In June 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its latest truck accident data report, using data from 2013. The data shed light on some startling trends. For example, while commercial trucks account for just four percent of all registered vehicles, they account for nine percent of vehicles involved in fatal accidents. In these accidents, 71 percent of the victims are occupants of other vehicles. In non-fatal accidents, 72 percent of injuries are suffered by someone other than the truck driver. In New York and nationwide, more than 10 people are killed and 250 people are injured in truck accidents every single day.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a trucking accident, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. At Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C., we frequently represent victims of New York trucking accidents. In these cases, one of the first things we do is seek to determine who is responsible for our clients’ losses.
Possible Causes of Truck Accident Injuries
Determining who is responsible for your losses starts with identifying the cause of the accident. The key word here is starts.” This is because, in many truck accident cases, the person or company that causes the collision is not the only one that can be held responsible for your injuries and other damages.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver error (such as speeding, aggressive driving, or distracted driving)
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driver fatigue due to spending too many hours behind the wheel
- Inadequate driver training
- Improperly secured and overloaded cargo
- Defective truck parts
- Poor truck maintenance and faulty repairs
- Poor road design and dangerous or inadequately maintained roads
Holding Trucking Companies and Others Accountable for Truck Collisions
Depending on the cause of the accident, various different parties may all be to blame for your injuries or your loved one’s death. The majority of truck accidents involve rear-end collisions, and these may be due to driver error or fatigue, faulty brakes, or a cargo load that is too heavy for the truck’s rating. In these and other scenarios, the negligent truck driver may be to blame, and so might the trucking company. Victims of trucking accidents are frequently able to seek compensation from the trucking companies – not only for their own negligence, but also for the negligence of their drivers.
Other scenarios, such as when brakes fail or a road has been improperly maintained, can give rise to claims against other parties as well. When we take a trucking accident case, we investigate to see if any of the following parties might be to blame:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Shipping companies
- Vehicle and part manufacturers
- Maintenance and repair shops
- Government agencies
- Other drivers
If any of these parties are responsible for causing the accident, our lawyers can help you fight for just compensation. Please contact us to learn more.
Contact Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C. about Your New York Trucking Accident
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a trucking accident, it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. At Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C., we can act quickly to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that you have the best possible chance to win maximum compensation. To speak with an experienced attorney about your case, please contact us today at 1-877-737-4806.
