Large trucks share the roads with passenger vehicles throughout Queens every single day. When these massive vehicles collide with smaller cars, the results can be life-changing. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash involving a large truck, you need experienced legal help right away.

At Oresky & Associates, PLLC, we have spent over 30 years fighting for people injured in serious accidents across New York. Our team has recovered more than $500 million in compensation for accident victims throughout the Five Boroughs. We take a human approach to every case, ensuring that we listen, understand, offer guidance, and communicate openly with every client.

When you call our truck accident law firm, you become part of our family. That means we fight for hardworking people like you and their loved ones with the same dedication we would bring to protecting our own family members. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Queens truck accident lawyer who will put your needs first.

Why Should I Hire a Queens Attorney for My Truck Accident Claim?

Trucking companies operate powerful businesses with teams of lawyers ready to protect their interests. After a crash, these companies and their insurance providers will work hard to minimize what they pay you. You need someone on your side who understands how these companies operate and how to stand up to them.

A Queens truck accident attorney brings valuable knowledge and resources to your case. Our attorneys are well-versed in the federal regulations and state rules that govern trucking companies. We know what evidence to look for and how to build a strong case on your behalf.

Our firm can handle all the legal details while you focus on healing. We will investigate what happened, gather evidence, deal with insurance companies, and fight for every dollar you deserve. With hundreds of positive reviews from satisfied clients across New York’s Five Boroughs, we have proven our ability to deliver results.

Most importantly, our peers, colleagues, opposing counsel, and local courts know us to be honest, hardworking, and professional. This reputation means insurance companies take us seriously when we represent injured clients.

Reach out to us today to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Queens. Your initial consultation is free and fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.

What Compensation Could I Recover in a Queens Truck Accident Claim?

Your truck accident claim can seek payment for all the ways the crash has affected your life. These losses may include the following:

  • Medical bills from emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing care
  • Wages you have lost because you could not work after the crash
  • Your reduced ability to earn money in the future
  • The physical pain and emotional distress you experience
  • Any permanent changes to your body or abilities
  • Property damage, such as vehicle repair/replacement

If you lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident, your family can pursue wrongful death compensation for their loss.

The exact amount of truck accident compensation you can recover depends on the specific facts of your situation. Our attorneys can carefully review all aspects of your case to determine the full value of your losses.

Why Are Trucking Accidents More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Crashes?

Crashes involving large trucks present unique challenges that make them more complex than typical car accidents.

First of all, large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, compared to passenger vehicles that typically weigh around 4,000 pounds. This massive size difference means crashes often cause severe injuries and significant property destruction.

Second, federal regulations govern how trucking companies operate. These rules cover driver qualification, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, hours of service, and more. A truck accident attorney in Queens must understand these regulations to identify potential violations that may have contributed to the crash.

Moreover, evidence in trucking cases includes special data that passenger vehicles do not have. Many trucks are equipped with electronic logging devices that record speed, braking, and other driving information. Trucks also have specific maintenance records, driver qualification files, and company safety records. At Oresky & Associates, PLLC, our lawyers are experienced in obtaining and analyzing such critical evidence before it disappears.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Queens?

Another complicating factor in truck accident cases is that multiple parties may bear responsibility depending on the cause of the crash.

  • The truck driver may be liable if they made dangerous choices behind the wheel. Common examples include speeding, driving while tired, texting while driving, following too closely, or operating the vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • The trucking company often shares responsibility even when the driver made the actual error. Companies must properly screen and train their drivers. They must maintain their vehicles in safe working condition. They must not pressure drivers to violate safety rules to meet delivery schedules. When companies fail in these duties, they can be held accountable.
  • Cargo-loading companies can cause crashes when they improperly load trailers. Unbalanced loads can make trucks tip over. Unsecured cargo can shift during transport, potentially causing the driver to lose control.
  • Maintenance providers who service trucks may be liable if they perform substandard work. Faulty brakes, worn tires, or other mechanical failures resulting from poor maintenance can lead to serious crashes.
  • Parts manufacturers could be responsible if a defective component contributed to the collision. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering system problems sometimes stem from manufacturing defects.

Could I Recover Compensation if I’m Partly to Blame for a Truck Accident?

New York law follows a legal principle called comparative negligence. This rule allows you to recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for what happened.

Under this system, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20 percent responsible for the crash, you would receive 80 percent of your total losses. Using this scenario, if your total losses were $100,000, you could still receive $80,000.

Insurance companies often try to blame the accident victim for the collision to reduce what they have to pay. They may claim you were speeding or not paying attention, or that you violated a traffic law. A skilled attorney can investigate what really happened and fight back against unfair blame.

Our firm can work to minimize any fault attributed to you and maximize your recovery. We have successfully represented clients in cases where the other side tried to shift blame, and we know how to protect your rights.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in New York?

New York law sets strict deadlines for filing injury claims. For most personal injury cases, including those involving commercial truck crashes, you have three years from the date of the collision to file a truck accident lawsuit in court.

If your case involves a government vehicle or entity, much shorter deadlines may apply. You might have only 90 days to file a notice of claim in some situations involving municipal vehicles.

While three years may seem like plenty of time, you should not wait to seek legal help, especially as companies may destroy records after certain time periods pass. Starting your truck accident case early gives the team at Oresky & Associates, PLLC the best opportunity to gather strong evidence and build a compelling claim on your behalf.

What Are Common Types and Causes of Truck Accidents in Queens?

Large trucks cause several distinct types of crashes on Queens roadways. Understanding the following collision types helps explain how serious injuries occur:

  • Jackknife accidents happen when the trailer swings out from behind the cab, forming a “V” shape. These crashes often block multiple lanes and involve multiple vehicles at once.
  • Rollovers occur when trucks tip onto their sides or roofs, often spilling cargo across the roadway.
  • Underride collisions occur when smaller vehicles slide under the trailer of an 18-wheeler, often with devastating consequences.
  • Rear-end crashes happen when trucks fail to stop in time and slam into the vehicle ahead.
  • Wide-turn accidents occur when truck drivers swing wide to make a turn and strike vehicles alongside them.
  • Blind spot crashes result when trucks change lanes or merge without seeing nearby vehicles.

Many factors can cause these different types of collisions, including the following:

  • Driver fatigue
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Poor vehicle maintenance
  • Improper loading
  • Inadequate training
  • Violating traffic laws

What Are Typical Injuries Resulting from a Truck Collision?

The massive size and weight of semi-truck and big rig vehicles mean collisions often cause severe harm. Common truck accident injury types include the following:

  • Brain injuries that cause permanent cognitive problems
  • Spinal cord damage that results in partial or complete paralysis
  • Broken bones that require surgery and a lengthy recovery
  • Internal injuries that can be life-threatening
  • Burn injuries requiring extensive treatment
  • Crushing injuries that can result in amputation or death
  • Cuts and lacerations that leave permanent scars

Many people suffer multiple injuries in a single crash. The recovery process can take months or even years. Some injuries result in permanent limitations that affect every aspect of daily life.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Queens Today

Oresky & Associates, PLLC always puts our clients first and strives to achieve the best possible results for them. We treat every person who walks through our door like family because we know how much is at stake.

Our team is available 24/7 to take your call, and your immigration status does not matter to us; we represent all hardworking people who have been hurt through no fault of their own. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced attorney who will fight for the compensation you deserve. Your case review is fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.