Many trucking accidents involve serious personal injuries due to the significant size and weight of commercial trucks. Truck accident victims may not know how to receive compensation from the party or company that was responsible for the accident.
If you were injured in a big-rig accident, the experienced NYC truck accident attorneys at Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. PC can help you. We can explain your legal rights and pursue maximum compensation for the injuries that you may have sustained. We can explain the types of damages that you may be eligible to receive and how we will pursue the appropriate compensation on your behalf.
Types of Damages
Economic Damages
Economic damages are damages that are related to a specific economic loss. For example, if you were injured in the accident, you will need medical treatment, which creates medical bills that you will be responsible for if not covered by New York no-fault insurance.
You may also be entitled to lost wages as a result of your trucking accident for the time you missed at work because of your medical treatment, to the extent you do not receive all of your lost wages through no-fault.
Economic damages can be related to the size of the truck in the accident. The bigger the 18-wheeler, the more serious your injuries may be. This may increase the cost of your medical treatment.
The type of truck, along with the weight and distribution of its cargo can also have an impact on your damages. Common trucks include:
- Transporter trucks –These vehicles are too large to be used on the highway without a special permit. They are often sometimes referred to as haul trucks.
- Heavy trucks –Heavy trucks can weigh up to 33,000 pounds. They include garbage trucks, cement mixers and refrigerator trucks.
- Medium trucks –These trucks weigh between 14,001 and 26,000 pounds. They include box trucks, platform trucks, fire engines and ladders, camper vans and motor homes.
- Light trucks – Light trucks weigh up to 14,000 pounds.
Oiler Tankers
Fuel and Oil tankers carry liquefied loads, including fuel, natural gas and oil. These types of trucks can be very dangerous on the roadway due to their combustible nature and if involved in an accident, can catch on fire quickly.
An accident involving these types of trucks can result in explosions and fires, leading to potentially catastrophic injuries or fatalities. The damages a victim can recover from an oil tanker truck accident can be very significant because of the severity of damage they may cause.
Non-Economic Damages
A trucking accident victim may also be entitled to non-economic damages, which include compensation for the pain and suffering that you endured that cannot be easily quantified in terms of money. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost companionship
The value of these damages will depend significantly on the type of evidence you are able to provide, such as a personal diary memorializing your pain and suffering; medical records, and testimony from doctors and medical experts about the non-economic effects that your injuries have had on your everyday life.
How Can a NYC Trucking Accident Lawyer Help?
If you or a loved one was injured in a trucking accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. The experienced NYC trucking accident lawyers at Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. PC are knowledgeable about all aspects of these types of accidents.
We will investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and see if the trucker or trucking company was violating a state or federal trucking regulation at the time of the accident. We can review evidence to see if the at-fault party violated log-book keeping rules, hours of service regulations and more.
Our attorneys can fight for your right to maximum compensation, and we can discuss your legal options during a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation. Call 212-240-9465 now!