Types of Trucks Accidents in Queens

Tractor-trailers are commonly seen on the streets of Queens, but there are other types of commercial trucks that are even more common. The types of trucks involved in Queens truck accidents commonly include:

• Garbage trucks
• Dump trucks
• Cargo trucks
• Box trucks
• Fuel trucks
• Tow trucks
• Sweeper trucks
• Concrete trucks
• Moving trucks
• School buses

Any time one of these trucks is involved in a crash on the roads, the claim filed afterwards is likely going to be far more complex than a car accident claim. Injured individuals should always speak to an experienced truck accident attorney who can assist with their claim.

Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?

Truck accidents have many of the same causes as car accidents, but there are also some causes of these crashes that are unique. Truck accidents in Queens are most commonly caused by:

• Distracted driving: Texting and driving is illegal in New York. This applies to truck drivers, as well. Truck drivers also deal with a number of other types of distractions. These include talking with other truckers on a CB radio, eating and drinking, and navigating unfamiliar roads.
• Impaired drivers: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is always very dangerous and reckless behavior. Truck drivers sometimes engage in this behavior because they think that certain substances will help keep them more awake and aware on the roads. This is not true. When a trucker is impaired, their reaction time is slowed and they may show poor judgment.
• Fatigue: All drivers are at risk for driving while fatigued in certain situations, but it is an issue that truck drivers face regularly. The longer a driver stays on the road, the more distance they can cover and the faster they can deliver their goods to their intended destination. Fatigued drivers have a much greater risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Even when they remain awake, driving while drowsy has been likened to driving while impaired and is just as dangerous.
• Speeding: Speeding is always dangerous, but it poses a greater threat when truckers drive over the posted speed limit. Due to their weight and size, trucks take much longer to slow down than other types of vehicles. When a trucker cannot come to a full stop before crashing into another vehicle, speeding will also increase the severity of the crash.
• Improperly loaded cargo: Trucks carry cargo that must be loaded and properly secured in the truck. If it is not, the cargo can shift during transport, which can throw the entire truck off balance. Sometimes, truckers load their own cargo, while other times, it is a third party that is responsible for the task.
• Improper road design: It is easy to assume that someone at the scene of the accident is at fault for the crash, but that is not always the case. Faulty designs in roads such as hairpin turns, steep shoulder drop-offs, and deep potholes can all result in a serious truck accident.

Many times, truck accident victims are not always immediately aware of what caused a crash. However, it is imperative that they learn what caused the accident so they know which party to hold liable for paying the damages sustained.

How are Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?

Truck accidents may not initially seem very different from car accidents, but there are many differences between the two. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is the fact that trucks are so much larger than the passenger vehicles they typically share the road with. Due to the fact that trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they are full, trucks will cause much more serious injuries than when two small vehicles are involved in an accident.

One fact that is not as obvious at the scene is that many truck accidents will involve a trucking company. The trucking company will visit the scene of the crash as soon as possible, looking for evidence and potentially hiding that which places them or their driver at fault. When they are successful in doing this, it can shield them from liability and accident victims may not receive the maximum damages they deserve.

The trucking company may also be partly liable for the accident. They may have engaged in negligent hiring practices, they may not have properly inspected or maintained their trucks, or they may have violated other laws. Trucking companies and truck drivers, however, are just two potentially liable parties for a truck accident. Companies that loaded the cargo, inspection and maintenance companies, truck manufacturers, and even government agencies may also be found at fault for a crash.

Lastly, while state law alone governs most car accidents, truck accidents will often involve federal law, as well. Federal law outlines the amount of time truckers can stay on the road, the standards for inspection, maintenance, and repair of trucks, and more. Accident victims do not always know what these laws are, which is one reason it is important to always work with a truck accident lawyer who is familiar with these laws.

Get Legal Help Today

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash, the experienced Queens truck accident lawyers at Silberstein & Miklos, P.C. are here to assist with your claim. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation so we can review your case.