Commercial Vehicle Accidents in NYC

Accidents involving commercial vehicles like large trucks or tractor-trailers are a common occurrence in New York City. A considerable increase in demand for two-day shipping means that commercial drivers are rushed from location to location. Fatigued or distracted operators make the roads more dangerous and put everyone at risk for serious injury or death.

Ajlouny Injury Law represents victims of accidents involving commercial vehicles. We have successfully taken on large companies when someone was seriously injured in a catastrophic injury from an accident involving a commercial vehicle. If you or a loved one was injured, text or call (718) 233-3913 to speak directly with an attorney.

What is a Commercial Vehicle?

Commercial vehicles generally refer to a vehicle that is driven for professional use. Commercial vehicle drivers are required to be specially trained and licensed in most industries. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides regulatory standards for most commercial drivers and vehicles.

Types of commercial vehicles:

• Trucks 
• Box trucks (also known as a straight truck) 
• Semi-trailers (articulated lorry) 
• Vans
• 18 Wheelers
• Bus. Coaches
• Trailers
• Heavy equipment (in mining, construction, farming)
• Travel Trailers over 10,000 pounds.
• Taxis
• Garbage Trucks
• Tanker Trucks
• Tow Trucks

What Should I Do If I am Involved in a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

If you are involved in a commercial vehicle accident in New York City, you need to stop and exchange information with the other parties that are involved. Leaving the scene of an accident can result in criminal liability. If you or someone else is injured in the accident, seek emergency medical treatment. Failure to treat your injuries timely can affect your right to recovery.

Do I Have to Contact the Police?

Under certain circumstances, you are required by New York law to contact the police immediately after a collision. 

As noted by the New York City Police Department, you must contact the police immediately after an accident if:

• Someone was injured;
• Someone was killed;
• A domestic animal was injured or killed; or
• A vehicle or property was damaged, and the owner cannot be located.

Furthermore, New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires that you file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident with the Department of Motor Vehicles within ten days if there was over $1,000 of property damage to any one person as a result of the accident.

What Are the Leading Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents?

A commercial vehicle accident can have one cause or several, depending on the situation. If another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct was a contributing factor, you might be entitled to compensation. 

Leading causes of commercial vehicle accidents:

• Driving while impaired (DWI/DWAI)
• Inadequate training
• Distracted driving/driver inattention
• Overweight vehicle or improperly loaded cargo
• Poor truck maintenance
• Driver fatigue
• Speeding 
• Following too close

No matter the situation, if you are injured, you should have your case reviewed by an experienced Brooklyn commercial vehicle accident lawyer. 

Should I Agree to a Settlement After a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

If you are involved in a commercial vehicle accident in New York City, you should never sign anything without first consulting with an attorney. An insurance representative may try to get you to settle your case for far less than it is worth. Do not let their high-pressure sales tactics force you into agreeing to inadequate compensation. You should never have to pay for someone else’s wrongdoing.

At Ajlouny Injury Law, our Brooklyn commercial vehicle accident lawyers have recovered millions on behalf of injury victims in settlements and verdicts. We believe in giving our clients a voice and standing up to industry giants that want to avoid litigation. Let us help you get the maximum recovery for your damages.

How Common Are Commercial Vehicle Accidents?

Thousands of commercial vehicle accidents occur each year. The FMCSA records data from large truck and bus crashes in the country. Large trucks are defined as those with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds and are some of the most common commercial vehicles involved in accidents.

As noted in the most recent data available, there were 4,862 large trucks involved in fatal crashes. Nearly 100 of the large truck fatal crashes occurred in New York. Commercial vehicle accidents involving large trucks are rarely minor, given the weight and size of the vehicle. Tragically, it is most often an occupant of another vehicle that is killed in large truck accidents.

Do I Need an Attorney If I am Injured?

If you are injured in a commercial vehicle accident in New York City, you may be unable to work, have mounting medical bills, or face unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. Your best chance to recover fair and full compensation for your losses is by hiring a Brooklyn commercial vehicle accident lawyer.

Commercial vehicle accidents can be complex involving several insurance policies and multiple liable parties. Proving responsibility and getting compensation may require legal representation. Insurance companies may try to get you to settle, knowing that you need money now. You should never settle without having your case reviewed by an attorney. 

What Will I Receive Compensation for After a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

Damages in a commercial vehicle accident should cover your economic losses and, in some cases, your non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

Damages that may be collected in commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

In order to determine the value of your claim, contact our Brooklyn commercial vehicle accident lawyers today for a free consultation. Even if your case was rejected by another attorney, we will provide a free second opinion.

Why Ajlouny Injury Law?

At Ajlouny Injury Law, we put clients first. You will always work one-on-one with a licensed attorney on your case, not with a paralegal or receptionist. Our Brooklyn commercial vehicle accident lawyers will provide you with free legal advice so that you can make the right choice on how to proceed with your case.

We believe that injury victims deserve superior legal representation so that they can stand up to commercial companies and their insurance companies. With Ajlouny Injury Law, you not only get a lawyer, you get an advocate who will represent you in and out of the courtroom. Do not trust your case to an inexperienced attorney who is unfamiliar with commercial vehicle cases. 

Get the experience you can trust with our Brooklyn commercial vehicle accident attorneys!

How Are Commercial Vehicle Accidents Different From Car Accidents?

Commercial vehicle accidents may involve more complicated litigation than the average car accident since several parties may be liable, and there may be more than one insurance policy to file against. 

A lawyer who has not handled commercial vehicle accident cases in New York may not know to subpoena maintenance and safety logs as well as the driver’s logbook. Commercial drivers are regulated by both state and federal codes. Violating any of these laws could result in liability. An attorney must know the law and how to hold negligent parties accountable.

What If I Was a Pedestrian Hit By a Commercial Vehicle?

Occupants of other vehicles are not the only people injured in commercial vehicle accidents in New York City. Pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists are also at risk for serious injury in a commercial vehicle or large truck accident. 

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 15% of those killed in large truck crashes were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists in 2018. 67% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and only 16% were truck occupants.

At Ajlouny Injury Law, we represent anyone injured in a commercial vehicle accident caused by another party or parties. Whether you were the occupant in another vehicle, a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicyclist, we can help.

What If I Was Partially Responsible for the Accident?

First, it is not your job to determine who was responsible for the commercial vehicle accident. Even a police report may not be definitive in assigning fault. An independent investigation of the facts can help determine who was at fault and how much damages you may be owed.

If it is determined that you are partially responsible for the accident, you may still be able to recover damages. Contact our office to discuss your legal options, and if you have any culpable conduct that may diminish your recovery.

Call Our Office for Free Legal Assistance

Call or text our Brooklyn commercial vehicle accident lawyers at (718) 233-3913 for free legal advice. We will help you understand your rights and the potential for recovery. You need to act fast, as you only have a limited amount of time to bring a claim for damages against a negligent party.

Contact Ajlouny Injury Law today to get the legal representation you need. There are no fees unless we win, and all consultations are free of charge without obligation to retain our services. Get the help you need to be made whole again. We give free second opinions!