ATAA Member
Seriously injured in a collision with a commercial truck, semi-truck, or 18-wheeler? Trucking companies move fast after a crash. You need an equally aggressive advocate in your corner — right now.
New Membership
Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA)
Read the announcement →Injured in a Truck Crash in NJ, NY or PA?
Proud Member
Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
Free consultation · No fee unless we win
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Commercial truck accidents are not just bigger car accidents — they are legally and factually distinct in ways that affect how your case is investigated, who can be held liable, and how much your claim may be worth.
Multiple Liable Parties
A car accident involves one at-fault driver. A truck accident can involve the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, and a parts manufacturer. Identifying every liable party is critical to maximizing your recovery.
Federal FMCSA Regulations
Commercial trucks are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which sets strict rules on hours of service, vehicle maintenance, weight limits, and driver qualifications. Violations are powerful evidence of negligence.
Sophisticated Opposition
Large trucking companies often dispatch accident response teams to crash scenes within hours. Their goal is to protect the company's interests — not yours. Evidence can disappear quickly if you don't act fast with your own legal team.
Higher Damages
The severity of injuries in truck accidents is typically far greater than in passenger vehicle crashes. The economic losses — lost wages, medical bills, long-term care, and reduced earning capacity — can be life-altering and permanent.
Our attorneys investigate the full circumstances of every crash — including FMCSA violations, black box data, and driver records that trucking companies would prefer to keep hidden.
Driver Fatigue
Hours-of-service violations, falsified logbooks, and carrier pressure to skip required rest stops
Distracted Driving
Cell phone use, dispatch device interaction, and other in-cab distractions at highway speeds
Speeding & Reckless Driving
Particularly on NJ highways including the Turnpike, I-95, I-78, I-80, and the Garden State Parkway
Improper Loading
Overweight loads, unsecured cargo, or improperly distributed weight causing rollovers and jackknifes
Inadequate Maintenance
Brake failures, tire blowouts, steering defects, and lighting failures from neglected maintenance
Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol, prescription medications, and stimulant drug use among commercial drivers
Blind Spot Accidents
Large trucks have significant "no-zones" where passenger vehicles become completely invisible to the driver
Jackknife Accidents
Loss of control causing the trailer to swing outward — often catastrophic at highway speeds
Underride Accidents
A passenger vehicle slides beneath the rear or side of a trailer — among the most deadly crash types
Wide-Turn Crashes
Trucks that swing left before turning right, trapping vehicles alongside them in the turn path
Truck accident victims in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania may be entitled to compensation covering every way the crash has affected your life — past, present, and future.
Medical Expenses
Lost Wages & Earning Capacity
Pain & Suffering
Property & Wrongful Death
Punitive Damages
Truck accident cases often result in larger settlements and verdicts than car accident cases because the injuries are more severe and liable parties typically carry significantly higher insurance limits. Call 201-377-2337 for a free, honest assessment of your case value.
The actions you take in the hours and days after a truck accident can significantly affect your case. The trucking company's response team may already be mobilizing. Here is what to do:
Call 911 Critical
Report the crash and request medical assistance even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask symptoms of serious injury. A police report is foundational evidence for your case.
Document the Scene Thoroughly Critical
Photograph the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, the truck's license plate, DOT number, and any cargo. The DOT number identifies the carrier. Get this before the truck is moved.
Gather Driver and Carrier Information
Get the truck driver's name, CDL number, carrier name, and insurance information. Note the truck company name on the cab or trailer — this is the defendant, not just the driver.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention Critical
See a doctor the same day — even if you feel fine. A medical record connecting your injuries to the crash is essential evidence and protects you from the insurance company's argument that injuries appeared later.
Do Not Speak to the Trucking Company's Insurer
Adjusters are trained to minimize your claim. Refer all communications to your attorney. Do not give a recorded statement, accept any offer, or sign any documents.
Contact Rose Harper Law — Free Consultation
The sooner we are involved, the faster we can preserve critical evidence before it is altered or destroyed. Commercial trucks carry electronic data recorders that can be overwritten. We act immediately to legally hold all evidence.
We Know Trucking Regulations
FMCSA compliance is complex. Our attorneys understand hours-of-service rules, driver qualification file requirements, electronic logging device (ELD) mandates, and vehicle inspection standards — and we know exactly what violations to look for.
We Move Fast
Commercial trucks carry electronic data recorders ("black boxes") that capture speed, braking, and steering inputs. This data can be overwritten or lost. We act quickly to preserve it through legal holds and emergency discovery.
We Level the Playing Field
Trucking companies and their insurers have experienced defense teams dispatched within hours of a crash. We bring the same level of resources, expert witnesses, and legal skill to every case we take.
We Serve NJ, NY & PA
Whether your crash occurred on the NJ Turnpike, I-78, I-80, the Garden State Parkway, or anywhere else in the tri-state area, we are licensed and ready to fight for you in all three states.
Rose Harper Law is Now an ATAA Member
We are proud to announce that Rose Harper Law has been accepted into the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) — an elite organization of attorneys dedicated exclusively to representing victims of trucking accidents at the highest professional level. This membership reflects our ongoing commitment to specialized excellence for our clients.
Read the full announcementNo Fee Unless We Win
You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There is no financial risk in calling us today. Our fee is a percentage of what we win — if we don't win, you owe us nothing for our legal services.
QHow long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. New York and Pennsylvania are also generally two years. Important exceptions apply for government entities and minors. Do not wait — contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
QWhat is my truck accident case worth?
Every case is different. Truck accident cases often result in larger settlements and verdicts than car accident cases because injuries are more severe and liable parties typically carry higher insurance limits. The best way to understand what your case may be worth is a free consultation with an attorney.
QCan I still recover if I was partially at fault?
Possibly yes. NJ and PA follow modified comparative negligence — you can recover if less than 50-51% at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage. NY uses pure comparative negligence, which allows recovery regardless of your share of fault.
QShould I accept the trucking company's settlement offer?
You should not accept any settlement or sign any documents without first consulting a truck accident lawyer. Initial offers are almost always far below the true value of the claim. Once you sign a release, you typically cannot pursue further compensation, even if injuries turn out to be worse.
QWhat evidence is critical in a truck accident case?
Key evidence includes: the truck's electronic data recorder (black box), driver hours-of-service logs, carrier driver qualification file, vehicle inspection records, dashcam/traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports. This evidence is in the trucking company's hands and must be preserved immediately through legal holds.
QHow quickly should I contact a truck accident lawyer?
Immediately. Trucking companies often dispatch accident response teams within hours of a crash to protect their interests. Electronic black box data can be overwritten. The sooner Rose Harper Law is involved, the sooner we can legally preserve critical evidence before it disappears.
Rose Harper, Esq.
Founder · Truck Accident Attorney · ATAA Member · Licensed NJ · NY · PA
Rose Harper is the founder and principal attorney of Rose Harper Law — licensed to practice in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, exclusively focused on personal injury law. She is a member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA), and an adjunct Communications professor at Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Our truck accident attorneys bring the same preparation, urgency, and expertise that trucking company defense teams bring — and we work exclusively for the people they hurt.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a collision with a commercial truck, tractor-trailer, semi-truck, or 18-wheeler, Rose Harper Law is ready to help. We serve clients throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania — and consultations are always free.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. An attorney-client relationship is only formed through a signed agreement with Rose Harper Law. Rose Harper Law is licensed to practice in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
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