Why Truck Accident Lawsuits Are so Much More Complex
Highways in New York are bustling with commercial vehicles whose size and bulk make them susceptible to various types of accidents. These events can have devastating consequences due to the size and weight disparity between large trucks and passenger vehicles.
Common types of truck accidents include jackknife accidents, where the trailer swings out from the cab forming a 90-degree angle; rollover accidents caused by high speeds, improper loading, or sharp turns; rear-end collisions due to the truck’s longer stopping distance; and underride accidents, in which a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer, often leading to catastrophic injuries. Additional types include tire blowouts, wide-turn crashes and lost-load incidents where improperly secured cargo spills onto the roadway.
Truck accident lawsuits are generally more complicated than those involving passenger cars. The severity of injuries tends to be higher due to the sheer force of impact from heavy commercial vehicles. When a semi-truck or another large truck collides with a smaller car, the latter’s occupants may suffer life-altering injuries or fatalities, making the stakes higher in terms of compensation claims.
Truck collisions can also involve a web of potentially responsible parties. The truck driver may be liable for negligence if they were speeding, driving under the influence or violating federal regulations designed to prevent driver fatigue. The trucking company can also be held accountable if it failed to enforce safety protocols, improperly maintained the vehicle or hired unqualified drivers. Cargo loaders may be liable if improper loading or overloading contributed to the crash. In some cases, manufacturers of defective truck parts, such as faulty brakes or tires, may bear responsibility for the accident. Maintenance providers could be liable if poor upkeep played a role. Each defendant usually has their own insurer, with consequent disputes over sharing liability.
Regulatory compliance is a major factor in determining liability in truck accident cases. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces elaborate regulations that set standards for driver hours, vehicle maintenance and cargo securement. Violations can be considered negligence per se. For example, if a driver’s log shows they exceeded the maximum allowable driving hours, fatigue could be found a contributing factor in the crash.
Truck accident cases often require technical evidence. Dash-cam footage can provide a real-time account of the events leading up to the collision. Maintenance records may reveal whether the truck was in safe operating condition. Driver logs and electronic logging device (ELD) data can show whether hours-of-service rules were breached. Electronic control module (ECM) records (also known as “black box” data) can contain critical information about the truck’s speed, braking patterns and engine performance at the time of the accident. Expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists and mechanical engineers, may be necessary to analyze and interpret this evidence effectively.
Given the complexity of truck accident cases and the stakes involved, it is vital to work with an attorney well-versed in truck accident injury claims. The law firm of Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP, based in St. James, New York, has extensive experience representing victims of truck accidents. Call us at 631-360-0400 or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.