New York Truck Accident Lawyers

Commercial trucks. Delivery trucks. Oversized trucks. Tractor-trailers.

Sharing the road with these vehicles is commonplace in New York. Unfortunately, so is having an accident with a truck in New York. Trucks are much larger in size and weight than the other vehicles on the road and when there is an accident, it often results in serious injuries and extensive damage. 

Those involved in truck accidents may face long recuperation times, significant medical expenses, surgery, rehabilitation, loss of income, and more. The truck accident attorneys at Proner & Proner protect the rights of truck accident victims, fighting tirelessly on their behalf for the compensation they deserve.

New York City Truck Accident Victim Sheila Hurley Recommends Personal Injury Lawyer Mitchell Proner

Common Causes of New York Truck Accidents 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that, in 2017, the number of fatal accidents involving large trucks and buses increased 9 percent over the previous year, to 4,889. Trucks face unique risks due to their sheer size, weight, and other factors. 

Work zones present numerous hazards for trucks, including uneven road surfaces, sudden stops, and lane shifts. In fact, 27% of fatal crashes in work zones in 2016 involved at least one large truck.

Other common causes of truck accidents include the following:

• Size difference of trucks compared to standard cars
• Increased weight of trucks
• Truck driver fatigue
• Work zone hazards
• Large blind spots
• Sudden stops
• Lane shifts
• Wide turns
• Uneven road surfaces
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs

Personal Injury Law Protects Victims of Negligence in New York City

Personal injury law is designed to protect those individuals who have been injured due to another party’s negligence. Negligence can be in the form of reckless behavior or not following safety precautions. Negligence may also be demonstrated by any of the following:

• Speeding
• Failure to signal a turn
• Rapid lane changes 
• Failure to follow traffic light signals
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
• Distracted driving
• Tailgating

If you have been injured in a truck accident, it is important to understand that negligence must have caused or contributed to the accident in order to recover any compensation under personal injury law. Proving negligence can be challenging; the truck accident attorneys at Proner & Proner are skilled and experienced in holding the negligent parties accountable for your accident.

Compensation You May Receive for Your NY Trucking Accident Injuries 

When you have suffered injury in a truck accident and file a personal injury claim, you may recover compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are designed to restore the injured victim to the condition they were in prior to the accident.

Compensatory damages may include any of the following:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses that are a result of the trucking accident
• Lost wages
• Lost earned sick time
• Lost earned vacation time
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment

Some losses are measurable, such as medical bills. Other losses, such as pain and suffering, are immeasurable and they are estimated by the courts.

Several Parties May Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident in New York

Unlike an accident with a standard vehicle, when an accident involves a truck, several parties may be held responsible. They include — but are not limited to — the following:

• Driver of the truck
• Truck or trailer’s owner
• Individual or entity leasing the truck or trailer from the owner
• Manufacturer of the truck
• Manufacturer of the truck tires
• Manufacturer of the truck parts
• Loader of the truck’s cargo

Having several parties who share some level of responsibility for the accident complicates the personal injury claims process. Experienced truck accident attorneys at Proner & Proner skillfully navigate the complexities of personal injury law to hold all responsible parties accountable for your injuries.

If You Shared Fault for an NYC Truck Accident

If you have been injured in a truck accident but you share some level of fault for the accident, New York follows “pure comparative fault” rules. Basically, these rules reduce the amount of damages you would receive by an amount that reflects your level of responsibility for the accident. In other words, if the compensation you are entitled to receive for your injuries is $2500, but it is determined that you are 20% responsible for the accident, then your compensation will be reduced by 20% — to $2000.

Skilled Personal Injury Lawyers Proner & Proner Have a Track Record of Success Handling New York Truck Accident Cases

When you have been injured in a truck accident, you should recover the compensation you deserve. At Proner & Proner, our skilled personal injury team does just that. Proner & Proner has a demonstrated track record of success; our more significant settlements and verdicts include the following:

• Truck accident: $5.1 million settlement
• Bus accident: $4.3 million settlement 
• Bus and taxi cab accident: $3.3 million settlement 
• Truck accident with pedestrian: $2.6 million settlement 
• Truck accident: $2.6 million settlement
• Tractor trailer accident: $1.5 million settlement 

Don’t settle for less than you deserve for your truck accident injuries.  Contact us to arrange for a confidential consultation to discuss your case.

New York City Commercial Truck Accident Victim Donna Newcomer Recommends Personal Injury Lawyer Mitchell Proner

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Truck Accidents

FAQ: Should I Just Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?

When you are faced with mounting medical bills from your truck accident, it can be tempting to just accept the insurance company’s settlement offer to pay your existing expenses. Resist that temptation. Keep in mind that it is in the insurance company’s best interests to offer you a quick settlement. But that is not necessarily in your best interests. 

The settlement offer from the insurance company is likely much lower than what you could receive if you proceed with your personal injury claim. And that is why they are offering it to you. While the process of filing a personal injury claim may take longer than a quick payout from the insurance company, receiving maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses is well worth the wait.

Consult with an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your claim, the compensation you should justly receive, and your legal options. The best decision you can make is an informed decision.

FAQ: How much time do I have to file a personal injury claim in New York?

Every state sets its own statutes of limitations — the legal timeframes for filing a claim in the state’s civil court. In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the time the accident occurred. 

This is a very important deadline. If a personal injury claim is not filed within this three-year window, the case will be dismissed and the opportunity to recover damages will have been lost.