Why Choose The Barnes Firm for Your Truck Accident Case?
The Brooklyn truck accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm have experience in these types of cases and have won settlements for their clients totaling millions of dollars, and they are ready to help you.
Here’s what you will get with The Barnes Firm:
- FREE Legal Case Evaluation
- Millions Recovered For Our Clients
- No-Fee Promise – There’s No Fee If We Don’t Recover Compensation For You
Our legal professionals are available 24/7 for free consultations. Reach out to us online or give us a call today.
About Our Best Truck Accident Lawyers In Brooklyn
When you or a family member has been hurt in a truck crash, you can rely on The Barnes Firm to help you get compensation. We’ve helped our clients recover millions of dollars using our unique legal strategy. If you have questions about your case, we’re here to help 24/7.
Alex Bouganim – Personal Injury Lawyer in Manhattan, NY
“Alex Bouganim is the managing attorney at the Manhattan Office of The Barnes Firm. As managing attorney, Alex is responsible for overseeing all of the cases in the Manhattan Office. In addition to focusing his practice on general negligence cases, including car accidents, slip/trip and falls, and wrongful death cases, Alex is the Co-Chair of the firm’s construction site accident department. “
Helping Victims Of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are very serious situations, and they can have devastating consequences for a family. Commercial trucks are significantly larger than the average passenger vehicle, weighing about 20-30 times more. For this reason, the majority of injuries are sustained by the occupants of the car.
At times, insurance companies may try to avoid paying you or your family the compensation that you deserve. That’s why having a legal team on your side who understands the intricacies of truck accident cases in Brooklyn and knows how to fight big insurance and trucking companies.
Why Are Truck Accidents More Dangerous?
The undeniable size and power of commercial trucks makes accidents involving them more dangerous. They typically outweigh the other vehicles they crash into, leaving the passengers and motorists themselves severely injured. If you or someone you know has been wrongfully injured in a truck accident, the trusted Brooklyn truck accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm are on your side. Call us today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE consultation.
What Types of Trucks Cause Accidents?
Any kind of truck can cause an accident. However, our team of Brooklyn truck accident attorneys have identified a few categories of common types of trucks involved in accidents:
- Big rigs and Semi trucks. These large commercial trucks cause some of the most severe collisions due to their size and force.
- Tractor trucks. With their engines and cabins located at the front, these heavy trucks can cause considerable damage to other vehicles they collide with.
- Delivery trucks. Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and more companies all employ delivery trucks that run on fairly tight schedules. When making frequent stops and trying to meet deadlines while navigating neighborhood streets, these trucks pose a significant accident risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and other motor vehicles.
- Utility trucks. This includes sanitation, construction, and garbage trucks that all make frequent stops and regularly encounter motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
- Tanker trucks. When tankers cause accidents, they bring an extra risk factor due to the fact that they carry hazardous or flammable materials. In these accidents, victims may suffer burns or toxic fume inhalation in addition to other common injuries associated with truck accidents.
Each of these types of trucks has the ability to cause accidents in Brooklyn, varying in severity due to the unique sizes and purposes of each. Regardless of what kind of truck hit you, you may be entitled to compensation. Learn more by calling The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000.
How Are Truck Accident Investigated?
As with most accidents, the local police will investigate and file a police report after a truck accident. However, truck companies also tend to conduct independent investigations themselves. They do this with the intention of finding ways to shift the blame on you to decrease the value of your accident claim. When you choose The Barnes Firm, an experienced Brooklyn truck accident attorney will also investigate your case in order to collect evidence to hold the liable trucker or company accountable. Our approach includes:
- Accident Scene Analysis. Our team will conduct thorough accident scene analyses to determine the sequence of events and circumstances leading up to the incident. This process typically involves the examination of physical evidence and the road conditions at the accident scene.
- Accident Reconstruction. Reconstructing the accident provides a clear understanding of what happened during the accident. Our attorneys will recreate the accident scene by using data from the vehicle positions, skid marks, and other evidence in order to build a strong claim that supports your recollection of the incident.
- Document Collection. All documents, from medical records to insurance policies and more, can serve as powerful evidence when filing a truck accident claim. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys at The Barnes Firm will compile all documents relative to your case, thoroughly examine them, and use them to help construct your claim.
- Black Box Data Retrieval. Most trucks now carry an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) or “black box” which tracks a truck driver’s hours of operation, speed, and more. Data retrieved from these helps our team understand the trucker’s driving habits, how long they’ve been driving, and what they were doing leading up to the accident. This data helps us to strengthen your claim by holding a negligent driver or company accountable for the accident.
- Witness Interviews. If you have collected any witness statements from the accident, our attorneys can contact them and get their description of the incident on record. Witness statements are extremely powerful pieces of evidence in the process of strengthening the validity of a claim.
Rear-End Truck Crash in Brooklyn
With so many tractor trailers on the road at any time, it may come as no surprise that there are thousands of accidents each year. Due to the immense size of these vehicles, they can cause significant damage to standard passenger vehicles. Rear-end collisions are a common type of accident because of the massive weight of an 18-wheel vehicle. While a small car can almost stop on a dime, a commercial truck will not stop immediately, potentially crashing into a vehicle in front of them. Additional factors that compound the difficulty of stopping these vehicles include:
- Following the car in front too closely
- Not paying attention due to fatigue
- Precipitation (rain, sleet, or snow) which causes unsafe road conditions
Our Brooklyn truck accident lawyers have seen the effect that these incidents can have on a family, and they are ready to help you in this difficult time.
Distracted Truck Driver
Distracted driving affects drivers of all vehicles, but it can have disastrous consequences for truck drivers. There are the usual distractions from cell phones and GPS, but there is another distraction common among truck drivers: fatigue.
Fatigue is particularly prevalent among truck drivers as they may work long hours to ensure that deliveries are completed on schedule. Although the federal government has placed a limit on how many hours a driver can put in each week to make sure that drivers do not become overly tired. However, drivers may end up exceeding these limits, creating a potentially dangerous situation if they are unable to focus.
Contact a Brooklyn Truck Accident Lawyer
The Brooklyn truck accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm work to gather all the facts about your case to hold trucking and insurance companies responsible and get you the compensation you deserve.
Wrongful Death in a Truck Accident
Due to their size and weight, trucks are for more likely to cause life-altering injuries and fatalities when they’re involved in accidents. When fatalities occur, New York state law allows living relatives of the deceased to file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim enables families to pursue financial compensation for their loss of consortium, or companionship, with their deceased loved one. Call The Barnes Firm at (800) 800-0000 to speak with a trusted lawyer who can help you file a wrongful death claim and pursue your rightful compensation.
What Factors Complicate Truck Accidents in Brooklyn?
In Brooklyn, there are area-specific factors that can complicate a truck accident case. Despite the following factors, our team of skilled attorneys has successfully handled cases when there are:
- Insurance Coverage Disputes. Navigating insurance issues can make a case more complex, especially in truck accident scenarios where multiple policies can be involved.
- Legal Challenges. Truck accidents can pose a variety of legal challenges, notably when there’s liability disputes involved.
- Multiple Parties Responsible. In many truck accident scenarios, there are multiple parties involved. This makes cases more complex, as determining and assigning degrees of liability can be a lengthy process that requires a skilled attorney.
Whether your case encompasses one or all these factors, our trusted Brooklyn truck accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm remain prepared help you get the best result possible. Call our Brooklyn office today at (800) 800-0000 to claim a FREE case evaluation.
Understanding the Types of NYC Truck Accidents
At The Barnes Firm, our dedicated team of Brooklyn truck accident attorneys are prepared to handle all types of truck accident cases, including:
- Blind spot accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover crashes
- Jackknife accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Rear-end collisions
What are Common Truck Accident Causes?
Numerous factors can contribute to truck accidents in Brooklyn, New York. However, our team has identified the most common truck accident causes, including:
- Unsecured Loads. Most commercial trucks carry hefty loads. When loads aren’t securely fastened, they may fall out and strike vehicles or create an obstacle in the road for someone to crash into.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Driving under the influence is illegal in every state, and any signs or suspicions of a trucker operating under the influence should be reported to the police.
- Brake Time. Trucks require more stopping time than cars. When operators fail to give themselves enough time and distance to stop, accidents happen.
- Improper Turns. The streets of Brooklyn can be narrow and difficult to navigate. Inexperienced operators can cause sideswipe accidents when they fail to turn properly or neglect checking their blind spots.
- Distracted Driving. Anything that takes a truck driver’s attention away from the road leads to a risk of an accident occurring.
- Speeding. Speeding creates unsafe road conditions for the truck operator and other motorists alike, especially if there is a sudden need to stop.
- Inadequate Truck Maintenance. Truck companies are responsible for regularly servicing their fleet and training their drivers. When they fail to do so, trucks may be more inclined to contribute to accidents.
Truck Accident Injuries
Injuries from truck accidents can be very serious to occupants of the vehicle. Our attorneys have seen people involved in truck accidents in Brooklyn who suffered from:
- Whiplash
- Spinal injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Other serious injuries
Some of these conditions may require years of ongoing medical treatment. Sadly, some truck accidents result in fatalities — over 3,000 each year.
What to do After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, take these measures to preserve your health and protect your rights:
- Get to safety. Immediately following an accident, move away from the accident and oncoming traffic, if possible.
- Call emergency services. Contact emergency services (911) to report the incident and any injuries. Whether you feel injured or not, it’s crucial to have police and medical personnel at the scene to report the accident and evaluate you for injuries.
- Document the accident scene. Photographs and video evidence documenting the accident scene, sustained injuries, and property damage can all benefit your case.
- Collect Witness Statements. If possible, get witnesses to provide their account of the accident and the events leading up to it. Witness testimonies are valuable pieces of evidence that can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
- Seek medical care. Even if you feel fine, medical attention is crucial for evaluating internal injuries that may not be immediately noticeable. Additionally, medical records serve as evidence that can help you obtain compensation for accident-related medical expenses later on.
- Don’t admit fault. Whatever you do, never admit fault. Even a simple apology can be perceived as an admission of fault for the accident.
- Call The Barnes Firm. Consulting an experienced Brooklyn truck accident lawyer at The Barnes Firm can make all the difference in your case, as our team will not rest until we’ve helped you get the best result possible.
Who is Responsible for My Truck Accident?
Liability in truck accident cases weighs heavily on the unique circumstances of your incident. However, multiple parties may be at fault. These potentially liable parties include:
- Truck companies
- Truck drivers
- Loading companies
- Manufacturers
- Third-party motorists
- Municipalities
Since multiple parties can share liability in a truck accident, it’s important to hire a skilled Brooklyn truck accident attorney who can determine who is at-fault and to what degree.
Have A For A Brooklyn Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you or a loved one was injured in Brooklyn due to a truck accident, having an experienced attorney may help you get justice. The attorneys at The Barnes Firm have secured millions of dollars worth of settlements, and they are ready to use their experience to help you.
For a free consultation with one of our Brooklyn truck accident attorneys, contact The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000.
Our team of attorneys want to hear from you.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, construction accident, or have suffered another type of personal injury contact our team today.
Free Case Evaluation or call us: (800) 800-0000Client Reviews
What our clients are saying about us
Nichole W.
The Barnes Firm was very friendly, always quick to respond to our calls, emails. When we had any questions or concerns they were there to walk us through everything. Would definitely recommend them to anyone that is looking for an attorney that will honestly fight for you and has your best interest in mind.
Answers to Your Brooklyn
Truck Accident FAQs
Most people have never needed a lawyer when they find themselves injured and in need of legal advice. We hear the following questions from many of our clients. We hope the answers help clarify your options and considerations.
New York has short deadlines for truck accident claims. You must file an insurance claim within 90 days of your collision. The statute of limitations for lawsuits is three years from the injury date. Once these deadlines pass, you may lose your ability to recover compensation. It is best to move quickly and take legal action.
You can recover damages for various losses and costs associated with treating your injuries from a truck accident. Damages vary per case but may include:
- Property damage costs
- Medical expense
- Coast of adaptive devices
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future lost wages
- Ongoing physical and occupational therapy
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Compensation for assistive services like a personal aide
The costs of hiring a truck accident lawyer in NY will come as a percentage of your final settlement. You do not pay out-of-pocket expenses for retaining legal services. The percentage rate will depend on where in the process your case settles. The further it goes, the higher the percentage rate can be. However, this is all outlined within your agreement when you sign with a law firm.
Choosing the right lawyer is essential to your injury claim. You must choose wisely. First, you must consider your legal needs and expectations. You will want to sit down and determine your legal needs and what you can expect from the law firm. You can seek recommendations from friends, family, and coworkers. Once you have a few options, review the firm’s track record and services to ensure they align with your needs. Schedule a consultation to determine if the law firm is right for you.
Truck accident cases often have several parties who can be liable for injuries and losses. In most cases, you can sue the truck driver. In another instance, their employer is responsible. Other third parties, like truck maintenance and product manufacturers, may also be held liable. Holding any of these parties responsible is challenging, but you must seek justice.
The basis of your claim will come down to evidence. The best way to prove the truck driver or their employer was at fault is by presenting a solid case based on evidence. Some of the evidence that can prove vital to your claim includes:
- Black box data
- Crash report
- Cell phone or dashcam footage
- Traffic camera footage
- Witness statements
- Accident reconstruction reports
You will unlikely have to go to court for a truck accident case. Most New York truck accident cases settle out of court. Your attorney will investigate the collision and gather evidence. They will then build and present the case to the insurance company, beginning the negotiation process. Typically, negotiations are fruitful, and the case is resolved without additional actions.
The state understands that accidents are complicated. Sometimes, the parties involved contribute to the collision in different ways. Your contribution to the accident will not hinder you from getting compensation. Your percentage of fault will reduce your award. The caveat is that the other driver must be over 50% at fault.
Truck drivers and their employers must follow stringent federal and state regulations to operate a commercial truck. Some federal regulations truckers must follow include:
- Have a medical examiner’s certificate
- Have a valid non-commercial driver’s license
- Be 18 years old to drive
- Be 21 to drive across state lines or carry hazardous waste
- Minimum of one to two years of driving experience
- Have no active license suspension
- Follow all hours of service regulations
Additionally, truck drivers must respect traffic laws in New York and when crossing state lines. They have a more considerable responsibility when carrying heavy loads. They must adhere to all regulations to keep everyone safe.
If the trucker blames you for your collisions, you have several options. You might share responsibility for the truck accident if you were negligent. However, you can still recover compensation for your losses. Your fault will reduce your financial award. It is common for insurers to use victim-blaming tactics to lower their responsibility. Sometimes, these allegations are baseless, and you can show evidence of the contrary with the help of a NY truck accident lawyer.
Written by The Barnes Firm, reviewed by Richard Barnes
