Nassau County Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck collision injuries are often severe due to the size of the vehicle. Even a fender bender with a truck has the potential to cause lasting injuries.

A truck collision lawyer with Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. can handle your claim or lawsuit after suffering injuries in Nassau County.

Compensation for Truck Crash Victims in Nassau County

One of the most frequent questions we receive from new or potential clients is, “How much is my case worth?” This is a question we can only answer after a more in-depth exploration of a specific case. We can, however, provide information about what types of damages you might expect to recover in a truck collision lawsuit in Nassau County.

In New York, courts allow injured victims to seek recovery for both economic and non-economic damages. You may receive an award for the following losses:

• Past and future medical bills: This can include hospital fees, medical devices or equipment, medications, doctor’s appointments, and other medical costs relating to your injuries.
• Lost wages: In the event that you had to miss shifts or promotion opportunities at work to heal from your injuries, you could seek reimbursement for these losses.
• Reduced earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, we can seek compensation for this future loss. Even if you can return to work but cannot perform the same duties, we can seek the difference in your income.
• Pain and suffering: We can fight for monetary recovery for physical pain, chronic pain, emotional suffering, distress, or mental anguish suffered as a result of a truck collision in Nassau County.

A lawyer from our firm can fight for fair compensation while you focus on your physical recovery. Don’t settle for less than your case is worth or accept the first offer, as it may not fairly cover your losses.

Wrongful Death Damages

If you lost your loved one due to a truck collision, we can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Potential awards may include:

• Burial and funeral expenses
• Your loved one’s pain and suffering before their passing
• Your loved one’s medical bills associated with their injuries
• Loss of inheritance, which accounts for the income your loved one would have provided

In a wrongful death lawsuit, a representative of the deceased may recover compensation and distribute it to surviving family members. If a will does not name a representative, the court can appoint one, which is usually a spouse, child, or parent.

While no amount of money will replace your family member, it can help you cope and adjust in their absence. You deserve to grieve in peace. Leave the legal process to us.

What a Truck Collision Lawyer From Our Team Will Do for You

Our personal injury attorneys at Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. handle truck collision cases. We know the roadways of Nassau County and the surrounding areas. We understand the dangers residents face every day. We want to make seeking compensation for your losses easier, which is why we handle cases from beginning to end. To do so, we will:

Investigate the Crash and Gather Evidence

We investigate every aspect of the collision. From relying on expert technicians who can independently evaluate the truck to using technology to recreate the scene, we focus on determining all mitigating factors. We look into truck drivers’ records, training histories, and logbooks to prove negligence.

File a Lawsuit Against a Liable Party

If you cannot secure fair compensation through an insurance claim, we can pursue it in a trial. We can file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf and handle all of the necessary paperwork that comes with it. When we represent you, we will argue your case to seek a court-awarded offer. We are not afraid to take on large trucking companies or manufacturers.

Give Your Case Personalized Attention

We do not want you to be in the dark about your lawsuit. If you have any questions or concerns that arise during the process, we will make ourselves available to answer them and provide updates on the progress of your case. We afford each of our clients the personalized attention they deserve.

Act Quickly – Time is Limited

If we cannot secure a fair settlement via negotiations with insurers, you will need to file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit within the allotted time. Some exceptions may apply, and we can help determine if you have more or less time to file.

According to CPLR § 214, you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you have even less time, as EPTL § 5-4.1 generally only allows two years from the death of a loved one to take legal action.

Additionally, there are some circumstances, such as when pursuing a case against a municipality or other governmental entity, that requires you to act much quicker.  Two or three years may seem like a long time, but it can pass quickly during a truck collision case. Keep in mind that we will have to investigate the collision, gather evidence, and negotiate a settlement. Each of these steps takes time, and if you miss the deadline for filing a lawsuit, you may lose your right to seek compensation.

How We Make Our Services Affordable

Some victims of truck collisions forgo hiring legal representation because they think they cannot afford it. On top of medical expenses and lost wages, you should not have to worry about affording a lawyer. There are a couple of ways we take the weight off your shoulders so you can pursue fair compensation with the help of our firm.

We Offer Free Consultations

You may wonder if you have a case against a truck driver, trucking company, or another party. This is something we can clarify during a free, no-obligation consultation. You can explain the circumstances of your crash and ask any questions regarding the merit of your case and its potential worth.

We want you to feel comfortable hiring one of our lawyers serving Nassau County. We can explain what our firm can do for you and explore the available legal options.

We Work on a Contingency-Fee Basis

Along with our free consultations, we go one step further to make legal representation affordable. If we take on your case, we will not charge you any upfront fees to begin. Additionally, we will only collect our payment if we secure a settlement or court-awarded offer in your favor. This way, you can begin the legal process without worrying about incurring more financial loss.

Truck Collision Injuries Can Be Severe

A truck collision can lead to severe injuries, some of which can result in long-term medical complications that leave a victim facing a lifetime of expenses. Some examples of injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal injuries
• Broken bones and hips
• Whiplash
• Chronic widespread pain
• Loss of limbs
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Any of these injuries can easily worsen a pre-existing condition, as well. They may require weeks, months, or years of rehabilitative therapy, along with more immediate medical treatments, such as emergency care and surgery. You deserve justice after suffering injuries, and we want to help you fight for it.

Negligence and Liability for Truck Collisions

Establishing liability in a truck collision is often more complex than in a collision that involves passenger vehicles.

It is not enough to prove the truck driver was at fault—you must also determine who is liable for the victim’s losses. At Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P., we can investigate your case to determine if a party acted negligently and identify the liable party, which may not be the truck driver.

To prove negligence, we must establish four key elements:

• The negligent party owed you a duty of care to keep you reasonably safe.
• They breached this duty in some way.
• The breach led to a collision that caused your injuries.
• Your injuries resulted in losses.

Once we have identified the negligent parties, we can determine who is liable for your losses. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, the following parties may be liable:

A Negligent Truck Driver

Despite safety training, company protocols, and federal laws, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles found that a common cause of truck collisions is “human factors,” which includes:

• Following too closely
• Driver distraction
• Improper passing
• Unsafe lane changes
• Speeding
• Failure to yield the right-of-way

Truck drivers are also responsible for maintaining their vehicles according to state and federal regulations. Those who fail to inspect their trucks before and after each trip put lives at risk every day.

Some truck drivers fail to observe the hours of service limits, pushing themselves to drive long shifts and put everyone around them at risk. When a truck driver acts negligently on the road and causes injuries, they may be liable for the losses a victim faces.

Other times, a failure to use caution during bad weather can also turn into a devastating experience.

A Negligent Trucking Company

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enacted laws to hold trucking companies liable for the actions of their drivers. A trucking company can be vicariously liable for your losses if its driver was working “within the scope of employment” at the time of the crash.

Furthermore, the trucking company may have been directly responsible for your losses due to a failure that occurred before the truck got on the road. If a trucking company fails to regularly inspect and service its vehicles, mechanical failures are more likely to happen. Oversized vehicles, defective brakes, and tire failure can also contribute to a collision. A failure like this can make the company liable for a victim’s injuries and losses.

A trucking company might also be liable for a crash if it failed to hire or train competent drivers and secure cargo loads. Companies must make their employees carry a commercial vehicle license, for example. Companies must also load cargo properly to prevent a loss of control or anything falling from the truck. Simple oversights on the part of the trucking company can have devastating consequences for other drivers on the road.

A Negligent Truck or Parts Manufacturer

Similarly, if an auto part manufacturer produced a defective product that caused the crash, the negligent manufacturer would bear responsibility for any collision-related damages.

A thorough investigation into the collision may reveal that the truck itself was compromised by a manufacturer or another entity that serviced the vehicle.

A Negligent Government Entity

Sometimes, a dangerous road feature, such as a pothole or poorly-designed roadway, causes a collision. In these cases, a government entity may be liable for damages. If we can prove that these hazards were preventable, we may be able to hold a government agency responsible for collision-related losses.

Multiple Parties

What makes truck collision cases particularly complex is the fact that multiple parties may bear liability for one crash. When this occurs, we can determine how each liable party contributed to the collision and seek compensation from each, respectively.

At Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P., we treat each client like our only client. You will receive personal attention from one of our lawyers and a tailored legal strategy for your unique case.

What to Do After a Truck Collision

Facing injury can be overwhelming, even without considering the legal ramifications. There are a few things you can do to protect your rights to compensation and aid your physical recovery.

Seek Medical Attention

If you are involved in a truck collision, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you do not suspect you are injured, a medical examination can help you determine if there are any injuries that may surface later.

Keep any Receipts and Records

After you receive medical treatment for your injuries, make sure that you or a loved one keeps accurate records of the treatment, costs, and diagnoses. This information will be instrumental in proving your case for compensation.

Limit Conversation with Insurers

Avoid talking to any insurance company, trucking company, or other representatives who approach you after a collision. If you have to give a statement to an insurer, do not elaborate on specific details or make statements about who bears the fault for the collision. From there, our lawyers at Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. can help you navigate further communications with representatives.  Speak to a lawyer before any statements are given.

Avoid Posting on Social Media

It can be tempting to discuss your Nassau County truck collision online through social media posts and direct messages, but we advise you to refrain from doing so. Posting pictures and giving detailed accounts of the crash can hurt your chances of obtaining compensation later on.

To protect your rights, stay silent about your collision and injuries and only discuss what happened with your lawyers.

Work with Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P.

If you are ready to hold a negligent party liable for your losses, you can start with your free consultation. Contact us today at (516) 451-7900, and we can tell you about your legal options and how much your case may be worth.

Do not hesitate to call, as time is of the essence. The sooner we can discuss your case, the sooner we can begin seeking the compensation you deserve.