Each year there are over 500,000 truck accidents involving large trucks such as 18-wheelers, semis and tractor trailers. Of that amount, approximately 5,000 result in fatalities while thousands of others result in severe injuries such as a spinal cord injury, back injury, bone fractures, contusions, head injury, amputations, a brain injury. Because large trucks weigh over 10,000 pounds and often travel at high speeds, when they are involved in accidents, the likelihood of catastrophic results is considerably higher than when passenger vehicles are involved in accidents. Just like with a car accident, there are many reasons that trucks are involved in accidents such as driver fatigue, driving while under the influence and driver error. Another common reason for truck accidents is due to the truck colliding with another vehicle that was in the truck’s blind spot. If you were injured in a truck accident, it is important that you immediately contact a New York Blind Spots Lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through a personal injury claim. In addition, if during the course of the treatment for your injuries the doctor treating you commits medical malpractice, the truck driver or trucking company may be required to compensate you for that as well.
Blind Spots AccidentsIn 14% of truck accidents at least one cause was the truck driver’s failure to check blind spots properly. A blind spot is the area surrounding the truck that the driver cannot see when looking in any of the truck’s mirrors. However, there are several techniques that truck drivers can use to eliminate these blind spots. In fact, truck drivers are trained on checking blind spots and carefully checking all sides of the vehicle before changing lanes, making turns or other maneuvers. Still, many forget their training or simply choose not to taking the required precautions.
Failure to take precautions to avoid a vehicle in a blind spot can lead to a number of different types of truck accidents, including:
Blind spot truck accidents can cause serious injuries to victims, and even death. Examples of such injuries include:
Truck accidents can be devastating to a victim as well as to the victim’s family. Because of the size and weight of large trucks, even low-impact, low-speed accidents can have catastrophic results. Truck accidents can lead to devastating injuries such as a spinal cord injury, broken bones, brain injury, amputation, paralysis, and all too often, death. Through a personal injury lawsuit, New York law allows you to hold the negligent party responsible for the losses you suffered. Victims who suffer serious injuries in truck accidents have significant medical bills. In addition, because victims of serious injuries often have to miss a great deal of work or are unable to return to work at all, victims have the right to sue for lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
If your injury was the result of a work-related accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. New York's workers' compensation laws state that injured parties are entitled to compensation if they sustain a work-related injury. Compensation often comes in the form of medical expenses, lost income and benefits, loss of ability to earn, and more. However, it is important to know that worker’s compensation benefits are limited. Just because the accident occurred at work does not necessarily mean that you are limited to the benefit available through workers’ compensation.
New York Blind Spots LawyerIf you were involved in a blind spot truck accident it is important to immediately contact an experienced truck accident attorney. The rules that apply to trucks are complicated and distinguishable from the rules that apply to cars. Thus, it is critical that the lawyer representing you is familiar with the nuances of the laws that apply to truck accidents to ensure that your case receives the best possible outcome. Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims resulting from truck accidents, as well as SUV accidents, car accidents, and motorcycle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.