While all types of car accidents can be serious, a Staten Island truck accident lawyer knows that collisions with an 18-wheeler can be particularly dangerous because of the size and weight differential.
This type of accident can cause catastrophic injuries. If this has happened to you, contact us at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C. for a free consultation.
Injured in a truck accident? Tap to call for a FREE consultation!
Common Causes of Large Truck Crashes
Many different factors can cause truck accidents. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Speeding on I-278
- Distracted driving on Bay Street
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Unsafe lane changes on Willowbrook Parkway
- Unsafe merges
- Blind spots
- Following too closely
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Inclement weather
- Mechanical failures
Who Was Responsible for My Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are often complicated because several parties may be held liable. Possible defendants may include:
- The driver of the truck
- The trucking company– provided that the driver was an employee acting within the scope of their employment
- The manufacturer of a malfunctioning part
- The repair shop responsible for maintaining the truck
- The company that loaded the truck’s cargo
- The driver of a vehicle other than the truck
- A governmental entity responsible for the dangerous road condition that caused the crash
Good News and Bad News
As noted, an experienced truck accident lawyer in Staten Island knows that there may be several liable parties. Further, they will know how to thoroughly investigate your claim– to determine which parties to file a claim against. New York is also a no-fault state. This means that you must file a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim with your insurance company before filing a lawsuit.
The bad news is that because truck accidents often cause serious injuries, it is unlikely that your PIP policy will cover all of your crash-related expenses. Therefore, you will need to file a lawsuit with a truck accident lawyer in Staten Island, NY, to obtain full financial compensation for all of your damages.
Talk with an experienced truck accident attorney for free!
What if I was Partially At-Fault for My Accident?
At Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, we frequently hear from potential clients concerned that they may have been partially responsible. For example, the truck driver may have made an unsafe lane change and crashed into you– but you were also speeding.
You should know that New York is also a pure comparative negligence state, which means that you can still recover financial compensation as long as you were less than 100 percent responsible for the crash. The total amount of damages you incur will be reduced in proportion to your fault for the accident.
For example, if you are seriously injured in a truck accident and suffer $2 million worth of damages, but it is found that you were 80 percent at-fault for the crash, you would still receive $400,000. As you can see, these claims are still very much worth pursuing, even if you were partially responsible.
Damages That Truck Crash Victims May Pursue
There are several different types of damages that you may pursue in a truck accident claim. These include the following:
- All medical costs
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
Do Not Go It Alone
As previously mentioned, truck accident claims are complex. We strongly recommend that you consult with an experienced truck accident attorney in Staten Island as soon as possible following your accident. A consultation with a Staten Island personal injury lawyer will shed light on your legal rights, any looming deadlines, an estimated financial value of your claim, and more.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
For over half a century, our attorneys at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C. have based our practice around the fundamental principle that our clients are entitled to competent, trustworthy, and aggressive legal representation. We fight for our clients’ rights and leave no stone unturned in our effort to maximize their financial compensation.
Call us to book a zero-cost consultation if you have been injured in a truck accident here in Staten Island. You will not pay any legal fees unless you win your case.
