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Due to the size of commercial trucks, accidents between these massive vehicles and standard cars are often catastrophic and may even result in fatalities.
If you suffered serious injuries in a truck accident, you have a right to recover compensation for your damages and losses. Read on to learn more about common truck accident causes and the regulations designed to protect you.
If you have questions, please contact the New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Wiley Lavender Maknoor, PC today.
Common Truck Accident Causes
Trucking accidents may be caused by many factors, most of which are preventable. Some of the most common truck accidents causes in New Jersey include the following:
- Failure to maintain a truck in safe operating condition;
- Distracted driving;
- Reckless conduct, including speeding, unsafe lane changes, and tailgating;
- Fatigued driving;
- Intoxicated driving;
- Improper cargo loading, including overloading a vehicle or failing to secure a load; and
- Lack of driver training.
Your truck accident attorney investigates the cause of your truck accident, gathers evidence of liability and damages, and negotiates with insurance companies and the opposing party.
In some situations, more than one party may be responsible for your harm. After an accident, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Attempting to navigate this complex area of law without a qualified attorney may result in a smaller compensatory award than you deserve.
Commercial Truck Regulations
State and federal laws heavily regulate truckers to ensure the safe operation of commercial trucks. These regulations are designed to help commercial trucks safely share roads with other cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Some rules implemented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) include the following:
- Commercial driver’s license requirements. All commercial truck drivers must pass a written test to obtain a commercial driver’s license. Additionally, all drivers must have a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, ensuring they meet all the physical and medical requirements for driving a commercial truck.
- Prohibition against drug and alcohol use. All truck drivers must submit to drug and alcohol tests after being involved in an accident.
- Maintenance requirements. Truck drivers must maintain accurate daily records detailing how many hours they worked. Additionally, all trucks contain a black box that records and tracks certain information about a truck’s operation.
- Maximum load restrictions. When a commercial truck is overloaded or exceeds its maximum load limitations, it increases the risk of the truck losing its center of balance or blowing out a tire.
- Hours of operation. Due to the danger of having tired drivers on the road, the FMCSA has set strict limits on how many consecutive hours a truck driver may work.
- Inspection requirements. Trucking companies must keep their vehicles in safe operating condition. Additionally, they must maintain current and accurate records of their fleet’s inspection, repairs, and maintenance history.
- Hazardous materials and waste. Commercial truckers must follow safety regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous materials.
When truck drivers and their employers fail to adhere to these safety regulations and cause an accident, your personal injury attorney works to hold these parties accountable for your losses.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in New Jersey Today
Wiley Lavender Maknoor, PC, has helped thousands of injured victims get the compensation they deserve. Pursuing compensation in a New Jersey truck accident is complex and requires experienced legal representation.
Without effective legal representation, it’s easy to fall victim to the false promises and lowball settlement offers provided by insurance companies. We work to protect your interests while pursuing justice on your behalf.
We pride ourselves on being skilled negotiators, and we are never afraid to fight for your rights in the courtroom. Contact us online today or call 732-494-6099 to find out how our legal team can help you.
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