Staten Island Truck Accident

There are literally thousands of trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles on New York roads 24-hours a day, seven days a week. While these vehicles are necessary for the economy, they also represent certain dangers to smaller motor vehicles like cars and motorcycles. The sheer weight and size of 18-wheelers account for the damage that they often cause when they collide with other vehicles. 18-wheelers typically weigh 80,000 pounds (40 tons), while a passenger vehicle weighs just 3,000-4,000 pounds and an SUV weighs 3,500-5,000 pounds. 18-wheelers are between 70-80 feet long while the passenger vehicles are 140-200 feet long. Furthermore, 18-wheelers typically carry large, sometimes hazardous loads. When an 18-wheeler is involved in a car accident, SUV accident, or motorcycle accident, the results are often devastating. Victims often suffer serious injuries such as a traumatic brain injury, back injury, neck injury, broken bones, or head injury. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a truck accident that you believe was caused by another person's negligence, it is important that you immediately contact a Staten Island truck accident lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Of course truck drivers must follow the same basic traffic regulations as passenger vehicles, such as refraining from texting while driving, stopping at stop signs, and obeying posted speed limits. However, commercial cut drivers must also follow special rules related to the operation and maintenance of the trucks such as rules related to:

• Routine alcohol and drug testing
• Proper transportation of hazardous materials
• Hours of service rules
• Size and weight
• Proper loading
• Obtaining a commercial license

Truck accidents can be both physically and financially devastating to the victim. When a commercial truck hits a sedan, SUV or minivan, victims frequently suffer serious injuries such as brain, neck and back injuries, as well as broken bones, amputations, and internal injuries. Through a personal injury lawsuit, New York law allows you to hold the truck driver, trucking company, or other 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.

• Medical expenses: Both past and future medical expenses for treating the injuries suffered in the truck accident are compensable. For example, if your back was injured you may have expenses related to the hospital stay, the surgery, medication, chiropractor, and physical therapy.
• Lost wages: If you have a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury, it may take some time before you are able to return to work. In the meantime you will not be able to collect your normal paychecks. You can demand compensation based on the wages and other compensation that you missed while recovering.
• Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering compensation relates to both the physical pain and emotional suffering that you experience based on serious, debilitating injuries.

In addition, if a family member was killed in a truck accident, you may be able to pursue damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.

If you were seriously injured in a truck accident it is important to immediately contact an experienced truck accident attorney as the there are special rules that apply to the commercial trucking industry. Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff has the experience and resources to vigorously protect your interests and to ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are entitled. 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.