If you or someone you love was injured in a collision with a commercial truck, you could recover lost income, medical expenses, and other damages. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC is a personal injury firm with more than 85 years of experience helping truck accident victims.
We offer free consultations and representation on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront for our help. Contact our office to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Riverhead, NY about your legal options.
How Much Can I Get for a Truck Accident Claim?
The value of a semi-truck accident settlement varies depending on several factors, including your injury severity, lost earnings, and the at-fault party’s insurance coverage. Commercial trucks typically have insurance policies to cover damages in the event of an accident, but the trailer, cargo, and cab may have different insurers.
When multiple at-fault parties and insurance companies become involved, a truck accident claim can quickly become complicated. Our team has the knowledge, experience, and resources to identify the liable parties and seek compensation for your damages, including:
- Damage to your vehicle and other property
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses, both current bills and those expected in the future
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished earning capacity
- Lost income
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Our firm maintains a property damage expert on staff who reviews estimates and ensures you receive fair value for your car’s repair or replacement. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injury victims on Long Island, so let us secure the compensation you deserve.
Settlements We Have Recovered for Truck Accident Victims
Some of our most successful truck accident settlements include:
- $3 million settlement: Our client was fatally injured when their motorcycle was struck by a left-turning semi-truck.
- $1.9 million settlement: Our client was struck head-on by an oncoming truck while riding her motorcycle. She sustained significant injuries that required surgical intervention.
- $834,000 settlement: Our client sustained severe injuries to his neck, back, and shoulder when he was struck by a truck driving too fast for conditions.
- $500,000 settlement: Our client was hit by a truck that was backing up, resulting in serious back and leg injuries.
Truck Accidents Often Cause Catastrophic and Fatal Injuries
The extreme size and weight of commercial trucks make them more dangerous to smaller vehicles and their occupants. As a result, most catastrophic and fatal injuries in truck collisions happen to the occupants of passenger vehicles.
Catastrophic Truck Collisions
A fully loaded tractor trailer can cause life-altering injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, loss of limb, and spinal cord damage. Victims may require extensive medical treatment, expensive hospital stays, and significant time away from work. In some cases, truck accident victims may not be able to return to their previous occupation.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC works closely with life care specialists, medical professionals, and other experts to ensure that your settlement covers the full scope of damages from your catastrophic injuries.
Fatal Trucking Accidents
According to the New York State Comptroller, traffic fatalities have increased sharply in recent years. Fatal injuries are especially common in trucking accidents due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. Long Island had the biggest number of fatalities in 2022. At a national level, large trucks account for approximately 6% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes.
If you lost someone you love in a commercial truck collision, our wrongful death attorneys can help the victim’s close family members seek compensation.
Why Work with Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC?
Our law firm provides personalized legal support for injury victims on Long Island. When you hire us, you benefit from more than 85 years of legal experience. You can expect:
- Focused representation from a legal team assigned to your case
- Constant communication and frequent case updates
- Free legal consultation and advocacy for a contingency fee
Our firm charges no upfront fees for your truck collision claim. We recover the costs of litigation from the final settlement or verdict in your favor, so if we don’t win, we don’t get paid.
Full-Service Legal Support From Passionate Advocates
Your assigned legal team handles every aspect of your legal claim. They are the primary point of contact for insurance companies and attorneys, so you won’t have to worry about responding to emails and answering phone calls.
We investigate your truck accident thoroughly to identify the responsible party, and then we tirelessly pursue all available avenues for financial recovery. Our attorneys are used to dealing with stubborn insurers, and we won’t back down when faced with pushy tactics or aggressive attorneys.
If we cannot achieve a fair settlement through negotiations, your legal team will not hesitate to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
Who is Liable for an Accident With a Commercial Truck?
Tractor trailer injury claims can be complicated, with multiple responsible parties and insurance carriers arguing over liability. We know how to sort through the evidence and get to the heart of the matter.
Truck accidents are almost always preventable, and liability for trucking accidents often lies with both the trucker and their employer. To prove liability, we will gather evidence to establish how the accident happened. Common causes include:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Defective parts
Comprehensive Investigation for a Compelling Claim
We leave no stone unturned when compiling evidence to prove liability after a truck accident. The fundamental cause of a crash is not always readily apparent, so we recover all information relating to the collision, such as:
- Dashcam footage
- CCTV and traffic camera footage
- Driving logs
- Delivery schedules
- Cell phone records
- Witness statements
- Police reports from the Riverhead Police Department or other law enforcement agencies like the New York State Police
- Truck maintenance documents
- Reports on component defects and recalls
- Expert testimony and accident reconstruction
Using this information, we create a more complete picture of the accident and hold the liable parties accountable. We also gather evidence such as medical records, doctor testimony, repair estimates, and income statements to support your claim for maximum compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in New York?
In New York, most injury victims have three years to file a lawsuit against the responsible party per CVP § 214. However, this time frame may be shorter, and it passes quickly when you are recovering from your injuries. You could lose your chance to file a claim if you miss the filing deadline.
There are other reasons to start the legal process sooner rather than later. Evidence can change or disappear over time. Witnesses may forget details about the accident, for example, or dashcam footage may be overwritten. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC can begin preserving evidence and building a case while you are still getting medical treatment.
What If I Can’t Afford Medical Treatment After a Truck Accident?
It is not unusual for truck accident victims to have higher medical costs than they can afford. Even minor injuries may require months or years of treatment and rehabilitation. The severity of your losses and subsequent medical needs can make seeking medical help challenging, which is why our attorneys can help you get a letter of protection (LOP).
An LOP is a legal agreement between you, your lawyer, and your doctor. It allows you to get medical treatment without upfront payment while you are waiting for your case to be resolved. You can get prompt care for your injuries and use your final settlement or award to pay for the treatment later.
What Can I Do to Help My Truck Collision Case?
While you recover from your injuries, your attorney will handle gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building a case. However, there are a few steps you can take after a truck accident to protect your right to a fair settlement:
- Call an attorney as soon as possible: Your lawyer can start the legal process while you are still getting treatment.
- Avoid admitting fault: Insurers may try to manipulate you into making admissions that hurt your case. Consult with your lawyer before answering any questions or making a statement.
- Document everything: Keep copies of all your medical records, correspondence with insurers, receipts, and other documentation related to your accident or injuries.
- Avoid discussing your case: It’s normal to want to tell friends and family about your traumatic experience, but you should avoid saying anything about your case until it is resolved. This includes posting on social media.
- Listen to your doctor’s orders: Seek follow-up care as instructed and avoid activities prohibited by your physician. Failure to follow your doctor’s orders can compromise your case and make your injuries worse.
- Attend all follow-up appointments: Even if you start to feel better, go to all your follow-up appointments and physical therapy sessions. Medical records from these visits are a crucial part of your case.
Contact Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC Today for a Free Case Evaluation
The aftermath of a trucking accident can be stressful and overwhelming. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC will help you navigate the process and fight for your right to a fair settlement. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Riverhead.