Long Island 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt in a wreck and have suffered devastating injuries, a Long Island 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you. We can determine fair compensation for your specific situation, find evidence to support your claim and coordinate all aspects of your insurance claim or lawsuit.

Proving the responsible party’s negligence may allow you to recover financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Morelli Law Firm’s contingency-fee basis means you owe us nothing unless you win compensation first. With billions recovered, trust our Long Island truck accident lawyers today for help.

Recoverable Damages in an 18-Wheeler Accident Case

Depending on your accident and your accident injuries, our Long Island personal injury lawyers may be able to recover the following damages after a commercial truck accident:

• Medical expenses: This includes immediate emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, prescription medications, medical equipment, and future medical expenses related to the injury.
• Lost wages: This is compensation for time missed from work due to the severe injury, as well as lost earning capacity if the victim is unable to return to their previous employment or if their ability to work is permanently impaired.
• Pain and suffering: This is monetary compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress endured as a result of the accident and subsequent truck accident injuries.
• Property damage: This is reimbursement for the repair or replacement of the victim’s vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the truck crash.
• Loss of consortium: This is compensation for the negative impact the injury has on the victim’s relationship with their spouse or family, including loss of companionship, affection, and support.
• Punitive damages: In cases where the truck driver’s or trucking company’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

The Statute of Limitations in New York

According to CPLR § 214, you generally have three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York. For a wrongful death lawsuit, the deadline is generally two years from the death of your loved one, per EPTL § 5-4.1.

Waiting too long to file your truck accident claim could mean that your case gets dismissed and you are unable to recover compensation for your damages.

How an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Long Island Can Help You Prepare

A tractor-trailer wreck can result in extensive damages. If you were hurt in such an accident, it might be challenging to coordinate an insurance company claim or lawsuit on top of your recovery.

Fortunately, you do not need to face this situation alone. A Long Island 18-wheeler accident attorney may be able to manage all aspects of your case. Our services may include:

• Identifying the liable party or parties in your case
• Communicating with all parties (e.g., the insurance company) on your behalf
• Gathering evidence in your case
• Filling out and submitting legal paperwork necessary within their deadlines
• Interviewing eyewitnesses or expert witnesses on your behalf
• Negotiating for a fair settlement
• Taking your case to trial

We will provide legal advice when necessary or whenever you have concerns. Should you receive a settlement offer, our truck accident attorneys in Long Island can also explain whether it is fair based on the figure amount we calculated when assessing your damages.

Our Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Work on a Contingency-Fee Basis

Many clients pursue compensation because they’re in a financial deficit, so how are they supposed to afford a lawyer? Our Long Island 18-wheeler accident lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we do not charge any attorney’s fees upfront.

Instead, we agree to provide you with legal services to help you build your case on the contingency that we win it. If we help you win compensation, we take our agreed-upon percentage out of the reward, so you never have to pay us out of your own pocket.

Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

A variety of factors can cause semi-truck accidents, including:

Distracted Driving

18-wheelers are often driven all across the country. When a driver is behind the wheel for an extended period, it can be tempting to spend time on the phone or focus on other distractions. Even a brief distraction by the radio, food, or passengers can lead to an accident.

Hazardous Weather Conditions

All drivers must adjust to dangerous weather conditions. If an 18-wheeler driver does not drive with caution through snow, ice, or rain, they could cause a major accident.

Speeding

Speeding is a bad habit many people have. However, speeding in a large commercial vehicle poses even more risks. With the amount of weight a tractor trailer has, speeding can cause the driver to lose control quickly. Taking a corner too fast can result in a rollover accident.

Improper Loading

Improper loading is unfortunately common in the trucking industry. If the vehicle is carrying too much weight, or if the weight is not balanced correctly, it can cause the vehicle to crash. Improperly loaded cargo can also fall off of the back of a tractor trailer, causing an accident.

Lack of Vehicle Maintenance

Just like any vehicle, a tractor trailer needs to be correctly taken care of and maintained. If an 18-wheeler causes an accident due to a lack of maintenance, the truck owner or operator may be liable for the resultant damages.

Fatigued Driver

Commercial truck drivers often have extended hours on the road. It can be exhausting work. If drivers are overly tired while driving, they could risk falling asleep behind the wheel or even just being less aware of their surroundings. Losing control of the vehicle, even for a moment, could result in disaster.

A Long Island 18-wheeler accident lawyer may be able to investigate your accident and identify the liable party when we represent you. Don’t wait to reach out to our experienced truck accident lawyers.

Wrongful Death Cases Involving 18-Wheeler Trucks

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), fatalities in large vehicle accidents are mostly passenger vehicle occupants.

If your loved one lost their life in an 18-wheeler accident, our personal injury attorneys might be able to help you pursue compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of civil suit may allow you to recover compensation from the fault party for damages, such as:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Pre-death medical treatment
• Loss of financial income from your loved one
• Loss of parental guidance
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering that you, your loved one, and your family experienced

A truck accident attorney at our firm can explain more about the specific eligibility rules regarding wrongful death lawsuits in New York in a future consultation.

We Have Won Multimillion-Dollar Settlements for Truck Accident Victims

Our 18-wheeler accident attorneys in Long Island are not afraid to take on challenging cases, which can be the situation when trucking companies are involved. We believe truck accident victims like you should be able to have their stories told and achieve justice.

We have handled many similar personal injury claims and won up to millions for previous clients, with one of our major winnings being $11.2 million dollars for a 76-year-old woman who suffered severe brain damage after being hit by a speeding truck.

Get a Free 18-Wheeler Truck Collision Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries in a wreck, our Long Island 18-wheeler accident lawyers want to represent you and help you fight for justice. We help victims fight for financial recovery so that they can take steps to move forward with their lives.

The client intake team at Morelli Law Firm can review your case at no cost to you. Call us today or fill out our contact form for your free initial consultation. If you qualify after a trucking accident, we may be able to offer you representation on a contingency fee basis.