Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If you were hurt in a crash with a tractor-trailer, delivery vehicle, or other commercial truck, our Mount Vernon truck accident lawyers can protect your rights and help you pursue compensation.
At Shulman & Hill, our attorneys bring more than 200 years of combined legal experience to personal injury cases across New York. We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and families who have been harmed in crashes involving 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Mount Vernon personal injury lawyers.
Why Choose Our Mount Vernon Truck Accident Lawyers
At Shulman & Hill, we approach every truck accident case with careful preparation and thorough investigation. Our team gathers crash reports, driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and other evidence needed to determine what happened and who is liable. We also prepare the case for negotiation or litigation when necessary.
Our Mount Vernon truck accident attorneys focus on protecting your rights, handling the legal process, and pursuing the compensation available under New York law while you concentrate on recovery. We represent injured clients on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront legal fees.
Common Causes of Truck Crashes in Mount Vernon
Truck accidents often occur because of preventable safety failures involving drivers, vehicles, or trucking companies. Commercial trucks are larger and harder to maneuver than passenger vehicles, which means mistakes or mechanical issues can lead to particularly serious collisions.
Some of the most common causes of truck crashes in Mount Vernon and throughout Westchester County include:
- Driver fatigue, including violations of federal hours-of-service regulations that limit how long drivers can operate without rest.
- Distracted driving, such as phone use, navigation devices, or in-cab electronics.
- Speeding or unsafe driving, especially on high-traffic roads and parkways.
- Mechanical failures, including defective brakes, worn tires, or malfunctioning lights.
- Improper cargo loading or securement, which can lead to rollovers, jackknife accidents, or falling debris.
- Unsafe turns and lane changes caused by large truck blind spots in tight urban areas.
- Delivery schedule pressure, which can lead to rushed driving decisions in busy areas of Mount Vernon.
Determining the cause of a truck crash is an important part of identifying who may be legally responsible. Our team reviews driver logs, maintenance records, cargo documentation, and other evidence to understand what happened and pursue the appropriate parties.
Determining Liability After a Truck Wreck
Truck accident cases often involve more than just the driver of the vehicle. Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to the trucking company, trailer owner, maintenance provider, cargo loading company, broker, or shipper involved in the transportation of the goods.
Trucking companies may also be held responsible for the actions of their drivers when a crash occurs during the course of employment. In addition, separate claims can arise when a company fails to properly hire, train, or supervise drivers, or when unsafe operational practices contribute to a collision.
Because commercial trucking operations often involve multiple businesses and layers of insurance coverage, identifying all responsible parties is an important part of building a strong claim. Our attorneys review contracts, company records, and crash evidence to determine who may be legally liable.
Damages Available in a Truck Accident Case
Injury victims may pursue both economic and non‑economic damages when the serious injury threshold is met. Economic losses include medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non‑economic damages cover pain, emotional harm, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Families bringing a wrongful death action may seek funeral costs, medical expenses before death, lost financial support, and other damages allowed by New York law. Keep in mind that these cases have shorter timelines and special filing rules.
New York No‑Fault Rules and the Serious Injury Threshold
New York’s no-fault insurance system provides initial benefits after most motor vehicle accidents, regardless of who caused the crash. Through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, an injured person may receive payment for medical treatment and a portion of lost wages.
To pursue broader damages against the at-fault parties, the injury must meet New York’s serious injury threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d). The law recognizes several qualifying categories, including fractures, significant disfigurement, permanent injuries, or substantial limitations affecting normal body function.
Our truck accident attorneys in Mount Vernon will evaluate medical records and treatment documentation to determine whether the legal threshold is satisfied. When it is, we can pursue a bodily injury claim or lawsuit seeking compensation beyond the limits of no-fault benefits.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often begin investigating a truck accident soon after it occurs. Adjusters may contact you for statements, request medical authorizations, or present early settlement offers before the full extent of your injuries is known. These communications can affect how your claim is evaluated and resolved.
Our legal team can handle communications with insurance carriers on your behalf. If a fair resolution cannot be reached through negotiation, the case may proceed to litigation.
Filing a lawsuit allows both sides to obtain evidence through discovery, including company records, driver logs, and testimony from the driver and other relevant witnesses.
Deadlines and Statutes That Apply in New York
In many personal injury cases, a claim must be filed within three years of the date of the crash. When a collision results in death, a wrongful death action generally must be brought within two years from the date of death.
Certain claims involve shorter timelines. If a government entity or public vehicle is involved, the law often requires a Notice of Claim to be served within 90 days before a lawsuit can proceed.
Because these deadlines are strictly enforced, acting promptly after a crash is important. Early legal involvement can help preserve evidence, secure records, and ensure the necessary filings are made within the required time limits.
Mount Vernon, We Got You — Talk With a Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Shulman & Hill, we represent injured people across Mount Vernon and throughout Westchester County with the same commitment we bring to clients across New York. Our firm has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients.
If you were hurt in a truck crash, our team can explain how New York law applies to your situation and take the steps needed to pursue full compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.