Our Truck Accident Lawyers Will Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve

The results are often catastrophic when a massive commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike or a busy New York City street. In an instant, your life changes completely.

You might be dealing with excruciating pain, facing multiple surgeries, or learning to adapt to permanent disabilities that will forever alter your future. Your financial security may be jeopardized as medical bills pile up while you are out of work. New caregiving demands may strain family relationships, and your emotional trauma can be just as debilitating as your physical injuries.

During this difficult time, you need help from an experienced New York and New Jersey truck accident lawyer who understands the unique challenges of commercial vehicle accident cases.

Hofmann & Schweitzer New York and New Jersey truck accident lawyers dedicate themselves to representing victims with serious injuries.  Our experienced attorneys investigate every aspect of your crash, identify all potentially liable parties, and fight aggressively for the maximum compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs.

How Truck Accidents Cause Serious Injuries

Truck accidents in New York and New Jersey frequently result in devastating injuries due to several critical factors, including:

• Size and weight disparity. Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, while the average passenger vehicle weighs approximately 4,000 pounds. This extreme difference means that passenger vehicles absorb most of the impact force in a collision, leading to severe injuries for their occupants.
• Stopping distance. Fully loaded trucks require significantly more distance to stop than passenger vehicles. The results can be devastating when a truck driver fails to maintain proper following distance or doesn't anticipate traffic slowdowns on busy New York and New Jersey roads.
• Multiple impact points. Truck accidents often involve several impact points, as vehicles may be crushed, dragged, or pushed into other objects or vehicles. This can result in victims sustaining multiple serious injuries.
• Dangerous cargo. Some trucks transport hazardous materials that can cause additional injuries through chemical burns, toxic exposure, or fire when released during an accident.

These factors make truck accidents particularly dangerous and often deadly.

Liable Parties in Truck Accident Cases

One key difference between truck accidents and typical car crashes is the number of potentially liable parties. Our New York and New Jersey truck accident lawyers investigate all possible sources of compensation, including:

• Truck drivers. When drivers operate their vehicles while fatigued, distracted, impaired, or without proper training, they can be held personally liable for the resulting accidents.
• Trucking companies. Companies must ensure their drivers are properly qualified and trained, their vehicles are regularly maintained, and federal regulations are followed. They can be liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or encouraging drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations.
• Vehicle owners. Sometimes, the trucking company doesn't own the truck but leases it from another entity, which may share responsibility for proper maintenance.
• Maintenance providers. Third-party companies responsible for truck maintenance can be liable if their negligence contributed to the accident.
• Cargo loaders. Improperly loaded or secured cargo can shift during transport, causing the driver to lose control. The companies responsible for loading the truck may share liability in these cases.
• Parts manufacturers. If a defective part, such as brakes or tires, contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability laws.

Our thorough investigation identifies all potentially responsible parties to maximize your compensation.

Compensation for Serious Truck Accident Injuries

Victims of serious truck accidents in New York and New Jersey deserve full compensation for their losses. Our truck accident lawyers work diligently to secure damages for:

• Current and future medical expenses. This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation services, assistive devices, and all future medical needs related to your injuries.
• Lost income and earning capacity. We help recover wages lost during recovery and diminished earning potential if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation.
• Pain and suffering. Serious injuries cause significant physical pain and emotional distress that deserve substantial compensation beyond just medical bills.
• Home modifications and life care costs. For permanent injuries, we calculate the lifetime cost of needed care, home accessibility modifications, and specialized equipment.
• Loss of enjoyment of life. When injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed or fulfilling important family roles, you deserve compensation for these losses.

Due to the severity of truck accident injuries, compensation in these cases is often significantly higher than in typical car accident claims. However, trucking companies and insurers fight hard to minimize payments, making experienced legal representation essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a truck accident?

Call 911 immediately, seek medical attention even if you feel fine, document the scene with photos, get the truck driver's information and trucking company details, collect witness contact information, and contact an experienced truck accident attorney within 24 hours to protect your rights.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit?

In New York, you have 3 years from the accident date. In New Jersey, you have 2 years. However, it's crucial to contact an attorney immediately as evidence can disappear quickly and insurance companies begin investigating right away.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident attorney?

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Our initial consultation is completely free, and we advance all case expenses.

How long does a truck accident case take?

Truck accident cases typically take 12-24 months to resolve, depending on the complexity of the case, severity of injuries, and whether the case goes to trial. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while ensuring maximum compensation.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?

Even if the driver was an independent contractor, the trucking company may still be liable under certain circumstances. We investigate the relationship between the driver and company to determine all sources of liability and compensation.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes, in both New York and New Jersey, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. In New York, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. In New Jersey, you can recover if you're less than 50% at fault.

Why Choose Hofmann & Schweitzer Truck Accident Lawyers

When selecting attorneys to handle your serious truck accident case, experience and resources matter. Our legal team offers:

• Investigative resources. We work quickly to preserve critical evidence such as driver logs, maintenance records, and data from the truck's electronic control module before it can be lost or destroyed.
• Medical expertise. Our firm knows how to interpret medical records and value your claim.
• Trial experience. While many cases settle, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, strengthening our negotiating position against powerful trucking companies.
• No upfront costs. We handle severe truck accident cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a truck accident, don't delay seeking legal help. New York and New Jersey have time limits for filing injury claims, and critical evidence can disappear quickly in truck accident cases.