Truck Accidents Lawyer
Accidents involving trucks can be dangerous or life-threatening due to the large size of commercial trucks. Truck drivers undergo specialized training and tests to gain the knowledge and skills to drive heavy trucks; however, accidents still happen. Braking, visibility, and turning are some of the limitations truck drivers face.
At Tannenbaum, Bellantone, & Silver, P.C., our lawyers can help you with your truck accident case. If you are seeking compensation for your injuries or damages from a truck accident, contact our personal injury lawyer New Hyde Park NY for a consultation.
What to Do If You’ve Been in a Truck Accident
If you have been in a truck accident, you may become overwhelmed or shocked. It is important to stay calm and consider following these tips if you have been in an accident with a truck:
- Call 911 for police and/or medical assistance
- If you are injured, do not move from the vehicle
- Exchange information and take pictures
- Stay at the accident site until police or other authorities have authorized you to go
- Call a personal injury lawyer New Hyde Park NY
What Information to Exchange at the Scene
At the site of the truck accident, it is crucial to exchange information with the other party and any witnesses that may have been involved to get in contact in the future. Information that is necessary to obtain includes:
- The driver’s name
- The driver’s truck license
- The driver’s phone number and address
- The driver’s trucking carrier
- The license plate number
- The insurance company and policy number
Truck Accidents Caused by the Truck Driver
Depending on the situation, a truck accident can be due to the fault of the truck driver or even the motorist. Unfortunately, commercial trucks frequently get into accidents with cars, some that can even be fatal. Some of the causes of accidents at the fault of the truck driver can be due to the following:
- The large size and lack of maneuverability of the truck.
- The truck driver improperly changes lanes or merges.
- Inadequate training of the truck driver.
- Systems of compensation, which encourage truck drivers to drive more and faster.
- Unrealistic schedules causing truck drivers to become tired or rushed.
Truck Accidents Caused by the Motorist
On the other hand, the motorist can be the responsible party for the accident due to negligence or freak chance. Some of the ways that accidents can happen because of the car driver include:
- Driving in the truck driver’s blind spots.
- Fast maneuvers around large trucks.
- Wind turbulence pushes the car towards the passing truck.
- Driving between large trucks and unsafely passing them.
- Moving to the right of a truck that’s making a right turn.
- Failing to slow down or speed up when a truck begins to change lanes or merge.
It is important to realize that although you may have the right of way on the road, it is sometimes safer to yield to the truck anyway to avoid an accident.
Determining the Responsible Party
Determining who has liability from a truck accident may be confusing due to the different parties that can be involved. It all depends on whether the truck driver is an independent contractor or if the truck driver works for someone else. A personal injury lawyer New Hyde Park NY can help you determine who is accountable for your truck driver accident. Some parties that can be held accountable for the truck driver’s negligence include:
- Truck Driver
- Contractors
- Employers
- Government entities
- Insurance companies
- Manufacturers or shippers of the cargo
- Trucking Companies
Legal Strategies After the Accident
Victims seeking compensation from a truck accident could opt to file suit in a court of law. However, there are other options available that may be more satisfactory. Another option is for the case to be settled out of court or handled in arbitration. Determining the pros and cons of each of these options may be confusing. Therefore, you should reach out to our personal injury lawyer New Hyde Park NY, to explain the best course of action for you.
Contact Personal Injury Lawyer New Hyde Park NY For A Consultation
If you have been in a truck accident and are unsure of what to do next, contact Tannenbaum, Bellantone, & Silver, P.C. for a consultation. We can supply you with a personal injury lawyer in New Hyde Park NY, so you can get the justice you deserve. Truck accidents can be dangerous and overwhelming, so with the help of one of our lawyers, you can get on the right track to compensation.