Laurence A. Silverman, Esq.
We Help People Everyday 631.925.2117 Se Habla Español
  • Home
  • Our Team
  • Personal Injury
  • Why Hire Us?
  • Personal Injury FAQ
  • Testimonials
  • Video Center
  • EspaƱol
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Call Today
  • Email Us
  • Our Map
  • Menu

Liability in Truck Accidents

  • Our Practice Areas

    Protecting the Rights of the Injured

    Injury Cases We Handle
  • Client Reviews

    "Hard-Working and Highly Productive."

    Read Our Testimonials
  • File Your Claim

    Your Injury Advocates Available 24/7

    Contact Us
Blog Home - Previous Post | Next Post

Liability in Truck Accidents

Posted on Feb 6, 2019 8:30am PST

On average, there are about 4,000 accidents every year involving large trucks and busses. In 2016, the most recent year with statistics available, there were 4,440 crashes involving busses and large trucks, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the government agency that regulates the trucking industry.

Even though approximately 4,000 crashes a year is minor compared to the number of vehicle accidents with passenger vehicles, truck accidents still lead to fatalities and thousands of injuries every year in the United States.

Truck Driver Negligence

Truck drivers are not special. They aren’t necessarily better drivers, especially if they’re inexperienced. They’re human, which means they make mistakes behind the wheel just like everybody else. But the problem is that if a trucker makes a mistake, it can be extremely dangerous for fellow roadway users.

Common forms of truck driver negligence that leads to truck accidents:

  • Speeding or tailgating
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Texting while driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Driving a poorly maintained truck
  • Driving an overloaded truck
  • Taking a turn too fast
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

So, the question is, if a truck driver is obviously at-fault for a truck accident, who’s liable? The truck driver or the trucker’s employer? It depends on whether the trucker is classified as an “employee” or an “independent contractor.”

If the truck driver is an employee, the employer will be liable for the accident. Large trucking companies carry sizeable insurance policies in the event of accidents and they also assume their employees will make mistakes here and there. After all, businesses know that mistakes are inevitable, and that’s just a part of the cost of doing business.

But if the trucker is an independent contractor and found to be at fault, he or she would be legally responsible for the accident. So, whenever we take on a truck accident case, the first task is to ascertain if the at-fault truck driver is technically classified as an employee or an independent contractor for claim purposes.

Related: Time Limit to File a Personal Injury Claim in NY

To file a truck accident claim in Suffolk County, contact our firm today.

Categories: Truck Accidents
Permalink

Recent Posts

  • Is Your Favorite Restaurant Safe?
  • Why Was My NY Auto Insurance Canceled?
  • Liability in Truck Accidents
  • Should I See a Doctor Right After a Car Accident?
  • How Much is My New York Personal Injury Case Worth?

Most Popular

  • 5 Dangerous Causes of Long Island Auto Accidents
  • Are the Elderly Losing Dignity in Nursing Homes?
  • Are Pedestrians Covered by Uninsured Motorist?
  • Tips on Preventing Dog Bites
  • Determining Fault in a Parking Lot Accident

Archives

  • 2019 (4)
    • April (1)
    • March (1)
    • February (1)
    • January (1)
  • 2018 (12)
    • December (1)
    • November (1)
    • October (1)
    • September (1)
    • August (1)
    • July (1)
    • June (1)
    • May (1)
    • April (1)
    • March (1)
    • February (1)
    • January (1)
  • 2017 (13)
    • December (1)
    • November (1)
    • October (1)
    • September (1)
    • August (1)
    • July (1)
    • June (1)
    • May (2)
    • April (1)
    • March (1)
    • February (1)
    • January (1)
  • 2016 (12)
    • December (1)
    • November (1)
    • October (1)
    • September (1)
    • August (1)
    • July (1)
    • June (1)
    • May (1)
    • April (1)
    • March (1)
    • February (1)
    • January (1)
  • 2015 (1)
    • November (1)

Begin Your Claim with a Free Consultation

Contact Your Attorney

Personal Injury

How Can We Help You?

  • Auto Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Broken Bones
  • Slip and Fall
  • Construction Site
  • Defective Products
  • Dog Bites
  • Food Poisoning
  • Herniated Discs / Back Injuries
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Nursing Home Abuse
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Wrongful Death
  • Personal Injury
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Laurence A. Silverman, Esq.

Call Today! (631) 925-2117

Laurence A. Silverman, Esq. (631) 925-2117

Long Island Personal Injury Attorney
537 E. Jericho Turnpike, #2A
Huntington Station, NY 11746
View Map
Website: https://www.accidentattorneylongisland.com/
© 2023 All Rights Reserved.
Internet Marketing Experts The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.