What does a truck accident attorney in New Jersey do?
A truck accident attorney represents truck accident victims in claims against commercial carriers, trucking companies, and their insurers. Kotlar | Cohen handles tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, and commercial vehicle cases throughout New Jersey, pursuing compensation through FMCSA regulatory violations, multi-party liability claims, and aggressive litigation when necessary.
Injured in a truck accident? Call Kotlar | Cohen at (856) 751-7676 for a free case review.
Kotlar | Cohen recovered $1.492 million for a client injured in a tractor-trailer crash, one of many seven- and eight-figure results our firm has secured for truck accident victims throughout New Jersey. We know what it takes to win these cases because we’ve done it repeatedly, from jackknife collisions and hours-of-service violations to multi-vehicle pileups on the Turnpike and Parkway.
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When one of these vehicles collides with a passenger car, the results are often catastrophic. Victims face life-altering injuries, mounting medical bills, and a legal process far more complicated than a standard auto accident claim.
Whether the crash happened on a major highway or a local South Jersey road, a truck crash attorney in South Jersey can protect your rights from day one. Every truck accident attorney New Jersey injury victims work with should understand the federal regulations, multiple liability parties, and aggressive insurance tactics that make these cases uniquely complex. Our team does.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different from Car Accidents
If you’ve worked with a car accident lawyer NJ before, you may assume that a truck accident claim follows the same process. In reality, commercial truck crashes involve layers of complexity that standard auto accident cases don’t.
First, the severity of injuries is significantly greater. The size and weight difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle means that truck accident victims frequently suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and multiple fractures. Many of these injuries require long-term care or result in permanent disability.
Second, truck accident cases involve more parties. A typical car crash usually includes two drivers and their insurance companies. A truck accident can involve the truck driver, the trucking company, a freight broker, a cargo loading crew, a vehicle manufacturer, and a maintenance contractor, each with its own legal team working to minimize exposure.
Third, commercial trucking is governed by federal regulations that don’t apply to passenger vehicles. These regulations create both obligations for carriers and opportunities for injury victims to prove negligence. An experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney NJ can help you navigate these additional layers of complexity.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a NJ Truck Accident?
Identifying all liable parties is one of the most important steps a tractor-trailer accident lawyer in NJ handles in a truck crash case. Potential defendants include the following:
- The truck driver: Drivers who violate hours-of-service limits, drive under the influence, speed, or fail to perform required vehicle inspections can be held personally liable for the injuries they cause.
- The trucking company: Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, a trucking company can be held liable for the negligent actions of its employees. Beyond that, trucking companies may face direct liability for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressure on drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, or failure to maintain vehicles.
- Cargo loaders and shippers: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, causing a driver to lose control. The parties responsible for loading and securing the freight can be held liable when cargo issues contribute to a crash.
- Vehicle and parts manufacturers: Defective brakes, tires, steering components, or coupling devices can cause or worsen a truck accident. In these cases, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law.
- Maintenance providers: Third-party maintenance companies that fail to properly service a truck or that sign off on a vehicle with known mechanical issues can share liability for resulting accidents.
Identifying every liable party early is critical because each defendant carries separate insurance coverage, and missing one can leave significant compensation on the table. Kotlar | Cohen investigates each of these potential defendants from the earliest stages of a case, which is one reason injured drivers throughout the state choose our team as their truck accident attorney New Jersey. A commercial vehicle accident lawyer NJ with experience in multi-party claims ensures every responsible party is held accountable.
Federal Trucking Regulations That Matter
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules that govern how commercial trucking operates across the country, including New Jersey. When a carrier or driver violates these regulations, that violation can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.
Key FMCSA regulations relevant to truck accident cases include:
- Hours-of-service rules limit property-carrying drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers must also take a mandatory 30-minute break after eight accumulated hours of driving.
- The Electronic Logging Device mandate requires most commercial drivers to use electronic systems to record their driving hours, replacing paper logbooks that were easier to falsify.
- Drug and alcohol testing regulations require pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable-suspicion testing for all commercial drivers.
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements obligate carriers to conduct regular inspections and maintain detailed records of all maintenance and repairs.
Violations of any of these regulations can strengthen a truck accident claim by establishing that the carrier or driver failed to meet the standard of care required by federal law. An experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney NJ can obtain and analyze these records to build a strong foundation for your case.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
The steps you take immediately following a truck accident can significantly affect the outcome of your case. If you’re physically able:
- Call 911 and request both police and medical response.
- Seek medical attention right away, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Many serious injuries don’t produce immediate symptoms.
- Document the scene by taking photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, debris, and any visible injuries.
- Collect information, including the truck driver’s name, license number, trucking company name, and insurance details.
- Get contact information from any witnesses.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with an attorney.
Trucking companies often dispatch rapid-response teams to accident scenes. These teams work to preserve evidence that benefits the company and may attempt to limit the company’s exposure before you have legal representation. A truck crash attorney South Jersey can act quickly to preserve critical evidence before it’s lost. Contacting a tractor-trailer accident lawyer NJ as soon as possible helps level the playing field and protects your right to the evidence you need.
How Kotlar | Cohen Builds Truck Accident Cases
At Kotlar | Cohen, we take an evidence-driven approach to every truck accident case. Our process begins with obtaining the truck’s electronic control module data, also known as the “black box,” which records speed, braking patterns, and other critical data in the moments before a crash.
We subpoena and analyze the trucking company’s critical records, including:
- Driver qualification files
- Drug and alcohol testing records
- Hours-of-service logs
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Dispatch communications
We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and vocational experts to document the full scope of our clients’ injuries and losses.
As a commercial vehicle accident lawyer NJ trusts, we know how to navigate the tactics that large trucking companies and their insurers use to minimize payouts. We are prepared to take cases to trial when settlement offers don’t reflect the true value of our clients’ claims.
Case Results
Kotlar | Cohen has a strong record of results in trucking and personal injury attorneys NJ cases. Representative recoveries include:
- $1.492 million recovery. Case type: Tractor-trailer crash.
- $1.875 million recovery. Case type: Construction accident.
- $1.7 million recovery. Case type: Motor vehicle accident.
Every case is different, and past results don’t guarantee future outcomes. When you need a truck crash attorney South Jersey with a verified track record, these recoveries reflect the preparation and resources Kotlar | Cohen commits to every claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable in a NJ truck accident?
At least five distinct parties can hold liability in a New Jersey truck accident. These include the truck driver, the commercial trucking carrier, third-party cargo loaders, vehicle or parts manufacturers, and maintenance providers. A truck crash attorney South Jersey or an 18-wheeler accident attorney NJ can investigate all potential defendants to maximize your recovery.
What trucking regulations apply in NJ?
All commercial trucks operating in New Jersey must comply with FMCSA federal regulations. These cover hours-of-service limitations (11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window), Electronic Logging Device requirements, mandatory drug and alcohol testing, and vehicle inspection and maintenance standards. Violations of these federal rules can serve as direct evidence of negligence. A tractor-trailer accident lawyer in NJ can identify which regulatory violations apply to your accident.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in NJ?
Two years from the date of the accident. New Jersey’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck accidents, is set by N.J. Stat. § 2A:14-2. Missing this deadline typically bars you from recovering any compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be. A commercial vehicle accident lawyer NJ can ensure your claim is filed within the required deadline.
Can I sue the trucking company directly?
Yes, and in most truck accident cases, the trucking company is a primary defendant. Trucking companies can be held liable for the actions of their drivers under the doctrine of respondeat superior. They may also face direct claims for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance practices. A tractor-trailer accident lawyer NJ can evaluate which claims apply to your situation.
What damages can I recover from a truck accident?
Truck accident victims in New Jersey can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, courts may also award punitive damages. An 18-wheeler accident attorney NJ can evaluate the full scope of damages available in your case.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney New Jersey Trusts
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a collision with a commercial truck, tractor-trailer, or 18-wheeler, the window to preserve critical evidence is narrow. Kotlar | Cohen has the experience, resources, and courtroom readiness to take on the trucking companies and commercial insurers that fight these claims aggressively.
Contact us today for a free truck accident case review. As a commercial vehicle accident lawyer NJ trusts, we’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Kotlar | Cohen will evaluate your case, identify every liable party, and outline a clear path to recovery.
Call (856) 751-7676 or request a free truck accident case review online. The sooner you reach a truck accident attorney New Jersey, the stronger your case.