Truck accidents in the Bronx are often caused by a number of factors, from driver distraction to improperly loaded cargo. Regardless of the cause of the accident, collisions with large trucks have the potential to cause devastating and catastrophic injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in the Bronx, contact Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices to discuss the possibility of pursuing an accident claim. Our law office has helped thousands of clients over the past 30 years, and the experience and hands-on guidance you’ll receive from our legal team is unparalleled.

Causes of Truck Accidents in the Bronx

The Bronx is one of the most populated areas in the country, which means road conditions can often be dangerous. Not only is the borough home to over a million people, but tourists and commuters pass through it daily. From the traffic to the increased potential for distraction, accidents are too common.

Large trucks, in particular, have a difficult time navigating the cramped and busy streets. However complicated it is to navigate the roads, truck drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and with regard to other motorists and pedestrians. When truckers are negligent, injured accident victims have a right to compensation for the damage caused by the truck driver.

The most common causes of truck accidents include:

Drowsy driving: the long hours and extensive driving that truck drivers experience are not conducive to safe driving. If truckers do not get enough sleep, their fatigue could impair their reaction time, cognitive function, and decision-making ability.

Distracted driving: as a leading contributor to motor vehicle accidents, distracted driving is also a major cause of truck accidents. Cell phones, CB radios, stereos, food, and a whole host of other distractions threaten to take a truck driver’s attention from the road.

Improper vehicle maintenance: common malfunctions that can cause truck accidents include tire blowouts, defective brakes, and steering issues.

Blind spots: large trucks have numerous blind spots that make it challenging for truckers to see other vehicles. If they do not check these blind spots and ensure safe handling of their vehicle, truck drivers could be responsible for the accidents that follow.

Poor driving and traffic violations: speeding, failure to yield the right of way, and various other illegal and reckless driving behaviors can easily lead to accidents. Trucks take longer to stop and require careful maneuvering to ensure safety.

Other common causes of large truck accidents include inexperience, insufficient training, road conditions, and driving under the influence.

Severity of Truck Accident Injuries

Because of their larger size and heavier weight, large commercial trucks have the potential to cause severe and life-threatening injuries. These include:

• Spinal cord injuries

• Amputation

• Traumatic brain injury

• Vision and hearing loss

• Internal organ damage

• Paralysis

• Burns

• Severe bone fractures

If your injuries after a truck accident in the Bronx require extensive medical treatments, surgeries, or ongoing therapy of any kind, you deserve compensation that takes each of these factors into consideration.

Contact Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices to discuss your accident and injuries. We will work diligently to determine the value of your claim so you can make an informed decision about whether or not an insurance company settlement offer is reasonable.

Different Types of Truck Accidents

There are a number of large commercial trucks traveling the streets in the Bronx, including:

• Concrete trucks

• 18-wheelers

• Dump trucks

• Box trucks

• Delivery trucks

• Moving trucks

• Garbage trucks

Each of these vehicles can cause severe damage because of their size and weight. While it’s possible to suffer an injury from any type of accident caused by a truck, there are some more common types of accidents that often involve large trucks.

Rollovers

If truck drivers take turns, curves, and lane changes too quickly, they can easily roll over. The cargo inside a large truck can also shift and cause a rollover.

Underrides

Underride accidents occur when a car crashes under a large truck. Because the distance between the road and the bottom of the truck is so far, smaller cars can become trapped beneath the truck.

Jackknife

A jackknife accident is when the trailer and cabin of a truck fold onto each other, which can be caused by turning too sharply, losing control of the truck, or unsecured cargo.

Rear-ending

Trucks take much longer to stop after applying the brakes than passenger vehicles do, and they also experience frequent brake failure when maintenance is deferred. This can cause trucks to crash into the backs of other vehicles.

Advancements in Trucking Technology

Improving safety has become a priority of many trucking companies. One method to promote safer driving conditions for motorists that share the road with large commercial trucks is by integrating tracking and other technology capabilities.

This is good for injured accident victims, too, because it means that more data is available to establish fault. Technology used by truckers in their cabin and other various tracking features present on many trucks improves the chances of a negligent truck driver being held accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

A few of the technology features that some trucks use are:

• Facial and eye movement detectors

• Black boxes

• DriveCam Video Event Recorders

Liable Parties in a Bronx Truck Accident

More than one person or entity can be responsible for a truck accident in New York. If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important that you work with an attorney who can help you determine where fault lies.

It’s possible that you may share some of the fault for the accident, but don’t worry. As long as you are not fully responsible, you should be able to recover financial damages. Your compensation will be decreased by the percentage of fault you share for the accident.

For example, if you are awarded $120,000 in damages after a truck accident but are found to be 15% at fault, your total compensation would equal $102,000.

In addition to the truck driver and other drivers, the following people and entities may be found liable for an accident:

• Trucking company

• Vehicle manufacturer

• Parts manufacturer

• Government entity

Compensation After a Bronx Truck Accident

New York allows injured truck accident victims to recover economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Punitive damages are rarely awarded and only in cases where gross negligence or behavior that is unconscionable. Economic and non-economic damages include:

• Medical bills

• Lost wages

• Medical transportation

• Therapy and rehabilitation costs

• Home health expenses

• Assistive devices

• Medications

• Property replacement or repair

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Mental anguish

• Pain and suffering

Calculating the value of these damages is often challenges, especially since non-economic damages are subjective and not tied directly to a dollar amount. The truck accident attorneys at Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices have been calculating the value of injury claims for 30 years. Put our experience and legal knowledge to work for you.

Contact a Bronx Truck Accident Lawyer from Seitelman Law Offices

The personal injury attorneys at Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices have helped thousands of clients secure the compensation they deserve after an accident. If you are facing permanent damage and lifelong adjustments after a truck accident in the Bronx, call us to schedule a free consultation.