Smithtown Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have been seriously injured or have a close family member who was killed in a Smithtown accident involving a large truck, then you could be entitled to compensation for all of your resulting expenses. These damages can include reimbursement of your medical expenses as well as compensation for your pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other losses.

Determining who is at fault in truck accidents can be complicated. In addition to the driver of the large truck, their employer and other companies involved in their work could be deemed negligent and, thereby, liable for the costs the accident led to. Speaking with a Smithtown truck accident lawyer can be incredibly important during these cases. With the assistance of a lawyer from Carner & DeVita, accident victims can build a strong case based on evidence, past court rulings, relevant state and federal laws, and other factors.

You can start a conversation with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Smithtown when you schedule your free, no obligation consultation now. Call us at (631) 543-7070 or contact us online to book your appointment today.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Smithtown

Some truck accidents are unavoidable because of weather, other drivers, or occurrences no one could have predicted. However, a large portion of truck accidents only happen because the driver or someone else involved with their route acted negligently.

According to data from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, 11,848 accidents involving large trucks occurred in the state in 2014, the last year for which data is available. 3,760 of these crashes caused non-fatal injuries, while 74 resulted in fatalities. Looking at the accidents documented above, many occurred as a result of human error. 1,978 involved driver distraction, 1,1176 involved drivers not yielding the right of way, and a shocking 90 were caused by drivers who had fallen asleep!

Nationwide, the following factors are common reasons why a truck accident could be caused by negligence:

• Overworked/fatigued truck drivers
• Failure to maintain brakes and other safety systems
• Illegal maneuvers or lane usage
• Dangerous lane changes
• Speeding
• Oversized loads
• Distracted driving
• Unreasonable pressures to complete route by certain time
• Defective headlights or brake lights
• Steering system failures
• Following or passing too closely

Some of these truck accident causes are the result of the truck driver’s mistakes, while others  can be attributed to mistakes made by other companies.

If a trucking company fails to monitor their driver’s mileage logs, for instance, they may not realize that they are violating the hours of service requirements mandated by the FMCSA. The company responsible for maintaining the trailer that the truck uses may also have neglected the brakes or missed a catastrophic flaw, making an accident all but inevitable.

Hire a Smithtown Truck Accident Lawyer with Experience Handling These Cases

The possibility for multiple negligent accident causes is one of the biggest reasons that a Smithtown truck accident lawyer can assist during cases. They can pursue liability claims against multiple parties who contributed to the circumstances of the accident through unacceptable negligence. This legal strategy gives truck accident injury victims the highest chances of obtaining the maximum settlement or court award allowed under the law.

Trucking companies and distributors may also attempt to present evidence that they were not at fault or use technicalities of the law to shirk responsibility. A Smithtown truck accident attorney experienced with these sorts of cases will know the common arguments defendants and insurers use. Your lawyer’s knowledge of past rulings and the internal processes insurers use to weigh claims can give your case a distinct advantage, helping you navigate legal obstacles that could stand in the way of you getting the compensation you deserve. Carner & DeVita fights passionately for every injured client to represent their rights and stand up against big companies. Learn about your own options for filing a truck accident injury claim or lawsuit during a free, no obligation consultation when you call (631) 543-7070 or contact us online today.