Practice Areas
Commercial Vehicle
Accidents
Commercial vehicle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight of trucks, buses, and delivery vehicles. New Jersey law provides strong protections for victims, including higher insurance requirements and strict federal regulations.
Higher Liability
Commercial vehicles must carry significantly higher insurance coverage than passenger cars
Federal Rules
Truckers must follow strict federal hours-of-service and maintenance regulations
2 Year Statute
Two years from accident date to file your personal injury claim in New Jersey
No Fee
We work on contingency — no attorney fees unless we win your case
New Jersey requires commercial vehicles to carry much higher insurance coverage than regular cars, and federal regulations create additional liability when truckers violate safety rules. This means more compensation is available for serious injuries.
Commercial vehicle accidents in New Jersey are governed by both state motor vehicle laws under N.J.S.A. 39:3-40 and federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Commercial trucks must carry minimum insurance of $750,000 to $5 million depending on cargo type, compared to just $15,000 for passenger vehicles. Additionally, commercial drivers and companies must comply with federal hours-of-service rules, vehicle maintenance standards, and driver qualification requirements that create additional grounds for liability when violated.
Compensation in commercial vehicle accidents typically covers all medical expenses including emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and future medical care. Given the severity of these crashes, damages often include substantial lost wages, permanent disability benefits, pain and suffering, and loss of earning capacity. In cases involving wrongful death, families can recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. The higher insurance coverage requirements mean these damages can actually be fully compensated, unlike many car accident cases where insurance limits fall short.
Commercial vehicle cases are more complex than typical car accidents because multiple parties may be liable — the driver, trucking company, vehicle owner, cargo loader, or maintenance provider. Insurance companies and trucking companies have teams of investigators and lawyers who respond immediately to minimize liability. Critical evidence like driver logs, black box data, and maintenance records can be destroyed or altered if not preserved quickly. Additionally, federal regulations create a complex web of potential violations that require experienced legal analysis to identify and prove.
The Law
What you
need to know
01
Truck Rear-End Collisions
Large trucks cannot stop as quickly as cars, often causing devastating rear-end crashes. Driver fatigue or distraction frequently contributes to these accidents.
02
Jackknife Accidents
When a truck's trailer swings out of control, it can block multiple lanes and cause multi-vehicle pileups. Poor weather, speeding, or brake failure are common causes.
03
Delivery Vehicle Crashes
UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and other delivery drivers face pressure to meet deadlines, leading to reckless driving and accidents in residential areas.
04
Bus Accidents
Transit buses, school buses, and tour buses carry many passengers, making accidents particularly serious. Driver negligence or mechanical failure can injure dozens.
05
Construction Vehicle Incidents
Dump trucks, cement mixers, and other construction vehicles operating in work zones create unique hazards for both workers and passing motorists.
06
Hours-of-Service Violations
Federal law limits how long truckers can drive without rest. When companies pressure drivers to exceed these limits, fatigue-related crashes often result.
Cases we handle
Common scenarios
What to expect
How the
process works
Immediate Medical Care & Scene Documentation
Seek emergency medical attention even if injuries seem minor — commercial vehicle crashes often cause internal injuries that aren't immediately apparent. If possible, photograph the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible violations like unsecured cargo or damaged equipment. Get the commercial driver's license information and the company's insurance details.
Preserve Critical Evidence
We immediately send preservation letters to the trucking company, demanding they preserve driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, and surveillance footage. This evidence is often destroyed in the normal course of business, so quick action is essential. We also work with accident reconstruction experts to document the scene before it changes.
Investigation & Liability Analysis
Our team investigates all potential sources of liability — the driver, trucking company, vehicle owner, cargo loader, and maintenance providers. We review federal compliance records, driver qualification files, and company safety ratings. We also analyze whether federal regulations were violated, which can significantly strengthen your case.
Medical Documentation & Damage Calculation
We work with your medical providers to fully document your injuries and treatment needs. Given the severity of commercial vehicle crashes, we often consult with life care planners and economists to calculate future medical costs and lost earning capacity. This comprehensive approach ensures we seek full compensation for lifelong impacts.
Negotiation or Trial
We present a detailed demand package to all liable insurance companies, backed by thorough investigation and expert analysis. Commercial insurers know these cases can result in large verdicts, so many settle for fair amounts. If they don't, we're prepared to take your case to trial with the full resources these complex cases require.
Questions
Frequently
asked
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Commercial vehicles are much larger and heavier, causing more severe injuries. They're also required to carry higher insurance coverage and must follow strict federal safety regulations. When these regulations are violated, it creates additional grounds for liability that don't exist in regular car accidents.
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Multiple parties may be responsible — the driver, trucking company, vehicle owner, cargo loading company, or maintenance provider. We investigate all potential sources of liability to ensure you receive full compensation. Sometimes the trucking company is liable even if the driver wasn't technically their employee.
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Generally two years from the accident date, but commercial vehicle cases require immediate action to preserve evidence. Driver logs, black box data, and surveillance footage can be destroyed quickly if we don't act fast. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.
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Commercial drivers and their companies often try to shift blame to avoid liability. We conduct our own investigation using accident reconstruction experts and federal compliance records. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages in New Jersey as long as you were less than 50% responsible.
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Commercial vehicles carry much higher insurance coverage than regular cars — often $1 million to $5 million or more. This means full compensation is more likely for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. The exact amount depends on your injuries and the circumstances of the crash.
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Nothing upfront. We handle commercial vehicle cases on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. The consultation is free, and we advance all case expenses. There's no financial risk in calling us to discuss your case.
Free Consultation
Injured in acommercial truck accident?
Tell us what happened. We'll give you an honest assessment - no pressure, no obligation, and no fee unless we recover for you. We're available by phone or at our offices, and we're happy to meet you wherever is most convenient.
Call Us Directly
(973) 401-0064