Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Newark, New Jersey
The firms in this guide
- Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Call Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.: (973) 854-1000
- Jacoby & Meyers, LLP Call Jacoby & Meyers, LLP: (973) 643-2707
- Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari Call Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari: (973) 845-4421
- Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C.
- Goldstein & Goldstein, LLP Call Goldstein & Goldstein, LLP: (973) 675-8277
1. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries, construction accidents
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, impaired driving accidents, defective truck parts accidents, negligent maintenance accidents, improper cargo loading accidents, I-78 corridor accidents, I-95 corridor accidents, New Jersey Turnpike accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, truck maintenance record review, driver hiring and training investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. was founded in 1981 and has secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients. The firm has more than 25 attorneys serving clients throughout New Jersey. Over 14 of the firm’s lawyers are certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Civil Trial Attorneys. Samuel L. Davis won the Clarence Darrow Award and is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Marc C. Saperstein was named one of the Top 100 New Jersey Trial Lawyers by ATLA, is a certified civil trial attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, and is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. The firm is a member of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. The firm has been recognized by Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms.
Location: Newark, NJ Office (Headquarters in Teaneck, NJ with multiple New Jersey locations)
Contact: (973) 854-1000 | (800) LAW-2000 | https://www.dsslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless case is won)
2. Jacoby & Meyers, LLP
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, commercial truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, driver negligence accidents, trucking company negligence accidents, defective truck accidents, mechanical failure accidents, I-78 accidents, New Jersey Turnpike accidents, Garden State Parkway accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company liability investigation, driver negligence claims, employer liability claims, truck manufacturer liability claims, defective parts claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: Jacoby & Meyers, LLP has more than four decades of experience in personal injury litigation. The firm has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients. The legal team handles truck accident cases throughout New Jersey, including Newark and Essex County. The firm has experience navigating complex trucking regulations and holding multiple parties accountable. Jacoby & Meyers has a Newark office at 50 Park Place, Suite 101.
Location: 50 Park Place, Suite 101, Newark, NJ
Contact: (973) 643-2707 | https://www.jmlawyer.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless case is won)
3. Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, commercial trucking accidents, delivery truck accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, mechanical failure accidents, overloaded truck accidents, I-78 accidents, I-95 accidents, Newark-area highway accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations analysis, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari has years of experience representing victims of truck accidents in Newark and throughout New Jersey. The firm has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of accident victims, including truck accident victims. The attorneys provide comprehensive legal representation from initial case evaluation through trial. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
Location: Newark, NJ (serves Essex County and throughout New Jersey)
Contact: (973) 845-4421 | https://www.njatty.com
Consultation: Free case review, no-obligation consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, commercial truck accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, improper maintenance accidents, hours of service violations, cargo spill accidents, I-78 corridor accidents, I-95 corridor accidents, Newark highway accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations compliance review, trucking company negligence claims, driver hiring and training investigation, fleet maintenance investigation, hours of service violation investigation, cargo securement review, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C. brings more than 90 years of combined legal experience to every truck accident case. The firm has collected millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for past clients. The attorneys are known for effective representation in Newark and throughout New Jersey. The firm handles all aspects of truck accident claims, from investigation through trial. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
Location: Newark, NJ (serves Newark and throughout New Jersey)
Contact: https://www.hassonlawoffices.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless case is won)
5. Goldstein & Goldstein, LLP
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, commercial truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, driver negligence accidents, trucking company negligence accidents, defective truck accidents, I-78 accidents, I-95 accidents, Newark-area accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, black box data retrieval and analysis, driver record investigation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations analysis, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: Goldstein & Goldstein, LLP in East Orange provides more than 50 years of combined legal experience to truck accident victims. The firm serves Newark and East Orange and surrounding areas. The attorneys investigate truck accidents thoroughly, including obtaining black box data and driver history records. The firm has a track record of building strong cases for clients. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
Location: East Orange, NJ (serves Newark and surrounding areas)
Contact: (973) 675-8277 | https://goldsteinlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Driver Qualifications, Public Entity Damages Limits and the 60 Percent Rule in Newark Truck Crash Claims
In a Newark truck crash, federal qualification rules and the carrier’s accident and inspection records show whether a qualified driver was operating an inspected truck. New Jersey law limits damages against a public entity’s truck and decides whether the carrier pays the full award or only its share.
Who May Drive
Except as provided in subpart G, 49 CFR 391.11(b) requires a commercial driver to be at least 21, able to read and speak English sufficiently, able by experience or training to operate the vehicle safely, physically qualified, holding a currently valid commercial license issued by only one jurisdiction, not disqualified, and to have passed a road test or hold a license or certificate the carrier accepted as equivalent.
Damages Against a Public Entity
Under N.J.S.A. 59:9-2, a public entity does not pay prejudgment interest or punitive damages, and pain and suffering damages are barred unless the case involves permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement or dismemberment with medical treatment expenses over $3,600. Collateral insurance benefits, other than from a joint tortfeasor, are deducted from the award.
Accident Register and Annual Inspection
Under 49 CFR 390.15(b), the carrier keeps an accident register for 3 years after each accident, listing date, location, driver, injuries, fatalities and any hazardous materials release, together with copies of required accident reports. Under 49 CFR 396.17, each commercial motor vehicle, including each unit of a combination, must have passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months.
The 60 Percent Rule
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.3(a) and (c), the injured person may recover the full amount of the damages from any party found 60 percent or more responsible for the total damages, and only that party’s own percentage from a party found less than 60 percent responsible. A party that pays more than its share may seek contribution from the others under (e).
Newark Truck Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the trucking company?
Two years under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, except as otherwise provided by law. A claim against a public entity must be presented within 90 days under N.J.S.A. 59:8-8.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if your negligence is not greater than the negligence of the parties you are suing. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1, damages are diminished by your percentage. For example, imagine $400,000 in damages and 25 percent of the negligence on the injured driver, with 75 percent on the truck driver: the recovery would be $300,000, all of it collectible from the 75 percent party under 2A:15-5.3(a).
Are punitive damages capped against a trucking company?
Yes, in a case without a listed exception. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.14(b), punitive damages may not exceed five times the defendant’s compensatory liability or $350,000, whichever is greater; under (c) the cap does not apply where the defendant was convicted of driving while intoxicated under 39:4-50.