Queens Truck Accident Lawyers
Knowledgeable Truck Accident Lawyers In Queens, NY
Accidents involving commercial vehicles are common in Queens as they travel on freeways, city streets, bridges, and tunnels of various sizes and types. Despite adhering to New York’s trucking rules and restrictions, delivery trucks, moving trucks, and large semi-trucks may cause such accidents. Examples include hitting a pedestrian on Queens Boulevard or colliding with another vehicle on the Union Turnpike.
Trucking accidents in Queens can be devastating, causing serious injuries to those involved. Passenger vehicle occupants are at a higher risk of severe injuries due to the significant size and weight difference between their cars and large commercial trucks. Unfortunately, these injuries may lead to a lifetime of pain and suffering, as well as financial hardships for accident victims. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in New York, contact our Queens truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.
Common Truck Accident Causes in Queens, NY
Truck accidents can happen in Queens due to various factors. Based on our experience in handling personal injury law cases related to truck accidents, we have identified the factors that frequently contribute to these accidents. Some of the typical reasons for truck accidents in Queens, NY, include the following:
Speeding
Most truck accidents in Queens are caused by speeding. It takes big rigs two or three times longer to stop in emergencies compared to passenger vehicles, especially at high speeds. Truck drivers must follow traffic laws because of their vehicle’s size and cargo, but many still choose to speed. This reckless behavior often leads to devastating accidents that can result in life-altering injuries for everyone involved. Our Queens truck accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez can help you hold the responsible parties accountable after your truck accident.
Distracted Driving
Truck accidents in Queens are often caused by distractions on the road – which can be very dangerous. Distractions are everywhere and can put everyone at risk. So it’s crucial for all truck drivers to avoid distractions while driving to prevent catastrophic crashes. Some common distractions include texting, eating, and self-grooming. If you’ve been in an accident, our Queens truck accident attorneys can help you get compensation from those responsible.
Mechanical Failures
We would like to remind you that your accident may involve more parties than just the truck driver. Mechanical failures can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles, and this is often due to manufacturer negligence. Defectively manufactured trucks can cause severe accidents that can have a significant impact on your life.
Drowsy Driving
Truck drivers often exceed their usual eight-hour driving shift due to strict delivery timelines, which can result in exhaustion and drowsiness. This may lead to hazardous situations and severe accidents. If you have suffered losses due to an accident caused by a drowsy truck driver’s negligence, we can potentially assist you.
Potential Damages Available For A Truck Accident Case In New York
In New York, if you are a victim of a car accident, you can receive compensation for both financial and non-financial losses. Financial damages are meant to cover the actual monetary expenses incurred due to the accident, including:
- Medical bills (now and in the future)
- Lost wages and income
- Disability
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- Property damage
- Funeral expenses, if a big rig accident is fatal.
Damages for non-economic losses are given as compensation for the aftermath of an accident that cannot be easily quantified in terms of monetary value. These damages are commonly known as “pain and suffering” and may cover expenses related to:
- Loss of quality of life
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering and distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement and scarring
Punitive damages may be granted if the liable party, such as a truck driver, acted with intentional or reckless negligence. This applies, for example, if the truck driver who caused the accident was aware that they were too drunk or intoxicated to drive but chose to do so anyway.
Potential Liable Parties In A Truck Accident Case
It is important to note that in New York, the insurance system operates on a “no-fault” basis. This means that after a car accident, you will typically seek compensation from your own insurance company first regardless of who is responsible for the accident, including truck accidents. If your insurance benefits are exhausted or your insurance company refuses to pay, you can then pursue compensation from the actual responsible parties involved in the accident.
Filing A Lawsuit Against Negligent Parties
According to New York state law, if you are involved in a tractor-trailer accident, you may hold responsible anyone who contributed to it. While truck drivers and their insurance carrier are usually held accountable, there are other parties that could be held responsible as well. Such parties may include:
- The truck driver’s employer
- Trucking companies
- Companies responsible for manufacturing trucks or trucking equipment
- Other motorists on the road, including drivers of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists, bus drivers, and Uber or Lyft drivers
- Bicyclists or pedestrians
- Government agencies
Rosenberg & Rodriguez will conduct a thorough investigation of your truck accident in order to determine its cause. This will enable us to identify who is responsible for your injuries and therefore liable for them.
Hot Spots For Truck Accidents In Queens, NY
Each year, 15.5 million trucks transport 70 percent of the total freight on U.S. roads. This includes $671 billion of retail and manufactured goods within the country and an extra $490 billion between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
In one recent year, 8.4 percent of all accidents in New York involved commercial trucks. Nationally, someone dies every 16 minutes due to an accident involving a truck. Unfortunately, in 98 percent of these accidents, the person in the passenger vehicle is the one who loses their life.
The number of commercial vehicle accidents in Queens is similar to the national average. However, in one recent month, there were 171 commercial vehicle accidents in Queens, excluding accidents involving buses, vans, or fire trucks. In total, over 260 people were injured in truck accidents. It’s unclear where specifically these accidents occurred in Queens.
- Van Wyck Expressway
- Woodhaven Boulevard
- Grand Central Parkway
- Interstate 495
- Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
- Belt Parkway
- Queens Boulevard
- Cross Island Parkway
- Northern Boulevard
- Union Turnpike
- Jamaica Avenue
Truck accidents can happen on any street or avenue in Queens, whether you reside in Downtown Flushing, College Point, Woodhaven, or South Jamaica. In the last few years, the number of truck accidents in Queens has increased, with 2018 having the most truck accidents in the borough in ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Most Truck Accidents In Queens, NY?
Trucks, such as semis, can be up to 50 feet long and weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Maneuvering them can be challenging, particularly on the small, narrow, and busy roads of Queens. Any mistake while driving can lead to accidents. Our law office usually helps clients who have been harmed in truck accidents caused by:
- Speeding
- Improper yielding or failing to yield the right of way
- Overtired truck drivers
- Truck drivers operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Improperly loaded vehicles
- Unqualified or inadequately trained drivers
- Vehicle defects, such as faulty brakes or lights
- Improperly maintained trucks or equipment
- Road defects
What’s The Average Settlement For A Truck Accident Case In Queens, NY?
Truck accidents in Queens can cause extensive damage and injuries, resulting in personal injury cases that may have a higher value compared to regular car accidents. However, the value of each truck accident case is individual and depends on specific circumstances such as the extent of damage and injuries. Factors that can affect the value of a truck accident case may include:
- The types of injuries you suffer
- The extent of those injuries and how long it will probably take to recover
- Whether or not you can recover from your injuries or if they result in a permanent disability
- How your earning capacity is affected by your truck accident injuries
- The amount of wages and income you lose while you recover
- The degree to which you share blame for the collision
- How the accident affects you emotionally
- Your out-of-pocket expenses – both present and future.
Typically, the value of your case increases with the severity of your injuries. Consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can assess your case based on your account and evidence.
How Common Are Truck Accidents In Queens, NY?
Throughout December 2021, 142 accidents involving trucks were reported in Queens, resulting in an average of 4.5 occurrences per day. Compared to other boroughs, Queens has a higher incidence of truck accidents, with only Brooklyn having more incidents involving large commercial vehicles in the same period. No new information was added, and no facts were invented when rewriting the message.
Contact Our Queens Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Rosenberg & Rodriguez specializes in helping victims of truck accidents in Queens who were injured due to the negligence of a truck driver. If this applies to you or someone you know, we are here to provide legal support in personal injury cases related to truck accidents. Our Queens truck accident lawyers are committed to supporting you in receiving proper compensation. We understand that your situation is challenging for you and your family. Rest assured, we will make use of all our resources to hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact our office today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.