Patchogue Truck Accident Lawyer

Commercial trucks frequently travel across Patchogue’s busy roads, including Sunrise and Montauk highways. When these massive trucks are involved in an accident with a passenger vehicle, the injuries can be catastrophic or even deadly.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident in Patchogue, you need a dedicated and aggressive Patchogue truck accident lawyer who will fight for justice and the compensation you deserve. 

The Patchogue truck accident lawyers at Rosenberg & Gluck LLP bring decades of experience and a relentless drive for justice to your case. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and options for financial recovery.

Patchogue Truck Accidents Guide

• How Common Are Truck Accidents?
• Do I Have a Truck Accident Case?
• Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
• What Damages Are Available to Patchogue Truck Accident Victims?
• What if I’m Partly At-Fault for My Truck Accident Injuries?
• How Can a Lawyer Help with My Truck Accident Claim?
• Contact Our Patchogue Truck Accident Lawyers Today

Why Should I Choose Rosenberg & Gluck for My Patchogue Truck Accident Case?

At Rosenberg & Gluck LLP, we bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record to your truck accident case. Our firm has served the Patchogue community and the broader Long Island area for decades, developing a deep understanding of local traffic patterns, laws, and court systems. This local knowledge, combined with our extensive understanding of state and federal trucking regulations, gives us a significant advantage in building a strong case for you.

We pride ourselves on our personalized approach to each case. Unlike larger, impersonal firms, we take the time to understand the unique circumstances of your accident and its impact on your life. Our Patchogue personal injury attorneys work directly with you, ensuring that you’re always informed about the progress of your case and involved in key decisions. This client-focused approach has earned us a reputation for exceptional service and results.

Rosenberg & Gluck LLP has the resources and skills to handle even the most complex truck accident cases. We collaborate with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and economic analysts to build comprehensive cases that account for all your damages—both current and future.

Our team is prepared to negotiate aggressively with insurance companies or take your case to trial if necessary. With our firm, you can trust that no stone will be left unturned in the pursuit of the full compensation you deserve for your truck accident injuries.

How Common Are Truck Accidents? 

Nearly 6,000 people were killed, and over 160,000 suffered injuries in collisions with large trucks last year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s annual Crash Stats report. New York State saw about 5,000 truck accident fatalities, with Long Island seeing its fair share due to its busy highways and commercial routes. 

While trucks make up a smaller percentage of vehicles on the road compared to passenger cars, their involvement in accidents often leads to more severe consequences, even in low-speed accidents, due to their sheer size and weight.

The massive disparity between a fully loaded truck, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and a typical passenger car weighing around 3,000 pounds means that occupants of smaller vehicles are at a severe disadvantage in any crash, often resulting in life-altering injuries or death.

Do I Have a Truck Accident Case?

Negligence is the legal concept at the heart of most personal injury claims, including truck accident cases. It refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or injury to another person. In essence, negligence occurs when someone’s actions (or lack thereof) fall short of what a reasonably prudent person would do in similar circumstances.

For a truck accident case to be successful, the plaintiff (the injured party) must establish four key elements of negligence:

1. Duty of Care: The defendant (typically the truck driver or trucking company) owed the plaintiff a legal duty of care. In the context of truck accidents, all drivers must operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws.
2. Breach of Duty: The defendant breached this duty by failing to act as a reasonable person would under similar circumstances. This could involve actions like speeding, driving under the influence, violating a Vehicle & Traffic Law, or failing to properly maintain the truck.
3. Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries. This means establishing a clear link between the negligent action and the resulting harm. In legal terms, this is often broken down into “cause in fact” (the injury wouldn’t have occurred but for the defendant’s actions) and “proximate cause” (the injury was a foreseeable result of the negligent action).
4. Damages: The plaintiff suffered actual damages due to the defendant’s actions. These can include physical injuries, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.

Proving these four elements is crucial in building a strong truck accident case. At Rosenberg & Gluck LLP, we meticulously gather and present evidence to establish each element, ensuring the strongest possible claim for our clients.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties who may be held liable, making them more complex than typical car accident claims. Potentially liable parties include:

The Truck Driver

If the driver’s negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, caused the accident, they may be held personally responsible. Truck drivers have a higher duty of care due to their professional status and the potential danger their vehicles pose.

The Trucking Company

Under the legal principle of “respondeat superior,” employers are often liable for their employees’ actions while on the job. Additionally, the company may be directly negligent if it fails to properly train drivers, enforce safety regulations, or maintain its vehicles. Trucking companies may also be held accountable for encouraging unsafe practices like unrealistic delivery schedules.

The Truck Owner

The owner may be liable for improper maintenance or mechanical failures if different from the trucking company. This includes responsibility for regular inspections and timely repairs to ensure the vehicle’s safety on the road.

Cargo Loaders

Improperly loaded or secured cargo can cause accidents. The company or individuals responsible for loading the truck may be held liable in such cases. Improper loading can lead to issues like cargo shifts, rollovers, or spills, all of which can cause severe accidents.

Truck Manufacturers or Parts Makers

Under product liability laws, you could hold the manufacturer liable if a defective truck part contributed to the accident. This can include issues with brakes, tires, steering systems, or any other component critical to the truck’s safe operation.

Government Entities

In cases where poor road design or maintenance contributed to the accident, the responsible government agency might be liable. This could involve inadequate signage, poorly maintained roads, or improperly designed intersections.

Third-Party Contractors

Some trucking companies outsource certain operations, such as maintenance or driver training. These contractors could be liable if their negligence contributed to the accident. For example, a maintenance company that failed to service the truck’s brakes properly could be held responsible for a brake failure accident.

What Damages Are Available to Patchogue Truck Accident Victims?

Truck accident victims in Patchogue may be entitled to various types of damages, depending on the specific circumstances of their case. These damages are generally categorized as economic, non-economic, and, in some cases, punitive damages:

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Property damage (e.g., vehicle repair or replacement)
• Rehabilitation costs
• Home modification expenses for permanent injuries
• Transportation costs for medical appointments

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (impact on marital relationship)
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

At Rosenberg & Gluck LLP, we work diligently to assess the full extent of our clients’ losses, both immediate and long-term. We consult with medical experts, economists, and life care planners to ensure that all potential damages are accounted for in your claim. We aim to secure a compensation package that fully addresses your needs and helps you move forward after a traumatic truck accident.

What if I’m Partly At-Fault for My Truck Accident Injuries?

The comparative negligence standard is a crucial concept in New York truck accident cases, affecting how compensation is determined when multiple parties share fault for an accident.  Under this system, each party involved in the accident is assigned a percentage of fault based on their contribution to the incident. This allocation is determined by considering factors such as traffic laws violated, actions taken or not taken, and overall behavior leading up to the accident. 

Under the comparative negligence standard, plaintiffs can recover compensation even if they are found partly at fault for their injuries, but their award will be reduced by their percentage of fault.

New York follows a “pure” comparative negligence rule, which is more favorable to plaintiffs than modified comparative negligence systems used in some other states. Unlike some states where being 50% or more at fault bars recovery, New York’s pure comparative negligence rule allows plaintiffs to recover damages even if they’re more than 50% at fault. Theoretically, you could be 99% at fault and still recover 1% of your damages.

This rule is particularly important in truck accident cases due to the complex nature of these incidents. Multiple parties might share fault, including the truck driver, trucking company, other motorists, and even the accident victim.

Additionally, insurance companies may use this rule to reduce the compensation you are owed. This underscores the importance of having experienced legal representation to ensure that fault is appropriately allocated and you receive the maximum compensation possible under the law.

How Can a Lawyer Help with My Truck Accident Claim?

A lawyer from Rosenberg & Gluck LLP can provide invaluable assistance with your truck accident claim in several key ways:

• Case Evaluation: We’ll thoroughly assess your case, determining its strengths and potential challenges. This evaluation helps set realistic expectations and informs our strategy moving forward.
• Investigation: Our team will launch a comprehensive investigation, gathering crucial evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and camera footage. We may also work with accident reconstruction experts to build a strong case.
• Dealing with Insurance Companies: We handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from potentially damaging statements and ensuring your rights are upheld throughout the claims process.
• Identifying Liable Parties: Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties. We’ll work to identify all potentially liable entities, which may include the truck driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturers, or others.
• Calculating Damages: We’ll help quantify your damages, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other applicable losses. This ensures we pursue full and fair compensation on your behalf.
• Negotiation: Our experienced attorneys will negotiate skillfully with insurance companies and opposing counsel to secure a favorable settlement without the need for trial.
• Litigation Preparation: If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we’ll prepare your case for court. This includes filing all necessary legal documents, developing compelling arguments, and readying evidence for presentation.
• Trial Representation: Should your case go to trial, our seasoned litigators will advocate vigorously for you in court, presenting your case persuasively to the judge and jury.
• Legal Guidance: Throughout the process, we’ll explain your rights, options, and legal proceedings clearly, helping you make informed decisions about your case.
• Expert Coordination: We have relationships with various experts, from medical professionals to accident reconstruction specialists, who can provide testimony to support your case.
• Emotional Support: While focusing on the legal aspects, we also offer compassionate support, understanding the emotional toll a truck accident can take.

At Rosenberg & Gluck LLP, our goal is to alleviate the legal burdens you face after a truck accident, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.

Contact Our Patchogue Truck Accident Lawyers Today

At Rosenberg & Gluck LLP, we’re committed to fighting for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. Our experienced Patchogue truck accident lawyers understand the complexities of these cases and the devastating impact they can have on your life. Let us be your advocates and allies in seeking the compensation you deserve.

Contact us at (631) 451-7900 or through our online form for your free consultation. Remember, you don’t pay unless we win your case.