Truck accidents tend to have some of the most unfortunate consequences. The chances of severe injury and death are very high, thanks to the sheer size of the rigs. Therefore, taking any impact from them can be hugely problematic.
When someone is a victim of a truck accident, they will often find themselves lost and wondering what to do.
They may be afflicted by physical pain while losing out on wages from not working. Of course, there is also the mental anguish that comes with being forced to adapt to a substandard quality of life.
Thankfully, there are seasoned truck accident attorneys in New York who have been helping victims in their time of need. Below is a look at how to hire the best car accident lawyer in NY and navigating the claim process.
Understanding Truck Accidents in NY
What are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in NY?
Truck accidents come in many different forms. Similarly, the circumstances that lead up to them can vary greatly. While there are many reasons that such a crash may happen, here are some of the most likely:
Driver fatigue
Reckless driving
Poor vehicle maintenance
Equipment failure
Inclement weather
Substandard road conditions
Distracted driving
Speeding
A good New York truck accident lawyer will take the time to understand the various happenings and where negligence may have had a part to play.
How Often Do Truck Accidents Occur in NY?
Many people assume that truck accidents are infrequent because they don't hear about them in their immediate circles very often. Consider these two points:
According to the NYPD, there were 6,751 truck accidents in New York City in 2023.
On average, 18.49 commercial truck accidents occur every day in NYC.
Not all of these crashes will lead to a claim, which sadly means that many victims end up dealing with the aftermath on their own.
What Are the Consequences of Truck Accidents in NY?
As indicated before, the circumstances surrounding truck accidents can be unique. The same can be said about the different negative impacts that they can have. Here are some of the typical unfortunate results:
Fatalities
Loss of limbs
Paralysis
Disfigurement
Brain injuries
Property damage
Financial losses
Emotional distress and trauma
Truck accident lawsuits are meant to allow victims an avenue to compensation for the damages they suffer.
Why a Truck Accident Attorney Is Essential
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help a Victim?
Personal injury lawyers can make a difference in the lives of victims of serious motor vehicle accidents. Our team can also advise on how to hire the best motorcycle accident attorney in NY. Here are some of the ways in which a good attorney can be helpful:
Investigating the accident and gathering evidence
Determining fault and liability
Negotiating with insurance companies and defendants
Representing victims in court and advocating for their rights
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. On that note, the points listed here are not as simple as they may sound.
For example, a truck driver and the company to which they are employed could potentially not be liable for a collision. This may even be true in cases where the rig went through a red light and crashed into the victim.
A New York truck accident attorney would be responsible for identifying the relevant details, which may indicate that the truck manufacturer ignored a braking system that was known to be faulty. Investigations may also reveal that the company and driver were unaware of the defect.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney?
The best truck accident lawyers in New York can handle the areas listed above masterfully. Doing so means that they are likely to provide the following benefits to their clients:
Higher settlement or verdict amounts
Reduced stress and anxiety
Expert guidance and support throughout the process
This is a good time to indicate that there are no guarantees. Engaging the right truck accident law firm in Long Island NY will all but guarantee the best possible outcome.
However, what that outcome is depends on the unique elements surrounding the matter.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Increase the Chances of Winning a Case?
A lawyer would be presumptuous if they said that any truck accident case is an automatic win for the victim.
However, there are actions that can be taken to make winning more likely. Some of these are as follows:
Speaking to the insurance company instead of having the victim directly do so
Vetting any social media releases from the affected party
Obtaining useful documentation
Making use of professional witness testimonies in a relevant field
Identifying inconsistencies in arguments presented by the defense
Advising the victim on actions to avoid that could be detrimental to the case.
Finding the Best Truck Accident Lawyer in NY
What Qualities Should a Truck Accident Lawyer Have?
A truck accident lawsuit is a delicate undertaking, which means that not every attorney is up to the task.
While legal professionals can be very beneficial, the victim must first identify the right one. Below is a look at some attributes to pay attention to.
Experience with Truck Accident Cases
Though there is nothing wrong with a new attorney attempting to make a name in the industry, experience tends to be more valuable than youth in the personal injury landscape.
A truck accident claim could be complex or layered, which means that a professional who knows applicable regulations, insurance company tricks, etc., is the order of the day.
On that note, ensure that there is relevant history. Not every personal injury case is the same.
Experienced truck accident lawyers will have more required niche knowledge than attorneys who probably focus more on slip-and-fall accidents.
Knowledge of NY Trucking Laws and Regulations
One of the benefits of working with an experienced truck accident attorney is the fact that there will be insight into governance. For example, drivers are not the only ones who have rules they must abide by.
A trucking company will be required to put measures in place to ensure that drivers are properly trained. Additionally, there are regulations that guide how heavy a rig can be as it moves cargo.
The best New York truck accident lawyers have an excellent grasp of:
Federal trucking regulations
State trucking policies
Knowledge of NY laws governing truck accidents
Strong Communication and Negotiation Skills
Any personal injury lawyer will have a lot of talking to do if the requirements of the job are to be met. It stands to reason then that mastery of discourse is non-negotiable. Truck crash attorneys will need to have the following:
Ability to communicate effectively with clients and defendants
Strong negotiation skills to secure fair settlements
Ability to advocate for clients in court
Victims can usually secure a free consultation with truck accident law firms before any work begins. There is typically no commitment required at this stage.
This is a good time to get a feel for what communication may feel like.
A Track Record of Success
If compensation is to be successfully sought, the kind of NYC truck accident lawyer who gets results is the one that is needed.
Look for specifics to determine what the firm's performance is like. Are there dollar values that indicate how much has been recovered? Is the firm open about customer reviews?
What Is the Best Way to Research and Evaluate Potential Lawyers?
Engaging a truck accident law firm is a personal journey. The victim must ensure there is comfort with the one chosen. Getting some insight is always a good idea. Here are a few great sources of data:
Online reviews and ratings
Referrals from friends, family, or other attorneys
Consultations and meetings with potential lawyers
Researching their experience and credentials
What Questions Should Be Asked During a Consultation?
Whatever questions a client chooses to ask an attorney should be based on their perceived needs. Just remember that no stone should be left unturned.
Think about what nuggets of information are crucial. A few of the typical questions are as follows:
"What experience do you have with truck accident cases?"
"How will you handle my case and communicate with me?"
"What are your fees?"
"What are the potential outcomes and strategies for my case?"
Identifying Fault
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
As indicated before, a truck driver is not always the one to blame for a crash, even if they appear to be in the wrong.
Since trucks tend to be commercial vehicles, there are more variables at play than there would be for private automobiles. Potentially responsible parties include:
Truck drivers
Trucking companies
Manufacturers and suppliers
Government entities
Recoverable Damages for Truck Accident Victims
A personal injury attorney will try to secure a fair settlement for a client. The final figure will be the sum of all applicable damages, which may fall under the categories below.
Economic Damages
Medical expenses and bills
Lost wages and income
Property damage and repair costs
Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic Damages
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and trauma
Loss of enjoyment of life
Other intangible losses
Punitive Damages
These are not necessarily awarded for the sake of making things right with the plaintiff. Instead, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant. Additionally, they are meant to deter future wrongdoing.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today with One of New York's Most Well-regarded Truck Accident Lawyers!
Being a truck accident victim is very difficult. You may be dealing with high medical bills, lost wages, and a low quality of life because of someone else's negligence. Don't let them get away with it!
The Law Office of Carl Maltese is here to provide you with the experience and attitude needed to recover the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a free consultation with us today!