New York City Truck Accident Lawyer

Stats show that there are over eleven million (11,000,000) trucks operating across the United States and some have overworked drivers behind the wheel. In 2016 alone, there were 475,000 large truck accidents with human error accounting for about ninety percent (90%) of them. And while a study found that about a quarter of drivers had fallen asleep at the wheel, 50% of professional truck drivers have reported the same scenario.

With so many drivers travelling on highways to get to work each day, it takes just one overworked trucker for your life to change in a flash. After all, trucks weigh 20-30 times more than a typical car, which can significantly magnify the impact and consequences of a collision.

If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a long-haul truck, retaining the services of Michael J. Redenburg is a step in the right direction. Since these truck drivers are often times insured under policies of insurance of millions and more, then more than one party can be held liable for a driver’s negligence. Having a lawyer by your side to ensure your case is handled in the proper manner is vital. Identifying all of the various insurance can be difficult in trucking accidents as the truck and trailer may be insured by different carriers, with either or both possibly both being held accountable.

The Process

1. Documentation

First, we will compile records related to your claim, including medical records, medical bills, insurance policy information and witness statements.

These documents will help us understand the extent of your injury and prepare your case for trial if a settlement is not possible.

2. Investigation

We will investigate your accident in detail and gather the necessary evidence. We may send an investigator to the scene of the accident to collect evidence.

We will look to have preserved, dashcam footage, security camera footage and more to increase the value of your case.

3. Negotiation

We will negotiate with the defense attorney, in good faith, to help get you the compensation you’re entitled to, if this can be done without the need for trial. But we will go the distance to trial if necessary.

Reviews

Claims Adjuster

Your client should be grateful she had an attorney who was both aggressive, but patient and professional, this claim could have easily been delayed another few months or blown up into something it did not need to be – some attorneys would have taken just the underlying big policy and walked away to get the money quicker, some would have told me just get me what you can, some would have insulted me and created a wall between the 2 sides – instead you patiently explained the case to me, and you helped me every step of the way with what I needed to get the [policy limit].

FAQs

What to Do Following a Truck Accident?

The amount of uncertainty after a truck accident can be significant. You’ll want to make sure the police and any necessary emergency workers are called immediately to the scene for immediate medical attention.

Officers will generally compile notes, statements from all the parties involved in the incident and any witnesses. They may take photos as part of their report. If possible, you will also want to document as much as you can, including witnesses’ names, phone numbers and addresses.

If you have a smartphone, try to take as many pictures as possible of the damage to your vehicle and any injuries you and any other passengers sustained.

What Are the Major Causes of Trucking Crashes?

• Driver Error – Despite the size and impact of truck accidents, truckers often drive in a reckless manner. They may drive drowsy to reach certain mileage goals set by their employers and may be operating their rigs while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or while distracted by something else.
• Poorly Maintained Trucks – Trucks can be driven thousands of miles per week and if they are not properly serviced, they can become dangerous fast. While worn brake pads or a cracked windshield must be dealt with if they occur on smaller vehicles, they can be the cause of a major traffic accident on a truck.
• Equipment Failure – Defective parts on a truck may not be the fault of the driver, but they can turn deadly. We will be able to tell if a trucking company or manufacturer may be liable for your accident in addition to the truck driver in certain circumstances.
• Improperly Loaded Cargo – Loading the beds of big-rigs must be done carefully and in accordance with the law. If they’re loaded improperly, the items within the truck may spill out onto the roadway and cause pile-ups.

How Truck Accidents Are Different From Car Accidents

Commercial 18-wheelers can weigh up to 80,000, 20x the weight of regular automobiles. Notwithstanding regulations in effect to ensure truckers don’t drive more than ten hours a day, all too often they’re given financial incentives to travel far distances at a great rate of speed.

• Bigger Insurance Policies – Truckers’ policies are usually significantly larger than standard auto policies. This often means that the insurance coverage for these truckers is in the millions, so you can bet that the different insurance carriers named in a lawsuit will do everything they can to show they’re not liable. Seasoned insurance adjusters will be retained to try to call in to question the value of your case.
• Increased Property Damage – The sheer weight and size of a big-rig commercial truck is much greater than that of a typical auto.
• More Serious Injuries – Additionally, the injuries that are common in auto crashes are also far more severe and may comprise of intensive medical care and large medical bills.

Who Is Responsible for My Truck Accident?

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, there are a number of parties who may be liable for your losses. It is not uncommon for these parties to deny fault or liability for a crash. The liable parties can include the following:

• Truck driver
• Truck company
• Owner of the truck
• Company leasing the truck
• Company leasing the trailer
• Shipper who wanted the load transported
• Truck, trailer or parts manufacturer

Injuries sustained in truck accidents can be severe, including brain injury, spinal injuries requiring surgery, disfigurement, burns, broken bones, lacerations, paralysis, or even death.

We are ready to help anyone injured in a trucking crash. Call 212-240-9465. We do not take any money up-front for trucking accident cases and we only get paid if we win! That’s our no win- no fee promise to you!