Skilled Representation After A Devastating Truck Accident
Due to their size and speed, trucks often cause the most devastating crashes on New Jersey roads. From catastrophic injuries to complete property damage, these wrecks can lead to a lifetime of pain and suffering. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a truck wreck, schedule a free consultation at a trusted personal injury law firm.
Experienced Legal Guidance For Commercial Vehicle Wrecks
Our dedicated legal professionals at Bedell & Stripto have the skill necessary to fight for the maximum compensation possible in your vehicle accident case. With more than 60 years of combined experience, Donald Bedell and Jeff Stripto can handle even the most complex cases involving serious injuries.
Our firm is prepared to handle collision cases involving:
- 18-wheelers
- Construction vehicles
- Commercial trucks
- Delivery vans
- Box vans
Injuries in these serious accidents can be caused by numerous factors, including:
- Driver fatigue
- Drug use
- Alcohol use
- Poorly trained or inexperienced drivers
- Failure to follow a proper sleep schedule
- Failure to follow a proper maintenance schedule
- Tire blowouts
- Following too closely
Truck drivers are held to a higher standard than other drivers. They must maintain a professional license and adhere to strict regulations. It is not uncommon for drivers to ignore safety regulations or depend on stimulants to meet tight delivery schedules. Unfortunately, when these factors lead to an accident, it can have dramatic and life-changing results.
Getting Answers About These Accidents
To help protect you and your loved ones from these accidents, we want to provide you with the answers to common truck accident questions.
Have truck accident deaths increased in New Jersey?
According to the Institute For Safer Trucking, the rate of these deaths has been steadily on the rise for over a decade. Since 2012, the amount of truck accident deaths has increased by 47%.
Which counties are more likely to see these kinds of accidents?
Some counties are more prone to experience a truck fatality. The five most likely counties to see these accidents, in descending order, are Essex, Gloucester, Merce, Middlesex and Union counties.
Why should I work with an attorney after experiencing a truck accident?
As your legal representation, we can act on your behalf to manage all the responsibilities of your claim while you focus on your health and physical recovery.
We will handle all of the duties in your case, identifying the current and future costs of your injuries, negotiating for your compensation, and refusing any lowball settlement offers. If negotiations cannot provide you with the settlement you deserve, we are ready to fight for you in court.
Where Are A Truck’s Main Blind Spots?
When driving around trucks, it is important to understand that they are very different from other vehicles. This starts with blind spots. Many truck accidents happen because truck drivers cannot see smaller vehicles around them.
For instance, there is a blind spot roughly 20 feet directly in front of a truck and another roughly 30 feet directly behind the truck. But even for drivers who are in lanes on either side of the truck, there is a blind spot on the left, extending halfway down the trailer, and there is another blind spot on the right that is even larger.
It is usually best for vehicles to be slightly ahead and to the side of a truck, or further back and to the side, where the truck driver can see them in their mirrors. Drivers who tailgate a truck or simply linger in the side lane near the cab could be completely invisible to the truck driver.
Another thing to keep in mind is that trucks have a wide turning radius of nearly 55 feet. The cab will often go straight and then turn sharply to the right, for example, while the trailer cuts a more shallow track during the same turn. This is why trucks often need extra space and will move over to the left in preparation for a right-hand turn. The driver is trying to create enough space to swing the trailer around without hitting the curb. If a vehicle drives up into that space, it will be in the blind spot, and the driver may hit it while turning – without knowing the vehicle is there.
Additionally, it is important not to cut in front of a truck that is trying to come to a stop. Trucks have a stopping distance that’s 40% longer than a car. If a driver cuts a truck off and then slams on the brakes to stop at a red light, it may be physically impossible for the truck behind them to stop without causing a rear-end crash.
This does not mean that truck drivers can act negligently or recklessly, of course. They should strive to check their blind spots and make safe turns. But it is still helpful for other drivers to be aware of the differences between vehicles and how these can lead to serious accidents.
Schedule A Free Consultation
Call 732-348-3439 or send an email to discuss your case with one of our trial lawyers in Brick or Toms River. The initial consultation is free. Most cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means you pay no fees unless we are successful in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to.