Bergen County Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a truck accident in Bergen County, you have specific rights under New Jersey law to seek compensation for your losses.

Our role is to manage the legal process on your behalf, investigate the crash to determine every responsible party, and pursue the maximum compensation available so you can focus on one thing: healing. A Bergen County Truck Accident Lawyer can provide the experience and resources needed to handle complex commercial vehicle claims.

If you need to understand your legal options after a truck accident, contact Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. for a no-cost consultation. Call us today at (201) 585-9111.

Key Takeaways for Your Bergen County Truck Accident Claim

1. Multiple parties may be responsible for the crash. Your claim may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, its maintenance contractors, or even the cargo loaders if their negligence contributed to the accident.
2. Critical evidence can be lost within days. Information from the truck’s “black box” data recorder, driver logs, and maintenance records must be preserved immediately, or the trucking company may legally overwrite it.
3. Being partly at fault does not automatically end your case. New Jersey law allows you to recover compensation as long as your share of fault is 50% or less, though your final award is reduced by your percentage of blame.

Why Choose Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. for Your Truck Accident Claim?

When you are up against the resources of a commercial trucking company and its insurance carrier, you need a law firm that has proven its ability to handle high-stakes litigation. The Bergen County truck accident lawyer you choose directly influences your ability to secure the resources needed for a full recovery. Cost of a Truck Accident can include extensive medical care, lost income, and long-term rehabilitation expenses.

Our Experience and Record of Success

With over 90 years of combined trial experience, our attorneys have secured more than $300 million for our clients. 

We prepare every case for trial from day one. This approach signals to trucking and insurance companies that we are ready to see the fight through to the end. Our firm was part of the team that secured a landmark $101 million settlement for victims of the Tropicana Casino Garage Collapse—one of the largest in U.S. construction accident history. We bring that same level of dedication to every client we represent.

Our Commitment to You

• No fees unless we win. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
• You are our focus. We take the time to learn how your injuries have affected your life, from watching your savings dwindle to the impact on your family.
• Straightforward guidance. We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation to give you clear advice on your situation.

Our Presence in Bergen County

Our Hackensack office is located at Court Plaza South, 21 Main St., Suite 203. Its proximity to the Bergen County Courthouse and Hackensack University Medical Center makes us accessible to you and allows us to serve our community efficiently.

A Truck Accident Claim Is Not a Car Accident Claim

Trucking companies are defended by investigators and lawyers who may be at the scene within hours, working to control the story from the start. Key evidence, like the truck’s “black box” data and driver logs, can be misinterpreted or even disappear if your legal team does not act quickly to preserve it. Recover After a Serious Trucking Accident by acting fast and working with an experienced attorney to protect critical evidence and your rights.

A claim is rarely just against the driver. More frequently, it involves a network of corporate entities that may all share responsibility. Success requires untangling that network to hold every negligent party accountable.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

A detailed investigation might show that liability goes far beyond the driver. Other potential defendants include:

• The Truck Driver: Were they distracted, tired, or violating federal hours-of-service rules?
• The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): Did they pressure the driver to meet unsafe deadlines, fail to provide proper training, or neglect to run background checks?
• The Maintenance Company: If repairs were outsourced, did mechanics fail to properly service the brakes, tires, or other systems?
• The Cargo Loader: Was the truck’s cargo secured incorrectly or overloaded, causing it to shift and throw the vehicle off balance?
• The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: Did a defective tire, brake system, or other component fail, leading to the crash?

Uncovering the Full Story: Evidence We Investigate

We dig deeper to uncover evidence of negligence that is unique to the commercial trucking industry.

• Event Data Recorder (EDR): A truck’s “black box” records objective data points like speed, brake application, and steering in the seconds before a crash. This information is irrefutable proof of what the truck was doing. We immediately send a preservation letter to the trucking company to ensure this data is not erased.
• Driver’s Logs and Hours-of-Service Records: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict rules about how long drivers can be on the road. We analyze these logs for any signs of violations that point to driver fatigue.
• Maintenance and Inspection Records: We request all documentation of the truck’s service history to see if the carrier skipped necessary repairs or failed to perform required safety inspections.
• Driver Qualification File: Trucking companies must maintain a file on each driver showing their training, driving record, and drug test results. This file may reveal a history of recklessness or a failure by the company to properly screen its employees.

The True Cost of a Truck Accident Injury

The force of an 80,000-pound truck colliding with a passenger car often causes catastrophic harm. These injuries carry lifelong consequences that deserve full compensation. Causes of Truck Accidents can include driver fatigue, poor maintenance, overloaded cargo, or defective parts. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): The impact can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull, leading to TBIs that may result in cognitive problems, memory loss, and permanent disability.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, and a lifetime of medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Internal Organ Damage: The immense force of a truck crash can lead to internal bleeding and damage to organs like the spleen, liver, or kidneys.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: The impact frequently causes severe fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis, which may require multiple surgeries to repair and result in long-term mobility issues.
• Psychological Trauma: Survivors of violent truck crashes may experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression long after their physical wounds have healed.

What Compensation Is Available After a Truck Accident?

The goal of a personal injury claim is to secure financial compensation that accounts for every way the accident has altered your life. In a truck accident case, this includes both the immediate expenses and the long-term needs that will arise as you heal. After a Truck Accident you should seek medical care, document evidence, and contact an experienced attorney to protect your rights.

Economic Damages: The Financial Costs

This is compensation for the direct monetary losses you have suffered and will continue to suffer.

• Medical Bills: Covers everything from the ambulance ride and hospital stay to surgeries and physical therapy.
• Future Medical Care: The projected cost of any long-term treatments, medications, in-home assistance, or medical equipment you will need.
• Lost Wages: The income you lost while you were unable to work.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous career or earning the same income, this compensates you for that future loss.

Non-Economic Damages: The Personal Costs

These damages address the personal losses that don’t have a clear price tag but are just as real.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress your injuries have caused.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Acknowledges the hobbies, activities, and daily joys your injuries have taken away from you.

How New Jersey’s Comparative Negligence Rule Works

New Jersey uses a “modified comparative fault” system, governed by N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1. You can still recover damages if you were partly at fault for the crash, as long as your share of responsibility is not greater than the other party’s (50% or less). 

Your final compensation is then reduced by your percentage of fault. The trucking company’s insurer will conduct a thorough investigation, looking for any evidence to argue you were at fault. Our role is to keep them accountable and ensure no amount of blame is unjustly put on you.

What to Look Out For

It’s wise to be cautious in any communication with an insurance adjuster. They may seem helpful, but their job is to protect their company’s financial interests.

• A Quick Settlement Offer: An insurer might make a low offer before the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs are known. Accepting it means you forfeit the right to seek further compensation.
• A Request for a Recorded Statement: You are not obligated to provide one. These statements can be used to look for inconsistencies or to get you to say something that could be twisted into an admission of fault. It is best to let your attorney handle all communications.
• A Tedious Process: The claim process is long and filled with paperwork. It’s easy to get frustrated as bills pile up. This financial pressure can lead people to accept a lower offer just to get some relief.

Our Role as Your Advocate

When you hire our firm, we become a shield between you and the insurance company. We manage all communications, paperwork, and negotiations. We build a comprehensive claim that reflects the full value of your damages, letting you step back from the stress and focus on your health. Trucking Accident Attorneys provide the experience and resources needed to handle complex commercial vehicle claims and secure fair compensation.

Steps to Protect Your Claim from Home

While your legal team builds your case, there are several things you can do to help strengthen it. Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case by gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and pursuing full compensation on your behalf.

What You Can Do

• Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan: Attend all medical appointments and follow through on all recommended treatments. An insurer might otherwise argue that you are not as injured as you claim or that you failed to take reasonable steps to get better.
• Keep a Pain and Recovery Journal: Each day, jot down your pain levels, physical limitations, and how your injuries affect your daily routine. This journal can become a personal and compelling record of your suffering.
• Track All Expenses: Keep every receipt related to the accident. This includes not only medical bills but also costs for transportation to doctor’s appointments, over-the-counter medications, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
• Stay Off Social Media: Insurance companies frequently review claimants’ social media profiles. A single photo or post, even an innocent one, could be taken out of context to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. The safest approach is to avoid posting anything about your accident or recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bergen County Truck Accidents

Contact Our Bergen County Truck Accident Lawyers Today

You do not have to face the legal process alone while trying to recover from serious injuries.

Let us handle the investigation and the fight for fair compensation so you can dedicate your energy to healing. We know the law, we know the local courts, and we know what it takes to hold all responsible parties accountable.

If a truck accident has injured you or a loved one in Bergen County, we are ready to help you move forward. The next step is a simple phone call. For a free, confidential review of your case, call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. today at (201) 585-9111.