Why Are There More Truck Accidents in the Summer?

Did you know that truck accidents increase in the summer months? While you might attribute truck accidents to short winter days and wintry roads, most commercial truck accidents actually happen in summer. Find out what contributes to the increase in truck accidents during the summer months.

Construction Season

New Jersey residents often refer to summer as construction season. This is because many local roads have orange construction barrels and work trucks by spring. Construction zones often lead to a change in laws. They may require drivers to merge into fewer lanes and reduce their speed. When truckers aren’t aware of these changes, they’re more likely to cause an accident.

More Traffic

Summer tends to attract more traffic. People are on the roads traveling to vacation destinations. Schools are out for the summer, leading to more teen drivers. With more traffic, truck accidents are more common. Truck drivers may feel tired or overwhelmed from sitting in hours and miles of traffic.

Distracted Driving

The warm, snow-free weather that comes with summer leads to many drivers dropping their guard, including truck drivers. Drivers may be more likely to engage in distracted driving when the weather is nice. Distracted driving is dangerous, whether you’re driving a passenger vehicle or a commercial truck.

Back-to-School Season

Millions of households will stock up on school and dorm supplies at the end of summer. Many of these purchases will be online, increasing the demand for truck drivers. Truck drivers are more likely to feel overworked and fatigued with an increasing workload and longer hours. Fatigued driving reduces reaction time and increases the risks of a truck accident.

These are just a few of the most common reasons that truck accident rates increase during the summer months. New Jersey isn’t the only state to notice an increase in truck accidents in summer, either.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Take These Steps

Truck accidents often lead to expensive damages. If you’re injured in a truck accident, be sure to take the following steps:

• Receive immediate medical care: It’s always a good idea to seek medical care following a truck accident.
• File a police report: Filing a police report can not only help your legal case but can also help open an investigation into the driver.
• Gather evidence: Begin collecting evidence as soon as possible. This includes a copy of the police report, medical records, witness statements, and photographs.
• Contact an injury lawyer: The best way to navigate a truck accident case is with a personal injury lawyer.

Truck accidents can be confusing and overwhelming to navigate. The good thing is, you don’t have to do it alone. Keep in mind, that New Jersey allows just two years to file a personal injury case. This statute of limitation begins on the date of your accident. While it may seem like sufficient time to collect evidence and file a case, you’re likely to find that the timeline goes by fast. If you need help covering your medical bills and lost wages following a truck accident, you’ll want to reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact an Edison Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Truck Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a truck accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lombardi and Lombardi, P.A. represent clients injured because of a truck accident in New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Middletown, Howell, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 906-1500 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1862 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820, as well as offices in Edison, Brick, Freehold, and Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.