Sussex County Truck Accident Lawyer

FIGHTING FOR SUSSEX COUNTY TRUCK ACCIDENT VICTIMS

Large semi trucks cause a disproportionate amount of traffic accidents and traffic-related deaths in the United States every year, accidents that are often catastrophic simply due to the sheer size and weight of the truck.

In 2019, there were over 500,000 crashes involving large trucks, with over 100,000 reported injuries and nearly 5,000 fatalities. Tragically, but not unexpectedly, 82 percent of those fatalities were not the occupants of the large truck involved in the crash, but rather, were occupants of the smaller vehicles.

If you or your loved one were injured in a truck accident in Sussex County, you are not alone. In 2020 there were 25 fatal crashes involving semi trucks and trailers in the state of New Jersey. The team at Richard Hollawell can help you to receive the maximum compensation you deserve after a Sussex County truck accident – and help you bring those responsible to justice.

Contact our truck accident lawyers today at 1-800-681-3550 or using the form below for a free consultation.

Trucking Accidents Are on the Rise

Between the years of 2005 and 2009, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks in the United States was steadily declining, and experts were hopeful the trend would continue downwards. 

Unfortunately, between 2009 and 2015, injury crashes increased 62 percent, and from 2016-2019, injury crashes involving large trucks increased another 13 percent nationwide. 

Why Are There More Trucking Accidents?

Of course, there are numerous reasons why trucking accidents may be on the rise in the United States. Though there were fewer drivers on the road during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic accidents were still unusually high, due to more reckless driving. 

Experts point to a number of reasons for the increase in trucking accidents, including:

• More trucks on the roads: During the pandemic, more and more people turned to online shopping, necessitating more trucks on the road for home deliveries. ​​

• High driver turnover rate: The American Trucking Associations has reported that large trucking companies now have a turnover rate of 96% annually. High turnovers mean more and more inexperienced drivers on the road.

And of course, there’s just the sheer volume of trucks on the road. Trucks made up about 20 percent of Sussex County’s total traffic back in 2005, and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign projected that number would more than double by 2020, growing by 107 percent. This is the largest projected increase in trucking in the entire state of New Jersey, with a projected 469,202 miles driven daily in Sussex County alone. 

What Causes Trucking Accidents in Sussex County?

Of course, there are a lot of factors that go into any traffic accident. But the number one reason for fatal truck crashes in New Jersey in 2020 was a predictable one: driver inattention, or distracted driving – many times brought on by truck driver fatigue.

A study performed in 2006 discovered that distracted driving was the leading factor in crashes nationwide, finding that nearly 80 percent of crashes involved some form of driver inattention before the crash. 

How Are Trucking Accidents Different Than Other Types of Car Accidents in Sussex County?

Trucking accidents require a much more thorough and in depth investigation than a car accident involving two personally owned vehicles. While the driver may seem to clearly be at fault for the accident, the trucking company who hired that driver may in fact also be liable, depending on the circumstances of the case. You will need to have a skilled trucking accident attorney on your side to help you determine fault in this type of accident. A New Jersey trucking accident lawyer will review things such as:

• Trucking logbooks
• Driving records
• GPS monitoring
• Truck maintenance
• Information on the truck’s cargo

A Sussex County Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

Dealing with any type of car or truck accident is never easy, as these types of catastrophic injuries can often result in life-long disabilities, or even the loss of a loved one. Richard Hollawell is an experienced NJ car accident lawyer, and has helped clients win six-figure and seven-figure settlements from negligent drivers that caused serious physical injuries and pain and suffering.

Our team can help answer your questions about your Sussex County trucking accident with a free consultation, and give you guidance on who may be liable for your accident, along with understanding what sort of compensation you should be expecting. Contact our team today at 1-800-681-3550 or by using the online form below for a free consultation.