Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
After a serious truck accident leaves you missing work and struggling to pay rent or bills, you deserve to work with a legal team that brings over 200 years of combined experience to your case. At Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers, we speak with taxi drivers, construction workers, and city employees who are focused on healing when insurance companies start calling.
If you are looking for legal help after a truck crash, our Manhattan truck accident lawyers bring local experience and a team that reflects the boroughs we serve. Our firm has helped more than 26,000 clients, recovering over $1 billion for injured New Yorkers and regularly oversees high-stakes multimillion-dollar claims.
Our Manhattan personal injury lawyers travel for consultations, and we work on contingency, so you pay no fee unless we win. Every Borough, Every Block, New York, We Got You. Contact us today for a free consultation to review your legal options for recovery.
How Our Manhattan Truck Accident Attorneys Handle Crashes
Soon after a crash, bills arrive, and the insurance company may ask for a recorded statement. Our team will handle your claim and the adjuster’s calls while you focus on getting better.
Our Manhattan team will use over 200 years of combined legal experience to build a case that shows how a truck crash affects your daily life. Many clients come to us after long calls with adjusters or after getting letters they do not fully understand. We lead those conversations so you do not have to repeat your story again and again.
Early on, our team gathers the details that help tell your story. We look for reports, photos, and video footage from the area before anything disappears. We also review medical notes and speak with doctors to show how the crash connects to your injuries and your ability to work.
Manhattan Has a High Rate of Truck Crashes
Manhattan, NY, has some of the highest volumes of commercial vehicles in the nation, so truck crashes are a common occurrence. Some of the highest-traffic accident corridors include West Side Highway, FDR Drive, Canal Street, 11th Avenue, and the Holland and Lincoln Tunnel approaches.
Common types of commercial truck accidents include the following:
- 18-wheeler accidents. 18-wheelers are the largest type of commercial truck and are very common around New York City. Accidents with 18-wheeler motor carriers can cause severe and debilitating injuries.
- Construction vehicles. Construction vehicles, such as crane trucks, dump trucks, and cement trucks, are a common hazard around construction work zones and are responsible for a large number of commercial truck crashes.
- Delivery trucks. Delivery trucks from Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and food delivery trucks are also a significant part of commercial truck traffic in Manhattan.
- Commercial vans. Although smaller than the typical truck, commercial vans can cause accidents while navigating narrow streets or blocking traffic.
Regardless of what type of accident you’ve been in, you should talk to one of our Manhattan car accident lawyers about your legal rights and options for an insurance claim.
When a Truck Crash Affects Your Job and Your Recovery
Some clients face work problems at the same time. If the crash happened on the job, our workers’ compensation lawyer in Manhattan works alongside our injury team to keep both cases on track. Keeping everything in one place helps avoid confusion and missed steps.
Many claims are resolved during negotiations. However, if the insurance company will not cover a claim, the case could head toward court. Our team builds the file from the start, so the next step never feels rushed.
Why Acting Early Can Protect Your Damages in a Truck Crash
The days right after a truck crash can affect your claim. Photos can get lost, video footage may be erased, and witnesses may be harder to find over time. Bringing in our Manhattan truck injury lawyer early makes it easier to hold onto proof that shows how the injury affects your daily life.
Expect a call from the insurance company early on. Those first conversations can influence how they see your injuries and the crash itself. When we get involved, we will handle those calls, gather records, and keep the focus on your care, the pay you lost, and the changes to your routine.
Truck cases involving a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or other commercial vehicle may include several policies and layers of coverage. Starting early gives our legal team time to look at every source of coverage and build a clear picture of your damages before delays begin to work against you.
The Real Cost of a Crash and What Your Claim May Include
After a truck crash, damages reflect what you lost and what you now have to deal with day to day. No two cases are the same, yet many people seek damages for:
- Ambulance, emergency room (ER), and medical bills
- Follow-up medical care and therapy
- Meds and medical supplies
- Lost pay and lost work time
- Pain that affects how you move, work, or rest
- Help you need at home
- Property damage (repairs or replacement)
Compensation Can Be Awarded for Various Kinds of Injuries
A heavy truck can cause serious harm, even at a lower speed. Common injuries include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Deep cuts and scarring
- Internal injuries
- Crush injuries
If you feel like something’s “off,” we encourage you to seek medical care. If your injuries are severe, you may also want a Manhattan catastrophic injury lawyer from our office to review your case. We handle cases that involve long recovery periods and lasting changes to daily life.
What Damages are Available in Fatal Truck Collisions in Manhattan?
Our Manhattan wrongful death lawyers can work to recover:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Final medical bills
- Lost financial support your loved one provided
- The value of the help they gave at home
- Other related losses allowed under New York law
Some families come to us after receiving the worst news. If your loved one suffered a fatal injury in an accident with a truck, we are sorry for your loss. When you come to us after a fatal truck crash, our focus remains on helping you understand what comes next and what options may be available under New York law.
Common Difficulties When Filing a Truck Accident Personal Injury Claim
Truck accident claims are different and much more complex than the typical car accident. Below are some of the unique difficulties of dealing with trucking accident claims in Manhattan and Long Island.
- Trucking regulations. FMCSA regulations tightly regulate the trucking industry in Manhattan. You should work with a lawyer who has deep knowledge of these laws so they can look for violations.
- Employer liability. Many trucking companies use independent contractors, which can create confusion when trying to hold employers accountable for employee negligence.
- Multiple liable parties. Truck crashes are rarely the fault of a single entity. Filing a claim with multiple litigants can be difficult because you need to prove each party was negligent and contributed to the accident.
- Evidence preservation. Evidence collection in truck crash cases can be difficult, as it can be destroyed due to fleet maintenance. A lawyer can send a letter to trucking companies to preserve evidence, such as black box data or driving log records.
Our attorneys at Shulman & Hill have extensive experience with these types of claims and are familiar with pursuing cases against insurers in the New York County Supreme Court.
How Trucking Regulations Can Impact Your Claim
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and New York State heavily regulate trucking activity, and these regulations can impact your claim. Violations of federal regulations are powerful evidence of negligence and can be the key component establishing liability in your case.
Below are some of the most relevant regulations to know:
- Hours-of-service. Truck drivers are limited to the number of consecutive hours they can work without taking time off. Exceeding these hours can lead to fatigued driving.
- Weight restrictions. Trucks in NYC are limited to a maximum gross weight of 80,000. Overweight trucks are much more likely to cause accidents.
- Logbook requirements. Truck drivers must record their trips in official logbooks and record maintenance issues. Not keeping accurate logbooks is a serious violation.
- Time-of-day limits. Various roads in Manhattan limit when trucks can drive, and there are noise regulations to restrict truck deliveries at night.
- Designated truck routes. Similarly, there are designated routes that trucks must use in Manhattan, and using the wrong roads is a violation.
Filing Deadlines for Truck Accident Cases in New York
New York law gives you a limited time to file a truck injury claim. Most injury cases must be filed within three years under NY CPLR § 214(5). If the crash caused a death, families often have two years to file a wrongful death case under NY EPT § 5-4.1.
Some claims come with shorter notice rules, especially when a city or other government agency is involved. Checking the statute of limitations early helps protect your right to seek damages. We will keep your case on schedule and file it on time.
Manhattan Truck Accident FAQs
Below are some of the most common questions that our team receives about truck accidents and related claims. If you have more specific questions, contact our New York personal injury lawyers today:
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident in Manhattan?
Liability for a truck crash in New York City can fall on the individual truck driver, the trucking company, trucking manufacturers, and any independent contractors whose negligence contributed to your injuries. Multiple entities can be simultaneously liable, in which case you could file a claim against each individually.
How Do I Sue a Trucking Company in New York?
You can sue a trucking company in New York by first filing a claim against its liability insurance policy. From there, you can submit evidence of your injuries and losses, and your lawyer can enter settlement negotiations. If negotiations fall through, the next step is filing a formal lawsuit in court.
What Evidence Do I Need After a Truck Accident in Manhattan?
Evidence that can be useful in a Manhattan truck accident case includes surveillance videos, dashcam footage, truck black box data, truck maintenance logs, truck driver records, accident reconstruction data, and police accident reports.
Tell Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Manhattan About the Crash
If you or a loved one has been in any kind of truck collision in Manhattan, Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers is ready to lead your claim for damages and hold the negligent actors accountable.
These crashes are different from others. Traffic crowds narrow streets, and delivery trucks stop without much warning. A small mistake can lead to a chain reaction that blocks lanes, injures several people, and brings police and city crews to the scene.
Our truck accident lawyer in Manhattan will take on the insurer and protect your claim. Before we do anything, we listen and explain how we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation. We can represent you at no upfront cost, and we get paid only if you win your case.
