Salem County Truck Accident Attorneys

FIGHTING FOR SALEM COUNTY TRUCK ACCIDENT VICTIMS

In Salem County, there were nearly 2,000 vehicular accidents reported in 2019. And the numbers of those killed by crashes involving large trucks statewide in New Jersey has been steadily climbing, growing 50% in four years. In 2010, there were 52 people killed in the Garden State by large trucks – by 2019, that number climbed to 78.

Truck drivers, and the companies that employ them, can and must be held liable if their negligence has caused injury to others on the road. If you were involved in an accident in Salem County, the New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Richard Hollawell can help represent your interests, and make sure you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

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

What Should I Do After a Salem County Truck Accident?

After any type of accident, it’s always recommended that you contact law enforcement as soon as you have tended to any emergency medical situations. Having a police report that accurately documents the accident will be critical in proving your case, should you decide to file a lawsuit later on. 

As with most car accidents, you will also want to get the insurance information and contact from any other drivers involved in the accident. But when your accident involves a large truck, you’ll also want to get additional information from the driver. This can include:

• Was the driver on duty when the accident occured?

• Name of the company that employs the driver

• Who owns the truck that was involved in the accident?

• Number of the truck

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in Salem County

Like any vehicle, large trucks can crash for a number of reasons. Driver error is a common culprit, especially distracted driving. Truck drivers also have additional factors that may make them prone to accidents. Some of the most common causes of trucking accidents include:

• Driving on a tight schedule: Truck drivers are required by law to rest and take breaks during the day, but often, companies put them on an impossibly tight schedule. Many truckers are expected to work 70 hours a week, sometimes for eight days at a stretch.

• Driver fatigue: These tight schedules are also a source of driver fatigue. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, driver fatigue is one of the major risk factors for large truck crashes

• Inappropriate training: If the driver involved in your accident was not properly trained, or did not have all their certifications, the company that hired them may be liable for damages.

• Mechanical breakdowns and tire defects: Nearly 55% of truck accidents involve a mechanical failure according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Fatal Causation Study. And about 30% of all trucking accidents stem from tire defects, making them the most common cause of a trucking accident. 

“Coal Truck Accident” by Michael Hodge is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Recent Salem County Truck Accidents 

In just under three weeks in the fall of 2021, there were two large truck accidents in Salem county, one of which sadly ended a woman’s life. The other large truck was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike and ended with the truck bursting into flames on the roadway. 

In addition, 2021 has seen two large truck drivers either charged or indicted after fatal truck accidents in Salem County. In June, the driver of a large truck was indicted after his tractor-trailer struck and killed two people in Salem County in 2020. And a separate driver is expected to be charged after rear-ending a disabled vehicle on the Delaware Memorial Bridge in early 2021, killing two of the vehicle’s three occupants. 

When To Contact a Salem County Truck Accident Attorney

Large semi-trucks can weigh up to 30 times as much as a small passenger car, and are responsible for over 5,000 crashes nationwide every year. Car accidents can leave not only physical damages, but emotional and financial damages for victims as well, and when the accident involves a large truck, these losses are almost always heavily increased. 

As an experienced car accident lawyer, Richard Hollawell has helped clients win six-figure and seven-figure settlements from negligent drivers that cause serious physical injuries and property damage. If you have questions about your accident, do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced legal team. Contact our lawyers today at 1-800-681-3550 or by using the form below for a free consultation.