When passenger vehicles collide with commercial trucks, the impact can be devastating. Collisions involving commercial and passenger vehicles are more likely to cause serious injuries, such as:
- Blunt force trauma
- Organ damage
- Lacerations and blood loss
- Loss of a limb
- Spine and neck injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
Large trucks are more difficult to operate, and the size disparity can make it harder for truckers to see passenger vehicles and motorcycles. Faulty parts, such as defective brakes, can also lead to accidents and collisions. Truckers are more likely to drive while exhausted, which can slow down reaction times and lead to accidents.
Some of the leading causes of truck accidents in New York include:
- Distracted drivers
- Speeding
- Intoxication
- Failure to stop
- Improper lane changes
- Tailgating
- Defective parts
While drivers do not expect to experience an accident behind the wheel, it is an unfortunate consequence of driving that some collisions are unavoidable even when you do everything right. When motorists violate traffic laws, it places other motorists and pedestrians at risk.
When you experience an accident involving a truck, injuries can cause medical bills to accumulate and a loss of income. A Wayne truck accident lawyer can help you recover damages from the other driver by filing a personal injury lawsuit. New York does not cap damages in personal injury claims.
A Wayne truck accident lawyer can:
- Investigate the cause of your accident
- Recover evidence to support your claim
- Apply for disability benefits on your behalf
- Interview and depose witnesses
- Argue your case at trial
- Negotiate a settlement
If you were hurt in an accident involving a truck, call Morelli Law today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Trucks are large commercial vehicles that weigh several tons more than passenger vehicles. The weight of trucks makes them more difficult to control. When truck operators fail to comply with traffic laws or drive recklessly, it can result in accidents. Sometimes accidents are caused by defective parts, which can allow a Wayne truck accident lawyer to recover damages from the part manufacturer.
Following an accident, law enforcement will respond to the scene and complete an investigation. The accident report can outline the cause of the accident. If officers discover that a motorist involved in an accident violated traffic laws, they can issue the driver a citation. If there are witnesses to your accident, they can provide a statement that can outline which driver was responsible.
Call Morelli Law today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.
Liability
While New York is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that motorists injured in an accident can receive benefits from their auto insurance policy regardless of who caused the accident, the driver responsible for the accident can be liable for damages. The reason a Wayne truck accident lawyer can pursue a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your injuries is that, even though an accident may be unintentional, drivers who operate their vehicle negligently are engaging in tortious conduct.
Truck accidents usually involve commercial vehicles. Because accidents involving trucks often occur while the truck driver is working, their employer can be liable for damages. If the truck driver had a history of traffic infractions or accidents, their employer can be liable for negligent hiring. Accidents caused by defective parts can likewise give rise to a product liability claim.
Establishing liability can be difficult without assistance from a Wayne truck accident lawyer, as commercial vehicles may have more insurance coverage than standard passenger vehicle policies.
Wayne Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Insurance
New York requires all drivers to have auto insurance coverage. All auto insurance policies in New York must cover at least:
- $10,000 in property damage
- $25,000 in bodily injury coverage
- $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident
- Underinsured motorist coverage equivalent to your bodily injury coverage
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
It is important to immediately report your accident and losses to your insurance company, as PIP benefits offer:
- Lost wage benefits that reimburse 80% of your lost income for up to 3 years
- Benefits for reasonable accident-related expenses
- Legal fees
You must report your accident within 30 days to receive benefits from your insurance policy. Severe accidents can lead to hospitalization, which can cause significant medical bills. Insurance policies offer benefits for economic losses to ensure that you are financially protected following an accident. However, when damages exceed your policy coverage, a Wayne truck accident lawyer must file a personal injury claim to recover unreimbursed expenses from the responsible party.
Damages
When a Wayne truck accident lawyer files a personal injury claim, you can recover economic and non-economic damages.
Economic
While economic damages are reimbursed by insurance policies, prolonged hospitalization or disabling injuries may cause medical costs that exceed your coverage. Documenting your losses is the best way to prove your economic losses. Receipts and bills can prove your losses, making it important to keep copies of your expenses. A Wayne truck accident lawyer can recover economic losses if they were caused by your accident or the injuries you sustained in your accident.
Examples of economic losses include:
- Rehabilitation costs
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Medical devices you need because of your injuries
Non-Economic
A Wayne truck accident lawyer can recover noneconomic damages for:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Noneconomic damages consider how your injuries impact your daily life and future quality of life. Juries can consider whether your injuries limit your ability to work or pursue an education. If injuries prevent you from working, it can prevent you from providing for your dependents. The emotional impact of your accident and injuries can also allow a Wayne truck accident lawyer to recover non-economic damages.
Call Morelli Law Today
When you are hurt in a car accident involving a truck, injuries can impact your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. Injuries and the losses they cause allow a Wayne truck accident lawyer to file a personal injury claim against the responsible parties. A Wayne truck accident lawyer ensures that you receive the compensation you deserve following an accident.
Call Morelli Law today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.