With drivers and occupants of vehicles accounting for over 100,000 emergency room visits annually in New York according to the Department of Health, car accidents are common. Car accidents can cause serious injuries, especially when they involve transport trucks. Commercial trucks are much heavier than passenger cars, weighing, on average, several tons more. The extra weight makes collisions more serious because it increases the force of impact. While nobody plans to experience an accident and most are unintentional, the impact they can have on your physical, emotional, and financial health can be severe.
When injuries prevent you from working or cause medical debt, a Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer can recover damages from the liable parties. Injuries may diminish your quality of life or cause chronic conditions, which can make it difficult to return to your accustomed lifestyle following an accident. While many injuries from accidents are minor, severe injuries can occur.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in accidents involving 18-wheel trucks include:
- Cognitive impairments
- Loss of limbs
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Mobility impairments
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
Talking to a Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer is important following an accident because you may be entitled to recover financial compensation by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
An attorney can help you recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit for:
- Damage to your vehicle
- Medical and hospitalization bills
- Transportation costs to medical appointments
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
Catastrophic injuries may result in disabling injuries, which can impact your future earning capacity and force you to become financially dependent on others. Since New York requires victims of car accidents to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires, working with a Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer ensures that your claims remain intact while you recover from your injuries.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.
Causes of Accidents
Truck accidents can have a variety of causes, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Insomnia
- Defective parts
- Intoxication
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
Eighteen-wheel trucks require specialized training to operate because they are more difficult to maneuver and control than passenger cars. That makes it especially important for truck operators to remain attentive while driving and to follow traffic laws. Actions like speeding or improperly changing lanes place other drivers at risk, as motorists expect other drivers to follow traffic laws.
Behaviors like tailgating are dangerous because sudden changes in traffic patterns or icy roads can make it difficult to come to a complete stop without causing an accident. Even if the other motorist did not intend to cause a collision, negligent and reckless behavior is tortious conduct. A Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer can review the accident report and witness statements to uncover the cause of the accident.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.
Liability
When an individual or entity has a duty to care and fails to act prudently, it can lead to injuries. When it comes to accidents involving trucks, truck drivers have a legal obligation to follow traffic laws. When they violate traffic laws, they violate their duty to care for other drivers, which makes their conduct tortious.
Liability is important because a Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer must identify all liable parties when pursuing a personal injury claim to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. The owner of the 18-wheeler involved in your accident can be liable, as can the driver. The circumstances of your accident dictate liability. If the driver had a history of reckless driving or prior convictions for driving while intoxicated, it can make their employer liable for negligent hiring.
If the accident was caused by a defective part, such as a faulty brake line, it can allow a Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. If the truck involved in the accident was not properly maintained or did not have a valid inspection, the owner can be liable because they have a duty to ensure their property is maintained and does not pose a risk to third parties.
Accidents involving trucks can involve multiple insurance policies. If the truck was owned by a business and the business acted negligently, their auto insurance and business insurance policy may be liable. Additionally, you can receive benefits from your auto insurance policy, as, according to the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS), the state requires all drivers to carry PIP coverage, which provides compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage, and lost income.
Discussing your legal options with a Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer is important because you may be entitled to recover additional damages for noneconomic losses. While insurance policies cover a portion of economic losses, you must file a personal injury claim for you to recover non-economic damages.
Wayne 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Personal Injury Claims
A Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit against the parties responsible for your accident. During a personal injury claim, a Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer can recover economic and non-economic damages. New York does not cap damages in personal injury claims involving car accidents.
Economic
Economic losses involve costs you paid as a direct result of your accident or the injuries you sustained in your accident. A Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer can only recover economic damages for economic losses that have not already been compensated for. You can prove your economic losses by providing copies of receipts and bills to your Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer.
Non-Economic
An attorney can pursue non-economic damages, which compensate you for unactualized and future losses. Noneconomic damages consider factors such as how your injuries impact your daily life. If your injuries prevent you from working, noneconomic damages can compensate you for future lost earnings. Noneconomic damages also consider the emotional impact your injuries have, meaning you can receive compensation if you experience trauma, anxiety, or depression because of your injuries.
Call Morelli Law Firm Today
Injuries from a car accident can make it difficult to continue working or pay for your medical treatment. When accidents involve commercial trucks, a Wayne 18-wheeler lawyer can pursue damages for economic and noneconomic losses.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.