Crashes between bicycles and commercial vehicles aren’t just dangerous, they’re life changing. Picture this: you’re riding your bike on a clear afternoon, just enjoying the weather, when suddenly, a truck or delivery van makes a wide turn and everything changes. When a cyclist is hit by a truck, the impact and injuries are rarely small. The size and weight difference between a bicycle and a commercial vehicle makes these accidents serious and can cause long-term injuries or death.
Accidents like these raise important questions. Who’s at fault? What if the driver was working at the time? What if the trucking company didn’t maintain the vehicle properly? Most people can’t answer these questions on their own, and they shouldn’t have to. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident involving a commercial vehicle, such as a truck, bus, or van, it’s important to speak with a personal injury lawyer experienced in bicycle and truck accident cases as soon as possible. An experienced bike accident lawyer will be there to support you, help make sense of the legal system, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Dangers of Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents
On average, large trucks or commercial vehicle accidents have more serious injuries than crashes with average cars. Truck drivers work long hours and have tight delivery schedules. Their trucks are much heavier, have larger blind spots, and need more time and distance to stop than a normal car. These factors make driving a truck or commercial vehicle, especially without the training, much more difficult.
Common causes of collisions with trucks or commercial vehicles can be:
- Distracted Driving
- Limited Visibility
- Longer Stopping Distance
- Turning Hazards
- Improper Training
- Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws
Common Injuries in Bicycle-Truck Accidents
When a bicyclist is struck by a commercial truck or delivery vehicle, unlike in a car, the biker has no metal frame to protect them. The impact of a truck, even if at low speeds, can throw a rider from their bike or trap them under the vehicle. These types of crashes and the cause of serious personal injuries, often lead to emergency surgeries, extended hospital stays, and long-term rehabilitation. Damages are often not just physically distressing, but emotionally and financially distressing as well.
Common bicycle-truck accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal injuries
- Severe road rash, scars, and lacerations
- Psychological trauma
These are not just bike accidents, but serious, catastrophic events. That’s why it’s so important to seek experienced legal representation from a firm that understands the full scope of your injuries and the long-term effects they can have on your life.
Understanding Bicycle and Truck Accident Laws in New Jersey
Bicycle laws in New Jersey are simple: cyclists have the same rights as drivers. This is codified in New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 39:4-14.1 (2024), which states that bicyclists must follow the same traffic rules as motor vehicles and that they are entitled to share the road. This law also includes other exemptions and regulations and clarifies how bicycles should be operated on public roadways.
Even with laws in place, protecting your rights against a trucking company is not always simple. Truck crashes often have multiple parties: the driver, their employer, contractors, mechanics, and sometimes even the truck’s manufacturer. Finding out who is liable for the accident requires a deep knowledge of personal injury law, commercial vehicle regulations, and New Jersey bicycle law.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also has strict regulations on commercial vehicles. Their rules focus on safety and set the standard for driver qualifications, maintenance logs, and rest breaks to avoid fatigue. If a trucking company doesn’t enforce the rules and an accident does happen, they could be held legally responsible for negligence.
At the same time, it is important to know your rights as a biker before riding, for example, New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means if a bicyclist is found to be partially at fault for the accident, for example, if riding outside of a bike lane or failing to signal, their compensation could be reduced or even denied. To prove fault, you need both the resources and experience of a bicycle accident and a truck accident attorney to ensure that all parties are held responsible.
Why You Need an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
When involved in a bicycle accident with a truck, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Medical bills start coming in, insurance companies call with confusing questions, and trucking companies often have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability.
It’s essential to work with a personal injury law firm that has experience in handling both bicycle accident cases and commercial vehicle injury claims. Our legal team at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. knows how to gather evidence, interview witnesses, obtain police reports, and uncover any trucking company violations to bring you the justice you deserve.
Founding Partner Marc Saperstein, Esq., has handled some of the most serious and high-profile truck and commercial vehicle crash cases in the country and is nationally recognized for his work in this field. During his 44 years as a New York trial lawyer and New Jersey Certified Civil Trial Attorney, he has helped thousands of accident victims win settlements or verdicts in complex truck and bus accident litigation, construction site injuries, product liability cases, and diet drug litigation. As an expert personal injury lawyer, he also served as a past president of the New Jersey Association for Justice, formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America – NJ. For the past 18 years, he has served as Co-Chair and founder of the annual Meadowlands Seminar, one of New Jersey’s largest gatherings of injury lawyers. He has also been awarded an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating for a practicing lawyer based upon peer review endorsement.
After any serious bicycle accident, especially one involving a truck or commercial vehicle, you need more than just compassion. You need powerful legal representation that understands personal injury law, New Jersey traffic laws, and has experience going up against large trucking and commercial vehicle companies.
Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Today!
If you or your child has been injured in a bicycle accident involving a commercial vehicle or truck, don’t wait to seek legal help. You may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., our team of personal injury attorneys has been standing up for New Jersey victims for decades. We’ve recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for victims across New York and New Jersey, and we’re ready to help you, too. Don’t face the legal process alone. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation and let us help you get your life back on track.
Clients seeking experienced personal injury lawyers in Teaneck, NJ, or the surrounding Bergen County area can contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. at 1-800-LAW-2000 or via email at info@dsslaw.com. Our firm offers free, no-obligation consultations and second opinions, and has offices throughout New Jersey and New York City.
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Since 1981, the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon have been delivering results for our deserving clients. We are solely committed to helping injured individuals, never representing corporations. No matter how large or small your personal injury case is, you can trust that it is important to us.
