The trucking industry plays a vital role in the country’s economy and supports the supply chain by transporting goods nationwide. However, the size and weight of vehicles such as tractor-trailers also pose serious risks, as collisions with cars often lead to severe or fatal injuries.
You have the right to recover damages from the responsible party if their negligence caused an avoidable collision, and an experienced personal injury attorney can help you. A Paramus truck accident lawyer at our firm can review your case and work with you to pursue a claim for the compensation you deserve.
Who Is Liable?
One or more parties may share responsibility for your damages, depending on the circumstances. Potential defendants may include:
- The driver, if their carelessness—such as speeding or disregarding traffic laws—causes a collision
- The trucking company, if poor hiring, inadequate training, or neglectful vehicle maintenance contributes to a collision
- Cargo companies, including loaders or shippers, if improper loading or securing of cargo lead to a collision
- Mechanics or fleet companies, if faulty repairs, negligent maintenance, or defective parts contribute to a collision
Our experienced Paramus attorneys can gather evidence, including retrieving black box data and reviewing maintenance logs, to determine fault and help you build a strong case after a collision with a large commercial vehicle.
Recoverable Damages
Civil courts award damages based on the specifics of your case, including the severity of your injuries and the defendant’s actions leading up to the incident. Economic damages cover your out-of-pocket losses, such as your medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages address emotional distress, chronic pain, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Because collisions involving cars and tractor-trailers are often severe, damages can be substantial.
Hours of Service
One common cause of crashes is trucker fatigue. To address this, the state follows federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 395. These rules are designed to prevent drivers from experiencing extreme fatigue and to reduce accidents involving heavy commercial vehicles, such as 18-wheelers.
Truckers may drive for a maximum of 11 hours after at least 10 consecutive hours off duty. They have a 14-hour on-duty window, which includes driving, loading, and inspections. Additionally,
truckers must take a 30-minute rest break after eight hours of driving. Weekly limits also apply, based on a 60- or 70-hour workweek, with minimum off-duty periods required to reset for the next week.
Our lawyers at Fredson Statmore Bitteman, LLC can review a trucker’s HOS records to establish whether they breached these regulations to support your claim for compensation after a crash in Paramus.
Call Our Attorneys Today After a Collision With a Commercial Vehicle in Paramus
If a negligent commercial vehicle driver caused you or your loved ones harm, you have the right to take legal action to seek compensation. An experienced Paramus truck accident lawyer at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC can help you navigate the process and fight for the best possible outcome.
We can provide the support and legal guidance you need to recover the damages you are owed. Contact our firm today to schedule your free consultation.
