Newark Truck Accident Attorneys

Motor vehicle accidents that involve a large truck, is one of the most devastating situations you can be involved in. When a car and truck get into an accident the individuals in the car are very likely to be injured versus those in the truck.

There are several risk factors that increase an auto-truck accident. The lifestyle of the driver plays an important role in an accident. Things such as how long the driver has been on shift and how much sleep they have gotten can play into the cause of an accident. Truck drivers also experience decreased visibility. Their blind spots are much larger than your average vehicle and therefore they experience large gaps in their peripheral vision. Also, trucks are many times transporting hazardous materials and despite safety training, sometimes mechanical issues arise that cause car accidents. Many times the accidents are a result of the driver of the other vehicle not the truck driver.

Newark is the travel hub of New Jersey. Port Newark is the largest cargo area in New York and New Jersey.  With so much industry shipping going in and out of the city, Newark is at a higher risk of being the location of a truck accident.

Truck Accident Statistics

The Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2009, there were 296,000 accidents in the U.S. that involved large trucks. They define a large truck as a truck weighing more than 10,000 pounds. In the case of fatalities resulting from a car accident about 75 percent of those individuals were occupants of another vehicle. Only 15 percent of those killed in truck accidents were in the truck itself. With regards to those injured, 76 percent were occupiers of other vehicles with only 22 percent being passengers or drivers of the truck.

The NHTSA study stated that large trucks were four times more likely than any other vehicle to be struck in the rear in a two-vehicle accident in 2009. The study went on to say that in 2009, there were 65 fatal truck accidents in New Jersey.

The data above, compiled from the NHTSA study, illustrates that truck accidents are far more likely to occur in a rural area during the week in the daytime, based on the 2009 reports. Although Newark is an urban area, it is still at risk due to the high volume of truck traffic going in and out of the city.

How to Protect Yourself

By taking extra care when sharing the road with trucks, many accidents can be avoided. There are three things you should remember:

• Space. It is best to give the truck plenty of room. Since they have decreased visibility, they may not be able to see you if you are tailgating or if you are driving in their blind spot. Also, this space is important when it comes to breaking because trucks take much longer to come to a complete stop.


• Sight. If you cannot see the driver of the truck either through their mirrors or their window, then they can’t see you. Avoid being in an area where you cannot see the driver to avoid a devastating accident.


• Warning. Truck drivers need warnings of what you are going to do sooner than other vehicles. If you are going to stop, merge, or turn know that you need to give the driver advance notice.

If you or someone you love was injured in an accident, you need a Newark truck accident lawyer to inform you of your legal rights and options. An accident is stressful enough without the added financial and emotional worries that arise. Contact the experienced attorneys at Console & Hollawell today to get the compensation you deserve. Call us toll-free at 1-800-455-2746 to set up your free consultation today.