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Trusted Truck Accident Attorney in Nassau County

Recovering Compensation on Your Behalf

Semi-trucks and big rigs haul thousands of pounds of cargo every day. Because of their massive size and weight, truck accidents can be devastating for passenger vehicles. Many victims suffer extensive injuries that can lead to medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and more.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, you deserve an experienced truck accident lawyer to protect your rights and look out for your best interests. Truck accident cases can be complex, as there are often multiple parties at fault for your injuries. Working with a Nassau County truck accident lawyer is the best way to get the full compensation you deserve.
The Rizzuto Law Firm has helped clients just like you recover damages after a truck accident. All victims deserve to have a voice, and our team is here to guide you through the legal process from start to finish. For more information, call our law firm today at 516-604-5496.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Like normal car accidents, truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Determining why your accident happened can help you assign liability and recover damages for your injuries.
The most common causes of truck accidents in Nassau County include:

Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers are required to rest for a certain amount of hours after working. Unfortunately, tight deadlines can mean that a truck driver operates a truck while tired. Fatigued driving is almost as dangerous as inebriated driving and can cause accidents involving other vehicles.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is against the law, and for good reason. If a trucking accident is caused by an inebriated driver, the driver will likely face criminal consequences. You may be able to claim additional damages if you were hit by a drunk truck driver.

Overloaded Cargo

Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo can cause a truck to shift or tilt, especially at high speeds or while turning. Trucks that are not loaded properly have a much higher chance of causing accidents on the road.

Improper Maintenance

Like regular cars, trucks require maintenance to stay in good working order. Truck drivers and their companies must ensure that their vehicles are road-worthy before departing.

Poor Weather Conditions

Bad weather, like rain, snow, or ice, can cause a truck to slide or slip on the road. Drivers are required to pull over if they cannot maintain a vehicle safely. If a truck driver continues driving during bad weather and causes an accident, they can be held liable.

Truck Malfunctions

Unexpected malfunctions can cause truck accidents. Brake failure, engine failure, and other equipment failure may lead to accidents or runaway trucks.

Recklessness

Truck drivers follow different safety standards and regulations while driving. If a truck driver intentionally disobeys these rules, it can cause devastating accidents.

What Are the Main Types of Truck Accidents?

Along with the different causes of truck accidents, there may be some types of truck accidents that are more common than others. The size and type of vehicle you’re in will impact the type of accident you experience and how severe your injuries are.
The main types of truck accidents include:

  • Underride accidents: When a passenger vehicle is lodged underneath a truck
  • Jackknife accidents: When the rear of a truck folds up toward the cab, creating a jackknife shape
  • Rollover accidents: When a truck tilts or shifts, causing it to roll over onto its side
  • Wide turns: When a truck is forced to take a wide turn, hitting other vehicles in the process
  • Unsecured cargo: When cargo is loose or improperly loaded and flies off the truck
  • Rear-end accidents: When a truck hits the rear of another vehicle
  • Pedestrian accidents: When a truck hits a person walking on the sidewalk or along the road

Any and all of these accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries. No matter what type of accident you’ve been in, our truck accident attorneys are here to support you through your case.

What Are the Most Common Injuries After a Truck Accident?

Truck accident victims often experience life-threatening injuries with long-lasting symptoms. Many victims develop permanent disabilities, changing the way they live forever.
The most common injuries victims experience include:

Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, and concussions can take months of recovery time. Symptoms include dizziness, slurred speech, memory problems, and more. Brain injuries are incredibly difficult to treat, and some victims never make a full recovery.

Broken Bones

The intense impact of a truck accident often leads to bone fractures and breaks. While some broken bones only require a cast, complex injuries may require surgery and rehabilitation.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the neck and back can cause pain, tingling, and numbness. Some spinal cord injuries cause temporary or permanent paralysis.

Whiplash

The back-and-forth movement of the neck on impact can cause chronic pain. Whiplash is the most common in rear-end accidents but can happen in any type of truck accident.

Burns

Explosions, fire, and hazardous substances can lead to severe burns. Many burns require hospitalization and extensive medical care.

Internal Injuries

Damage to the internal organs can have long-lasting repercussions. Internal injuries are not always obvious, which is why it’s essential to seek medical attention.

PTSD

Being hit by a truck is incredibly frightening, especially when it leads to injuries. Many victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder and have trouble with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Who is Liable in a Truck Accident Case?

Commercial vehicle accidents are often complex because of the potential for multiple liable parties. In a typical car accident, the driver of the vehicle is at fault, and their insurance company would pay you for damages. In a semi-truck accident, the truck driver is not the only party you may be going after.
The parties that could be responsible for your injuries include:

Truck Drivers

Human error can cause dangerous truck accidents. If a truck driver made a mistake or behaved negligently on the road, then you can hold them liable for your injuries.

Trucking Companies

Most truck drivers are employed by large trucking companies that tell them where to go and when to get there. Trucking companies are held to high standards when it comes to safety and training. If you were hit by a truck driver who lacked experience and was not adequately trained, you may be able to hold the truck company liable for your accident.

Truck Manufacturers

When a part of a truck is defective, it can cause dangerous accidents. Truck manufacturers are required to ensure that all parts of the truck are safe. If a defect caused your injuries, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer for your damages.

Other Drivers

It’s possible that another driver on the road made a mistake that led to your accident. If any other drivers caused your injuries, you could request compensation from them.

How Do You Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident Case?

Assigning liability is the only way to win a personal injury claim. When assigning liability, you must also prove negligence. Negligence means that the responsible party acted in a way that caused your injuries.
Negligence is defined by the law as:

  • Duty of care: This means that the other party had a legal obligation to act a certain way in order to keep you safe. In a truck accident, the truck driver has a duty of care to all drivers to obey traffic laws and not drive under the influence
  • Breach of duty of care: When the other party breaches their duty, it means they neglect to keep those around them safe. For instance, if a truck driver is running red lights or speeding, they have violated their duty of care
  • The breach led to your injuries: Just because a party breaches their duty doesn’t necessarily mean that the breach led to your injuries. Our team can help you provide evidence like police reports, accident reports, and witness statements to prove that your injuries were caused by the liable party
  • Your injuries led to damages: You must prove that your injuries led to financial or non-economic losses. Many people use receipts, medical records, and employment records to prove these losses

What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive in a Truck Accident Case?

When pursuing an injury claim, the goal is to recover compensation for your losses. Truck accident victims tend to pay for many expenses out of pocket because of their injuries. Calculating the full total of your damages is essential, as it allows you to ask for fair compensation.
Compensation is often divided into the following categories:

Economic Damages

Economic damages have specific dollar values. These damages can often be proven with bills and receipts. Economic damages include:

  • Medical expenses, both present and future
  • Medications
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Physical therapy appointments
  • Property damage repair
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future income

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages have to do with your mental health and well-being. These damages can be calculated with help from our truck accident lawyers. Non-economic damages include:

  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability
  • Loss of companionship (for wrongful death cases)

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded when a liable party is found to have acted with extreme disregard for human life. These damages aren’t always relevant to personal injury cases; however, they may be awarded in drunk driving accident claims.

Were You Injured in a Truck Accident?

If you have suffered injuries in a Nassau County truck accident, you deserve legal representation on your side. Our team of attorneys will fight for you throughout your entire case until you get the compensation you deserve.
The Rizzuto Law Firm is here to hold truck drivers, trucking companies, and other liable parties responsible for your injuries. No one should have to pay out of pocket for an accident that wasn’t their fault.
We understand how difficult this time can be for you and your family. To learn more about our services and receive a consultation from an experienced member of our team, call 516-604-5496 today.