Holding Trucking Companies Accountable For Fatal Burlington Accidents

While truck drivers typically walk away from accidents, the same is not true for those in the other vehicle. Tractor-trailers cause a disproportionate share of fatal accidents in New Jersey.

At Smith Magram Michaud Colonna, P.C., in Burlington, our lawyers handle cases of wrongful death in truck accidents. We hold truck drivers and trucking companies accountable when their negligence results in a devastating loss for others. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case.

Protecting The Interests Of Family Members

In the aftermath of a truck accident, it is important to act swiftly to collect and preserve evidence such as the driver logbook, truck maintenance records, drug test records, and the truck’s GPS system if equipped. Without prompt action, evidence that you need to prove liability for the accident could literally drive away.

Driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents resulting in fatalities. In many cases, the driver has pushed himself or herself to stay on the road without taking rest breaks as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Other causes include unqualified or unsafe drivers, negligent maintenance, and carrying too much weight. Our lawyers will investigate the driver and the trucking company to determine if their negligence was factor in your loved one’s death.

Trucking companies carry large insurance policies to pay for the losses they cause in accidents. However, insurance companies do not pay large damage claims willingly, even when the truck driver was clearly at fault. It usually takes the help of an experienced attorney to hold the insurance company accountable.

While no amount of compensation can make up for what your family has lost, it can provide financial security for your family in the years ahead. It can also provide an economic motivation for trucking companies to drive safely.

Number Of Large Truck Accident Deaths On The Rise in New Jersey

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released data showing that the number of accidents causing trucker fatalities is rising. According to the NHTSA, 885 truck occupants were killed in crashes during the year 2018, representing an increase of nearly 1% over 2017 and the highest number of truck occupant deaths since 1988, when 911 large truck occupants died in crashes. The overall number of fatalities related to large truck crashes in New Jersey and other states also rose.

According to the NHTSA, large truck crashes resulted in 4,678 fatalities during 2018, which is nearly a 1% increase over the year 2017, when 4,369 people died in large truck accidents. The agency added that 2018 was the fourth year in a row during which the number of truck crash fatalities increased. The number of pedestrian fatalities related to large truck crashes rose by 13% in 2018. A spokesperson for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said the data give good reason not to loosen trucking safety regulations.

The largest trade group in the trucking industry, the American Trucking Associations, said the data do not give a complete picture of how safe it is to drive on U.S. highways. The ATA said the information does not include an examination of the number of miles traveled by large trucks during the year. The IIHS has said that safety features like automatic emergency brakes and forward collision alert systems may reduce accidents by 50%, but many large trucks still lack these features.

For More Information About Wrongful Death In Truck Accidents

Call our Burlington fatal truck accident lawyers at 609-589-0649 or complete our contact form for a free initial consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to you and no attorney fees unless we secure a settlement or verdict.