Brooklyn Truck Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a truck accident in Brooklyn, you are facing a complex and challenging legal battle against powerful corporate interests. The Law Office of Stuart R. Lang has the experience, resources, and tenacity to take on these formidable opponents and secure the justice and maximum compensation you deserve.
Truck accident cases are fundamentally different and exponentially more complex than a standard car accident claim. A passenger car weighs around 4,000 pounds; a fully loaded tractor-trailer can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The sheer physics of this disparity means that passenger vehicles and their occupants absorb nearly all the force in a collision, leading to devastating injuries. Furthermore, the web of potential liability extends far beyond just the truck driver. A thorough investigation, led by an experienced attorney like Stuart R. Lang, is crucial to identify all responsible parties, which can include:
- The Truck Driver: Negligence can take many forms, including speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): The company can be held liable for its own negligence, such as negligent hiring, inadequate training, or encouraging drivers to violate safety regulations to meet unrealistic deadlines. They are also typically liable for the actions of their driver under the principle of vicarious liability.
- The Maintenance Company: If the accident was caused by mechanical failure, such as faulty brakes, worn-out tires, or a defective steering system, the company responsible for inspecting and maintaining the truck can be held liable.
- The Cargo Loader/Shipper: If the truck’s cargo was improperly loaded, balanced, or secured, it can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control. The party responsible for loading the cargo can be a defendant in the case.
- The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: If a defective part on the truck itself, such as a tire that blows out or a faulty coupling, caused the accident, a product liability claim may be brought against the manufacturer.
A critical element of these cases involves the intricate web of federal and state regulations that govern the trucking industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules designed to prevent accidents. Many truck accidents are the direct result of a violation of these rules. Our firm is deeply versed in these regulations and knows how to uncover violations related to:
- Hours-of-Service (HOS) Rules: These regulations limit the number of hours a driver can be on the road to combat driver fatigue, a leading cause of truck accidents.
- Inspection and Maintenance Protocols: Trucks must undergo regular, documented inspections and maintenance.
- Cargo Securement: There are specific rules for how different types of cargo must be tied down and secured.
- Driver Qualifications and Drug/Alcohol Testing: Companies must vet their drivers and conduct mandatory substance abuse testing.
The moments after a truck accident are critical. Trucking companies and their insurance carriers have rapid-response teams that are dispatched to the scene immediately to begin their own investigation, control the narrative, and find ways to limit their liability. You need an advocate on your side who can act just as quickly.
The Law Office of Stuart R. Lang will immediately take steps to preserve crucial evidence by sending a spoliation letter to the trucking company, demanding they do not destroy or alter evidence like the truck’s “black box” (Electronic Data Recorder), driver’s logs, maintenance records, and dispatch communications. We work with leading accident reconstruction experts to analyze the physical evidence and determine exactly how the accident occurred. This aggressive, front-loaded approach is essential to building an ironclad case.
The injuries in truck accident cases are almost always severe and life-changing. We represent victims who have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, amputations, severe burns, and multiple crushing fractures. The financial damages are staggering. We fight to recover compensation for every aspect of your loss, including past and future medical expenses, lifetime care costs, lost income and diminished earning capacity, and immense pain and suffering. If you have lost a family member, we can pursue a wrongful death claim to provide financial security for your family’s future.
You cannot fight this battle alone. Contact Stuart R. Lang today for a free, comprehensive consultation.