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
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in New Jersey
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Personal Injury Claims: New Jersey has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents. The time period begins from the date of the accident. If the claim is not filed within two years, the court will typically dismiss the case and the victim loses the right to pursue compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death claims in New Jersey must be filed within two years from the date of death, not the date of the accident. The statute runs from the date the victim passed away, which may be different from the accident date if the victim survived for a period of time after the crash.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Claims for property damage from truck accidents must also be filed within six years from the date of the accident in New Jersey.
Claims Against Government Entities: If a truck accident involves a government vehicle or entity (state trucks, municipal vehicles), a formal notice of claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident. The government then has six months to settle the claim before a lawsuit can be filed. The two-year statute of limitations still applies.
No-Fault Insurance System: New Jersey follows a no-fault insurance system for auto accidents. Under this system, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. PIP coverage is mandatory in New Jersey. However, truck accidents often result in severe injuries that exceed PIP limits, allowing victims to step outside the no-fault system and pursue claims against at-fault parties.
Lawsuit Threshold and Right to Sue: When purchasing auto insurance in New Jersey, drivers choose between “Limited Right to Sue” (also called Limited Tort or Verbal Threshold) and “Unlimited Right to Sue” (also called Full Tort or Zero Threshold). With Limited Tort, you can only sue for pain and suffering if injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold (permanent injury, loss of body part, significant disfigurement, or death). With Full Tort, you can sue for pain and suffering regardless of injury severity. Important exception: If you are injured by a commercial vehicle such as a truck or bus, you automatically have zero threshold and can sue for both permanent and non-permanent injuries.
Comparative Negligence Rules: New Jersey follows the modified comparative negligence rule under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1. If you are found partially at fault for the truck accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. For example, if you are 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. If you are 51% or more at fault, you receive nothing.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: New Jersey requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. For the Basic Policy: $15,000 PIP coverage and $5,000 property damage liability. For the Standard Policy: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident bodily injury liability, $5,000 property damage liability, and PIP coverage.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must carry minimum liability insurance as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). For general freight (non-hazardous), the minimum is $750,000. For hazardous materials, minimums range from $1 million to $5 million depending on the type of cargo. These higher limits are significant because truck accident injuries often exceed standard auto policy limits.
Damage Caps: New Jersey does not have caps on compensatory damages (economic and non-economic) in personal injury cases arising from truck accidents. Punitive damages are available in cases of extreme negligence or willful misconduct, subject to limitations.
Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are available in New Jersey truck accident cases when the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious or demonstrated willful disregard for safety. Punitive damages are capped at five times the compensatory damages or $350,000, whichever is greater, under the Punitive Damages Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.14).
Vicarious Liability and Respondeat Superior: New Jersey recognizes the doctrine of respondeat superior, meaning trucking companies can be held liable for the negligent acts of their employee truck drivers when those acts occur within the scope of employment. Trucking companies may also face direct liability for negligent hiring, training, supervision, retention, or fleet maintenance.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) Applicability: Federal trucking regulations apply in New Jersey state courts for interstate trucking operations. Violations of hours of service rules, equipment standards, driver qualification requirements, and other FMCSR provisions are admissible as evidence of negligence.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: Federal regulations require most commercial motor vehicle drivers to use ELDs to record hours of service. ELD data must be preserved and can be obtained during discovery. New Jersey courts recognize ELD data as critical evidence in truck accident cases.
Multiple Liable Parties: Truck accidents in New Jersey frequently involve multiple potentially liable parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, truck owner (if different), freight/cargo company, maintenance company, and truck or parts manufacturers. New Jersey law allows claims against all negligent parties.
Bad Faith Insurance Claims: If an insurance company acts in bad faith by unreasonably delaying or denying a valid truck accident claim, victims may have grounds for a breach of contract lawsuit. New Jersey allows six years to file a breach of contract suit from the date of bad faith conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death. Claims against government entities require a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident, followed by a six-month waiting period before filing suit. Missing these deadlines typically results in permanent dismissal of the case. Evidence preservation and investigation should begin immediately after the accident, as critical evidence (such as black box data, driver logs, and surveillance footage) may be lost or destroyed over time.
How does New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system affect truck accident claims?
New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. However, truck accidents often result in severe injuries that exceed PIP limits and meet the serious injury threshold, allowing you to step outside the no-fault system and file claims against the at-fault truck driver and trucking company. Additionally, if you are injured by a commercial vehicle such as a truck or bus, New Jersey law provides an automatic zero threshold, meaning you can sue for both permanent and temporary injuries, including pain and suffering, regardless of what tort option you selected when purchasing your insurance.
Who can be held liable for a truck accident in Newark, New Jersey?
Multiple parties may be held liable for a truck accident in Newark. The truck driver can be liable for negligent driving, including distracted driving, fatigue, speeding, or impairment. The trucking company can be liable under respondeat superior for employee driver negligence, or for direct negligence in hiring, training, supervision, or setting unrealistic schedules. The truck owner (if different from the driver or company) may be liable for maintenance failures. The freight or cargo company may be liable for overloading or improperly securing cargo. Maintenance companies may be liable for faulty repairs. Manufacturers may be liable for defective trucks or parts. Government entities may be liable for dangerous road conditions. An experienced attorney can investigate to identify all potentially liable parties.
How does comparative negligence affect my truck accident recovery in New Jersey?
New Jersey follows the modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found partially at fault for the truck accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you would receive $160,000. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often attempt to shift blame to the victim to reduce or eliminate their liability, making it critical to document the accident scene thoroughly and work with an attorney who can counter these arguments.
What types of compensation can I recover in a Newark truck accident case?
Truck accident victims in New Jersey may recover economic damages including past, current, and future medical expenses (hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, ongoing care), lost wages and income, lost earning capacity if permanently disabled, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In cases involving extreme negligence or willful misconduct (such as falsified driver logs, drunk driving, or knowingly operating defective equipment), punitive damages may also be available. New Jersey does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases, though punitive damages are limited to five times compensatory damages or $350,000, whichever is greater.