New Jersey Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
An attorney who puts in the hard work that gets results
Many motor vehicle accidents in Millburn and throughout Essex and Union counties involve commercial vehicles. The drivers of these vehicles are often working on deadlines and don’t always drive responsibly. The result is a crash that can leave you seriously injured. But recovering financial compensation can be a complicated process.
That’s why you need an experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer who knows how to build strong cases that get results. Attorney David Leigh of The Leigh Law Firm, P.C. understands the impact that injuries can have on victims and their families. He is dedicated to making a difference by helping them recover the compensation they deserve.
Understanding the causes of commercial vehicle accidents
What is a commercial vehicle? It is any truck, car, or other vehicle used for business purposes – and while some such vehicles are just cars, minivans, and pickup trucks that happen to be owned by businesses, many are built specifically for commercial purposes. Some common examples are delivery vans and trucks, such as those used by UPS, FedEx, DHL, and Amazon. Commercial vehicles also include box trucks, passenger vans, dump trucks, tow trucks, and garbage trucks.
A commercial vehicle accident can happen on Main Street in downtown Millburn, Old Short Hills Road, or a highway such as I-78. Accidents can be caused by:
- A driver exceeding the speed limit
- A driver looking away from the road to text or check a GPS
- A driver falling asleep at the wheel
- A company giving a driver an unrealistic delivery schedule
- A company failing to properly maintain the vehicle
- A company failing to make needed repairs on the vehicle
- Defective parts on the vehicle
Delivery drivers in particular may operate on tight deadlines. They may take unnecessary risks on the road because they are concerned about falling behind on the delivery schedule. In addition, cargo may have been loaded improperly, increasing the risk of an accident when taking a sharp turn, for example.
The consequences of a commercial vehicle accident can be significant
Because most commercial vehicles are considerably larger than private vehicles, the injuries sustained are often severe. Victims of a commercial vehicle accident can be left with injuries to the head, neck, or back; spinal cord injuries; traumatic brain injury (TBI); damage to internal organs; broken bones, and other injuries. It may take months or even longer to recover from their injuries. Some victims are left with permanent disabilities.
If negligence led to the accident that left you hurt, you deserve financial compensation. But identifying negligent parties and holding them accountable can be complicated since the stakes are so high.
Drivers may deny doing anything wrong because they don’t want their driving record to look bad. Companies may also deny responsibility because they are concerned about their safety record. This puts you in the position of having to prove negligence.
Insurance companies fight hard to reduce or deny claims
Don’t expect much help from the insurance companies. They want to process your claim as quickly as possible while paying as little as possible. There are a number of tactics they use to try to justify paying you less.
One tactic is to question the seriousness of the injuries you suffered. Another is to seek access to your medical history to try to argue that your injuries were pre-existing. They may try to blame you for being partially at fault for the accident. Under New Jersey’s modified comparative negligence system, that could mean less compensation they would have to pay.
Or they may simply offer you a settlement not long after the crash. But that’s just another way for them to try to save money. Their offer will fall far short of covering the total damages you suffered.
Our law firm holds commercial drivers and businesses accountable
Attorney Leigh knows how insurance companies approach claims after an accident – he used to represent them. And he knows how to fight back to build cases they have to take seriously.
Our firm investigates your commercial vehicle accident to identify negligent parties and get the facts. We seek access to maintenance and employment records from the company and gather other evidence such as any video of the crash caught on traffic cameras. We carefully review accident reports and interview witnesses. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts.
Attorney Leigh will also determine the total damages you have suffered and demand compensation. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to the injuries you suffered, lost wages if you couldn’t work, and other damages such as pain and suffering.
Many times, attorney Leigh is able to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. But if a settlement can’t be reached, he will be prepared to fight for you in court.
Get answers to your questions from a commercial vehicle accident lawyer
If you were hurt in an accident with a commercial vehicle in Northern New Jersey, you may not be sure what to do next. You probably have a lot of questions and aren’t even sure if you have a case. We think it’s important to know where you stand. That’s why we offer a free consultation.
Attorney Leigh can review the details of your accident, go over your legal options for recovering compensation and answer any questions you have. There’s no obligation. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Our office is in Millburn. Or attorney Leigh can meet you at a more convenient location, such as your home or hospital room.