New Jersey Personal Injury Blog

Man Killed in New Jersey Tractor-Trailer Collision

A 48-year-old man from Essex County was killed in a New Jersey accident that involved a tractor-trailer. According to a news report in The Star Ledger, the fatal truck accident occurred on Route 24 near the Morristown Municipal Airport. Police believe that the victim of this crash was traveling westbound in his SUV when he drifted into the eastbound lanes and collided head-on with the tractor-trailer. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

While the reasons why this driver crossed into oncoming traffic may never be known, this tragic New Jersey truck accident is a reminder of how dangerous tractor-trailer collisions can be and how important it is for the family of someone killed in a motor vehicle accident to contact a New Jersey wrongful death attorney.

A skilled attorney will work with investigators to determine the cause of an accident, including issues pertaining to driver distraction, vehicle defects, dangerous roadways or mechanical malfunctions; and, will help determine the identity of possible culpable parties.

The family of someone who died in a New Jersey car or truck accident may pursue damages for their losses by filing a wrongful death claim. Such claims may compensate families of the deceased for funeral costs, lost future income, and, loss of services, guidance, counseling, advice, assistance and companionship.

If you have lost a loved one in a tractor-trailer accident, contact the experienced New Jersey truck accident lawyers of Blume Goldfaden for a no-cost consultation and evaluation of your potential claim. Call us at 973-635-5400 to learn how to protect your legal rights.

Elk Township Tractor-Trailer Accident Kills Man

A 59 year old man from Lancaster, New Jersey was killed in a tractor-trailer accident in Elk Township near Glassboro, New Jersey. The Intelligencer Journal reported that the man was driving a pickup truck when he collided with a Freightliner tractor-trailer at the intersection of Route 77 and County Road 538. The pickup truck flipped onto its side and trapped the driver and a passenger inside. The driver died as a result of severe head injuries and the passenger was hospitalized with bruises and a concussion.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that approximately 4,066 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2008. During the same year, there were 47 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks in New Jersey alone.

When involved in a collision with a vehicle with the size and weight of large trucks, the risk of serious injury and death increases. Approximately 74 percent of the people killed in fatal truck vs. car accidents are the drivers and passengers of the smaller vehicles, according to the NHTSA.

Truck accidents can occur due to a number of factors which might constitute negligent operation, ownership and/or maintenance of a truck, including: truck driver fatigue, impaired driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, inadequate vehicle maintenance and driver inattention.

Families that have lost a loved one or otherwise sustained injuries in a truck accident should discuss their rights with a New Jersey truck accident attorney. The experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers of Blume Goldfaden can help injured victims and the families of deceased victims investigate and pursue potential meritorious personal injury and wrongful death claims. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

East Windsor Fatal Tractor Trailer Crash

A tractor trailer collided with a van on Route 33 in East Windsor, New Jersey, killing the truck driver and injuring two others. ABC 6 reports that the truck crossed a median on Route 33. The 52-year-old driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The 42-year-old woman driving the van and her 3-year-old child were hospitalized after the crash. While the collision occurred in the early morning hours, investigators have not said if truck driver fatigue caused or contributed to the accident.

Truck drivers occasionally exceed the amount of hours they are permitted to drive without sleep. Unrealistic delivery schedules and/or a driver’s attempt to earn more money, may result in truck drivers taking to the roads when they clearly are tired and fatigued. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which monitors and regulates trucking companies, has put in place regulations to restrict the number of hours a truck driver can operate his or her rig without sleep. However, the truth remains that this law is difficult to enforce, and truck drivers continue to put themselves and others in danger by driving excessive hours without appropriate rest.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it is important to contact an experienced NJ personal injury attorney familiar with the factors relating to trucking accidents. A knowledgeable attorney will secure documents including driver, transport company and State driver/weigh station logs before they are lost, misplaced or destroyed.

The New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Blume Goldfaden have experience in pursuing claims against negligent trucking companies and drivers: whether through out-of-court settlement, arbitration, mediation, or, through trial, we will assist you to secure appropriate compensation for your physical injuries and other damages. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

New Jersey Truck Driver Gets Prison Sentence for Fatal Accident

A New Jersey truck driver, who pleaded guilty to negligent operation of a motor vehicle in connection with a fatal truck accident, was sentenced to six months in prison, and, 10 years on probation.

According to a report in the Rutland Herald, the fatal accident occurred on April 16, 2008, when a New Jersey truck driver lost control of the tractor-trailer he was operating on Route 9 in Vermont; while negotiating a curve in the road. The truck, which was carrying an improperly secured load of heavy paper rolls, overturned and struck two cars in the opposite lane of oncoming traffic. Three people died as a result of injuries sustained in this accident. Police said the truck accident could have been avoided had the driver shifted his truck into a lower gear to compensate for the steep downgrade and the sharp degree of curve of the road.

Many tractor-trailer accidents in New Jersey happen because a truck driver is fatigued, or, poorly trained. The lives of motorists and their passengers are endangered by truck drivers who have delayed reaction times, and, who fail to stop or maneuver their trucks properly. Very often, the occupants of passenger vehicles are the most seriously injured in tractor-trailer accidents, primarily because of the overwhelming size and weight of the “big rigs”.

If you, or, a loved one has been injured because of a truck driver’s negligence, both the truck driver and his or her employer – usually a trucking firm – could be held liable for your injuries and damages. The qualified New Jersey tractor-trailer accident attorneys at Blume Goldfaden have an extensive track record of favorable verdicts and settlements secured for our clients who were involved in truck accidents. We have the necessary resources and experience that is needed to pursue complex multi-party cases, including access to independent expert medical witnesses, accident reconstruction specialists, and, investigators who can assist in gathering evidence and developing a meritorious legal strategy to prosecute your claims. Call us at 973-635-5400 to schedule a no-cost consultation of your potential case.

Source:http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100130/NEWS02/1300336/1003/NEWS02

Route 33 Tractor-Trailers Collide Head-On

A tractor-trailer crash involving two drivers from New Jersey recently occurred on Route 33 in Pennsylvania. According to the Pocono Record, the crash took place between Route 209 and Route 80 near Snydersville, PA. The accident shut down northbound traffic on Route 33. The cause of the crash is still being investigated. However, it is known that the truck driver who was traveling southbound crossed the median into the northbound lane, jackknifed, and hit the other tractor-trailer. The force of the collision was severe enough to cause the engine of the wrong-way truck to be knocked off of the vehicle and onto the road.

There are a variety of factors that contribute to truck accidents. Driver error and inattention is often a reason. However, another factor could be vehicle malfunction. Some part of the truck, such as the brakes or the steering, could have failed, either because of a manufacturing defect or because of the failure to properly maintain the vehicle. Furthermore, hazardous road conditions can lead to a loss of vehicle control, resulting in a jackknife.

If you have recently been injured in a tractor-trailer accident in New Jersey, you’ll need the assistance of a skilled New Jersey tractor trailer accident attorney at Blume Goldfaden to help investigate your accident. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your crash, and will determine which parties, if any, should be held accountable for causing the accident. If you or a loved one has recently been injured, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Call Blume Goldfaden at 973-635-5400 for a no cost consultation.

Source:http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090912/NEWS/909120337/-1/NEWSMAP