New York Truck Accident Lawyer
Legally Reviewed By: Jud WaltmanLarge commercial truck accidents yield devastating effects that impact victims and loved ones alike. Large trucks are medium or heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 10,000 lbs.
According to data from the (NHTSA), 75 percent of large trucks involved in fatal accidents had a GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs, classifying them as “large, heavy trucks.”
If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, the experienced New York truck accident lawyers at The Lanier Law Firm are ready to help. Contact our firm today.
New York Truck Accident Statistics
New York truck accident statistics paint an unmistakable picture, showing that heavy vehicles are more likely to afflict serious injury to other drivers on the road.
The NHTSA stated that 71 percent of people killed in large truck crashes in 2019 were occupants of other vehicles. Due to the momentum of large trucks and their inability to react quickly on the road, collisions have potential to cause significant, devastating damage.
Further crash statistics from the NHTSA showed that New York had more than 50 nonoccupant truck crash deaths in a single year, and that there were a total of 119 large trucks involved in fatal crashes that same calendar year.
Types of Truck Accidents the Lanier Law Firm Handles
The experienced personal injury attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm have handled several truck accident cases involving all manner of commercial truck vehicles, such as:
- 18-wheelers
- Commercial semi-trucks
- Cargo trucks
- Fuel trucks
- Tanker trucks
Here’s what you should understand regarding accidents involving each type of large commercial truck.
18-wheelers & commercial semi-trucks
Large 18-wheeler trucks weigh approximately 80,000 pounds or 400 tons. Compare that to the weight of the average car weighing a mere 2,700 pounds, and you can immediately picture the immense momentum an 18-wheeler carries during a traffic collision on the road, causing serious injuries, tragic deaths, and severe property damage.
The Lanier Law Firm’s New York truck accident lawyers have experience litigating cases involving 18-wheeler vehicles and is standing by, ready to help victims of these devastating truck accidents.
Cargo trucks
Large cargo trucks, also frequently referred to as “box trucks” or “straight trucks,” very closely resemble commercial semi-trucks on their exteriors.
The primary difference between a typical cargo truck and a semi-truck is the cargo truck’s 4-wheels instead of 18-wheels.
Still, both can carry a significant amount of momentum when traveling at highway speeds with a full cargo load.
The Lanier Law Firm helps victims of cargo truck accidents and has successfully litigated many truck accident cases for their clients.
Fuel trucks & tanker trucks
While most commercial trucks typically carry goods stored on palettes or boxes, fuel trucks and tanker trucks are much more dangerous due to the flammable liquid fuel they transport on the roads.
Due to the massive size of fuel trucks and tanker trucks, a commercial truck carrying liquid fuel can be especially hazardous and deadly in an accident.
The most significant danger of fuel truck collisions is if fuel leaks out of the truck and onto the road, creating a dangerous and explosive situation that jeopardizes all drivers around the tanker.
If you were involved in truck accidents involving fuel trucks or tankers, The Lanier Law Firm’s New York truck accident lawyers can help you obtain the accountability you deserve.
Getting Medical Care in New York After an Accident
In an emergency, always dial 911. Alternatively, you can visit one of the top hospitals in New York per the list below or schedule a visit with your primary care physician (PCP).
In any case, you’ll want to receive prompt medical care to ensure your wellbeing. Listed below are some of the best hospitals in New York for emergency medical treatment.
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535 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022
Founded nearly 250 years ago, New York-Presbyterian is one of the nation’s most dependable and comprehensive healthcare systems, offering excellent care to its patients. Nationally recognized for excellence and quality, NY-Presybetiran is ranked as the 7th best hospital in the nation.
NYU Langone Health is an academic hospital and medical center located in New York. It has an emergency room open 24 hours a day and provides excellent service to its patients.
Mount Sinai Hospital was founded in 1852 and is one of the largest and oldest teaching hospitals in the entirety of the United States. Mount Sinai Hospital is known for providing excellent emergency care in the greater New York City metro area.
Lenox Hill is regarded as one of the best hospitals in the New York region and offers world-class surgical care and inpatient care. One of the most sophisticated and most prominent hospitals in New York, Lenox Hill provides a wide range of healthcare services.
North Shore University Hospital, located in Manhasset, New York, is one of New York State’s largest private employers and healthcare providers. They have an emergency department open 24 hours a day and provide excellent emergency care.
Save medical information
When receiving medical care at your chosen hospital in New York, collect and save all medical information and any documentation regarding your injuries.
Having all of your documentation when reaching out to an attorney about your accident will help expedite your investigation and bring you closer to successfully claiming damages.
Liability in a New York Truck Accident
Depending on the circumstances and the specific situation surrounding your New York truck accident, the liability for the crash you were involved in may fall in the hands of the:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Manufacturer, if defective truck parts were involved
You mustn’t admit fault immediately following your accident. If you are partially involved in the accident, the number of damages you may claim will be reduced in proportion to your contribution to the accident through comparative fault laws.
Causes of Truck Accidents in New York
The most common causes of truck accidents in New York are driver error and inexperience. Driver error refers to any driver’s mistake that unintentionally causes a collision.
Inexperienced drivers may be brand new truck drivers who haven’t received adequate training or don’t have the experience to navigate sudden situations appropriately.
Additional causes of truck accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Weather conditions
- Improper loading
What is my New York truck accident case worth?
The threshold for pursuing a lawsuit is contingent upon whether you:
- Sustained a severe injury, as defined by Article 51 of New York’s insurance laws
- Sustained an economic loss exceeding $50,000
New York’s statute of limitations states that you can pursue a lawsuit up to three years from the date of the accident.
Hiring the Right Truck Accident Lawyer in New York
When hiring a truck accident lawyer in New York to handle your case, you’ll want to ensure they are knowledgeable of regulatory agencies and laws such as:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations
- New York Vehicle & Traffic Law
- New York State Department of Transportation Regulations
An excellent attorney will understand all of the laws surrounding:
- Classifications of trucks
- Medical exams
- Shift limits
- Drug Testing
- Personal injury litigation
Above all else, they will have many successful cases in their history, cases which corroborate their knowledge and expertise.
The Lanier Law firm has successfully litigated several truck accident cases, such as one involving a 20-year-old ambulance attendant permanently disabled by a dump truck that ran a red light.
If you or someone close to you has been involved in a truck accident in New York, contact the Lanier Law Firm to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation today.
By submitting this form, you agree to our terms & conditions. Please read full disclaimer here.
