What to Do After a Commercial Truck Accident in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide for Injured Drivers

Collisions involving commercial trucks are among the most serious crashes on New Jersey roads. Anyone who has driven the Turnpike has seen the aftermath of a jackknifed tractor-trailer or watched reports about highway closures after a major crash. But nothing prepares you for being the one injured in one. The size and weight of tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, box trucks, and utility vehicles often lead to severe injuries, totaled vehicles, and complicated insurance investigations.

In the aftermath, injured drivers and passengers must juggle treatment, medical bills, property damage, and multiple insurance carriers, all while trying to understand their rights in the legal process. When your life is disrupted and the pressure builds quickly, knowing what steps to take can protect both your health and your future.

At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP our experienced truck accident lawyers represent New Jersey drivers harmed in serious truck crashes. Below is a clear guide to help you regain control after an accident.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your health must come first. Even if you feel fine, a medical professional can identify injuries that may not appear right away, such as concussions, spinal trauma, or internal bleeding. Timely care creates important medical records for future injury claims and establishes the medical timeline that supports your personal injury lawsuit if needed.

2. Call the Police and Obtain Accident Reports

New Jersey law requires drivers to report crashes involving injuries or significant damage. A police report is often a key piece of evidence in any personal injury case. These accident reports may include:

• Preliminary fault observations
• Witness statements
• Road conditions
• Information about the truck, driver, and motor carrier

Your lawyer will use this documentation during the discovery phase should your case proceed to litigation.

3. Document the Scene and Preserve Evidence

If it’s safe to do so, collect evidence before vehicles are moved. Photographs, debris patterns, and road conditions can be important. Commercial trucks often store critical electronic records including onboard cameras, telematics, and Hours of Service logs.

A truck’s “black box” (event data recorder) captures speed, braking, steering input, and other operational details moments before and after the crash. Your attorney can take steps to preserve this data before it is altered or lost.

4. Exchange Information, but Limit Conversation

Gather the truck driver’s contact information, employer, insurance details, and DOT number. Avoid discussing fault or making statements about your injuries. Commercial insurers often begin investigating right away. Anything said prematurely could later be used against you in an insurance claim or lawsuit.

5. Notify Your Insurance Company Carefully

You must report the accident to your insurer promptly, in accordance with your policy terms. In many cases, New Jersey law also requires an official crash report to be filed within 10 days. Provide basic facts only. Decline recorded statements until you receive legal advice from a qualified attorney.

Commercial carriers may contact you early, sometimes with quick settlement offers that do not reflect the full extent of your injuries or medical bills. 

6. Keep Records and Track All Medical Bills

Every document matters. Organize:

• Medical records and treatment plans
• All medical bills
• Wage loss documentation
• Repair receipts
• Communications with insurers

Strong documentation supports your injury claims and strengthens your position if you choose to file a lawsuit.

7. Understand How Hours-of-Service and Driver Fatigue Impact Your Case

These factors may or may not be present in each crash, but they are important areas your lawyer will investigate. Two common contributing factors in truck crashes are hours of service violations and distracted driving.

Hours of Service

Federal Hours of Service rules limit how long drivers may operate a truck without rest. Violations may contribute to:

• Driver fatigue
• Slower reaction times
• Poor decision-making
• Microsleeps behind the wheel

Distracted Driving

Distraction from phones, navigation systems, or in-cab devices can turn an already dangerous situation into a catastrophic crash.

Understanding whether fatigue or distraction contributed to the crash can be essential when evaluating your injury claims.

8. Contact an Experienced New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accident cases are complex. Multiple parties may be involved, and corporate insurers aggressively defend these claims. An experienced personal injury lawyer can:

• Preserve black-box and Hours-of-Service records
• Obtain dispatch logs and the truck’s maintenance history
• Evaluate witness statements and expert findings
• Handle communication with insurers
• Advise you on whether to file a lawsuit
• Guide you through every step of the legal process

9. What Happens If Your Truck Accident Case Goes to Trial?

If negotiations do not result in a fair resolution, your attorney may recommend filing a personal injury lawsuit. Once filed, your case enters the discovery phase, where both sides exchange evidence, including:

• Accident reports
• Witness statements
• Hours-of-Service records
• Black box data
• Documentation related to distracted driving or driver fatigue
• Medical evaluations from your treating medical professionals

During trial, your attorney presents evidence supporting your injury claims, explains your medical treatment and projected medical bills, and shows how the crash impacted your life. The trucking company and its insurer present their defense. A judge or jury then determines liability and compensation based on the evidence presented. Throughout this process, your lawyer provides strategic legal advice, prepares you for testimony, and ensures your rights are protected.

Trusted Legal Support for New Jersey Drivers Hurt in Serious Crashes

A truck accident can change your life in moments. You do not have to navigate the aftermath alone.
The lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP stand ready to help New Jersey drivers understand their legal options, protect their rights, and pursue accountability when the evidence supports a claim. Contact us today for a free confidential consultation.