Truck accidents involving large commercial vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries and overwhelming financial burdens. When you’re facing a claim against a major trucking company, you’re not just dealing with a single driver, but corporate legal teams and industry experts hired to minimize their liability. The challenges multiply quickly as evidence disappears and settlement offers arrive that barely cover your medical bills.
At Jae Lee Law, our team brings over 100 years of combined legal experience to every trucking accident case we handle. Attorney Jae E. Lee has spent nearly 30 years securing millions in recoveries for injured clients across New Jersey, and she’s among the 3% of New Jersey attorneys certified by the Supreme Court. Unlike firms that simply push for quick settlements, we take a proactive approach to building your case and remain prepared to take trucking companies to trial when they refuse fair compensation.
What Makes Truck Accident Claims Different From Car Accidents?
Trucking accident claims involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and significantly more serious damages than typical car accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration establishes strict regulations governing the following:
- Driver hours
- Vehicle maintenance
- Cargo loading
- Company oversight
When trucking companies or drivers violate these regulations, they can be held accountable for the resulting injuries. Your claim may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, or vehicle manufacturers, depending on what caused the accident.
How Do I Preserve Evidence After a Truck Accident?
Trucking companies must preserve certain records after accidents, but they often act fast to control the narrative. Critical evidence includes driver logbooks, truck maintenance records, and black-box recorder data. This evidence often reveals violations, such as skipped maintenance or driver fatigue, that directly caused your accident.
Your immediate steps after a truck accident should include:
- Photograph the accident scene from multiple angles, capturing vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries before vehicles are moved
- Collect contact information from the truck driver, the trucking company, all witnesses, and responding police officers who can verify what happened
- Report the accident to the police and request a copy of the crash report once available
- Seek immediate medical attention even if you feel fine, as some serious injuries don’t show symptoms for hours or days
Remember, avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney. Acting quickly to document and preserve evidence gives you the strongest foundation for your claim.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, large trucks were involved in 5,788 fatal crashes across the United States in 2021, underscoring the seriousness of these crashes. New Jersey law allows truck accident victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disfigurement or disability.
Personal injury cases in New Jersey follow modified comparative negligence rules, meaning you can recover damages as long as you’re less than 51% at fault for the accident. Trucking companies often argue that victims share some of the blame to reduce their payout obligations.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys
Taking on a large trucking company requires legal expertise, investigative resources, and the determination to fight for full compensation when insurers refuse fair settlements. You need advocates who understand federal trucking regulations, know how to uncover evidence of violations, and aren’t intimidated by corporate legal teams. Your recovery depends on building a compelling case supported by a thorough investigation of all liable parties.At Jae Lee Law, we invest our resources into every client’s case because we’re prepared to take trucking companies to trial when necessary. Our proactive approach means we don’t wait for insurance companies to dictate the terms. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in New Jersey, complete our contact form today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries.