Truck accidents change lives in seconds. When a fully loaded tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle, the outcome is often catastrophic. These crashes are rarely simple, and they are almost never “accidents” in the ordinary sense. In many cases, they result from safety failures within the trucking industry.
Large trucks are a vital part of New York’s economy and a constant presence on city streets and highways. But their size and weight also make them especially dangerous when something goes wrong. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, roughly 20 times more than an average passenger vehicle. When a collision occurs, the force involved can cause severe or fatal injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in New York, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need experienced New York truck accident lawyers who understand federal trucking regulations, corporate liability, and how trucking companies and their insurers defend these claims.
At Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore (KDLM), our New York truck accident lawyers focus on serious injury and wrongful death cases. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because trucking companies and their insurers only take claims seriously when they know they will be held accountable.
Why Aren’t Truck Accidents the Same as Car Accidents?
Truck accident cases are fundamentally different from car accident claims. The size difference alone creates devastating consequences, but the legal differences matter just as much.
Truck accident claims often involve:
- Corporate defendants, rather than individual drivers
- Multiple layers of insurance coverage
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA)
- Internal company records that trucking companies may attempt to conceal
Unlike typical car accidents, truck crashes require immediate and aggressive investigation. Evidence such as driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, and company safety policies must be preserved quickly. Without prompt legal action, critical evidence can disappear.
KDLM works with experienced investigators to analyze accident reports, eyewitness statements, vehicle damage, road conditions, and weather factors to determine exactly what happened and who is responsible.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in New York?
Preventable violations of safety rules cause most truck accidents. In many cases,trucking companies place profit and delivery schedules above public safety.
Our New York truck accident lawyers regularly investigate accidents involving:
- Driver fatigue, often caused by violations of hours-of-service regulations
- Inexperienced or improperly trained truck drivers
- Distracted driving, including cell phone and GPS use
- Speeding to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines
- Overloaded or improperly balanced cargo
- Defective vehicle parts, including brakes and tires
- Tire blowouts
- Poor or inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Reckless driving
- Blind spots unique to large trucks
- Poor road or weather conditions
In many cases, a trucking company’s business practices directly contribute to the crash.
Federal Regulations Governing Large Trucks
Given the inherent dangers of commercial trucks, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established strict regulations to reduce accidents and protect the public.
These regulations include:
- Weight limits generally restrict trucks to no more than 80,000 pounds
- Hours-of-service rules, which limit how long drivers can operate without rest
- Maintenance requirements mandate regular inspections and repairs
Unfortunately, some trucking companies encourage drivers to violate these rules by speeding, driving longer hours, or hauling overloaded trailers. When these regulations are ignored, the risk of serious truck accidents increases dramatically.
Identifying FMCSA violations is often a critical part of building a strong truck accident case.
What Types of Truck Accidents Do We Handle?
Truck accidents occur in ways that are unique to commercial vehicles. KDLM represents clients injured in all types of truck-related crashes, including:
- Jackknife accidents
When a trailer swings outward at an angle, often caused by sudden braking or slippery road conditions. - Underride accidents
When a passenger vehicle slides beneath a truck or trailer, frequently resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries. - Rollover crashes
Due to their high center of gravity, trucks are prone to rolling over during turns or evasive maneuvers. - Wide-turn accidents
When trucks swing left to turn right, trapping and crushing vehicles traveling alongside them. - Multi-vehicle pileups
Truck accidents on highways often involve multiple vehicles and complex questions of liability.
Truck Crash Damages in New York
Damages in truck accident cases are based on several factors, including the severity of injuries, the impact on the victim’s life, and the degree of fault involved. A skilled New York truck accident lawyer can help ensure that all available damages are pursued.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
- Past and future medical expenses related to truck accident injuries
- Pre-impact terror
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Home and vehicle modifications, such as wheelchair ramps or lifts
- Property damage or loss
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Loss of career or earning capacity
Truck accident injuries often require long-term treatment and rehabilitation, making full compensation essential.
Wrongful Death Damages in New York Truck Accidents
Losing a loved one in a truck accident is devastating. In these tragic situations, families may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Wrongful death damages may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills incurred before death
- Pain and suffering experienced by the decedent
- Loss of future income and financial support
- Loss of future benefits
- Loss of services provided by the loved one
- Loss of parental care and guidance
KDLM handles wrongful death cases with care, professionalism, and a relentless commitment to accountability.
Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Truck Accident?
Unlike car accidents, liability in truck cases often extends beyond the driver. KDLM truck accident lawyers investigate all potentially responsible parties, including:
- The trucking company
- The truck owner or leasing company
- Maintenance and repair contractors
- Cargo loading companies
- Truck or parts manufacturers
Holding every responsible party accountable is critical to recovering full compensation.
Large Truck Accident Facts
Large truck accidents cause widespread harm every year. Nationwide, over 130,000 injuries and approximately 5,000 deaths occur annually in crashes involving large trucks. Although trucks over 10,000 pounds make up only about three percent of registered vehicles, they account for roughly 25 percent of fatal automobile accidents involving commercial trucks.
These numbers reflect the disproportionate danger posed by large commercial vehicles on public roads.
Why Choose KDLM as Your New York Truck Accident Lawyers
Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore has a national reputation for handling complex, high-stakes injury cases. With more than 120 verdicts over one million dollars and over $3 billion recovered, KDLM has the experience, resources, and courtroom strength needed to challenge major trucking companies.
Notable Verdicts and Settlements
- $78 million verdict secured by Attorney Thomas Moore in a case involving a Canadian trucking company whose vehicle caused the death of a New Jersey father and son.
- $40 million verdict awarded to a Brooklyn construction worker who was permanently disabled after being struck by a Verizon truck. Thomas Moore represented the client at trial.
- $9,932,159 settlement for injuries and wrongful death of a mother and daughter in an Upstate New York truck-auto crash.
- $10 million settlement for injuries and death caused by a delivery truck in Manhattan.
- $7 million settlement for injuries and wrongful death of a Bronx woman struck by a delivery truck.
These results reflect KDLM’s commitment to preparation, investigation, and trial readiness.
Speak Today With a New York Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident, time matters. Trucking companies and their insurers begin building their defense immediately, and critical evidence can disappear quickly.
KDLM has been advocating for New York injury victims for decades. Contact Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore today for a free consultation with an experienced New York truck accident lawyer. Let us protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
