Unfortunately, truck accident cases here in the United States are far from rare. In fact, thousands of truck accidents occur virtually every single year. That said, when people are hurt in truck accidents due to no fault of their own, they likely have legal recourse available. Please continue reading and reach out to our seasoned New York City personal injury lawyer to learn more about these accidents and how we can help if you were hurt in one. Here are some questions you may have:
How can an 18-wheeler accident happen?
As with all other auto accidents, a wide range of factors can contribute to those involving 18-wheelers. Just some of the most common causes of 18-wheeler accidents include:
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, such as illegal stimulants
- Driving while fatigued (truckers often drive up to 11 hours at a time)
- Truck part malfunctions, either due to defective design/manufacturing or a failure to adequately maintain the truck
- Truck company employers hiring unqualified or unlicensed truckers
- Truck company employees failing to properly load trucks, causing them to become unbalanced and more prone to tip-over accidents
- Truckers taking turns too widely or too sharply
- Failing to allow enough time to brake (18-wheelers often require the full length of a football field to come to a complete stop)
If you were harmed in an 18-wheeler accident due to a truck driver’s careless actions, our New York City personal injury attorney is here to help you fight for the compensation you need to get back on your feet again. As long as we can gather and present sufficient evidence to satisfy the burden of proof in your personal injury claim, you should receive compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you’ve incurred as a result of your accident.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
In New York State, accident victims only have a certain period of time to initiate a lawsuit against the party responsible for their injuries. This timeframe is known as the statute of limitations. In New York, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is, generally, three years. Waiting longer than three years will likely result in you permanently losing your right to sue, however, as a practical matter, no one should ever wait even close to three years to begin with. The longer you wait, the more challenging it can become to prove your claim.
If you have any further questions about 18-wheeler accident cases in NYC or you’ve been injured and one and need a competent attorney in your corner, contact us online or give us a call today.