Due to an increase in online shopping, there has also been an increase in the amount of delivery trucks that are on the road. As a result, there are greater chances of a truck accident occurring. Trucks are the most dangerous vehicles on the road due to their size and weight. There are many ways that these accidents can happen, causing serious injuries to those who are involved. It is because of this that individuals who are harmed in a truck accident can pursue legal action to recover compensation with the assistance of a New Jersey personal injury attorney.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
There are a variety of ways that a truck accident can happen on major highways in the state of New Jersey. This can include any of the following forms of negligence:
- Poor judgement: This can include speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changes, making dangerous turns, following others too closely, and more.
- Distracted driving: Drivers who do not pay attention may not be able to prevent an accident by slowing down or stopping the truck in time before collision.
- Impaired driving: Drivers who are under the influence, drowsy, or suffer from a medical condition while driving can cause a severe accident.
- Vehicle malfunction: If there are parts within the truck that are defective, it can cause the entire vehicle to malfunction and cause an accident.
- Poor conditions: If a road is not maintained or there is inclement weather, accidents can happen.
How do I Pursue Legal Action?
When a truck accident takes place, the injured party can pursue legal action in order to recover compensation for the damages due to the incident. This can be done with a personal injury lawsuit. The first step in doing so is identifying the party who is at fault. When dealing with delivery trucks, it can often be difficult to understand who is liable for these incidents. This is because delivery services sometimes hire independent contractors instead of employees to make deliveries for them. If a driver is not classified as an employee, the company is not responsible for the accident. If an independent contractor was responsible, the individual may be held liable.
Once the negligent party is identified, the injured party must work to prove negligence occurred and directly caused their injuries. This can be done by gathering evidence such as medical records, a police report from the accident, pictures or video of the scene, witness testimonies, and more.
Contact our Firm
Retaining an attorney after an injury-causing accident is the most effective way to ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are legally entitled. To learn more about how we can help you, call the Wilton Law Firm today at 732-275-9555 or send us an email through our online contact form.