Queens Truck Accident Lawyer

Queens Personal Injury Attorney » Queens Truck Accident Lawyer

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Alex Nocerino

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Alex Nocerino is a founding partner at our firm and a successful trial lawyer with roots in New York. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. He has helped injured individuals win hundreds of millions in compensation from large corporations, government entities, and wealthy landlords.

With 18 years of experience, he has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2019 and has a five-star Avvo rating. He is a true New Yorker and a successful trial lawyer who is unafraid to go up against even the powerful and combative defendants.

Content Last Updated: April 22, 2024

A truck accident can turn your life upside down quickly. Between medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma, navigating the aftermath is difficult. Insurance companies may try to exploit your vulnerability and push you to accept less than you deserve. That’s where the Queens truck accident lawyers at Chopra & Nocerino come in.

Partnering with our experienced team of attorneys can mean the difference between a modest settlement and the compensation you deserve. Chopra & Nocerino has a proven track record of fighting for truck accident victims’ rights in Queens and throughout New York. We know how high the stakes are for you and your family, so we’ll work tirelessly to hold the negligent parties accountable and secure a fair outcome.

Why Chopra & Nocerino Is the Right Choice for Your Truck Accident Case

At Chopra & Nocerino, our attorneys deeply understand the complexities of truck accidents and their impact on victims. Our team is well-equipped to handle your case from start to finish so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

With an outstanding track record of litigating truck accident cases, our firm brings invaluable competence to every case we undertake. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients, which changed countless lives for the better in Corona, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Rego Park, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, Pomonk, and beyond. Our attorneys have over 20 years of combined experience in personal injury law, and we are prepared to put this experience to work for you.

“I have so much gratitude for Alex Nocerino who was able to help me receive my full settlement amount after having issues with my previous lawyer. Alex was extremely patient, knowledgeable and professional, and gave me great legal advice through my anxiety and impatience.” – Summer Elsayed, Google Review

Our firm’s dedication to excellence is why we’re the exclusive personal injury law firm of the New York Mets. We’ve also received numerous accolades and awards, including National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Super Lawyers Rising Star, and Top 100 Lawyers 2021 Attorney of the Year.

Real Case Results

$2.25 Million Settlement (while engaged at trial) for a 33-year-old male who was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck by a truck.
$1.5 Million Settlement obtained for a male, age 45, who was struck by a truck while crossing the. His injuries required a single-level discectomy to the cervical spine and surgery on left shoulder.
$1.475 Million Settlement to assist in our client’s recovery from injuries and cervical spine fusion after her vehicle was struck in an intersection by a fire truck.

What To Do After a Truck Accident in Queens, NY

The moments after a truck accident can be disorienting and overwhelming, but it’s essential to act fast to protect your rights. The following steps are critical if you’ve been involved in a Queens semi-truck accident.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

The force of a truck accident can cause serious injuries that may not present symptoms until later. Even if you feel fine after the accident, get evaluated at a reputable facility in Queens, such as Mount Sinai Queens, Queens Hospital Center, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, or New York Presbyterian Queens. This step starts a treatment plan and establishes a clear link between the accident and your injuries.

Gather Evidence

Crucial evidence in truck accidents may include electronic logging devices, trucking company records, accident scene photos, dashcam footage, and witness testimony. While you may need a lawyer to recover some of this evidence, gather as much as possible at the accident scene to start building your case.

Report the Accident to Law Enforcement

A police report serves as an objective account of the incident, which is helpful in negotiations with insurance companies and in court if your case goes to trial. When the police arrive, provide basic factual information. Avoid speculating, providing opinions, or admitting fault.

Contact an Attorney

Get a free consultation with a Queens personal injury attorney at our firm to discuss your rights and options. We will investigate the accident and gather evidence on your behalf. We’ll then file a claim against those responsible and deal with the opposing parties’ insurers, which may include cargo insurance companies, truck drivers’ personal insurance companies, or trucking companies’ primary liability insurance carriers.

What Types of Queens Truck Accidents Does Chopra & Nocerino Handle?

No two truck accidents are the same. That’s why it pays to hire a Queens truck accident attorney with experience handling a variety of situations. Our skilled attorneys have handled a wide range of truck accidents, including semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tow-trucks, delivery trucks, sanitation trucks, or garbage trucks:

Rear-end collisions: When a commercial truck collides with the back of a smaller vehicle, the consequences can be catastrophic. The insurance company may attempt to shift the blame to you unfairly, but we can seek evidence to prove otherwise.
Jackknife accidents: These occur when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming an “L” or “V” shape with the cab. We can investigate whether improper braking practices, adverse weather conditions, or other factors contributed to the crash.
Rollover accidents: Trucks are top-heavy and can easily roll over if the driver takes a sharp turn too quickly. We’ve represented numerous clients injured in these accident types.
Underride accidents: These mishaps occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the back or side of a truck. They often result in severe yet preventable injuries or fatalities.
Wide turn accidents: Truck drivers must take extra precautions when making wide turns to avoid colliding with other vehicles. If you were injured in a wide turn accident, we can determine whether the truck driver or their employer was at fault.
Mechanical failure accidents: Strict maintenance and inspection laws govern commercial trucks, but not all companies follow them. A comprehensive investigation can reveal whether mechanical failure played a role in your accident.
Cargo spill accidents: Improperly secured cargo can spill onto the road and cause accidents that endanger everyone on the road. Unraveling the chain of responsibility for these accidents can be challenging, but our team is well-equipped to handle it.
Tire blowout accidents: When a truck’s tire suddenly blows out, it can cause the driver to lose control and collide with other vehicles. We can work with experts to determine whether poor maintenance or manufacturing defects were responsible for the blowout.

Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

Commercial truck operations involve numerous parties, including drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and truck manufacturers. Consequently, determining who is responsible for a truck accident requires a thorough investigation.

Sometimes, the driver may be at fault due to reckless behavior, such as driving under the influence or speeding. Other times, the trucking company may be responsible for not properly training their drivers or failing to enforce safety protocols.

Rarely, a defect in the truck’s design or manufacturing may be to blame. Cargo loaders or maintenance providers also may bear some responsibility for the accident.

Compensation Available If You Were Injured in a Truck Accident

The main goal of a truck accident personal injury claim is to provide compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages you suffered from the accident, such as:

Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
Lost wages or income from missed work or reduced earning capacity due to injuries
Pain and suffering, including physical pain and emotional distress
Wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses and loss of financial support, for surviving family members if a loved one died from the accident

Your personal injury protection coverage, or PIP, may cover some of these damages. However, it probably won’t fully compensate you for your losses. If your damages exceed your PIP coverage, Chopra & Nocerino will pursue a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. We will seek maximum compensation to cover all your current and future losses.

Common Causes and Injuries in Queens Truck Accidents

Approximately 1,368 accidents involving large commercial vehicles occur in Queens each year. While each accident is unique, we see common causes and injuries in these types of cases.

Causes

Some frequent causes of truck accidents in Queens include the following:

Driver fatigue or drowsiness often results from long hours on the road.
Speeding or reckless driving on busy highways, such as the Long Island Expressway, often occurs due to tight delivery schedules.
Distracted driving involves behaviors like texting or eating while operating a large commercial vehicle.
Improper cargo loading or securing can cause the truck to become unbalanced and difficult to control on Queens’ complex road networks.
Vehicle maintenance issues, such as worn tires or faulty brakes, can make it difficult for the driver to stop or maneuver the truck in Queens’ frequent traffic congestion.

Injuries

Because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles, truck accidents can cause severe and life-altering injuries. Some common injuries that victims may sustain include:

Whiplash
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Soft tissue injuries
Fractures and broken bones
Internal injuries

FAQs About Queens, New York, Truck Accidents

It’s normal to have questions after being involved in a truck accident. Here are some frequently asked questions we receive about truck accidents in Queens, NY.

How Much Is My Queens Truck Accident Case Worth?

Various factors affect your case’s value, including injury severity and each party’s degree of liability. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to consult a truck accident lawyer in Queens, NY. Our firm has recovered millions in compensation, including $2.25 million for a passenger struck by a truck.

Can I Get Compensation If I Share Some Fault in the Truck Accident?

Possibly. New York operates under a comparative negligence law. You can still recover compensation for another party’s negligence even if you are partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you were deemed 10 percent at fault for the accident and would have received $100,000, your final compensation would total $90,000 instead.

Is There a Time Limit to File a Truck Accident Claim in Queens?

Yes, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is three years from the accident date. You may lose your right to pursue compensation if you do not file a claim within this time frame.

Trucking Laws and Regulations That May Impact Your Claim

Various trucking laws and regulations play a role in truck accident cases. A violation of any of them can be grounds for negligence in a personal injury case.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations: These regulations govern the trucking industry and cover areas such as driver qualifications, hours of service, and vehicle maintenance. All trucking companies and drivers in the United States must comply with these regulations.
New York City Department of Transportation regulations: These regulations pertain to trucking within the city limits. Size and weight restrictions, route designations, and truck parking regulations are just some of the local regulations that may impact your case.

Call Our Experienced Queens Truck Accident Lawyers For Help Today

You are not alone in your fight for justice after a truck accident. Chopra & Nocerino is here to go to bat for you and pursue the compensation you deserve.

We don’t back down from powerful trucking companies and their insurers. Our experienced Queens truck crash lawyers are ready to lead you every step of the way.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Queens, call (855) NYC-HURT today for a free consultation.

Thank you so much Chopra & Nocerino! You guys helped me out. I would recommend Chopra & Nocerino to anyone looking for lawyers for their accident case. – Davey Ivory, Google Review