Our nation depends on truck drivers to deliver the merchandise we need. Whether you are a business owner or a consumer, truck drivers are to thank for the food on your table and the clothes on your back. Most truck drivers conduct themselves with integrity and are mindful of the rules of the road. However, truckers also work 70-hour weeks and are under immense pressure to make all their stops on time. This is why truck drivers will sometimes disobey the rules of the road, intentionally or unintentionally. Unfortunately, even the smallest error on a truck driver’s part can result in a massive amount of damage. If you have been involved in a truck accident, here are some of the questions you may have:
What are the most common types of truck accidents?
- Rear-end crashes: Since trucks are such massive vehicles, a rear-end accident can potentially cause significant damage to a smaller vehicle, such as an average-sized car. Additionally, if you were rear-ended by a truck, you are almost never at fault, which is why you will most likely be able to recover compensation if you were injured.
- Rollover accidents: These generally happen when a truck is taking a turn at too high of a speed.
- Blindspot crashes: Trucks have bigger blind spots than most other motor vehicles, so it is easy for a truck driver not to see smaller adjacent vehicles when changing lanes.
- Head-on collisions: These are generally the most fatal truck accidents. If you have been injured because a truck driver was driving on the wrong side of the road, there is a very good chance you will be able to recover compensation.
- Jackknife accidents: A jackknife collision is when the trailer swings independently of the cab, causing both sections of the tractor-trailer to move in opposite directions.
- Wide turn accidents: These generally occur when a truck driver swings left to make a right turn. In this scenario, a truck will usually collide with cars to its right.
How do I know if I am entitled to financial compensation following a truck accident?
If you have been injured due to a truck driver’s negligence, you should be entitled to financial compensation. However, these cases are sometimes harder to win than regular personal injury cases, because the truck and insurance companies will generally hire a team of legal experts who will do anything in their power to deny you of the compensation you deserve. This is why the most important thing you can do after being involved in a truck accident is to hire an experienced attorney who will fight for your rights.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
The law firm of Mattleman, Weinroth & Miller, P.C., is composed of experienced defense attorneys throughout the state of New Jersey. Please contact the office for a free initial consultation and get any questions answered regarding criminal charges and procedures.