Princeton New Jersey Truck Accident Injury Lawyers
Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents are one of the most serious types of automobile accidents -- at least for the other driver. Accidents involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck pit two vehicles of dramatically different size against one another. Because a large truck is so much heavier than a car, pickup truck or SUV -- often more than 26,000 pounds -- it brings a much greater physical force to the accident. That's why three-quarters of the fatalities and injuries in large truck accidents happen to the people in the other vehicles, according to 2006 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Because they're very heavy, large trucks are also at greater risk of a rollover accident than many ordinary cars. Professional truck drivers should be trained on how to handle their vehicles' high center of gravity, but due to carelessness, other drivers' mistakes or bad conditions, trucks sometimes roll over. This is a very serious type of accident, especially when the truck is on a busy road. Multiple vehicles can be crushed or pushed out of the way before the truck comes to a stop, killing or seriously injuring other motorists. A rollover accident is likely to kill or very seriously injure the truck driver, and those in the way may suffer brain injuries, spinal injuries, multiple broken bones, serious burns or soft-tissue and organ damage.
The size of large trucks can make accidents worse in other ways. Because they're higher off the ground than most passenger vehicles, trucks are likely to have high bumpers as well. In an accident, that bumper "misses" the bumper of the smaller vehicle, instead pushing the metal and glass of the car's walls directly into the passenger compartment. This puts occupants at serious risk of stab-like wounds to the head, neck and torso -- leading to brain and spinal damage, organ damage and other serious injuries. If the bumper hits the back of a vehicle, especially a poorly designed or older vehicle, it can also cause a gas tank explosion, leading to a very quick fire and serious burns for occupants who can't get out of the vehicle in time.
It's very rare that occupants of a passenger car, SUV or personal truck leave a crash with a heavy truck with only minor injuries. For many victims, truck accident injuries mean death, permanent brain damage, paralysis, amputation, disfiguring burns or other permanent and irreversible disabilities. Luckier victims may still need months or years to fully recover from the physical and emotional trauma of being hit by a large truck. If you or someone you love was hit by a big rig, tractor-trailer or other large truck, you have the right to recover money to help cover these and other expenses caused by the accident.
Truckers and trucking companies know how catastrophic -- and expensive -- a large truck accident can be. That's why they often move quickly to minimize their legal liability after an accident. A representative of the trucking insurance company may call just days after the accident, while you're still reeling from the physical and emotional trauma. Don't take any offer, sign anything or agree to be tape-recorded until you speak with the experienced New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein. We know how to protect your rights, and we know what your New Jersey truck accident claim is worth -- information that insurance companies don't want you to have. We can ensure that you are compensated for your pain and suffering and that you get the money you need to pay medical bills, funeral costs, repair or replacement costs and other bills caused by the accident. And because we offer free consultations, there's no risk in calling Lependorf & Silverstein for an expert truck accident lawyer's evaluation of your case.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious truck accident in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.