Quick Answer: Sarofiem & Antoun, LLC is a New Jersey truck accident law firm based in Jersey City representing victims of tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, and commercial vehicle crashes throughout NJ. Our New Jersey truck accident lawyers handle every aspect of your claim — evidence preservation, FMCSA compliance investigation, negotiation, and trial — on a contingency basis. Free 24/7 consultation: (201) 792-3333.
When a commercial truck changes your life in one moment, you need more than a lawyer. You need a NJ truck accident lawyer who knows federal trucking law, knows how commercial insurers work, and is ready to take a case to trial.
Call (201) 792-3333 — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — for a free, confidential case review with our New Jersey trucking accident law firm. You pay nothing unless we win.
Why Choose Sarofiem & Antoun — A New Jersey Truck Accident Law Firm Built for Complex Cases
When a trucking company’s defense team is assigned within hours of a crash, you cannot afford to wait. Here is what sets our New Jersey truck accident law firm apart:
- Direct attorney access — work directly with Mekhail Sarofiem or Kerollos Antoun, never a call center
- 24/7 availability — truck crashes don’t keep business hours, and neither do we
- Multilingual representation — services in English, Spanish, and Arabic
- Home and hospital visits — if you can’t come to us, we come to you
- Contingency fee — no upfront cost, no hourly billing, no fee unless we recover compensation
- Aggressive investigation — we send evidence preservation letters to trucking companies within hours
- Trial-ready preparation — every case is built as though it will be tried in front of a Hudson County jury
Meet Your Attorneys
Mekhail Sarofiem, Esq. — Firm Founder & Partner. Admitted to practice before the courts of the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Mekhail focuses his practice on representing personal injury victims and is known for relentless preparation and immediate response to clients in crisis.
Kerollos Antoun, Esq. — Firm Founder & Partner. Admitted to practice in New Jersey. Kerollos represents accident and injury victims throughout the state and is recognized for tireless advocacy and proven trial preparation.
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New Jersey Truck Accidents by the Numbers
New Jersey’s geography makes it one of the most truck-traveled states in America. The Port of New York and New Jersey is the busiest port on the East Coast, feeding constant tractor-trailer traffic through the NJ Turnpike, Route 1&9, I-78, and I-95.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large trucks are involved in thousands of fatal and serious-injury crashes nationwide each year. The New Jersey Department of Transportation reports a steady volume of commercial vehicle crashes on the state’s busiest highways.
Most Dangerous New Jersey Highways for Truck Crashes
- New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) — including the heavily-trafficked stretch near Newark Bay
- Interstate 78 — the major east-west corridor connecting Pennsylvania to the Holland Tunnel
- Interstate 80 — heavy freight from the Delaware Water Gap to the George Washington Bridge
- Garden State Parkway (GSP) — extensive commercial traffic in the northern stretches
- Route 1 & 9 — port and warehouse district traffic in Hudson and Union counties
- Interstates 287 and 280 — high-collision interchange zones
Trucking companies and their insurers act quickly to limit their liability — often before victims even leave the hospital. That’s why contacting Sarofiem & Antoun Law Firm as soon as possible can make the difference between partial and full recovery.
Common Causes of New Jersey Truck Accidents
The FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study identifies driver-related factors in roughly one-third of all fatal truck crashes. The most common include:
| Driver-Related Factor | Approximate Share of Crashes |
|---|---|
| Speeding | 8.3% |
| Distraction or inattention | 6.4% |
| Failure to yield right of way | 4.3% |
| Fatigue, alcohol, or illness | 4.1% |
| Failure to maintain proper lane | 3.4% |
| Careless or reckless driving | 2.7% |
Beyond Driver Error: What Our Truck Accident Lawyer NJ Investigations Often Uncover
Many crashes are caused by parties other than the driver. A thorough investigation by an experienced truck accident lawyer NJ clients trust frequently reveals:
- Improper cargo loading — shifting freight causing rollovers or jackknife crashes
- Defective truck parts — brake failures, tire blowouts, steering component defects
- Negligent maintenance — skipped inspections, ignored repairs, falsified Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs)
- Negligent hiring and training — companies putting unqualified drivers behind the wheel
- Hours of Service violations — falsified logbooks and pressure to exceed driving limits
- Unsafe road or weather conditions — including municipal liability where applicable
Each cause may point to a separate liable party — which is why hiring an experienced trucking accident law firm new jersey victims rely on matters.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in New Jersey
- Tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler accidents — including jackknife, rollover, and underride collisions
- Semi-truck and big rig crashes on the NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and interstates
- Delivery truck accidents — Amazon, FedEx, UPS, USPS, and last-mile carriers
- Garbage and dump truck collisions
- Cement, fuel, and tanker truck crashes
- Tow truck and construction vehicle incidents
- Box truck and commercial van accidents
- Multi-vehicle highway pile-ups involving one or more commercial vehicles
- Truck accidents at loading docks and warehouses
If a car accident, motorcycle accident, or bus accident also involved a commercial vehicle, the same multi-defendant strategy may apply.
Common Injuries from New Jersey Truck Accidents
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — roughly 20 to 30 times the weight of a passenger vehicle. When physics of that scale meets a passenger car, the injuries are rarely minor. Our clients commonly suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-concussion syndrome
- Spinal cord injuries, including paraplegia and quadriplegia
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Multiple fractures and crush injuries
- Amputations and limb loss
- Severe burns from fuel fires or chemical cargo
- Whiplash, herniated discs, and chronic soft tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological injuries
- Wrongful death of a family member
Who Can Be Held Liable for a New Jersey Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases rarely involve only one defendant. Identifying every liable party is one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of building a strong claim. Potential defendants in a New Jersey truck accident case include:
- The truck driver — for negligent operation, intoxication, distraction, or fatigue
- The trucking company — for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or retention
- The cargo loader or shipper — for improperly secured or overweight loads
- The freight broker — under emerging case law for negligent selection of carriers
- The maintenance contractor — for failure to perform proper inspections and repairs
- The truck or component manufacturer — for defective brakes, tires, or safety systems
- A government entity — if road design, signage, or maintenance contributed (subject to the New Jersey Tort Claims Act)
- Another negligent driver — when a third party’s actions caused or contributed to the crash
Identifying every defendant matters because each carries its own insurance policy. Stacking these policies is often the difference between a partial recovery and full compensation for catastrophic injuries.
Prompt action helps preserve evidence, protect your rights, and strengthen your claim.
Federal Trucking Regulations and Why They Matter to Your Case
The trucking industry is governed by federal regulations issued by the FMCSA. Violations of these rules are powerful evidence of negligence — and often the foundation of a successful claim handled by our truck accident law firm new jersey clients rely on.
Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations
Federal Hours of Service rules limit how long commercial drivers can operate to prevent fatigue-related crashes:
- Drivers may be on duty up to 14 consecutive hours, but may only drive for 11 of those hours
- A driver must take 10 consecutive hours off duty before starting a new shift
- A 30-minute break is required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- Weekly limits cap driving at 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and Black Box Data
Modern trucks are required to record driving data electronically. This evidence can disappear within 30 days if a preservation letter is not sent. Our investigation team moves quickly to demand:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) records
- Event data recorder (EDR) “black box” downloads — speed, braking, steering inputs
- Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs)
- Maintenance records and DOT inspection reports
- Driver qualification files and drug/alcohol testing records
- Dashcam and forward-facing camera footage
- Bills of lading and cargo manifests
Speed matters. Calling a NJ truck accident lawyer within days — not weeks — of the crash can be the difference between proving and losing your case.
Your Legal Rights and Compensation After a New Jersey Truck Accident
New Jersey operates under a no-fault insurance system. Your initial medical treatment is covered by your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of who caused the crash. However, because truck accident injuries are typically catastrophic, victims almost always qualify to step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault parties.
Damages You May Recover
A truck accident law firm in new jersey can pursue every category of damages available under state law, including:
- Past and future medical expenses — hospital, surgical, rehabilitation, in-home care
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity — including future earning losses for permanent injuries
- Pain and suffering — physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish
- Property damage — vehicle replacement and personal property
- Loss of enjoyment of life — for permanent disabilities
- Loss of consortium — for spouses of seriously injured victims
- Wrongful death damages — for surviving family members under N.J.S.A. 2A:31-1
- Punitive damages — in cases of gross negligence, intoxication, or willful regulatory violations
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in New Jersey?
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death.
Critical exception: If a government vehicle, government employee, or government roadway condition contributed to the crash, the New Jersey Tort Claims Act (N.J.S.A. 59:8-8) requires a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim. If there is any possibility a public entity is involved, contact our trucking accident law firm new jersey office immediately.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in New Jersey
- Get immediate medical attention. Even if you feel fine, internal injuries and delayed-onset symptoms are common.
- Call the police and request that a formal NJ Police Crash Investigation Report (NJTR-1) be filed.
- Document the scene — photos of vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, the truck’s DOT number, the driver’s CDL, and any visible cargo.
- Get witness contact information — independent witnesses are often the most credible evidence at trial.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster.
- Do not sign a medical release until you have spoken with a lawyer.
- Preserve your own evidence — keep damaged clothing, do not repair your vehicle until liability is documented, save all medical records and receipts.
- Call our truck accident lawyer NJ team at (201) 792-3333 — we will send an evidence preservation letter to the trucking company the same day.
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Areas Our New Jersey Truck Accident Law Firm Serves
Our New Jersey trucking accident law firm represents truck accident victims throughout the state, with deep familiarity in:
- Hudson County — Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Union City, North Bergen, Kearny, Secaucus, Weehawken
- Bergen County — Hackensack, Fort Lee, Englewood, Paramus, Teaneck
- Essex County — Newark, East Orange, Irvington, Bloomfield, Montclair
- Union County — Elizabeth, Plainfield, Linden, Union, Rahway
- Passaic County — Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Wayne
- Middlesex County — New Brunswick, Edison, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
If you were injured in any New Jersey municipality, our trucking accident law firm new jersey can represent you. See all areas we serve →
Contact Our New Jersey Truck Accident Law Firm Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck or commercial vehicle accident anywhere in New Jersey, do not wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Statutes of limitations run. Insurance companies start building their defense within hours of a crash — you should not give them a head start.
Call Sarofiem & Antoun, a leading New Jersey truck accident law firm, at (201) 792-3333 or request a free case evaluation online to speak with an experienced NJ truck accident lawyer today.
We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Home and hospital visits available. Consultations and case evaluations are always free. No fee unless we win.
Sarofiem & Antoun, LLC 895 Bergen Ave #306 Jersey City, NJ 07306 Phone: (201) 792-3333 Email: info@njcrash.com
Our mission is simple: to hold negligent trucking companies accountable and ensure victims receive full and fair compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are truck accident cases more complex than car accidents?
Truck accident cases involve multiple potentially liable parties (driver, employer, broker, loader, manufacturer), federal regulations enforced by the FMCSA, commercial insurance policies with high coverage limits and aggressive defense teams, and electronic evidence such as ELD records and black box data that must be preserved immediately. A specialized New Jersey truck accident law firm is built to handle these layers; a general practitioner often is not.
Who can be held responsible for a truck accident in New Jersey?
Liability may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the maintenance provider, the vehicle manufacturer, the freight broker, government entities responsible for roadway conditions, and other negligent parties. Our New Jersey trucking accident law firm investigates each crash to identify every defendant with a duty of care.
What compensation can I recover after a truck accident?
Victims may recover current and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, loss of enjoyment of life, and wrongful death damages when applicable. Punitive damages may be available in cases of gross negligence.
What if the trucking company says I was partially at fault?
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault, although your damages will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in New Jersey?
Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. If a government vehicle was involved, you may have only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act. Acting quickly preserves critical evidence.
Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident claim?
Yes. Truck accident claims involve federal regulations, aggressive commercial insurers, multiple defendants, and high-value damages. An experienced truck accident law firm in new jersey can preserve evidence, identify all liable parties, and pursue maximum compensation.
How much does it cost to hire your NJ truck accident lawyer team?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Consultations are always free.
What if my loved one was killed in a truck accident?
You may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim under N.J.S.A. 2A:31-1 to recover damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, loss of guidance and companionship, and the survivors’ emotional losses. The two-year statute of limitations runs from the date of death.
What is "black box" data and why does it matter?
Commercial trucks are equipped with Event Data Recorders (EDRs) that capture vehicle speed, braking, steering, and other inputs in the moments before a crash. This evidence is often determinative of fault — and it can be overwritten or “lost” within weeks if preservation letters are not sent immediately. Calling a truck accident law firm new jersey within days of the crash protects this evidence.
Can I sue if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Yes. Trucking companies often classify drivers as independent contractors to limit liability, but New Jersey and federal law impose responsibility on motor carriers regardless of how they label their drivers. We routinely pursue claims against the carrier even when the driver is technically an independent contractor.
Contact Our New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a trucking or commercial vehicle accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance companies often move fast to protect their interests.
Call (201) 792-3333 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation with an experienced New Jersey truck accident lawyer at Sarofiem & Antoun Law Firm today.
We’re ready to fight for you — and to help you move forward with confidence.
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