Truck Accidents

Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driving under the influence
• Distracted driving
• Fatigued driving
• Unsafe lane changes
• Failure to maintain the vehicle
• Defective truck parts
• Improper lighting
• Poorly maintained roads

Identifying the cause of your truck accident is a crucial step in the process of recovering fair compensation for your resulting injuries or the loss of a loved one. With our experience representing clients in the Hudson Valley area of New York, we at The Ahearne Law Firm are prepared to deliver the level of counsel you need. We work with experts and accident reconstructionists to determine and prove cause so we can maximize our clients' recoveries.

Damages in a Truck Accident Claim

Since there are heavy regulations imposed on the trucking industry, there are more complex issues when there is a truck accident than a standard motor vehicle case. The most common type of truck accident injury includes broken bones, brain injuries, spinal injuries, amputations and wrongful death.

As you can see, the injuries that result from truck accidents can have a painful and lasting impact on a victim's life. When this is the case, the costs they are left with often extend well beyond medical expenses. This is why it is so important to us to help our clients seek out compensation that covers the financial burden caused by the accident.

Our truck accident lawyers pursue compensation for victims':

• Medical expenses
• Future medical bills
• Loss of limb
• Pain and suffering
• Physical therapy
• Permanent injury
• Necessary life modifications
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Loss of career

If a loved one was lost in a truck accident, additional funds for funeral and burial expenses, loss of household services and loss of companionship can be considered in the settlement as well.

We know financial compensation cannot bring back a loved one or erase the injuries you experienced in an accident with a large truck, but it can bring stability and peace of mind in otherwise tumultuous times. Our Hudson Valley truck accident team wants to do everything possible to assist you.

What Are the Hours of Service Regulations?

Because trucks accidents can cause so much damage in the event of an accident, trucking companies and their drivers are heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. One of these rules is called the hours of service regulation. The main goal of these rules is to prevent fatigued driving and overworking truck drivers, both of which can lead to accidents. According to these rules:

• Truck drivers can work up to 14 hours in one day but can only drive for 11 hours. The remaining three hours must be spent on rest or meal breaks.
• Drivers must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours after their workday before starting a new one.
• Truck drivers must take days off work at regularly.

Who is Liable After a Truck Accident?

A truck driver is not usually the one who is held liable after an accident, instead it is usually the trucking company the driver works for who is held responsible. In general, trucking companies are often caught expecting their drivers to break trucking regulations in order to save their company money. It is possible for the truck driver to be held liable, especially if the accident was directly caused by their negligence such as drunk driving. There are other parties that can be held liable, such as a truck manufacturer or cargo loading team, although it happens less often. The legal team at The Ahearne Law Firm is experienced in investigating truck accident claims and is ready to help you today.

Why Do I Need A Truck Accident Lawyer?

Recovering proper compensation without the help of an experience attorney can be very difficult. Trucking companies are usually backed by top-tier law firms who are hired to protect their company, which usually means keeping you from recovering the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at The Ahearne Law Firm are experienced in handling truck accident claims and know what to expect throughout the claims process. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.

Trucking Accident Experience in the Hudson Valley & Beyond

Trucks play an important part in New York’s economy, but truck operators must practice caution to prevent harming others on the roadways. The legal team at The Ahearne Law Firm has extensive experience with all types of motor vehicle accidents with specific knowledge of how to gather evidence to prove fault. We use our network of professional experts to build compelling cases and fight vigorously inside and outside the civil courtroom to secure the best possible results.

Recommended Reading

• Statistics: New York Truck Accidents
• How to Avoid Accidents with Large Trucks
• Truck Accidents and Catastrophic Injuries