Accidents involving semitrailers, construction vehicles and other commercial haulers happen all too frequently on the streets of New York. When they do, the victims of these collisions often suffer serious — if not fatal — injuries. Why might a truck accident happen and can one seek compensation following such an event?
Truck accidents happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes the fault lies solely on the truck driver and sometimes victims themselves may be partially to blame. Every accident scenario is different. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Poor driver training
- Truck driver fatigue
- Medical issues
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe passing
- Visibility issues
When a truck accident occurs, every aspect of the event will be reviewed in order to determine fault. If truck driver negligence is thought to have contributed, victims or — in the event of fatality — their surviving family members may have legal recourse. Compensation may be sought by filing civil claims in court. According to state laws, recoverable damages might include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages, relief for pain and suffering and various other losses that are economic or non-economic in nature.
Pursuing relief following a truck accident may seem like an intimidating task. Thankfully, it is not something that New York residents have to do alone. With the assistance of legal counsel, compensation for any damages sustained in a truck accident may be sought through negotiation or litigation — even if comparative negligence is thought to be an issue. If pursing legal action is successful, partial or full compensation may be achieved through private settlement or trial.
Source: FindLaw, “Common Causes of Truck Accidents“, Accessed on April 18, 2018