New York City Truck Accident Attorney

Negligent Commercial Drivers

According to the US Department of Transportation, for the past five years, the number of large truck accident fatalities has been steadily increasing. Driver error is one of the main reasons, due to the new 11-hour "HOS" - hours of service - rule for truckers. In January 2004, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration raised the maximum driving limit for truckers from 10 to 11 consecutive hours a day.

An 18-wheeler passing you on the road as you leave work may have a driver who has driven non-stop since before daybreak. Tired drivers have accidents. Other causes of truck crashes involve uncontrollable load weight, inadequate maintenance, traffic hazards, drunk drivers and weather (rain, snow, etc.). Most commercial trucks on the road weigh more than 80,000 pounds; most cars weigh 3000 pounds. Understandably, truck-car accidents usually result in death for at least one of the individuals involved.

Who is responsible?

When a tragic truck accident happens, it is very important to gather the evidence quickly. There may be several very different entities who share responsibility for the victim's injuries, such as:

• The truck driver
• The truck's owner
• The cargo's owner
• The firm that loaded the cargo
• The manufacturer of the truck
• The store awaiting delivery

Even government entities may be responsible for the incident. Representatives for the trucking company may well appear on the scene faster than the police. Truckers are instructed to contact the company immediately upon having any type of accident on the road. Local insurance company adjusters are one phone call away from the crash site, where they can immediately begin the defense of the trucker and his employer, as well as every other defendant involved. It is important that you pursue your claims with the help of experienced legal counsel as fast as possible. A New York City personal injury lawyer from our firm can quickly get to work on your case and help compile and safeguard any critical evidence.

Filing Claims Against Commercial Trucking Companies & Drivers

Trucks travelling on our roads often weigh more than 70,000 lbs. That means that a truck weighs more than 20 times that of a typical car. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, up to 40% of accidents involving large trucks are caused by driver fatigue. There are regulations in place governing how many hours drivers are allowed behind the wheel of these massive trucks.

Our experienced group of lawyers understands trucking regulations and car-truck collisions. We will investigate the circumstances of your accident and hold the necessary person or entity accountable for any violations of the federal trucking regulations. It is important to stand up to these companies and let them know that they are made responsible for their actions. We can help you do so by aggressively going after the compensation that you deserve.