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Tractor-Trailer & Truck Accident Lawyers Near Me | Personal Injury Attorneys
Tractor-Trailer & Truck Accident Lawyers Albany, NY
If you were injured in a tractor-trailer or truck accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyers as soon as possible. Truck crashes are uniquely dangerous and often cause catastrophic or even fatal injuries. Because of the massive size, weight, and limited maneuverability of commercial trucks, the impact from these collisions can be devastating for the occupants of smaller vehicles.
Our tractor-trailer and truck accident attorneys have successfully represented clients throughout Albany, Latham, Lake George, Plattsburgh, and across New York State, recovering compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering. We understand how difficult life can be after a serious truck accident, and we are committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process with compassion and dedication.
Tractor-Trailor and Truck Accident Lawyers Near Me
Tractor-Trailor and truck accident cases are often more complex than typical car accidents. Multiple parties may be responsible, including the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the vehicle’s manufacturer. Our team investigates every detail of the crash—reviewing driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and company safety practices—to determine who is at fault and to hold all negligent parties accountable.
Recently, truck accident lawyers at LaMarche Safranko Law successfully resolved a case for a client named Gary who was seriously injured in a dump truck accident. When a fully loaded dump truck weighing more than 20,000 pounds was traveling eastbound on NY State Route 43, it rear-ended a stopped vehicle, propelling that vehicle into Gary’s lane. Gary, who was driving with his dog, was suddenly struck. Because of the size and force of the dump truck, the crash caused severe damage and serious injuries that required extensive medical care and rehabilitation. In this case, the dump truck carried one million dollars in insurance coverage, allowing Gary to receive substantial compensation for his injuries. This case is one example of how our firm’s experience and dedication help injured clients recover the financial support they need to move forward with their lives.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck or tractor-trailer accident, don’t face the trucking companies or their insurers alone. The truck accident lawyers at LaMarche Safranko Law have the knowledge, experience, and resources to protect your rights and pursue the justice you deserve.
FAQs about Tractor-Trailor and Truck Accident Cases
If you have been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, dump truck, snowplow or other type of truck, you have likely suffered serious injuries and sought medical treatment. Your next step is to fill out a no-fault application to ensure that all medical bills, lost earnings, and reasonable and necessary expenses incurred are paid through available automobile insurance coverage. If you were in a vehicle, the insurance company for the vehicle you were in will cover these costs and expenses. If you were a pedestrian, runner, or bicyclist the truck’s insurance will pay these bills and expenses. It is important that you cooperate with your own insurance company. However, you should not speak to the insurance company for the truck driver as there is no obligation that you do so. If you have suffered serious injuries, you should also reach out to a personal injury lawyer who handles truck accident claims. The lawyer can meet with you and explain the process of pursuing an injury claim.
Yes. It is important to hire a lawyer that understands the unique aspects of a truck accident crash and has the skill, ability, resources, and experience with experts to successfully pursue a claim on your behalf. There are special rules and regulations that truck drivers and trucking companies must follow. If a failure to follow the rules results in injuries to another motorist or pedestrian, a truck accident lawyer can hold the driver and the employer responsible for their actions and negligence.
If you are injured in a truck accident crash, a personal injury lawyer will examine your case from two primary angles which include 1. Liability and 2. Damages. In terms of liability, first, the lawyer will want to know who is “liable” or at fault for the crash. Additionally, an attorney will want to understand the full extent of your harm and injuries. Sometimes, the long-term ramifications of injuries are not known, and experience in this area can aid in better understanding what may be still to come.
If it appears that the truck driver was primarily responsible for the crash, and if you have suffered serious injuries, an injury lawyer will likely be able to pursue a claim on your behalf.
Yes. Under New York Law, to bring a claim against an at fault truck driver or trucking company, it is necessary that your injuries be “serious” as that term is defined by the insurance law in New York. To learn more about serious injuries in New York click here.
It will likely not cost you anything to pursue your personal injury case as your truck accident lawyer will likely work on a contingency fee basis. In contingency fee cases, your lawyer will only receive a legal fee if he/she is successful in pursuing your case. When your case resolves or there is a verdict at trial, your lawyer will be entitled to 33.33% of the settlement or verdict.
Additionally, during the process of the personal injury case, your lawyer may advance the costs and expenses associated with prosecuting the claim, including costs to obtain medical records, retain expert witnesses and consultants, costs for court filing fees, and costs associated with taking depositions. If your lawyer advances these costs and expenses, upon successful resolution of your case all outstanding costs and expenses will be repaid to the lawyer from the settlement or trial verdict.
If you have been involved in an accident with a truck or 18-wheel vehicle and have suffered injuries, a truck injury lawyer will meet with you to get an understanding of how the accident happened. There are many causes of truck accidents including brake failures, tire failures, mechanical violations, speed, rollovers, or driver error. Depending on the type and severity of the crash, the police will prepare an accident report and/or an accident reconstruction report. Your lawyer will talk to witnesses and obtain necessary experts to review and explain reasons for the crash. Once an investigation is complete, your lawyer will be prepared to file a lawsuit against the driver, the company who is responsible for causing your injuries and any other party that may have contributed to the crash.
In a negligence action against a truck driver who caused a crash, unless the truck driver and/or his employer admits fault, your attorney must prove the truck driver’s negligence and the injuries resulting from the truck driver’s wrongful conduct. To prove negligence, your truck accident lawyer will obtain the police investigative materials and speak to relevant witnesses. Additionally, there may be camera footage that exists in the vicinity of a crash.
Once a lawsuit is filed, your lawyer will seek access to company records regarding maintenance of the vehicle and the driver’s logbook. It is important to confirm the driver has not exceeded the number of driving hours in a day or a week. It is also important to confirm the truck was not overloaded or overweight for its size. Truck inspections are critical to the safe operation of the truck. Additionally, your personal injury lawyer will determine if any state or federal trucking regulations were violated and find out if there were any medical conditions that caused or contributed to the crash.
Yes. Companies have an obligation to ensure their drivers are safe to drive and must perform regular tests to confirm the safety of their drivers. Additionally, trucking companies are obligated to perform proper maintenance on the trucks their drivers operate. Although drivers of large vehicles must possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL), having a CDL alone does not necessarily mean the driver has been properly trained or has the experience to operate such a vehicle. Employers should examine the driver’s history to confirm the driver should be operating the vehicle. Finally, unrealistic, or unsafe delivery deadlines can lead to driver fatigue which can be very dangerous to other motorists.
In any personal injury claim, it is important to consider anyone who may be at fault in causing the crash. In most instances, the initial person responsible is the truck driver who caused the crash. There may be other avenues of liability as well, including the truck driver’s employer, the repair facility that performed work on the truck, the manufacturer of a defective part, or even a governmental entity responsible for a dangerous road.
Yes. Even if you are partially at fault for causing an accident, the law in New York state still allows you to bring a claim against another party who was also at fault. The legal term for this is called “comparative fault”. Under this theory, you may still recover at least some portion of compensation for your injuries. If the truck driver claims you were at fault, it is the truck driver’s burden to prove that you were negligent and that your negligence contributed to causing the crash.
Yes. Generally, the statute of limitations in New York for a truck accident claim is 3 years from the date of the incident. However, if the truck that hit you was owned by a town, city, village, or county, a notice of claim must be filed within 90 days from the date of the incident. If the truck that struck you was owned by the state of New York a claim or notice of intention to file a claim must be filed within 90 days of the crash.
There are many factors to consider in determining the value of your personal injuries. Your truck accident attorney must first consider who was at fault and if any fault lies with you that would reduce the value of your claim. In other words, if you are 50% at fault for the crash, you will only receive 50% of what your claim is fully valued at. Additionally, your lawyer must examine all your medical records, consult with medical doctors, and have the experience to understand the range of value your injuries may garner by way of a settlement or trial verdict. The value of injuries depends on the long term impacts the injury has on your life. For instance, a fracture without surgery is worth less than a fracture that requires surgery and the placement of hardware. An injury that heals and leaves no long-term impacts on a person is worth less than an injury that impacts a person’s ability to work and enjoy life. Brain injuries such as a mild concussion or contusions are much different than a traumatic permanent brain injury that impacts a person’s ability to work and function. It is important that your injury lawyer takes the time to truly understand the significance of your injuries and the impact the injuries have on your life.
Maybe. In many instances, after your personal injury lawyer determines the cause of the crash and obtains all the necessary medical information, a settlement can be reached. In some instances, a settlement can be reached prior to filing a lawsuit, and in other cases a settlement can be reached after a lawsuit is filed, but before trial. One of the most important aspects of reaching a settlement is to make sure the full extent of your harm and injuries is known and understood before a settlement is attempted so you obtain the full money value for your injuries. Consulting with medical doctors is very important to understanding the full extent of your injuries.
No. Once a case is settled, it is final and there is no ability for any lawyer to reopen the case. Therefore, it is crucial to know the full extent of your harm and injuries before a settlement is reached.
Law Firm Testimonials
“The arrest of my husband in 2008 was an extremely difficult and emotional time for our family. The arrest turned our lives upside down. It was sudden and unexpected and had tragic emotional as well as financial consequences. I had no idea what to do under the circumstances….
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“Throughout the attorney client relationship regarding my personal injury lawsuit, George and his staff continually exhibited tremendous amounts of legal knowledge, skill, and a vast amount of expert resources that ultimately resulted in a final judgment in my favor. George was there every step of the way to explain where we stood and what to expect next and there was never a need to question his professional judgment…
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I cannot thank you enough for your hard work, diligence, and selfless manner that you put towards my legal difficulties in Colonie. From the first moment I met you, you helped reassure me that things were going to turn out in a more favorable manner than I originally thought. Clearly, the final result of my court case displays the quality of time and work that you put into this….
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“I am an attorney who found himself in the middle of a serious, personal legal matter that compromised not only my personal life but my professional life as well. I immediately contacted Andrew (Andy) Safranko, Esq. Andy worked tirelessly and extremely hard to bring my legal situation to a very favorable resolution. In so doing, Andy not only saved certain aspects of my personal and professional life…
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“I wanted to express my deepest appreciation to Mr. Andrew Safranko for the exceptional job he did in regards to my legal representation. Mr. Safranko displayed the utmost in professionalism and discretion during the entire court process, and took the time to explain each and every step….
