New York City Truck Accident Attorneys

What Are the Most Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents? 

Like any other car accident, most truck accidents are the result of negligence. Sometimes, truck drivers themselves are negligent; in other cases, the trucking company, a manufacturer, or some other party acts carelessly or wrongfully, indirectly leading to a crash.

Specifically, some of the most common causes of truck accidents include: 

• Truck driver error and negligence, including distracted driving, texting while driving, drunk driving, and unsafe or illegal driving maneuvers 
• State and federal hours-of-service violations, leading to fatigued or drowsy driving 
• Improperly loaded cargo, including overloaded freight or excessive truck weight 
• Inadequate truck inspections, maintenance, and repairs 
• Truck defects and defective truck parts, such as tires, brakes, reflective strips, lights, and engine components 
• Trucking company negligence, such as negligent hiring practices, failure to conduct background checks, failure to discipline drivers, and inadequate training 
• Third-party negligence, including distracted and careless driving by other motorists
• Unsafe road conditions, poorly maintained roadways, and defective roadway design 

At Keith D. Silverstein & Associates, we carefully investigate claims to determine the exact cause(s) of a truck accident. By evaluating all available evidence, we can determine who is at fault and who is legally responsible for our clients’ damages. 

For a free initial consultation, call (646) 813-3922 or contact us online using our secure submission form. Hablamos español.

Who Is Liable for a Commercial Truck Crash? 

Under New York’s no-fault insurance system, you could be entitled to financial compensation for certain accident-related damages regardless of fault. However, no-fault insurance—or personal injury protection (PIP)—is limited. It does not cover the full cost of your lost wages, and it only covers medical expenses up to the policy limit. Additionally, PIP does not provide any compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. 

To secure the full, fair compensation you deserve, you may have to go outside the state’s no-fault system. To do this, you will need to prove that your injury meets the state’s definition of a “serious injury,” and you will have to prove that someone else is legally responsible for causing your injury and its resulting damages. 

Proving liability in a truck accident claim can be extremely difficult for a number of reasons, including the fact that the person or party who directly caused the accident (usually the truck driver) may not be legally responsible. Often, the trucking company is responsible for the conduct of its employees (the truck drivers) while those employees are “on the clock.” However, if the truck driver is classified as an independent contractor, the trucking company may not be liable. 

Additionally, if separate factors contributed to the accident, another party could be partly or entirely liable. For example, if a defective truck tire blew out, causing the driver to lose control of the truck and slam into another vehicle on the road, the manufacturer of the defective tire could be responsible. 

Compensation for Truck Accident Victims 

Truck accident victims often sustain severe, life-changing injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spine injuries, and more. Such injuries often lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial hardships. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation to assist with the costs of your damages.

Depending on the specific details of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:

• All medical expenses, including future care costs
• Lost wages, income, and future earnings 
• Loss of earning ability due to disability or impairment
• Physical and mental pain and suffering 
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy 
• Mental health treatment 
• Diminished quality/enjoyment of life 

At Keith D. Silverstein & Associates, we help our clients fight for every penny they are owed. Our New York City truck accident attorneys have the experience, resources, and legal skills to go up against powerful trucking companies, insurance providers, manufacturers, and other entities. We are not afraid to fight for you, even if that means taking your case to trial. 

Why Hire a Truck Accident Attorney? 

A truck accident lawyer from Keith D. Silverstein & Associates can help you navigate the aftermath of the accident and fight for the fair settlement you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to play fair, your attorney can represent you and your rights in court. 

When you hire our team, you can focus on your physical recovery while we take care of the legal, logistical, and administrative details of your case. We will handle everything so that you can focus on what matters most: healing. 

Keith D. Silverstein & Associates offers all legal services on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay any upfront or out-of-pocket attorney fees when you hire our firm. Instead, we only collect legal fees if and when we recover compensation for you.

Contact us today at (646) 813-3922 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our New York City truck accident attorneys.