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Long Island Truck Accident Lawyers Fighting for Your Compensation

You may remember the first time that you had to drive on the interstate or the first time that you had to drive beside a tractor-trailer. You might remember how fast it seemed like the cars were going or how small your own vehicle seemed beside the massive semi-truck. As you got more comfortable driving, this probably got easier, but that doesn’t mean the danger was any less. Unfortunately, truck accidents are all too common in Long Island and the surrounding area, but our firm can represent accident victims and their interests.

While most truck drivers are very skilled and attentive when driving, if an accident happens, the results can be catastrophic when you are dealing with such large vehicles. While a car accident may just be a small fender bender, if you are in a collision with a large truck, the chances of serious injury and damage to your vehicle are much higher.

When a truck accident does happen, it’s important to know that the New York courts provide a space where you can file a lawsuit to hold the liable party financially responsible for your medical bills, time off work, and pain and suffering. But that court system can be difficult to navigate for those who aren’t familiar with how it works and the steps involved.

If you are looking for a truck accident attorney to represent your interests in a personal injury case, we can help. Send us an email or call our office today to learn more about your options and our law firm’s services.

What Can Happen in a Truck Accident?

A truck accident is a major incident, and it can be one of the most serious types of motor vehicle accidents due to the size disparity between a semi-truck and a regular vehicle. Many of these accidents occur on the highway, which can mean the impacts occur at higher rates of speed. Truck accidents can result in major damage to your vehicle, including totaling it, serious injury, and even fatalities. Here are a few of the common ways truck accidents may occur:

  • Driver going left of center
  • Speeding
  • Equipment/load contents coming free from the truck and falling onto the road or your vehicle
  • Driver losing control of the truck going around a corner or going downhill
  • Driver falling asleep at the wheel
  • Driver operating the truck under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Trucking accidents often come with serious injuries. If you are considering filing a trucking accident lawsuit, it is important to keep records of any injuries you received as a result of the accident and any ongoing medical treatment and expenses. The full extent of the injuries isn’t always apparent after truck accidents, which is why it is important to talk with a truck accident injury lawyer before you discuss anything with the trucking company or their insurance company. What might seem like a minor injury now could turn out to be something that requires ongoing treatment and brings with it mounting medical bills. Here are some of the possible injuries that can occur as a result of negligent trucks drivers:

  • Broken limbs
  • Whiplash
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal injuries
  • Cuts from broken glass
  • Paralysis
  • Internal bleeding
  • Punctured lung

It’s not uncommon for trucking accident victims to have injuries requiring lengthy physical therapy or significant time off of work. All of this should be part of your considerations when discussing with your attorney whether you want to pursue a case and how much you file the lawsuit for.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?

Immediately after a truck accident takes place, the most important priority is to ensure everyone’s safety. Check for immediate injuries and call 911. If there is any leaking fluid from the vehicles, get as far away as is safely possible while you wait for the emergency responders.

Once everyone’s immediate safety is taken care of, it is time to start talking to the police. They will likely take a statement from both parties and take pictures of the accident for their investigation. It is important at this point that you don’t admit fault. You may also want to wait until you have talked with a truck accident lawyer to answer any questions.

If you sustained injuries in a truck accident, talking with a truck accident attorney before you talk to anyone else can ensure that you understand how to best protect your interests and what to do to increase your chances of winning if you choose to pursue a personal injury case. Truck accident cases often involve large trucking companies that have their own lawyers on retainer to try to get you to settle with the insurance company — for possibly far less than you may be entitled to.

At MontanaroLaw P.C., we can talk to you about your case, lay out your options for moving forward, and talk with the insurance company and the other party’s legal counsel for you. We can also help you better understand what amount of compensation you may be entitled to and whether going to trial or trying to settle out of court is the better option.

How Is Liability Determined in a Truck Accident Case?

When it comes to determining liability in a trucking accident case, there are several factors that have to be considered. First, it has to be determined who was at fault for the accident itself. If the truck driver veered out of their lane and struck your vehicle, that’s a very different situation than if someone tried to merge incorrectly onto the highway in front of a truck without enough clearance. The police will do an investigation to help determine who was at fault and issue citations as a result of those findings, but when it comes to a truck accident case, the final authority is the judge.

Truck accident cases are a little unique in that there are multiple parties who could be found liable. In regular car accidents, either one driver or the other is usually at fault. But with truck accidents, the at-fault party that is found liable could be the individual truck drivers or the trucking companies themselves.

If the truck driver is operating the truck in an unsafe manner or goes against the guidelines for the maximum number of driving hours in a row, they could be liable. However, if the accident is caused by policies from the trucking company or negligence on their part, the company itself could be held liable.

Determining liability in a truck accident can be a complicated process. A truck accident attorney can help guide you through the process and ensure that you have someone who is able to fight to protect your rights and interests.

What Happens If the Truck Driver Is Found at Fault in a Truck Accident?

If the truck driver is found at fault for the accident, it means that you could be able to pursue a personal injury case against them. A New York truck accident lawyer can go over your case with you, including details like who the police found to be at fault and what citations were issued. If they think that you have enough of a case to go forward in the civil court system, they can help you determine an appropriate amount of compensation to ask for and represent you throughout the process. If you win the case, the truck driver will be required to pay you the compensation the court awards.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer for Truck Accidents?

Hiring a truck accident lawyer to represent you can be the deciding factor between winning or losing your case. When you are going up against a trucking company, it can be an uphill battle because they have their own lawyers and the lawyers who work with their insurance company, who they use for exactly these situations. Having your own dedicated legal representation that is experienced in working on these types of cases and standing up to trucking companies can help you get the compensation you deserve.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?

How much it costs to hire a truck accident attorney varies, and it is often dependent on the amount of the settlement or award you get from the courts. Many personal injury attorneys, including those who take truck accident cases, work on a contingency basis. This means that they take a percentage of your awarded monies as their pay. This is often of benefit to the victims because it means that they pay nothing — or very little — upfront and only have to worry about paying attorney fees if they actually win and get the compensation.

When you are talking to truck accident attorneys, how much they charge and what the terms of those payments will be is important to clarify. At MontanaroLaw P.C., we know that it’s important to be transparent about pricing and fees, and that’s why we offer our clients a free consultation where they can learn more about our services, how we may be able to help in their case, and what our fee structure looks like.

Choose MontanaroLaw P.C. as Your Truck Accident Attorney

Victims of truck accidents who may be going up against the truck driver, trucking company, or insurance company need knowledgeable representation. Our team has experience with a variety of personal injury cases, including truck accidents, so we can help you decide on a case strategy and represent your interests in the New York courts. We have a reputation for providing effective counsel and are transparent in how we can help with your case. Our firm has an office in Long Island but serves clients throughout the surrounding areas, including New York City and Massapequa.

To talk with an experienced truck accident lawyer about your case or get more information on what it looks like to pursue compensation through the New York civil courts, call our office at (516) 203-1700 to speak with a member of our team. A truck accident can change your life, but we can help you get the compensation you may be entitled to so you can start moving forward.