Category: Truck Accidents

By Admin | September 25, 2018

Commercial trucking accidents often lead to more serious injuries than standard car accidents. These vehicles are mammoth machines and cause devastating results, especially in crashes with your average commuter car.

People who have been injured in a commercial trucking accident in New Jersey don’t need to prove the severity of the injury in order to make a claim against a commercial policy. With this in mind, you may be able to file a legal claim if you have had the misfortune of being in an accident.

7 Factors of Commercial Trucking Accidents

Many factors can contribute to an accident with a commercial truck. They include:

1. Driver fatigue. Deadlines and management can force the drivers to go extended periods of time without sleep. This can result in falling asleep behind the wheel.
2. Inattentive driving. This occurs when a driver is coasting without properly watching the road due to zoning out or getting too comfortable.
3. Texting while driving. If a person is staring at their phone, they’re not seeing the road ahead of them. End of discussion.
4. Following too close. Trucks can’t stop as quickly as cars and other smaller vehicles, so following too close can lead to terrible damage if the automobile ahead of the truck stops abruptly.
5. Speeding. This relates to #4 in that going too fast will make it extremely difficult for a large truck to stop quickly enough to avoid an accident.
6. Failure to observe traffic control devices
7. Failure to enforce policies with respect to sleep and hours of operation of commercial vehicles

Ensuring You Get the Treatment You Need

Often, accidents with commercial trucks cause very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can require extensive medical treatment, therapy, and home modifications. We will do everything in our power to ensure that you receive the treatment you need to make a strong recovery.

This article should not be taken as legal advice. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash with a truck or commercial vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If you’re in New Jersey and seeking legal assistance, we can help you.

Brenner Spiller & Archer is a New Jersey law firm that is prepared to take action against commercial trucking companies whose employees or policies are negligent. For more than 35 years, our attorneys have been committed to pursuing the highest possible settlement for clients throughout Central and South Jersey.

Click here to schedule a free consultation with our trusted attorneys.

By Admin | December 19, 2017

Just behind heart disease, cancer, and stroke, unintentional injury – which includes vehicle crashes – is a leading cause of death in New Jersey. While the number of vehicle accidents is down from decades ago, even one preventable death is one too many.

Here are some of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey and how you can stay safe on the road and help prevent more ccrashes.

The Stats

In 2016, there were a total of 256,482 vehicle accidents in New Jersey. That’s about 700 per day. Thankfully, that number has been decreasing.

Though the total number of accidents has been on a downward trend since 2001, a recent spike since 2012 has some analysts looking at cell phone use as a reason why drivers aren’t as alert as they were last decade.

Death and injury also fluctuate, but are primarily down (78,000 injuries and 670 deaths in 2001 compared to 59,000 and 570 in 2016).

Causes

Distracted Driving

Cell phone use has continually been pointed at as a major reason for traffic accidents. With the introduction of the modern smartphone in 2007, a new era of easy and addicting mobile communication and entertainment has been a great leap in technology, but seemingly difficult to ignore while driving.

In 2004, New Jersey introduced a law that prohibits cell phone use while driving. This includes phone calls, texting, emailing, and the use of the internet and phone apps.

Though this law has likely kept cell phones out of the hands of some drivers, accidents from cell phone use have been increasing since police officers began accurately recording the use as a cause in 2006.

Weather

A more typical cause of accidents in New Jersey is weather. Virtually any type of weather can cause difficulty while driving, including:

• Rain
• Snow and sleet
• Ice-covered pavement
• Dense fog
• Bright sunshine

In addition to obstructing drivers, changes in weather can cause wildlife to behave irregularly. Deer, rodents, and birds may not see roads or oncoming traffic as well as in normal weather conditions.

Intoxication

Even 120 years after the first drunk driving arrest, driving while under the influence continues to be a problem. In New Jersey, having 0.08 percent of alcohol in your blood can land you a drunk driving charge.

In some cases, if you cannot safely be behind the wheel of a car, you can be charged even if your alcohol levels are below 0.08. Narcotics and hallucinogens are also included in intoxication charges.

The popularity of rideshare services has likely been a big attribution to the decrease in intoxicated drivers on the road. Companies like Uber and Lyft, who have been operating in New Jersey as early as 2013, offer taxi-like transportation from independent, authorized drivers.

The ease of their mobile apps and payments makes rideshare services an appealing alternative to drinking and driving.

Staying Safe on the Roads

Most drivers want to keep themselves, their passengers, and other drivers safe while on the road. Here are a few things you can do to be a safer driver:

• Use Bluetooth, speakerphone, or a headset when using a cell phone
• Avoid distractions like eating, grooming, reading, or adjusting music
• Don’t drive in unfavorable weather if you can’t control your vehicle
• Use your seatbelt
• Don’t drink and drive

By Admin | January 18, 2017

A two-vehicle accident just off the highway in Upper Deerfield Township resulted in catastrophic damage to a church.

The accident occurred just before 5:00 p.m. on December 11, 2016 and involved a tractor-trailer and a pickup truck. The tractor-trailer was being driven by a 44-year-old Bridgeton NJ man and approaching the intersection of Route 77 and Route 540 when it suddenly swerved off the roadway after nearly colliding with a truck that was also traveling on the highway.

The tractor-trailer went way off the main roadway and did not come to a stop until it crashed into the side of Wells of Salvation God the Father Church. The collision caused the walls and the roof of the church building to come tumbling down.

The truck, a Ford F-150, was driven by a 61-year-old Camden NJ resident and also had a Camden woman as a passenger. The Ford truck driver reportedly pulled over in the moments after the auto accident and waited for police to arrive at the scene.

Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the truck accident.

Liability for Property Damage in NJ Car Accidents

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Upper Deerfield police and the New Jersey State Police, conducted a detailed investigation into the tractor-trailer accident and determined that the Bridgeton motorist did not randomly lose control of his vehicle; rather, he reportedly swerved in order to avoid being cut off by the pickup truck. As a result, the driver of the pickup truck has been cited for multiple traffic violations, including careless driving, failure to stop or yield, and driving while suspended.

It is important to keep in mind that a motorist can be sued in civil court regardless of whether they were cited for traffic offenses or criminally charged. Additionally, although most auto accidents involve vehicle damage and/or physical injuries to drivers and passengers, some car crashes can result in property damage to buildings, signs, light fixtures, and other structures. When a car accident results in significant property damage, the negligent motorist can potentially be sued by the property owner for damages to cover the costs of repairs or replacement.

In this case, the owners and operators of the destroyed Upper Deerfield church may be able to file personal injury lawsuits against the driver of the Ford truck and the driver of the tractor-trailer. Beyond that, the drivers and/or their insurance companies could potentially be liable for large sums of money because the damage to the church was extensive and ultimately required a complete demolition of the building.

The demolition of the church has led to a delay in plans to re-open the local post office that sits next to the damaged building. When the tractor-trailer slammed into the side of the church, a wall collapsed into an alleyway that connects the building to the post office. The post office had to be temporarily shut down in the aftermath of the accident and is still without electrical service.

If you were injured, or your property was damaged, in an auto accident, you need to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Brenner Spiller & Archer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us anytime to schedule a free initial consultation.

By Admin | November 4, 2016

A teenager who was trick-or-treating in Long Branch NJ required medical attention after being struck by a pickup truck on Halloween night.

The victim, a 14-year-old boy from Long Branch, was walking around the neighborhood and carrying a bag of candy as he went from home to home. However, the victim’s fun-filled night came to an abrupt end when a truck reportedly crashed into him.

The scary auto accident occurred around 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Morris Avenue and Chelsea Avenue in Long Branch, New Jersey. The victim was struck by a Ford work van when he attempted to cross the street. The teenager suffered non-fatal injuries in the pedestrian accident, including a minor foot injury and a scrape on his head.

After the accident, the truck driver stopped and remained at the scene. He also dialed 911 to alert local law enforcement, which dispatched Long Branch police officers and emergency medical crews to the area.

Emergency medical responders briefly treated the accident victim at the scene before transporting him via ambulance to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ. Doctors provided additional treatment, but the boy still required overnight hospitalization at the Long Branch medical facility due to the severity of his injuries.

Although Halloween is typically a night on which children roam the streets in Monmouth County neighborhoods and have a good time, the reality is that parents need to make sure that their kids are taking precautions. In this instance, the Long Branch trick-of-treater who got hit by the truck was reportedly wearing dark-colored clothing that made it difficult for the truck driver to spot him as he crossed the road.

For more information, check out the NJ.com article, “Trick-or-Treater Struck by Van in Shore Town, Report Says.”

If you or a loved one sustained injuries as a result of another person’s negligence, you should talk to a qualified personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Brenner Spiller & Archer can help you get the compensation you need, want, and deserve. Contact us now to schedule a free initial consultation.

By Admin | October 19, 2016

Residents of a neighborhood in Winslow Township NJ were left in shock after seeing the aftermath of a frightening car accident.

The auto accident involved two vehicles and occurred around 11:30 a.m. on the 100 block of Route 73 in Winslow, New Jersey. According to law enforcement officials, an 83-year-old Williamstown NJ woman was driving her Buick northbound on the highway when she slowed down in order to turn into the driveway of Clara’s Beauty Salon. As the vehicle came to a stop, a truck being driven by a 45-year-old Pemberton man slammed into the rear of the car.

The rear-end collision caused the Williamstown driver’s vehicle to move down the driveway and crash into the broad side of a garage. Thankfully, the garage was detached from the salon and unoccupied at the time of the car accident. The Winslow Township Police Department later issued a statement indicating that the collision caused the roof of the garage to collapse. Moreover, said police, the damage to the building was so significant that a local building inspector later deemed the property unsafe and required everyone to exit the premises until necessary repairs could be made.

The elderly Williamstown motorist involved in the crash was actually trapped inside her car and pinned against the garage for a while. Emergency medical crews were eventually able to extricate her from the vehicle. She was subsequently transported to a local hospital in order to undergo a medical evaluation.

Meanwhile, Winslow Township detectives are actively investigating the truck accident as they try to figure out exactly who, if anyone, was at fault for the car accident.

For more information, read the NJ.com article, “Accident Sends Car Crashing through Garage in Camden County.”

If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to another motorist’s negligence, you should speak with a qualified personal injury and auto accident lawyer immediately. The experienced personal injury and truck accident attorneys at Brenner Spiller & Archer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.