Truck Accident Claims And Legal Options In Phillipsburg

Being involved in a truck accident can leave you overwhelmed with medical bills, lost wages and uncertainty about the future. We know you may be facing pain, financial stress and constant calls from insurance companies.

At Wilhelm & Roemersma, P.C., we defend your best interests as if they were our own. Our trucking accident lawyers work directly with clients to prosecute claims to the fullest extent, including appeals if needed. We will not cut corners, and we remain responsive throughout your case. Call us at 908-454-3200 or contact us today for a free consultation.

Common Ways Serious Truck Accidents Occur

Truck accidents happen for many reasons, and victims often suffer severe harm. Below are common causes you should know about:

• Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road can impair judgment and reaction time.
• Distracted driving: Cell phones, GPS devices and eating behind the wheel often lead to collisions.
• Improper cargo loading: Shifting or unsecured cargo can cause rollovers or jackknifes.
• Negligent maintenance: Poorly serviced brakes, tires or lights make trucks unsafe.
• FMCSA hours-of-service violations: Ignoring federal rest requirements places everyone at risk.

Each of these factors may create liability for the driver, the trucking company or other parties.

Common Injuries After Truck Collisions

Truck crashes frequently result in catastrophic injuries. Victims may face:

• Traumatic brain injury: Even with a helmet or seatbelt, sudden impact can damage the brain.
• Spinal cord injury: Collisions can cause paralysis or lifelong mobility challenges.
• Broken bones: Fractures in the arms, legs or ribs often require surgery and a long recovery.
• Internal injuries: Organ damage may not be visible at first but can be life-threatening.
• Wrongful death: Families may lose loved ones in fatal truck accidents.

These injuries create long-term costs and deserve strong legal representation.

Statute Of Limitations For A Truck Accident

In New Jersey, the law gives accident victims two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury claim. This deadline also applies to wrongful death claims, which must be filed within two years of the date of death. Failing to take legal action before this period ends usually means losing the right to seek compensation.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, if the injured person is a minor or mentally incapacitated, the time limit may be paused until they can legally file on their own. If the accident involved a government vehicle or agency, the timeline is much shorter. Victims have only 90 days to file a formal notice of claim.

Truck accidents can involve multiple responsible parties, including drivers, trucking companies and maintenance providers. These cases require immediate action to preserve black box data, driver logs and other key evidence that can be lost within weeks.

Because of these tight timelines and complex liability issues, it is important to contact an experienced New Jersey truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Steps To Take After A Serious Trucking Accident

While medical attention should always come first, the other step is to involve a skilled New Jersey truck accident attorney right away. Here is how our team helps clients handle each stage of the process:

• Investigating the accident: We collect police reports, witness statements and trucking company records to build your case.
• Communicating with insurers: We handle all contact with insurance adjusters to help prevent clients from accepting unfair offers.
• Calculating losses: Our attorneys work with experts to value medical costs, lost wages and long-term impacts.
• Filing and pursuing the claim: We prepare and file your case before deadlines expire, protecting your right to compensation.

Instead of facing trucking companies and insurers alone, working with an attorney helps ensure your case is handled correctly from the start. Our focused legal support helps injured victims in New Jersey recover financially and emotionally after devastating truck accidents.

How Truck Accidents Differ From Other Motor Vehicle Accidents

Truck accidents present unique challenges that set them apart from typical car crashes:

• Size and weight disparities: Passenger vehicles weigh around 4,000 pounds, while fully loaded tractor-trailers can exceed 80,000 pounds. This massive weight difference creates devastating force during collisions and results in more severe injuries and property damage.
• Federal regulations: The trucking industry’s strict standards require drivers to follow hours-of-service rules and maintain detailed logbooks. Violations of these regulations often contribute to accidents and establish liability in ways that do not apply to regular car crashes.
• Multiple responsible parties: A typical car accident usually involves one or two drivers. Truck accidents can implicate the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors and vehicle manufacturers. Each entity maintains separate insurance policies, which complicates settlement negotiations.
• Critical evidence preservation: Commercial trucks contain electronic logging devices and black box data that record speed, braking and driver behavior. This information can disappear quickly without proper legal intervention.

Trucking companies act fast to protect themselves. Our firm does the same for our clients. We step in early, protect evidence and take control of the process so our clients do not have to.

Who Can Be Held Liable For A Serious Truck Accident

When determining liability in truck accidents, several parties may bear responsibility for your injuries, including:

• Truck drivers: Fatigued, distracted or impaired drivers who cause collisions through negligent operation face personal liability for resulting damages.
• Trucking companies: Employers can be held responsible for inadequate driver training, pressure to violate hours-of-service rules or failure to conduct proper background checks and drug testing.
• Cargo loading companies: Improperly secured or overweight cargo creates dangerous conditions. Third-party loading contractors may share fault when shifting loads cause accidents.
• Maintenance providers: Companies responsible for inspecting and repairing trucks can be liable when mechanical failures like brake malfunctions or tire blowouts contribute to crashes.
• Vehicle manufacturers: Defective truck parts or design flaws may establish product liability claims against manufacturers when equipment failures cause harm.

Insurance companies representing these parties often attempt to shift blame or minimize settlements. You need attorneys who will consider every angle and prosecute your claim to the fullest extent. We work directly with accident reconstruction specialists and industry professionals to build your case. We have handled cases through appeals and will not cut corners in fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Why Work With Our Truck Accident Lawyers?

Handling a trucking accident lawsuit without counsel leaves you at a disadvantage. Insurance companies often minimize settlements. A skilled truck accident attorney can preserve black box data, issue evidence spoliation letters and work with experts in accident reconstruction. At Wilhelm & Roemersma, P.C., we consider every angle of your case and have the ability to continue your claim through appeals. Because we are a full-service law firm, we can also connect your personal injury claim to related issues such as disability benefits.

Call For Skilled Truck Accident Representation

If you are searching for a truck accident lawyer near you, our firm is here to help. Wilhelm & Roemersma, P.C., has served Phillipsburg and surrounding New Jersey and Pennsylvania communities since 1996. Contact our trucking accident law firm today at 908-454-3200 or reach us online to discuss your commercial truck accident claims with an experienced attorney.