Hackensack Truck Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a truck accident in Hackensack?

At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we are trial-tested truck accident lawyers committed to thorough preparation in every matter.

If you have been injured in a collision involving a commercial truck in Hackensack, an attorney can help you pursue compensation from the trucking company, its insurer, and other liable parties. These claims involve federal safety regulations, multiple insurance policies, and corporate defendants with well-funded legal teams.

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. has represented injured clients across New Jersey and New York for over 51 years. Our Hackensack, NJ truck accident lawyer is prepared to evaluate your claim and pursue the recovery you are entitled to under the law. Contact our firm for a free consultation.

Truck Accident Lawyer Hackensack, NJ

A truck accident case is a personal injury claim brought when someone is injured or killed in a crash involving a commercial vehicle such as a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, delivery truck, or tanker. Because of the size and weight difference between a commercial truck and a passenger car, injuries tend to be far more severe.

Truck accident claims in New Jersey differ from standard car accident cases. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets regulations governing driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, and hours of service. When a trucking company or its driver violates those federal standards, that violation can serve as direct evidence of negligence. Corporate defendants and commercial insurers also add complexity that most passenger vehicle claims do not present.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Hackensack

Truck collisions take many forms, and each raises distinct legal and factual questions. At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we handle claims arising from all categories of commercial vehicle accidents in Hackensack, NJ and the surrounding area.

• Jackknife accidents. A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward at a sharp angle relative to the cab. These crashes are often triggered by sudden braking, improper load distribution, or wet road surfaces and can sweep across multiple lanes of traffic on highways like Route 17 or I-80.
• Rear-end collisions. Truck drivers who follow too closely or fail to brake in time can cause devastating rear-end crashes. A fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at highway speed requires several hundred feet of stopping distance, far more than a passenger vehicle needs under the same conditions.
• Rollover accidents. Rollovers happen when a truck tips onto its side or roof, typically because of sharp turns taken at excessive speed, top-heavy cargo, or driver fatigue. These incidents scatter debris across the roadway and frequently cause secondary collisions.
• Underride accidents. An underride collision occurs when a smaller vehicle slides beneath a truck’s trailer. Federal regulations require rear impact guards, but side and front protections remain far less regulated, and these crashes often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
• Wide turn accidents. Tractor-trailers need substantial clearance to complete right turns. Drivers who misjudge that clearance or fail to check mirrors can crush vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians caught in the turning radius, particularly at congested intersections in Bergen County.
• Cargo spill accidents. Improperly secured freight creates hazards for every vehicle nearby. Lost loads, shifting cargo, and hazardous material spills can trigger chain-reaction crashes on local roads and highways throughout Hackensack and the surrounding area.
• Blind spot collisions. Commercial trucks have large blind spots on all four sides of the vehicle. When a driver changes lanes or merges without checking clearance, the results for smaller vehicles traveling alongside can be catastrophic.
•  Wrongful death. Fatal truck accidents leave families facing sudden loss, funeral costs, and long-term financial hardship. New Jersey law permits eligible family members to pursue a wrongful death claim against the parties responsible for the crash.

Why Choose Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. as My Truck Accident Lawyer in Hackensack, NJ?

Decades of Trial Work and Proven Results

Barry S. Kantrowitz has practiced law for more than 40 years. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review designation for legal ability and ethical standards. He has been named a Super Lawyer in New York and is a member of The National Trial Lawyers. He is licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, and has served as lead counsel in cases that produced significant verdicts and judgments across multiple practice areas.

Kate Carballo concentrates on personal injury and medical malpractice litigation. She is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney as designated by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, a credential held by a small percentage of attorneys in the state. Kate has been selected to the Super Lawyers list in New Jersey from 2024 through 2026 and is a member of the NJAJ and the American Association for Justice.

The firm has recovered over $500 million in verdicts and settlements. Personal injury results include a $14 million jury verdict, a $9.2 million construction site fatality verdict, and a $795,000 jury verdict for a motorist after the insurer initially offered $6,000. As a personal injury lawyer in Hackensack, NJ, our firm applies this same level of preparation to every truck accident case we handle.

What Is Important to Understand About a Truck Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident victims in New Jersey may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses: medical bills, surgical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and future care costs. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

Liability often extends well beyond the driver. Trucking companies may be held responsible under vicarious liability when a crash occurs within the scope of the driver’s employment. Maintenance providers, cargo loading companies, and parts manufacturers can also bear fault. In cases involving reckless or egregious conduct, New Jersey law may permit punitive damages on top of compensatory awards.

Identifying every responsible party requires prompt investigation and, in many cases, preservation demands sent to the carrier before key evidence is lost.

What Are Important Aspects of a Truck Accident Case?

The outcome of a truck accident case frequently depends on several overlapping factors. Among the most significant:

• Federal and state regulatory compliance. Trucking companies must follow regulations covering hours of service, driver qualifications, vehicle inspection schedules, and cargo securement. Violations found in inspection reports, electronic logging devices, or driver drug testing records can directly establish negligence.
• Evidence preservation. Carriers must retain certain records after a crash, including driver logs, GPS tracking data, and maintenance files. Some of this data is overwritten on short timelines, which makes early legal action important.
•  Accident reconstruction. In complex cases, reconstruction analysts examine vehicle damage patterns, road conditions, and electronic control module data to determine how a collision occurred.
•  Insurance coverage. Commercial trucks carry substantially higher liability insurance than passenger vehicles. Identifying all applicable policies is a necessary step in pursuing full compensation.
• Multiple party liability. A single truck accident claim may name the driver, the carrier, the vehicle owner, a cargo loading company, and one or more parts manufacturers. Trucking company negligence in hiring, training, or supervision frequently plays a role in these cases.

What Is the Truck Accident Case Timeline?

The timeline for a truck accident case in New Jersey varies based on the severity of injuries, the number of parties involved, and whether the matter settles or proceeds to trial. A general overview of the process:

• Investigation and consultation. An attorney evaluates the facts, gathers evidence from the scene and all involved parties, and identifies the potentially liable defendants.
• Medical treatment. Your attorney will typically want you to reach maximum medical improvement before calculating the full value of your claim. Depending on the severity of the injuries, this period can last several months or longer.
• Filing the claim. New Jersey imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. Filing within this deadline is mandatory.
• Discovery and negotiation. Both sides exchange evidence, depose witnesses, retain specialists, and engage in settlement discussions. Many truck accident claims in Hackensack and Bergen County resolve during this phase.
• Trial. When a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case proceeds to trial before a jury in Bergen County Superior Court.

What Should You Bring to Your Truck Accident Consultation?

Gathering relevant documents before your first meeting with a trucking accident attorney helps the review process move forward efficiently. Bring as much of the following as you can:

• The police accident report or the report number
• Photographs of vehicle damage, the accident scene, and any visible injuries
• All medical records and bills related to treatment since the crash
• Insurance policy information and any correspondence from the trucking company’s insurer
• Pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer documenting lost income

If you do not have all of these materials, bring what is available. The consultation is free and confidential, and your attorney will identify what additional documentation may be needed to move forward.

What Are Important New Jersey Legal Resources for Truck Accident Cases?

Understanding New Jersey’s legal framework is an important step in evaluating a truck accident claim. The following resources provide access to relevant statutes and regulatory information.

•  New Jersey imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. The NJ Courts website provides guidance on applicable filing deadlines.
• New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence standard under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1. An injured party may recover damages as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50 percent, with any award reduced by that percentage.
• The FMCSA publishes annual crash data and maintains regulations governing commercial vehicle safety, driver qualifications, and carrier operations across the country.
• The NHTSA provides reporting tools and safety resources for large truck defects and recalls.
• New Jersey allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages in personal injury actions. Economic damages include medical costs and lost income, while non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Reach Out to Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation

If you or a family member has been injured in a truck accident in Hackensack, NJ, our firm is ready to review your case at no cost. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our attorneys are available to meet in person or by phone. Contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation.