Truck Accident Lawyers Who Fight For Justice

Last updated on May 5, 2026

Semi-trucks (or 18-wheelers) have to share the road with numerous other vehicles, most of which are much smaller and much less capable of withstanding the impact of a collision. When crashes happen, victims often end up with catastrophic or fatal injuries.

At Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., we are skilled at navigating the complexities of truck accident cases. Our award-winning lawyers have secured millions of dollars in results for our clients. Backed by more than four decades of experience, we are not afraid to oppose powerful companies in standing up for the injured and their families in these tragic cases. In addition to pursuing personal injury and wrongful death claims, we also handle workers’ compensation claims for those who were involved in semi-truck accidents while driving on the job.

What Makes Truck Accidents Unique from Other Motor Vehicle Accidents?

Aside from the fact that accidents involving commercial vehicles tend to be more serious than accidents between two passenger vehicles, truck accidents may also involve multiple parties. That makes determining liability complex.

While a truck driver may be at fault for a wreck, so could their employer, maintenance crews, the company that was in charge of loading the cargo, and even manufacturers who supplied faulty parts for the vehicle. In addition, there may be a complex interplay between state and federal trucking regulations involved. An attorney has to look very closely at a case to make sure that the victims get the full compensation they are due.

Finally, insurance companies strongly resist paying out the large settlements that are required in these cases. Victims need aggressive, experienced representation to avoid being shortchanged.

Where And How Semi Truck Crashes Happen

Pursuing compensation for these injuries and losses from trucking corporations can be intimidating. Semi-truck crashes or tractor-trailer accidents are often complex, and multiple parties may be involved – not just the semi-truck drivers but also potentially their employers, the dispatcher, the mechanic or maintenance company, and even the manufacturer.

Semi-truck accidents happen across New Jersey, but they’re especially prevalent on major thoroughfares such as the New Jersey Turnpike, I-295, Route 73, or Route 70.

It often takes a detailed investigation to uncover what factors contributed to the accident. Common factors include:

• Distracted driving;
• Drunk or intoxicated driving;
• Driver fatigue;
• Improper truck maintenance;
• Unbalanced or unsecured loads; and
• Violations of trucking safety regulations.

Identifying and gathering the evidence to support these factors is critical for holding the at-fault parties accountable.

Common Types of Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents

Due to the size discrepancies between personal vehicles and the weight of commercial  trucks, injuries from commercial vehicle accidents tend to be much more serious than those in other accidents.

Common injuries associated with truck wrecks include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: These can involve brain bleeds, skull fractures, memory loss, permanent physical and cognitive impairments, comas, and more;
• Traumatic spine injuries: A strike or blow to the victim’s back or neck could damage their spine, which can lead to numbness, severe pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis;
• Internal organ damage: Hidden damage to a victim’s internal organs can ultimately lead to internal bleeding and organ failure;
• Burns: A vehicle collision could cause a victim to suffer severe burns, which can lead to nerve damage, muscle damage, severe mental trauma, and permanent disfigurement;
• Broken bones: Victims may experience multiple fractures in their hands, feet, arms, legs, and more; and
• Death: Tragically, some truck accident victims are injured too badly to survive. Wrongful deaths are, unfortunately, more common in truck accidents.

Recovering fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and long-term care can be difficult without legal representation. Our attorneys at Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., passionately fight for your right to maximum compensation.

Who Is Liable For Truck Accidents In New Jersey?

In most car accident cases, one or the other driver (or both) is at fault and liable for damages. Things can be different when a commercial truck is involved. Because truck drivers were often in the course of their work duties when the crash occurred, their employer could also be vicariously liable — not for directly causing the wreck, but for creating the conditions that made it possible. This is known in New Jersey personal injury law as respondeat superior. Most often, you can hold a trucking company liable for your injuries if it:

• Failed to train or properly ensure the education of the driver;
• Hired the driver despite a history of reckless, negligent driving and traffic violations; or
• Provided a driver with a defective truck or other components that caused the accident.

While you can also seek compensation from the driver, most trucking companies have more insurance and other resources than their employees. If the company was vicariously liable, you stand a better chance of getting the most compensation. We will take the time to review your case, uncover the unique factors of your case, and determine who is ultimately liable for your injuries.

What Types Of Damages Can Individuals Recover In A Truck Accident?

No two accidents affect the victims the same way. New Jersey law allows auto accident victims to recover a range of different types of damages based on the particular details of what has happened to them.

Economic damages are one category of compensation you can claim. These include damages with a clear price tag attached, such as your hospital and rehabilitation bills, lost past and future wages, and the cost of repairing or replacing your car. There are also non-economic damages that can affect you just as badly but are more complicated to put a value on. Non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering;
• Reduced quality of life; and
• In wrongful death lawsuits, loss of the deceased’s companionship and guidance.

Plaintiffs can also receive punitive damages in rare cases. This is a special type of damage reserved for when the defendant’s actions were purposely malicious or wantonly disregarded your safety. This level of recklessness is unusual in car accident cases and is intended to punish the defendant.

If the injuries you received in your truck accident are permanent and will alter the way you live, you deserve compensation that reflects the challenges of your new lifestyle. Catastrophic injuries come with both economic and non-economic costs that can last a lifetime, such as continuous surgeries and medication, renovating or relocating to accommodate a disability, loss of earning potential from your injuries, loss of long-term relationships after an accident, and pain and suffering from your injuries.

What A Skilled Truck Accidents Attorney Can Do For You

Most people injured in a trucking accident do not know the details of New Jersey tort law and how to fully enforce their right to recovery. Our experienced personal injury lawyers represent truck crash victims and can explain your rights to you and how they apply to your case. We can also gather and review evidence to build a powerful case for recovery, negotiate with the insurance company, and represent you at trial if necessary. We provide these services to help you get the most compensation possible to help you and your family move on from your accident.

Having an experienced attorney will secure you significantly more compensation than you would get on your own and saves you a great deal of time, uncertainty, and aggravation. We work on a contingency basis, which means you do not owe us anything until you receive your compensation.

Providing You With Answers

Our clients often have a lot of questions about their cases, and we are here with the answers they are looking for. Before you come to our office for the guidance you need, we want to help answer some of the more common questions we get:

What Should I Do If I Get Into A Truck Accident?

The first thing you should do after getting hit by a truck is call 911, especially if you or someone else in your vehicle is hurt. You will also want the police to come to the scene and write an accident report.

Unless you need emergency medical attention at the hospital, stay at the accident scene. Take pictures of the vehicles and the area around the accident site. Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver and ask who their employer is. You should also ask any third-party witnesses for their contact information.

Later, write down everything you remember about the crash. Even if you seem unhurt at first, see your doctor as soon as possible, as injuries can develop at later time. Finally, contact our law firm to speak with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers about potential compensation.

How Long Can You Wait To File A Claim?

Time is a critical factor in any personal injury claim. In New Jersey, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim for your injuries. While this may seem like plenty of time, it is important to file your claim as soon as possible. Evidence supporting your claim is typically easier to recover right after an accident, you will be better able to present the medical consequences of your injuries, and you can receive the compensation you deserve much sooner if you do not delay to file your claim.

How Long Does a Truck Accident Claim Take?

Insurance claims and litigation can take anywhere from roughly six months to more than two years from beginning to end. Straightforward insurance claims are often faster than cases requiring litigation to resolve. The greater the injuries and the higher the amount of compensation sought, the more likely you are to face a lengthy process.

Is New Jersey a No-Fault State for Truck Accidents?

Yes, you must typically rely on your no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to cover your losses. However, if you have catastrophic injuries with expenses that significantly exceed your PIP coverage, then the truck’s liability insurance coverage can offset hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses after a semi-truck crash.

Why Do I Need an Attorney for My Truck Accident Claim?

You need legal representation during a semi-truck injury claim to understand your rights and options. There are multiple parties that could be at fault or partially liable for the crash, including the driver, their employer, transportation company clients, professionals maintaining fleet vehicles, and even parts manufacturers. Additionally, commercial insurance providers often negotiate aggressively, leaving individuals at a disadvantage if they seek to represent themselves during sizable claims. Especially in cases involving catastrophic injuries or deaths, litigation may be necessary to obtain maximum compensation, and most people need legal support when filing lawsuits.

What Is a Truck’s “Black Box,” and Why is it Important?

The “black box” in a semi truck could be an electronic control module (ECM) or electronic data recorder (EDR). This device documents details about the truck’s operation, including its location using GPS data, the speed of the vehicle, and any maneuvers conducted by the driver. Black boxes can help establish who is at fault for a crash and can play major roles in successful compensation claims.

What If I’m Partly to Blame for the Truck Accident?

If you are partially at fault for a crash, you may still have the right to pursue compensation under New Jersey’s modified comparative negligence rule. So long as you are 50% or less at fault for the crash, you can still recover compensation. If the lawsuit is successful, your compensation award will be reduced based on the amount of fault allocated to you.

Let Our Team Fight For You

After a devastating truck accident has turned your life upside down, you deserve clarity and guidance on the legal actions available to you. Our legal team is here to help. We provide compassionate legal services with a proven track record of success in these complex, high-stakes cases.

Learn more by requesting a free consultation online or calling our office in Cherry Hill at 856-528-7991.