Woodbridge Truck Accident Attorneys

Over 100+ Years of Experience Helping Victims of Big Rig & 18-Wheeler Wrecks in New Jersey

One of the most serious types of motor vehicle accidents in which you can be involved is a truck accident. Trucks, especially those loaded with cargo, are extremely large and heavy and can cause serious damage when they hit other vehicles. 

At Palmisano & Goodman, P.A., our Woodbridge truck accident attorneys are here during your time of need to provide you with emotional and legal support.

On This Page:

• What is Considered a “Truck”?
• Providing Sound Legal Guidance & Representation
• Frequently Asked Truck Crash Questions
  • What Should I Do If I’m Involved in a Truck Accident?
  • What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents? 
  • What are the Common Types of Truck Accidents?
  • What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Collisions? 
  • How Much Compensation Can I Get After a Truck Accident?
  • Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Claim?
  • How Long Does a Truck Accident Claim Take?
• What Is the Average Settlement for An 18-Wheeler Accident?
• Representation for Truck & Commercial Accidents
• What Sets Our Team Apart?

To learn how the counsel of our experienced and focused legal team can protect your interests during your truck accident injury claim in Woodbridge, NJ, call (732) 709-4400or contact us onlinetoday.

What is a Truck?

A truck is a motor vehicle designed primarily for carrying cargo or goods from one place to another. Trucks are an essential part of transportation and logistics in various industries and are used for a wide range of purposes, from hauling goods and materials to construction and delivery services. They come in various sizes, shapes, and configurations to meet different needs and requirements.

Here are some common types of trucks:

Providing Sound Legal Guidance & Representation

We can give you a clear idea of the value of your case and then present your proof in clear terms both in settlement negotiations and at trial. Our accurate claim evaluation and formidable litigation skills can represent powerful advantages toward a favorable outcome for truck accident victims.

We advise clients about their legal options in a wide range of truck accident situations, including:

• Semi or tractor-trailer accidents caused by driver fatigue, improper maintenance, or defective equipment.
• Truck crashes involving jackknifes, overweight or oversize loads, freight shifting, loose flatbed loads, or other risks of operating an 18-wheeler.
• Accidents involving commercial vehicles from taxis, airport limos, delivery vans, maintenance trucks, or construction vehicles.co
• Wrongful death litigation related to fatal trucking wrecks.

Frequently Asked Truck Crash Questions

Semi-trucks are larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road and can be quite an imposing force on the road. Being involved in an accident with a large truck can have devastating financial and physical consequences, and after the accident, you may have a lot of questions about how to move forward, what you should do, and more. 

The Woodbridge truck accident lawyers at Palmisano & Goodman, P.A. can not only help you understand your legal rights and option but can also answer some of the questions you may have after being involved in an accident. 

To speak with a member of our team and get case-specific answers to your questions, contact our firm onlineor call (732) 709-4400today. 

What Should I Do If I’m Involved in a Truck Accident?

If you are involved in a collision with a large truck, here are six steps to take following the accident.

However, please be advised if you are injured, take care of yourself and your health first.

• Call 911. In New Jersey, you are required to report a motor vehicle accident to the police if anyone is injured or more than $500 of damages have occurred. If anyone is injured, you can also request that emergency services be called to the scene.
• Seek medical attention. Even if you feel “fine,” you should get evaluated by a medical professional as you could have internal injuries or injuries with symptoms that take hours to manifest.
• Take photos at the scene. You should take photos of your injuries, the damages to your vehicle, and the scene as these images can be used as evidence later.
• Collect contact information. If possible, you should get the name, phone number, email address, driver’s license number, and insurance information of the other driver. You should also ask for the contact and identifying information of witnesses and the officers who responded to the scene.
• Avoid posting on social media. What you post on social media can be accessed by the opposing party and the insurance company. A seemingly innocent post about your injuries or the accident can be twisted and used against you.
• Contact our attorneys. Having reliable and experienced legal counsel can be a determining factor in the success of your case. With over 100 years of experience, our attorneys are equipped to help you.

What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents can be caused by commercial truck drivers or other drivers on the road.

Common causes of these accidents include:

• Distracted driving. Truck drivers may be distracted by their phones, conversations with a dispatcher, GPS issues, grooming activities, or eating and drinking, which can cause an accident.
• Drunk driving. If a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may be involved in an accident as the impairments can affect their driving abilities.
• Exceeding weight limits. If a truck is overloaded, the additional weight can affect the driver’s ability to come to a complete stop, steer, or control their vehicle. Overloaded trucks also have an increased chance of suffering from a rollover and can cause roadway collapses, and the additional weight can cause a severe accident.
• Fatigue. Drivers (of trucks and other vehicles) may cause an accident when they are tired. Driving while tired is similar to driving while under the influence because the senses are dulled; your reaction times are slower, and you often drive recklessly while fatigued.
• Faulty truck equipment. Truck companies, manufacturers, and drivers should make sure that the truck is well maintained and in working order. However, truck accidents are often the result of equipment failure.
• Inclement weather. Poor weather conditions are the cause of many accidents, including truck collisions. During heavy rains, blizzards, ice storms, or other dangerous conditions, drivers should either pull over or take extra precautions. However, truck drivers and others on the road may not be as cautious as they should be.
• Inexperienced drivers. Truck drivers must be properly trained and licensed before being allowed out on the road. However, companies allow underqualified drivers to make trips before completing their training, which can lead to deadly accidents. Other vehicle drivers, like teen drivers, who are also inexperienced can make driving errors that impact their safety and cause an accident. For instance, an inexperienced driver may not safely pass a truck or drive in the truck’s blind spot.
• Speeding. Because of the deadlines they must meet, truck drivers may speed to make it to their destination on time. However, speeding can not only cause an accident but can contribute to its severity.

What are the Common Types of Truck Accidents?

A truck accident refers to a collision or incident involving a truck, which can result in damage to property, injuries, or even fatalities. Truck accidents can occur for various reasons, including human error, mechanical failures, adverse weather conditions, or other factors. These accidents can have significant consequences due to the size and weight of trucks, which can cause more extensive damage and pose a greater risk to other vehicles and pedestrians on the road.

Here are some common types of truck accidents:

• Rear-End Collisions: These accidents occur when a truck crashes into the rear of another vehicle. In many cases, rear-end collisions involving trucks can lead to severe injuries and fatalities due to the truck's size and weight.
• Jackknife Accidents: Jackknifing happens when a truck's trailer swings out of alignment with the cab, forming an L or V shape. This can occur when the truck brakes too suddenly, causing the trailer to skid. Jackknife accidents can lead to the truck blocking multiple lanes of traffic.
• Roll-Over Accidents: Roll-over accidents happen when a truck tips over onto its side or roof. These accidents often result from factors like speeding, sharp turns, or an uneven load distribution.
• Underride Accidents: An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle collides with the rear or side of a truck and ends up underneath the truck's trailer. This can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• Blind-Spot Accidents: Trucks have large blind spots, and accidents can occur when a smaller vehicle is in a blind spot, and the truck changes lanes or makes a turn without seeing the vehicle.
• Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions involve a truck crashing into another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. These accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities due to the high impact forces involved.
• Tire Blowouts: A tire blowout on a truck can lead to the loss of control and subsequent accidents. The damaged tire debris can also pose risks to other vehicles on the road.
• Runaway Truck Accidents: These accidents occur when a truck loses its ability to brake effectively while going downhill, leading to a loss of control and potential collisions.
• Cargo Spill Accidents: Improperly secured cargo can fall off a truck, leading to accidents and hazards on the road.
• Hazardous Materials Accidents: Trucks carrying hazardous materials can be involved in accidents that result in the release of dangerous chemicals, posing significant risks to both people and the environment.
• Fatigue-Related Accidents: Accidents caused by driver fatigue can occur when truck drivers are overly tired and make errors in judgment or fall asleep at the wheel.
• Distracted Driving Accidents: Accidents can occur when truck drivers are distracted by using electronic devices, eating, or engaging in other activities while driving.
• Weather-Related Accidents: Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or ice, can lead to accidents involving trucks due to reduced visibility and slippery road surfaces.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Collisions?

New Jersey truck accident victims may suffer from a variety of injuries, and the type and severity of the injury can vary based on the type of collision (i.e. rear-end, front-end, etc.) as well as the material the truck was hauling.

Common truck accident injuries include:

How Much Compensation Can I Get After a Truck Accident?

The settlement award that truck accident claimants receive varies based on a host of case-specific factors such as the nature and severity of their injuries, the expenses associated with their past and future medical care, lost wages, and other economic and non-economic damages. To understand how much compensation you may receive, you should consult with our experienced truck accident lawyers in Woodbridge, NJ as they can help you calculate your damages. 

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Claim?

Liability for a truck accident can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the accident and the contributing factors. Establishing liability can be complex as multiple parties can be partially or completely responsible for causing a crash.

Parties that may be totally or partially liable for the truck accident include:

• Freight loaders/Shippers: In cases where an accident is related to improper loading, securing, or labeling of cargo, the party responsible for loading and securing the cargo may be held liable. This includes the shipper or freight company.
• Truck drivers: The truck driver is often the first party to be considered for liability in a truck accident. If the driver's negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or impaired driving, played a role in causing the accident, they can be held liable. This includes violations of federal and state regulations governing commercial truck drivers.
• Truck maintenance or repair services: If a third-party maintenance or repair service was responsible for maintaining the truck, they may be held liable if the accident resulted from negligence during maintenance or repair work.
• Truck owners:  If the truck involved in the accident is owned by a party separate from the trucking company, such as an individual owner-operator, that owner may be held liable for accidents resulting from the truck's mechanical issues or lack of proper maintenance.
• Truck parts manufacturers: If the accident was caused by a defect in the truck's design or manufacturing, the manufacturer of the truck or its components can be held liable. This could include defects in the vehicle's brakes, tires, steering, or other critical systems.
• Trucking companies: The company that employs the truck driver can also be held liable. This is especially true if the accident occurred while the driver was operating the truck within the scope of their employment. Trucking companies can be held responsible for hiring unqualified drivers, inadequate training, or violations of safety regulations. Additionally, they may be held accountable for maintenance issues if they failed to properly maintain the vehicle.
• Government entities: In some cases, poor road conditions or inadequate signage and maintenance by government agencies can contribute to truck accidents. In such instances, the government entity responsible for the road's maintenance may be held liable.
• Other Negligent Parties: Other drivers, pedestrians, or third parties who contributed to the accident through their negligence or reckless behavior may also be held liable, either partially or entirely.

To determine who is responsible, your attorney can investigate the accident scene and:

• Work with an accident reconstructionist
• Speak to witnesses
• Review the police report
• Request a copy of the driver qualification file (DQF), which is required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and should include details concerning the driver’s history, medical records, and more

How Long Does a Truck Accident Claim Take?

A lawsuit can take anywhere from six months to a few years to complete. How long it takes to resolve your lawsuit depends on the specifics of your case concerning liability investigations, insurance company interactions and negotiations, medical treatment, and more.

If you still have questions or need experienced legal representation, contact our truck accident attorneys in Woodbridge. With over 100 years of collective experience protecting the interests of our clients, we can provide you with sound legal guidance. Call (732) 709-4400today. 

After being involved in a collision with a large delivery truck, big-rig, or 18-wheeler, many people understandably want to know how much they can expect to receive in compensation. After all, these accidents tend to result in severe, catastrophic injuries—and massive medical bills. Victims are often left unable to return to work while they obtain treatment and recover; in some cases, victims may suffer disabling injuries and be entirely unable to return to work for the remainder of their lives. It is completely understandable that truck accident victims and their families would wonder how they are going to be able to cope with these financial challenges and what compensation they could expect to recover by filing a truck accident claim.

Unfortunately, there really is no average settlement for 18-wheeler accidents; these cases vary widely depending on the unique factors involved. Some of these factors could include the nature, degree, and severity of your injuries; the current and future expenses associated with your damages; whether or not you were partially at fault for the accident; whether there were other motorists or additional third parties, such as parts manufacturers or maintenance companies, involved; the cause of the accident, and much more. In a given truck accident, a victim could sustain tens of thousands to millions of dollars in damages. 

Securing a settlement for the full extent of your damages is also not always guaranteed; if the trucking company or other liable party is unwilling to settle, your attorney will need to litigate your case and seek a just verdict at trial.

After speaking with you about the unique factors and circumstances present in your case, our attorneys can provide you with a clearer picture of what to expect. Remember: No reputable attorney or law office can give you a specific settlement amount to expect or guarantee any particular result. However, an accomplished truck accident attorney, like those at Palmisano & Goodman, P.A., can answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. We can guide you through the process and walk you through the next steps.

Representation for Truck & Commercial Accidents

Our extensive experience with the proof of liability and damages in complex, disabling or fatal truck accident litigation can help you collect the money you need to support what might be a long and incomplete process of recovery. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you don't have to pay us until we recover on your behalf.

For a free consultation with a Woodbridge truck accident lawyer about your rights following a collision, please reach out to our firm today at (732) 709-4400.

What Sets Our Team Apart From the Rest?

• We provide all clients with honest advice, energetic representation, and personal attention.
• We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are no fees unless we win.
• We have upheld a tradition of superb service and results since 1974.
• We offer free consultations for all prospective clients.
• We get results because we invest in cases and we are willing to go all the way to a jury.