The trucking industry is thriving with annual profits of well over $500 billion. These profits are expected to grow as the demand for quick access to consumer products grows. This means that the number of large trucks traveling on New York roads and on roads across the country is growing. This also means that there is more pressure on truckers to deliver shipments as quickly as possible. Sadly, another by-product is an increase in truck accidents. While there are still more car accidents than truck accidents, when an accident involves a large commercial truck the likelihood of serious injuries increases dramatically, as does the likelihood of fatalities. If you were seriously injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, you may be entitled to compensation from the truck driver or trucking company. The experienced Long Island accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are here to help, but it is important that you contact us right away as there are time limits associated with filing truck accident claims.
Truck safety lawsIn addition to following New York's traffic laws, drivers of commercial trucks must follow another set of rules that apply to the commercial trucking industry. These rules include:
If a truck is involved in an accident and it is determined that the truck driver violated any of these rules, that may be evidence of negligence.
Pursuing a claimWhile truck accidents occur for a variety of reasons, the top causes include faulty brakes, speeding, distracted driving, alcohol or drug use, and driving while drowsy. While any type of vehicle accident can cause serious injuries, due to their weight and size an accident involving a large commercial truck is much more likely to leave victims with catastrophic injuries than accidents involving only smaller vehicles. In fact common truck accident injuries include:
These serious injuries lead to significant medical bills and extended absence from work.
As a truck accident attorney in Long Island will explain, through a personal injury lawsuit you can demand payment from the truck driver or trucking company responsible for the accident. You can demand payment for your medical bills, lost wages, lost benefits, and pain and suffering.
If a family member was killed in a truck accident, you may have the right to demand compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
HypotheticalA trucker was driving at high speed on a highway when traffic slowed down because of road construction. The truck failed to slow down in time to avoid slamming into the rear of a SUV. The SUV then rear-ended the car in front of it. The result is that three passengers in the SUV were seriously injured, and the driver of the other car was also seriously injured. The investigation found that the truck driver had been driving long hours in violation of hours of service rules and as a result was very drowsy. The injured victims all filed claims against the driver and the trucking company.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you were a victim of a truck accident it is important to immediately contact an experienced truck accident attorney. The rules that apply to trucks are complicated and distinguishable from the rules that apply to cars. Thus, it is critical that the lawyer representing you is familiar with the nuances of the laws that apply to truck accidents to ensure that your case receives the best possible outcome. Contact the staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our truck accident attorneys serving Long Island are experienced handling claims resulting from truck accidents, as well as SUV accidents, car accidents, and motorcycle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.