Common Types of Truck Crashes
Brooklyn's congested streets and heavy commercial traffic create dangerous conditions that lead to various types of truck accidents:
- Jackknife Accidents: When the trailer swings out at a sharp angle from the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes
- Underride Accidents: When a passenger vehicle slides beneath a truck's trailer, often causing catastrophic head and neck injuries
- Rollover Accidents: Usually caused by improper cargo loading, sharp turns at high speeds, or mechanical failures
- Blind Spot Collisions: Large commercial trucks have significant blind spots where passenger vehicles completely disappear from view
- Wide Turn Accidents: Trucks require extra space for turns and can crush vehicles caught in their turning radius
- Rear-End Collisions: Commercial trucks require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in Brooklyn often happen due to negligence, equipment issues, or unsafe conditions. Common causes include:
- Driver errors: fatigue, distraction, speeding, or impaired driving
- Poor maintenance: brake or tire failures, defective parts
- Cargo issues: overloaded or unsecured loads
- External factors: bad weather, heavy traffic, or poor road design
At Ajlouny Injury Law, we investigate every detail to determine the cause and hold all responsible parties accountable.
Serious Injuries from Brooklyn Truck Accidents
Due to the massive size and weight difference between commercial trucks (which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds) and passenger vehicles, truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Ranging from concussions to severe brain damage requiring lifelong care
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Including paralysis, paraplegia, and quadriplegia
- Back and Neck Injuries: Herniated discs, compression fractures, and injuries requiring fusion surgery
- Broken Bones and Fractures: Multiple fractures, compound fractures, and crush injuries
- Internal Organ Damage: Injuries to vital organs that may not be immediately apparent
- Amputations: Loss of limbs due to crushing or severe trauma
- Burns: From fires, explosions, or contact with hazardous materials
- Wrongful Death: When injuries prove fatal, leaving families devastated
Our medical background enables us to work with life-planning experts and medical specialists to fully document both your current injuries and future medical needs, ensuring your compensation reflects the true cost of your recovery.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
One of the complexities of truck accident cases is identifying all potentially liable parties. The trucking industry is heavily regulated by federal and state laws, creating multiple avenues for liability:
Potentially Liable Parties Include:
- The Truck Driver: For negligent, reckless, or distracted driving
- The Trucking Company: For inadequate training, pressuring drivers to violate Hours of Service rules, or negligent hiring
- Truck Maintenance Companies: For failing to properly maintain or inspect vehicles
- Cargo Loading Companies: For improperly securing or overloading cargo
- Parts Manufacturers: For defective truck components or safety systems
- Leasing Companies: When equipment is leased rather than owned
- Government Entities: For dangerous road conditions or inadequate signage
We conduct thorough investigations to identify every party whose negligence contributed to your accident. This comprehensive approach maximizes your potential compensation and ensures all responsible parties are held accountable.
Proving Negligence in Your Truck Accident Case
To secure compensation, we must establish that negligence caused your injuries. This requires proving four key elements:
- Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal responsibility to operate safely and follow regulations
- Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to meet that standard of care
- Causation: The breach directly caused your injuries
- Damages: You suffered actual losses (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering)
Our investigation may include:
- Obtaining the truck's "black box" data recorder
- Reviewing driver logs and Hours of Service records
- Analyzing maintenance and inspection records
- Examining the trucking company's safety record and compliance history
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
- Gathering witness statements and video evidence
- Consulting with medical experts about your injuries
Compensation You May Recover
If your truck accident claim is successful, you may be entitled to various types of compensation:
Economic Damages
These cover your tangible, out-of-pocket losses:
- All medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation)
- Future medical costs and ongoing treatment needs
- Lost wages from time off work
- Loss of future earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous employment
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Costs for assistive devices or home modifications
Non-Economic Damages
These address the intangible impact on your life:
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life and inability to participate in activities you once loved
- Disfigurement or permanent scarring
- Loss of consortium for your spouse
Punitive Damages
In cases involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
Navigating New York's No-Fault Insurance System
New York operates under a no-fault insurance system, which affects how truck accident claims are handled:
What This Means:
- All drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage
- Your initial medical bills and lost wages (up to certain limits) are covered by your own insurance regardless of fault
- For minor injuries, you typically cannot step outside the no-fault system to sue
Exceptions for Serious Injuries: If you suffered a "serious injury" as defined by New York law, you can pursue a claim against the at-fault party beyond no-fault limits. Serious injuries include:
- Significant disfigurement
- Bone fractures
- Permanent limitation of a body organ or member
- Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
- Permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member
- Death
Given the severity of most truck accidents, injuries often meet the threshold for serious injury, allowing us to pursue full compensation beyond no-fault coverage. We ensure your compensation rights are fully exercised under New York law.
Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit
Standard Statute of Limitations
In New York, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a truck accident lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation, regardless of how strong your case is.
Special Rules for Government Entities
If your accident involved a government vehicle or entity (such as a municipal truck), much shorter deadlines apply:
- Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident
- Lawsuit must be filed within one year and 90 days of the accident
These shortened deadlines are strict. Missing them can permanently bar your claim, even if you have serious injuries.
Why Act Quickly
Beyond legal deadlines, acting promptly helps:
- Preserve crucial evidence before it's lost or destroyed
- Secure witness statements while memories are fresh
- Allow time for thorough investigation
- Demonstrate the seriousness of your claim
- Begin the compensation process sooner
Don't wait. Contact Ajlouny Injury Law today to protect your rights.
How We Handle Your Truck Accident Case
Comprehensive Investigation
We dig deep to uncover every factor that contributed to your accident:
- Obtaining and analyzing the truck's electronic data recorder ("black box")
- Reviewing federal and state compliance records
- Examining driver qualifications, training, and history
- Investigating the trucking company's safety record
- Working with accident reconstruction specialists
- Consulting with medical experts about your injuries and prognosis
Building a Strong Case
We use our medical knowledge to:
- Accurately interpret your medical records and treatment plans
- Understand the full extent of your injuries and their long-term implications
- Effectively communicate with your healthcare providers
- Work with life-planning experts to project future medical needs
- Demonstrate the true cost of your recovery
Aggressive Negotiation
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts. We:
- Counter lowball settlement offers with detailed evidence
- Use our knowledge of case values to fight for fair compensation
- Negotiate from a position of strength backed by thorough preparation
- Push back against tactics designed to pressure you into quick, inadequate settlements
Trial-Ready Representation
While many cases settle, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Insurance companies know when attorneys are truly ready to try a case, and that knowledge often leads to better settlement offers. If trial is necessary to secure the compensation you deserve, we're ready to present your case effectively in court.
What Our Clients Say
Real Testimonials from Real People
"Really going above and beyond not just for the compensation but for my wellbeing. Thanks a lot."
— Sandra J.
"Your guidance made an incredibly difficult time in my life much more manageable, and I truly appreciate the way you handled everything with such care and confidence. Your attention to detail, clear communication, and tireless advocacy did not go unnoticed."
— Danielle M.
"After having a previous lawyer who didn't make any progress on my case, Michael took over and worked tirelessly to secure a beautiful settlement for me."
— Maria M.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire Ajlouny Injury Law?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. During your free consultation, we'll explain our fee structure clearly.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Three years from the accident date, but shorter deadlines apply for government vehicles. Don't wait—contact us immediately to protect your rights.
What if I was partially at fault?
New York follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. We'll work to minimize any attributed fault.
How long will my case take?
Every case is unique. Some settle within months, while complex cases involving serious injuries may take longer. We move your case forward as efficiently as possible while ensuring we don't settle for less than you deserve.
Should I accept the insurance company's settlement offer?
Never accept an offer before consulting with us. Insurance companies often make quick, low offers hoping you'll settle before understanding your case's true value. We'll review any offer and advise you on whether it's fair.
What if the truck driver was working for a company?
This often works in your favor. We can pursue claims against both the driver and the trucking company, potentially accessing larger insurance policies and greater resources for compensation.
Contact Ajlouny Injury Law Today
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Brooklyn or anywhere in New York City, don’t wait to get help. Evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance companies move fast to protect their interests. At Ajlouny Injury Law, we’re ready to fight for you—starting today.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and you pay no fees unless we win your case. With our medical background, proven results, and commitment to personal attention, we make sure every client gets the care and representation they deserve.
We proudly serve clients across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and we’re available to meet at your home or hospital if needed.
Reach out todayto secure the legal support that makes a difference.
