Truck Driver Negligence

Truck driver negligence is a common cause of truck accidents in New Jersey. Negligence takes different forms — speeding, distractions and recklessness, for example — but the results are all the same: a crash that leaves others hurt and property damaged. If you’re in a truck driver negligence accident, get medical help right away, but then call the best personal injury lawyers to prove the truck driver was at fault. Protect your legal rights and win a fair settlement for your losses, while holding negligent drivers accountable.

What Is Truck Driver Negligence?

Truck driver negligence refers to any action or failure to act by the driver of a commercial truck that falls below the standard of care expected of a reasonably prudent driver and that results in an accident.

Negligence can cause all kinds of large vehicles to crash, including:

• Big rigs
• Delivery trucks
• Tankers
• Tour buses

The most common decision-making errors include driving too fast for the road conditions, following other vehicles too closely and failing to look ahead. Another cause, which is rare but dangerous, occurs when the driver experiences a medical event. Truck driver negligence results in disastrous accidents that cause deadly injuries, including death, and devastating damage.

If you’ve suffered through a truck accident, you get medical help for your injuries. Then find the best personal injury lawyers in New Jersey at RAM Law. These professionals comb through the evidence to see if the accident really was caused by truck driver negligence. Fault creates legal liability for the driver and maybe the trucking company. Find the best personal injury attorney by contacting RAM Law. They know what to do in the event of a truck driver negligence accident.

What Type of Trucker Negligence Caused My Accident?

Truck accidents caused by truck driver negligence come in many forms, since there are many forms of that negligence.

Examples include:

• Distracted driving. Truck drivers who use their phones, eat, drink or engage in conversation take their eyes and minds off the road, making it more likely that they’ll cause an accident.
• Fatigued driving. Truck drivers who violate federal hours-of-service regulations drive for extended periods without taking appropriate rest breaks. They’re likely to become fatigued and cause an accident.
• Impaired driving. Truck drivers who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol pose a danger to others on the road.
• Speeding. Truck drivers who exceed posted speed limits or fail to adjust their speed to account for weather and road conditions may cause an accident.
• Aggressive driving. Truck drivers who engage in aggressive driving behaviors — such as tailgating, cutting off other drivers or weaving in and out of traffic — are more likely to cause an accident. If they’re rushing because of impossible deadlines, the trucking company may be negligent.
• Improper maintenance. Truck drivers and their employers have a duty to properly maintain and inspect their trucks. Failure to do so may result in brake failures, tire blowouts or other equipment failures.
• Overloading or improperly loaded cargo. An overloaded truck causes more wear and tear, which can lead to mechanical failure. Improperly loaded cargo creates an unstable or unbalanced vehicle, increasing the risk of a rollover.
• Violating traffic laws and regulations. Truck drivers who fail to yield the right of way or ignore traffic signals and signs frequently cause accidents.

If you’ve been involved in a truck driver negligence accident, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney at RAM Law. These legal experts have the resources to investigate the accident to identify the cause of the accident and pursue legal action against the responsible parties. Your best bet for a fair settlement is to hire a truck accident lawyer with skill in cases like yours.

How Do I Prove Truck Driver Negligence in the New Jersey System?

To prove negligence in a New Jersey truck accident, you and your attorney need to establish four basic elements:

1. Duty of care. The truck driver had a duty to exercise reasonable care while operating the truck. These duties include complying with traffic laws and regulations, maintaining a safe speed and avoiding reckless or careless behavior.
2. Breach of duty. The truck driver breached the duty of care by failing to act in a reasonable and prudent manner. Such actions may involve distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding or aggressive driving.
3. Causation. The breach of duty caused the accident that resulted in injuries or damage. You must be able to establish a clear connection between the truck driver’s actions and the accident.
4. Damages. You suffered actual damages as a result of the accident, such as physical injuries, property damage, lost income or medical expenses. An experienced personal injury attorney can negotiate a settlement for all your losses.

To prove these elements, you need a lawyer to prove the driver was at fault. Being in an accident with a negligent truck driver is a traumatic experience, but taking action to protect yourself and your legal rights increases your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries. With your lawyer, you can hold the trucking company and driver accountable for any negligence.

What Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Do for Me?

If you’re injured in a truck accident, find a good personal injury lawyer like those at RAM Law to take your case.

While you’re recovering and focusing on your health, your attorney:

• Investigates the accident. Your lawyer gathers such evidence as witness statements, police reports, medical records and any available video or photographs of the scene.
• Reconstructs the accident. In complex cases, your lawyer calls in an accident reconstruction expert to analyze the data and determine what caused the crash.
• Determines liability. Once the cause of the accident is known, it becomes possible to place the blame for the accident and hold that person or entity accountable. If truck driver negligence caused the crash, the driver or his company may be held liable.
• Calculates damages. To get you a fair settlement, you first have to figure out what your losses are, including property damage, injuries, future care, lost wages and impact to your future earning potential.
• Negotiates with insurance companies. While you focus on recovery, your lawyer handles the insurance companies and the representatives of the other involved parties on your behalf.

By hiring a personal injury attorney who’s experienced in truck accident cases, you protect your legal rights after a truck accident. Your lawyer moves your case forward, informs you of your options and looks out for your best interests. You can’t do all that yourself, and you shouldn’t rely on your insurance company for the best compensation.

When truck driver negligence causes an accident, it’s dangerous for the other drivers on the road. If you’re involved, seek medical attention, report the accident, gather information if possible and contact a RAM Law attorney. You increase your chances of winning fair compensation for your injuries, while holding those responsible for their negligence.