Truck Accident Attorney

According to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics, only about 2.4% of all motor vehicle accidents involve a commercial truck of any type, and professional truck drivers are three times less likely than other drivers to be involved in an on-the-road accident that results in death or serious injury. But when serious truck accidents do occur, the passengers and drivers of the other vehicles are far more likely to be severely injured. In the US, on average, someone is killed or injured in a crash involving a commercial truck every 16 minutes.

Truck Accident Law in New York

The larger the truck though, the greater the potential damage. Commercial vans and pick-ups, may weigh 10,000 pounds or so, but commercial trucks can range all the way up to the 18-wheel tractor-trailers tipping the scales at 80,000 pounds or more – outweighing a passenger car by a factor of 20 or even 30. So it’s no wonder that in 2011, the most recent year for which DOT statistics are available, in fatal accidents involving a large truck, there were 635 fatalities among big rig drivers or passengers (most in single-vehicle accidents), compared with 2,797 deaths among occupants of other vehicles and another 359 fatalities among pedestrians, bicyclists or others not in a motor vehicle.

Because of the larger risks — greater size and weight, longer stopping distances and often hazardous cargoes– commercial trucks pose special risks, creating a higher duty of care for those who drive them. Truck owners and operators are subject to regulations on inspecting and properly maintaining their vehicles. Yet over-long work hours and driver fatigue is often cited as a major cause of truck accidents, and vehicle inspectors report improperly maintained brakes are the most commonly found violation.

Free Consultation: Experienced New York Truck City Accident Attorney

Survivors of truck crashes frequently face catastrophic health issues, and need major medical and rehabilitation expenses. They will also likely face major economic expenses beyond healthcare, such as lost earnings and earnings potential. If you or someone in your family has had the misfortune of being injured in a commercial truck accident , you should seek expert help in determining whether negligence played a part.

Trucking companies and their insurance carriers may press you to sign statements or agree to a quick settlement. To protect your rights, you should consult with an experienced New York City area truck accident attorney who knows how to deal with the complex legal and factual issues in determining whether negligence was involved in the accident. For a free consultation, call the Law Office of Shane D. Scott, PC toll-free at (800) 230-0744.