Phone: Empire Injury Advocates
Bronx Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a crash with a tractor-trailer, box truck, delivery van, or garbage truck in the Bronx, Empire Injury Advocates, PLLC can help you file your no-fault claim, find out who is responsible, and protect the evidence before it is lost. Our office is at 340 East 149th Street in the South Bronx. Call (917) 633-4335 for a free case evaluation. Hablamos español.
How is a truck accident different from a car accident?
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, about 20 times more than a typical car. When a truck hits a car, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, the injuries are often serious: broken bones, back and neck injuries, head injuries, and long recoveries.
Truck cases also work differently. More than one company may share the blame, federal safety rules apply to many trucks and drivers, and trucking companies often send their own investigators out soon after a crash. Getting help early gives you a better chance to keep the evidence you need.
Where do truck accidents happen in the Bronx?
The Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95), where tractor-trailers crowd the lanes and traffic stops without warning
The Bruckner Expressway and the streets around Hunts Point, home to the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center and a steady line of delivery trucks
The Major Deegan Expressway (I-87) and the approaches to the bridges into Manhattan
Local streets like East 149th Street, Webster Avenue, and Fordham Road, where box trucks double-park and make wide turns around pedestrians
What causes truck accidents?
Every crash has its own facts, but the same causes come up again and again:
- Tired drivers, including drivers who go past the federal limits on driving hours
- Wide right turns and large blind spots, which put pedestrians and cyclists at risk
- Speeding or following too closely, since a heavy truck needs much more room to stop
- Worn brakes, bad tires, and skipped maintenance
- Cargo that is overloaded or not tied down
- Distracted driving, including phones and dispatch screens in the cab
Who can be responsible for a truck crash?
After a car accident, the claim is usually against the other driver. After a truck accident, there may be several people and companies involved:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company that employed the driver
- The owner of the truck or trailer, if different. Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 388, an owner can be responsible when someone drives the vehicle with permission.
- The company that loaded the cargo
- A repair shop or parts maker, if a mechanical failure caused the crash
Each one may have its own insurance. Federal rules require most interstate freight carriers to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, and many carry more.
What evidence matters in a truck accident case?
Electronic logging device (ELD) data that shows how long the driver had been on the road
The engine control module, which can record speed and braking
Dashcam video
Maintenance and inspection records
The driver's qualification file and drug and alcohol test results
How does no-fault work after a truck accident?
If you were in a car that was hit by a truck, your own no-fault coverage pays basic medical bills and part of your lost wages, up to $50,000, no matter who caused the crash. If you were walking or on a bike, no-fault usually comes from a policy in your household, or from the truck’s insurance if you have none. You must file the no-fault application within 30 days. Our guide explains what New York no-fault insurance pays.
To sue the driver or the trucking company for pain and suffering, New York requires a “serious injury,” the same rule that applies to car accidents. Our Bronx car accident lawyer page explains what counts.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
There are three deadlines to know:
- 30 days to file your no-fault application
- 90 days to serve a notice of claim if a city truck, such as a Sanitation Department truck, was involved
- 3 years in most cases to file a lawsuit against a private driver or trucking company, under CPLR 214
Read more in our guide to New York injury claim deadlines.
What should I do after a truck accident?
Other cases we handle
Empire Injury Advocates also represents people hurt in Bronx car accidents and families in wrongful death cases. See all of our practice areas or visit our Bronx personal injury lawyer page. We also help clients in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bronx truck accident lawyer cost?
Empire Injury Advocates, PLLC offers a free case evaluation. If you hire the firm, the fee terms are explained in writing before any work starts.
What if the trucking company says the crash was my fault?
You may still be able to recover. New York uses pure comparative fault under CPLR 1411, so your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, but it is not barred.
What if I was hit by a city garbage truck?
Claims against the City of New York need a notice of claim within 90 days of the crash, and the lawsuit must be filed within one year and 90 days. Call a lawyer early so the short deadline does not pass.
Talk to a Bronx truck accident lawyer
Call Empire Injury Advocates, PLLC at (917) 633-4335 or send us a message for a free case evaluation. Our office is at 340 East 149th Street, Bronx, NY 10451, and our staff speaks Spanish.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is for general information and is not legal advice.
Free Case Evaluation
Call (917) 633-4335 or use our Contact Form today for a free, confidential consultation.
Serving clients throughout all Bronx neighborhoods, from Fordham to Soundview.