Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers In Livingstone, New Jersey

Last updated on May 4, 2026

After a truck accident, life can feel flipped upside down. You are likely dealing with pain, confusion and a flood of medical bills. You may not know where to turn or who to trust. In this case, work with an experienced truck accident attorney to fight for you.

As a trusted personal injury law firm in Livingston, New Jersey, Benjamin M. Del Vento, P.A., has been standing up for injury victims for years. We focus on truck accident cases and know how to handle the insurance companies that try to pay less than what you are owed. Call us today at 973-869-5325 or fill out our online contact form to get started.

How Truck Accidents Differ From Other Vehicle Crashes

Truck accidents are far more complex than standard car crashes. They involve greater force, more severe injuries and multiple layers of liability.

• Greater physical force and injury severity: Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, often causing catastrophic injuries such as brain trauma or spinal damage.
• Multiple liable parties: Responsibility may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, cargo handlers or maintenance providers.
• Complex regulations: Trucking operations are governed by strict federal and state rules. Violations of these rules often contribute to accidents.
• Larger insurance policies and aggressive defense: Trucking companies carry high-limit policies and act quickly to reduce liability, making early legal action critical.
• More extensive investigations: Claims may require black box data, driver logs and maintenance records, which are not typical in car accident cases.

These differences highlight the need for legal representation with truck accident experience. The right injury attorney can help you gather compelling evidence and make a strong case for maximum injury compensation. A well-developed strategy also helps protect your rights.

Common Ways Truck Accidents Occur

The number one cause of truck accidents is human error. That may look like:

• Fatigued driving by a trucker who has exceeded their hours of service
• Speeding or other forms of aggressive driving
• Distracted driving due to texting, GPS use or communications via radio
• Improperly loaded cargo that shifts and causes rollovers
• Failures to adjust to the road conditions, leading to rollovers and slides
• Blind-spot collisions due to poor observation by a driver
• Inadequate training for drivers
• Drivers who are intoxicated by drugs or alcohol

Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles, truck accidents can produce devastating injuries.

Common Truck Accident Injuries In Livingston, New Jersey

Here are some of the most common types we help clients with:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): These can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage that impacts memory, speech and mobility.
• Spinal cord injuries: These injuries may result in temporary or permanent paralysis and require long-term medical care.
• Broken bones: Truck accidents often cause multiple fractures that can take months to heal.
• Internal injuries: Damage to organs or internal bleeding may not show symptoms right away but can be life-threatening.
• Whiplash and neck injuries: Sudden jerks from a crash can severely strain the neck, leading to chronic pain or stiffness.
• Severe burns: In collisions involving fuel spills or fires, victims can suffer painful burns that require skin grafts, extended hospital stays and long-term care.

Each of these injuries can lead to long-term consequences, making the help of a lawyer essential.

The Time Limit For A New Jersey Truck Accident Claim

New Jersey law sets strict timelines for filing a truck accident claim. Missing the deadline may prevent you from recovering compensation.

• Two-year statute of limitations: Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident date.
• Exceptions for minors: Minors may have until age 20 to file.
• Delayed injury discovery: If injuries are discovered later, the deadline may shift.
• Special rules for government entities: Claims involving government-owned trucks may require notice within 90 days.
• Importance of early action: Prompt filing helps preserve evidence and strengthen your case.
• Legal guidance is essential: An attorney can ensure your claim meets all deadlines and procedural requirements.

Timely action is critical after a truck accident. Responding quickly to your situation protects your rights and improves your chances of a successful outcome.

What Compensation Can Victims Recover After A Serious Truck Accident?

Common forms of compensation include:

• Medical expenses: This covers hospital bills, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation and any ongoing treatment needed for recovery.
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: If injuries prevent a person from working temporarily or permanently, they may recover their lost income and compensation for future earning limitations.
• Pain and suffering: These damages address the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident, including anxiety, depression or loss of enjoyment of life.
• Property damage: Victims can be compensated for repairing or replacing their vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
• Wrongful death damages: In fatal accidents, surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support and emotional suffering.

Securing fair truck accident compensation often requires thorough investigation, strong evidence and skilled negotiation with insurance companies. We can guide victims through the process and fight for the full amount they deserve.

How Is Fault Determined In A Truck Accident?

Under New Jersey’s modified comparative negligence system, injury victims can only recover damages if they are 50% or less at fault for their own accident and injuries. In addition, their compensation will be reduced according to the percentage of fault allotted their way. That means, for example, if the victim of a truck accident has $10,000 worth of losses but they were 30% at fault for the crash, they would only receive $7,000 in compensation.

This makes determination of fault critical after a truck accident. To determine fault, investigators have to examine all available evidence, such as police reports, eyewitness statements, dash cam videos, surveillance videos, photographic evidence, accident reconstruction, vehicle maintenance records, driver logs and more. The process can be highly technical and very lengthy.

Victims of truck accidents have to be very careful not to say anything that might be construed as acceptance of blame or an admission of fault. It is best to avoid speaking with the other party’s insurers entirely to avoid issues.

Who Can Be Held Responsible For A Serious Truck Accident?

It is essential to review all evidence and consider possible liable parties when seeking damages after a truck accident. Some liable parties can include:

• A truck driver, who may have been inebriated, distracted, drowsy or violating traffic laws
• A trucking company, which may have ignored safety policies, pushed a driver to ignore breaks or neglected vehicle maintenance
• A truck manufacturer, which may have designed a faulty car or failed to issue recalls for known defects in trucks
• A truck mechanic, who may have neglected to inspect a truck thoroughly or perform adequate maintenance on a vehicle
• A loading company, whose employees may have mishandled the cargo, ultimately causing the load to shift and the driver to lose control of the vehicle

Identifying all the potential liable parties in a truck accident claim is important simply because that helps open the doorway to additional avenues of compensation for the victims, many of whom suffer life-altering, permanent injuries.

What To Do After A Serious Truck Accident In New Jersey

A serious truck accident can leave you injured and unsure of how to protect your rights. Taking proper steps is important, but you need not manage these responsibilities alone.

Your first priority is to obtain medical care so that your injuries are properly evaluated and create a chain of medical evidence for your claim. Once your immediate care needs are met, contact our Livingston office to arrange legal representation. We will immediately begin preserving evidence that may otherwise be lost such as photographs, electronic truck data and witness details.

You must also notify your insurance company after the accident, but this can be risky because insurers often look for ways to reduce payouts. We can guide you through this process to help ensure your statements are accurate yet limited only to what is required.

As your case progresses, we continue working on your behalf. Our team can gather medical records, communicate with providers and accurately calculate your losses, including future care and lost income. We will also handle communication with the trucking company and involved insurers, protecting you from pressure and an undervalued settlement.

Why Work With A Livingston Truck Accident Attorney?

Truck companies often have powerful legal teams. If you try to handle the case on your own, you risk being taken advantage of or missing out on rightful compensation. Our lawyers know how to build a strong case and push back against unfair tactics. We gather evidence, interview witnesses and handle the legal process so you can focus on healing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents

The aftermath of a truck accident can leave you with many questions. Here are the answers to some common concerns:

What is the statute of limitations in New Jersey to file a truck accident claim?

The “statute of limitations” refers to the deadline you have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident, after which you lose the right to make any claim. In New Jersey, the deadline is typically two years from the date of the truck accident.

Why do I need an attorney for my truck accident claim?

An attorney is essential for recovering fair compensation after a truck accident. Truck accidents are incredibly complicated personal injury cases because they often involve more than one liable party, have high financial stakes, and are affected by federal and state trucking regulations. In addition, insurance companies often use aggressive tactics to defend their interests and protect their profits, which makes it difficult to obtain fair settlements.

How long does an 18-wheeler lawsuit take?

The length of a truck accident case often depends on a few factors. Some truck accident cases can be resolved in a few months if the parties can settle outside of court. However, if a truck accident goes to court, it can take a year (or several) to be resolved. An experienced truck accident attorney knows how to keep a claim moving forward efficiently without overlooking the injured victim’s rights and needs.

What should I do immediately after a truck accident in New Jersey?

After calling 911, move to a safe location and document the scene if you can do so safely. Photograph vehicle positions, injuries, debris and identifying information from the truck. Exchange only basic information with the driver and avoid discussing fault. Once the scene is secure, contact our attorneys before evidence changes or disappears.

Should I speak to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?

It is best to avoid speaking with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster without legal representation. They often seek statements that limit their company’s liability, and anything you say may be used against you. Your lawyer can speak on your behalf and keep your rights secure.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

New Jersey’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover compensation as long as you are less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you may still pursue damages for medical expenses, lost income and other losses. Our team will help evaluate how fault may be assessed and build evidence that supports your claim.

Let Us Fight For What You Deserve

You do not have to go through this alone in Livingston, New Jersey. Let Benjamin M. Del Vento, P.A., help you hold the right parties accountable.

Call 973-869-5325 or use our online form now to schedule your consultation.