Big trucks are large and heavy pieces of machinery, and this means that truck accidents can have catastrophic consequences. Thousands of people are injured each year in these accidents, and some victims even lose their lives. Being involved in a truck accident is scary, but we can help take some of the fear out of what happens next. The experienced Cherry Hill personal injury attorneys of Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P.A. help truck accident victims recover the compensation that they are rightly entitled to. Whether you suffered only minor injuries or your life has been affected permanently, we can help you navigate the claims process with confidence. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Work With The Team at Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P.A.?
- Truck accident cases can be complicated, and they often require fighting against fierce insurance companies. We are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with them, and we know how to counter their tactics.
- We have the resources that you will need to take on these large and powerful corporations.
- At Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P.A., you will never be just another case number. You’ll get the personal attention you deserve, and we’ll keep you informed at every step along the way.
Contact our office today online or call (856) 406-5503 to get started.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident in Cherry Hill?
Staying calm after an accident with a large commercial vehicle can be difficult. Still, you must keep your wits about you so you can take the steps necessary to protect your legal rights and health, including:
- Report the accident – Call 911 to report the accident to law enforcement. Request an ambulance if anyone was injured.
- Seek medical attention immediately – Accept any offers to go to the emergency room. If you are not immediately taken to the hospital, seek prompt medical attention following the accident. Keep all medical records.
- Get information from the truck driver – Ask the truck driver for their name, contact information, employer information, and insurance information. Write down all lettering, numbers, and images on the truck.
- Document the scene – Take pictures of damage to all vehicles involved, skid marks on the road, and any debris at the accident scene.
- Talk to witnesses – Ask any witnesses at the scene for their names and contact information.
Finally, contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can help by:
- Visiting the accident scene
- Interviewing witnesses
- Preserving critical evidence to prove fault
- Conducting an investigation to determine if the trucker or trucking company disobeyed trucking regulations
- Hiring accident reconstruction experts to determine how the crash happened and prepare compelling reports to show to insurance companies or juries
- Extracting information from the truck’s black box and electronic control module
- Communicating with your medical care team to learn how the accident has impacted you and assess your future medical needs
- Preparing a demand letter to the insurance company
- Negotiating for fair compensation out of court or fighting to protect your rights in court
Our personal injury law firm offers free consultations, so you can learn more about your legal rights and options without any cost or obligation to you.
Truck Accident Liability
In most motor vehicle accidents, liability is established by a Cherry Hill car accident attorney when there is some negligence on the part of the other driver. This is also true in truck accident cases, but these types of cases also have an additional consideration that can establish liability. Liability can be created when there is negligence on the part of the trucking company as well.
Consider a couple of examples. Driver negligence is fairly straightforward and easy to understand. Speeding, failure to yield, texting while driving, and distracted driving can likely all be considered driver negligence. However, imagine that the trucking company fails to perform maintenance on their fleet of vehicles. What if they hire a driver and continue to employ that driver even though they know he has a history of driving while intoxicated? The law office of Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P.A. can help fully investigate your claim, and we know what it takes to hold these companies accountable when they cause an accident.
Proving A Truck Accident Case
Proving a truck accident case is similar to proving any other motor vehicle accident; however, trucking companies have strict reporting requirements that can sometimes help you gather evidence to support your case. To be successful in your claim, you must generally prove negligence on the part of either the truck driver or the trucking company, and you must prove that you suffered some injury or damage as a direct result of that negligence.
For instance, if a truck driver were texting and driving, this behavior would be negligent. If this behavior resulted in an accident that caused you some injury, you could likely recover monetary compensation to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Similarly, if the trucking company failed to perform regular maintenance on their fleet, you can likely recover damages if their inaction was the cause of the accident.
You will need to present evidence that proves the elements of your case. Medical records, testimony from your doctor, and other health-related evidence can be used to prove your injury. When it comes to proving liability, there are a number of things that might be used. These could include eyewitness testimony, video footage, expert testimony and/or accident re-creation, police reports, driver logs, personnel records, and maintenance records.
Common Causes Of Truck Collisions
Semi trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, and the truck driver must give special consideration to this fact. These vehicles require much longer stopping distances, they cannot quickly maneuver away from an accident, and they can be prone to rollovers. Here are some common causes of truck accidents.
- Distracted driving – It only takes a second for a distracted driver to get into an accident. Looking down at a phone or simply not paying attention to the traffic can put a truck driver in a bad situation.
- Weather Conditions– Wet roads combined with long stopping distances can be a recipe for disaster. If the driver fails to allow enough space to safely stop, a rear-end collision will be the likely result.
- Improper Maintenance– Trucking companies are required to perform regular maintenance on their trucks and keep detailed records of this service. Failure to perform this maintenance could lead to faulty brakes or another situation that might cause an accident.
- Drowsiness– Truck drivers sometimes drive for many hours each day, and it is not uncommon for a driver to get sleepy while driving. This creates a dangerous situation for the driver and the other vehicles on the road.
- Speeding– Traveling too fast introduces an even higher level of risk of an accident. Since these large trucks already require extra stopping distance and are hard to maneuver, excess speed only adds to these issues.
Common Types Of Damages
Truck accident victims may experience various losses following a crash with a large truck. Victims of truck accidents often incur enormous medical bills because their injuries are usually significant. They may lose considerable income from work as they recover from these injuries. This financial burden can add even more stress to an already difficult situation. Accident victims can recover compensation for their economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate accident victims for the direct financial losses they incur due to the accident, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future lost wages
- Costs to repair or replace damaged property
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Transportation expenses
An experienced personal injury lawyer can gather check stubs, medical records, and other documentation to value these damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages provide payment for the more subjective and less quantifiable losses accident victims suffer, such as:
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for mental anguish or emotional distress
- Compensation for anxiety or PTSDresulting from the accident
- Payment for disability or impairment caused by the accident
- Payment for your lost enjoyment of life
Although this is not an exhaustive list, these are some of the more common types of damages for which truck accident victims can recover. While no amount of money can take the place of your health, a monetary recovery can help ease the financial burden associated with the accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in New Jersey
If you must file a personal injury lawsuit in your case, you have until the second anniversary of the accident to take this legal action. If you don’t file your case within this deadline, you can forfeit your right to recover compensation through the civil courts. Protect your rights by contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer today.
Talk To A Cherry Hill Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you have been hit by a big truck, you need an attorney who knows how to handle these cases. The attorneys at Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P.A. have over 40 years of experience helping injury victims, and we can help you too. Don’t let the big corporations take advantage of you. Get the representation you need to help win your case. Talk to our office today to let us put our experience to work for you. Call (856) 406-5503 or contact us online.
