New York City Truck Accident Attorney

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Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss: NYC Truck Accident Attorneys Who Get Results

Every day on NYC streets, truck accidents change people’s lives for the worse. All of this is done in an instant, suddenly and without warning. From catastrophic highway collisions to devastating local delivery crashes, victims face overwhelming medical costs while being unable to work and put food on the table. 

Major trucking companies immediately deploy investigator teams, insurance adjusters, and their lawyers, often arriving at crash scenes before vehicles are even cleared. Their main job is to pay you as little money as possible for your injuries.

At Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, our lawyers build strong truck accident lawsuits by revealing safety violations, exposing dangerous corporate practices, and proving responsibility. We've secured millions for victims of motor vehicle accidents involving trucks through detailed evidence and proven trial experience.

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New York City Truck Accident Statistics and Risks

Recent FMCSA data reveals concerning patterns on New York roads. In 2024, our city saw 3,365 large truck crashes. These collisions took 93 lives and left 3,745 people injured. Beyond these numbers lie thousands of families facing long recoveries and uncertain futures.

The risk grows exponentially in NYC's dense urban landscape where trucks share crowded streets with cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. The sheer mass involved turns what might be minor collisions between cars into life-changing events. When drivers face tight delivery schedules, or companies cut safety corners, everyone on the road pays the price.

Several factors contribute to truck crashes on NYC streets:

  1. Driver fatigue from extended hours and tight deadlines
  2. Improper vehicle maintenance leading to equipment failure
  3. Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
  4. Inadequate training for urban conditions
  5. Poor route planning through residential areas.

NYC Truck Regulations

City, state, and federal laws create a comprehensive safety framework designed to prevent serious truck accidents on our streets. Beyond basic traffic rules, trucks must follow:

  1. Federal weight limits varying by axle configuration — with special NYC bridge and tunnel restrictions
  2. Mandatory electronic logging of driver hours, with strict rest requirements
  3. NYC-specific route restrictions based on truck size and cargo type
  4. Enhanced safety equipment requirements for city operation
  5. Special driver qualifications for urban environments
  6. Increased insurance minimums for NYC operations.
  • Local Requirements

    New York City enforces strict additional regulations to manage truck traffic and enhance safety in our uniquely dense urban environment. These rules address specific challenges that arise when large vehicles navigate crowded city streets and residential neighborhoods:

    • Designated truck routes with time-of-day restrictions
    • Special permits for residential deliveries
    • Enhanced mirror and visibility systems
    • Regular safety inspections
    • Specific loading zone regulations.
  • Commercial Vehicle Requirements

    Each borough maintains unique commercial vehicle rules. Manhattan restricts certain deliveries to off-peak hours. Brooklyn enforces special container truck routes. Queens limits truck traffic in residential areas. We use these violations to strengthen truck accident claims for our clients.

Types of NYC Truck Accidents We Handle

NYC streets present dangers from all types of trucks, from local deliveries to major freight transport. Each collision type demands specific investigation approaches and evidence-collection methods.

  • Tractor-Trailers: Massive vehicles creating severe hazards during turns and lane changes in NYC's crowded streets.
  • Box Trucks: Common in residential areas, causing accidents during frequent stops and tight maneuvers.
  • Flatbed Trucks: Creating unique risks from unsecured loads and wide-turning radiuses.
  • Dump Trucks: Posing dangers with unstable loads and limited visibility around construction zones.
  • Tank Trucks: Adding hazardous material risks to standard collision dangers.

Commercial trucks in particular create serious crash risks across the city.

The way any truck impacts other vehicles often reveals crucial evidence. These patterns help prove negligence and strengthen injury claims:

  • Head-On Truck Collisions: Often occurring when trucks cross center lines during tight turns or driver fatigue, frequently on bridges and tunnel approaches.
  • Truck Rear-End Crashes: Heavy trucks needing extensive stopping distance cause severe impacts when traffic suddenly slows.
  • Jackknife Truck Accidents: Particularly dangerous on wet roads when trailers swing out during sudden braking.
  • Wide Turn Truck Crashes: Large trucks swinging wide at intersections often trap smaller vehicles or pedestrians.
  • Underride Truck Collisions: Smaller vehicles sliding beneath trailers due to sudden stops or poor visibility.
  • Rollover Truck Incidents: Overloaded cargo or sharp turns causing trucks to tip on elevated highways.

Our attorneys know how to uncover negligence and prove fault, regardless of the truck type involved. Whether dealing with major commercial carriers or private truck operators, we build strong cases that get results. 

A good example of what our experienced truck accident attorneys can accomplish is the case of a woman who was injured while crossing the street. Our client, a 49-year-old New York marketing executive, was struck by an 18-wheeler and thrown 42 feet. She suffered a shoulder dislocation, a broken leg that required surgical repair, and back and neck injuries. Her most serious injury was a skull fracture, with intracranial bleeding, that left her with a severe brain injury, unable to work, and requiring full-time care. Our attorneys took the large trucking company to trial, and the case was settled right after a jury was picked. We were able to secure a $14.3 million settlement for our client.

Most Common Truck Accident Injuries

The massive force in truck collisions often causes serious injuries. Medical costs for these injuries frequently reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars:

  1. Spinal cord injuries causing partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care
  2. Traumatic brain injuries affecting memory, concentration, and basic functions
  3. Complex fractures requiring multiple surgeries and extensive therapy
  4. Internal organ damage leading to chronic health issues
  5. Severe burns from fuel fires requiring skin grafts
  6. Crush injuries often result in amputation.

Compensation We’ll Win After a Truck Accident in NYC

Truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries requiring lifetime care. Your compensation must cover both immediate and future needs. At Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, we document every impact to ensure full recovery:

  • Medical Bills

    From emergency room care through rehabilitation, including future surgeries, specialized treatments, medical equipment, and ongoing therapy needs that may continue for years or decades.

  • Lost Income

    All missed work days, reduced ability to earn future income, lost business opportunities, career changes forced by injuries, and impact on retirement benefits and pension plans.

  • Property Damage

    Full vehicle replacement costs, personal items destroyed in the crash, electronic devices, specialized equipment, and any other property losses directly related to the accident.

  • Pain and Suffering

    Physical trauma endured during and after the crash, ongoing discomfort affecting daily activities, emotional distress from injuries, anxiety about recovery, and impact on relationships.

  • Life Changes

    Home modifications for disability access, specialized vehicle equipment, in-home care services, vocational rehabilitation, and other lifestyle adjustments needed after serious injuries.

Insurance companies often overlook long-term impacts when calculating settlements. We work with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to prove the full value of your losses. Don't let a quick settlement offer leave you paying future expenses out of pocket.

Liability in NYC Truck Accidents

The path to full compensation requires examining every entity involved in the accident and has some blame:

  • Truck Drivers: Operating vehicles while fatigued or violating safety rules.
  • Trucking Companies: Pushing unrealistic schedules or skipping maintenance.
  • Vehicle Owners: Neglecting inspections or postponing repairs.
  • Maintenance Providers: Missing critical safety issues.
  • Cargo Loading Companies: Improperly securing cargo.
  • Parts Manufacturers: Producing defective components.

A successful truck accident case often involves multiple responsible parties. Our investigation reveals networks of negligence that contribute to these devastating crashes.

How Do I Get Compensation After a New York Truck Accident?

Securing fair compensation after a truck crash requires strategic action from day one. Insurance companies often send investigators to the scene while victims still receive emergency care. Their goal? Build a defense before you even consider legal help. New York sets strict deadlines for truck accident claims, and evidence — from electronic logs to tire marks — can vanish within days.

  • Building Strong Truck Accident Claims

    Proving fault in truck accidents requires establishing multiple elements:

    • Driver negligence through log violations or unsafe practices
    • Company liability for inadequate training or maintenance
    • Vehicle defects or improper repairs
    • Loading errors creating instability
    • Route planning failures
    • Regulatory violations

    Each element needs specific evidence types, from electronic data to expert analysis. Early investigation often reveals multiple responsible parties.

  • Filing Requirements and Time Limits

    Missing a Statute of Limitations deadline can bar your right to compensation entirely. Different aspects of truck accident claims follow specific timing requirements:

    • Standard Personal Injury Claims: Three years from the accident date to file lawsuits against private parties. If the plaintiff is under 18, they will have until 3 years after their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit. But waiting this long often means lost evidence and a weaker case. Contacting our experienced lawyers right away is the best course of action.
    • State Government Vehicle Incidents: Only 90 days to file a notice of claim with the responsible state or local government agency at fault.

    Wrongful Death Cases: Two years from the date of death, with special requirements for estate representatives filing claims.

  • What If I'm Partially at Fault for the Truck Accident?

    New York's comparative negligence law allows recovery even when partially at fault. Many factors influence fault determination — from weather conditions to vehicle positions. Our investigation focuses on showing how trucking company decisions and driver actions caused the crash. We analyze road conditions, vehicle maintenance history, and corporate safety policies. This thorough approach often reveals that truck company negligence far outweighs any minor driver errors.

Why Contact a New York Truck Accident Lawyer Immediately After an Accident

Trucking companies and their insurers will do almost anything to pay you as little as possible. Their corporate teams are building their defense, all while you focus on medical treatments, paying medical bills, and trying to put food on the table. This is why having a dedicated legal team on your side can change the outcome of your case.

A truck accident lawyer protects your interests by:

  1. Demanding preservation of black box data and company records before deletion
  2. Securing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras
  3. Working with accident reconstruction specialists to prove their responsibility
  4. Calculating future medical costs and lost earnings potential
  5. Handling all insurance communications to prevent damaging statements.
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How Our New York City Truck Accident Lawyers at Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss Will Help Your Case

Trucking companies often deploy teams of investigators while victims are still receiving emergency care. Insurance carriers rush to minimize payouts before the full extent of injuries becomes clear. At Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, we counter these tactics with decades of successful litigation experience and thorough investigation methods.

The moment you contact us, we:

  1. Launch an immediate investigation to preserve critical evidence like driver logs and maintenance records.
  2. Identify every responsible party — from trucking companies ignoring safety regulations to maintenance providers missing critical repairs.
  3. Work with medical specialists to document your injuries and project future care needs, ensuring no cost gets overlooked.
  4. Handle all insurance company communication while you focus on recovery, preventing tactics designed to reduce your claim.
  5. Build a compelling case using accident reconstruction, expert testimony, and thorough documentation of every violation that led to your crash.

How Much Does a New York City Truck Accident Attorney Cost?

We remove financial barriers to top-notch legal help through our contingency fee structure:

  • Free Initial Consultation: Evaluate your case without obligation
  • No Upfront Costs: We advance all case expenses
  • Payment From Settlement: Fees only if we win your case
  • Transparent Terms: Clear explanation of fee structure.

We Fight for Full Compensation for Your Injuries

Contact our New York truck accident attorneys at Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss now!

You will receive a response from us within 1 - 2 business days

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Meet Our Dedicated Legal Team

Behind every successful truck accident case stands a group of experienced truck accident attorneys combining trial experience with deep industry knowledge. Our partners' complementary skills create a comprehensive representation that turns challenging cases into significant victories.

Our clients consistently note our strengths:

  • Strategic Approach to Negotiations
  • Regular Case Updates and Communication
  • Support Throughout the Entire Process

There’s No Downside in Talking to Our Experienced Lawyers

Contact us for a free consultation. We’ll give honest answers to your burning questions.

You will receive a response from us within 1 - 2 business days

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What Our Clients Have to Say

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Areas We Serve

From Staten Island shipyards to Bronx construction zones, our attorneys serve truck accident victims across NYC's diverse neighborhoods. We also maintain a strong presence throughout the tri-state area, with offices strategically positioned to handle cases where they occur.

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Your Fight Is Our Fight. Call Today!

When trucking companies deploy their legal teams, you need experienced representation protecting your interests. Our attorneys at Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss stand ready to fight for you. Take the first step toward fair compensation. Call us today and let our decades of success work for your recovery!

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