Most truck drivers are responsible, hard-working men and women. However, some are not, and if you are injured due to a truck driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Due to their massive size and power, truck accidents are usually particularly nasty. If you were injured in a truck accident, here are some of the questions you may have:
What are the different types of truck accidents?
- Rollovers are one of the most common types of truck accidents. They usually occur when a truck driver is excessively speeding when making a turn. Rollover crashes may also be a result of cargo being insecure and unbalanced.
- Truck drivers who are driving under the influence may also cause truck accidents. Since truck driving is such a demanding job, some truck drivers feel they need certain substances to stay awake or cope with the long hours. However, this is never a good idea and often leads to a disaster.
- Head-on collisions are usually the most fatal type of truck accident. If you were struck by a truck traveling in the wrong lane, there is a very good chance you will be entitled to financial compensation.
- Jackknife accidents generally occur when the trailer swings independently of the cab with both sections of the tractor-trailer moving in different directions.
How may I recover compensation following a truck accident?
You should be eligible for financial compensation if you are able to prove another party’s negligence. However, proving negligence in a commercial truck accident may be more challenging than proving negligence in a civilian accident. Truck and insurance companies may retain expert attorneys who will do whatever they can to minimize or withhold your compensation altogether. Additionally, though most trucks have an Event Data Recorder that records their speed, trucking companies may erase this information before it is brought in front of a judge. Do not let yourself be taken advantage of. If you hire an experienced attorney, he or she will most likely write the truck company a spoliation letter, which will forbid them from erasing this information. Video or photographic evidence is generally the best way to prove your claim. If you were injured in a truck accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. A medical professional will treat you and provide you with documentation regarding your injuries that you may use to help prove your claim.
Contact our New Jersey firm
Stathis & Leonardis, LLC is an experienced personal injury law firm in Middlesex County, New Jersey that is committed to helping clients who have been hurt because of the negligence of another party. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident or were injured on another person’s property, contact our firm today.
