New York City Truck Accident Lawyer
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Content reviewed by: Alex Shulman
- Last updated: Dec. 09, 2024
Commercial truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that last a lifetime. These accidents are often more devastating than other auto accidents due to the massive size and weight of commercial trucks. Trucking companies owe the public a duty to train their drivers, maintain their vehicles, and follow federal and state safety regulations.
When you are injured because of a truck driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Our experienced New York City truck accident lawyers are dedicated to helping you navigate the unique challenges present in cases against large trucking corporations.
If you or your loved one has been injured in a truck accident in New York City, contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Why Choose Our New York City Truck Accident Lawyers to Handle Your Case?
We are a full-service personal injury law firm with decades of combined experience and over $500 million in successful case results. Our dedicated New York truck accident attorneys redefine the level of service you would expect from a law firm by ensuring open communication, attention to detail, compassionate client service, and vigorous representation.
Trucking companies are powerful corporations that fight hard to avoid paying legitimate claims for compensation. Don’t worry—our leading New York law firm has the skills, resources, and experience to push back and defend your rights, providing excellent legal services at no upfront costs to you.
With Shulman & Hill on your side, you will have the upper hand. We care about our clients and will build the strongest case possible to secure the compensation you deserve. We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
We are dedicated to helping injury victims in their hour of need. Our multilingual staff serves all of New York City. Headquartered in Manhattan, we have conveniently located offices in all five boroughs and Long Island.
We are one of the few law firms in NYC that handles both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims in-house. If your truck accident occurred while you were at work, we can help you file a workers’ compensation claim.
Our Proven Record of Results
We consistently win outstanding case results in car and truck accident cases. Our skilled attorneys know the law and do not back down when trucking companies refuse to pay full and fair compensation. These are just a few results our award-winning New York City car accident lawyers have obtained for our deserving clients:
- $1.5 million for a client injured in a rear-end accident.
- $1.35 million for a client injured in a head-on collision.
- $1.1 million for an Uber driver rear-ended by a commercial vehicle.
- $1 million for a driver struck by another vehicle at a red light.
- $1 million for a driver injured in a T-bone accident.
- $1 million for a client who was rear-ended by a Verizon truck.
- $650,000 for an injured taxi driver who was struck by a truck.
- $625,000 for a delivery driver struck by a commercial bus.
Hear From Our Manhattan Clients:
Available Damages in New York City Truck Accident Cases
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
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:
- 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.
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.
How Shulman & Hill Can Help With Your Truck Accident Case
When medical bills pile up but your injuries keep you from working, you need compensation as soon as possible. Insurance companies take advantage of this urgency by making premature offers. These are almost always lowball offers that fall short of covering your full injuries and losses. If you accept, you will not be able to pursue additional compensation later.
Rather than accepting an easy, undervalued settlement, our attorneys will stand by you for as long as it takes to recover full compensation to cover your lifetime losses, including lingering effects that are difficult to anticipate soon after the accident. We can help you receive coverage quickly through no-fault PIP insurance while we fight for additional compensation from the trucking company’s liability insurance. We will also help you receive the necessary medical testing to anticipate the long-term effects of your injuries and prove them in court.
Truck accident cases are complex due to multiple layers of liability and regulations surrounding truck driving. However, no case is too difficult for our award-winning truck collision lawyers. We are not afraid to tackle even the most legally complex cases against the most combative defendants, including truck accident cases. Whether your accident occurred while working, crossing town in a rideshare, or simply going to the grocery store, we are here to help.
We've had a number of cases, a number of instances through the years where insurance companies have approached unrepresented clients, offering them relatively small amounts of money—$1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000—to sign releases and forego pursuing claims. To me, that is the biggest mistake an individual can make. We've encountered cases where we successfully argued before judges that these releases were signed either under duress or without proper understanding. Language barriers or other issues may contribute to this lack of comprehension. These instances highlight the challenges individuals face when dealing with accidents and seeking proper compensation.
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.
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.
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.