A side-impact crash can occur without warning. Most side-impact truck accidents in Paramus happen at intersections and turn signals, where people waiting to turn left are blindsided by drivers coming from the other direction. The impact is even more shocking when the oncoming vehicle is an 80,000-pound semi truck traveling at 60 miles per hour. This type of accident can result in a totaled car, major injuries, and even death.
Proving liability in a truck accident requires showing that the driver of the truck was careless or negligent at the time of the impact. Victims may also have a claim against the driver’s employer and other individuals or companies. After a wreck like this, you may be facing time away from work and medical expenses. At Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, our dedicated truck wreck attorneys can help you prove who is responsible for your injuries and get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to get started.
What Causes Side-Impact Truck Accidents?
A side-impact or T-bone accident happens when another vehicle hits you crosswise. These crashes often occur at intersections or during left turns, when you are waiting in the middle of traffic. If the oncoming driver tries to run the red light or does not see you, they may collide into the side of your vehicle. Common causes of side-impact truck accidents include:
- Wet, icy, or slippery roads, as commercial trucks need more than 500 feet to stop, even in clear weather
- A distracted or impaired driver
- Mechanical failure, such as bad brakes, bald or underinflated tires, or loss of control
- Obstructed visibility at intersections due to vegetation, construction, or poor lighting
Any or all of these factors can contribute to a side-impact truck crash in Paramus. If you have been the victim of such a wreck, you need legal assistance to prove who is liable for your injuries.
Proving Liability After a Side-Impact Accident
Proving fault after a side-impact truck accident requires more than just exchanging insurance information with the driver. To prove what caused the accident, your attorney needs information from the truck itself, in the form of the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD).
All commercial vehicles must have an ELD according to federal regulations. This device is similar to an airplane’s flight data recorder, and it logs all technical details about the truck’s maintenance, travel, speed, and direction before any crash. It also logs the driver’s active and rest hours.
The ELD can confirm other information provided by witnesses and the driver at the time of the accident. It will also show whether the driver was fatigued due to lack of rest periods, along with other critical information. The trucking company must preserve this log if your attorney requests it. However, it can be erased or deleted after six months if there is no pending litigation. Our Paramus attorney can ask the company to retain important data to prove the at-fault party’s liability following your T-bone truck crash.
Call a Paramus Lawyer After a Side-Impact Truck Collision
After side-impact truck accidents in Paramus, you need legal advice from the experienced attorneys at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC. We can help you gather the information you need to obtain fair compensation. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
