Yellow taxicabs and horse-drawn carriages aren’t the only vehicles jamming the streets of New York, though it might feel this way when stuck behind either. In reality, large trucks make up a considerable portion of city traffic.

 

Restaurants and retail stores rely on trucks to deliver goods, and because apartment hopping is so common, moving trucks are a frequent sight. Of course, large trucks are not exclusive to city life. Tractor-trailers traverse the entire state every day to pick up and drop off cargo.

 

These trucks don’t always make it to their destinations safely. Between 2014 and 2016, New York ranked among the top-10 states in terms of fatal truck and bus accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

 

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a collision with a large truck, turn to Charnas Law Firm. Attorney Scott Charnas has assisted hundreds of clients throughout New York and Massachusetts in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Call 212-980-6800 to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in New York City.

 

Let’s examine a few parties that might be liable for damages after a tractor-trailer crash:

 

  1. The Motor Carrier

 

If the commercial driver caused the wreck, you would likely file an insurance claim with his or her employer. Motor carriers must purchase liability insurance for all of their truckers.  

 

  1. Other Motorists

 

Motorists who fail to exercise caution when passing big rigs in traffic can cause catastrophic collisions. Sometimes, a commercial driver can follow all the rules of the road and still end up hurting someone because of a reckless or distracted driver.   

 

  1. The Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer

 

Commercial trucks are complex machines, and one defective part could be all it takes to cause a devastating collision. In such cases, the manufacturer of the part or another party who played a role in the part’s development or distribution might be liable for damages. Depending on the circumstances, the last mechanic to work on the truck could also be partially at fault.

 

  1. The Cargo Loading Company

 

An 18-wheeler can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. If even a fraction of this weight shifts en route, the driver could end up losing control of the vehicle. It is up to the cargo loading company to ensure that the load is balanced and adequately secured before letting the trucker hit the road.

 

  1. The Local Municipality

 

If poor road conditions contributed to the wreck, accident victims may be able to hold the local municipality responsible. Massive potholes, broken traffic signals, and low overpasses without warnings are just a few examples of issues for which a government entity could be liable.

 

Call 212-980-6800 to Speak with a Truck Accident Lawyer in New York City

 

If you were hurt in a large truck crash, turn to Charnas Law Firm for quality legal counsel during every stage of the proceedings. Scott Charnas is a strategic personal injury attorney who has recovered nearly $50 million for accident victims. Call 212-980-6800 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free case evaluation with a New York City car accident lawyer.