Syracuse Truck Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a truck accident? Being your advocate should start immediately after any serious collision with a commercial vehicle. When it comes to your rights, you must be proactive, especially when facing trucking companies and their insurance carriers, and contact a truck accident lawyer to discuss.

Even if the trucking company claims their driver was not at fault, commercial vehicles are held to higher standards under federal and state regulations. Let’s dive in more into why you might want to talk to a truck accident lawyer and a team about your options.

Truck Accident Statistics in New York

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and New York State traffic data, the statistics surrounding truck accidents reveal serious safety concerns:

• 7,461 fatal and non-fatal collisions involving large trucks in New York in 2021, involving 7,729 large trucks total

• 110 deaths and 4,738 injuries resulted from truck accidents in New York in 2021, representing significant trauma for victims and families

• 599 motor vehicle collisions involving large commercial vehicles occurred in NYC as of June 2024, with Brooklyn experiencing the highest number at 219 collisions

• New York had 143 fatalities in large truck accidents in 2022, representing 2% of all U.S. trucking fatalities that year

Studies show that large trucks account for only 4% of all registered vehicles nationwide but represent 9% of all vehicles involved in fatal traffic accidents. The massive size and weight of commercial trucks – up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded – creates catastrophic injury potential when collisions occur.

Types of Truck Accidents

There are several main types of truck accidents, each with different causation factors and injury patterns:

Rear-End Collisions: These occur when trucks fail to stop in time due to extended braking distances required for heavy vehicles. Commercial trucks can require up to 40% more distance to stop than passenger vehicles, making following too closely particularly dangerous.

Jackknife Accidents: These happen when the trailer swings around at a sharp angle to the cab when the truck brakes suddenly or loses traction. Jackknife accidents often involve multiple vehicles and block entire roadways.

Rollover Accidents: Large trucks tip over due to excessive speed around curves, sudden lane changes, load shifts, or mechanical failures. Rollovers are particularly dangerous on highways and can involve multiple vehicles.

Underride Accidents: These catastrophic collisions occur when smaller vehicles slide under truck trailers, often resulting in fatal or near-fatal injuries due to the height differential between vehicles.

Each type of accident requires investigation of federal trucking regulations, driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance records, and compliance with hours-of-service requirements.

Delayed Treatment of Truck Accident Injuries Can Have Serious Consequences

Unfortunately, truck accident injuries are often severe and life-threatening due to the massive size differential between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. This is why it is important to stress that truck accident victims should seek immediate emergency medical attention and consult a truck accident lawyer promptly.

The severity of truck accident injuries can be devastating and life-altering. The most common injuries include:

• Catastrophic injuries due to the extreme size and weight differential between trucks and passenger vehicles

• Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage from the tremendous forces involved in truck collisions

• Multiple bone fractures and crushing injuries requiring extensive surgical intervention and rehabilitation

• Burn injuries from fuel spills and fires that can occur when trucks crash

• Wrongful death occurring in a high percentage of truck accident cases

• Long-term rehabilitation and permanent disability affecting victims’ ability to work and maintain quality of life

The physics of truck accidents mean that even seemingly minor collisions can result in serious injuries. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 20-40 times more than a passenger car, creating forces that human bodies cannot withstand without significant trauma.

Truck accident cases are also more complex than typical motor vehicle accidents due to federal regulations governing the trucking industry. Multiple parties may be liable, including:

• The truck driver for violations of safety regulations

• The trucking company for inadequate training or pressure to violate regulations

• Maintenance companies for mechanical failures

• Cargo loading companies for improperly secured loads

Janet Izzo and Josh Gillette of Gillette & Izzo Law Office understand that truck accident cases require extensive investigation and knowledge of federal trucking regulations. They work with accident reconstruction experts and trucking industry specialists to build strong cases. Documenting your injuries, obtaining the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, and preserving crucial evidence is essential for your truck accident claim.

Knowledge of federal trucking regulations empowers you when facing commercial carriers.

Federal regulations under 49 CFR Parts 100-185 govern commercial trucking operations, including driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. New York also enforces these regulations and additional state requirements under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Article 19-A. Time limits for obtaining crucial evidence like ELD data make immediate legal action essential.

Discuss Your Legal Options With A Truck Accident Lawyer

Following a truck accident, you have important legal rights under both federal trucking regulations and New York state law. The complexity of truck accident cases requires experienced legal representation to navigate multiple insurance policies and liable parties.

Janet Izzo and Josh Gillette combine their knowledge of statutes and laws with extensive experience in medical malpractice claims. Time is of the essence. Take action by making one phone call to our firm.

Discuss your situation with a lawyer at Gillette and Izzo Law Office in Syracuse by calling 315-421-1000 or you can contact us through our online form.

We represent our clients with truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis. You only pay legal fees if we recover compensation in your case. Our experience includes cases involving:

• Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations

• Distracted driving and cell phone use by truck drivers

• Inadequate truck maintenance and mechanical failures

• Improperly secured or overweight cargo

• Trucking company negligence in hiring and training

• Multiple vehicle accidents with complex liability issues

Understanding Federal Trucking Regulations

Commercial trucking is heavily regulated by federal law to promote safety on our highways. Key regulations that may impact your case include:

Hours of Service Rules: 49 CFR Part 395 limits how long truck drivers can operate before taking mandatory rest periods. Violations can indicate driver fatigue as a contributing factor.

Driver Qualification Standards: 49 CFR Part 391 establishes minimum qualifications for commercial drivers, including medical certification, driving record requirements, and drug/alcohol testing.

Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance: 49 CFR Parts 393-396 require regular inspections and maintenance of commercial vehicles to ensure safe operation.

Cargo Securement: 49 CFR Part 392 mandates proper loading and securing of cargo to prevent load shifts that can cause accidents.

The Importance of Immediate Action After a Truck Accident

Time is critical after a truck accident for several reasons:

Evidence Preservation: Electronic logging devices (ELDs) that track driver hours may be overwritten after a short period. Trucking companies must preserve this data when properly notified of potential litigation.

Witness Statements: Commercial truck accidents often occur on busy highways where witnesses may be difficult to locate later.

Scene Documentation: Highway accidents scenes are typically cleared quickly, making immediate documentation crucial.

Medical Treatment: The severity of truck accident injuries requires immediate and ongoing medical attention to prevent complications and document the full extent of injuries.

Insurance Claims: Multiple insurance policies may apply in truck accident cases, each with different notification requirements and time limits.

The experienced legal team at Gillette & Izzo Law Office will immediately begin investigating your truck accident, working to preserve crucial evidence while you focus on recovery. We understand the tactics used by trucking companies and their insurers to minimize liability and will fight to protect your rights from day one.

Determining Liability in Truck Accidents

Truck accident cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties, making a thorough investigation essential:

The Truck Driver: May be liable for traffic violations, hours-of-service violations, distracted driving, or other negligent conduct.

The Trucking Company: Can be held responsible for inadequate driver training, pressure to violate safety regulations, or negligent hiring practices.

Vehicle Maintenance Companies: May be liable if mechanical failures caused by inadequate maintenance contributed to the accident.

Cargo Loading Companies: Can be responsible if improperly loaded or secured cargo caused the accident.

Manufacturers: May be liable if defective truck parts or systems caused the collision.

Our thorough investigation will identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery and ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries and losses.