Dedicated Truck Accident Lawyers Serving Buffalo, NY and Surrounding Areas
Buffalo is home to major highways, roadways, and truck routes in New York State. Every day, thousands of tractor trailers, delivery vehicles, construction vehicles, and other commercial vehicles travel through the city. Unfortunately, increased truck traffic also leads to increased truck accidents in the Queen city. Given the large size and weight of these trucks and motor vehicles, truck accident victims can be left with life-altering injuries.
At The Barnes Firm, our team of Buffalo truck accident lawyers have decades of experience advocating on behalf of truck accident victims to get them the best result possible. After a truck accident, your focus should be recovering from your injuries. The Barnes Firm is here to help you do just that.
Call us today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation – it could be the best call you make.
Why Choose The Barnes Firm After a Buffalo Truck Accident?
Truck accidents can result in serious injuries. Due to the severity of injuries, you can typically recover more damages after a truck accident. Trucking companies are required to carry a large amount of liability insurance for their drivers which translates to higher financial compensation in the event of an accident. Given the potential for a higher payout, insurance companies will often try to avoid liability. When you partner with The Barnes Firm, you can trust that our team of attorneys will:
- Launch a full investigation into the cause of your accident and the events leading up to it
- Determine who is responsible for your accident
- Protect you against any counterclaims from other parties
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Prepare and take your case to trial, if necessary
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a truck accident, contact (800) 800-0000 today. Our team of truck accident attorneys are available 24/7 for a FREE case evaluation.
Truck Accident Recoveries in Buffalo in 2024
| Settlement | Type of Accident | Description |
|---|---|---|
| $337,500.00 | Truck Accident | Client injured after being hit by a truck. |
| $250,000.00 | Truck Accident | Client was rear-ended by a truck resulting in neck injuries. |
| $200,000.00 | Truck Accident | Client was hit by a delivery vehicle, resulting in head, neck, and back pain. |
Leading Causes of Truck Accidents
There can be several factors that lead to Buffalo truck accidents occurring. Some of the leading causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver Distraction
- Fatigue
- Speeding
- Extended Brake Time
- Improper Turns
- Unsecured Loads
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Poor Truck Maintenance
When you choose The Barnes Firm, the experienced truck accident attorney assigned to your case will investigate your entire accident and all circumstances surrounding it. No matter the cause of your accident, our attorneys are ready to work hard to help you get the best result possible.
We Handle All Types of Truck Accident Cases
Thousands of trucks travel through the Queen City of Buffalo and its surrounding suburbs. At The Barnes Firm, our trusted team of attorneys are equipped to handle accidents involving:
- Tractor trailers
- Semi-trucks
- 18 wheelers
- Garbage trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Tow trucks
- Cement trucks
- Dump trucks
- Other commercial vehicles
In addition, there are various types of accidents that can occur with trucks and commercial vehicles. Our team can handle all types of accidents including:
- Head-on crashes
- T-bone accidents
- Sideswipes
- Rear-end collisions
- Blind spot accidents
- Rollovers
- Jackknifes
- And more…
If you were injured in a truck accident, you shouldn’t have to take on the trucking company alone. Trucking is a multi-million-dollar industry and most trucking companies have large insurance companies and legal teams behind them working against truck accident victims. Our team of truck accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm have decades of experience advocating on behalf of truck accident victims and negotiating with commercial insurance companies. Call (800) 800-0000 today for a free case evaluation.
Who is Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Determining who is responsible in a truck accident can be complicated. Our team of experienced Buffalo truck accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm will assure all parties are held responsible for their negligent actions so that you can get the compensation you deserve. Parties often found at fault in a trucking accident include:
- Truck drivers
- Maintenance companies
- Manufacturers
- The company who loaded the truck
- Truck companies
- Municipalities
- Third-party drivers
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, call The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 to find out what your case is worth.
Injuries Resulting From Buffalo Truck Accidents
Injuries sustained during a truck accident can vary drastically. Our team of experienced Buffalo truck accident lawyers have found some of the most common injuries caused by truck accidents include:
- Burns
- Concussions
- Head trauma
- Brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Dislocations
- Lacerations
- And more…
If you or a loved one suffered an injury because of a truck driver’s negligence, call us today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation. The Barnes Firm can help you receive the compensation you deserve – it could be the best call you make.
I was Injured in a Truck Accident, What Should I do Next?
The time immediately following a truck accident can be overwhelming and stressful for truck accident victims. Following a truck accident, it is important that you:
- Call authorities to report the accident and request medical attention
- Obtain personal and insurance information from all driver’s involved in the accident
- Take as many pictures and videos as you can of the accident scene
- Gather witness statements and contact information
- Before leaving, request a copy of the police report from authorities
- Visit a medical professional to diagnose injuries
- Call an experienced Buffalo truck accident lawyer at The Barnes Firm
Our attorneys are available 24/7 to review your case, offer sound legal advice, answer any questions you may have, and help you file your accident claim.
Damages Available to Buffalo Truck Accident Victims
If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident as a result of another parties’ negligence, you are entitled to receive financial compensation. Our team of Buffalo truck accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm have successfully recovered the following damages for truck accident victims:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Lost future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical therapy
- And more…
It is important to remember that in New York State you generally have three years from the date of the accident., to file a personal injury claim. Not sure you have a case? Call The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation.
Our Buffalo Truck Accident Lawyers are Here to Help 24/7
No matter the type of truck accident you or a loved one were injured in, our team of Buffalo truck accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm is here to help. From the initial phone conversation through to the final settlement, our attorneys will work hard for you every step of the way.
Call (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation – it could be the best call you make.
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) 800-0000Answers to Your Buffalo
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 several deadlines after a truck accident. In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. To receive no-fault benefits, you must submit your application to the no-fault insurer within 30 days of the accident. If a government entity is involved, you generally must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days, and the deadline to file a lawsuit is shorter than three years (typically one year and 90 days). Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of death. Because these deadlines vary, it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
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
- Cost 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.
You can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault. New York follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means your award is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated. For example, if you are found 30% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 30%. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to the injured person to lower what they pay, so it is important to gather strong evidence and speak with an attorney.
Yes. Truck drivers and their employers must follow federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as well as New York law. Key requirements include:
- A valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the type of vehicle being driven
- A current medical examiner’s certificate
- No active license suspension
- A minimum age of 21 to drive across state lines or haul hazardous materials (18 for driving within New York only)
- Compliance with hours-of-service limits
- Required drug and alcohol testing
- Regular vehicle inspection and maintenance
Truck drivers must also obey New York traffic laws, and trucking companies can be held responsible when they fail to follow these rules.
If the trucker or the trucking company blames you for the collision, you still have options. You may share responsibility if you were negligent, but you can still recover compensation, reduced by your percentage of fault. It is common for insurers to use victim-blaming tactics to lower what they pay. Sometimes these allegations are baseless, and a truck accident lawyer can help you show evidence to the contrary.
Written by The Barnes Firm, reviewed by Richard Barnes