Large trucks and similar vehicles play a crucial role in the economy of a big city like New York. However, it is important to understand that the abundance of trucks on New York’s roads puts drivers at greater risk of being harmed in truck accidents.
If you have been injured in a New York City truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Review your case with a dedicated New York City truck accident lawyer at Shulman & Hill to learn more about your options.
What You Need to Know about New York City Truck Accidents
Statistics indicate that it is not uncommon for New York City auto accidents to involve large trucks or other commercial vehicles. Unfortunately, while any type of auto accident could severely injure or claim the lives of those involved, your chances of being seriously hurt are often greater in a truck accident.
It is easy to understand why. Generally speaking, the larger the vehicle, the greater potential it has to cause harm. If you are injured in a New York City truck accident, you may be left with injuries that require costly medical treatment. They may even be significant enough to temporarily or permanently prevent you from working. If you cannot work, your financial burden can become even greater than it already is.
Additionally, a New York City truck accident can have consequences that are not strictly financial. These consequences include emotional trauma, pain, diminished quality of life, or even the inability to fulfill your role as a spouse or parent.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your accident, it may be worth seeking legal counsel. Our New York City truck accident lawyers can view your case from various perspectives and determine if it is worth seeking compensation from any negligent parties that may have been involved.
Causes of New York City Truck Accidents
New York City truck accidents have many potential causes. They include the following:
- Driver error or misjudgment. Although trucking companies should strive to only hire drivers with the proper qualifications, large trucks are more difficult to operate than other vehicles. Sometimes even minor errors can result in a driver losing control of their truck.
- Intoxicated driving.
- A truck driver driving while sleep-deprived. According to reports, truck drivers often drive when they have not gotten enough sleep because they feel pressured to make deliveries on time. Unfortunately, many do not realize that medical experts consider sleep-deprived driving to be nearly as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.
- Vehicle defects.
- Hazardous road conditions
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Distracted driving. This is a problem that may be on the rise as a result of the widespread use of smartphones in recent years.
These examples highlight an important point: hiring a personal injury lawyer in New York City after a truck accident can help you more accurately determine who may be responsible for compensating you. It is not always immediately clear who that may be.
Determining Who to Pursue Compensation from After a New York City Truck Accident
Pursuing compensation after a New York City truck accident typically involves filing a claim against the negligent party’s insurance. Often, that means filing a claim against the insurance of a trucking company.
The trucking company is not necessarily always the negligent party in these circumstances. For instance, perhaps your accident was the result of a vehicle defect. As long as the company otherwise adhered to proper maintenance procedures, the negligent party may be the designers or manufacturers who overlooked the defect.
New York City truck accidents may also occur when roads have not been maintained. In these accidents, the government agency responsible for maintenance may be the negligent party may be required to provide compensation after your accident.
How a New York City Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
Accurately identifying the party whose negligence caused your accident may require conducting a thorough investigation. Doing so involves leveraging resources you likely do not have access to.
Luckily, at our truck accident law firm in New York City, we likely have access to these resources. We can carefully investigate your accident to correctly identify any and all negligent parties.
We can also help you calculate precisely how much compensation you may be entitled to given the extent of your losses and injuries. Regardless of who the negligent party may be, some insurers may try to pay you as little as possible. Insurance companies tend to prioritize their own financial interests when truck accident victims file claims. Although their initial offers may cover your immediate losses and damages, your long-term health and well-being may be overlooked.
This is another reason why seeking representation from our skilled New York City truck accident attorneys can help. We can present evidence showing:
- Someone else’s negligence caused your accident
- Your own negligence did not contribute to the accident occurring
- The extent of your losses and struggles resulting from the accident justifies the amount of compensation you are seeking
It may also worth noting that the claims process can be lengthy and often involves various administrative steps and tasks. If you work with an insurance company directly, these tasks can fall entirely on your shoulders. As you recover from your injuries, tracking down medical records, police reports, and other evidence can be extremely taxing.
Why Choose Shulman & Hill?
At Shulman & Hill, we take on truck accident cases with great consistency. Choosing experienced and talented attorneys can play a critical role in determining whether you collect the compensation you seek. Many attorneys will claim to deliver results, but not all will actually make good on their promises.
After accidents, medical bills tend to pile up. We understand that your financial situation may take a hit as a result. With that in mind, Shulman & Hill operates on a contingency model. This model essentially allows us to assess the validity of your case. If we choose to accept, we will not charge you a cent unless we win. Schedule a free consultation today.