The trucking industry is a central component of our consumer-driven economy, but the sheer size and weight of the semis that we share our roads with translates to some of the deadliest accidents out there. If a truck driver’s negligence leaves you injured in an accident, consulting with an experienced Syracuse truck accident attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
Truck Drivers
Because they are professional drivers who man vehicles that can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds, truck drivers face enhanced safety requirements that include:
- Hours of service regulations that are intended to limit drowsy driving
- Lower legal limits when it comes to impaired driving
- Penalties that include loss of commercial driver’s license
Additionally, truck drivers face enhanced risk factors behind the wheel that they are responsible for addressing safely, including:
- Large blind spots that stretch across all four sides of their rigs
- Increased stopping distances
- Increased danger in relation to the road’s condition, including the effects of high winds and inclement weather
- Increased risk of rolling – based on the tall, narrow profile of 18-wheelers and on potentially unsafe loading practices
- The risk of jackknifing – or of the tractor and trailer folding in on themselves – in response to tight curves or exits taken too quickly
Truck driver negligence is often the cause of truck accidents, and it comes in a range of highly dangerous forms that include:
- Failing to follow traffic rules
- Driving too fast
- Driving drunk
- Driving aggressively
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while exhausted
Seeking Just Compensation
The size differential between your vehicle and the involved truck is so extreme that you’re far more likely to be seriously injured in the accident than the truck driver is. Obtaining just compensation that covers your full range of physical, financial, and emotional losses will play a primary role in your ability to fully recover, including in all the following categories:
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Current and ongoing medical costs
- Lost wages, including lost earning potential
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
FAQs
Does a time limit apply?
Yes, New York sets their statute of limitations – or time limit for filing a lawsuit against an at-fault truck driver – at just three years from the date of the accident.
Isn’t New York a no-fault state?
New York does require motorists to carry personal injury protection (PIP) and is considered a no-fault state when it comes to traffic accidents. However, those who suffer serious injuries, which is often the case in truck accidents, can pursue personal injury claims against the at-fault parties.
Are truck accident attorneys affordable?
Yes, most truck accident attorneys don’t get paid unless their clients win their cases. At that time, they receive a prearranged percentage of the settlement or court award.
Discuss Your Claim with an Experienced Syracuse Truck Accident Attorney Today
The focused Syracuse truck accident attorneys at Steve Foley Law Firm are proud of the stellar reputation they’ve earned for helping truck accident victims like you obtain the compensation to which they’re entitled – in pursuit of their most complete recoveries. For more information, please contact us online or call us at 716-249-2222 today.