New York Truck Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Lawyers / Truck Accident Lawyer / New York Truck Accident Lawyers

According to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), 23,282 vehicles are involved in a large truck crash in New York each year. Thousands of families just like yours have had their lives changed dramatically because of a truck crash. Until it happens to you, you might never think about what to do after an accident with a truck. You may wonder how you'll pay your medical bills, who you can trust to give sound advice, and whether the truck company will ever be forced to take responsibility. That's where Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help.

Since 1959, the truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have fought for truck accident victims and their families. Our award-winning truck crash lawyers have been recognized across the United States for our expertise in truck accident law. While other personal injury and general practice firms claim to be experts in all areas of the law, we have developed a special focus on one thing in particular: truck accidents. There is no one better equipped to handle your case.

If you or someone you love suffered an accident involving a large semi-truck, tractor-trailer, commercial delivery truck, big rig, garbage truck, 18-wheeler, dump truck, or bus in New York state, a truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you are owed under the law.

To discuss the details of your case and how Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you recover the money you are owed, contact us right away for a free consultation. Call, chat live, or submit our contact form.

Why Choose a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Truck Accident Lawyer?

For 60 years, truck accident victims in New York have trusted Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys attorneys to help them obtain the resources they need to survive and to hold responsible parties liable. Time and time again, crash victims choose Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys because of:

• Our Winning Record – Our Truck Accident Team has fought trucking and insurance companies to get our clients the justice they deserve and the awards they are entitled to. We recently negotiated a $26 million settlement on behalf of a catastrophic truck accident victim.
• Our National Recognition as Leaders in the Field of Truck Accident Law – At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our truck accident lawyers are recognized across the United States not only for the results we get for our clients, but the way we get those results. We rely on cutting edge technologies, the best experts in the country, and innovative legal techniques to build winning cases for our clients. Marion Munley and Daniel Munley are among the few lawyers in the country who have been board-certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. They both are frequently invited to speak at events around the U.S.  to educate other lawyers on how to handle truck cases.

• Our No Fee Policies – At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we will never ask you to pay any attorneys' fees or litigation expenses upfront. We will cover all of the costs needed to fight your case. If we don't negotiate a settlement or win a jury award, our services will be free.

Causes of Truck Accidents in New York

There is no one reason why large commercial trucks crash. As the DMV's most recent report details, a number of factors are at play when semi-trucks collide on New York's roads and highways.

Human Error Factors

Human error and driver negligence frequently contribute to truck accidents. According to the DMV's report, the most problematic types of error include:

• Driver Inattention or Distraction – Truck accident lawyer Daniel Munley calls driver distraction an “epidemic” on our highways. The DMV reports that drivers' failures to pay attention and avoid distractions was a contributing factor in 18.4% of truck crashes. When those drivers are behind the wheel of a big rig or tractor trailer, the results can be catastrophic.

• Tailgating – The second most problematic type of driver error was tailgating. 15.0% of semi-truck accidents involved drivers who left insufficient space between vehicles.

• Failures to Yield as Required– In 10.9% of truck collisions, drivers failed to yield to vehicles with the right of way.

• Improper Lane Change– Many drivers do not recognize the potential dangers that driving in lanes on highways can pose, but 10.5% of truck accidents were the result of unsafe lane changing and 10.2% truck crashes occurred because of improper passing

Although less prevalent, other factors that contributed to truck collisions include aggressive driving, impaired driving, cell phone use, driver inexperience, eating or drinking while operating a vehicle, failure to keep right, fatigued and drowsy driving, falling asleep on the road, illness, headphone usage, passenger distraction, texting, improper turning, speeding, and distractions from on-board navigation devices.

Vehicle Malfunction or Defect

Almost 10% of truck accidents involved a defect in a truck part or mechanical system. These problems can be caused by errors in the design, manufacturing, installation, loading, maintenance, or inspection of truck parts. The DMV found that the most common vehicular problem was oversized trucks. Other factors included defective accelerators, breaks, headlights, steering, windows and windshields, mirrors, tires, and tow hitches.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors contributed to 18.2% of tractor-trailer collisions and constitute the final category of truck crash causes identified by the DMV. By far, the most problematic environmental factor was slippery pavement. Conditions that partially or totally obstructed drivers' views of the road and other vehicles, the presence of wildlife, and debris or other objects on New York's highways were also important factors. Although less common, improper lane-marking, glare, defective pavement, defective shoulders, faulty traffic control devices, and other environmental factors also contributed to truck crashes.

Ask a Lawyer: New York Truck Crash FAQs

Q: I Was Injured in an Accident Involving a Truck in New York. How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

A: For most personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death claims arising out of a truck accident, the “statute of limitations,” or the deadline for filing a complaint in a New York state court is three years.

However, you should contact an experienced truck litigation attorney as soon as possible.  Crucial evidence (company records, logs, data, vehicle technology and more) can be lost or destroyed in the days and weeks following your accident. The sooner we get to work for you, the sooner we can act to preserve all evidence and collect what we need to build your case.

Q: What Does New York's “No-Fault” Car Insurance Law Mean for My Claim?

A: New York is part of a minority of states that have a “no-fault” car insurance rule. That rule requires drivers of vehicles that are registered in New York to maintain a particular minimum car insurance amount. New York drivers who are injured in car accidents are required to recover first under their own insurance policies.

There is no “no-fault” rule for vehicle damage claims, but to assert a claim against a third party for injuries and pain and suffering, you will need to that your injuries qualify as “serious” under New York law. The best way to ensure that you can meet this legal definition and fully recover for the harm you suffered is to contact an attorney with truck accident experience in New York.

Q: What If the Accident Was Partially My Fault?

A: New York follows a “comparative negligence” rule. This means that you will not be barred from recovering for your damages and injuries just because some of your actions contributed to the accident.

Comparative negligence systems work as follows: if your case goes to trial, a jury will be asked to determine the amount of harm and damage you suffered (in dollars) and each party's fault percentage. These two amounts are multiplied together and the result is the plaintiff's recovery amount. For example, if the defendant is found 90% at fault, they would be responsible for paying 90% of the damages.

Still, if you've been seriously hurt in a truck accident in New York, never admit fault. Do not speak with the other party's insurance company until you have retained an experienced lawyer to advise you.

If you were injured in a major commercial truck accident in New York state, contact an experienced Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys truck litigation attorney today.