Commercial trucks are a common sight in New York City and surrounding areas. Whether they are transporting goods or delivering materials to construction sites, these heavy vehicles are a threat to everyone around them. If you get in the way, you can suffer horrifying injuries that can take years to heal.
At Poltielov Law Firm P.C., our New York truck accident lawyers can meet for a free consultation to discuss these accidents. The trucking company already has a team working day and night to protect its rights. You need someone in your corner looking out just for you.
Types of Trucks
We have seen people injured in collisions with all sorts of trucks, including:
- Garbage trucks
- Fuel trucks
- Cement trucks
- 18-wheelers
- Semi-trucks
- Box trucks
- Moving vans
- Postal vehicles
These trucks all have something in common—they are large and difficult to drive safely. Unfortunately, smaller vehicles are often crunched in any collision, even at low speeds.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
An accident might be caused by any of the following:
- Driver fatigue
- Unsafe trucks
- Texting and driving
- Driver distraction
- Driver confusion
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Driver inexperience
- Unbalanced or unsecured cargo
Trucking companies are supposed to properly train and supervise their employees. Federal regulations mandate physical exams and drug testing so that only safe drivers are put on the roads. Trucking companies should also perform necessary background checks and rule out drivers with a history of dangerous driving. Sadly, some companies overlook these steps, and innocent people get hurt.
Compensation for a Truck Accident
Many collisions cause fractures, amputations, crush injuries, concussions, and spinal column injuries, to name only a few. Our clients should seek money to cover:
- Medical bills. The cost of medical care is through the roof, and many victims need diagnostic tests, surgery, rehab, and other treatment.
- Lost income or wages. Truck accident injuries are often so serious that people cannot work. Truck accident victims should receive money to make up for this lost income.
- Pain and suffering. Accidents cause physical pain, mental anguish, inconvenience, depression, and a reduced quality of life. These intangible losses deserve monetary compensation under New York law.
- Property damage. A large truck can completely total a smaller, lighter vehicle, which will probably need to be replaced or at least repaired.
- Other losses. Our clients have sought consequential damages for the cost of a rental car and other expenses stemming from a collision.
Why You Need a New York Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents are more complex than the run-of-the-mill car accident. For one thing, you could potentially sue more people, including the truck driver or its employer, loading companies, mechanics, and truck manufacturers.
Evidence is also harder to obtain. Most trucks are outfitted with an electronic logging device, called “black boxes,” that record helpful information. A trucking company might also have records in its possession related to drug testing, supervision, and hiring. We can demand that a truck company preserve this information and then share it with us. Without a lawyer, it is difficult to gather the necessary evidence to establish the truck driver or his employer was at fault.
Call Our New York Truck Accident Lawyer
Following a wreck, time is of the essence. Please call Poltielov Law Firm P.C. at 718-880-2911 or contact us here as soon as possible. We can review your case in a consultation and discuss how to receive compensation.