If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle collision, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. The licensed and dedicated experienced legal team at Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. represents victims hurt in truck accidents throughout Staten Island.
Staten Island has a high rate of severe traffic accidents and fatalities. This is due to a combination of factors, including high-speed traffic on major roads, reckless and impatient driving, and a large number of trucks and commercial vehicles on the roads. When an accident involving a heavy truck or commercial vehicle occurs, the legal process can be complex and confusing. Insurance companies often take advantage of individuals who are not represented by an attorney, attempting to devalue or deny legitimate claims.
Our trusted attorneys have decades of experience handling motor vehicle accident cases. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, providing transparent pricing with no hidden fees—meaning you pay no upfront costs, and you owe no legal fees unless we win your case.
Why You Need a Skilled Truck Accident Attorney
Commercial trucks—including dump trucks, cement mixers, material haulers, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, flatbed trucks, tanker trucks, garbage trucks, and delivery vehicles—create a uniquely hazardous environment on major roadways and busy intersections. Dealing with massive insurance carriers requires an aggressive yet compassionate approach from a qualified truck accident attorney familiar with local court systems, local police departments, and accident reports.
Our team thoroughly investigates the accident scene, gathers evidence, reviews police reports and black box data, and negotiates directly with insurance adjusters on your behalf. We focus entirely on building the strongest possible claim so you can focus on healing.
Recent Case Results from Our Truck Accident Attorney Team
Cohen & Cohen has a strong history of securing substantial results for victims injured by commercial trucks and holding negligent parties accountable. Our recent successes include:
$925,000 Settlement: A tow truck operator was working underneath a car when it was struck by a truck. He sustained a right shoulder injury for which he underwent arthroscopic surgery and claimed to sustain a TBI. Notwithstanding the defense’s vehement opposition to his TBI claim, we obtained a $925,000 settlement for our client on a $1,000,000 policy.
$600,000 Settlement: Our client was lawfully driving on a Queens highway when a truck in front of him caused a collision with his vehicle. He sustained injuries that necessitated an arthroscopic surgery to his shoulder. We fought for our client’s rights vigorously through tough litigation, and despite the defense’s argument that our client did not maintain a safe distance with the truck, right before trial, we were able to settle the case for $600,000.
When to Call an 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer Near Me: Common Collision Causes
Most commercial vehicle injuries are caused by factors entirely beyond the victim’s control. If you are searching for an 18 wheeler accident lawyer near me, it is likely due to one of these routine causes of Staten Island crashes:
Distracted Driving: Drivers preoccupied with texting, using their phones, or other distractions. This frequently occurs at intersections where drivers fail to navigate moving parts or see others in time to stop safely.
Speeding: High speeds drastically reduce an individual’s chance of surviving a crash. According to data from Transportation Alternatives, a person struck by a vehicle traveling at 40 miles per hour has only a 20% chance of survival, while at 25 miles per hour, the survival rate is 70%. Traveling at speeds over 50 miles per hour leaves virtually no chance of survival.
Driving Under the Influence: Drunk driving and operating under the influence (DUI) cause a plethora of severe accidents and wrongful deaths every year.
Reckless Driving: Impatient driving behaviors, running red lights, or running stop signs in high-congestion areas.
Poor Road Conditions: Dangerous or poorly maintained roadway infrastructure that contributes to a driver losing control.
Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers who violate FMCSA hours of service regulations and fail to maintain proper logbook records, leading to exhausted drivers operating big rigs on Staten Island roads.
Vehicle Maintenance Failures: Defective or faulty equipment including brake failure, tire blowout, and inadequate vehicle maintenance by trucking companies that put unsafe trucks on the road.
Truck-Specific Hazards: Accidents caused by blind spot collisions, no-zone incidents, jackknife accidents, and rollover crashes unique to large commercial vehicles.
Serious Injuries Sustained in Commercial Vehicle Crashes
Because victims lack the enclosure protection of a standard passenger car when struck by heavy equipment or trucks, collisions often result in permanent, life-altering, or catastrophic injuries. We fight to recover maximum compensation for:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Caused by a forceful blow to the head. Symptoms can present as loss of consciousness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, drowsiness, sleeping difficulty, dizziness, loss of coordination, sensitivity to light and sound, mood swings, fluid leaking from the ear, and difficulty concentrating.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Severe spinal trauma that can result in permanent paralysis (including paraplegia and quadriplegia) or death, requiring long-term care, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and extensive medical treatment.
Broken & Fractured Bones: Severe fractures to the wrist, hand, shoulder, arm, leg, and back. This includes complex and compound fractures where the bone punctures the skin, causing severe pain, long-term complications, or injuries so severe that amputation is required.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Contusions, lacerations, dislocations, sprains, and tears that cause severe pain, visible scarring, and long-term complications.
Burn Injuries and Internal Bleeding: Devastating injuries from fires, explosions, or internal trauma that require prompt and critical medical intervention.
Wrongful Death: Pursuing justice and full accountability on behalf of surviving family members following a fatal accident.
Compensation Recoverable in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If a trucking company, commercial driver, or other negligent third party caused your injuries, a personal injury lawsuit can pursue full compensation for what insurance minimums leave out. Even if you were partially at fault, New York’s comparative negligence laws may still allow you to recover compensation. Our knowledgeable attorneys work directly with clients to maximize client recovery and identify all liable parties, including uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage options.
Our legal team fights to recover:
- Past and future lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- All medical expenses and future medical costs
- Pain and suffering damages and emotional distress
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for affected family members
- Property damage and rental car assistance
- Economic damages and non-economic damages
- Punitive damages in cases involving careless or irresponsible conduct
Our office also provides medical referrals to ensure you receive proper treatment without insurance barriers, and we work directly to negotiate and reduce liens asserted by workers’ compensation carriers, Medicaid programs, Medicare, and health insurers through comprehensive subrogation handling to protect as much of your recovery as possible.
Steps Victims Must Take to Protect Their Legal Rights
Ensure Safety and Call Authorities: Check for injuries and immediately dial 911 to report the accident, request medical assistance, and ensure local police file an official accident report.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Go to the emergency room or urgent care. Do not minimize symptoms, as severe brain and spinal injuries can have a delayed onset. Every medical record serves as vital evidence.
Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident location, vehicle damage, injuries, and any other relevant details. Collect contact information from eyewitnesses.
Watch the Municipal Deadline: If the accident involved any municipal entity (such as a city-owned truck, sanitation vehicle, or public works project), you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. Missing this 90-day deadline permanently eliminates your right to sue that entity.
Do Not Give Recorded Statements: The insurance adjusters and opposing carriers are adversaries trying to minimize payouts. Speak with an attorney before making any recorded statement.
Call Cohen & Cohen: Contact our responsive and caring team immediately to protect your claim, evaluate what your case is worth, and ensure all evidence is legally preserved.
Staten Island Truck Accident FAQ
Does Cohen & Cohen offer free consultations?
Yes. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and detailed case evaluations. You pay absolutely nothing upfront, no retainers, and no out-of-pocket legal expenses. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee unless we win your case.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in New York?
Under the statute of limitations, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, and two years to file a wrongful death claim. If a municipal vehicle or entity is involved, you have a strict 90-day window to file a Notice of Claim.
How do I prove the truck driver was at fault?
Our professional team conducts comprehensive accident reconstruction, analyzes event data recorder information, reviews trucking records including CDL verification and FMCSA compliance checks, inspects maintenance records, investigates driver history, and examines company safety records to establish liability and demonstrate negligence.
What types of commercial vehicles are involved in these claims?
Our firm handles personal injury claims involving a wide range of commercial operations, including dump trucks, cement mixers, material haulers, delivery trucks, forklifts, bulldozers, cranes, and rideshare (Uber/Lyft) vehicles.
Is your firm available if I cannot travel to an office?
Yes. Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For clients who are unable to travel due to their severe injuries, our compassionate staff provides direct home visits and hospital visits.
How long does a truck accident case take?
Case timelines vary depending on the complexity of your injuries, the number of liable parties, and whether the case settles through mediation or requires courtroom representation at trial. Our trial-tested attorneys prepare every case thoroughly for litigation while pursuing fair and just settlements when appropriate.
What if I already talked to the insurance company?
Contact us immediately. Even if you already gave a statement or received a low settlement offer, it is not too late to get a lawyer. We can review the insurance policy limits, challenge inadequate offers, and advise you on your legal options to pursue complete and comprehensive compensation.
Contact a Top Staten Island Truck Accident Lawyer Near You Today
Don’t navigate the complex legal system alone. Contact Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. today to schedule your free case evaluation. Our results-driven and client-focused team provides personalized service with direct attorney access. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on your recovery.
Cohen & Cohen Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C.
1855 Victory Blvd
Staten Island, NY10314
(718) 275-7779
Open 24/7. Call now for a FREE consultation!
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney advertising.