Liability in a commercial vehicle accident often extends beyond the driver. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include the trucking or delivery company, the vehicle owner, a third-party maintenance contractor, or a cargo loading company whose negligence contributed to the crash. In some cases, a manufacturer may be liable if a defective part caused or worsened the collision. An experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer in New Jersey will investigate every angle to identify all responsible parties and pursue the full compensation you are owed.

While no amount of money can undo the harm caused by a commercial vehicle accident, a personal injury lawsuit can help victims recover:

• Medical expenses, including future treatment and rehabilitation costs
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages in cases involving reckless conduct or federal safety violations

Our team of New Jersey truck accident lawyers collaborates with accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and other expert witnesses to build strong cases that reflect the full extent of your losses.

Yes. In New Jersey, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident under the statute of limitations. Missing this deadline will likely bar you from recovering any compensation, regardless of how strong your case is.

There are important exceptions to be aware of. If your accident involved a government or municipal vehicle, you must file a Notice of Tort Claim within 90 days of the accident under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act. Failure to meet this shorter deadline may eliminate your right to pursue a claim entirely. An experienced New Jersey commercial vehicle accident attorney can help you take the necessary actions.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately. Some injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, do not present symptoms right away. Get evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible and keep all medical records.

• Call the Police: Request a police report at the scene. This is a critical piece of evidence in any commercial vehicle accident claim.
• Document Everything: Photograph the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries. Collect witness contact information and write down everything you remember while it is still fresh.
• Do Not Speak to the Insurance Company: Do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents before speaking with an attorney. Anything you say can be used to minimize or deny your claim.
• Contact a New Jersey Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney: Commercial vehicles carry critical data that can disappear quickly including black box data, the onboard recording that captures speed, braking, and driver actions leading up to the collision.

The attorneys at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow will move fast to preserve evidence, identify all responsible parties, and protect your right to full compensation.

New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may still recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. However, your damages will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. Trucking and delivery companies routinely attempt to shift blame onto the other driver to reduce their liability. The NJ commercial vehicle accident attorneys at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow will ensure the facts are accurately established.

Commercial vehicle accidents are significantly more complex than crashes involving private passenger vehicles. Truck drivers, trucking companies and their employers are subject to federal regulations that do not apply to ordinary drivers, including Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules governing hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and driver qualifications.

These cases often involve multiple responsible parties, larger insurance policies, and corporate legal teams whose sole objective is to minimize what you recover. Having an experienced NJ truck accident lawyer who understands this landscape is essential.