Babylon Truck Accident Lawyer

Skilled Truck Accident Attorneys in Babylon, NY

Every single day, we share our Babylon roads with trucks of all types. From huge 18-wheelers through to dump trucks, you will almost definitely see at least one truck every time you drive. Unfortunately, these types of vehicles present a significant risk for other road users, and any accident that involves one can be catastrophic. Palermo Law is a Babylon, NY truck accident law firm. That means that anytime you are involved in an accident with a truck, we are here to protect and represent you and your interests. We have been dedicated to handling accident claims for two decades, and have an impressive track record to show for it. Contact a Babylon Truck Accident Lawyer today for help with your case.

Our managing partner Mr. Steven Palermo has recovered millions of dollars in accident compensation for our clients, including a $3.2 million settlement for an accident involving a delivery truck and a pedestrian, and a $1.7 million verdict in a case where a road worker was hit by a minibus. Feel free to get in touch with us by way of email or telephone to discuss the specifics of your truck accident. You can also drop into one of our offices – we have five locations across Suffolk County, as well as one in Nassau County – or we can come out to see you at home or in the hospital if you would rather.

Why are trucks so dangerous?

The sheer size of trucks is one of the main reasons that they are particularly dangerous. Larger vehicles naturally have larger and more numerous blind spots, which makes it very difficult for the driver to maintain a good level of awareness of his or her surroundings. The weight of the vehicle also makes stopping more difficult – there can often be brake problems, and stopping distances are significantly increased. Additionally, these types of vehicles are a lot less maneuverable than other road users, making responding to an emergency more difficult, and often causing the driver to veer into other lanes to make turns.

Finally, the very nature of truck driving is conducive to causing accidents. Often drivers are expected to drive long-distance and extended shifts, without sufficient rest or break periods. This can cause them to become fatigued, which can slow reaction times considerably. There are even cases of drivers falling asleep behind the wheel.

When should you get in touch with a Babylon truck accident lawyer?

There is a simple answer to this question – you should get in touch with an attorney as soon as you are able to. Often, those involved in accidents believe that because it is so clear-cut where the blame for the accident lies, they do not need to engage with a legal professional – they will receive their compensation in due course with no issues. This could not be further from reality – truck companies and insurance carriers will do all that they can to stop you from receiving the maximum compensation, so you need to position yourself to fight back.

Many trucking companies actually employ emergency response teams – accident scene investigators who arrive on the scene as soon as they can, and who immediately start to collect evidence in support of the driver and company. This is why it is so important to engage with Palermo Law as soon as you can – we will deploy our own investigators to collect the witness statements, accident reports, and other evidence that you need to defend your claim. We will also often make use of accident reconstruction experts to ensure that an accurate recreation of the accident can be built if it becomes necessary.

Getting in touch costs you nothing – we always start with a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Should we work together, you will be able to take advantage of our no-win, no-fee guarantee, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain when you contact us.

Deadlines to know about

Accidents are subject to certain deadlines that you should be familiar with. First of all, if you have been injured in a truck accident, then you have thirty days to file your application for no-fault insurance. This is handled by your own insurance company (or that of the vehicle that you were in at the time of the accident), regardless of who is to blame for what happened. If you fail to apply within the thirty-day timeframe, then you be left responsible for your own medical bills.

Secondly, you should know about the statute of limitations. For most truck accidents, you have up to three years to file a lawsuit, except in cases where there was a wrongful death – then the timeframe is reduced to two years. If the accident was with a truck that is municipally-owned, then you only have 90 days to file. This can be particularly problematic, as not all municipal vehicles are clearly marked as such, and so you may miss the deadline without knowing.

Yet another great reason to get in touch as soon as you are able – one of the first steps that we take when we work on your case is to identify who owns the vehicles involved in the accident. As long as we are on the case early enough, we can make sure that you do not miss out on the opportunity to file a lawsuit if you should need to.

How much is my Babylon truck accident worth?

We calculate the compensation that you are due by working out your economic damages – the costs to repair or replace your vehicle, property, or belongings – and adding it to the non-economic damages such as your physical injuries and mental suffering. This gives us the figure that we will work towards in negotiations, settlements, and before the courts if necessary.

We can work these figures out extremely accurately, thanks to our wealth of experience in dealing with truck accidents over the years. We also engage with external experts in both medicine and economics, to ensure that you are taken care of for the coming years and that inflation is accounted for.

Common Causes of Babylon Truck Accidents

Distracted Driving

Any activity that distracts a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. These types of distractions include the use of a handheld navigation device, cell phone use, and texting.

Speeding

Driving above the legal limit is a leading cause of truck accidents. Further, high-impact accidents often result in significant injuries.

Following too Closely

Tailgating, especially at high speeds reduces reaction times and often leads to rear-end accidents.

Aggressive Driving

Operating a truck in a hostile or aggressive manner may include following too closely, failing to signal, and repetitive lane changes.

Other factors to consider exclusive to truck accidents:

• Was the truck not properly loaded?
• Was the truck driver overly tired from driving long hours?
• Was the truck driver properly licensed to operate a big rig?
• Was the truck driver taking medications or drugs to help stay awake?

Five Essential Tips for Truck Accident Victims Immediately following an accident

1. Seek medical attention for any injuries, even minor injuries. Often injuries that result from a motor vehicle accident intensify in the hours and days following an accident. It’s good to be cautious.
2. Obtain a Police Accident Report. It is always a good idea to call the police to the scene of the accident. However, it is also possible to file a police report following the accident.
3. Contact your automobile insurance carrier to report the accident. Any medical bills will need to be paid by your no-fault insurance.
4. Do not give any statements to the other vehicle’s insurance company without first consulting with an attorney.
5. Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer for a free consultation.

Contact a Babylon Truck Accident Lawyer at Palermo Law Today

If you have been injured thanks to the negligent actions of a truck driver, then you can rely on us to make sure that you are aggressively represented and advocated for, even when multi-million dollar insurance or truck companies try to minimize the impact to you. Call or email us today, and we will arrange for your free consultation with a truck accident injury lawyer – can come to see you at home or in the hospital if necessary, and we can offer appointments in the evenings and at the weekend if that is more convenient for you.