Monmouth County Truck Accident Lawyers

Tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks cause thousands of accidents and injuries each year. Many fatal crashes on both local and interstate highways throughout Monmouth County involve commercial trucks.

Sadly, those in smaller vehicles are the most at risk for suffering life-threatening injuries in these dangerous accidents. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a truck crash, our Monmouth County truck accident lawyers at Ellis Law have the experience and resources to pursue the compensation you deserve after devastating injuries.

How Do Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents?

Truck accidents are more complex than typical car collisions. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – 20 times the size of a standard passenger vehicle. The force of that weight can cause catastrophic injuries even at moderate speeds.

Truck accident claims often involve multiple parties and layers of insurance coverage. Trucking companies, drivers, shippers, maintenance providers, and even manufacturers may share responsibility for a crash. Federal and state regulations also apply to commercial carriers, adding another level of complexity to your case.

What Are Monmouth County’s Most Dangerous Roads for Truck Accidents?

Monmouth County has a dense network of highways and local routes that carry heavy truck traffic every day. Some of the most dangerous roads include:

• Garden State Parkway: One of the busiest highways in New Jersey, the Parkway sees constant tractor-trailer traffic. Frequent lane merges, heavy commuter congestion, and high travel speeds make this route a common site of rear-end and multi-vehicle truck crashes.
• Route 18: Route 18 carries large commercial vehicles heading to and from industrial areas and the Jersey Shore. Curves, frequent construction zones, and sudden slowdowns often contribute to rollover and lane-change accidents.
• Route 35: Lined with shopping centers and intersections with short turning lanes, delivery trucks frequently enter and exit, leading to sideswipe and left-turn collisions.
• Route 36: This coastal route connects key shipping and commuter areas from Keyport to Long Branch. Narrow lanes, heavy seasonal traffic, and glare from sun and ocean reflections can make it difficult for truck drivers to see smaller vehicles.
• Interstate 195: A major corridor linking Monmouth County to central New Jersey, I-195 carries high-speed freight traffic. Sudden weather changes, especially winter’s fog and ice, often contribute to chain-reaction truck accidents.
• Route 9: A combination of commercial and residential traffic with frequent stoplights, turning vehicles, and limited shoulders, and little room for error for braking trucks or unexpected lane changes.

What Types of Truck Accident Cases Does Ellis Law Handle?

Ellis Law represents clients injured in all types of truck accidents that occur throughout Monmouth County, including head-on collisions, jackknife crashes, rear-end collisions, rollover accidents, side-impact (“T-bone”) collisions, and underride crashes. 

What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Monmouth County?

Truck accidents occur for many reasons, including negligence, failure to follow safety regulations, and inexperienced or reckless drivers. Common causes include:

• Blind spots
• Blown tires
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence 
• Fatigued driver
• Equipment failure
• Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
• Inexperienced driver
• Poor maintenance
• Poorly maintained roads
• Reckless or aggressive driving 
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Weather

Due to the size and weight disparity between the trucks and passenger cars, truck crashes pose a significantly higher risk of severe, life-altering injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lifelong care. Common injuries include amputated or crushed limbs, severe burns, disfigurement, nerve damage, organ damage, paralysis, psychological trauma, punctured organs, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

Who Can Be Liable for Truck Accident Injuries in Monmouth County?

Determining liability in truck accidents is often challenging due to the extent of damage typically involved and the number of potentially responsible parties, such as:

• Driver: Intoxicated, speeding, or aggressive drivers can be directly responsible for the crash.
• Cargo Loader: Cargo loaders may be liable if improperly balanced, overloaded, or unsecured cargo shifts and causes the driver to lose control or overturn.
• Employer: Trucking companies may share liability if they failed to train or supervise drivers or ignored safety regulations.
• Government Entities: Local or state agencies can be accountable for unsafe road design, poor signage, or a lack of maintenance.
• Maintenance Contractors: A mechanic or service provider may be responsible if negligent repairs or poor maintenance led to mechanical failure.
• Truck Owner: If the truck was owned by a third party and poorly maintained or failed inspection, the owner may be accountable.
• Truck Manufacturer: If defective brakes, tires, or safety systems caused the crash, the manufacturer can be liable.

Because truck accident claims often involve multiple parties, a thorough investigation is required to determine full liability for your injuries after a truck crash.

What Compensation Can I Seek After a Truck Accident in Monmouth County?

Compensation for truck accident claims is often significantly higher than that for typical car crashes due to the severity of injuries and extensive losses involved. Compensation is based on a combination of both economic and non-economic damages, which includes:

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
• Lost income, such as past and current wages and reduced future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
• Property damage for repair or replacement of your vehicle and other personal property.
• Wrongful death damages, which compensate for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, companionship, and guidance.

In cases involving a truck driver’s especially dangerous behavior, such as driving under the influence or intentionally causing harm, the court may award punitive damages to hold the driver accountable and discourage similar conduct in the future.

How Can I Prove Liability for My Truck Accident Injuries?

Fortunately, gathering evidence in truck accident cases is often easier than in other types of crashes due to the trucking industry’s strict regulations. Commercial trucks are equipped with onboard “black box” recorders that track critical data at the time of the crash, such as speed, braking, and steering. 

Additional evidence can be gathered from cargo manifests, driver logs, cell phone records, dispatch instructions, maintenance and service reports, regulation violations, and dash cam footage. This detailed information provides valuable insight into what happened and helps establish liability with greater accuracy.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Monmouth County?

The first few moments after a truck crash can be overwhelming, but gathering evidence after a truck accident can significantly affect your claim. If you are able, you should take the following steps: 

• Call 911 and report the accident and injuries.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver, but do not admit fault or apologize.
• Minimize conversation to avoid incriminating statements.
• Photograph everything at the scene, including the damage and injuries. 
• Gather contact information and statements from witnesses.
• Seek medical attention, even if you don’t feel injured. Some internal injuries do not appear immediately.
• Keep all records related to the accident.
• Contact an experienced Monmouth County truck accident lawyer to protect your rights and discuss your legal options.

Monmouth County Truck Accident Lawyers at Ellis Law Can Help You Get Justice After a Crash

When a truck crashes into your vehicle, it causes catastrophic damage, affecting your health, your job, and all aspects of your life. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured, our compassionate Monmouth County truck accident lawyers at Ellis Law will fight for the justice you deserve after a devastating crash. Call 732-308-0200 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. With offices in New Jersey and New York, including Monmouth County and Freehold, Neptune City, and Middletown, we proudly serve clients throughout both states.