Syracuse Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck drivers have to uphold several responsibilities while operating their heavy-duty vehicles. However, not all truck drivers follow the rules—and if you are in a collision with a negligent driver in Syracuse, you can sustain serious damage. A Syracuse truck accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset for your recovery efforts following any kind of commercial truck accident.
Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC can help you recover the compensation you need to treat your injuries. With millions of dollars recovered for our clients and more than 50 years of combined personal injury experience, you can trust our Syracuse personal injury firm to fight for your right to recovery. The first steps you take immediately following any accident are crucial, so make sure you reach out to our team at your first opportunity.
Why Choose Gattuso & Ciotoli?
- Our firm has handled many types of personal injury claims, including truck accidents. Our accident attorneys will apply our experience and knowledge to maximize your case potential.
- Truck accident claims often require expert witness testimony. We have spent years developing relationships with doctors, accident reconstruction specialists, and other experts who can provide insight into your claim.
- These accidents can seriously harm your finances, which is why Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC operates on a contingency fee. You do not have to pay legal fees unless we secure a settlement.
You have limited time to pursue compensation for your damages after a truck accident in Syracuse. I-81, I-481, and State Route 5 are major highways in the area that see a great deal of commercial truck traffic every day. Accidents may occur on these highways for many reasons, and it is also possible for a truck accident to happen on urban streets in the Syracuse metropolitan area.
You need an experienced attorney to maximize your chances of success with your recovery efforts after a truck accident. Whether you remember how the accident happened or you have no memory of the incident due to your injuries, the right attorney can be an invaluable asset in helping you prove fault and hold the correct party or parties accountable for the damages they caused. Trust our team to fight for you for the compensation you deserve.
New York Truck Accident Statistics
Motor vehicle collisions are common in New York state. According to the New York State Department of Public Health, car accidents kill an average of 292 New Yorkers a year, result in over 100,000 emergency room visits, and cause over 6,000 injuries so serious they require hospitalization.
While these statistics do not detail how many of these accidents involved commercial trucks, we know that these accidents occur at high rates across the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides the following statistics on 2017 truck accidents in the United States.
- 4,761 people died in collisions involving large trucks.
- Truck accident fatalities increased by 9% from 2016 to 2017.
- New York saw 121 fatalities involving heavy-duty trucks in 2017.
Large commercial trucks are several times larger and heavier than typical passenger vehicles, meaning that when accidents happen, they are likely to cause devastating injuries to the occupants of multiple vehicles. In most of the truck accidents reported in New York and throughout the United States, most of the victims are occupants of other vehicles.
What Rules Do Truck Drivers Have to Follow?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees the regulation of commercial trucks across the country. From cargo loading requirements to driving hour limits and general safe driving practices, these regulations are in place to protect other drivers on the road. There are also state regulations that apply to commercial vehicle drivers, and all commercial drivers have a duty of care to operate their vehicles as safely as possible.
Some rules truck drivers must adhere to include the following.
- Adhering to hours of service rules, which limit the amount of time a driver can operate without taking a break
- Carrying a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and meeting all applicable requirements for the license
- Recording driving hours in the truck’s electronic logging system
- Avoiding drugs and alcohol while on the job
- Following rules for securing cargo, especially if carrying dangerous materials
Commercial truck accidents can happen for the same reasons as other accidents, such as speeding, moving violations, and distracted driving. It’s also possible for these accidents to result from intoxicated driving, failure to follow FMCSA regulations, or various other causes. New York is a no-fault state for vehicle accidents, meaning every driver must have insurance to cover their own damages after an accident, regardless of who caused the accident.
However, the no-fault rule does not mean you cannot seek compensation for your damages from the party responsible for causing the accident. If the victim suffered a serious injury, such as permanent disability, loss of function of a bodily system, or permanent disfigurement, they are likely eligible to file a civil suit against the party responsible for causing the accident.
What Can You Recover from a Truck Accident Claim?
You have the right to recover compensation for any physical, emotional, or financial damage you sustained in the car accident. There are two main types of compensation: economic damages, which involve your financial losses, and non-economic damages, which include your intangible pain and suffering.
Damages truck accident victims often claim include the following.
- Past and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Chronic pain
- Permanent disability, disfigurement, or scarring
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
Your Syracuse truck accident lawyer at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, can accurately calculate all of the immediate and future economic losses you have sustained due to the defendant’s actions. Our goal in every accident case we accept is to obtain maximum compensation for our client as efficiently as possible. We can help with your auto insurance claim and prepare a personal injury suit if you have grounds to file one against the at-fault driver, if you suffered a serious injury.
You may have initially undervalued your case, not realizing the full scope of the damages you are eligible to seek if you are eligible to file a personal injury suit. Under the no-fault system for vehicle accidents in New York, you can only file a personal injury case if you suffered a serious injury, and if you have, you should not be forced to contend with the financial results of another driver’s negligence or misconduct behind the wheel.
FAQs
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Truck Accident in Syracuse?
A: The total amount of compensation you can claim for a truck accident in Syracuse will depend on the severity of your injuries. As long as you can prove that your injury meets the definition of a serious injury, you have the right to seek compensation for any economic and non-economic damages that your auto insurance policy will not cover. A Syracuse truck accident lawyer can accurately calculate the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim.
Q: How Do You Prove Liability for a Commercial Truck Accident?
A: Proving liability for a commercial truck accident will be crucial if you suffered a serious injury, and your Syracuse truck accident lawyer can secure any evidence you may need to establish fault. Traffic camera recordings, if available, vehicle computer data, trucking company documentation, and eyewitness testimony are often critical pieces of evidence for these cases. After proving fault, you can seek compensation for damages that insurance won’t cover.
Q: What Happens if I Shared Fault for My Truck Accident in Syracuse?
A: If you shared fault for your truck accident in Syracuse, New York’s pure comparative fault rule will apply to your case. You will be assigned a percentage of the total fault for the accident, and then this percentage will be deducted from your final personal injury case award. If you have any concerns about bearing partial liability for your accident, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Syracuse truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible.
Q: Why Should I Hire a Syracuse Truck Accident Lawyer?
A: You should hire a Syracuse truck accident lawyer to increase your chances of success with your recovery efforts. You are more likely to succeed in proving fault, resolving disputes about your insurance claim, and winning a personal injury suit if you have the right attorney handling your case. Additionally, experienced legal counsel can ensure you do not unintentionally accept a lower settlement than you deserve.
Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Syracuse Truck Accident Lawyer?
A: The cost to hire a Syracuse truck accident lawyer will be a percentage of your total compensation if you choose Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, to represent you. There are no upfront costs for our representation. Instead, we charge a contingency fee after we have won your case, which will amount to a percentage of your case award or settlement. If we cannot obtain compensation for you for any reason, there is no fee.
The aftermath of a commercial truck accident can be traumatic and confusing, but with the right attorney representing you, you will have a greater chance of successfully proving fault and recovering maximum compensation for your damages. You have limited time to pursue your case, so it’s important to secure legal counsel right away. Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with a Syracuse truck accident lawyer.