident was caused by negligent behavior on the road, such as getting distracted on their phone, eating or drinking, and switching the radio.
- Trucking companies. Some accidents are caused by a lack of maintenance in the truck, an excessive workload, or because of an inexperienced truck driver. In those cases, the trucking company can be liable for a fatal truck accident.
- Other drivers and occupants of the road. A distracted car driver can cross a red light, or a driver under the influence can cut the truck unexpectedly. But also pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists can be liable if the accident was caused by their negligent or threatening behavior.
- The government. When an accident is caused by a lack of signaling, a hole in the road, or a poorly designed intersection, the New Jersey Department of Transportation can be responsible for a truck accident and any wrongful death in it.
Union City Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
A Truck Accident Wrongful Death Lawyer Explains Wrongful Death
Wrongful death claims are very similar to personal injury claims. However, the main difference is who files the claim. Since the victim cannot pursue damages, surviving family members can work with a wrongful death attorney to recover compensation. But in both scenarios, it is necessary to determine liability, prove your case and calculate damages.
Damages for a wrongful death case can also include funerary and burial costs, loss of inheritance, loss of consortium, and loss of companionship, among others. It is important to talk to a Union City Attorney as soon as possible because there is a time limit to file a claim.
Statute of Limitations for a Fatal Truck Accident in Union City
There is a time limit to file a claim for a loved one’s wrongful death in a truck accident. New Jersey statute of limitations is two years. That means if you lose a loved one in a fatal truck accident, you only have two years to file a claim for damages.
But there are exceptions to that rule, and some circumstances can shorten that time frame. Your attorney can look into your case and determine how much time you have left. It is important to keep the statute of limitations in mind because missing the date usually also means losing your right to claim damages.
Compensatory Damages After a Fatal Truck Accident
There are many different types of damages you can recover after a fatal truck accident. Your truck accident attorney can help you determine your economic damages and calculate an appropriate amount for your non-economic damages. Some trucking accidents also grant punitive damages, but only a jury can determine if and how much they are worth.
Economic Damages
It is possible that your loved one was taken to a hospital, maybe their car was damaged or totaled, and you may also need to cover funeral and burial costs. All of those things can be translated into money with relative ease because they come with tickets, bills, and proof of purchase.
The most common economic damages in truck accidents are:
- Burial and funerary costs. Honoring a loved one’s departure can be expensive beyond imagination. The cost of a funeral and burial in New Jersey alone can go into the thousands of dollars, depending on the type of service and facilities.
- Damage to property. Your loved one’s car and personal property may have been lost during the accident.
- Loss of income. A wrongful death can be devastating for an entire family, especially when the victim also was the main household provider. In those cases, close relatives can claim damages for the lost income from their loved one’s loss.
- Emergency and medical costs. All medical expenses, such as ambulance rides, surgeries, or hospital stays, should also be considered in your claim.
Non-economic Damages After a Truck Wreck
Non-economic damages are difficult to calculate because they are meant to repay emotional losses and psychological consequences of the accident to the victims. Some of the most common non-economic damages are:
- Psychological damage. Losing a loved one can cause post-traumatic stress disorder and develop anxiety and depression. The cost of counseling therapy is part of non-economic damages.
- Loss of services. In a fatal truck accident, surviving family members can lose companionship, a father figure, or a life partner. And they may also lose other services they provide, such as care of elders or help with house chores.
However, your fatal truck accident attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in a claim.
Contact a Fatal Truck Accident in Union City Now
Fatal truck accidents can represent a huge financial and emotional burden for surviving family members. Still, they can associate with an experienced Union City fatal truck accident lawyer to file a claim and fight for the damages they deserve. This can be important since compensation can cover all their expenses and offer them the opportunity to move on with their lives.
If a negligent truck driver or trucking company caused your loved one’s wrongful death, you may be entitled to pursue damages. Contact Morelli Law and schedule a free consultation to determine how much your case is worth.