248 ReviewsHow Can a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Help?
A commercial vehicle accident can lead to severe injuries and substantial losses. When you’re injured in an auto accident involving a commercial vehicle, having a skilled commercial vehicle accident lawyer by your side can make a significant difference in recovering the compensation you deserve.
At Friedland & Associates, our attorneys can help by:
Investigating The Collision
A seasoned commercial vehicle accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation. This includes collecting evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and vehicle data. This evidence is crucial in building a strong case for compensation.
Assessing Damages
Our attorneys will carefully assess all accident-related damages to determine if your PIP policy will cover the cost of your injuries and other losses. If you suffered life-changing injuries we will work with medical professionals, life-care planners, economists, and other experts to ensure your demand for damages accurately reflects past, current, and future medical care costs.
Determining Liability
State liability laws outline the legal obligations of drivers, companies, and other parties involved in commercial vehicle collisions.
New York:
New York follows a “no-fault” insurance system for car accidents, including those involving commercial vehicles. Under this system, injured parties are generally required to first seek compensation from their own insurance provider, regardless of who was at fault. This means that regardless of whether you were driving your own vehicle, a commercial vehicle, or were a pedestrian, your own insurance company will initially cover your medical expenses and other economic losses, up to the limits of your policy’s personal injury protection coverage.
However, there are exceptions to the no-fault system in New York, particularly when injuries are severe or meet the criteria of “serious injuries” as defined by the state law. If you suffered a serious injury, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party, including the driver of the commercial vehicle or the company that owns the vehicle. This allows you to seek compensation for pain and suffering, as well as damages that exceed your PIP coverage.
Florida:
Florida also employs a no-fault insurance system for car accidents, but the threshold for bypassing this system and pursuing legal action against the at-fault party is different from New York. In Florida, a victim can only file a personal injury lawsuit if their injuries meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold. These may include significant disfigurement, permanent limitations, or significant and permanent scarring.
Commercial vehicle accidents in Florida can lead to legal action against the at-fault party beyond the no-fault system if the injuries meet the serious injury threshold. This means that if you were injured in a commercial vehicle accident and your injuries are deemed “serious” under Florida law, you may be eligible to sue the responsible party for additional damages.
What Are Common Types of Commercial Vehicle Accidents?
Commercial vehicle accidents can have severe consequences due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles.
Some of the most common types of commercial vehicle accidents include:
Semi-Truck Accidents
These accidents involve large commercial trucks such as tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and delivery trucks. Due to their size and weight, truck accidents can cause significant damage and catastrophic injuries.
Bus Collisions
Accidents involving buses, including school buses, public transit buses, and private charter buses, can lead to injuries to passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles.
Delivery Van Accidents
Accidents involving delivery vans, often used by courier services and delivery companies, can occur frequently due to the high volume of deliveries and time pressures.
Construction Vehicle Accidents
Vehicles used in construction sites, such as cranes, bulldozers, and excavators, can cause accidents involving workers, pedestrians, and nearby vehicles.
Commercial Vehicle Rollovers
Commercial vehicles, especially those with a high center of gravity like trucks and buses, are susceptible to rollover accidents, which can result in multiple injuries.
Tanker Truck Collisions
Tanker trucks carrying hazardous materials, chemicals, or flammable liquids pose unique risks, and accidents involving them can lead to hazardous spills and fires.
Garbage Truck Accidents
Garbage trucks operate in urban areas and often have frequent stops and starts, which can increase the risk of collisions with pedestrians and vehicles.
Tow Truck Accidents
Tow trucks are involved in accidents while responding to breakdowns, accidents, or illegally parked vehicles.
Utility vehicle accidents
Accidents involving utility vehicles, such as those operated by utility companies for repairs and maintenance, can impact both workers and bystanders.
Food Truck Accidents
The growing popularity of food trucks means an increased presence on the roads, leading to accidents involving these mobile kitchens.
Company Car Accidents
Accidents involving company-owned cars or vehicles used by employees for work-related purposes fall under this category.
What Are Severe Injuries Sustained in Commercial Vehicle Collisions?
Commercial vehicle accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity from minor to catastrophic. The impact of these accidents, often involving larger and heavier vehicles, can lead to serious harm to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Common injuries sustained in commercial vehicle accidents include:
Whiplash
Whiplash is a frequent injury in rear-end collisions, where the head and neck are suddenly jerked forward and then back. It can lead to neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and even long-term discomfort.
Broken Bones
The force of impact in a commercial vehicle accident can lead to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, and other bones. These injuries can range from minor fractures to complex compound fractures requiring surgery.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs can occur if the head strikes the dashboard, steering wheel, or other hard surfaces during the collision. Mild TBIs might result in concussions, while more severe cases can lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spine can be subjected to extreme forces during an accident, potentially leading to spinal cord injuries. These injuries can result in paralysis or other life-altering disabilities.
Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma in a commercial vehicle accident can cause internal injuries to organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs. These injuries might not be immediately apparent and can lead to internal bleeding or other complications.
Burns
In accidents involving fire or explosions, burns can occur. These injuries can range from mild to severe, requiring extensive medical treatment and possibly skin grafts.
Amputations
The force of a collision can lead to traumatic amputations, where limbs are severed or severely damaged. Reattachment surgery might be necessary, but permanent loss of function is possible.
Wrongful Death
Tragically, commercial vehicle accidents can lead to fatalities. Families left behind may be entitled to pursue wrongful death claims to seek compensation for their losses.
Contact Us Today!
If you’ve been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, don’t hesitate to seek legal help. At Friedland & Associates, we offer free consultations where you can discuss your case with a skilled commercial vehicle accident lawyer.
We understand the complexities of these types of cases and are dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.
