Cape May County Truck Accident Lawyer

When cars collide with commercial trucks on the road, the resulting damage can be immense. The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks and tractor-trailers create an increased risk of serious bodily injury and death to all those involved in the crash. In addition, the accident could result in the partial or total destruction of the vehicles.

If you are involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer, speaking with a Cape May County truck accident lawyer may be beneficial for many reasons. A Cape May County car accident attorney could help you determine whether you have a viable claim against one or more parties involved in the crash as well as what kind of compensation you might be able to receive.

Obtaining Compensation After a Cape May County Truck Crash

Most truck accidents in Cape May County occur because of human error. When truck drivers, trucking companies, or truck manufacturers make mistakes that lead to an accident, those who were injured or who suffered property damage have the right to recover compensation for their losses. An injured person may do this by filing a claim with the negligent party’s insurance carrier or by filing a civil lawsuit against him or her. Deciding which avenue to pursue may be difficult, as there are pros and cons to both. For this reason, it is best to consult with a Cape May County injury lawyer before making a decision.

Insurance Claims

Insurance claims are typically processed more quickly, resulting in faster payouts to claimants. However, the amount of money awarded through insurance claims is capped at the party’s insurance policy limit. This means that insurance claim payouts might not be enough to cover an accident victim’s total losses, especially if serious bodily injury, death, or complete vehicle destruction occurs.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

Because lawsuits take time to develop and litigate, these actions tend to be more drawn out than insurance claims. This means that a person might not receive compensation as quickly. However, because the amount of damages that a person could be awarded is not dictated by insurance policy limits, this type of action could procure fuller compensation for his or her losses.

A local truck collision lawyer could help a plaintiff understand the benefits and drawbacks of pursuing either action in his or her particular case.

Recoverable Damages in A Cape May County Truck Accident Case

People injured in commercial vehicle accidents who file a lawsuit could receive many types of compensation to cover their losses. New Jersey law generally permits claimants to recover compensatory damages to cover the actual costs sustained because of the accident, both economic and non-economic. Recoverable compensatory damages include, but are not limited to:

Costs of past and future medical bills
Rehabilitative costs
Lost wages
Vehicle repair or replacement costs
Loss of consortium or enjoyment of life
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress

In rare circumstances, New Jersey also allows a person to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish and deter defendants, and all others, from engaging in the same harmful activity in the future. To be awarded punitive damages in truck accident cases, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant either acted maliciously or willfully or wantonly disregarded others’ safety, such as driving while drunk.

An experienced wrongful death lawyer in Cape May County can also assess a case if there was a death involved and help them determine what types of compensation they should seek relief for.

Schedule an Appointment with a Cape May County Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents have the potential to cause catastrophic harm to drivers. If you were injured in this type of collision, you should speak with a Cape May County truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our team could explain your options for pursuing compensation and guide you through the complicated claims process. Contact us today to book an introductory appointment.