Truck accidents are a common source of injuries in Elizabeth, NJ. Victims regularly suffer serious types of harm like head injuries, spinal cord damage, soft tissue damage, and broken bones. Accordingly, the road to recovery after a truck accident can be very painful and frustrating.
If your truck accident happened because of negligence exhibited by a trucking company or one of their drivers, then you may recover significant compensation for the injuries you suffered. However, the process for pursuing payment can be complicated. The defendant may try to refute your claim and avoid paying for the damages caused by your crash.
In the aftermath of a truck accident in Elizabeth, NJ, get support from our experienced truck accident attorneys at Legal Care New Jersey by dialing (732) 838-9769 for a free review of your potential case.
Time Window to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Elizabeth, NJ
Time windows to file particular types of lawsuits are governed by states statutes of limitations. In New Jersey, the time limit to file your truck accident case is set forth by N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2. Generally, you will have two years from the date of your crash to sue the at-fault party. If you do not bring your case to court on time, then your claim may be dismissed.
Furthermore, even though you may have two years to file, you should begin working on your case as quickly as possible. As time passes, crucial evidence can become hard to gather and preserve. The sooner you begin building your lawsuit, the more efficiently you can collect the information needed to recover payment from the defendant.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Elizabeth, NJ
Investigating the cause of your truck accident is a crucial step toward recovering compensation. After identifying the source of your accident, you will know who to sue. Our truck accident lawyers can help determine if your accident stems from any of the following causes:
Improper Cargo Storage
Some truck accidents happen because of improper cargo storage. For instance, cargo that is not properly tied down may fall off a trailer and cause a dangerous highway accident. Furthermore, cargo that is not stored in direct contact with each other may shift during transit, causing a tractor-trailer to suffer a rollover accident. If your crash happened because cargo was not stored correctly, then you may be able to bring a claim against the at-fault trucking company.
Speeding
Trucks can become especially difficult to handle at high speeds because of their size. Truck drivers who travel at excessive speeds are prone to veering outside of their lanes and even rolling their vehicles over. Furthermore, drivers who travel too fast may be unable to avoid a collision when vehicles in front of them need to slow down or stop.
Unfortunately, high-speed accidents are also more likely to lead to serious injuries. Thankfully, speeding truck drivers can be held responsible for the crashes they caused.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another common source of truck accidents in Elizabeth, NJ. Drivers can be cognitively, visually, or manually distracted. Cognitive distraction happens when someone takes their mind off the task of driving. Meanwhile, visual distraction occurs when a driver takes their eyes off the road. Finally, a motorist is manually distracted when they take their hands off the wheel.
There are several activities that can distract truck drivers. For example, they may be distracted while texting, using a radio, interacting with a GPS, or eating. Some activities can involve multiple forms of distraction. While distracted, these drivers are prone to making careless mistakes behind the wheel. If you were hurt because of a collision caused by a distracted truck driver, then you may be able to sue them for the harm you sustained.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Additionally, some truck accidents occur because trucking companies do not perform proper maintenance on their vehicles. For instance, a truck may crash into the rear of another vehicle because the owner did not change the tires on time, allowing the tread to wear down to dangerous levels. Further, a truck may suffer a devastating crash because its owner did not tend to a rusty axle or a cracked windshield.
Our legal team can help investigate whether your truck accident happened because of poor vehicle maintenance. If so, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault trucking company or their driver.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is another common cause of truck accidents in Elizabeth. Truckers often have to stay on the road for long periods of time. Unfortunately, some drivers quell their boredom by driving alcohol. Furthermore, some drivers may rely on illicit substances to help keep them awake through the night. In any case, impaired drivers will exhibit poor reaction times, blurry vision, and reckless decision-making abilities behind the wheel.
Drunk driving accidents regularly happen at night but may occur at nearly any time of the day. Fortunately, there are several ways to prove that impaired drivers are to blame for their collisions. If you were hurt because of a truck accident caused by a drunk driver, then you may be entitled to substantial payment for the injuries you sustained.
Defective Parts
Finally, some truck accidents happen because of defective parts. For instance, a devastating crash may happen because a tractor-trailer was equipped with a malfunctioning coupling system. Furthermore, a harmful jackknife accident may occur because a truck’s cargo was tied down with defective chains and webbings.
If your truck accident happened because of a defective part, then you may be able to sue the at-fault designer or manufacturer. However, these types of cases can be complicated. Expert witness testimony is usually required to explain how defective parts contributed to truck accidents. Accordingly, support from our team can be very helpful to plaintiffs when seeking to establish fault.
If You Need to File a Truck Accident Case in Elizabeth, NJ, Our Lawyers Can Help
Get help from our experienced truck accident attorneys by calling Legal Care New Jersey at (732) 838-9769.
