Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney in New York
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a commercial vehicle accident in New York, dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial fallout can be challenging. At James Alexander Law, our commercial vehicle accident lawyers in New York are dedicated to helping clients get back on their feet after a crash. With more than 40 years of experience representing injury victims in central New York, the Southern Tier, and surrounding areas, we’ve successfully recovered substantial settlements and awards in cases involving just about every type of commercial vehicle.
Common Types of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Rear-end collisions – These types of crashes often happen in slowed traffic, especially when large trucks can’t brake in time to stop.
Wide-turn accidents – Large vehicles like 18-wheelers need extra room when making turns. If a driver isn’t properly trained or paying attention, they may hit bicyclists, cars, and even pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Jackknife accidents – When a large truck’s trailer swings out to the side in a crash it often blocks traffic, which can lead to serious multi-car pileups on highways and other busy roadways.
Under-ride accidents – When a smaller vehicle slides underneath a truck, the results can be deadly. If you’ve lost a loved one in an under-ride accident, an injury lawyer can determine whether a wrongful death claim may be an effective course of action for recovering compensation.
Rollover accidents – Tall vehicles like buses and tractor-trailers are prone to rolling over when traveling at high speeds or navigating sharp turns.
Blind spot accidents – Most commercial vehicles have huge blind spots. If a driver fails to check carefully before changing lanes, they can easily cause a sideswipe accident or force a car off the road.
Crashes caused by improperly loaded vehicles – When cargo or materials aren’t loaded or balanced the right way, they can shift during transit and cause the driver to lose control or items to fly out onto the road.
These types of crashes don’t just affect passengers of other vehicles. If you’re hurt as a driver of a commercial vehicle, we can assess your case and determine whether a third-party workplace injury claim may be appropriate.
Common Injuries Sustained in Commercial Vehicle Accidents
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Back injuries and herniated discs
- Damage to the spine, which can result in paralysis
- Broken or crushed bones
- Lacerations and bruising
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Some less common injuries include loss of limb or amputation, severe burns due to fires or explosions, organ damage, and psychological conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
The cost of medical treatment and other needs like home modifications can reach into the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Our motor vehicle accident attorneys know how accurately value your claim to ensure all your future medical needs are taken care of and that you are fully compensated for other damages like lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
What to Do After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
Call 911. It’s vital for any car or truck accident to be documented. Police reports can provide valuable evidence that can help your injury attorney determine fault and liability.
Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine, symptoms of serious injuries like TBI and internal bleeding may not appear right away. Going to the emergency room ensures you get the medical care you need and provides documentation of the accident and your injuries.
Document the scene. If possible, take photos of vehicle damage, your injuries, road conditions, traffic signs and signals, and anything else you may think is relevant. Jot down notes or use your phone to record everything you can remember about what happened.
Get contact information. Make sure to get the commercial driver’s name, company, license plate, and insurance and contact information. Gather the names and phone numbers of any witnesses as well.
Don’t speak to the insurance company. When a commercial vehicle is involved in an accident, the company’s insurer may send investigators and insurance adjusters to the scene. Do not speak to anyone, sign anything, or accept a settlement. These cases are much more complex that typical car accident claims, and often involve insurance policies with high limits. This makes insurers and trucking companies fight even harder to minimize injuries and pay as little as possible.
Call our experienced commercial vehicle accident attorneys in New York. The sooner you call an injury lawyer, the better. We can evaluate your case and advise you of your options for recovering compensation. We handle all communications and negotiations with insurers, so you don’t have to.
Why Choose Our Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers?
Commercial vehicle accident claims are multifaceted. These types of cases often involve multiple parties, which may include the driver, their employer, the vehicle maintenance company, and each party’s insurer. Dealing with multiple insurance claims can be overwhelming. We handle all aspects of your case so you and your family can focus on your recovery.
Our injury attorneys’ deep knowledge of New York law and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations gives us insight into what type of evidence to collect and how to put it all together to build rock-solid cases. We work with top accident reconstructionists, investigators, financial experts, and medical professionals to identify all liable parties, prove fault, and pursue all possible sources of compensation.
A Risk-Free Investment in Your Health and Financial Security
Our injury lawyers take commercial vehicle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t incur any up-front costs and our fee comes out of any settlement or court award you receive. Our local, experienced law firm is one of the most respected personal injury law firms in central New York and has a proven track record of success both inside and outside the courtroom.
We serve clients in central New York, the Southern Tier, and surrounding areas. Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers offer two convenient locations in East Syracuse and Rochester, NY.
Contact a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer to Schedule a Free Consultation
contact us or call 1-800-529-1333.
