Queens Truck Accident Lawyer

Danial G. Ecker
Content Legally Reviewed by:
Founding Partner

Any auto accident can be devastating, but accidents involving large commercial trucks are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries than those involving smaller vehicles. Truck accident claims are also more complex than most other auto accident claims because they often involve multiple sources of liability, including powerful trucking companies with the resources to push back hard when victims seek compensation.

Our attorneys are here to level the playing field. For more than 30 years, we have been standing up to large trucking companies and their insurers. We know what it takes to hold them accountable and recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in a truck accident, call (718) 933-3632 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with our skilled Queens truck accident lawyers today.

Why Choose Level & Ecker To Handle Your Truck Accident Claim?

Our experienced truck accident lawyers in Queens have more than 70 years of combined experience helping New Yorkers exercise their right to compensation when injured due to the carelessness of others. When you find yourself up against a trucking company unwilling to compensate you fairly for injuries their drivers cause, we have what it takes to protect your interests.

We take personal injury cases . . . very personally.® From the moment you entrust us with your truck accident case, we will treat you like family and put your needs above all else. We take on a limited number of cases at a time to ensure each one receives the full and undivided attention it deserves. Our approach is simple: we will listen to you, guide you, and help you secure the compensation you are owed in the most efficient way possible.

We understand how difficult handling the physical, financial, and legal aftermath of an auto accident can be. Founding partner David B. Lever was once seriously injured in a motorcycle accident himself. He experienced the pain, frustration, and uncertainty that are all too common on the long road to recovery. We are here to relieve the burden in your case by providing the highest-quality legal representation in your hour of need.

We Help Victims of All Types of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Queens

Our skilled truck accident lawyers in Queens handle all types of traffic accidents involving large commercial vehicles, including tractor-trailers, dump trucks, cement trucks, buses, moving trucks, delivery trucks, and trains. Below are some of the most common types of truck accidents we see in our personal injury practice:

  • Amazon Delivery Truck Accidents
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Rollovers
  • Underride accidents
  • Jackknife accidents
  • Right-turn accidents
  • Left-turn accidents
  • Tire blowouts
  • Blindspot accidents
  • Head-on collisions
  • Sideswipe accidents

We Have Recovered Millions of Dollars in Compensation for Our Clients

Our client testimonials and strong track record of success reflect our longstanding dedication to excellence. Our firm has won numerous high-value verdicts and settlements in commercial truck accident lawsuits, including:

The Ongoing Truck Traffic Problem in Queens

Queens is the largest borough in New York City by area and has a population of nearly 2.5 million. It is crossed by numerous major roadways and is home to two of the nation’s busiest airports. The high level of activity within the borough raises the risk of accidents. Because of their oversized proportions compared to other vehicles, commercial trucks are particularly dangerous.

To keep roads safe, New York City has implemented mandatory truck routes. Though many pass through Queens, truck traffic in the borough has reached an all-time high due to the ever-increasing flow of goods delivered to businesses and residences. There is no end in sight, as the amount of freight transported into New York City is expected to increase by as much as 70 percent by 2045.
In addition to the increased congestion on the roads, Queens also lacks sufficient parking for large commercial vehicles. In the words of Mayor Eric Adams, “For far too long, large commercial vehicles have been parking illegally in this neighborhood, disrupting daily life, and contributing to noise, traffic, and pollution.” Though the city government has responded by cracking down on illegal parking, the problem persists.

How Can Lever & Ecker Help With My Truck Accident Claim?

When you choose us to handle your truck accident claim, you will be able to focus on your medical treatment while we handle everything else, including:

  • Investigating the accident
  • Identifying the liable parties
  • Dealing with insurance companies
  • Filing your lawsuit
  • Negotiating a settlement
  • Fighting for you in court should a trial become necessary

The Accident Investigation

A truck accident investigation is more complex than in other car accidents because truck drivers and trucking companies are required to follow specific state and federal guidelines. For example, the law limits how many hours per day a truck driver can work. Truck drivers are required to perform post-trip inspections, and trucking companies must maintain their trucks. They are also subject to weight limits. During our investigation, we will review inspection reports, truck driver logs, and other data to determine whether the driver or the company violated any laws.

A violation of these laws could point to drowsy driving or defective vehicle components, which could be a factor in the accident. We will also review the toxicology report to determine whether the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

We have highly skilled accident reconstruction experts, forensic analysts, and mechanical experts working for us who will recreate the accident to identify all of the factors that caused it. This will include downloading black box data, evaluating whether the cargo was too heavy or improperly loaded, analyzing skid marks, and assessing vehicle damage. We will also interview witnesses, look for video surveillance, and review photographic evidence.

Establishing Liability

One of the primary purposes of the accident investigation is to determine who is liable for your accident and in some cases, clear you of fault that was wrongly assigned. We can often hold the trucking company liable for the driver’s negligence. This is important because commercial insurance policy limits are typically much higher than a driver’s policy. Since compensation is usually limited to the amount of insurance available, this can make a significant difference in the amount we recover for you.

We will also determine whether any of the following parties are liable:

  • Mechanics
  • Companies that load cargo
  • Manufacturers of truck components, such as brakes and tires
  • State or municipal agencies

Your Insurance Claim

You may be entitled to significant compensation for your pain, suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. Truck insurance companies work hard to avoid paying fair compensation. Never try to handle the claim yourself. Insurance companies put your words and actions under a microscope. They employ claims adjusters who often seem friendly, but their purpose is to persuade you to speak freely. The more you say, the more ammunition they have against you.

No matter what they tell you, insurance claims adjusters are not on your side. They will pressure you to provide a recorded statement, then play it for their lawyers to use against you. They also offer lowball settlements claiming they are doing you a favor. Yet these offers are typically much lower than your damages. If you accept such an offer, you will be stuck with it. You cannot pursue more compensation when the money runs out.

Our highly experienced truck accident attorneys in Queens know what to say and what not to say to protect your claim. Let us deal with the insurance company for you. The sooner you involve us, the sooner we can start protecting your claim.

When Should I Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Queens?

Contact our Queens truck accident lawyers as soon as possible after your accident. Investigating a truck accident takes time. Further, if you wait too long to hire an attorney, important evidence may disappear and witness memories may fade.

Remember that you must also file your case before the deadline set by the New York personal injury statute of limitations. In most cases, you have three years to file. However, if the accident was fatal, the decedent’s personal representative only has two years to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of surviving loved ones.

In some cases, the deadline is even shorter. In all cases, the correct deadline will be strictly enforced. If you file late, your case will be dismissed, thereby destroying your right to seek compensation in court and your bargaining power in settlement negotiations.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our Queens Truck Accident Attorneys Today

If you were injured in a truck accident at little to no fault of your own, you may be entitled to significant legal compensation. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you. Our award-winning truck accident lawyers in Queens have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We have a 99 percent success rate, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call (718) 933-3632 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation today. Para servir mejor a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad, ofrecemos servicios en español.

Related Resources