Truck Accident Lawyers in Cherry Hill, NJ

Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions

• I was injured in a truck accident. What should I do?

  The aftermath of a truck accident can be chaotic and overwhelming. But that is a critical time to take certain steps. The first action to take is to seek medical attention for your injuries. This is not only important for your safety and well-being; this step also documents your injuries with a medical professional, which is the start of an important paper trail.
  
  Taking photos of the scene of the accident is critical. Photograph the position of the car and the truck, the damage to the vehicles, any traffic lights or traffic signs, your injuries, and anything else from the scene. Collect contact information from the truck driver and any others involved in the accident as well as any witnesses to the accident. Schedule a complimentary consultation with a truck accident attorney at Andres, Berger & Tran to ascertain what type of compensation you can reasonably expect to receive.

• What kind of compensation can I expect to receive for my truck accident?

  Truck accidents that are the result of another person or entity’s negligent actions fall under the domain of personal injury law. Personal injury law protects individuals who have been injured in accidents, providing a mechanism for the injured party to recover damages. Negligence must be demonstrated in order to recover compensation for medical bills, future medical expenses related to the accident, rehabilitation costs, surgery, lost wages, emotional pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and other losses.

• What are some examples of negligence in a trucking accident?

  Negligence in a trucking accident may be exhibited by several different behaviors. This may include speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, rapidly changing lanes, not heeding traffic signals, failure to signal turns, and other actions.

• Isn’t it faster to just accept the settlement offer from the insurance company instead of filing a claim for my truck accident?

  When you are facing mounting medical bills from injuries sustained in a truck accident, it can be tempting to simply accept the settlement offer from the insurance company so you can pay the pile of bills. But that mindset is a short-sighted one. The initial settlement offering may not be in your best interests long-term and it may be far less than the compensation you justly deserve.
  
  If you have sustained serious injuries in a truck accident, you may be facing rehabilitative treatment, surgery, or additional medical care in the future. The settlement offered by the insurance company may not factor in those additional future costs and then will not cover all of your losses. If you have received a settlement offer from an insurance company, it is in your best interests to consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer to determine the overall value of the proposed settlement and obtain an estimate of your long-term costs. Schedule a complimentary consultation with a truck accident attorney at Andres, Berger & Tran

• I was contacted by the trucking company’s insurance adjuster to provide a statement regarding the accident. Should I talk to them?

  It is best to refrain from discussing your truck accident with anyone — including an insurance adjuster — until you have had the opportunity to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney. Insurance companies are acting in their best interests, not yours. Any statement you provide can ultimately be used as evidence against you in your personal injury claim. Your truck accident attorney at Andres, Berger & Tran will act in your best interests, speaking on your behalf to the trucking company, their insurance company, and other parties to make sure your rights are protected.

• What if I am partially responsible for my truck accident? Can I still file a personal injury claim?

  Sometimes more than one party is responsible for an accident. In these situations, New Jersey follows what is known as a “modified comparative negligence” rule. Under modified comparative negligence, if you share some level of responsibility for the truck accident, it can affect the total amount of compensation you will receive for your injuries.
  
  In New Jersey, the amount of the compensation you would receive will be reduced by an amount that reflects your level of fault for the accident. For example, if it is determined that you are 20 percent responsible for the accident, then your compensation will be reduced by 20 percent. If, however, you are more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, you will be unable to collect any compensation from the other at-fault parties.

• Who else can be held responsible for my truck accident?

  In truck accidents, several different entities may be held responsible to some degree. In addition to the driver of the truck, other responsible parties may include the owner of the truck or trailer, the entity leasing the truck or trailer, the truck manufacturer, the manufacturer of the truck parts, the tire manufacturer, and others.

• Why do I need to hire a lawyer for a truck accident claim?

  Truck accidents often involve several different entities, including the truck driver, truck owner, the manufacturer, the truck leasing company and others. Having so many different entities who are at least somewhat responsible for the accident makes the claims process quite complicated. The tire manufacturer, for example, may be liable for only the aspects of the accident that pertain to the tires, and the driver may be to blame for another element of the accident.
  
  Determining what percentage of fault each party holds is challenging. In addition, it is not uncommon for the other parties to argue that you bear some level of fault for the accident as well. So the process of recovering the compensation that you deserve for your truck accident is best handled by an experienced truck accident lawyer. Schedule a complimentary consultation with a truck accident attorney at Andres, Berger & Tran

• How much time do I have to file a truck accident claim in New Jersey?

  All states have legal deadlines for filing a civil claim in the state’s court system, known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in New Jersey is two years from the time the accident occurred. This is a very important deadline.
  
  If you do not file your truck accident claim within the two-year legal timeframe, the New Jersey courts will dismiss your case. This also means you will be unable to recover compensation for your medical expenses and other losses stemming from the truck accident. So take note of this deadline and seek the counsel of an experienced truck accident attorney regarding the timeframe for filing.