You may suffer an injury in a truck crash due to no fault of your own. At this point, you may have no idea what to do. Fortunately, a Collingswood personal injury lawyer may review your accident and go over your legal options with you.
Following a trucking collision, Demand Rand. Partner with Rand Spear, The Accident Lawyer, to get help with your truck crash case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our Collingswood truck accident lawyer.
Truck Laws
To operate a truck, an individual must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). It is a driver’s responsibility to keep their license up to date. Similarly, a trucking company must ensure every driver has a valid license.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has hours of service requirements for drivers. A trucker can only spend a certain amount of time behind the wheel without taking a break. If a truck driver violates these requirements and gets into an accident, this individual or their employer may be held accountable.
A Collingswood truck accident attorney may examine your crash and determine if any laws were violated. If so, they may help you file a claim against an at-fault party. You may be eligible to submit your claim within two years of your collision, per New Jersey’s statute of limitations.
What to Do After a Trucking Crash
You may not expect a truck crash to happen, but must respond as best as you can. If you try to pretend the collision did not happen, the consequences of your decision may affect you long into the future. Here are tips to help you protect yourself and others after your collision and avoid compromising your case against an at-fault party:
- Call 911. This will bring police officers and medical personnel to your crash scene.
- Collect evidence. Use your smartphone to take photos and videos of property damage, your injury, and other aspects of the accident scene.
- Get information from the truck driver. Get the trucker’s first and last name, insurance information, driver’s license information, and name and contact information of their employer.
- Contact a lawyer. Connect with an attorney in the days after your accident, and they may help you submit a claim for damages.
Along with these things, do not accept the blame for your trucking crash. If you do, the at-fault party may claim you were primarily responsible for the collision. In this scenario, you may not be able to receive any damages.
Collingswood Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (215) 985-2424
Truck Accident Liability
A truck driver may be responsible for a crash if they operate as an independent contractor. However, it may be tough to determine the party at fault for a collision. Examples of parties liable for trucking crashes include:
- Trucking company
- A business that maintains a truck fleet
- Truck parts manufacturer
- Freight loading company
To prove fault, you must be able to show that a party had a legal obligation to act reasonably and carefully toward you and violated this requirement. You must also verify that the party caused the accident that led to your injury and that you suffered quantifiable or subjective losses. A truck accident lawyer in Collingsworth may answer frequently asked questions and others you have about who is liable for your crash.
Truck Accident Damages
You may be able to request economic and non-economic damages in your trucking collision case. The total you may ask for in compensation varies based on the severity of your injury and other factors surrounding your collision. Reasons why plaintiffs request damages in trucking accident lawsuits include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer, understands damages in trucking crash cases. Our truck accident attorney in Collingsworth may discuss the basics of your personal injury case with you and help you figure out how much to ask for in compensation. To learn more, get in touch with us.
Truck Accident Wrongful Death
A family member may die in a trucking crash. In this situation, it may be difficult for you and your family to recover. With help from a wrongful death lawyer, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
In New Jersey, you may be eligible to submit a claim on the grounds of a wrongful death if you are the personal executor of a deceased individual’s estate. You may also be able to file this claim if you are the personal representative of a deceased person. An attorney may examine your case and help you determine if you are able to pursue damages based on a wrongful death.
It may be emotionally taxing to seek damages in the aftermath of a family member’s death. A lawyer may help you navigate any challenges. They may work with you to pursue compensation so you and your family are financially protected moving forward.
Truck Crash Settlement
A trucking collision lawyer may be able to determine how much your personal injury case is worth. They may encourage you to pursue the most damages possible. There are times when a defendant offers a settlement, and you may have the option to resolve your claim without going to trial.
If a defendant proposes a settlement, it may be in your best interests to examine the offer with your attorney. This may help you weigh the pros and cons of any decision you make regarding the offer. If your lawyer believes a proposal is far less than what you may get if you bring your case to trial, they will let you know.
Just because your attorney says they believe you should decline a settlement proposal does not mean you have to follow through on their recommendation. If you review a settlement offer and are satisfied with it, you may approve the proposal. This will allow you to get compensation from the defendant and close your case.
Get Legal Help with Your Case from a Collingswood Truck Accident Lawyer
Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer offers a no-win, no-fee guarantee for personal injury cases. If you do not get a settlement or win your trucking collision case, we cover your legal fees. For more information or to request a pressure- and risk-free case consultation, contact us today.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
