Our Verdicts and Settlements
$2,500,000
Settlement at trial for negligent road design
$2,400,000
Settlement at trial for a construction worker
$1,750,000
For a student injured at school
$1,300,000
For a motorcyclist
$1,200,000
Verdict for Car Crash Victim
$1,000,000
For a motorcyclist
$950,000
For car crash victim
Types of Commercial Vehicle Accident Cases We Handle in Amherst
When a commercial driver causes a crash, the driver may not be the only party responsible. An employer can generally be vicariously liable for an employee’s negligence committed within the scope of employment, while a vehicle owner may also face liability under New York law.
A company or other party can also be directly liable for its own negligence, such as negligent hiring, supervision, maintenance, or entrustment. Depending on the vehicle and operation, state or federal safety rules may provide additional evidence of what went wrong.
Our attorneys represent clients in Amherst commercial vehicle accident cases involving:
- Delivery vans and box trucks
- Contractor or service vehicles, such as HVAC, plumbing, or landscaping trucks
- Company fleet vehicles, sales cars, and courier vehicles
- Tractor-trailers and other commercial motor vehicles subject to state or federal safety regulations
- Crashes involving driver fatigue, inadequate training, or applicable hours-of-service violations
- Crashes tied to inadequate vehicle maintenance or defective equipment
- Crashes involving improperly secured or overloaded cargo
- Fatal commercial vehicle accidents and wrongful death claims
Commercial vehicle cases may involve major companies such as Amazon, UPS, or FedEx, but the driver may actually work for a separate delivery or trucking contractor. That distinction can affect who is legally responsible for the crash, and simply calling a driver an independent contractor does not settle the issue.
A commercial vehicle accident lawyer in Amherst can investigate the relationships between the driver, company, and vehicle owner to determine who may be liable and pursue the available compensation.
Why Commercial Vehicle Accident Victims Choose Hiller Comerford
A commercial vehicle crash can put an injured person up against a company, its insurer, and a defense team that already knows how to protect the business. Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law brings more than 27 years of litigation experience, over 300 years of combined legal experience, nearly 20,000 clients served, 48 attorneys, and a 240-person team to that fight.
Our personal injury lawyers in Amherst have built a reputation on handling high-stakes cases across Erie County. We bring the resources of a large firm with the personal attention of a smaller one, and litigation is one of our strongest tools when insurers won’t pay fairly.
We Turn Safety Violations Into Evidence
A commercial crash can leave behind far more than a police report. Driver qualification files, inspection records, maintenance documents, electronic logs, dispatch records, and company policies can reveal what happened before the collision. We know what records matter and investigate the company behind the vehicle, not just the person behind the wheel.
We Know How to Obtain Federal Safety Records
Commercial carriers are required to keep driver qualification files, hours-of-service logs, and maintenance records under federal regulations. Our commercial vehicle accident attorneys know what to request, and how quickly, before that evidence is lost.
Trial-Ready Against Well-Funded Corporate Defendants
Commercial vehicle claims often involve companies and insurers with far more resources than an individual driver. We prepare every case as though it will be presented to an Erie County jury, so those resources don’t determine the outcome.
We Have a No-Fee Guarantee
You never pay us upfront. We only get paid if we win for you, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Free Case Evaluation
Speak with a lawyer at no cost. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.
You’re More than a Case
We treat every client like family, taking the time to understand your story and guide you through every step with care and compassion.
What Compensation Can You Recover in an Amherst Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim?
Commercial vehicle crashes often cause more serious injuries than an ordinary car accident, and the compensation available should reflect that. Depending on the facts of your case, your Amherst commercial vehicle accident lawyer may pursue compensation for:
- No-Fault benefits: Coverage for a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault, though the application generally must be filed within 30 days.
- Medical treatment: Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and future care when injuries require ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Income lost during recovery, along with compensation if your injuries limit your ability to work going forward.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, permanent injury, and the emotional impact of the crash, once your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other damaged property.
- Wrongful death damages: When a commercial vehicle accident results in death, the decedent’s personal representative may pursue a wrongful death claim for eligible losses under New York law.
Commercial insurance policies often carry far higher limits than a personal auto policy, which means insurers have more at stake and typically defend these claims more aggressively. Recovering the full value of a commercial vehicle claim depends on building proof of both liability and damages strong enough to justify pursuing those higher limits, not settling for what a smaller, personal-injury-sized offer would cover.
"We fight for our clients as if they were family—taking cases to trial when necessary to ensure they receive the justice and financial recovery they deserve."
How Does a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Handle Your Claim in Amherst?
From the first investigation through settlement or trial, our commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Amherst handle the legal and insurance work while you focus on recovering from your injuries. We investigate the crash, preserve the evidence, deal with the companies and insurers involved, and build your claim from the ground up.
- Driver and employment investigation: Determine whether the driver was an employee or contractor and how that relationship affects the claim.
- Company hiring and training review: Examine whether the company may have negligently hired, trained, or supervised the driver.
- Safety and company records: Seek applicable driver qualification files, hours-of-service records, drug and alcohol testing records, maintenance documents, and other relevant records.
- Evidence preservation: Obtain police reports, dashcam and telematics data, photographs, and witness statements before critical evidence becomes harder to recover.
- Insurance coverage analysis: Identify every applicable commercial policy and determine what coverage and limits may be available.
- No-Fault paperwork: Help ensure your No-Fault application is submitted within New York’s 30-day deadline.
- Insurance negotiations: Handle communications with corporate insurers and their legal teams, using the evidence to support the value of your claim.
- Trial preparation: Build the case as though it may be presented to an Erie County judge or jury if a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Without a lawyer, most people only ever deal with the driver, and never learn whether the company itself shares responsibility or that its insurance is often the largest source of compensation available. Companies and their insurers count on that gap, often moving quickly with a low, early settlement offer before an unrepresented person realizes what the claim is actually worth.
An Amherst commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law can step in early to prevent costly mistakes, from giving a recorded statement that limits your claim to signing a release before the full extent of your injuries is known.
Common Injuries in Amherst Commercial Vehicle Accidents
New York averages 136 fatalities each year from commercial-vehicle crashes, based on the four-year average reported by the New York State Department of Transportation. Commercial vehicle crashes can cause severe injuries, particularly when a larger vehicle collides with a passenger car. Our attorneys help clients pursue compensation for injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
- Multiple fractures and crush injuries
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations and permanent scarring
- Amputations in the most severe crashes
Even when injuries feel minor immediately after a commercial vehicle accident, prompt medical evaluation is essential. Insurers frequently treat a delay between the crash and your first medical visit as evidence that an injury was not serious, making early treatment an important part of protecting your personal injury claim
Your commercial vehicle accident attorney in Amherst will work to account for not only the medical treatment you need now, but also the future care, lost income, and other losses your injuries may create.
Ida and Stephanie were great! They kept me posted about my case. They provided documents for my doctors to fill out so I had as much medical records as I could! Stephanie represented me in the Judge appeal and was great asking me questions about my disability and helping me convey those disabilities to the judge! I’m so grateful ☺️ for their help! Highly recommend them!
Working with Hiller Comerford was easy. They took care of everything and their communication was exceptional. I’ve already referred others to them.
Seriously grateful to my attorney, Ryan Taylor. I spent years trying to navigate VA disability on my own and they managed to finally make headway where I could not.
Everyone I spoke with and worked with was extremely kind and had great communication also they were compassionate,they worked very diligently to help me and kept me well informed throughout the process I couldn't thank them enough.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law for their exceptional support and guidance throughout my disability benefits process. Their expertise and dedication made an overwhelming situation feel manageable, and they ensured every step was handled with care and clarity. I am truly grateful for their assistance and highly recommend their services.
My lawyer RyanTaylor was amazing. He told me exactly how the process goes, what to expect and how long it realistically would take. He was able to get for me exactly what I had tried twice to do myself but was rejected by the VA for. I will recommend all my Veteran friends to him.
Hard workers, always looking at the positive side of the case and always listening to the client. Only down remark is hard to get calls back.
Hiller Comerford have been amazing. They got me a fully favorable decision on my disability claim, I could have never been able to do that on my own. Everyone in their office is so kind and so knowledgeable. They really helped make a difficult time of my life a pleasure. Thank you so much Hiller Comerford!!!
The firm understands the situation, and are very acknowledged about the social security laws and guidelines. Staff were very friendly. The attorney that represented me was Charles Gaughan and the case manager was Olivia Fritzen. They did a wonderful job with my representation for my case. I would highly recommend The law firm of Hiller and Comerford.
How Long Do I Have to File a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawsuit in Amherst?
New York’s statute of limitations generally gives you three years from a commercial vehicle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. A No-Fault application is generally due within 30 days, while wrongful death claims generally have a two-year deadline. Claims against certain government entities can involve a 90-day Notice of Claim requirement.
Evidence can disappear long before the statute of limitations expires. Federal rules require carriers to retain some records for only limited periods, including six months for certain hours-of-service records. Contacting an Amherst commercial vehicle accident lawyer early can help preserve records before they are lost or destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to questions we hear most often from commercial vehicle accident victims in Amherst and Erie County.
What should I do immediately after a commercial vehicle accident in Amherst?
What you do after a motor vehicle accident matters. Get medical attention, call 911 when appropriate, and exchange information with the driver. Record the driver’s name, employer, vehicle number, and insurance information, and photograph the vehicles, company markings, damage, and scene if you can do so safely. Obtain the police report and notify your own insurer, but consider speaking with a commercial vehicle accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement to the commercial carrier’s insurer.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes. New York follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the crash. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, so evidence showing exactly how the collision happened can directly affect the amount you recover.
What if the commercial vehicle was owned by a large company like Amazon, UPS, or FedEx?
The company’s name on the vehicle does not necessarily tell you who employed the driver or who is legally responsible. Large businesses often use subsidiaries, contractors, leased vehicles, or third-party delivery companies. Our attorneys investigate the relationship between the driver, vehicle owner, employer, and other companies involved to determine which parties and insurance policies may apply.
Who can be held responsible for a commercial vehicle accident?
The driver may be liable for negligent driving, and an employer can generally be vicariously liable when an employee causes a crash while acting within the scope of employment. Depending on the circumstances, liability can also extend to a vehicle owner, maintenance provider, cargo-loading company, or a business whose own negligence contributed to the crash. The driver’s job title alone does not determine who is responsible.
Does commercial vehicle insurance cover my injuries?
Potentially, but the applicable coverage depends on who owns the vehicle, who employs the driver, how the vehicle was being used, and the insurance policies involved. A commercial policy may provide liability coverage, while your own auto insurance may provide additional coverage depending on your policy. New York No-Fault benefits may also apply to eligible medical expenses and lost wages.
How much does it cost to hire a commercial vehicle accident lawyer in Amherst?
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we handle commercial vehicle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront and owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial case evaluation is free, and we can explain our fee structure in more detail.
