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Individuals injured in trucking accidents in New York often suffer from more serious injuries than those involved in a typical fender bender. This is due to the sheer size and strength of commercial vehicles. Our experienced New York truck accident attorneys investigate these accidents quickly and thoroughly and provide aggressive representation of our clients.
Our White Plains personal injury attorneys have represented victims of trucking accidents caused by many different kinds of commercial vehicles, including tractor-trailers, construction trucks, delivery trucks, municipal buses, garbage trucks, and school buses.
Unfortunately, over the past few years, the trucking industry has lobbied for the right to have their drivers on the road for long stretches of time. While the purpose of the measure is to increase efficiency in the commercial business world, one of the consequences of such deregulation has been an increase in accidents caused
Commercial trucking is critical to the state economy. The majority of New York communities rely solely on trucks to move their goods, which is why there are an estimated 40,000 trucking companies across the state. The pandemic triggered a major increase in online shopping, which has put even more trucks on New York roads and highways over the past couple of years.
Although they play a vital role, tractor-trailers, big rigs, and delivery trucks are like any other motor vehicle in that they can cause accidents. When fully loaded, they can weigh upwards of 40 tons, and when they crash into a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, cyclist, or pedestrian, the results can be catastrophic.
At the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC, we understand that a truck accident is a traumatic experience. Over the years, we have helped countless victims file personal injury claims, maximize compensation, and seek justice for their injuries. Our extensive and successful track record speaks for itself. If you’ve been injured in a preventable trucking accident, contact us to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers.
How Our New York Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You
The Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC has helped several clients recover the damages they need to rebuild their lives after a major truck accident. When you work with our truck accident lawyers, you can count on the following:
- Thorough Case Investigation: You can trust us to thoroughly evaluate each aspect of your case and determine the best course of action. In addition, we will gather medical records, CCTV footage, police documentation, and any other evidence relevant to your case.
- Assertive Negotiation: The truck accident attorneys at our firm are skilled negotiators. We have experience negotiating with large insurance companies and will settle for nothing less than full and fair compensation.
- Legal Representation and Advocacy: The majority of truck accident cases are resolved without going to court, but some claims do make it to trial. We have a successful track record of representing plaintiffs in New York personal injury cases. If your case goes to court, we will litigate aggressively for the compensation you deserve.
Truck Accident Statistics in New York
The New York Institute for Traffic Safety has published crash statistics showing the frequency of large truck accidents in the state between 2016 and 2020.
| Year | Number of Injury Crashes | Number of Fatal Crashes |
| 2020 | 2,958 | 76 |
| 2019 | 4,275 | 80 |
| 2018 | 4,202 | 70 |
| 2017 | 4,096 | 93 |
| 2016 | 3,860 | 90 |
The data also shows that:
- 90% of large truck fatal and personal injury crashes during this time period occurred on a weekday; 78% occurred between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Fatal and injury-causing crashes involving large trucks were more likely to involve multiple vehicles (85%) than crashes involving other motor vehicles (68%).
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in New York
A truck accident can occur for several reasons. Some factors are external (weather, road defects, truck condition, etc.), while others are driver-related (speeding, drunk or distracted driving, driver fatigue). Here are some of the most commonly documented factors in the New York truck crashes:
- Driver Fatigue: Fatigue significantly reduces a driver’s attention span and reaction time, which is why it is a leading cause of truck accidents. Unfortunately, not all trucking companies comply with hours-of-service regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
- Reckless Driving and Speeding: Often, truck accidents are caused by overspeeding and improper lane changes. In 2019, over 20% of large truck drivers involved in fatal accidents had at least one speeding conviction.
- Drug and Alcohol Use: Commercial truck drivers are not allowed to drive when their blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds .04%. When intoxicated, they put themselves and other motorists at higher risk of severe injuries and fatalities.
- Employer Pressure: Employers often pressure truck drivers to deliver shipments on time. As a result of this pressure, drivers may drive recklessly, ignore speed limits, and even skip breaks to meet deadlines.
- Vehicle Malfunction: When a critical part of a truck fails, the result can be catastrophic. Poor vehicle maintenance is often to blame for these malfunctions. A trucking company must ensure that its vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained, but some businesses cut corners to save money.
- Poor Cargo Loading: Poor cargo loading can lead to cargo falling into the roadway at high speeds, or even the entire truck tipping over. Sometimes the driver loads the cargo, but sometimes a trucking company or a third party is responsible.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in New York
You should put safety first after surviving a catastrophic truck accident. Call 911 and ask them to send the police and an ambulance. If you have visible injuries, do not exit the vehicle; stay calm and wait for emergency services to arrive. While waiting, take the following steps (ask a witness for help if you can’t move):
- Gather Evidence: Using your smartphone, take pictures and video of the accident scene. Be sure to capture the vehicles, road debris, and anything that might have contributed to the accident, such as an obscured stop sign or malfunctioning traffic light.
- Exchange Information: Collect contact and insurance information from the truck driver and any other motorists involved in the accident. Limit all conversations to the information exchange and don’t discuss fault. If any party is uncooperative, the police can obtain the information for you.
- Request a Copy of the Police Report: When the police arrive, they will complete a report detailing the circumstances of the accident. Get the name and badge number of the officer who made the report so you can request a copy later.
- Get Witness Information: If anyone saw the accident, get their name and contact information. Witness statements can serve as a strong piece of evidence in a personal injury claim.
- Seek Medical Attention: Go to the hospital in an ambulance. Even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt, see your doctor or go to the emergency room to be checked out, as some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. You need medical documentation of any injuries for your personal injury claim.
- Call a Truck Accident Lawyer: A truck accident lawyer is key to getting the medical care and financial recovery you need. An experienced attorney will assign an accurate value to your claim, handle all negotiations with the insurer and, if necessary, take your case to court to get the best outcome.
FAQS
Why Should I Hire a New York Truck Accident Lawyer?
A truck crash is not like a regular motor vehicle accident. These accidents are often more catastrophic, deadly, and complicated than accidents involving passenger vehicles. In addition to the truck driver and victim, a claim may involve the driver’s employer, the trucking company, and/or even the truck manufacturer. There also tend to be more complex state and even federal laws involved.
When you hire a trucking accident lawyer, you benefit from the following:
Experience-Based Representation: The chances of a successful outcome are higher when you work with attorneys who have experience with semi-truck accidents.
Sound Legal Strategy: An effective legal strategy is crucial to winning a personal injury
case. If you are involved in a truck accident, you will benefit from hiring a skilled lawyer who can help you devise an effective legal strategy.
Diligent Case Management: When you’re coping with the aftermath of a life-threatening injury, handling the legal requirements of a claim can be difficult if not impossible. A truck accident attorney can prepare and pursue your claim while you focus on making a full recovery.
Our team at the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC is dedicated to uncovering the truth about your truck accident. As we secure information and evidence, we aim to ensure your financial future.
What is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
Every truck accident case is unique, so there is no average settlement amount. Depending on the nature of your injuries and other losses, you may be able to claim compensation for both economic and non-economic damages such as:
Medical bills
Ongoing medical expenses
Income loss
Diminished earning ability
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium (if you were married)
Reduced quality of life
With some truck accident claims, punitive damages may be awarded if the driver, their employer, or any other party in the lawsuit behaved in an especially reckless or negligent manner. Your truck accident lawyer will work with your healthcare providers, vocational experts, and other professionals to value your claim and ensure that the outcome meets your current and ongoing needs.
Our team at the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC is dedicated to uncovering the truth about your truck accident. As we secure information and evidence, we aim to ensure your financial future.
Get a Free Consultation With A Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC has the experience and skills to identify all responsible parties and secure vital evidence. Our truck accident lawyers investigate accidents thoroughly, prepare every case as if it were going to trial, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf to obtain the full compensation you deserve.
To schedule your free consultation with one of our White Plains personal injury lawyers, contact us today. We serve clients throughout the Bronx, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Nassau, and Suffolk.
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