SYRACUSE TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
Your Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in Syracuse
If you were hit by a truck and suffered serious physical injuries, you may need the help of a Syracuse truck accident lawyer. The experienced attorneys at William Mattar can help ease the stress of your situation by fighting to get you the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Our law firm is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and if you cannot make it to our office, we can come to you. Call today at (844) 444-4444 or fill out our free initial consultation form, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
How Can an Experienced Syracuse Truck Accident Attorney Help You?
When you hire an attorney at William Mattar, you can expect a thorough investigation of the accident, relief from the stress of handling the case’s legal aspects, and dependable representation that gives you peace of mind during a challenging time.
Your Syracuse truck accident lawyer can obtain police reports, examine the scene, interview witnesses, investigate the background of the at-fault driver, and otherwise obtain information relevant to the case that can later be used as evidence at trial. We can complete and submit time-sensitive documents for the court, consult with insurance companies, and fight for your rights so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Why Are Commercial Trucks Dangerous?
Each year in the United States, approximately 450,000 traffic accidents involve commercial trucks, resulting in around 5,000 fatalities. Tragically, three-quarters of these fatalities are passengers in vehicles other than the truck.
Commercial trucks, also known as semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, are vehicles that typically measure 72 feet long and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded – about 20 to 30 times the weight of other vehicles on the road. This substantial size difference alone poses a significant risk to motorists in smaller vehicles as well as:
- Extensive blind spots on all four sides of the vehicle make it difficult for commercial truck drivers to see smaller vehicles.
- Trucks require a significantly longer distance to come to a safe stop when the truck driver perceives a hazard. This stopping distance can dramatically increase on wet or icy roads or when the truck driver has the vehicle traveling at higher speeds.
- The high ground clearance of trucks can lead to often-fatal underride accidents, where smaller vehicles become trapped underneath the truck.
- Commercial trucks have a high center of gravity, making them more prone to rollovers when drivers attempt emergency maneuvers or take sharp turns at excessive speeds. Improper trailer loading can exacerbate this risk.
- Due to their length, trucks need to make wide turns, requiring drivers to swing into other travel lanes. Inattentive truck drivers or other road users who are unaware of the truck’s need for extra space during turns can increase the risk of commercial truck accidents.
Given these inherent dangers, both truck drivers and other motorists need to exercise extreme caution when sharing the road with commercial vehicles. If not, the chances of truck accidents automatically increase.
Compensation for Syracuse Truck Accidents
When you suffer a serious injury in a truck accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This compensation can help alleviate the financial burden you’re experiencing and provide you with the resources you need to focus on your recovery and move forward with your life.
An experienced truck accident attorney at our law firm can be your advocate during this challenging time. They can help you with the legal process and fight for the financial compensation you need. Your experienced truck accident lawyer will also work tirelessly to gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and build a strong case on your behalf.
Furthermore, there are some damages you may be able to recover after a truck accident. These can include compensation for:
- Medical bills: This can cover the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing medical treatment related to your injuries.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation: If your injuries require extensive rehabilitation or physical therapy, you may be entitled to compensation for these expenses.
- Lost income: If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover lost wages and future earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: The physical pain and emotional distress you experience as a result of the accident may also be compensable.
- Other out-of-pocket expenses: This can include costs associated with transportation to medical appointments, home modifications to accommodate your injuries, and more.
While the road to recovery after a commercial truck accident may seem long and challenging, it’s important to remember that you have options and support available. By working with skilled truck accident attorneys, you can focus on your healing while they advocate for your rights and work to secure the maximum compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Remember, you’re not defined by this accident, and with the right help and resources, you can overcome this difficult chapter and look forward to a brighter future.
Common Causes of Syracuse Truck Accidents
Syracuse truck accidents can be caused by many of the same factors as accidents involving passenger vehicles, such as:
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Distracted driving
However, there are also some unique causes of truck accidents that are specific to these large commercial vehicles.
Driver Fatigue
One of the most significant causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Truck drivers often:
- Work long hours
- Drive during the night when the body naturally wants to sleep
This can lead to drowsiness and an increased risk of accidents. Additionally, some truck drivers may have medical conditions such as sleep apnea that can further contribute to fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 13% of truck drivers involved in accidents report being fatigued at the time of the crash.
Blind Spot Accidents
Another common cause of truck accidents is blind spot accidents. Commercial trucks have large blind spots on all four sides, often referred to as “no zones”. These areas are much larger than the blind spots on a passenger vehicle.
A truck driver may not be able to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists in these zones. If a truck driver fails to properly check their blind spots before changing lanes or turning, it can result in a serious accident.
Impairment
Impairment is also a significant issue in the trucking industry. While truck drivers are required to undergo regular drug and alcohol screenings, some may still choose to use these substances while on the job.
Additionally, even common prescription or over-the-counter medications used to treat allergies or sinus congestion can cause impairment and increase the risk of accidents.
Inexperience
Finally, inexperience can also contribute to truck accidents. Operating a large commercial vehicle requires advanced skills and training.
While drivers must pass a test to obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), this training may not adequately prepare them for all of the hazards they may face on the job.
Some trucking companies have new drivers ride along with more experienced drivers when they first start, but due to the current truck driver shortage, many companies are sending new drivers out on their own without adequate training.
Common Injuries in Truck Accident Cases
There’s no doubt that accidents with large trucks are dangerous. There are thousands of fatalities because of crashes involving trucks every year, and the accident victims that survive can suffer devastating injuries that send them to the emergency room. Our legal team has represented accident victims who have sustained a variety of different injuries, including, but not limited to:
- Spinal cord injuries: When a truck impacts a smaller vehicle at high speeds, causing the driver and/or passengers to suffer trauma to the neck or back, the spinal cord can become damaged, sometimes leading to permanent disability. If a truck accident victim suffers paralysis of the arms and legs, that person can be diagnosed with quadriplegia, potentially requiring 24-hour care for life.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Like a spinal cord injury, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range in severity. A TBI is caused by a blow to the head that disrupts regular brain functioning and can lead to several symptoms, including headaches, difficulty thinking, dizziness, nausea, sadness, and more. Types of TBIs include concussions, contusions, penetrating brain injuries, and anoxic brain injuries.
- Broken bones: The force of a truck crash impact can cause vehicle occupants to suffer severely broken bones, such as broken arms and legs. Victims with broken bones may experience serious pain and require a long recovery.
Victims of negligent truck drivers who suffer partial or permanent disabilities should be fully compensated. With several decades of experience representing those with injuries, we have the resources and experience to pursue truck accident claims against those responsible for your injuries.
Filing a Syracuse Truck Accident Claim Against a Truck Driver
While you can file a claim on your own, truck accident cases can be complex. Hiring an experienced Syracuse truck accident attorney can significantly increase your chances of recovering fair compensation. Truck accident attorneys are trained to know how to file your claim, when to file it, and what critical evidence to collect to support your truck accident case.
At William Mattar Law Offices, we understand that financial barriers shouldn’t prevent you from protecting your rights. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay for our legal services until we successfully resolve your case.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation, where we’ll discuss the following important aspects of filing a truck accident lawsuit:
1. The Statutory Deadline: In Syracuse, you must file your truck accident lawsuit within three years of the accident date. Failing to do so can result in losing your right to maximum compensation.
2. Proving Liability: To win your case, you must prove that the defendant’s negligent actions caused the accident and your serious injuries. This may include the truck driver, the trucking company, manufacturers or distributors of defective truck parts, or other drivers involved in the accident.
3. Damages Available: As mentioned earlier, truck accident victims are often entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering resulting from the accident.
No matter what, the Syracuse truck accident lawyers at William Mattar Law Offices are here to guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you want and deserve.
Contact a Syracuse Truck Accident Attorney Today
When a negligent truck driver unexpectedly turns your life upside down, you can count on the Syracuse truck accident attorneys at William Mattar law offices to be in your corner with skill, compassion, and professionalism. Contact a Syracuse personal injury lawyer at William Mattar today at (844) 444-4444 if you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a truck. Remember, help is just a phone call away.
