Were you injured or was a loved one killed when a commercial vehicle hit your car? At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we are all too familiar with the tragic aftermath of trucking accidents in New York. We know what it takes to hold the right parties accountable and get you the compensation you need.
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Personal Injury Law
We routinely handle claims involving commercial truck accident injuries and fatalities. Our approach is to first conduct a thorough, independent investigation. This enables us to determine what went wrong and who is responsible, which in turn, allows us to build a strong claim for you to be appropriately compensated. Our New York City truck accident lawyers will always fight hard for you to receive the maximum possible.
With decades of experience and hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for injury victims in situations a lot like yours, we are here to answer your questions, support you, and work to get everything you deserve. To talk with a highly skilled NYC injury lawyer about your truck accident and how we can help, call us at 212-490-5700 or contact us online to schedule your free case consultation.
New York Commercial Truck Accidents
Commercial vehicles are used to carry goods and passengers for a profit. Most people think of commercial vehicles like semi-trucks and 18-wheelers. However, commercial trucks and other vehicles are a much broader category than semis.
Our Manhattan truck accident attorneys accept cases involving all types of commercial vehicles, including but not limited to:
- Semi-Trucks
- 18-Wheelers
- Garbage Trucks
- Delivery Trucks
- Mail Trucks
- Flatbeds
- Cement Mixers
- Dump Truck
- Tow trucks
- Refrigerator Trucks
- Tankers
- Hazardous Materials Vehicles
- Mobile Cranes
- Construction Vehicles
Types of Truck Wrecks in New York
There are as many types of trucking accident as there are types of commercial trucks. One of our truck accident lawyers in NYC can represent you after a:
- Jackknife Truck Accident
- Wide-Turn Accident
- U-Turn Accident
- Runaway Truck Accident
- Brake Failure Accident
- Rollover Accident
- Tire Blowout Accident
- Override Accident
- Underride Accident
- Head-On Accident
- Read-End Accident
- Side Impact “T-Bone” Accident
- Blind Spot Accident
- Lane Change Accident
- Lost Load/Unsecured Load Accident
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in NYC
If you were involved in a crash with a large truck or another commercial vehicle in New York, there are steps you should take to protect your possible claim for compensation:
Call 911 to report the accident.
When you are involved in a truck wreck, whether you appear to be injured or not, you should report the accident to the police. An official report will be made, which is helpful if you pursue compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Calling 911 also enables emergency responders and the police to arrive quickly to provide aid and control traffic.
Obtain medical care.
Truck accidents often result in serious injuries. You should never hesitate to be checked over by paramedics or go to the emergency room after a crash. This enables a physician to conduct a full exam and look for injuries that may not be immediately visible, such as internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
Document the scene.
If you or a companion can, you should take photos and video of the crash site. As thoroughly as you can, document the damage to the vehicles and surrounding property.
Exchange information.
Ask for the truck driver’s name, contact information, employer’s name and contact information, and insurance information. You will need to provide your information in return.
Ask for witnesses’ information.
If there were any witnesses that stopped to help, ask for their help and contact information. Your lawyer will contact these witnesses for their statements.
Notify your insurer.
As soon as you can, notify your auto insurer that you were involved in an accident.
Call a New York truck accident lawyer.
When you are hurt by getting hit by a truck in New York, you need to work with a personal injury attorney who has specific experience in handling commercial truck crashes.
New York Trucking Regulations & Federal Guidelines
One of the reasons you need a lawyer experienced in handling commercial truck claims is because these vehicles are heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). To operate these vehicles, a driver must have specialized training and a Commercial Driver’s License. Drivers also must gain specific endorsements to operate certain types of vehicles.
In addition to operator requirements, truckers, trucking companies, and other related businesses must adhere to many FMCSA regulations. These encompass hours of service regulations, which limit how long truckers can work within certain periods. They also encompass inspection and maintenance requirements, which are intended to ensure all trucks on the road are in safe working order.
If an 18-wheeler hits your car, and you or a loved one suffer injuries, do not hesitate to call Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. A New York truck accident lawyer is here to thoroughly investigate the crash and determine if any of the other parties violated one or more FMCSA regulations.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
Truck accidents are more complex than the typical personal car crash for many reasons, including FMCSA regulations, the wide range of truck types, and the various ways truck accidents happen.
Another complication is that the underlying cause of the truck wreck and who is responsible may not be obvious. While negligent drivers cause most car crashes, truck accidents can be the result of negligently maintained and defective equipment and not the truck driver’s carelessness.
However, the possible and theoretical causes of trucking accidents are not helpful to you. What is helpful is having an 18-wheel accident lawyer investigate the crash and identify the underlying cause, which may include:
- Drowsy driving
- Hours of service violations
- Distracted driving
- Failing to keep a lookout
- Driving impaired due to alcohol or drugs
- Unqualified truck operators
- Inexperienced truck operators
- Speeding
- Truck operator error
- Negligent hiring and retention
- Negligent trucking maintenance
- Truck or part defect
- Equipment malfunction
- Negligently secured cargo
- Overloading
- Safety regulation violation(s)
- Poor weather
- Road construction
- Work Zones
Common Truck Accident Injuries
After being hit by a semi-truck, you may be recovering from:
- Broken bones
- Disfiguring lacerations and abrasions
- Dislocated joints and hyperextensions
- Ligament sprains
- Muscle or tendon strains
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Knee Injuries
- Shoulder Injuries
- Other neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Nerve damage
- Severe burns
- Sensory loss
- Psychological trauma
Who’s Responsible for a Semi-Truck Accident?
After you are hit by a truck and suffering severe injuries, you naturally want to know why the accident happened and who is at fault. Sometimes it is very clear who was in the wrong, but things can quickly become confusing. A mechanic or another party may be responsible for inadequate maintenance, or a trucking company may have ignored critical safety procedures.
These facts will be difficult to ascertain unless you work with a veteran New York truck accident lawyer. One of our experienced and skilled attorneys will immediately investigate the crash and file a truck accident lawsuit to gain access to critical information through the discovery process.
Through an in-depth investigation into the New York truck accident, we may find that one or several parties are at fault, including:
- The truck operator
- The trucking company (motor carrier)
- The maintenance provider
- A trucking company vendor
- The cargo owner
- The loading company/shopper
- A truck or part manufacturer
After determining who is at fault for the underlying cause of the wreck, we will have a more specific target for our pursuit of compensation. We can then focus on negotiating a truck accident settlement with the liable party as well as preparing for trial should it be necessary.
Compensation after New York Truck Accidents
Whether we believe it will be necessary to take your case to trial or we are confident we will negotiate a settlement, we will pursue full and fair compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries.
Through a personal injury claim based on truck accident injuries, you may have the right to obtain compensation for your
- Medical bills, including future medical expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement
- Disability
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity when you are disabled and cannot return to work or earn as much as your previous position
- Loss of normal life and reduced quality of life.
At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we are proud to have recovered significant sums for many truck accident victims. However, there is no way to tell the potential value of your claim without speaking to an attorney first. To discuss your injuries and how much you may receive through a truck accident settlement or court award, call us right away.
New York’s Statute of Limitations
If you wish to pursue compensation for your truck accident injuries, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. All states limit how long accident victims have to file personal injury lawsuits. In New York, you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file your personal injury claim. This time limit can sometimes be extended or shortened depending on specific circumstances, but If you file suit after the time limit expires, it is likely that the court will bar your claim and dismiss the suit.
Fatal New York Truck Accidents
Due to the extreme weight of commercial vehicles and the speed at which many truck wrecks occur, fatalities are tragically far too common. Your loved one may have lost their life immediately, or in the days, weeks, or months after the crash, succumbed to their injuries. Whatever the case, we recommend you call a New York truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
When your spouse, parent, child, or other close relative’s death is the result of a truck wreck, your family may have the right to pursue compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. This requires that you work with a lawyer who has practical experience and prior success in these types of claims, like the team with Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
It’s impossible to know exactly how much your truck accident claim is worth; however, car vs. truck accident compensation is usually higher than typical car vs. car accident settlements. That’s because trucks have higher insurance policy limits. You can often get more money from a truck accident settlement than a car accident settlement.
2. What Should I Do If the Truck Driver’s Insurance Company Wants a Statement?
Do not speak to the truck driver’s insurance company. Instead, call an attorney right away. Your attorney will help you write down your statement and convey it to them. The insurance company will use your words against you and may even try to blame you for the accident.
3. What If the Insurance Company Tries to Blame Me for the Accident?
The trucking company’s insurance will likely try to avoid liability. In doing so, they may try to blame you. Do not let them take advantage of you or use scare tactics. Call an attorney to stand by your side.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Call HKD Today.
The effects of a truck wreck are often severe and long-lasting. For help dealing with the aftermath of a trucking accident in New York, contact Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. as soon as you can. In addition to your physical injuries, you must address the psychological impact and navigate the financial difficulties that typically follow unexpected medical expenses and lost wages. This is more than you should have to handle when you’re hurt due to no fault of your own, without adding in a truck accident insurance claim or lawsuit.
You can reach us online or call 212-490-5700 to schedule your free consultation. There are no costs up-front, and you won’t owe us anything until you recover compensation.
CLIENT REVIEWS
07/05/2015
After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…
5
Michael R., HKD CLIENT