Truck Accidents
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Queens Truck Accident Lawyer
We see trucks on roads every day, however it is never expected to be involved in a truck accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident where there was a truck involved, it is vital to contact Beck Law, P.C. Our experienced team of New York truck accident lawyers and staff are able to provide and assist you with the full documentation and legal process of your claim against the truck driver or company. Oftentimes, there are other parties who must be held responsible for your injuries. We ensure all of our clients that our team identifies every party that is involved in your claim in order for you to recover every cent that you deserve as a result of the injuries you may have sustained. Truck drivers commute from different states while driving hundreds of miles on a daily basis. Some truck drivers commute at night time in order to avoid traffic while creating a more efficient travel. This results in sleepy or drowsy truck drivers who may be the causes of serious motor vehicle accidents. Negligent truck drivers must be held responsible for the injuries inflicted on the claimant. To prove that a truck driver was driving in a negligent manner, you must provide information on how the truck driver broke a code or acted in a way that a CDL driver wouldn’t have acted.
It is common to file a claim against a trucking firm if their employee was the cause of a motor vehicle accident. A trucking firm may be held liable if the company overlooked a safety policy or if the company failed to implement rules or regulations for their drivers. This includes a thorough check of their drivers’ driving records prior to hiring their drivers’. If a company failed to properly check the backgrounds of their employee(s) and there was a serious accident as a result, the trucking company acted negligently and may be held liable.
Trucking companies are held liable for the injuries sustained by the claimant. Trucking companies have high limit insurance policies, which ultimately means that trucking companies will be able to settle a claim since they are financially stable in terms of insurance coverage. Our New York personal injury attorneys have the ability of providing valuable guidance and will advise you on the best option for your claim.
What Was the Cause of My Truck Accident?
When trying to determine the cause of a truck accident that you may have been involved in, there are multiple factors that you must consider when investigating the cause:
Truck Driver’s Negligence
Truck accidents occur when a driver is driving recklessly by swerving through multiple lanes without any indication or when breaking the rules of traffic. When truck drivers speed through traffic signs or lights along with not giving other drivers the right of way causes motor vehicle collisions as well. Truck drivers often collide with other vehicles when failing to drive far ahead enough before making a turn or making a turn too soon on the road.
Speeding
Drivers are put at risk when a truck driver is speeding over the posted speed limit. Speeding makes it difficult for drivers’ to stop their motor vehicles in time during emergencies, heavy traffic and in harsh weather conditions. In these circumstances, truck drivers have a difficult time safely slowing down before causing a motor vehicle accident. Rear-end collisions are highly possible when truck drivers tailgate too closely to another driver or speed.
Distracted Driving
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), “inattention or distraction” is the second top cause of truck accidents. Distraction or inattention results from texting, eating, drinking or daydreaming while driving. Although the repercussions are detrimental, there are thousands of distracted drivers on the road everyday.
Drowsy and Exhausted Driving
Many truck drivers travel from daytime to night time without stopping for sufficient rest, which can be a factor that causes accidents. Truck drivers are obligated to follow the FMCSA hours of service laws which indicates the hours that truck drivers are able to drive within a day or night. Oftentimes, truck drivers go against the FMCSA hours of service laws in order to beat deadlines for their employers. In other cases, truck drivers may choose to drive more hours for their own benefit. This can be the result of serious accidents on the road from drowsy or exhausted truck drivers.
Driving Under the Influence
Truck drivers operating their trucks under the influence is very common. Truck drivers are legally obligated to take an alcohol test before getting behind the wheel which lowers the chances of truck drivers operating their trucks drunk. However, truck drivers may still be operating their vehicles under the influence of meth, amphetamines or cocaine which can lead to detrimental accidents on the road. Cocaine, amphetamines or meth are commonly used by truck drivers to get more driving time and less stopping time for rest. Truck operators may use other substances such as over the counter drugs to keep them awake. This poses a problem because many truck drivers take over the counter drugs without knowing of the drugs’ side effects. Side effects of over the counter drugs may include drowsiness or impaired vision. These actions are often the factors of impaired truck drivers who may cause serious motor vehicle accidents.
Cargo Shift
In a situation where a truck loses control, begins sliding or even causes the truck to flip with the trailer and cab, a common reason for the accident would be cargo shift. If a cargo is not properly secured to a truck, the cargo can easily move from the instability and can potentially completely break loose from the truck. A situation like this impacts the truck’s center of gravity which can cause the truck to flip or jackknife resulting in serious car accidents.
Cargo Spill
As trucks transport heavy loads of cargo loads at a time, this poses a constant liability since shifting cargo’s break free. Cargo spills typically involve harsh and toxic chemicals which may spill onto the roadways resulting in hazardous road conditions which can cause deadly accidents.
Vehicle Failure
When it comes to vehicle failures, there are a number of things which may cause these failures. These factors include; Coupling systems, brake systems, lighting, tires, wheels, power trains and other systems may fail. When trucking companies keep poor maintenance of their trucks, trucks tend to break down causing a road hazard on the road for other drivers.
Road Conditions
Poorly structured roads which have potholes can cause accidents, since tires can deflate or pop. Potholes can often have drivers swerve around them negligently which causes road hazards. Trees and vegetation minimize visibility as well. If there is an accident caused from the road conditions that have been poorly maintained, local or government authorities may be held liable for not keeping proper maintenance of roadways.
Hazardous Work Zones
When contractors work on maintaining or fixing roads, they are required to follow codes and protocols to ensure a safe road for motorists. These codes include placing barriers with enough space for driving motorists and installing warning reflectors or indicators for drivers to slow down in time. When contractors set up their work zones on a roadway, it is vital for them to consider the speed limits placed in work zones in order for trucks to be able to slow down or come to a stop in a considerable amount of time.
Please note that a personal injury case can be filed against any party who contributed to the accident. Such parties may include; the truck driver, the trucking company, the contractor who may have loaded the cargo, supplier authorities or the manufacturer of the malfunctioning truck parts.
If you have been involved in a truck accident and need assistance with the investigation and the recovery of compensation for your claim, consider hiring our experienced team of aggressive truck accident lawyers. We place the interests of our clients first and utilize all of our resources to help you achieve maximum recovery for your claim.
Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the damages that you and your family suffered.
The experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Beck Law, P.C. will aggressively fight to get you the compensation that you deserve. Contact our motorcycle injury lawyers at Beck Law, P.C. to have your case evaluated. We will ensure you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and walk you through the entire process as we do it.
It is evident that trucks are larger in size and are greatly heavier than average vehicles. To put it into perspective, an average vehicle weighs up to 3,000 pounds while a semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds depending on if it is loaded. Due to the heavy weight of trucks, accidents are dramatically signified if collided with an average vehicle. The occupant(s) inside of an average vehicle are likely to suffer greater damages when compared to the occupant(s) inside of the truck. It is common for the occupants inside average vehicles to not survive when impacted by a truck.
Since truck accidents often involve severe injuries or fatalities, laws implemented by the government ensure that trucking firms have insurances with high policy limits. From our years of experience dealing with truck accident victims, the lawyers at Beck Law, P.C. have represented clients who suffered from;
● Spine and back injuries
● Traumatic brain injury and bleeding
● Head injuries, including concussion
● Facial injuries
● Emotional distress
● Internal injuries
● Amputations
● Broken bones
- Burns
● Death
The severe injuries listed above require treatments known as physical therapy, extensive treatment, life long care if necessary or rehabilitation. From our experiences as New York truck accident lawyers, we understand what our clients deal with physically and emotionally after motor vehicle accidents. It is our job to recover compensation for our victims to hold negligent drivers liable for the injuries they may have caused.
Federal Regulations Applied to Large Trucks
It is evident that larger trucks such as tractor-trailers on the road create greater risks for other drivers if an accident is caused. Consequently, truck operators and trucking firms must follow strict laws and regulations. These regulations limit the amount of weight a truck is allowed to transport. Typically, a truck legally cannot exceed loads weighing over 80,000 pounds.
Furthermore, truck operators and firms must follow strict laws which place limits on how many hours in a day truck operators are legally allowed to be on the road. Truck owners are expected to regularly maintain trucks and address any mechanical repairs that the truck may need. These regulations compel trucking companies in order to promote a safer roadway for all motorists on the road.
It is evident that trucking firms benefit when going around these laws and regulations. Going around these laws and regulations benefit trucking firms because drivers are able to meet deadlines faster and profits are maximized. Activities listed below are considered to be illegal by truck drivers
● Avoiding necessary rest and break periods off the road
● Operating trucks in hazardous weather conditions
● Speeding
● Transporting overweight cargo
● Driving while fatigued
● Exceeding regulated hours of daily or weekly travel
● Driving under the influence
Vital Steps to Take After Being Involved In A Truck Acciden
If you or your loved one were involved in a truck accident or a commercial vehicle in New York, make sure that you take these necessary steps to ensure the validity of your claim.
Call 911
In any scenario, we always advise our clients to contact 911 when involved in an accident. We instill this in our clients because police officers will document the event of the accident and compose a report. A police report is necessary when your attorney will start your claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Receiving medical attention after a truck accident is very important, since truck accidents can be detrimental. Be sure to be taken to the emergency room since not all injuries are obvious right away. Brain and internal injuries may or may not show right after a n accident.
Memorializing the Accident Scene
If possible, it is recommended to take photographs and videos of the scene of the accident. Documenting the scene of the accident is important because it depicts the actual scene and the extent of damages which were resulted. Make sure to provide the evidence to your attorneys.
Exchange Contact Information
When exchanging contact information, keep in mind that you will need to request the truck driver’s full official name and the truck driver’s employer contact information. You will want to get the other parties insurance details while giving your information to the other driver(s).
Obtain Witness Information
Obtain the contact information of anyone who visually saw the accident occur since they can be used as eyewitnesses. Save the contact information of anyone who may have come and helped you at the time of the accident. Your lawyers will be able to use statements made by witnesses for your claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After the accident occured, call your insurance company to let them know that you have been involved in an accident which involves a truck as soon as possible.
Consult With a Truck Accident Lawyer
If there is any time that you were involved in a motor vehicle accident in New York, make sure to reach out to an experienced lawyer who will be able to handle your case.
An Attorney Will Be Able to Help You With Your Truck Accident Claim
If you or a loved one were involved in the unfortunate event of a truck collision, an attorney should be able to recover compensation for the damages that you have gone through as a result of the accident. We have generated a list of what lawyers typically recover after a truck accident claim:
● Loss of wages and the inability to work
● Pain and suffering also known as mental and emotional distress
● Current medical expenses and future medical expenses
● Physiotherapy and rehabilitation expenses
● Permanent disability
● Property damage or loss of property
Can I Contact the Truck Company’s Insurance After I Was Involved in a Collision?
If you would like to contact the truck company’s insurance provider, it is fine to do so under the circumstances that you notify them that you are being represented by an attorney. Avoid signing anything from the truck company’s provider and be sure to consult with your attorney prior to signing anything. If the truck company’s provider attempts on contacting you directly, contact your lawyers and inform them. Your attorney is responsible for handling your claim in terms of negotiations and communication with the insurance provider.
The Attorneys at Beck Law Are Experienced and Trained To Handle Your Truck Accident Claim
At Beck Law P.C., our years of experience has given us the knowledge and expertise of handling truck accident cases. Our Queens personal injury firm will work side by side with you to build a solid case for you to recover the maximum compensation that you deserve. We start each claim by obtaining sufficient video footage and photographs of your truck collision as well as the scene of the accident. We source and interview all witnesses. We build each case with a solid foundation which has shown us astonishing results.
The results from a truck accident can be detrimental to a plaintiff’s life mentally, emotionally or physically. We ensure all of our clients that they deserve full financial compensation for the pain and suffering that another party’s negligence has caused them. Through the services provided from a personal injury lawyer, you will be able to receive compensation in order for you to pay for your present and future lost wages, medical costs, and other damages as a result of this accident. Call us now for a free consultation, (516)388-7785.
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Glendale, New York 11385