Every year, thousands of people across New York are seriously injured — or killed — in collisions involving commercial trucks. Whether it happens on the Cross Bronx Expressway, the Long Island Expressway, or a busy surface street in Manhattan, a truck accident can leave victims with catastrophic injuries, crushing medical debt, and a legal fight against some of the most well-funded corporate defendants in the country.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our New York truck accident attorneys have spent decades fighting for injured victims and their families. We know the regulations that govern the trucking industry, we know how carriers and insurers defend these claims, and we know how to build a case that gets results.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident anywhere in New York State, call us today for a free case evaluation.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different From Other Motor Vehicle Cases
Truck accident cases are significantly more complex than standard car accident claims. The sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles, often 80,000 pounds or more at full capacity, means collisions almost always result in severe or fatal injuries. But the complexity goes well beyond the physical damage.
Trucking cases involve multiple layers of potential liability. In addition to the driver, responsible parties may include the trucking company, the vehicle owner, a cargo loading company, a maintenance contractor, or even the truck’s manufacturer. Identifying all liable parties and building a case against each of them requires experience that general personal injury firms simply don’t have.
Federal and state regulations also play a central role. Commercial truckers and carriers must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules governing driver hours, vehicle inspections, drug and alcohol testing, licensing, and cargo securement. New York State has its own additional requirements under the Vehicle & Traffic Law and the Department of Transportation regulations. Violations of these rules are often the key to establishing negligence.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in New York
New York’s roads, congested, fast-moving, and shared by cars, cyclists, and pedestrians, create conditions where commercial truck accidents happen with alarming frequency. Our New York truck accident lawyers have handled cases arising from:
- Driver fatigue. Federal hours-of-service rules exist for a reason. When trucking companies pressure drivers to exceed safe limits, exhaustion becomes deadly.
- Distracted or impaired driving. Commercial drivers are subject to strict drug and alcohol testing requirements. Violations are a serious form of negligence.
- Improper cargo loading. Shifting or unsecured loads can cause rollovers, jackknifes, and debris spills.
- Negligent maintenance. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and defective lighting are preventable — and when they cause accidents, the companies responsible for upkeep can be held liable.
- Speeding and aggressive driving. A fully loaded commercial truck cannot stop on a dime. When drivers ignore road conditions or speed limits, the consequences are devastating.
- Inadequate driver training. Carriers have a legal duty to properly train and supervise their drivers. When they cut corners, victims pay the price.
Truck Accident Injuries We Handle
The force involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle is enormous. Our New York truck accident law firm regularly represents clients who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Wrongful death
In truck accident wrongful death cases, we fight to recover full compensation for surviving family members, including loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and funeral and burial expenses. No settlement can replace a loved one, but holding negligent parties accountable matters, and our attorneys pursue every avenue of recovery available under New York law.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
New York truck accident victims may be entitled to recover damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- In wrongful death cases: economic support, funeral costs, and loss of parental guidance
Because the injuries in truck accident cases tend to be severe and the long-term costs significant, we work with medical experts, economic analysts, and life care planners to accurately calculate the full value of your claim, not just what you’ve lost today, but what you’ll need for the rest of your life.
How Our New York Truck Accident Attorneys Build a Strong Truck Accident Lawsuit for You
A strong truck accident case is built on evidence, and that evidence can disappear quickly. Black box data, driver log books, maintenance records, and surveillance footage are all subject to being erased or overwritten. That’s why it matters to contact a New York truck accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our attorneys move fast. We:
- Send preservation letters to secure electronic logging device (ELD) data, trip sheets, and inspection records
- Conduct independent accident investigations
- Interview witnesses and obtain police and crash reports
- Retain accident reconstruction experts when needed
- Identify every potentially liable party, including the carrier, broker, and vehicle owner
- Handle all communications with insurers so you can focus on recovering
Trucking companies have legal teams and insurance adjusters working their side of the case from day one. You need experienced representation in your corner just as quickly.
Serving Truck and Semi-Truck Accident Victims Across New York State
Jacoby & Meyers represents truck accident victims throughout New York, including:
- The Bronx, where major freight corridors like I-95 and I-87 see consistent heavy truck traffic
- Brooklyn, including accidents near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the ports
- Manhattan, including delivery truck, garbage truck, and construction vehicle accidents on city streets
- Queens, near JFK and along the LIE
- Staten Island, including the Staten Island Expressway
- Long Island, including East Meadow and surrounding Nassau and Suffolk County communities
No matter where your accident happened in New York State, our truck accident law firm is ready to help.
Why Choose the Law Firm of Jacoby & Meyers for Your Truck Accident Case?
Jacoby & Meyers has been a trusted name in New York personal injury law for more than 50 years. Our truck accident attorneys bring:
- Decades of experience handling complex commercial vehicle cases
- A track record of significant verdicts and settlements for injured clients
- Offices across New York City and Long Island for your convenience
- A contingency fee structure — you pay nothing unless we win your case
- Personalized attention and direct access to your legal team throughout the process
We’ve seen what truck accidents do to families. We take these cases personally, and we fight accordingly.
New York Truck Accident FAQ
Here are some of the questions we receive most often from those who have been involved in truck accidents in New York City and the surrounding area.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in New York?
In most cases, New York’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years. These deadlines are strict; missing them can bar your recovery entirely. Contact a New York State truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
What if the Truck Driver Was an Independent Contractor?
Trucking companies sometimes try to use the independent contractor label to avoid liability. Our attorneys know how to challenge this designation and hold carriers accountable under federal and New York law.
What Does a NYC Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
Nothing upfront. Jacoby & Meyers handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you.
New York Truck Accident Lawyer, Andrew Finkelstein
Contact a New York Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in New York, every day you wait is a day evidence is at risk of being lost, and deadlines are getting closer. Our attorneys are ready to hear your story, answer your questions, and start fighting for the compensation you deserve.
You can reach our team by phone or contact us online. We serve clients throughout New York City, Long Island, and across New York State, and we’re available when you need us most.
Client Testimonials
“If it were not for the integral legal team of experts at Jacoby & Meyers I would not be where I am today with my recovery. I highly recommend hiring Jacoby & Meyers should you ever find yourself injured in an accident, and an individual or company needs to be held accountable for their negligence.” -C.J.
★★★★★
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Jacoby & Meyers, LLP
39 Broadway #1910,
New York, NY 10006
(212)-445-7000