Truck accidents are a frequent occurrence in New York despite various laws in place to enforce responsible truck driving. The results are almost always catastrophic when large trucks collide with smaller vehicles. Commercial trucks are much larger than passenger vehicles, so even a minor accident with a truck can have a serious impact. A truck weighs several tons, and the cargo being carried could be extremely heavy – both of which can significantly increase the severity of the crash and cause more serious injuries than one might typically receive in an accident.
The aftermath of a truck accident can be complex and confusing. If you're injured in an accident with a big rig, you'll likely need extensive medical treatment and long-term care, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. And even though the medical insurance will probably cover some of these costs, there may be gaps in coverage that you'll have to cover out of pocket. In addition, if you were injured seriously enough to miss work due to the crash, your employer may not provide paid leave until you're back on your feet again.
The circumstances and the repercussions of your accident could leave you reeling. Work with our truck accident attorneys in New York City to evaluate your case and hold the responsible party liable for the damages, injuries, and losses you incurred.
Statistics from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles show that every year, there are around 23,282 vehicles involved in truck accidents in New York. Whether it is delivery trucks, sanitation trucks, dump trucks or trucks used to move furniture around the city, the huge size and weight of these trucks and their large blind spots make them difficult to maneuver on the congested streets of New York City. As a result, even a slight error or the truck driver can result in a devastating truck accident.
The job of a truck driver typically involves spending long hours behind the wheels on long, dreary highways. To add to the already challenging conditions, the sword of tight deadlines constantly hangs over a trucker’s head. Such tedious conditions combine to cause truckers to spend more time on the road than they ideally should. All this ends up making them susceptible to exhaustion, jadedness, burnouts, and falling asleep behind the wheel, which increases the risk of truck accidents.
Read more: Risk of Truck Accidents Due to Drowsy Driving in New York
With an increasing number of trucks plying on the streets of New York, passenger vehicles are at a greater risk of accidents. Any accident with a truck can be dangerous but the damages are even higher if the collision occurs when the truck is speeding. A truck being driven over the permitted speed limit is far more likely to cause either a fatality or serious injuries that lead to paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and amputation injuries.
Cargo in a New York tractor-trailer can weigh approximately tens of thousands of pounds. The truck’s center of gravity can shift abruptly if the cargo is not properly secured. This can result in the truck overturning or running out of control.
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