18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Passaic County, NJ

You were driving east on Interstate 80 through Paterson, commuting home from a long shift, when a fully loaded 18‑wheeler drifted into your lane and crushed the rear of your sedan. The impact spun your vehicle across three lanes. First responders closed the highway for hours while you were taken to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center with serious injuries. In the weeks that followed, you faced mounting medical bills, lost wages, and a commercial carrier whose insurance adjuster already wants a recorded statement. An 18‑wheeler collision does not just damage your vehicle—it upends your life. Knowing how to protect your right to fair compensation under New Jersey’s comparative‑negligence framework is critical. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represent injury victims in Passaic County at the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division — Civil Part. Call (888) 437‑7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

How We Approach 18‑Wheeler Accident Cases in Passaic County

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to every truck‑accident matter. Our strategy begins with immediate evidence preservation. Electronic logging device data, dashcam footage, truck‑company maintenance records, and driver logs must be secured before they are overwritten or lost. Because commercial carriers and their insurers deploy rapid‑response teams to the crash scene, we move just as quickly to level the playing field. We retain accident‑reconstruction attorneys who analyze skid marks, vehicle rest positions, and ECM downloads to reconstruct how the collision occurred. Where the trucking company’s conduct violated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations—hours‑of‑service violations, inadequate driver screening, or improper cargo loading—we use those violations to establish liability. Throughout the process we keep you informed, handle every communication with the insurance carrier, and prepare each case for trial at the Superior Court of New Jersey, Passaic Vicinage. Our knowledge of the local court’s discovery practice and mandatory arbitration procedures helps us build a record that supports maximum recovery. Whether the case is filed in the Law Division or resolved through pre‑suit negotiation, we pursue every available source of compensation: the at‑fault driver’s policy, the carrier’s umbrella coverage, and your own underinsured‑motorist benefits where applicable.

What to Expect When You Pursue an 18‑Wheeler Injury Claim in Passaic County

After you retain our firm, we immediately notify all potential defendants and their insurers to stop any direct contact with you. We gather your medical records, employment records, and documentation of all out‑of‑pocket expenses. Because many 18‑wheeler cases involve severe injuries that require long‑term care, we work with your treating physicians and, when necessary, life‑care‑planning attorneys to project future medical needs and lost earning capacity. Once liability is clear and your medical condition has stabilized, we prepare a comprehensive demand package that sets out the full value of your claim.

If the carrier refuses a reasonable offer, we file a complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division — Civil Part (Passaic County). The court is located at 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505, within the 11th Vicinage. Discovery proceeds under the New Jersey Court Rules, including written interrogatories, depositions of the truck driver and corporate representatives, and independent medical examinations. Cases with less than the monetary threshold in dispute may be assigned to mandatory, non‑binding arbitration; claims exceeding that threshold stay on the regular civil trial track. A trial date is set by the court’s calendar, and we prepare your case thoroughly so that the carrier understands a jury is likely to deliver a substantial verdict. Because New Jersey applies a modified comparative‑fault standard, the amount you can recover is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you are completely barred from recovery if you are found to be more than 50% at fault. Through careful investigation we build the evidence to minimize any argument that you contributed to the crash.

Damages Available After an 18‑Wheeler Accident in New Jersey

New Jersey does not place a statutory cap on compensatory damages in personal‑injury cases. You are entitled to pursue full recovery for economic losses—medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning power—and non‑economic losses such as pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Where the truck driver’s conduct was particularly reckless, punitive damages may also be available. In wrongful‑death claims, surviving family members may recover for loss of financial support, companionship, and funeral expenses. Each element of damage must be supported by competent evidence, and we work with medical and economic attorneys to document your losses thoroughly. This is a significant advantage of being represented by an experienced truck‑accident lawyer: the carrier knows that a documented damages presentation increases the risk of an adverse jury award, which drives serious settlement negotiations.

Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. A former prosecutor, he understands how both sides of a civil case prepare—insight that directly benefits injury victims seeking maximum compensation. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He works closely with his Of Counsel team, who bring extensive combined legal experience in personal‑injury litigation throughout New Jersey. Each Of Counsel attorney is engaged through Excella and contributes deep litigation skill to every 18‑wheeler accident case. Our New Jersey location serves clients in all 21 counties, including Passaic County, and our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Results may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after an 18‑wheeler accident in Passaic County?

Call 911, seek medical attention, and report the accident to the police immediately. Do not discuss fault with the truck driver or the company’s insurance representative. If you are able, take photographs of the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries. Write down the names of witnesses and the truck’s USDOT number. Then reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747 so that evidence can be preserved while it is fresh.

How long do I have to file a claim after an 18‑wheeler crash in New Jersey?

You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal‑injury lawsuit. If the claim is against a government entity, a much shorter notice period—often 90 days—applies. Missing the deadline bars your claim entirely, so it is important to consult a lawyer as soon as possible after a serious truck accident.

Who can be held liable for an 18‑wheeler accident?

Multiple parties may be responsible, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the vehicle manufacturer, or a maintenance contractor. Federal regulations impose duties on carriers to hire qualified drivers, maintain vehicles, and comply with hours‑of‑service limits. A thorough investigation often reveals violations that support claims against several defendants, which can increase the insurance coverage available to pay your damages.

How does New Jersey’s modified comparative‑fault rule affect my case?

Your compensation is reduced by your own percentage of fault, and you cannot recover at all if you are found to be more than 50% at fault. Trucking companies frequently argue that the injured motorist was speeding, distracted, or in the truck’s blind spot. Our firm works with reconstruction attorneys to rebut those arguments and to establish that the truck driver’s negligence was the primary cause of the collision.

What types of damages can I recover after an 18‑wheeler crash?

You may recover economic damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and future care costs, as well as non‑economic damages for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. New Jersey imposes no cap on compensatory damages in personal‑injury cases. In cases of extreme recklessness, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct.

Do I need a lawyer for an 18‑wheeler accident in Passaic County?

While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer, truck‑accident cases involve complex federal regulations, multiple insurance policies, and active corporate defense teams. An experienced attorney can preserve critical evidence, negotiate with the carrier, and take the case to trial if a fair settlement is not offered. Without representation, you risk accepting a settlement that does not cover your long‑term needs.

How much does an 18‑wheeler accident lawyer cost in New Jersey?

Our firm handles personal‑injury cases on a contingency‑fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. The fee is a percentage of the recovery, and case costs are typically advanced by the firm. During your initial consultation, the fee arrangement is explained clearly so there are no surprises. Contact us at (888) 437‑7747 to discuss the details of your matter.

How long does an 18‑wheeler accident case take to resolve?

The timeline varies based on the severity of your injuries, the complexity of liability issues, and the court’s calendar. Cases involving clear liability and fully documented damages may settle within months; cases that go to trial can take a year or more. Reaching a point of maximum medical improvement is often a prerequisite to meaningful settlement discussions because only then can future care costs be accurately projected.

Can I still recover if the truck driver was from out of state?

Yes, an out‑of‑state truck driver or carrier is subject to New Jersey’s long‑arm jurisdiction when the accident occurs on New Jersey roads. Federal regulations require interstate carriers to maintain minimum insurance coverage, and we pursue the claim against the driver and the company under New Jersey law regardless of where they are based. 18‑Wheeler Accident Lawyer Passaic County, NJ matters often involve cross‑border carriers because Interstates 80 and 46 carry heavy freight traffic through the county.

How do I deal with the insurance company after an 18‑wheeler accident?

Let your attorney handle all communication with the insurance company. Commercial carriers’ adjusters are trained to obtain statements that can be used to minimize your claim. Never give a recorded statement, sign a medical‑release form, or accept an early settlement offer without legal advice. Once you retain our firm, we serve as the point of contact so that you can focus on your recovery.

What if the 18‑wheeler accident caused a fatality?

A wrongful‑death claim can be brought by the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, or other dependents under New Jersey’s wrongful‑death statute. Damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses. A separate survival action can recover for the pain and suffering the decedent endured before death. These claims have strict deadlines, so prompt consultation with a lawyer is essential.

Why choose Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for an 18‑wheeler accident in Passaic County?

Our firm combines extensive experience in truck‑accident litigation with a thorough understanding of New Jersey’s civil‑procedure rules and the Passaic County court system. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, and his Of Counsel team know how corporate defendants and their insurers evaluate risk. They build each case for trial from day one, which positions you for a stronger settlement. Reach our New Jersey location at (888) 437‑7747 to request a consultation.

Our firm also assists clients with personal‑injury matters in nearby counties: Hunterdon County Personal Injury Lawyer, Somerset County Personal Injury Lawyer, Morris County Personal Injury Lawyer, Bergen County Personal Injury Lawyer, and Monmouth County Personal Injury Lawyer.

For a full statutory breakdown, see our comprehensive analysis on srislawyer.com.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris. Results may vary.