East Windsor, NJ (May 29th, 2022) – The Public Information Unit from the New Jersey State Police indicates that a serious traffic accident involving a commercial box truck occurred on May 29th, just before 2:30 p.m. The accident took place on the NJ Turnpike’s northbound center lanes, near milepost 67.1.
Based on a preliminary investigation, it is apparent that a box truck traveling on the outer lanes came through the Turnpike’s guardrail and collided with a Jeep, which then hit a Honda.
First responders from the Robbinsville Township Fire Department and Robbinsville EMS responded to the scene of the crash.
Authorities indicate that the box truck headed northbound broke through the center guard rail and into the inner road, crossing over several lanes of traffic. Subsequently, the box truck struck two vehicles before coming to a stop near an off-ramp.
Two people suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result of the accident. They were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Fire crews assisted those injured and also worked to clean fuel that had spilled onto the road from the vehicles.
The northbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike were backed up for roughly six miles. After 4:30 p.m., there was still a four-mile delay in the northbound lanes.
The cause of the accident still remains under investigation. It is not known what caused the box truck to break through the guardrail.
The identities of those involved have not been disclosed. Information about the health and well-being of those injured has also not been released by authorities.
Unfortunately, it does not take much for a heavy commercial box truck to leave behind serious injuries and even fatalities after an accident. Although commercial box trucks are not as heavy or large as 18-wheeler trucks, the force of an impact with one of these vehicles could result in major devastation for those traveling inside the smaller, regular passenger vehicle.
A collision with a commercial box truck can lead to life-altering injuries that can affect a victim in more ways than one. For one, the injuries can be extremely painful and it can take many years for a victim to recover. In extreme cases, injured victims never really recover after an accident.
Injuries resulting from a box truck accident can also lead to catastrophic financial hardship. Aside from hospital bills and mounting medical expenses, injured victims may also face disability, which usually entails an inability to return to work for some time. Depending on the severity of the injuries sustained, victims will sometimes be left with irreversible impairments, ultimately leading to a loss of future earnings.
Commercial box truck accidents can be caused by a number of different factors, but these accidents are typically the result of driver error. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that roughly one-third of all commercial truck accidents are caused by driver-related factors.
Driver error can include a plethora of negligent actions, including driving while distracted, fatigued, or intoxicated. It can also include driving too fast for road or weather conditions, or even inexperience in operating the large vehicle.
Although commercial box truck accidents are generally caused by driver error, these accidents can also happen as a result of third-party negligence. For instance, the company that owns the large vehicle can be liable for the accident when it is discovered that the company hired a driver who had a slew of violations reported on his or her driving record. Aside from the trucking company, another outside party that may face liability after an accident includes the company that overloaded the truck’s weight limitations or failed to secure the truck’s cargo.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial vehicles, including box trucks. The agency sets rules on matters including the maximum height a commercial truck can be and how much weight it can transport. Equally important, the agency also sets a standard on how the commercial truck’s cargo should be secured.
It is not uncommon to hear that in many commercial truck accidents, the commercial vehicle was in some sort of violation of federal regulation. The strict rules and regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are designed to minimize the risks associated with driving alongside a large commercial truck. They help ensure the safety of not only the commercial truck driver but also the safety of those whom truck drivers share the road with. Unfortunately, these regulations often hinder a company’s earning potential and commercial drivers and trucking companies alike will violate the rules without regard to the dangers this may pose to others.
The negligent or reckless actions taken by a trucking company or truck driver can lead to a catastrophic accident. When an accident happens, the injured person may be able to seek monetary compensation for his or her damages. By pursuing a personal injury claim, an injured person may be able to secure compensation for past and future medical bills, the loss of wages and future earnings, property damage, and more.
After a commercial truck accident, filing a claim can be a challenge. Still, a successful claim may provide additional resources an injured person may need to begin healing. When a commercial truck accident was caused as a result of another party’s negligence, pursuing an injury claim is necessary.
The attorneys at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC are specialized in commercial truck accidents. The law firm understands that these accident cases are complicated for most injured victims, as victims may not only face the party who caused the collision, but also their aggressive insurance company.
If you or a loved one was recently injured in a commercial truck accident in New Jersey, do not allow the trucking company, driver, or insurance adjusters to deter you from seeking the monetary compensation you need in your recovery. Obtain the support of an experienced and exceptionally skilled law firm to obtain the compensation you deserve. Consider obtaining the support of the proficient litigators at Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC.
Smith & Williams Law Firm, LLC is proud to serve clients throughout the Garden State. Schedule a free case evaluation with the law firm by completing the online contact form here.