Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer
A New Jersey attorney who can help you get justice
A truck accident can result in severe injuries for the drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles – and sometimes those injuries are fatal. The death of a loved one in an accident is a devastating loss. You want answers about what happened, and you want justice. An experienced New Jersey truck accident lawyer can help.
Attorney David Leigh of The Leigh Law Firm, P.C. knows that nothing can replace your loved one. But if the truck accident occurred in Millburn or anywhere in Essex or Union counties, he can help you navigate the legal process to identify the negligent parties and hold them accountable. Schedule your free consultation today.
We will get to the bottom of your loved one’s death
Many different types of negligence can lead to a fatal truck accident. For example:
- A speeding driver lost control of a tractor-trailer on I-78.
- A texting driver looked away from the road and crashed into a car.
- The driver of a truck failed to take required breaks or spent more time behind the wheel than federal regulations allow.
- A driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The trucking company hired a driver who was not qualified.
- The trucking company gave a driver an unrealistic delivery schedule.
- The truck was not properly maintained or needed repairs.
- The tires or brakes on the truck were defective.
- The cargo was loaded improperly.
One of the first things our firm will do is investigate your loved one’s truck accident to get the facts. We carefully review accident reports, medical records, and other documentation. We identify and interview witnesses about what they saw. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists.
Our job is to fight for accountability and justice
In New Jersey, surviving spouses and their children can recover damages in a wrongful death claim after a fatal truck accident. In cases where the victim of a fatal accident had no spouse or children, a lawsuit can be filed on behalf of surviving parents and other family members.
In general, you can seek compensation for loss of financial support, loss of companionship, household services (such as yard work, childcare, and laundry), funeral and burial expenses, and your loved one’s final medical expenses. Under the New Jersey Survival Act, you may also be able to recover damages for your loved one’s pain and suffering.
Truck accident cases can be complicated because there are often many different parties involved. These include the driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, the owner of the cargo, the company that loaded the cargo, the truck manufacturer, and the manufacturer of parts on the truck.
Each party can have their own lawyer – and be represented by a different insurance company. Negligent parties and insurance companies will aggressively fight wrongful death claims because they know there is a lot of money at stake. We fight back just as hard because we believe your family deserves justice and closure.
Strong cases that insurance companies can’t ignore
Attorney Leigh will take quick action to preserve crucial evidence that is controlled by the trucking companies. This evidence includes hours of service (HOS) logs, maintenance records, employment records, and information from the truck’s electronic control module (ECM).
Trucking companies and their insurance companies use many different tactics to try to deny liability or limit compensation. Attorney Leigh knows them all – he used to represent insurance companies. He also knows how to fight back against attempts to pay you less.
The insurance company may argue that there was no negligence, or may even suggest you’re your loved one was somehow at fault for what happened. They may offer you a settlement and even promise quick payment. Don’t accept such a settlement without talking to an attorney first. We can negotiate for more – or hold them accountable in court if they won’t pay.
Attorney Leigh can guide you through the legal process every step of the way. He can keep you updated on the progress of your case and discuss any settlement options with you. If you have questions or concerns, all you have to do is call. Our clients get attorney Leigh’s cell phone numbers and can call him directly.
Contact us today for a free consultation
If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, you probably have a lot of questions. Who was responsible for the crash? Can you file a lawsuit? Do you even have a case? If so, how much compensation can you recover?
Attorney Leigh can go over all of your legal options for recovering financial compensation, answer any questions you have, and give you an idea of what to expect during a free consultation. There’s no obligation. We just want you to have the information you need before deciding what to do next.
When should you call a lawyer? New Jersey state law allows two years from the date of your loved one’s death to take legal action. But it’s important to get advice from a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Evidence can be lost or destroyed as time goes by and witnesses may forget certain details about what they saw. Learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. Our office is in Millburn, or we can meet with you at a more convenient location.