New York City Truck Accident Lawyer
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Content reviewed by: Alex Shulman
- Last updated: Aug. 16, 2024
The physical, emotional, and financial toll of truck accidents can be immense. Navigating the legal aftermath can be overwhelming, especially when recovering from serious injuries. At Shulman & Hill, we understand the unique challenges these accidents present. Our New York City truck accident lawyers bring a wealth of knowledge and a track record of success in handling these situations.
In the bustling streets of New York, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, but the consequences can last a lifetime. Our mission is to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Whether it’s negotiating with insurance companies or taking your case to court, we are prepared to advocate tirelessly on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in New York City, don’t face it alone. Contact Shulman & Hill today to schedule your free consultation and start your journey toward justice, accountability, and compensation.
Why Choose Our New York City Truck Accident Lawyers to Handle Your Case?
Shulman & Hill is a full-service personal injury law firm among the best in New York City. We are dedicated to helping injury victims throughout the five boroughs secure full and fair compensation when injured at little to no fault of their own. We get tremendous satisfaction from helping our clients navigate the legal system in their hour of need.
We are committed to providing the highest quality legal services possible to each and every client who walks through our doors. We support them every step of the way toward accountability and compensation. When you work with our firm, you can count on us to be there to address your questions and concerns—we will never leave you in the dark. Our multilingual staff ensures that we can help as many members of our community as possible.
At the end of the day, our clients want results. We provide them. Our law firm has a strong track record of securing high-value settlements and verdicts for injury victims like yourself. For example, we secured:
- $1,500,000 for a bus driver who sustained back, neck, and shoulder injuries when her bus was rear-ended.
- $1,350,000 for a client who suffered collarbone and spinal injuries in a head-on collision.
- $1,000,000 for a client who sustained a traumatic brain injury when his head hit the steering wheel in a T-bone collision.
Founding partner Alex Shulman has been listed as a New York Super Lawyer since 2017, an honor bestowed on only 5 percent of attorneys in each state. He has also been listed as a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, an exclusive honor reserved for the nation’s top advocates.
We are extremely proud of the high-caliber legal team we have recruited under his leadership. You can count on our seasoned personal injury attorneys to handle your case with the utmost professionalism, care, and attention it deserves.
New York City Truck Accident Statistics
Unfortunately, truck accidents in New York City are common. In December of 2023 alone, there were 536 collisions involving large commercial vehicles (6 or more tires), 71 involving small commercial vehicles (4 tires), and 408 involving pick-up trucks. Because of their disproportionate size and weight, accidents involving commercial trucks are more likely to cause serious injury or death than collisions involving only smaller vehicles.
Available Damages in New York City Truck Accident Cases
In commercial truck accidents, victims may be entitled to various types of damages, depending on the specifics of the case and the extent of their injuries and losses. The following are some of the common damages that may be available:
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
- Medical Expenses – Covers the cost of past and future medical treatment related to the accident, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, medical equipment, and ongoing physical therapy.
- Lost Wages – Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work following the accident. This also includes lost earning capacity if the victim is unable to return to work in the same capacity as before the accident.
- Pain and Suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress endured as a result of the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life – Compensation for the loss of enjoyment in day-to-day activities and hobbies that the victim can no longer partake in due to the injuries sustained.
- Disfigurement and Physical Impairment – Compensation for scarring, disfigurement, or long-term physical impairment resulting from the accident.
- Loss of Consortium – Compensation awarded to the spouse or family members for the loss of companionship, affection, and support due to the victim’s injuries.
- Property Damage – This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Wrongful Death Damages – If the accident resulted in a fatality, the personal representative of the decedent may be able to claim damages through a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of surviving family members.
- Punitive Damages – In cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly reckless or egregious, punitive damages may be awarded as a way to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Working with a commercial truck accident lawyer is crucial to ensure that all potential damages are properly evaluated and pursued. The truck accident attorneys at Shulman & Hill will leave no stone unturned as we investigate the compensation available in your case.
How Much Does a New York City Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Shulman & Hill, we believe all personal injury victims deserve access to high-quality legal representation. That is why we work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Again, we also provide no-obligation consultations to potential clients. During your initial call, we will make sure you know your full legal rights and options at no cost to you.
Regulations for Truck Drivers in New York City
Large trucks driving through the streets of New York present unique dangers to other road users. That is why there are strict laws and regulations governing how commercial truck drivers may operate their vehicles within the city. These include:
- Specified Truck Routes – All commercial trucks in New York City must use Local and Through Truck Routes until they reach the nearest exit to their destination.
- Size and Weight Limits – The NYC DOT also sets height, width, length, and weight limits for single-unit trucks and big rigs. Drivers of trucks exceeding these limits must obtain a daily over-dimensional vehicle permit for each trip.
- Parking regulations – Commercial trucks cannot be parked on the street for more than three hours.
- Hazardous Materials – Trucks carrying hazardous materials within New York City must follow the regulations in the Hazardous Material Manual.
Other regulations require commercial driver licensing, maintenance record logs, adherence to federal hours-of-service regulations, regular inspections, compliance with safe-loading practices, and obtaining minimum insurance coverage. Failure to comply with trucking laws and regulations exposes truck drivers and their employers to liability.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in New York City
Commercial truck accidents can occur due to a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Driver Fatigue – Long hours behind the wheel can lead to exhaustion, affecting the driver’s reaction time and judgment.
- Distracted Driving – This includes using mobile devices, eating, or any other activity that diverts attention from the road.
- Impaired Driving – Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications can also impair a driver’s reaction time and judgment.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving – Exceeding speed limits or driving aggressively increases the risk of accidents.
- Tailgating – Not maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles can lead to rear-end collisions, especially since trucks require more stopping distance.
- Blind Spots – Trucks have larger blind spots than regular vehicles, making it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles around them.
- Pressure from Employers – Sometimes drivers are under pressure to meet tight delivery schedules, leading them to take risks like speeding or skipping required rest breaks.
- Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers – Drivers who lack experience or are not properly qualified to operate commercial trucks pose a higher risk of accidents. Insufficient training can also leave drivers unprepared to handle large commercial trucks safely.
- Improper Loading – Improperly secured or unbalanced loads can cause a truck to become unstable or cargo to fall off.
- Malfunction and Poor Maintenance – Failure to maintain brakes, tires, lights, and other critical components can lead to malfunctions and accidents. Malfunctions such as brake failures or tire blowouts can lead to loss of control.
- Weather and Road Conditions – Rain, snow, ice, fog, and other weather conditions can reduce visibility and road traction. Potholes, lack of signage, poor road design, and construction zones can contribute to accidents.
No matter the cause of your accident, our New York City truck accident lawyers have the skills and experience needed to handle your case from start to finish. We are standing by to provide the high-quality, individualized legal representation you need.
How Shulman & Hill Can Help With Your Truck Accident Case
No personal injury claim is the same, and each should be handled on a case-by-case basis by a qualified injury attorney. Our New York City truck accident lawyers provide personalized legal strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of each case. If you choose to work with our firm, we will:
- Make sure you know your full legal rights and options.
- Conduct a thorough, independent investigation of your truck accident.
- Identify all potential sources of liability.
- Investigate the governing law and regulations.
- Gather all evidence available in your case.
- Calculate the full and fair compensation you are entitled to.
- Aggressively negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party and their insurers.
- Take your case to court if a fair out-of-court settlement cannot be reached.
- Provide excellent legal representation, keeping you informed throughout the life of your case.
Proving Liability in a New York City Truck Accident Case
One reason truck accident lawsuits tend to be more complex than most other auto accident lawsuits is that they feature a longer list of potential at-fault parties. Our truck accident attorney will take a close look at the facts of your case to determine who may be liable for your injuries and losses. Potential defendants in truck accident cases include:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- The owner of the truck
- Cargo loaders and shippers
- Truck manufacturers
- Parts manufacturers
- Maintenance providers
- Other drivers
- Government entities or contractors
Most personal injury lawsuits, including those involving truck accidents, are based on a negligence theory of liability. This route requires proving that the defendant harmed you by breaching their duty to take reasonable care while driving.
However, this is not the only legal route toward compensation. For example, truck accident cases involving defective parts may involve product liability, and those involving workplace injuries may not require proving liability at all.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for New York Truck Accidents?
Normally, you have three years from the date time of an accident to file a truck accident lawsuit against an at-fault party in New York. Further, remember that if one of the parties you are suing is a government entity, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident.
Failure to file your case before these deadlines pass will seriously compromise your right to compensation. Contact our experienced truck accident attorneys as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss them.
Shulman & Hill Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
Shulman & Hill is committed to defending the legal rights of injury victims throughout the five boroughs. If you were injured in a truck accident, our New York City truck accident lawyers are ready to listen to your story and build the strongest claim possible on your behalf. Schedule your free consultation today by calling (212) 221-1000 or filling out our online contact form.