Skilled Sussex County Truck Accident Attorney Resolving Complex Injury Claims
A lawyer with extensive experience in New Jersey truck wreck cases
Life after a truck accident can be very difficult. Brain injuries, spinal injuries and other serious harms are common, and many victims can no longer work, adding a difficult financial situation to the physical trauma. At my law firm, Kevin T. Kutyla, Esq. in Succasunna, I have deep experience litigating complex truck and bus accident cases. I represent clients injured in Morris County, Sussex County, and anywhere else in New Jersey, fighting aggressively to obtain the compensation they need and deserve.
How common are commercial truck accidents?
In January 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the latest statistics for large truck and bus accidents. The NHTSA reported that 4,761 people were killed in large truck crashes across the United States in 2017. That is an increase of 9 percent from the prior year. In New Jersey alone, there were 850 truck crashes and 54 fatalities.
Causes of truck and bus accidents
Truck wrecks can occur on any type of roadway, from major arteries like I-80, I-287, and state Route 10 to the regular surface roads trucks need to use as they start or end their journeys. The causes of these wrecks vary. I handle Morris County and Sussex County truck crash injury cases that were caused by:
- Tired operators who drove more than the hours limits
- Speeding
- Aggressive, careless, or reckless driving
- Lack of proper driver training
- Improperly secured cargo or falling cargo
- Defective trucks or buses
- Poor truck or bus maintenance
- DUI
One of the biggest parts of my job as a New Jersey injury lawyer is gathering details about the truck accident and showing who is liable—a trucking company, the driver or a third party.
Highlighting different types of truck accidents
Some of the most common forms of truck crashes include:
- Jackknife — This is a dangerous situation in which an 18-wheeler skids and its trailer swings out to the side, often reaching a right angle to the cab.
- Rollover — Heavy trucks and buses can roll over under sudden braking on a slick road, in high winds, when making sudden maneuvers to try to avoid collisions, and more.
- T-bone — This is when one vehicle strikes the other broadside, with the two vehicles appearing to form a “T.”
- Underride — This occurs when a car slides underneath the trailer of an 18-wheeler or semi truck. It often happens at night or when the sun is in a driver’s eyes.
The sheer size of commercial trucks makes any of these situations dangerous. If you have been hurt in any truck accident scenario, I can give you valuable advice. My Succasunna law office also handles cases involving car accidents and wrongful death.
Steps to take immediately after a truck crash
If you are involved in a truck or bus accident, there are several things you can do to protect yourself and your potential personal injury claim:
- Stay at the scene until you are told by police you can leave.
- Call for medical attention if you need it or someone else does.
- Call the police.
- Exchange information with other drivers involved and with the truck driver. This can include driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information.
- Do not claim responsibility. Even a simple “I’m sorry. This is my fault” could weaken a personal injury case.
- Document the scene by taking photos, if possible.
Even if you feel like you may not be injured or that you have only minor injuries, it’s important to visit a doctor. Then, do not hesitate to speak with a Morris County truck accident lawyer about the situation.
Arrange your consultation with a Morris County truck crash lawyer
The law firm of Kevin T. Kutyla, Esq. in Succasunna is a proven resource for anyone hurt in a truck accident in Morris County, Sussex County or elsewhere in New Jersey. To discuss your potential injury claim, call my office at 862-354-8931 or contact me online.