Buffalo 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Motorists must have commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and undergo training to operate 18-wheeler trucks. They must also meet all state and federal requirements to maintain road safety and usability. Despite these rules, accidents involving 18-wheelers are still common in New York, and these accidents can lead to severe injuries, fatalities, and property damage.

Our Buffalo 18-wheeler accident lawyers can seek compensation from the at-fault party. Our team at Morelli Law Firm can file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. When you hire our Buffalo truck accident lawyers, you can focus on your physical recovery while we work to hold a negligent party responsible. Call us now to get started.

Our Team Can Fight for Maximum Compensation After Your 18-Wheeler Accident

Getting into an auto accident with an 18-wheeler can lead to drastic consequences beyond bodily injuries and property damage. For many accident victims we work with, their injuries created a domino effect of financial setbacks, physical pain, and emotional turmoil. For example, medical treatment for truck accident injuries can easily cripple a family’s finances. 

Our Buffalo personal injury lawyers want to help you fight for the compensation you need to start recovering from your trucking accident. We can assess the damages you can claim for compensation based on how they affected your life. For example, some damages truck accident victims may claim include:

• Current medical bills
• Ongoing medical treatment, such as physical therapy
• Property damage costs, such as to repair or replace your vehicle
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income
• Reduced earning potential
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability, which can result from catastrophic injuries like brain injuries
• Physical disfigurement, including burn marks or scarring
• Diminished quality of life

This is only a sample of damages our Buffalo truck accident attorneys can help you recover. We may discover other damages not listed here after we review your case. Once we calculate the approximate value of your damages, we will use this as a goal to pursue financial compensation on your behalf.

Truck Accidents That Lead to Fatalities May Entitle You to Different Damages

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s study on motor vehicle safety, fatalities among commercial truck occupants increased between 2016 and 2020. If the roads are becoming riskier for those in large trucks, you can imagine how dangerous they are for people in passenger cars when such collisions occur.

If your loved one passed away because of fatal truck accident injuries, our Buffalo 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers can file a wrongful death action to recover compensation for your family. For example, damages for your loved one’s unexpected death may include:

• Costs to arrange their funeral service
• Additional costs for burial or cremation services
• Current and future loss of financial support now that your loved one can no longer contribute to the family
• Loss of consortium and other losses related to relationship dynamics, such as for the surviving spouse and child(ren)

 Our Buffalo wrongful death lawyers want to help your family through this difficult period. You deserve to grieve in peace with your loved ones, knowing that our personal injury law firm is dedicated to helping your family cope after a fatal truck crash. A fair settlement or verdict can never replace your loved one, but it may help you adjust financially in their absence. 

Let Our Law Firm Gather the Evidence You Need to Build a Claim

When you work with our legal team, you don’t just work with that lawyer. Our team works together to manage your case for you so that you can relax and focus on your physical and mental recovery. We’ll work on your financial recovery.

In our dedication to serving you as our client, we offer the following legal services to help you prepare your claim or lawsuit:

• Investigate your accident with the 18-wheeler truck to identify the at-fault and/or liable party or parties involved
• Retrieve any evidence we discover during our investigation
• Interview witnesses who may be able to testify for your case
• Consult expert witnesses who can provide analysis for your case, be it on the accident or your injuries (e.g., accident reconstruction analysts or medical professionals)
• Handle any necessary paperwork and take legal action before your filing deadline expires
• Calculate your damages to negotiate a potential settlement deal with the insurance company
• Represent you in court if necessary

Our team at Morelli Law Firm is also available to provide advice and insight at any point in the legal process. We will also update you as new developments occur in your case.

Truck Drivers Operating 18-Wheelers Must Follow Federal Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) applies some rules to control commercial vehicles, such as hours-of-service regulations. These regulations are set in place so truck drivers are discouraged from driving while fatigued or impaired, which can put those in passenger vehicles in serious danger. 

Other federal requirements truck drivers must abide by include:

• Stricter BAC level limits: The FMCSA also states that truck drivers should not have more than 0.04 percent as their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level when driving. Failure to comply with this standard may lead to a CDL suspension.
• Routine vehicle inspections: Semi-truck motorists must also inspect their vehicles before every shift and avoid carrying cargo beyond the allowed limit.

If we discover that the truck driver or trucking company liable for your accident violated federal regulations, we can use this as leverage in your personal injury claim. 

How to Determine Liability in 18-Wheeler Accidents

Determining the party responsible for a semi-truck accident is often a complex process because more than one party can be liable. You may assume a driver is solely at fault if they fail to follow road safety rules or drive under the influence of drugs. Still, our 18-wheeler collision attorneys in Buffalo may also be able to hold the commercial truck driver’s employer liable. 

Trucking companies must follow up on repairing faulty parts to ensure their vehicles are in working condition. Hence, if a company fails to fix a defect that later causes an accident, the injured party may be able to hold the company liable for damages.

Other examples of potentially liable parties in commercial truck accidents include:

• A truck or auto parts manufacturer if they designed a defective auto part
• A truck mechanic if they contributed to a maintenance issue that contributed to a crash
• Vendors, suppliers, or other parties in charge of properly loading or securing cargo
• A government entity if a hazardous road condition contributed to the accident

Truck accident claims can quickly become complicated when multiple parties share liability. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers in Buffalo can work to hold each one accountable for the role it played in causing your injuries. 

Types of Evidence We Can Use to Support Your Case

A personal injury lawyer from our team can assess various details about your 18-wheeler accident in Buffalo to establish the cause. They may then develop a strategy to fight for damages and collect the evidence they need to argue your case.

Our Buffalo truck crash lawyers may use the following pieces of evidence to support your claim:

• A police report on the accident
• Photographs of the scene
• Witness statements
• Medical report showing the injuries caused by the crash
• A forensic expert report to indicate the speed of the vehicles during the collision
• Surveillance or traffic camera footage that shows how the accident occurred

If you suffered damages in an 18-wheeler accident, you might be eligible to file a claim through the at-fault party’s insurance policy. Our team at Morelli Law Firm can start working on your case after we review it in a free consultation.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents That You Can Sue For

The following are some common causes of truck accidents in New York:

Driving While Distracted

One of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents is distracted driving, which can include:

• Eating or drinking
• Using a cellphone
• Adjusting the radio
• Setting a GPS
• Talking with other passengers in the vehicle

A negligent truck driver risks not only their own life but the lives of everyone else on or near the road when they engage in distracted driving. 

Speeding

Since most 18-wheeler trucks transport cargo, truck drivers often work on a deadline, influencing them to speed.

Unfortunately, speeding can make it challenging for a driver to control their truck if there is a sudden need to stop. It may also increase the impact force when a crash occurs, leading to severe damage and injuries.

Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

State laws forbid drivers from operating their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, which includes some prescription medications.

Yet, according to the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, psychoactive drug consumption among truck drivers is common. This can lead to impaired driving and delayed reaction times, setting the scene for serious accidents to occur. 

Other Causes of Truck Accidents You Can Include in Your Claim

Other common causes of truck accidents include:

• Tailgating
• Inadequate vehicle servicing and maintenance
• Malfunctioning vehicle parts, such as defective wipers and brakes
• Failure to obey traffic light signals
• Other drivers’ failure to give trucks the right of way
• Carrying hazardous goods, such as flammable liquids
• Drowsiness
• Smaller cars driving in trucks’ blind spots

Keep in mind that claimants generally only have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit under CVP §214(5). Our Buffalo legal team can help you meet this deadline and streamline the litigation process as much as possible.

Contact the Attorneys at Morelli Law Firm Today for an 18-Wheeler Accident Case Evaluation

Accidents involving 18-wheelers may result in severe physical injury and material damage. At Morelli Law Firm, we can help you determine who should be held responsible for the collision that injured you. A personal injury lawyer from our team can also negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf and fight for an appropriate settlement amount.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a semi-truck accident in Buffalo, reach out to Morelli Law Firm today for a free case evaluation.