Getting into any type of accident can have lasting effects on your life and emotions. It can harm your physical body and wreck your mind. Some people have even lost their lives after an accident.
An accident involving a commercial motor vehicle often has detrimental consequences. If you have been involved in an accident with a commercial motor vehicle, you deserve to recover from the financial losses incurred.
If someone’s careless and negligent behavior resulted in a commercial motor vehicle accident, you do not have to suffer needlessly without compensation. With the help of a Buffalo commercial motor vehicle accidents lawyer at Morelli Law Firm, you can pursue a claim or lawsuit for personal injury damages. Our team is here to help get you through this challenging time, and we can help you pursue a fair settlement.
If you are recovering from injuries from a commercial vehicle collision, get in touch with Morelli Law Firm to find out more about seeking financial recovery. Contact our firm today at (212) 751-9800 to learn how a Buffalo commercial motor vehicle accidents lawyer can help you seek financial recovery.
Types of Commercial Motor Vehicles
A commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle that transports goods for business and also meets the weight requirements. Some examples of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) are as follows:
- Trucks
- Buses
- Minivans
- Coaches
- Taxicabs
- Trailers
- Pickup trucks
If these vehicles are moving goods from one place to another for profit, then they are considered CMVs.
Special Laws and Regulations Concerning Commercial Motor Vehicles
To operate a commercial motor vehicle, the owner must have special driving skills and experience. Operating a vehicle that weighs 10,001 pounds or more is a large undertaking and should not be done lightly. Therefore, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires drivers to carry a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
The type of CDL you carry will depend on the vehicle’s weight and other factors. There is Class A, Class B, and Class C. In addition, all drivers operating a CMV must meet the minimum insurance requirements to ensure they comply with the law.
Buffalo Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Stats and Facts About Commercial Motor Vehicles
As you can imagine, when a commercial motor vehicle gets into an accident, the results may be devastating. There were 33,654 fatalities from all motor vehicle accidents in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). So, it is a significant number when about 5,000 fatalities occur from these larger vehicles.
Another concerning factor for the Buffalo area is that New York was listed among the top 10 states with the highest average of fatal large truck and bus crashes from 2015-2017. This data comes from the FMCSA.
Of course, these numbers reflect fatalities. When you add in the nonfatal injuries, the number would be much higher.
If you have been involved in an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle, you can seek legal counsel from a Buffalo commercial motor vehicle accidents lawyer at Morelli Law Firm. Call our office at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Whenever there is a car accident, injuries and damages are likely. This is especially true when a large vehicle like a CMV is involved. In New York alone, there are about 12,093 people hospitalized each year because of a vehicle accident, according to the New York State Department of Health. This does not account for non-hospitalization cases.
Some of the physical and emotional injuries you can expect in an accident with a commercial motor vehicle are:
- Whiplash
- Head and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Cracked or fractured ribs
- Bruises and lacerations
- Burns
There is also a good deal of pain and suffering from an accident. Some of it could be physical pain, and some of it is emotional. You may experience:
- Mental anguish
- Flashbacks and nightmares
- Anxiety and depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What to Do After a Car Accident
There are steps you can take after a car accident that can help you document what happened and preserve evidence that could help build your case later. Here are some things you can do.
Take notes. Write down things that you think are relevant.
Talk to eyewitnesses. If there are eyewitnesses, get a statement from them if possible, and collect their contact information.
File a police report. Make sure your police report is accurate and thorough.
Get prompt medical treatment. Get medical care at the accident scene, or visit an emergency department for a check-up. In addition to apparent injuries, you could have injuries that are hidden that can become bigger health problems later.
You can also seek the guidance of an attorney as soon as you can after your accident. An attorney can offer guidance that applies to your case and help you plan your legal strategy in your commercial motor vehicle accident.
Get Started with a Buffalo Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents Lawyer
You have rights under New York law. Do not allow your rights to be trampled by sitting back and doing nothing. Furthermore, you might not want to sign any papers or agree to any deals until you have hired and met with a lawyer. You do not need a lawyer to handle your case, but having one working on it could help bring you peace of mind.
At Morelli Law Firm, a Buffalo commercial motor vehicle accidents lawyer can manage the case for you so that you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life.
Get in touch with us by calling our office today at (212) 751-9800. We can schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation.