Below are a few frequently asked questions about New York City truck accidents:
Are truck accidents different than car accidents?
What are the laws that apply to trucks out on the road?
Who can sue after a New York truck accident?
Am I eligible for compensation for my New York truck accident injury?
Who will pay my medical bills after I've been in a truck accident?
I want to file a truck accident lawsuit. What should I look for in a New York truck accident lawyer?
What are the most common types of truck accidents?
What causes truck accidents?
What are the consequences of a truck crash?
Q: Are truck accidents different than car accidents?
Yes and no.
In the eyes of the law, truck accidents are the same as car accidents in the way that responsible drivers will still be held responsible, and compensation for injured parties can still be sought. However, truck drivers have different state and federal laws regarding their driving times and the training required of them. Truck drivers are also very rarely independent contractors that are driving on their own time, for their own profit. Usually they are part of a much larger company that has insurance and a large team of lawyers to protect them should a truck crash occur with one of their drivers. For this reason, fighting for your rights in court, or trying to settle with the trucking company out of court, can become much more difficult and complex.
The injuries received in truck accidents can also vary greatly from those received in car collisions. Because 18-wheelers and tractor trailers can weigh more than 80,000 pounds, the damage they can do is much more severe, especially when they make contact with a passenger vehicle, which is much smaller and won't be able to withstand the impact.
Q: What are the laws that apply to trucks out on the road?
As mentioned, there are certain rules that apply to truck drivers on the road. These rules were designed with the intent to keep both truckers and other drivers safer while sharing the road. Some of the additional federal laws that apply to truck drivers, and trucking companies, are:
- All trucking companies in the United States must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator's regulations concerning equipment and hours of service.
- Truck drivers must maintain a driver's log.
- Commercial truck drivers must carry certain levels and types of insurance. The type of cargo they are hauling is usually taken into consideration when determining what insurance is required, so trucks carrying dangerous materials will be required to carry higher levels of insurance.
- Truck drivers must receive a certain amount of sleep per day, usually 6-8 hours. This prevents driver fatigue, and reduces truck accidents caused by truck driver error.
- Trucking companies are responsible for following particular rules when loading materials onto a truck.
- Many trucks in the United States are now equipped with a speed-limiting device to prevent trucks from speeding on highways, which also aims to reduce the amount of truck accidents on the road.
Q: Who can sue after a New York truck accident?
It depends on the case, but usually the injured victim and his or her spouse can sue. If a death occurs, the family of the victim can usually sue on the victim's behalf.
Q: Am I eligible for compensation for my New York truck accident injury?
Every case is as different as the people involved in it. However, if you were injured in a truck crash, you could potentially be eligible for compensation related to the costs of your injuries, the amount of future medical care needed, lost time from work, emotional pain and suffering, and more. A New York City truck accident attorney can help evaluate your compensation and the value of your potential truck accident lawsuit.
Q: Who will pay my medical bills after I've been in a truck accident?
Injuries sustained during a truck accident can be severe, and costly to treat. Injured parties likely won't receive compensation, either from the trucking company or the courts, right away, even though their medical bills will already be piling up.
Luckily, the insurance carried by the driver of the car, or other vehicle, will often cover many of the medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident. However, insurance companies often do everything they can not to pay out on insurance policies and can often confuse someone into believing they're not entitled to any compensation – especially when that person is distressed and injured. For this reason, you should never speak to any insurance company after a trucking collision without first speaking to a qualified New York City personal injury attorney, such as us here at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP.
Q: I want to file a truck accident lawsuit. What should I look for in a New York truck accident lawyer?
When seeking a NY truck accident attorney, look for a law firm that specializes in personal injury and has a substantial track record in successful accident litigation. The ideal attorney has the legal knowledge it takes to get you compensation and the resources and support staff, including expert witnesses and investigator, it takes to effectively present your case in court. Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP is just such a law firm. Contact us today at (212) 986-7353 for more information on our effective, aggressive truck accident litigation services – your case consultation is completely free of charge.
Q: What are the most common types of truck accidents?
While every truck crash is unique with its own set of circumstances, there are some common types of truck accidents. They include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Broadside collisions, when either driver fails to yield to those who have the right-of-way, and hits another vehicle in the side
- Center lane crossover, or when a portion of the truck (typically the trailer) crosses over the center lane. This is most common when trucks are turning.
- Lane change accidents
- Jack-knifed trucks, when the trailer portion of the truck becomes perpendicular to the tractor portion
Q: What causes truck accidents?
The causes of truck accidents vary from case to case. However, common causes include driver error, improperly trained drivers, malfunctioning equipment, adverse weather or road conditions, driver fatigue, drug and alcohol abuse, and error on the part of passenger vehicles sharing the road with a big rig vehicle.
Q: What are the consequences of a truck crash?
The consequences of a truck accident can range from minor property damage and insignificant injuries to life-threatening medical conditions, temporary disability, and even death. Injuries suffered in a truck collision can affect the victim's ability to participate in everyday activities, including going to work, and can have long-lasting financial ramifications.
Our Truck Accident Case Results
$6.5 Million - Man Hit by Truck in Queens
WRSMH attorneys Bryce Moses and Ashley Jacoby obtained a large verdict for a man who was struck by a truck in Queens.
Bryce Moses, Ashley Jacoby
$3.5 Million - Young Woman Run Over By Garbage Truck
Bryce Moses represented a young woman who was run over by a garbage truck in Brooklyn that shattered her ankle in three places.
Bryce Moses
$3.3 Million - NY Truck Accident Case
The plaintiff asserted that the injuries suffered in the collision with the truck will permanently prevent her from working.
Kenneth Halperin, Philip Russotti
$3 Million - New York Truck Accident
Cliff Shapiro and another WRSMH attorney were able to settle a truck accident case for the amount of $3,000,000 on behalf of a 45 year old delivery man from Queens.
Clifford Shapiro
$2.9 Million - Vehicle Hit by Truck
Victor Goldblum successfully represented a client who underwent three surgeries as the result of injuries sustained in a truck collision.
Victor Goldblum
$2 Million - Client Rear-ended by a Tractor Trailer While Stopped at a Traffic Light
Plaintiff sustained multiple injuries when he was rear-ended by a tractor trailer while he was stopped at a traffic light.
Ashley Jacoby
$2 Million - Rockland County Woman Rear-ended by a Semi-tractor Trailer
Luigi Izzo obtained $2 million for a client who was injured after being rear-ended by a semi-tractor trailer.
Luigi Izzo
$2 Million - Flatbed Tractor Trailer Backed Into Minibus
Cliff Shapiro obtained a recovery for a 32-year-old male who was in the course of his employment with Access-A-Ride when his vehicle was struck by a flatbed tractor trailer.
Clifford Shapiro
$1.8 Million - Two Clients Struck by Garbage Truck
WRSMH attorneys obtained a $1,800,000 settlement a year before trial for two plaintiffs who were injured after they were struck by a garbage truck.
Clifford Shapiro, Noah Katz
$1.5 Million - New York City Department of Sanitation Truck Accident
This motor vehicle accident involved a 43 year old woman who was rear-ended by a New York City Department of Sanitation truck.
Michael Fitzpatrick, Clifford Shapiro
$1.5 Million - Bronx Woman Injured in Truck Collision
WRSMH attorneys Clifford Shapiro, Robert Bellinson, and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $1,500,000 on behalf of a fifty-one year old librarian from Bronx County.
Clifford Shapiro, Robert Bellinson
$1.5 Million - Back Seat Passenger Underwent Lumbar Fusion
The plaintiff, a 29 year old male, was injured when he was a back seat passenger of a car that was sideswiped by a commercial truck which caused the car to be pushed off of the road into a tree.
Michael Fitzpatrick
$1.5 Million - Rear-Ended by a Truck at Red Light
Our client, was stopped at red light when she was rear-ended by a truck. Victor Goldblum was able to obtain $1,500,000 for our client, who required surgery as a result of the crash.
Victor Goldblum
$1.41 Million - Queens Box Truck Rollover Leaves Occupant Injured
The plaintiff, an occupant of a truck, was injured in a single vehicle accident and required surgeries to the neck and back.
Ashley Jacoby
$1.35 Million - Rear-End Truck Accident Causing Injuries
Plaintiff sustained injuries to his knee and spine after his vehicle was rear-ended by a truck.
Ryan Lawlor
$1.3 Million - Parked Car Sideswiped by Commercial Truck
Our client in this case was a 37-year old man who was injured when his parked school bus was sideswiped by the defendants' commercial truck.
Kenneth Halperin,
$1.3 Million - Crash with Fire Department Truck
Philip Russotti and Brielle C. Goldfaden obtained a $1.3 million settlement after jury selection on a trial against the City of New York, the New York City Fire Department and an FDNY employee.
Philip Russotti, Brielle Goldfaden,William Hepner
$1.150 Million - Garbage Truck Accident Case
Bryce Moses and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $1,150,000 on behalf of our client, a 35-year-old man from Kings County.
Bryce Moses,
$1.1 Million - Struck by Garbage Truck Which Attempted Right Turn from Left Lane
Kenneth J. Halperin obtained a $1,100,000 settlement for a man who was operating his livery cab when he was struck by a garbage truck that attempted to make a right turn from the left lane and broadsided his vehicle.
Kenneth Halperin
$950,000 - Man Rear-Ended by Tailgating Truck
Luigi Izzo successfully represented a client who suffered multiple injuries after being rear-ended by a truck that was tailgating.
Luigi Izzo