Manhattan Truck Accident

Each day there are thousands of different kinds of commercial trucks traveling on New York roads. These trucks include tractor-trailers, semis, dump trucks, garbage trucks, cement trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. While vital to our economy, commercial trucks also present an increased risk of serious injury when they are involved in collisions with cars, SUVs, and motorcycles. In fact, when a truck and car are involved in a fatal accident, 98% of the fatalities are occupants of the passenger cars. If you or a family member suffered a serious injury in a truck accident that you believe was caused because of the negligence of some else such as the truck driver, contact an experienced Manhattan truck accident lawyer who will review the events that led the accident and help you receive the compensation to which you are legally entitled.

Common causes for commercial truck accidents

Trucks are involved in accidents for the same reasons that cars end up in accidents: negligence. Most truck accidents are caused because the truck driver was driving recklessly by speeding or running through red lights. Other common reasons for commercial truck accidents include:

• Fatigue, including falling asleep as the wheel. Even if the driver does not fall asleep, a fatigued driver may not have the ability to react to actions of other vehicles and changes in road conditions.
• Driver distraction. Distracted driving is against the laws. Distracted driving refers to "texting while driving," or using an electronic device while driving. This has become a significant problem for commercial truck drivers, being a factor in an increasing number of accidents.
• Illegal lane change. When a large, commercial truck does not follow traffic rules when it changes lanes, much smaller sedans or SUVs often end up being sideswiped by the truck.
• Driving while under the influence. Drunk driving and driving while high on drugs is still a major problem. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for truck drivers to take pills in an effort to stay awake while driving. The result is that driver drives erratically, leading to collisions.

Pursuing a claim for a truck accident injury

Injuries suffered in truck accidents can be tragic. Common injuries include such as neck and spinal cord injuries that could lead to permanent paralysis. Traumatic brain injuries are also common, and can leave the victim with permanent cognitive impairment or comatose. Truck accident fatalities are not uncommon. Demanding compensation from the person who caused your accident is one way to hold that person accountable, and to get compensation for your medical bills and other losses.

• Medical expenses: You have the right to demand compensation for the medical bills you accumulated for treating your injury, as well as the bills you expect to receive for your current treatment and the estimated amount of your future medical bills.
• Lost wages: Because seriously injured accident victims typically are unable to return to work for a while, the law allows such victims to demand that the person who caused the accident compensate them for the paychecks and benefits that they would have otherwise received.
• Pain and suffering. The physical and psychological trauma associated with serious injuries from a truck accident should not be underestimated, particularly if the accident left you permanently disfigured. Because of this, the law considers physical pain and emotional suffering compensable losses.
• Wrongful death. If a family member passed away as a result of a commercial truck accident, contact an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss the procedure for filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you were a victim of a truck accident it is important to immediately contact an experienced truck accident attorney before you agree to a settlement that the insurance company may offer. Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims resulting from truck accidents, as well as SUV accidents, car accidents, or 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.