During a typical year in New York, more than 2,500 large trucks, buses, and commercial vans are involved in crashes on our roadways. On Long Island, heavy commercial vehicles have to navigate narrow and busy streets alongside major corridors like Sunrise Highway, Hempstead Turnpike, Merrick Road, and the Southern State Parkway.
Large commercial trucks, semis, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers are massive and significantly heavy. Because these vehicles have large blind spots and have difficulty seeing others around them, passenger vehicles are incredibly vulnerable. In instances where a driver loses control or cannot stop in time, the resulting crash can horrifically alter your life in the blink of an eye, causing severe injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, paralysis, or even wrongful death.
If you have been injured, a dedicated Long Island truck accident lawyer from Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. is ready to fight for you. We provide transparent, affordable representation on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely no legal fees unless we help you recover monetary compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
Long Island is not a borough of New York City; it operates under its own municipal structure, its own court system, and its own procedural rules. Truck collision claims that proceed to litigation are filed in the Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola, not in NYC courts.
When searching for a highly qualified truck accident attorney, you need a knowledgeable and responsive legal team that understands these unique local practices and Long Island jury demographics. Commercial truck cases involve unique legal, regulatory, and insurance issues that are vastly more complex than standard motor vehicle crashes, often requiring skilled negotiation with insurance companies and their defense attorneys.
Our licensed Lynbrook legal team thoroughly investigates your crash by gathering crucial commercial evidence. We collaborate with accident reconstruction experts and expert witnesses and carefully review:
- Police reports and crash scene photos
- Dashcam footage and witness statements
- The truck’s black box data
- Driver logs, logbooks, hours of service records, and maintenance records
- CDL credentials and inspection reports
Why Hire a Lynbrook Truck Accident Lawyer Near You?
Many factors can cause a truck collision, including jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions, sideswipe accidents, and wide turn accidents. Because the trucking industry is an interstate business, truck drivers and their companies are compensated when they deliver their cargo, which often incentivizes unsafe practices to maximize profit. If you are looking for a trusted and proven Lynbrook truck accident lawyer near you, our compassionate attorneys know how to identify these negligent actions and establish liability against trucking companies, carriers, and fleet operators.
Based on strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, we investigate the following primary causes of commercial crashes:
1. Driver Fatigue
It is nearly impossible for a fatigued driver to operate a large truck safely. An AAA study found that missing just two or three hours of sleep can increase a truck driver’s risk of crashing to the same level as driving while drunk. When a driver falls asleep at the wheel, their vehicle turns into an uncontrollable missile. We diligently investigate FMCSA violations and subpoena driver records to see if the driver exceeded the legal limits, which mandate:
- A maximum of 14 consecutive hours on shift.
- A minimum of 10 consecutive hours off shift.
- A maximum of 60 hours on shift in seven consecutive days (or 70 hours in eight days).
- Taking at least a 30-minute break after eight consecutive hours of driving.
2. Truck Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts are one of the scariest types of trucking accidents. If a blowout occurs under the trailer bed, the explosion sends shrapnel and debris rocketing into other vehicles, and the back end of the tractor-trailer can swing rapidly and uncontrollably across the road. If the blowout occurs under the cabin, the vehicle can cross over into oncoming traffic, causing a catastrophic head-on collision that can result in life-changing or permanent injuries. We hold companies accountable when they skip tire maintenance or violate FMCSA rules, such as operating a truck with a tread depth of less than 4/32 of an inch or exposing body ply/belt material.
3. Unsecured Cargo Loads
Large commercial vehicles transport a vast array of necessities, from household goods to hazardous materials, often using delivery trucks, dump trucks, tanker trucks, flatbed trucks, and box trucks. If cargo falls off a truck and causes injuries, it is manifestly unfair for the trucking company not to pay for the resulting damages. We check to ensure the driver complied with FMCSA cargo regulations, which require drivers to inspect their cargo before starting a delivery, within the first 50 miles of a trip, and every 3 hours or 150 miles thereafter.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, taking immediate action can protect your rights and preserve crucial evidence. Seek medical attention right away, even if injuries seem minor; some serious conditions like whiplash or traumatic brain injury may not show symptoms immediately. Document the scene with photos if possible, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal representation. Our attorneys can guide you through every step, from handling insurance paperwork to challenging insurance denials, while you focus on your recovery.
Understanding Your Truck Accident Claim
Many accident victims wonder, “How much is my case worth?” and “How long will my case take?” The value of your claim depends on multiple factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical treatment costs, lost income, future medical needs, and the degree of negligence involved. Our strategic approach involves thoroughly documenting your injuries, calculating all damages, and negotiating aggressively with insurance companies to maximize your settlement. Whether through settlement, mediation, arbitration, or trial, we pursue full compensation for your losses, including compensation for debilitating injuries, disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.
How We Prove Negligence and Liability
Our comprehensive approach to truck accident cases involves multiple strategies to establish liability and prove negligence. We analyze black box data to reconstruct accident scenes, depose truck drivers and fleet managers to uncover safety violations, and identify FMCSA violations that demonstrate regulatory non-compliance. Our tenacious legal team works with medical providers to document the full extent of your injuries and connects clients with specialists who can assess future medical needs and disability benefits. We also examine insurance coverage issues, including underinsured motorist and uninsured motorist policies, PIP coverage, and no-fault insurance to ensure all available compensation sources are pursued.
Contact Our Lynbrook Truck Accident Lawyers Near You
If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck or 18-wheeler accident, our trial-tested and relentless attorneys are prepared to advocate aggressively on your behalf. Our personalized and effective representation protects your rights throughout the entire legal process, from initial investigation through trial if necessary. Let us navigate the legal complexities while you focus entirely on your health and recovery.
Call us 24/7 to arrange a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C.
Lynbrook / Nassau County Office
303 Sunrise Highway
Lynbrook, NY 11563
Phone: (718) 550-7121
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Nosotros hablamos español (we speak Spanish) and мы говорим по русски (We speak Russian).
We offer hospital and home visits for victims whose injuries prevent them from traveling to our Lynbrook office. No fees unless we recover money for you.
Lynbrook Truck Accident FAQ
Does Cohen & Cohen offer free consultations?
Yes. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, no retainers, and no out-of-pocket legal expenses. There is no fee unless we win your case and secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
Where are Long Island truck accident lawsuits filed?
Long Island truck accident personal injury lawsuits are filed in Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola. This court operates with its own judges, calendar, and local practices, distinct from NYC courts.
What is the 90-day Notice of Claim requirement for truck accidents?
If your accident involved a municipal entity, such as a town, village, school district, public works project, or municipal garbage truck, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing this deadline permanently eliminates the claim against the municipality, and there are no exceptions. This strict statute of limitations makes immediate legal consultation essential.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in Long Island?
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, and two years for a wrongful death claim. However, for any claim against a Nassau County municipal entity, you only have 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. Do not wait to consult an attorney, as crucial evidence like dashcam footage and black box data can disappear quickly. Our immediate investigation and evidence preservation strategies protect your claim from the start.
Do I need a lawyer for my truck accident case?
While not legally required, hiring a skilled truck accident attorney significantly increases your chances of receiving fair compensation. Insurance companies employ experienced defense attorneys and use sophisticated tactics to minimize payouts. Without legal representation, you may face pressure to accept a low settlement that doesn’t cover your medical bills, lost wages, or future medical needs. Our attorneys level the playing field by challenging these tactics, presenting compelling evidence to juries, and demanding maximum compensation for devastating injuries.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
New York follows a comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000. Our attorneys work diligently to assess the facts, challenge unfair fault allegations, and ensure insurance companies don’t unfairly inflate your degree of responsibility to reduce their payout.