Long Island Truck Accident Lawyers
Skilled Truck Accident Lawyers On Long Island
Annually, thousands of truck accidents occur that are far more dangerous than regular car accidents. Vastly heavier and larger trucks usually cause much higher fatalities compared to other vehicles. Consequently, they require special legal considerations if someone becomes a victim or is involved in such an incident – the soundest course of action being to quickly contact a Long Island truck accident lawyer who can handle the circumstance effectively.
Unfortunately, truck accidents often lead to severe financial and physical losses that should be taken care of by insurance companies. Sadly, oftentimes they are more focused on saving money than helping victims in need. To make matters worse, trying to manage a truck accident alone is a difficult task – but it doesn’t have to be! At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, our experienced personal injury team specializes in handling complex trucking cases and will fight for the justice you deserve.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Long Island
When a truck accident occurs, it can be an incredibly difficult process for all involved. From the moment of impact, until the final settlement is reached, things may feel like a never-ending nightmare. That’s why it’s so important to know what steps must be taken in order to make this situation easier not only on victims but their attorneys as well. Here are several crucial actions that should always be considered:
Call 911
911 should always be contacted first in the event of an emergency, guaranteeing everyone’s safety. Moreover, it is essential that an official report and investigation follow; this way law enforcement can review the scene and speak to all those involved for a thorough understanding of what happened.
Go to the Hospital
If anyone is hurt in the incident, they must be taken to a hospital at once. Even if those present seem unhurt now, medical attention should still be sought out since injuries may not show up immediately. Also, reports from the doctors are necessary for building your case further down the road.
Document All Possible Evidence
For a Long Island truck accident lawyer to optimize their chances at success, it is imperative that all available evidence be documented. Photographing and filming everything from the vehicles to those involved will ensure no detail goes unnoticed.
Call A Long Island Truck Accident Lawyer
Now is the ideal time to enlist the services of a truck accident lawyer on Long Island, as it has become increasingly common for insurers to try and manipulate the victim in order to pay less than they are due. Rosenberg & Rodriguez can take over your case with ease, providing you with top-tier legal representation and helping you secure favorable compensation.
Report Everything to the DMV
If the accident caused more than $1,001 worth of destruction, then it’s mandatory to file and submit a Motor Vehicle Accident Report to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Follow Medical Treatment
Obeying the instructions provided by your doctor is essential to quickening recovery times. Additionally, plaintiffs who adhere closely to medical advice tend to have more successful outcomes and bigger settlements.
Document the Victim’s Recovery
In order to ensure a positive outcome, it is critical to keep records of the victim’s recovery journey. If there have been any lasting effects on their daily life, this evidence can be used as leverage in obtaining an advantageous settlement.
Don’t Post on Social Media
This is an extremely important step, for numerous people have a tendency to go overboard on social media and divulge unnecessary information about the accident. Unfortunately, this can be used against them in court and could potentially result in their case being lost.
Common CausesTruck Accidents On Long Island
At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, our Long Island truck accident attorneys understand the complexities of operating a commercial vehicle and they recognize that accidents often occur due to one or more parties’ negligence. Common causes of these types of collisions include:
- Truck driver fatigue. Prolonged driving can be exceedingly taxing for truckers, leaving them with inadequate rest. This lack of sleep increases the chances of a driver becoming fatigued or even dozing off on the road, leading to hazardous accidents.
- Unsecured loads. An inaccurately loaded truck poses an extreme hazard, as the contents can come loose and result in a catastrophic event.
- Long brake times. Given the size and weight of this vehicle, it is essential to plan ahead when braking in order to prevent accidents.
- Improper turning. To safely navigate a large truck, the driver needs to take time and create ample space when maneuvering. Only then can they avoid potential hazards while turning.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in any vehicle, but especially negligent while on the job driving a large truck.
- Speeding. Truck drivers often resort to speeding in order to cut back on the time they spend on their journey, however, this action is hazardous and careless. Such behavior could potentially lead to a collision.
- Poor truck maintenance. Taking precautionary measures is crucial when it comes to larger vehicles – neglecting a routine inspection can have fatal consequences. Without one, trucks may malfunction and cause potentially deadly accidents that could hurt someone gravely.
- Distracted Driving. When truck drivers rely on radio or cell phone communication during long hauls, the risk of distraction is increased, potentially resulting in an accident.
Suffering the aftermath of a truck accident can be profoundly devastating for victims and their families. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in an auto accident, our Long Island truck accident lawyers are ready and able to help you through this difficult time.
Damages You May be Able to Claim For A Truck Accident
If you have been injured due to a commercial truck driver’s negligence, it may give you some small comfort to know that you can seek compensation. Depending on the situation of your case, there are several entities who could potentially be held responsible – such as the driver themselves, their employer, or even the company contracted for a freight shipment, and filing a personal injury claim would allow an avenue for recourse.
Our Long Island truck accident lawyers will help you determine who is liable and the potential amount of damages that your claim could be eligible for. Possible compensation may include:
- Past and future medical costs
- Incidental healthcare costs made necessary by the injury
- Lost income/wages
- Pain and suffering
- Compensation for a lifelong disability caused by the injury
If your medical expenses exceed the maximum no-fault coverage amount, you could be eligible to claim both past and future medical costs. This includes out-of-pocket payments for copays, prescription medications, medical devices, and over-the-counter treatments.
In certain cases, the pain and suffering resulting from an injury can be immense. Additionally, permanent effects such as not being able to spend time with your loved ones or returning to your regular job may arise. Therefore, it is important for you to seek legal help by consulting a Long Island truck accident lawyer so that they can assess all of the negative life impacts stemming from this incident and assign a value of compensation appropriately in order to recognize any anguish endured or changes that have been made due to this unfortunate event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Liable After A Long Island Truck Accident?
When you work with Rosenberg & Rodriguez, our Long Island semi-truck accident lawyers will conduct a full investigation of your incident to identify who is at fault and hold them accountable. Potential individuals that can be liable in a truck crash include:
- Truck drivers
- Truck maintenance company
- Manufacturers
- Truck companies
- The company that loaded the truck
- Municipalities
- Third-party drivers
- And more
What Is The Truck’s “Black Box” And What Does It Track?
Every 18-wheeler is outfitted with a black box, which collects data about the vehicle’s movements and driver behavior. This device can determine the length of trips taken, routes followed, speed traveled at, hours of service logged in a day, and breaks taken. Additionally, these devices record if any “critical events” such as an accident occurred during operation or transit.
If you have been injured in a truck accident and are looking to file a personal injury claim, then it is key that you secure evidence. Large trucking companies often boast millions of dollars when defending themselves in court, making your chances of recovering compensation slim without proof that the truck driver caused your injuries. This is why black boxes play an important role; they contain invaluable data which can demonstrate culpability on behalf of the trucker for their involvement in the crash which led to your harm.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit After A Truck Accident?
Residents of New York have up to three years from the date of their accident to file a claim. This is known as the “statute of limitations” and it safeguards people by protecting against false claims, obsolete evidence, or inadequate documentation.
Don’t let the statute of limitations pass you by; if that happens, your right to sue for a truck accident will be lost forever. Make sure to reach out to an experienced Long Island truck accident attorney now and get your case started promptly!
What If I Can’t Find The Truck Driver Who Hit Me?
In New York, filing a personal injury lawsuit must be done within three years of the date of the incident. This is known as a statute of limitations and failure to file suit in this timeframe renders any claim invalid – unless special circumstances may toll or extend the said time limit. As stated by CVP Law § 214, individuals have up to three years from the date of an incident to pursue legal action for injuries sustained.
If you’re involved in a truck accident due to the fault of another vehicle, it can be incredibly daunting. For instance, if someone cuts off the trucker and causes them to swerve into your car leading to severe injuries, then it is possible for you to sue that driver. Unfortunately, defendants driving away from the scene unaware they caused an incident makes suing much more difficult as identification of them becomes increasingly hard.
As previously stated, the statute of limitations can be extended under extraordinary conditions. If we are nearing the 3-year deadline and haven’t located the defendant yet, we may ask for an extension – but only if our investigation is still ongoing and all efforts to find them have been followed through with due diligence. Our Long Island truck accident lawyers will assist you in tracking down a defendant who has left the scene of an accident.
Contact Our Long Island Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a commercial truck accident, contact our Long Island truck accident lawyers right away for legal assistance – the time between now and when the suit is filed against parties held accountable for damages could be limited. It’s generally believed that three years pass from the crash until claims can no longer be attempted, yet it would serve your best interests to get started on your personal injury case as soon as possible. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, your first consultation is completely free. Call us at (718) 509-4960 to learn more and get started on your truck accident case today.