New York & Long Island Truck Accident Attorney

Offices in Flushing, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, New York City, Garden City & Nassau County, NY

Thousands of high-speed, high impact truck accidents occur every year and many result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. The size, weight and momentum of large trucks make them formidable vehicles during a collision. Other common names for large trucks are 18-wheelers, semi-trucks and big rigs.

In addition to dealing with pain and suffering, many accident victims face financial challenges. Covering the cost of hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation and lost income can be difficult.

These hardships are difficult enough to face, but what truck accident victims often do not realize is that trucking companies have protocols in place to deal with truck accidents and protect their interests. Their insurance companies use private investigators and have legal teams standing by to devise effective strategies that protect their rights. Inevitably, their objective is to pay the least amount of compensation possible to injured parties.

Experienced truck accident lawyers with the wherewithal to take on large insurance companies are essential for leveling the playing field. They are your main recourse for receiving the compensation you need to offset bills and that you are entitled to receive by law.

Truck Accident Statistics

The most vulnerable parties in a truck crash are passengers in other vehicles. Large trucks typically weigh 20 to 30 times the weight of a passenger car.

At the end of 2016, nearly 4,000 people across the nation died in crashes with large trucks. FARS reported the following statistics for 2016 truck accident fatalities:

• 66 percent of truck accident fatalities were passengers in cars
• 17 percent of truck accident fatalities were truck occupants
• 16 percent of truck accident fatalities were pedestrians and bicyclists

Trucking Is a Highly Regulated Industry

Due to the serious consequences of truck accidents, the federal government highly regulates the trucking industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has imposed extensive rules and regulations that trucking companies and drivers must abide by, and those caught in violation face hefty fines.

Some FMCSA regulations include:

• Maximum hours of consecutive service. This is the most violated FMCSA regulation. Many drivers exceed the consecutive hours limit to meet delivery demands. However, exceeding the hours of service can cause driver fatigue and lead to traffic accidents.
• Drug and alcohol testing. Drivers must undergo drug and alcohol testing and must keep records of testing that reveals BAC of .02 or higher, positive testing for controlled substances, and refusal-to-test documentation.
• Record keeping requirements. Truck drivers must log their driving hours electronically and on a regular basis.
• Driver qualifications. Truck drivers must have commercial licenses. Every year, a truck driver’s driving violations and driving records are under review. A medical examiner's certificate is also required for truck drivers and they must pass a physical examination to receive the certificate.
• Weight, size and route restrictions. Overloaded trucks are difficult for drivers to control and put vehicles on the road at risk. Certain roads restrict the size and weight of truck cargos and are not designed to bear loads that exceed the limit.
• Maintenance requirements for vehicles. Vehicles are subject to post-trip inspection reports and periodic inspections.

Establishing Negligence in a Truck Accident Case

When a truck accident occurs as a result of FSMCA violations or other negligence on the part of a driver or trucking company, our investigative team and accident reconstruction specialists will gather evidence to support your claim. Logs, driving records and electronic information often point to negligence, which we can use to devise an effective case strategy and negotiate a fair settlement or, if necessary, take your case to trial.

Consult with Skilled New York Truck Accident Lawyers for Legal Help

Find out how our experienced attorneys can help you obtain the compensation that you deserve. At Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP, we offer a free consultation where we will discuss your injury and the prospects of pursuing a case, and you are under no obligation to use our firm. Because we handle cases on a contingency fee basis, there is no out-of-pocket expense involved.

Our experience can make a significant difference in the outcome of a case.

Call us toll free at 888.519.6400, or contact us in Garden City at 516.248.2234, or in Flushing-Queens, Brooklyn or the Bronx at 718.539.3100. You can also fill in our contact form, and we will get in touch with you.