Practice Areas Truck Accident Lawyer

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    New York Truck Accident Lawyer in Manhattan, Brooklyn and All of New York

    The American economy runs on trucks. Roughly 70% of all freight in the U.S. is transported by trucks, coast to coast, day and night. Equipment failures and driver error can make trucks incredibly dangerous vehicles to encounter on the road.

    If you have been injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle in New York, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney at the Law Offices of Eric Richman today.

    Common Causes of Truck Accidents

    Truck accidents commonly occur due to:

    • Critical driver error
    • Driver fatigue, inattention, or distraction
    • Failure to adapt speed to road conditions
    • Inadequate training
    • Failure to see other vehicles when turning
    • Alcohol or drug use
    • Illegal maneuvers
    • Brake failure or other equipment malfunction
    • Poor environmental conditions, i.e., snow, ice, fog, etc.
    • Improper maintenance

    A 5,000-lb passenger vehicle is no match for a 40-ton 18-wheeler on the road. Unfortunately, fatal accidents involving trucks have increased significantly over the past ten years. An estimated 4,000 road deaths occur each year involving semi-trucks. Of those deaths, almost all are the occupants of the passenger cars involved in the truck crash.

    The threat of accidents goes up when more large trucks share the road with passenger vehicles, especially on the heavily congested roads of New York. Due to their hefty size and weight, trucks typically cause much more damage than cars do in an accident.

    Serious to fatal injuries can have devastating effects on truck accident victims and their families. Medical bills, physical therapy, missed time from work, and permanent disabilities can negatively impact your physical and emotional wellbeing.

    Put your case in the hands of an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer with a deep knowledge of this area of personal injury law. Eric Richman will advocate for your right to compensation so that you are not left in financial ruin after a truck crash.

    Understanding Who is Legally Liable After a Truck Accident

    Passenger vehicle occupants, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are all at risk when they come across commercial vehicles on the road. Many factors are at play that can lead to an accident – from the truck itself to the driver, the weather, and the road conditions.

    It is important to contact a truck injury lawyer as soon as possible if you are in a collision with a commercial vehicle. A dedicated attorney can investigate the details of your claim and help you build a strong case for seeking compensation.

    Truck Accident FAQ

  • What should I say to the trucking company’s insurance provider if they contact me after an accident?

    DISCLAIMER: The following recommendations are general guidelines and can’t be applied to every situation – please contact a professional lawyer for more information.

    If an injured party is contacted by a trucking company’s insurance provider, it is important to stay calm, be polite and write down the name, job title and company name of the person you are speaking with over the phone.

    At the same time, it is recommended that you give the minimum amount of details by only stating your name, address and phone number if it is required. It is not recommended to disclose any information about the accident, any injuries you sustained or any insurance claims. To avoid situations where the insurance company continues calling, the best practice is to end the conversation appropriately by letting the insurance adjuster know that they will be contacted if needed.

    A person is only legally required to speak with representatives from their own insurance company. If a person is uncomfortable speaking with the trucking company’s representative, they can decline the opportunity to speak and direct them to the representatives from their own insurance company. In addition, you can politely inform them that any further engagement will only occur in the presence of a lawyer.

  • Are truck accidents different from car accidents?

    In terms of the law, truck and car accidents are mostly the same. Nonetheless, there are different state and federal laws regarding the required time a truck driver must spend behind the wheel and training requirements for truck drivers. It is also rare that truck drivers are independent contractors, as they are commonly part of a larger company that has insurance, and a large team of lawyers to defend them. This makes court cases and settlement processes more difficult. To receive the best advice, it is worth contacting a reputable lawyer with extensive experience in car and truck accidents.

  • Am I eligible for compensation for my truck accident injury?

    Every truck accident case is different and must be looked into on an individual basis. However, if a truck accident resulted in an injury, the injured party may be eligible for compensation related to the treatment costs for the inflicted injuries, as well as compensation for pain and suffering, and time off work.

  • Who will pay my medical bills after I've been in a truck accident?

    Usually, it is the insurance company servicing the driver that covers the treatment costs of injuries sustained in a truck accident. Still, it is not uncommon that insurance companies attempt to deny the victim their compensation. It is recommended to contact a professional truck accident lawyer before speaking to any insurance company representatives about the accident.

  • Every case is unique. This is not attorney or legal advice. In order to make a full and proper determination regarding your time to file suit, please contact The Law Offices of Eric Richman.

    Liability for a commercial vehicle accident may involve more than one person or party:

    • Commercial truck driver

      Despite rigorous training and truck driving regulations, critical driver error results in deadly crashes every day. Whether a driver is disobeying local laws, driving under the influence, or simply acting negligently when changing lanes or making turns, their carelessness can cost lives. If you are injured in a truck accident where the truck driver is at fault, the driver may be held responsible for your pain and suffering.

    • Agency who hires truck drivers

      Many companies will contract with truck driver staffing agencies to transport freight. Those agencies do not always hire qualified drivers or inspect their vehicles, as the law requires. When an agency cuts corners in training its drivers or maintaining its commercial trucks, serious to fatal accidents can occur, and the agency may be held responsible. 

    • Truck or equipment manufacturer

      Mechanical failures and defective equipment contribute to a substantial number of truck crashes. It can take a loaded tractor-trailer up to 40 percent more distance to come to a full stop than a regular car. Poorly maintained brake systems and wet or slick roadways make braking even harder. If a truck or equipment manufacturer produces faulty parts that impact a truck’s reliability on the road, they may be held responsible for a resulting accident.

    • Trucking company

      Verifying that a truck is safe to travel on the road typically falls to the trucking company that supplies the commercial vehicle. Checking the engine, inspecting the brake system, and certifying the tires can carry a heavy load keeps trucks safe on the road. If a trucking company fails to supply a truck that was properly inspected and maintained, they may be held liable for injuries received in a collision.

    Filing a Lawsuit

    Personal and financial recovery following a collision with a truck can take years. In the event of a truck accident, you may lose your car and have to deal with serious, life-threatening injuries.

    You need an 18-wheeler accident attorney who can stand up for your right to recover damages. A solid claim against the responsible party may mean the difference in whether you are able to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other critical expenses.

    18 wheeler accident lawyer

    Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in NYC at the
    Law Offices of Eric Richman

    Our legal team is available 24/7. Give us a call at 1-800-801-9655 or click the button below to request a free consultation for your case.

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    Truck accident attorney

      Free Consultation

      Call us at (800) 801-9655 or fill out the form below to schedule a confidential case review with a personal injury attorney today.