Truck Accident Lawyer in Princeton, NJ

Man driving a truck on the road

Truckers provide a critical and essential service to our communities. Without them, we wouldn’t have the goods and services we rely on every day. However, they also have an important responsibility in keeping our roadways safe. Truckers must follow the law, and their employers must provide critical maintenance and only employ safe drivers. Harm results when they ignore these responsibilities.

In Princeton, major roads like Route 1, Route 206, and Nassau Street see heavy traffic from 18-wheelers and face a high risk of truck accidents. If a truck accident caused a serious injury or the death of a loved one, you need the help and legal guidance of someone who knows what they’re doing. You need someone who knows the community and has proven experience holding the trucking industry accountable for the damage they’ve caused.

If you’re looking for help after a Princeton, NJ truck accident, you’ve come to the right place. You could be owed money from the trucking company, and we can help you fight for your maximum recovery.

Why Choose our Princeton Truck Accident Attorneys?

We refuse to back down. We’re known as an aggressive personal injury firm that fights for every dollar you’re owed.

We’ve been helping victims of truck accidents for more than 40 years, and our successful track record speaks for itself. We’ve helped more than 35,000 families, and we’ve recovered over a billion dollars for our clients.

This includes:

Unlike other firms, our attorneys have actual courtroom experience. Our 12 Certified Civil Trial Attorneys know what it takes to win at trial if the trucking company refuses to offer a fair settlement. You deserve money to compensate for your pain, suffering, inconvenience, disfigurement, and financial losses.

If English isn’t your first language, we have Spanish-speaking team members and offer translators for 11 other languages, including Russian, Polish, Portuguese, and more. We’re happy to meet with you wherever is most convenient, including online via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. The consultation is free, and we charge nothing unless we win money for you. Contact us today to get started. 

What to Do After a Truck Collision in Princeton

If you are suffering severe injuries after a truck accident someone else caused, you are likely in pain and unsure of what can do to hold another party responsible for your losses. By taking the following steps, you can start to build strong personal injury claims against the parties responsible for your accident and injuries:

  • Get medical treatment. Call 911 and request emergency medical services if you have been injured. If you think you don’t need emergency treatment, still make sure you see your primary care physician or seek treatment at an urgent care facility as soon as you can after the accident. Some injuries are not immediately apparent but could become life-threatening if left undiagnosed and untreated.
  • Gather evidence. Make notes about how the accident happened while it is still fresh in your mind. Take pictures of the location and any traffic signs or signals if you can. If you spoke to any eyewitnesses in the aftermath of the accident, be sure to provide their contact information to your attorney.
  • Maintain a file. In the days and weeks following the accident, you may receive medical bills and correspondence from insurance companies. Be sure to keep these documents, along with any medical records related to treatment you receive, the police report if you obtain a copy, and any photographs you take of the accident, your injuries, and damage to your vehicle. Keep a journal about your symptoms, pain levels, doctor visits, and medical treatment.
  • Contact our Princeton truck accident lawyers. Retain an experienced Princeton personal injury lawyer from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., as soon as possible after the accident. With a strong legal advocate in your corner, you can rest assured that your case is handled correctly. Our attorneys can handle all communications and negotiations with insurers for you while you recover from your injuries. 

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Princeton

Although factors like harsh weather conditions and poor roadways can contribute to truck accidents in Princeton, truck driver error is most often a contributing factor. Our personal injury attorneys at Davis, Saperstein, and Salomon, P.C. handle all types of truck collisions and typically see the following causes of accidents when evaluating liability in a case:

  • Speeding
  • Tailgating
  • Driver distraction
  • Alcohol or drug use
  • Driver fatigue
  • Aggressive driving
  • Poor vehicle maintenance
  • Shifting or unsecured cargo 

The Difference Between Semi-Truck Accidents and Other Motor Vehicle Accidents

Semi-truck accidents are often more severe than other motor vehicle accidents due mainly to the sheer size and weight of the vehicles. Regardless of how the accident occurs, the loads tractor-trailers carry can cause devastating injuries because of the extreme forces in the impact that occurs when they collide with smaller passenger vehicles. Further, some semis carry flammable or hazardous materials that can easily catch fire or harm those near any leaks.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

The number of fatal truck accidents continues to rise. While the speed at which the truck and other motor vehicles were traveling at the time of the crash and the point of impact between the vehicles will likely affect the severity of the injuries, some common truck accident injuries occur simply because of the difference between the size and weight of the vehicles.

A few examples of injuries from Princeton truck accidents include:

Determining Liability in New Jersey Truck Accident Cases

Assessing truck accident liability can be complicated because of the number of potentially liable parties. Our experienced Princeton truck accident lawyers can investigate the facts and circumstances of the crash and ownership of the truck as we evaluate who may be held accountable for the accident and your injuries.

In a semi-truck accident, the following are some of the parties who could be responsible:

  • The truck driver – The driver may be responsible for the accident if they were distracted, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, fatigued due to hours-of-service (HOS) violations, violating other traffic laws, or otherwise negligent.
  • The trucking company – The truck driver does not necessarily own the vehicle they are driving. The truck may be owned by a trucking company that leases the truck to the driver, or the driver may be an employee of the trucking company. The company could be found at fault for the crash if they fail to adequately screen and train their drivers or properly maintain their trucks. If the trucker was an employee – not an independent contractor – the employer would be vicariously liable for the truck driver’s negligence.
  • The truck maintenance company – If the trucking company relies on a maintenance company to inspect and maintain the vehicle and it fails to do so, the maintenance company may be held responsible for the accident if inadequate or poor maintenance contributed to the crash.
  • The truck manufacturer – If an equipment malfunction contributes to the accident, the manufacturer may be partially at fault for the collision.
  • Government agencies – If a defect in the design or condition of the road contributed to the crash, the agency or other party responsible for the road could be liable. 

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Princeton, NJ

Because of the nature and design of commercial trucks, they are especially susceptible to many types of accidents, including:

  • Rollovers – Truck rollovers can cause significant injuries and property damage. If the truck driver turns too sharply or drives too fast for the conditions, especially in wet or wintry weather, the truck’s trailer can flip and roll the whole truck over on its side or onto another vehicle. The presence of a disabled truck also creates a hazard for oncoming traffic.
  • Jackknife accidents – A jackknife accident occurs when the truck’s trailer swings toward the cab, and the cab and trailer form the shape of a folding pocketknife. The entire truck slides forward and can strike vehicles in its path. These accidents are typically due to improper braking and often occur in inclement weather.
  • Rear-end accidents – If a truck driver is speeding or following too closely when traffic stops suddenly, they can cause a rear-end accident due to the truck’s weight and inadequate stopping distance.
  • Head-on collisions – A negligent or reckless truck driver can lose control of the truck and drive into oncoming traffic. This can occur at intersections If the driver fails to observe the right-of-way or on highways if the trucks cross the centerline.
  • T-bone accidents – These crashes often occur at intersections when trucks run red lights or fail to stop at stop signs. They collide with the sides of other motor vehicles in a T shape. Because of the point of impact, these accidents can be devastating, particularly for the driver or passenger on the side of the vehicle where the collision occurs. 

Money Damages Available in Princeton Truck Accident Claims

The money you could recover after a truck accident in New Jersey depends on the severity of your injuries and related financial losses. You could be entitled to money for:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Physical therapy costs
  • Lost income
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental distress
  • Loss of consortium for your spouse 

Statute of Limitations for New Jersey 18-Wheeler Accident Lawsuits

If you were injured in an 18-wheeler accident in New Jersey, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. This deadline, called the statute of limitations, is critical. If you file your lawsuit after the deadline lapses, a judge will likely dismiss your case, precluding you from pursuing money in court.

Although two years may seem like a long time, it is best to contact our attorneys immediately after the crash. We can promptly initiate an investigation and start building a robust case. Our attorneys will gather all available evidence, including speaking to eyewitnesses when the accident details are fresh in their minds. We will also secure black box data, logs, and other evidence from the trucking company that could go missing if too much time passes.

Talk to an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Princeton Today

At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we have been helping victims of truck accidents for more than 40 years. Our New Jersey law firm has the experience and resources to build your case, including a team of more than 30 personal injury lawyers.

We offer personal consultations in any of our convenient New Jersey offices and offer remote meetings over FaceTime or Zoom. We understand that you may be worried about the cost of talking to an attorney, so we offer free initial consultations to learn about your case. If you retain us, you do not pay any attorney’s fees unless you receive a favorable settlement or verdict.

Contact us today to get started.