A loaded commercial truck can weigh many times what a car weighs. When one hits a car, a cyclist, or a person on foot, the injuries are rarely minor.
Trucking companies know this. Their insurers often start working the claim within hours. You need someone working for you just as fast.
Why Truck Crashes Happen
- Tired drivers pushed past safe driving hours
- Speeding and following too closely
- Wide turns and blind spots on narrow city streets
- Poor maintenance, including worn brakes and tires
- Overloaded or badly secured cargo
- Careless hiring and little or no driver training
Types of Truck Accidents Cases
Related pages
Results
Settlement recovered for a pedestrian who sustained catastrophic injuries after being struck by a runaway truck.
Settlement secured for a client rear-ended at a stop sign, resulting in Spinal Surgery.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Who May Be Responsible
A truck case usually involves more than the driver. We look at every party that had a hand in putting that truck on the road.
- The driver
- The trucking company or the business the driver was working for
- The owner of the truck or trailer
- The company that loaded the cargo
- The shop responsible for maintenance
Evidence That Disappears
Trucks carry data. Driver logs, onboard electronic data, dispatch records, inspection reports, and dash camera video can prove what happened. Some of it is kept only for a limited time. We send preservation demands early so it is not lost.
What You Can Recover
- Medical bills, past and future
- Lost wages and loss of future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- In death cases, the financial losses to the family
To recover for pain and suffering after a motor vehicle crash, New York law requires a "serious injury." Fractures, significant scarring, and significant or permanent loss of use of a body part are examples.
Deadlines
Most New York injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the accident.
If the truck belongs to the City, such as a sanitation truck, much shorter deadlines apply. Claims against the City of New York, the Transit Authority, NYCHA, or another public agency move faster. A written notice of claim is generally due within 90 days, and the lawsuit generally must be filed within one year and 90 days.
Common Questions
The trucking company's insurer called me. What should I do?
Do not give a recorded statement and do not sign anything. Take the adjuster's name and number and call us.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover in New York. Your award is reduced by your share of the fault. It is not wiped out.
How is a truck case different from a car case?
There are more responsible parties, larger insurance policies, and far more records. It takes early action to secure the evidence.
Hit by a City vehicle?
Claims against the City of New York have a much shorter deadline. In most cases a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days. Call us right away.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
The consultation is free. There is no fee unless we win, and we advance the costs of the case. You speak with your attorney directly, not a call center.