When a large commercial truck crashes in Brooklyn, the aftermath can be catastrophic. These accidents may lead to severe injuries, fatalities, and complicated legal battles. That’s why many lawyers use truck accident reconstruction to find out who’s liable for your injuries.
The Brooklyn truck accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, have spent more than 50 years representing people who have suffered life-altering harm in truck collisions. Our legal team knows how to investigate semi-truck accidents and hold negligent parties accountable.
Why Truck Accident Reconstruction Matters
Truck collisions are more complicated than other motor vehicle accidents because they involve so many variables: massive vehicles, complex braking systems, federal regulations, and multiple parties that could share liability.
Reconstruction is often the key to untangling how and why a crash occurred. Truck accident reconstruction allows your attorney to:
- Analyze the mechanics of the crash
- Understand contributing factors (speed, driver error, road conditions)
- Identify negligence or violations of federal law
- Provide juries with scientifically supported explanations
By recreating the scene with precision, our legal team can counter misleading narratives, defend your rights, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Preserving Essential Evidence
Time is a serious factor in truck crash investigations. Without immediate action, crucial evidence may be lost or intentionally destroyed. Trucking companies often deploy rapid-response teams to protect themselves.
Our firm takes aggressive steps to collect and preserve evidence, such as.
- Vehicle damage
- Tire marks and debris patterns
- Onboard vehicle data
- Driver logbooks and dispatch records
- Surveillance or dashcam footage
- Witness statements
Your attorney can issue spoliation letters to prevent evidence from being destroyed and work quickly with investigators to document the scene. Collecting the right information could make the difference between a dismissed claim and a multimillion-dollar recovery.
Black Box Data and Logbooks
Many commercial trucks are equipped with Electronic Control Modules (ECMs), which are often referred to as the truck’s black box. This device records data before, during, and after a crash. These systems can provide information about the driver’s:
- Speed
- Brake usage
- Gear changes
- Steering inputs
- Sudden acceleration or deceleration
When analyzed by a qualified collision reconstruction expert, ECM data can be used to determine whether the truck driver was speeding, failed to brake, or made unsafe maneuvers.
In addition to black box data, driver logbooks are an important source of information. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truck drivers to take regular rest breaks to prevent fatigue. If a driver violated their hours-of-service (HOS) limits, it may point to negligence by the driver and the trucking company.
FMCSA Regulations Can Be Used to Strengthen Your Case
The FMCSA enforces a wide range of safety regulations for commercial carriers operating in Brooklyn and throughout the country. These rules govern:
- Hours of service
- Vehicle maintenance
- Cargo loading and weight limits
- Hiring and training procedures
- Alcohol and drug testing
When these regulations are violated, and an accident occurs, it becomes much easier to prove negligence.
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, we conduct thorough investigations to uncover any violations, then use those findings to build compelling legal arguments. We work closely with experts in truck safety and mechanics to understand how FMCSA non-compliance contributed to the crash.
Collision Reconstruction Experts
To present a powerful claim in court or during settlement negotiations, we may partner with collision reconstruction experts. These engineers are trained to analyze crashes based on physics, material evidence, and crash dynamics.
These experts can:
- Create 3D models or simulations of the crash
- Calculate vehicle speeds and angles
- Analyze vehicle damage patterns
- Evaluate visibility and reaction times
- Explain causation to a jury in clear, visual terms
Why Scene Analysis Is So Important in Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s dense traffic, aging infrastructure, and high volume of commercial deliveries create a dangerous environment, from Flatbush Avenue to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and throughout the borough.
In these types of settings, scene analysis becomes even more important. Skid marks, traffic light timing, and sightlines may influence liability.
Our attorneys at WRSMH work closely with professionals who understand Brooklyn’s roads. Whether the crash happened near a construction site in Downtown Brooklyn or on a congested highway during rush hour, we have the experience and resources to investigate every angle.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases often involve several parties who could share liability:
- The truck driver – for speeding, distraction, intoxication, or fatigue
- The trucking company – for negligent hiring, training, or supervision
- A maintenance provider – for failing to inspect or repair vehicle systems
- Cargo loaders – for improper loading that led to a loss of control
- Truck manufacturers – for defective parts or systems
- Another driver – for making an unsafe maneuver that contributed to the accident
Truck accident reconstruction helps identify these parties and prove their role in the crash. Our firm has the tools to untangle these issues and push each responsible party to accept financial responsibility.
Building Solid Claims That Stand Up in Court
At WRSMH we thoroughly prepare every case for trial. Trucking companies like to look for excuses to deny fault, but we hold firm by confronting them with hard facts.
That’s why we:
- Partner with the best expert witnesses
- Collect and preserve every piece of evidence
- Anticipate and counter defense strategies
- Visualize the crash for judges and juries
- Invest the time and resources needed to fight aggressively
Our personal injury law firm has recovered over $2 billion for our clients and have been recognized as one of the Best Law Firms in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Call a Brooklyn Truck Crash Lawyer You Can Rely On
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, don’t wait to take action! Let our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP step in to preserve evidence, consult reconstruction experts, and pursue justice on your behalf.
Call (212) 986-7353 for a free consultation.
We’ll fight to hold the right people accountable, and help start rebuilding your life.