White Plains Truck Accident Attorney
Being involved in a truck accident is a vastly different experience than being involved in a car accident. Though both types of crashes are common on New York roads, the severity of damages and injuries is far greater with truck accidents. Trucks like 18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles are bigger, heavier, and harder to stop than cars, and one wrong move could cause a tragedy. Accidents involving trucks are often fatal to other involved drivers.
Though general New York personal injury law applies to all auto accidents in the state, additional state and federal trucking regulations make these cases more complex. Many truck accidents are caused by the negligence of the truck driver or the company they work for, meaning the victim is eligible to recover compensation from them for their injuries. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident in White Plains, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact us online or call (914) 288-9191 to schedule your free consultation.
- Why Work with Lever & Ecker After Being in a Truck Accident?
- What Compensation is Available in a White Plains Truck Accident Lawsuit?
- How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Truck Accident in White Plains?
- Who Could Be Held Liable for Causing a Truck Accident in White Plains?
- How Our Team Investigates Truck Accidents
- Contact Lever & Ecker for Help with Your Truck Accident Claim
Why Work with Lever & Ecker After Being in a Truck Accident?
On your own, getting full and fair compensation after being injured in a truck accident can be a challenge. Trucking companies and their insurers want to pay you as little as possible for your injuries, and without a lawyer by your side, you might be tempted to accept a lowball settlement offer without realizing you could get much more.
Our White Plains personal injury lawyers have extensive experience navigating truck accident litigation and have successfully represented thousands of clients. Our firm has more than 70 years of experience handling personal injury cases and can help protect your interests. Our clients are treated like family, never like numbers, and can expect top-tier legal representation and an open line of communication when working with our attorneys. We take personal injury cases . . . very personally.
What Compensation is Available in a White Plains Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Every truck accident is different, and the amount you can recover depends on the facts of the crash, the nature of your injuries, and the relevant insurance policy limits. You may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages, which compensate for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Paralysis, disability, and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death
New York law also allows punitive damages, which are intended to punish the defendant if they were egregiously negligent or reckless. If applicable, these damages can add a significant amount to your total compensation.
Can I Still Be Compensated if I Was Partially Responsible?
If you are partially at fault for your accident in New York, you can still recover damages, but they will be reduced by your percentage of fault. New York’s comparative negligence laws mean that compensation is determined based on each party’s degree of fault. Our White Plains truck accident lawyers can push back against wrongful accusations of fault in your case to maximize the compensation you receive.
How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Truck Accident in White Plains?
For most truck accidents in New York, you have three years from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit. However, under certain circumstances there are exceptions that significantly shorten the deadline, which is why it is important to reach out to Lever & Ecker to ensure the correct deadline isn’t missed. As a general rule, failing to file your claim within New York’s personal injury statute of limitations will permanently prohibit you from recovering compensation.
Who Could Be Held Liable for Causing a Truck Accident in White Plains?
Truck accident lawsuits sometimes include multiple liable parties. The most common liable parties in truck accident lawsuits include:
- Truck drivers when they acted negligently.
- Truck owners when they did not properly maintain or service their truck.
- Trucking companies when the load was secured improperly, the truck was not maintained, or the driver was forced to stay behind the wheel longer than legally allowed.
Other possible liable parties in truck accident lawsuits in White Plains include:
- Maintenance companies that serviced the tractor or trailer improperly.
- Loading companies when they are separate from the trucking company.
- Truck manufacturers when a defect caused the accident.
- Government agencies when poor road maintenance led to the accident.
How Our Team Investigates Truck Accidents
Our White Plains truck accident lawyers will send investigators to the scene of the accident to take photographs and measurements and obtain any other necessary evidence. We’ll also meet with eyewitnesses to get statements and reach out to the police to get more information about the accident.
Determining liability in a truck accident requires a thorough, independent investigation. We may request that the truck be inspected and review the trucking company’s history and policies before advising you on the best legal route toward compensation.
Evidence in Truck Accident Cases
In addition to police reports, tire skid marks, medical evidence, and footage of the accident, truck accident claims often involve:
- Black box data – Most large trucks today are equipped with a “black box”, which can provide vital information about things like how long the truck was in operation, the truck’s speed, whether brakes were applied, whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt, and more.
- Truck driver logs – The truck driver’s logs and work schedule can help establish the cause of the accident.
- Employment records – The truck driver’s employment history may help establish a history of accidents or a breach of duty on the part of their employer.
- Toxicology reports – Since impaired driving is a common factor in White Plains truck accidents, it’s important to gather as much information as possible about the driver’s physical and mental state at the time of the accident.
Types of Truck Accidents
Some of the most common types of truck accidents involve malfunctions due to the sheer number and complexity of moving parts on semi-trucks. Sadly, drivers of smaller vehicles in truck accidents are more likely to experience severe injuries or death. Common types of truck accidents in White Plains include:
- Jack-knife accidents – When a truck trailer swings out against the weight of the tractor.
- Improper cargo accidents – When a truck crashes, rolls over, catches fire, or explodes because its cargo is improperly loaded. This could be caused by overloading, poor balance, or trucks containing dangerous or illegal materials.
- Runaway truck accidents – Improper braking, speeding, reckless driving, or poor maintenance can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
These are just a few types of truck accidents that can occur. Our truck accident lawyers have the skills and experience needed to handle all kinds of commercial truck crashes. No matter the circumstances of your case, do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.
Contact Lever & Ecker for Help with Your Truck Accident Claim
After being injured in a truck accident in White Plains, you may face overwhelming financial, physical, and emotional losses. You may also be left wondering how to secure meaningful compensation. At Lever & Ecker, our approach is simple: we listen to you, guide you, and help you with what needs to be done right away to secure the compensation you deserve.
If you cannot come to us due to your injuries, our White Plains auto accident attorneys can arrange a meeting that is convenient for you—at home, in the hospital, or over the phone. We will make sure you understand your rights and provide the support you need to pursue meaningful compensation.
Trucking companies and their insurers will fight hard to avoid compensating you for injuries, but our White Plains truck accident lawyers are here to level the playing field. Contact us online or call (914) 288-9191 to schedule your free case evaluation.
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