New Jersey is a thriving mecca for the freight industry which supplies the state and other regions with the goods and services we rely on. The trucking industry provides nearly 215,000 jobs in New Jersey. Unfortunately, the thriving trucking industry in New Jersey also causes traffic congestion and requires daily commuters and others on the road to share the roadway with massive commercial trucks. When a fully loaded 18-wheeler weighing as much as 18,000 pounds has an accident with an average 4,000-pound private vehicle, the motorists in the smaller vehicle are vulnerable to severe injuries and fatalities. New Jersey averages around 50 truck accident fatalities within the state each year and many more serious injuries.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in Collingswood or the surrounding region, you shouldn’t have to navigate a complex truck accident claim alone while you’re also recovering from serious injuries. The truck accident attorneys in Collingswood are ready to help. Call or contact the Collingswood truck accident lawyers at Cuneo & Leonetti today for a free consultation so we can begin a strong legal strategy for your compensation.
How can a Collingswood Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Truck accident injuries are often severe, with life-altering consequences. Even less serious, recoverable injuries can quickly cause financial hardship to victims and their families. A truck accident attorney in Collingswood is ready to put their years of experience with truck accident claims in New Jersey behind your case. The New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Cuneo & Leonetti have decades of combined experience navigating severe truck accident injury claims with a track record of success. We offer the following advantages to help your case:
- A free case consultation and no fees until we win your case
- Skilled investigators who will examine all aspects of the accident to determine the liable party and document evidence of liability
- A strong local reputation of success in similar claims that puts a powerful voice behind your claim
- Open and honest communication throughout the process so you’re always informed and included in developments in your case
- Dedicated advocacy through an attorney who will craft a compelling case for your compensation and negotiate with the appropriate insurance company for the largest possible settlement in your case
- Experienced litigators who won’t hesitate to take the case to court if the insurer fails to offer an ample settlement amount
A truck accident lawyer in Collingswood is the best ally against the powerful attorneys and insurance companies associated with trucking company lawsuits.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Collingswood or the surrounding area, after the accident you may have been too seriously injured to do anything more than wait for help to arrive. However, some injury victims use their phones to document critical evidence at the scene either by themselves if they’re able to move safely or by handing their phone to uninjured passengers or bystanders. After a truck accident, the following steps can benefit your compensation claim:
- First, call 911 to report the accident and request emergency services
- Take photos of the truck and damaged vehicle(s)
- Take photos of the accident scene and anything relevant like an intersection, traffic signal, road signs, or skid marks
- Photograph any visible injuries
- Record a statement about what you remember of the accident while it’s fresh in your mind
- Add the contact information of the truck driver and the company they work for
- Add the contact information of eyewitnesses to the accident
Eyewitness testimony is often a critical key to successfully proving a negligent truck driver at fault in an accident but all too often they walk away without leaving a name.
After an accident, always go to a hospital and have a thorough evaluation. Tell the doctor about every symptom, even minor ones that aren’t related to your obvious injuries. Obtain a detailed medical report from the provider with their treatment recommendations for your injuries and then carefully follow their recommendations.
It’s important to obtain and organize all documents relevant to your truck accident case, such as the police report, medical report, medical bills, and receipts for related expenses. Then, call the specialized Collingswood car accident attorneys at Cuneo & Leonetti before speaking to insurance company representatives.
What Types of Damages are Recoverable?
Serious accidents have serious consequences for the victims. Truck accident victims in New Jersey may experience income loss at the same time that their medical bills and other expenses begin piling up while they’re dealing with painful injuries and medical procedures. These economic and non-economic consequences of an accident are known as the victim’s “damages” in an accident claim. The Collingswood truck accident attorneys at Cuneo & Leonetti help injury victims recover financial compensation for some or all of the following damages:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs related to the injury
- Lost wages
- Future income loss
- Diminished future earning capacity due to disability
- Pain and suffering
- Any other provable non-economic damages like disfigurement, loss of limb, loss of enjoyment of life, or PTSD
When a truck accident was preventable and occurred due to driver or trucking company negligence, your truck accident lawyer from Cuneo & Leonetti will carefully calculate your damages to ensure that you miss no avenue for the compensation you deserve.
Who is Liable in a New Jersey Truck Accident?
Proving liability in a truck accident claim in New Jersey is more complicated than in typical traffic accidents. Even if the truck driver was clearly responsible for the accident, they might not be personally liable unless they are an independent contractor. Liability in a truck accident could lie with any of the following:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company if they were negligent in their hiring, training, or driver-hour-logging practices
- A truck maintenance company
- The manufacturer of a defective truck part
- A negligent freight loading company
In less common cases, a third party could be liable for a truck accident in New Jersey, such as a negligent road maintenance agency or a third driver. It often takes a diligent investigation to prove negligence and liability in a truck accident. Proving liability requires determining the negligent party, documenting evidence, and demonstrating that the at-fault party owed a duty of care to take reasonable measures to prevent injuries, they breached this duty, and that their breach of duty directly caused injuries and damages to the injury victim.
Call The Collingswood Truck Accident Attorneys at Cuneo & Leonetti Today
At Cuneo & Leonetti, we have deep compassion for victims who experience the terror and trauma of a truck accident with serious injuries. Our team of dedicated client advocates is ready to work on your claim and secure your compensation. Call our Collingswood law office today for a free confidential consultation with a Collingswood personal injury lawyer so we can hear about your unique accident case and begin a personalized strategy on your behalf.