New York Truck Accident Lawyers

A collision with a commercial truck can leave you facing some of the most difficult challenges of your life. Serious injuries, extensive medical treatment, lost income, and uncertainty about the future often follow these crashes.

Throughout New York, commercial trucks travel major corridors such as the New York State Thruway and the Long Island Expressway, as well as countless local roads connecting distribution centers, warehouses, ports, and businesses. When a truck driver or trucking company acts negligently, the consequences can be devastating.

With more than two decades of personal injury litigation in New York City experience, the New York truck accident lawyers at Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. have dedicated their careers to representing injured people throughout New York harmed by negligence. We have recovered over $100 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. 

Contact us for a free consultation and learn about your legal options.

What Are Common Truck Accidents in New York?

New York’s transportation network is one of the busiest in the country. Some of the most common truck accidents we see include:

• Rear-end collisions. Trucks require significantly longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles. Heavy traffic and sudden slowdowns can lead to serious rear-end crashes.
• Jackknife accidents. A trailer swings outward and forms an angle with the tractor, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic and causing multi-vehicle collisions.
• Underride accidents. A smaller vehicle becomes trapped beneath a trailer, frequently resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
• Blind spot accidents. Large commercial trucks have substantial blind spots on all sides. Drivers who fail to properly check these areas can collide with nearby vehicles.
• Wide-turn accidents. Trucks often need additional space to turn. Misjudging a turn can result in collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists.
• Rollover accidents. Excessive speed, improperly loaded cargo, or sudden steering maneuvers can cause a truck to overturn.
• Cargo-related accidents. Unsecured or overloaded cargo may shift during transport, causing loss of control or debris to spill into traffic.
• Head-on collisions. The crashes often cause severe injuries because of the tremendous force involved.

The type of accident can significantly affect both liability and the severity of injuries. Determining exactly how a truck crash occurred is often one of the first steps in building a strong claim for compensation.

Who Can Be Responsible for a Truck Accident in New York?

Truck accident cases are often complicated because liability may extend beyond the driver. Commercial trucking operations involve multiple companies, contractors, and service providers, any of which may have contributed to the collision.

The Truck Driver

Truck drivers must comply with New York traffic laws and federal regulations governing the trucking industry. A driver may be liable for a crash involving speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impaired driving, unsafe lane changes, or other negligent conduct behind the wheel.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies have a legal responsibility to operate their businesses safely and comply with federal and state regulations. A trucking company may be liable if it:

• Failed to properly train drivers,
• Negligently hired unqualified drivers,
• Encouraged unsafe driving schedules,
• Failed to supervise drivers,
• Neglected vehicle maintenance, and
• Encouraged drivers to violate hours-of-service rules to meet delivery deadlines.

A trucking company can also be held responsible for its driver’s negligence under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior if the driver is classified as an employee.

Cargo Loading Companies

The company responsible for loading cargo may be liable when freight is improperly loaded, overloaded, or inadequately secured. Shifting cargo can affect a truck’s balance, increasing the risk of rollovers, jackknife accidents, and loss-of-control crashes.

Maintenance Contractors

Commercial trucks require frequent inspections and maintenance to remain safe. When a maintenance contractor fails to identify or correct dangerous mechanical problems, that company may share responsibility for an accident involving brake failure, tire blowouts, steering issues, or other equipment malfunctions.

Manufacturers

Some truck accidents occur because of defective vehicle components. In these situations, the manufacturer of a defective tire, brake system, steering component, or other part may be held accountable through a product liability claim.

What Damages Are Common in a New York Truck Accident?

The impact of a serious truck accident extends far beyond the crash itself. Victims frequently face expensive medical treatment, lost income, ongoing pain, and uncertainty about their future. 

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:

• Emergency medical treatment,
• Hospital bills,
• Surgery costs,
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation,
• Prescription medication expenses,
• Future medical treatment,
• Lost wages,
• Loss of earning capacity,
• Property damage,
• Pain and suffering,
• Emotional distress,
• Permanent disability,
• Permanent disfigurement, and
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

Many of these damages, particularly future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and ongoing pain and suffering, may not be fully known right away.

Because serious truck accident injuries often have long-term consequences, it is important to understand the full extent of a person’s condition before seeking a settlement. Waiting until maximum medical improvement (MMI) can help ensure future losses are accounted for in a compensation demand.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a New York Truck Accident Attorney?

The financial impact of a truck accident can be overwhelming. That’s why we represent clients on a contingency fee basis.

There are no upfront attorney fees, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.  

How Long Do I Have to Bring a Truck Accident Claim in New York?

New York generally gives truck accident victims three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline can result in losing your right to pursue compensation entirely.

Even before the deadline arrives, waiting too long can create challenges for your case. Important evidence may disappear, electronic trucking data may be overwritten, company records may become harder to obtain, and witness memories can fade. Taking action promptly can help preserve the evidence needed to prove liability and damages.

Speaking with a New York truck accident lawyer promptly can help preserve critical evidence and protect your rights.

Put a Proven New York Truck Accident Litigation Team in Your Corner

Recovering from a serious truck accident is difficult enough without having to battle trucking companies, insurance adjusters, and corporate defense attorneys on your own.

Our New York truck accident lawyers have built a reputation throughout New York and New Jersey for meticulous case preparation, aggressive advocacy, and unwavering commitment to our clients.  

Contact Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. today for a free consultation with a dedicated New York truck accident attorney and learn how we can help you pursue the justice you deserve.