Truck Accident Lawyers in Buffalo, NY
Trucks are the scariest vehicles on the road. They dwarf almost every other vehicle and have restricted lines of sight. Truck drivers are heavily regulated to try to prevent as many accidents as possible. But when the odds eventually catch up to them, a truck accident can be devastating for all involved. In 2020, 4,965 people died in large truck accidents. 67 percent of those casualties were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in a truck accident in western New York, you need to take the right steps to protect yourself. Truck accident lawyers at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, PLLC will work to ensure your physical and financial well-being after the accident.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Knowing what to do immediately after a truck accident can protect your health and your legal rights. Critical steps to follow are:
- Ensure Safety: Move to a safe location away from traffic, if possible. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Contact Authorities: Call 911 to report the accident. Police and emergency services will assess the situation, provide medical assistance, and document the incident.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Collect Evidence: If you can, gather evidence at the scene. This includes:
- Photos and Videos: Capture images of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any skid marks or road conditions.
- Witness Information: Collect contact details from any witnesses who can provide statements later.
- Driver Information: Exchange information with the truck driver, including their name, contact details, insurance information, and the trucking company’s details.
Taking these steps can help you build a strong case and improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Truck Accident Liability
Determining liability in truck accidents is a complex process. Truck accidents not only often lead to more serious injuries than the average car accident, but also often involve multiple liable parties and industry regulations. As a result, they must be handled differently by an experienced truck accident attorney.
Here are some of the factors in determining liability:
- Truck Driver Logs: Investigators can review the truck driver’s logs to ensure compliance with hours-of-service regulations. These logs help determine if the driver was fatigued or overworked at the time of the accident.
- Maintenance Records: Regular maintenance is crucial for large trucks. Investigators can also examine maintenance records to check if the truck was properly serviced and if any mechanical failures contributed to the accident.
- Company Policies: Trucking companies have policies that drivers must follow. These include safety protocols and operational guidelines. Violations of these policies can indicate negligence on the part of the company or the driver.
Federal and state regulations also play a significant role in determining liability. Key regulations include:
- Hours-of-Service Rules: These rules limit the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road without taking breaks, reducing the risk of accidents due to fatigue.
- Vehicle Maintenance Standards: Trucks must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are safe to operate. Failure to adhere to these standards can result in accidents.
An experienced truck accident attorney can use these factors to help establish who is responsible for the accident and ensure that the at-fault parties are held accountable.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can take various forms, each with its own specific causes. Here are some common types:
- Jackknife Accidents: These occur when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming a sharp angle with the cab. They are often caused by sudden braking or slippery road conditions.
- Underride Collisions: In these accidents, smaller vehicles can slide under the rear or side of a truck, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. These collisions usually happen when trucks stop suddenly or lack proper underride guards.
- Cargo Spills: When a truck’s cargo is not properly secured, it can spill onto the road, causing accidents. Common causes include improper loading, shifting cargo, or damaged containers.
Each type of accident requires specific considerations when determining fault and pursuing compensation. An experienced truck accident attorney can fully investigate the causes and navigate the complex legal landscape on your behalf.
Contact an Attorney As Soon As Possible
Speaking to a lawyer may be the last thing on your mind immediately after an accident. You are probably trying to figure out how to get to work the next few days. You are also likely recovering from injuries sustained in the accident. It may be hard to see how truck accident lawyers will help you.
The answer is that truck accident lawyers will provide the resources you need to get back on your feet quickly and return to normal life in the future. A lawyer at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law will work to ensure that the insurance companies provide quick compensation and don’t hold up required medical procedures.
We will also help you determine whether you need long-term medical resources or assistance due to your accident.
But that assistance can only be provided if you act quickly. With every day that passes, evidence becomes harder to acquire and less reliable, potentially harming your case. The sooner you retain legal services, the sooner we can investigate and acquire the following evidence:
- Medical records and examinations
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Witness statements
- Police reports
This is the type of ammunition we need to ensure that the insurance companies pay what you are owed. And if they don’t, this evidence will be critical in court.
Will You Have to Go to Court?
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we have some of the most experienced truck accident lawyers working in western New York. We have a reputation for getting fair rewards for our clients and going to court when needed.
The insurance companies know our reputation and usually make fair settlement offers because of it. In fact, due to our reputation of being willing to litigate, we often don’t have to. Insurance companies are less likely to play hardball with truck accident lawyers who are willing to go to court and have an impressive record of trial success.
With that being said, if you don’t feel you are being offered a fair settlement, we will see litigation through until the end of a trial. If you are required to testify, your lawyer will make it as easy as possible for you.
Who Will Be Your Lawyer?
We have over a dozen truck accident lawyers with years of experience. When you retain our services, you will be dealing with the same lawyer throughout your case. And that doesn’t just mean until you get your recovery. Our law office offers full-service representation.
Think you might need disability benefits as a result of your accident? Your lawyer will answer all of your questions and guide you through the legal process of applying for Social Security disability benefits. And if your application is denied for any reason, your lawyer will continue to fight for you throughout the appeals process.
Can You Retain Truck Accident Lawyers for a Loved One?
Was a family member in a truck accident in western New York that resulted in their death? Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law offers legal services for you.
Besides getting you appropriate awards from the insurance companies, our truck accident lawyers will also help you find the legal services you need to deal with the affairs of your deceased loved one.
There are numerous legal actions you need to take after the death of a loved one. Some of these include:
- File a death certificate
- Resolve financial obligations
- Fulfill the will (if one exists)
- Make arrangements for surviving family members, including children
All these responsibilities are time-consuming and overwhelming. Our comprehensive legal services mean that your lawyer will make as many arrangements as possible and connect you with other professionals. This is exactly what you need after the death of a loved one in a truck accident.
What Comes Next After You Retain a Lawyer?
In the aftermath of a truck accident, our clients often feel like everything is coming at them fast. They are in pain, no longer have working transportation, and might also be caring for an injured loved one. Our job at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law is to make everything slow down.
During your free consultation, we’ll ask you for all of the pertinent details of your case. After that, our truck accident lawyers do all of the work. Our legal team will:
- Gather evidence
- File the appropriate paperwork with the court
- Contact all involved insurance companies
- Communicate with medical professionals and arrange for tests
Once we have all of the facts on our side, we will negotiate with the insurance companies. Insurance companies often try to lowball victims of a truck accident because they don’t know their rights. Our experienced western New York lawyers are familiar with your rights and what you are owed. We never settle for lowball offers.
Looking to Your Future
Our lawyers don’t just ensure you get an appropriate reward for your accident; we also look toward your future.
Do you have a long-term injury that will interfere with your ability to work? We work to ensure that you receive a commensurate award. Will you need ongoing medical attention throughout your life? Your lawyer will negotiate potential future payments based on ongoing suffering that may not yet be detectable.
Many people have their lives ruined by a truck accident because they don’t take appropriate measures to protect themselves. At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we don’t let that happen. Our team of personal injury attorneys want to make sure that you are compensated for all long-term consequences of your truck accident.
What If You Are Liable?
Are you worried that you can’t hire a lawyer if you are liable for the accident? Don’t be. Even if you are partially or fully liable for the accident, you still have the right to receive compensation from your insurance company.
In a case where you have significant responsibility, your lawyer will determine what compensation you are owed by your insurance company and what consequences you may face in civil court. And while we don’t practice criminal law, we will protect your rights if you do face criminal consequences and ensure that you have proper legal representation.
In many ways, nothing changes if you are liable for a truck accident. If anything, you want to act even faster. Preserving evidence might reduce your liability or help your lawyer negotiate better in your favor.
Schedule A Free Consultation With Our Truck Accident Lawyers Today
We know you are in pain and everything seems to be happening at once. Don’t let that overwhelm you. Ensure you get the money you deserve so you can start on your road to recovery. Contact the truck accident lawyers at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, PLLC as soon as possible for your free consultation.