New Jersey Estes Express Lines Truck Accident Lawyer

Estes Express Lines is a freight transportation and trucking company based out of Richmond, Virginia. The company was founded in 1931 by W.W. Estes and is still owned by the Estes family. From these modest roots, Estes Express Lines has grown into one of the largest trucking companies in the United States, with more than 18,000 employees, 6,700 trucks and 30,000 trailers. Annually, the company takes in about $3.1 billion in revenue.

Estes Express Lines specializes in “less-than-truckload” transportation and works with customers to meet their other needs, including final-mile transport, full truck-load shipment and international shipping.

Contact information at the corporate office for Estes Express Lines is:
Estes Express Lines
3901 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
Ph: (804) 353-1900

Accidents Involving Estes Express Lines in New Jersey

According to the most recently available data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are over 400,000 accidents involving commercial trucks each year. These accidents claim more than 3,800 lives per year.

Most truck drivers spend most of their time driving on highways. New Jersey sees many truck accidents due to the state’s central location along the Eastern Seaboard. According to the state’s Department of Transportation, there were 31 fatal New Jersey truck accidents, resulting in 34 deaths. Many of these accidents occurred on one of the major highways that lead throughout the state, including:

• Interstate 76
• Interstate 78
• Interstate 80
• Interstate 95
• Interstate 195
• Interstate 278
• Interstate 280
• Interstate 287
• Interstate 295
• Interstate 495
• Interstate 676
• Interstate 695
• Interstate 895
• Rt. 17
• Rt. 4
• Rt. 10
• Rt. 206
• Rt. 202
• Rt. 24
• Rt. 15
• Rt. 23
• The Garden State Parkway
• The Atlantic City Expressway
• The Palisades Interstate Parkway
• The Pearl Harbor Memorial Turnpike Extension

According to the FMCSA, Estes Express Lines truck drivers were involved in 501 crashes in the most recent 24-month period. Of these accidents:
• 329 accidents requiring at least one vehicle be towed from the roadway,
• 161 accidents resulting in at least one injury, and
• 11 accidents causing the death of one or more people.

The FMCSA also keeps track of trucking companies’ safety records. Over a two-year period ending in November 2020, the company was inspected 3,868 times. Of those, a citation was issued in 2,409 cases. These include speeding, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, distracted driving and equipment violations.

Holding a Trucking Company Liable for a Negligence Truck Driver’s Actions in New Jersey

Motorists who were recently injured in a preventable New Jersey truck accident can pursue a claim for compensation against the truck driver. However, what you might not know is that you may also name the trucking company in that same lawsuit.

Under the doctrine of vicarious liability, or, more specifically, respondent superior, an employer can be held liable for an employee’s negligent actions. The idea behind this doctrine is that it is only fair to hold the employer liable when an employee who is working on the company’s behalf causes another’s injury. In practice, this doctrine makes it much more likely for an injury victim to recover full compensation for their injuries. This is because few truck drivers will have the assets or insurance coverage necessary to compensate victims for their serious injuries. However, by naming the trucking company in the lawsuit, the accident victim can tap into the company’s insurance policy, which will likely have much higher limits.

Of course, for liability to attach to an employer, the accident victim must be able to prove that the truck driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the crash. Those who have been injured in a New Jersey trucking accident should reach out to a dedicated injury attorney to discuss their case.

Common Injuries After a Serious Truck Accident Include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Head Trauma
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Amputations
• Broken Bones
• Internal Injuries
• Burns
• Death

Wrongful Death and Truck Accidents

One of the leading causes of wrongful deaths is when your vehicle is involved in an accident with a large truck. Whether the trucker was distracted, or the accident was due to dangerous road conditions, sadly, these accidents sometimes result in fatalities.

Contact an Experienced New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyer for Immediate Assistance

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a New Jersey truck accident with an Estes Express Lines truck driver, contact one of the respected personal injury attorneys at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm to discuss your options. Our attorneys have over 35 years experience holding truck drivers and trucking companies fully accountable for their negligence. We provide accident victims across New Jersey with skillful, zealous advocacy at every step of the recovery process, taking every step to reduce the burden on you. When you place your trust in the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, you can rest assured that you have an ally who will have your back, even against the largest and most powerful trucking and insurance companies and will do our best to provide outstanding personal injury representation. We have successfully served thousands of clients, recovering over $100 million on their behalf.

To learn more about how we can help you bring a claim after a New Jersey Estes Express Lines truck accident, give us a call at (973) 920-7900 to request a free and confidential consultation. There is no risk in calling, because we never charge a fee unless we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. We have offices conveniently located in Denville and Morristown.