Brooklyn Blind Spots Accident

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 Brooklyn Blind Spots Accident 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 medical professional treating you makes a medical mistake and commits medical malpractice, the truck driver or trucking company may be required to compensate you for that as well.

According to statistics issued by the federal government, nearly 15% 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 the truck’s mirrors. However, truck drivers are trained on techniques that will eliminate these blind spots. Truck drivers are supposed to check blind spots and carefully check all sides of the vehicle before changing lanes, making turns or performing other maneuvers. Still, many drivers do not take 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:

• Rear side collisions
• Sideswipes
• Rollover accidents
• Rear end accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents

Blind spot truck accidents can cause serious injuries to victims, and even death. Examples of such injuries include:

• Back injury
• Neck injury
• Brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Broken bones
• Cuts from broken glass
• Internal Injuries
• Whiplash
• Facial damage
• Paralysis

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. Through a personal injury lawsuit, New York law allows you to hold the negligent party responsible for the losses you suffered. Defendants in truck accident personal injury claims are typically the truck driver, the truck driver’s employer, the owner of the truck, or the manufacturer of the parts of the truck that failed.

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 a family member was killed in a truck accident, under New York law certain members of the deceased’s family have the right to pursue a claim against the negligent parties.

Beware that New York law has a specific time limit for filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If you do not file your claim within the time period, you will be forever barred from collecting damages even if your case has merit.

If 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.