Hempstead Truck Accident Lawyer
An accident involving a commercial truck or an 18-wheeler can have catastrophic results. Because these vehicles are so heavy, the accidents that they cause or contribute to can leave victims with serious and permanent injuries.
If you were injured in a collision with a truck, it may be important to get experienced legal help from a skilled attorney. Contact a Hempstead truck accident lawyer today to protect your rights after a severe injury.
Truck Accident Consequences
On average, passenger cars weigh around 4,000 pounds. In contrast, the maximum weight of a semi-truck is set at 80,000 pounds, including the freight the truck is carrying. The difference in size and weight between these vehicles means that people in smaller cars are often seriously hurt or even killed in collisions with commercial trucks.
After a truck accident, injured people and their families have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, since New York is a no-fault car insurance state, not all injured people are eligible to sue in civil court.
In general, only people who have suffered serious injuries like broken bones, disfigurement, brain or spinal injuries, or people who were fully disabled by their injuries for at least ninety days, are able to file a personal injury lawsuit against another negligent driver. Under these circumstances, hiring a Hempstead truck crash attorney could be essential to recovering comprehensive compensation.
Truckers’ Responsibilities
Driving a large truck professionally is a demanding job. Truck drivers work long hours in potentially uncomfortable conditions and must constantly be alert for hazards or threats on the road. Unfortunately, making a mistake in a vehicle that weighs several tons can have disastrous consequences.
Trucking companies and truck drivers have a responsibility to operate safely and must also take precautions to ensure that their vehicles and cargo are safe and secured before driving. When a driver causes an accident due to speeding, distracted or impaired driving, or unsecured cargo, a dedicated truck accident lawyer in Hempstead might be able to hold them liable for a victim’s damages through a personal injury suit.
One of the most common causes of accidents in Hempstead is fatigue. Truckers are encouraged to deliver their cargo quickly, which may necessitate staying on the road when they are too tired to drive safely. While a driver’s hours are strictly regulated by the state and federal governments, many drivers still push the limits in order to meet their deadlines.
The Complexities of Truck Wreck Litigation
Truck accident cases often involve shared responsibility. For example, many truck drivers work for trucking companies, which could also share some of the liability in a personal injury case.
Trucking companies have a duty to hire safe drivers, train them properly, and maintain their fleet of vehicles. Additionally, many drivers and trucking companies outsource their maintenance and repairs to another business, which could bear responsibility if an accident stems from a mechanical problem.
The trucking industry is worth millions of dollars, and many trucking companies have teams of attorneys and accident investigators on call and ready to build their case. By hiring a dedicated attorney who has experience with truck accidents, injured people could make sure that they also have professional help looking into evidence like the driver’s logbook, dash-cam footage, or maintenance records.
How a Hempstead Truck Accident Attorney Could Help
If you were seriously injured in a truck accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation from several sources. Insurance companies are also likely to contact you after a collision in an attempt to settle your case for less than it is worth.
When you are dealing with a severe injury, do not wait to get the help you need. Protect your rights after an accident by contacting a Hempstead truck accident lawyer today.
