Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If a serious crash with a semi or delivery truck disrupted your life, you need clear answers and steady guidance. Our truck accident lawyer in Orangetown helps injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and families after collisions with tractor-trailers, box trucks, dump trucks, and other commercial vehicles.
Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers represents people hurt in Orangetown and throughout Rockland County. Our Orangetown personal injury lawyer handles claims involving jackknife and underride crashes, rollovers, wide-turn collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, and wrongful death.
Our team also addresses insurance disputes and claims against trucking companies and their insurers.
What To Do Right After an Orangetown Truck Collision
Quick steps can help protect both your health and your claim. If you can safely do so, consider taking the following actions:
- Seek medical care promptly and follow treatment recommendations.
- Report the crash to the police and request the report number.
- Photograph vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and visible injuries.
- Gather names, phone numbers, and insurance details for drivers and witnesses.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers before speaking with legal counsel.
- Contact a truck accident attorney in Orangetown to help preserve evidence and manage communications.
Our team brings extensive experience and local knowledge to each case. We have over 200 years of combined experience handling cases like yours.
Common Causes of Truck Crashes
Truck crashes often involve preventable factors related to driver behavior and safety practices. Fatigue, speeding, and unsafe lane changes are common contributing issues. Because large trucks require greater stopping distances, these risks can increase the likelihood of serious collisions.
Mechanical problems and inadequate maintenance may also play a role. Brake issues, worn tires, and other equipment failures can affect vehicle control. In some situations, trucking companies or maintenance providers may share responsibility if inspections or repairs were not properly handled.
Other crashes may involve improperly secured cargo, distracted driving, or insufficient driver training. When cargo shifts or a truck is overloaded, stability can be affected.
New York Truck Accident Laws, Insurance, and Deadlines
New York follows a no-fault insurance system. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) typically covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages after a crash, regardless of fault.
If injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, an injured person may pursue a claim against the at-fault party for additional damages, including pain and suffering.
Most personal injury claims in New York must generally be filed within three years from the date of the accident. Wrongful death claims are typically subject to a two-year deadline from the date of death.
Claims involving public entities may require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
New York applies a pure comparative negligence standard, which means compensation may be reduced based on a person’s share of fault, but recovery may still be available even if partial responsibility is assigned.
Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Orangetown Can Help Prove Fault and Preserve Evidence
Truck cases often require prompt and thorough investigation. We work to obtain relevant evidence, such as:
- Police reports and 911 records
- Witness statements
- Event data recorder (black box) data
- Dashcam and surveillance footage
- Maintenance and inspection records
Acting quickly can be important because some evidence may only be retained for a limited time.
We also review driver logs, company policies, and cargo records to assess whether federal safety regulations were followed and whether any violations may have contributed to the crash.
Parties Who May Be Liable in a Truck Wreck
Responsibility in a truck accident may extend beyond the driver. Depending on the circumstances, potentially liable parties may include:
- The trucking company
- The truck owner or leasing entity
- Cargo loaders or shipping companies
- Maintenance providers
- Manufacturers of defective parts
- Government entities responsible for roadway conditions
Truck accident cases may involve multiple parties and insurance policies. Identifying all potentially responsible parties can affect the scope of recovery.
Damages You Can Seek After a Truck Accident
In some cases, injured individuals may seek compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses and future treatment needs
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage and related costs
If injuries meet the legal threshold, non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In fatal cases, families may pursue wrongful death and survival claims, which can include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for the decedent’s conscious pain and suffering. Shulman & Hill has recovered over $1 billion for clients across New York.
Our Process for Truck Accident Claims
We begin with a detailed review of your situation, including medical needs, insurance coverage, and liability considerations. We then take steps to preserve evidence and request relevant records.
We manage communications with insurers and pursue resolution through negotiation where appropriate. If necessary, we may file a lawsuit in the appropriate New York court.
Throughout the process, we provide updates and explain available options. Our fees are contingency-based, meaning attorney’s fees are only collected if compensation is recovered.
Talk to Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Orangetown Today
If you were injured in a truck accident in Orangetown or anywhere in Rockland County, you may have options to pursue compensation.
Our Orangetown truck accident attorneys at Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers can review your situation, help preserve evidence, and address insurance issues while you focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation and next steps.