Trucking Accident Attorneys Serving Buffalo and All of New York
The Buffalo truck accident lawyers at Fromen Injury Law have built a reputation for excellence in New York. For more than 60 years, our firm has helped accident victims recover the justice and compensation they deserved after being hurt in a serious truck accident.
Whether you refer to them as trucks, semi-trucks, big rigs, tractor-trailers, or 18-wheelers, you are likely familiar with these large commercial vehicles and the potential devastation they can cause in a collision. The average commercial truck weighs about 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger vehicle only weighs 3,000-5,000 pounds. Because of this massive weight discrepancy, crashes involving big rigs are often catastrophic, resulting in serious, life-altering injuries and even death.
Truck accident cases can also be difficult to handle successfully. They require the knowledge, skills, and resources of a firm with considerable experience in these complex matters. Fromen Injury Law has a proven record of success in handling truck accident cases. We aren’t intimidated by big trucking companies or their insurers. We know what it takes to win and we don’t back down from a fight.
If you were hurt by an 18-wheeler, contact the Buffalo truck accident lawyers at Fromen Injury Law today online or at 716-855-1222 for a FREE case evaluation. Our firm has recovered more than $300 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients and we may be able to help you. We welcome clients from Buffalo and across New York.
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What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Buffalo?
Negligence is the cause of most tractor-trailer crashes. This negligence could be the fault of a single person or the result of poor decisions by multiple parties. It is crucial to work with a seasoned truck accident attorney who can determine the cause of the wreck and identify the potentially liable parties.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Road rage/aggressive driving
- Violating company, state, or federal trucking laws
- Failure to adjust to weather conditions
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to obey traffic signals/signs
- Distracted driving (texting, eating, etc.)
- Drowsy driving/ falling asleep at the wheel
- Defective vehicle/defective parts
At Fromen Injury Law, our Buffalo truck accident lawyers thoroughly investigate each case to determine what happened and who is responsible. We will examine the evidence closely to ensure your rights and best interests are protected.
Who is Liable for a Tractor-Trailer Accident?
Determining liability in a truck accident case can be incredibly complex, especially when the negligence of multiple parties may have led to the injuries or deaths suffered in the collision. It is important that you have a skilled truck accident lawyer on your side during the initial investigation and throughout the entirety of your legal journey to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
Parties that may be liable in your truck accident claim include:
- The truck’s driver
- The truck’s owner
- The trucking company
- The shipping or freight company responsible for loading the truck
- The truck manufacturer and parts maker if a defective part played a role in the crash
- Third-party companies who performed repairs and/or maintenance on the truck
- Government agencies and contractors if a hazard on a public road contributed to the crash
In most truck accident cases, the defendant’s insurance company pays for the victim’s losses. When multiple parties are liable for a wreck, you will need to seek compensation from multiple insurance companies. It’s important to remember that trucking lines–and their insurance companies–are in the business of profits, not paying out settlements. They employ a number of tactics to delay, devalue, and deny paying claims. They are more concerned about their bottom line than your future well-being.
When you choose Fromen Injury Law, we level the playing field. We gather the pertinent evidence, evaluate the facts in your case, and pursue the maximum compensation from the liable parties. We will stand up for you and fight for you like family.
Common Injuries in a Truck Accident
The sheer weight and size of an 18-wheeler enable it to do far more damage than usually seen in average car accidents. Even when you drive safely and feel secure in your car or SUV, you may sustain severe and long-lasting injuries if you are in a collision with a large commercial vehicle.
A number of factors can contribute to the severity of an injury, such as the speed of the vehicles involved, their size, weather conditions, etc. but, generally speaking, common truck accident injuries can include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck and back injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Partial/complete paralysis
- Ligament and disc injuries
- Whiplash
- Loss of a limb
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Organ Damage
- Lacerations
- Disfigurement
Following a serious collision with a tractor-trailer, you may also suffer from emotional issues, like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Both physical and emotional injuries can be traumatizing and should not be taken lightly. It’s important to work with an attorney who understands the severity of your injuries and the many ways the injuries have impacted your life.
What Are the Different Types of Truck Accidents?
There are countless ways in which a tractor-trailer crash can occur. Our Buffalo truck accident lawyers have seen a variety of different types of truck wrecks. Some of the most common types of accidents we see include:
- Multi-vehicle collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Brake failure accidents
- Tire blowout accidents
- Underride accidents involving smaller vehicles
- Truck rollovers
- Jackknife accidents
- Blind spot accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Accidents caused by falling cargo
Regardless of the type of truck accident you are involved in, a trucking accident attorney will assess the performance of the truck and trailer (e.g., brake failures, tire blowouts, etc.), the driver’s actions (e.g., tailgating, speeding, etc.), and other issues to determine the true cause of the crash.
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Potential Damages in a Truck Accident Claim
When a big rig collides with a car, bike, or pedestrian, the losses can be unimaginable. Truck accident victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for their losses if another party was negligent in the collision.
In a personal injury case, the term “damages” refers to the monetary compensation awarded to the injured party to cover the losses and harm they have suffered due to another party’s negligence or intentional actions. Damages can include:
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are intended to compensate the injured party for physical, financial, and emotional losses. These can include but are not limited to:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- The cost of travel for medical treatment
- Expenses for home or vehicle modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
In some tragic cases, a truck collision can result in death. If you lost a loved one due to the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, you may be entitled to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, loss of financial support, and more in a wrongful death claim.
Punitive Damages
Though extremely rare, punitive damages are sometimes awarded to punish the defendant for particularly egregious, reckless, or malicious behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future.
To receive punitive damages, your truck accident attorney must show clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with malice, wanton disregard, or recklessness that borders on criminal behavior. There is no cap on punitive damages in New York.
The Buffalo truck accident lawyers at Fromen Injury Law are committed to helping accident victims and their families move forward after a serious injury. We work diligently to understand the cause of the accident, identify all potentially liable parties, and pursue the maximum compensation to which our clients may be entitled under the law.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
In New York, the statute of limitations for truck accident claims is three years from the date of the crash (see N.Y. CPLR 214). However, a wrongful death claim must be brought within two years of the date if your loved one died from injuries sustained in a trucking accident (see N.Y. EPTL 5-4.1).
While there are certain exceptions to these statutes of limitations, there is no time to lose if you were hurt or lost someone you love in a serious truck crash. When you choose Fromen Injury Law, our Buffalo truck accident lawyers will start working immediately to build a strong and compelling case. Even if two or three years seems like a long time, it’s important to realize that truck accident cases can be extremely complex and every day matters. If you fail to file a claim within the appointed deadline, you could forever miss your chance to seek compensation for your injuries.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
When innocent people get hurt because of others’ negligence, they face monumental challenges that they do not deserve and are not prepared for. Some law firms are content to settle for easy outcomes. At Fromen Injury Law, we strive to change lives.
Insurance companies know us by name. They know that we prepare every case for a fight and we don’t accept lowball offers. We consider every client a part of our family – and nothing is stronger than family.
When you work with Fromen Injury Law, you are working with experienced attorneys who take your case personally. There is no risk. We offer FREE consultations to learn about you and understand the ways the injury has impacted your life. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win.
As your Buffalo truck accident lawyers, Fromen Injury Law will:
- Explore your legal options
- Investigate and collect evidence
- Consult your doctors on the extent and ramifications of your injuries
- Assemble a claim
- Calculate damages
- Negotiate on your behalf
- Prepare for trial
Many personal injury cases settle before reaching a courtroom. However, we prepare thoroughly for trial when pursuing compensation for our clients. This meticulous preparation and trial readiness has earned us a reputation with insurance companies and clients alike.
Speak With a Buffalo Truck Accident Lawyer for FREE
If you were hurt in a trucking accident, the Buffalo truck accident lawyers at Fromen Injury Law are ready to help. Over the past 60 years, our firm has recovered more than $300 Million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.
Don’t trust your truck accident case to just anyone. These cases can be extremely complicated and require the knowledge and experience of a firm with a proven history of success.
Contact Fromen Injury Law today online or at 716-855-1222 for a FREE case evaluation. We proudly serve clients from Buffalo and across New York.