Brooklyn Truck Accident

Ralph, a truck driver for Big Construction Company, was driver a commercial, flatbed truck that was loaded with beams that were to be used in a major residential project. While driving down a highway several beams fell of the truck onto the highway. Dean slammed on his breaks to avoid the beams. The car driving behind Dean rear-ended Dean. Both Dean and the driver behind him were seriously injured. If Ralph had properly secured the load on his truck, the beams would not have fallen. Commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers and delivery trucks are vital to keeping our economy moving, with literally thousands of different types of commercial vehicles moving goods back and forth on the roads at any given moment. These heavy, fast-moving vehicles present a real danger to motorists in the event of an auto accident. The trucking industry is a vital part of our economy with revenues topping nearly $600 billion in 2009, and those revenues are projected to double by 2015. While these commercial trucks present numerous benefits, they constitute an additional risk to other drivers. According to recent statistics, approximately every 16 minutes a person is severely injured or is killed in a trucking-related accident. Due to the weight, mass and speed carried by these large vehicles, life-changing injuries such as a spinal cord injury or a brain injury are commonplace in accidents involving commercial vehicles. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you or a family member suffered a serious injury as the result of an accident with a big truck or other commercial vehicle, contact an experienced Brooklyn truck accident Lawyer who will review the events that lead to your injuries and help you receive the compensation to which you are legally entitled.

Of course truck drivers must follow the same basic rules of the road as cars, such as stopping at red lights and obeying posted speed limits. However, the trucking industry is subject to additional rules both on the federal and state levels that effect the licensing of truck drivers, the insurance trucking companies must carry, and the operation and maintenance of the trucks. In order to qualify for a license to drive a commercial truck, drivers must attend special classes on how to operate a truck safely. 49 CFR §380. Thus, if you are injured in an accident where the truck driver did not receive the proper training or did not have the required license, then the truck driver will be liable for your injuries.

Truck accidents can be devastating to a victim and his or her entire family. Because of the massive size of trucks even low impact, low speed accidents can have catastrophic results. Common types of truck accidents occur when a truck that has a trailer jack-knifes, causing the trailer to swing out to form a 90-degree angle. The trailer collides with other vehicles, sometimes causing multi-vehicle pile-ups leaving many injured. Truck accidents also occur when a truck's load was not properly secured. If a load is not properly secured it could shift or fall causing an accident. Tire blow-outs on a truck driving at a high speed can cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle and end up in an accident.

Truck accidents can leave to devastating injuries such as a spinal cord injury, broken bones, back injury, amputation, paralysis , and all too often, death. Through a personal injury lawsuit, New York law allows you to hold the negligent party responsible for the losses you suffered. The compensation that you may be entitled to receive includes past and future medical expenses, lost income and loss of future earnings capacity, and pain and suffering. In addition, if a family member was killed in a truck accident, you may be able to pursue damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.

New York's workers' compensation laws provide benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries. If your truck accident was work-related, then you may be entitled to worker's compensation benefits. Compensation often comes in the form of medical expenses, lost income and benefits, loss of ability to earn, and more. However, it is important to note that worker's compensation benefits are limited. Just because the accident occurred at work does not necessarily mean that you are limited to the benefit available through workers' compensation.

If 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 Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims resulting from a truck accident, as well as a SUV accident, car accident, or motorcycle accident. 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.