Have you been injured in a truck accident in New York City? Navigating the aftermath of such an incident can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with serious injuries and complex legal procedures. If you’re searching for a Truck Accident Lawyer Nyc, you need a legal team with a proven track record, deep understanding of trucking regulations, and a commitment to securing the compensation you deserve.
Based in Manhattan and serving the entire New York Metro area, as well as New Jersey, our firm, Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, has been fighting for the rights of truck accident victims and their families for over a century. We handle a wide range of truck accident cases, including those involving:
- Dump Truck and Garbage Truck Accidents
- Big Rig, 18 Wheeler, and Tractor-Trailer Accidents
- Commercial Semi-Truck Accidents
- Cargo Truck Accidents
- Tow Truck Accidents
- Fuel Truck Accidents
- Concrete Truck Accidents
- Box Truck Accidents
- Sweeper Truck Accidents
Understanding the Cost of a Truck Accident Lawyer in NYC
One of the first concerns for many truck accident victims is the cost of legal representation. You might be wondering, “How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?” The good news is that at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we typically offer free initial consultations to discuss your potential case. Furthermore, we usually work on a contingency fee basis for truck accident cases.
What does this mean for you? It means you won’t pay any upfront hourly fees. Instead, our fee is a percentage of the total amount we recover for you, typically around 33.33%. Therefore, the cost of a truck accident lawyer is directly tied to our success in securing compensation for your injuries and losses. This arrangement ensures our interests are aligned with yours – maximizing your recovery.
Choosing the Best Truck Accident Lawyer in New York City
When searching for “the best truck accident attorney near me,” it’s crucial to look beyond just proximity. Truck accidents often result in catastrophic damages, making it essential to have highly competent legal representation to ensure you receive full and fair compensation. The complexities of trucking regulations and laws demand a specialized approach.
Our attorneys possess an in-depth understanding of the intricate web of regulations governing the trucking industry. This includes:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations: These federal regulations, enforced by the United States Department of Transportation, set stringent safety standards for commercial truckers and trucking companies. These cover everything from vehicle maintenance and inspection to driver qualifications and hours of service.
- New York Vehicle & Traffic Law: This state law outlines the rules of the road in New York, including specific regulations for commercial vehicles.
- New York State Department of Transportation Regulations: Similar to federal regulations, the NYSDOT also enforces safety rules and guidelines for commercial vehicles operating within the state.
For example, FMCSA regulations mandate rigorous driver qualifications, including medical examinations, limitations on driving hours per shift to prevent fatigue, and mandatory drug and alcohol testing programs. Violations of these regulations are frequently a contributing factor in truck accidents.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or tragically killed in a truck accident, you need a truck accident attorney with extensive experience in navigating these complex regulations and laws. Choosing the right lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case and your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.
How Experienced Attorneys Investigate Truck Accidents in NYC
Beyond legal expertise, a top truck accident lawyer NYC must be adept at conducting thorough independent investigations. At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our NYC truck accident attorneys have a proven track record of meticulously investigating truck accidents to uncover crucial evidence. Our investigative process often includes:
- Witness Interviews: Gathering firsthand accounts from individuals who witnessed the accident to establish a clear picture of what happened.
- Scene Photography and Documentation: Capturing detailed images of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any other relevant factors.
- Surveillance Video Retrieval: Securing and analyzing traffic camera footage, security camera recordings, or dashcam videos that may have captured the accident.
- Accident Reconstruction Experts: Collaborating with specialized experts who can analyze the available evidence to recreate the accident and determine the sequence of events and contributing factors.
Furthermore, our investigations involve obtaining and scrutinizing critical documents related to the trucking company and the driver, such as:
- Driver’s Log Books, Trip Sheets, Route Schedules, and Time Cards: These documents track the driver’s hours of service, routes, and schedules, which are crucial for identifying potential violations of hours-of-service regulations and driver fatigue.
- Driver’s Logs and Manifests: Comprehensive records of the driver’s activities and cargo.
- Truck Inspection Reports: Pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports for the truck involved, including reports from the date of the accident and immediately following the incident. These reports reveal the mechanical condition of the truck and any potential maintenance issues that could have contributed to the accident.
Our decades of experience as truck accident injury lawyers in New York City enable us to swiftly identify and secure the documents and evidence critical to building a strong and successful case for our clients.
Recoverable Damages in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
Once negligence is established in a truck accident claim, victims and their families are entitled to seek compensation for a range of damages. Our goal at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is to ensure our clients receive maximum compensation for all their losses, which may include:
- Past and Future Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma experienced due to the accident and injuries.
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for all medical bills, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, ongoing treatments, and necessary at-home nursing care.
- Loss of Earnings: Compensation for lost wages, both past and future, due to the inability to work as a result of the injuries sustained in the truck accident.
To ensure our clients receive the full compensation they are entitled to, we collaborate with expert accountants and financial analysts. Every truck accident lawsuit involves a unique set of associated costs, and these financial professionals help us accurately assess the long-term financial impact of the accident on our client’s life and their family. This comprehensive approach allows us to build a compelling case that reflects the true extent of your losses.
Record-Setting Verdicts and Settlements Achieved by Our Truck Accident Attorneys
The experience and dedication of our truck accident attorneys are clearly demonstrated by our history of securing record-setting verdicts and settlements for our clients. Here are a few examples of our notable case results:
- $41,500,000 Verdict: For the wife and four children of a NYC sanitation worker tragically killed by a street sweeper. This landmark verdict is one of the largest wrongful death awards in Queens County. Read more about this truck accident case
- $26,000,000 Settlement: For the wrongful death of a 35-year-old mother struck and killed by a truck in Manhattan. At the time, this was believed to be the highest settlement in New York State history for a wrongful death case involving a single individual.
- $11,750,000 Cash Settlement: Recovered against a Japanese freight carrier for a Manhattan woman injured when a wheel detached from a tractor-trailer and struck her.
- $10,775,000 Recovery: For a woman who suffered a severe brain injury after being struck by two tires that came off a moving tractor-trailer.
- $7,500,000 Recovery: For the family of a pedestrian fatally struck by a left-turning truck while walking with her husband and son.
- $7,000,000 Settlement: For the family of a retired widow who was fatally hit by a truck.
- $5,000,000 Recovery: For the widow of a physician killed in an NYPD tow truck accident.
- $4,800,000 Verdict: For the wrongful death of an 8-year-old child killed due to the negligence of a truck driver. Wrongful death information
- $4,500,000 Settlement: For the emotional distress suffered by a young woman who witnessed her brother being struck and killed by a tractor-trailer truck.
- $1,500,000 Settlement: For a woman who sustained a hand injury when her vehicle was rear-ended by an asphalt truck with poorly maintained brakes.
- $1,500,000 Settlement: In a New York truck accident case against a manufacturer when its truck struck a young student in Jersey City.
- $1,000,000 Settlement: For a cyclist injured by a truck making a right turn in front of her.
These results highlight our unwavering commitment to achieving justice and maximum compensation for our clients who have been affected by truck accidents.
The Alarming Rise of Truck Accidents in NYC and Across the U.S.
Recent data reveals a concerning trend: truck accidents are on the rise both in New York City and nationwide. According to the Truck Safety Coalition, truck crash fatalities increased by a staggering 13% in 2021 compared to 2020. Early estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that 5,610 people died in truck accidents across the US in 2021 – a shocking 52% increase since 2010.
In New York State alone, 84 lives were lost in truck accidents in 2020, according to the most recent statistics.
New York City faces unique challenges regarding truck safety. Trucks in NYC share congested roads with not only other vehicles but also a high volume of pedestrians, cyclists, and users of micro-mobility devices. Tragically, truck crashes are twice as likely to result in serious injury or death for cyclists and pedestrians compared to car accidents. In fact, a staggering 67% of truck accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists result in serious injury or fatality.
While truck accidents in NYC had peaked at 642 in April 2021, the numbers have remained persistently high, staying below 600 for April in subsequent years. April 2022 saw 585 truck accidents, followed by 587 in April 2023. March 2023 recorded 575 truck accidents in New York City, according to NYPD data. The increasing reliance on online ordering has led to a surge in truck deliveries throughout the city, exacerbating safety concerns, particularly for vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians.
The Danger of Garbage Truck Accidents in New York City
Private garbage trucks present a particularly significant hazard in New York City. Intense competition and low profit margins within the private waste hauling industry often lead to the operation of older, poorly maintained trucks. Drivers frequently work excessively long hours on demanding routes to service numerous businesses, often resulting in violations for speeding, running red lights, and other reckless driving behaviors. Consequently, an alarmingly high number of pedestrians and other road users are involved in accidents with private trash haulers.
An analysis by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer revealed that private garbage trucks were involved in 73 serious crashes, including 5 fatalities, over a recent two-year period. In stark contrast, New York City’s municipal sanitation fleet recorded only one fatal accident last year after four years without any deadly incidents.
Many garbage truck accidents, and indeed accidents involving all types of trucks, stem from the negligence of truck operators and/or truck owners. To successfully pursue a lawsuit arising from a garbage truck accident or any other type of truck collision, it is imperative to engage a truck accident lawyer who possesses a comprehensive understanding of all applicable trucking regulations and laws.
The NYC Personal Injury Lawyers at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf are dedicated advocates for our clients, committed to securing full financial recovery through meticulous preparation and aggressive representation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in or around New York City, please contact our firm today for a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced truck accident lawyer NYC.
Disclaimer: Please note that past case results are not indicative of future outcomes. Every case is unique and depends on its specific facts and circumstances. The information provided here is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Consult with an attorney for advice tailored to your situation.
