Long Island Truck Accident Lawyer
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Content reviewed by: Alex Shulman
- Last updated: Aug. 16, 2024
Numerous factors can influence the injuries you receive in a motor vehicle accident on Long Island. The size of the vehicles involved in the accident is a critical factor. Large trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles have the potential to cause serious harm in collisions with passenger vehicles.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a truck accident? If so, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other such damages.
The dedicated Long Island truck accident lawyers at Shulman & Hill can help you pursue what you may be entitled to. You can learn more during a free legal consultation by calling (866) 880-0645.
The Role of a Long Island Truck Accident Law Firm
Our personal injury lawyer offers comprehensive legal support to help you pursue compensation after a Long Island truck accident, including:
Investigating the Truck Crash
Identifying the parties who could be responsible for compensating you may require a thorough investigation into your accident. We have the knowledge and resources necessary to gather evidence and establish a strong case for your truck accident injury claim.
Responding to Phone Calls and Correspondence
When you work with Shulman & Hill, you do not have to worry about answering calls, responding to emails, or fielding legal correspondence. We can handle all the paperwork relating to your injury claim, so you can focus on your well-being.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Your top priority after a Long Island truck accident should be your recovery. We can handle the process of documenting your accident and losses and filing all necessary legal paperwork. We have extensive experience handling complex personal injury claims, and our injury attorneys know what it takes to build a successful truck accident case.
Meeting Legal Deadlines
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury suit in New York is typically three years, per CPLR § 214. Shulman & Hill’s Long Island injury attorneys are aware of the applicable legal deadlines for truck accidents in New York. We can keep your case on track and ensure you meet critical legal deadlines throughout your personal injury claim.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement
Having a lawyer on your side during negotiations can prove beneficial. Insurance companies are profit-driven businesses like any other, so they may not be motivated to compensate claimants fairly.
If you attempt to work directly with an insurance company instead of hiring a lawyer, an insurer could convince you to settle for less than your claim may be worth. You should not have to fight stubborn insurance adjusters while you recover from your injuries. Let the dedicated Long Island truck accident lawyers at Shulman & Hill help you.
While no attorney can honestly promise a specific settlement value, you can rest assured that our personal injury attorneys can aggressively negotiate for fair compensation on your behalf.
The Consequences of a Long Island Truck Accident
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,500,000 settlement for a non-union laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,000,000 settlement for an immigrant laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,600,000 settlement for a 53-year-old union bus driver
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for an undocumented day laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for a bus driver
A Long Island truck accident can leave you with major injuries that require costly medical treatment. Paying for your treatment can be particularly difficult if your injuries are so severe that they prevent you from working. If your injuries result in a permanent disability or chronic pain, your overall quality of life can suffer.
You could seek compensation for such losses from the parties responsible. You may want to contact a Long Island personal injury lawyer at Shulman & Hill to see if you have grounds to pursue legal action. A member of our personal injury team can review your case details and advise on your legal options.
Seeking Compensation After a Long Island Truck Accident
In New York, truck accident victims typically begin seeking compensation by filing insurance claims for medical expenses and lost earnings. New York’s no-fault protection lets you file a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance regardless of who may have caused the accident.
You could seek additional compensation for pain and suffering, medical costs, and income loss not covered by your PIP through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Recovering compensation from the insurer of a large company can be particularly complicated. You find it less stressful to reach a fair settlement or verdict if you have legal representation. Shulman & Hill’s skilled truck accident lawyers on Long Island can guide you through the legal process.
Long Island Truck Accidents: Essential Information
With high population density, heavy traffic, and myriad distractions, motor vehicle accidents are relatively common on Long Island. In 2022, New York had 6,876 truck accidents. Long Island alone sees numerous fatal crashes involving tractor-trailers each year, particularly on the Long Island Expressway.
Causes of Long Island Truck Accidents
Understanding the cause of your Long Island truck accident can help you determine the most appropriate legal action for your situation. Common causes of truck collisions include the following:
Driver Fatigue
Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that lack of sleep can have effects similar to alcohol intoxication. Fatigued driving may be characterized by slowed reaction time, reduced decision-making ability, and falling asleep behind the wheel.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established regulations that dictate how long a trucker is permitted to drive before resting. However, some truckers may drive longer than is safe and skip sleep to make deliveries on time. They might feel pressure from their employers to adhere to delivery schedules. This can result in truckers driving when they should not do so.
Unqualified Truckers
Operating a large commercial truck is much more difficult than operating a small car. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), large trucks may weigh as much as 20-30 times more than standard passenger vehicles, which makes them harder to maneuver and slower to stop. Drivers must therefore undergo training to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) before they can operate certain large trucks on the road.
Trucking companies have a duty to only hire truckers who are qualified for their jobs. Sadly, some trucking companies hire truckers without the training or experience necessary to safely operate large trucks. Some companies may also overlook serious factors when hiring drivers, such as a history of alcohol abuse.
Driver Carelessness or Recklessness
Careless or reckless behavior that typically causes car accidents can also lead to accidents with commercial trucks on Long Island. Such behavior may include:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Ignoring traffic signals
Both truck operators and drivers of other vehicles could be responsible for a truck accident. Whether you were driving the truck or occupying another vehicle, you could seek compensation from the party responsible for your truck crash injuries.
Trucking Company Oversights and Shipper Errors
A driver may not be the only liable party in a truck accident. For example, truck accidents can occur if a trucking company fails to:
- Regularly inspect and maintain its trucks
- Hire qualified drivers
- Enforce safe driving regulations and practices
- Sufficiently secure cargo to the semi-trailer
The company that owns the transported cargo could also carry responsibility for a trucking accident. For instance, they may fail to notify the trucking company of important details regarding packaging and safety. Failure to disclose such information can create load instability and other dangerous conditions that lead to truck collisions.
Defective Vehicle Components
A truck manufacturer or distributor could also be liable for a truck accident. Brake failure is a common cause of large truck accidents. If the brake system fails due to a faulty or defective component, the part manufacturer or truck manufacturer could be held responsible for the ensuing damages if a number of factors are met.
Since determining liability in a truck accident case can be complicated, it may be in your interest to coordinate with a Long Island personal injury law firm after a truck accident. The Long Island truck accident attorneys at Shulman & Hill can investigate your accident and help identify the responsible party. This is key to determining who you can pursue for financial compensation.
Choose Shulman & Hill for Your Truck Accident Case
Shulman & Hill has a consistent track record of delivering results. Over the years, our lawyers have successfully recovered more than $500 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients on Long Island and throughout NYC’s five boroughs. After a devastating truck accident, you deserve representation from a skilled Long Island truck accident attorney who can fight for fair compensation on your behalf.
To learn more about what we can do for you, call today or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation. You pay nothing upfront for our services.