DELIVERY TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

New York Truck Accident Lawyer » Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer

Legally Reviewed by:

Sameer Chopra

Sameer Chopra is a founding partner at our firm and a successful trial lawyer with 17 years of experience standing up to large corporations, government entities, and wealthy landlords on behalf of injured individuals. He is a true New Yorker and recognized as one of the Nation’s Top One Percent of attorneys by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

He was recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2017-2019 and then became a Super Lawyer from 2020 to present. He was also recognized as the 2021 Attorney of the Year by Top 100 Lawyers and was selected by Top Attorneys in North America as a distinguished Exclusive Presidents Circle Attorney for his continued excellence within the legal community. Sameer has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, including significant verdicts against the City of New York and/or their affiliated agencies, and independent insurance carriers.

Content Last Updated: April 23, 2024

Delivery companies like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon use mid-size trucks to complete their services. Drivers are often under pressure to deliver many packages in a short period of time. Safety can sometimes take a backseat, and serious injuries in a delivery truck crash can result. Our New York delivery truck accident lawyers at Chopra & Nocerino, LLP, will work with you after a collision and help you navigate your legal options.

Delivery trucks are a common sight across New York City, especially after the uptick in delivery services since the pandemic. Unfortunately, delivery truck accidents have also become a regular occurrence in the city. Delivery truck drivers are often busy and overwhelmed. While many companies, including UPS and FedEx, invest in advanced driver training, the job remains stressful and dangerous.

Delivery companies have to meet a high safety standard to prevent accidents on New York roads. Sadly, this doesn’t always happen. If you were injured in an accident with a delivery truck, you do not have to handle the legal aftermath alone. Our New York delivery truck accident lawyers can help you hold the responsible parties accountable through a lawsuit.

Chopra & Nocerino, LLP, is a client-focused personal injury law firm dedicated to going to bat for you. We are real New Yorkers and the exclusive personal injury firm of the New York Mets. Schedule your free consultation today by filling out our online contact form.

FAQs About New York Truck Accidents

1. How much does it cost to hire an attorney for a truck accident?

Chopra & Nocerino, LLP, operates on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything unless you win your case. Our fee will be calculated as a pre-negotiated percentage of the amount we secure for you in compensation, meaning there are no surprises down the road. We also offer free consultations.

2. Can large commercial trucks drive through New York City?

Yes, but there are some restrictions. There is a New York City Truck Route Network, which is a set of roadways that commercial vehicles must use. These roadways are laid out in Section 4-13 of the New York City Traffic Rules.

3. Is there a time limit to file a truck accident injury claim?

Yes, this is set by a law known as the statute of limitations. Generally, the deadline is three years from the date of your accident, but certain factors could cut it down to as little as 90 days. Therefore, it is important to speak with a New York truck accident lawyer promptly after your accident to verify the correct filing deadline. If you miss it, your case will most likely be dismissed in court.

4. Are truck accidents common in New York?

While accidents with semi-trucks are not as common as car accidents, truck accidents do happen in New York City. This is in large part due to the city’s status as one of the densest urban areas in the country, as well as a major commercial hub. These factors contribute to a higher incidence of truck-related accidents compared to other areas. In 2021, there were over 3,700 large truck crashes in the state of New York. In total, 88 were fatal. In September 2023, New York City alone saw 584 accidents involving vehicles with six or more tires.

What To Do After an Accident With a Delivery Truck in New York

If you’ve been in an accident with a delivery truck, it’s important to take steps to ensure the safety of everyone involved. According to the NYPD, after an accident, you should:

Shift into “park”
Check yourself and other passengers for injuries
Dial 911 if you can’t move the vehicle or if you need medical assistance

If there are no injuries and you can move your vehicle, you should move your car to a safe location before getting out to assess what happened.

Under New York law, you must exchange information with the other drivers. This includes your driver’s license information, vehicle registration, and insurance. Remain on the scene and call the police if:

Any person is injured or killed
Any domestic animal is injured or killed
A parked vehicle or other property is damaged, and the owner cannot be found

If you have been injured, get medical help right away. When medical personnel arrive, consult with them regarding care and treatment.

Take photographs of the delivery truck that hit you. Photos can serve as evidence in your lawsuit. Exchange contact information with the driver, whether they’re with FedEx, UPS, Amazon, or another company. This information will be useful when you file an insurance claim.

Even if you do not think you or any of your passengers have been injured, it’s a good idea to get a medical assessment as soon as possible. Some injuries take hours or days after an accident to show symptoms.

Why Should You Hire an Accident Attorney To Assist With Your Case?

It’s important to contact an auto accident lawyer as soon as you can after an accident with a delivery truck. This will allow them to gather information and evidence while it’s still fresh. Hiring an accident attorney helps make sure that:

Proper investigation takes place – This includes how the collision happened, as well as where the fault lies. A lawyer can look into the driver’s history, training, and certification. A specialized lawyer for delivery truck accident cases can also investigate the vehicle’s maintenance and road safety record.
The at-fault party is identified – A lawyer can identify who is responsible for what happened, such as the driver’s company, the vehicle manufacturer, or the driver themselves.
You get compensated for your injuries – After fully understanding your losses after the delivery truck accident, a lawyer can represent you in a legal claim seeking full and fair compensation.

You can count on the legal team at Chopra & Nocerino, LLP, to step up to the plate for you. Our excellent case results speak for themselves. Do not wait to schedule your free consultation.

Legal Considerations in New York Delivery Truck Accident Cases

If you’ve been hit by a delivery truck in New York, there are some important legal considerations that may affect your ability to take legal action against the responsible party. In a commercial delivery truck accident, responsible parties might include the following:

Delivery driver
Company that hired and trained the driver
Company or party that failed to maintain the vehicle
Manufacturer of a delivery truck part

Taking legal action normally involves negotiating with the insurance company of the delivery business. Insurance companies often fight to pay as little as possible, but our all-star legal team Chopra & Nocerino, LLP, is ready to go to bat for you.

The New York State Department of Transportation takes road safety seriously and regularly inspects delivery vehicles to ensure they are upholding safety standards. In addition to inspecting the condition of delivery trucks, the DOT also monitors drivers to ensure they are qualified and follow safe practices.

These inspections are critical, especially because pressure on delivery drivers has skyrocketed since 2020. In New York, delivery companies are required to:

Provide drivers with adequate breaks and time off
Ensure vehicles are properly maintained and defective parts are replaced
Hire enough employees to prevent overworked drivers from engaging in unsafe practices

How Long Do I Have to File a Delivery Truck Accident Claim in New York?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is normally three years. If you fail to file your delivery truck accident claim before the three-year deadline passes, your case will most likely be dismissed in court. To avoid this result, contact our experienced legal team as soon as possible so we can get to work building a solid claim for compensation on your behalf.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents in New York?

Delivery truck accidents are, unfortunately, a regular occurrence in New York City. According to data from the NYPD, 78 small commercial vehicles were involved in collisions that month in October 2023 alone. In addition, 407 pick-up trucks and 122 vans were involved in crashes.

In a large and busy city, pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to vehicle injuries. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data for 2021, 7,388 pedestrians lost their lives in crashes, and 84 percent of those fatalities happened in urban settings. Common causes of delivery truck accidents in New York include:

Poorly loaded cargo
Rollover accidents
Lack of up-to-date maintenance
Driver fatigue
Lack of driver training
Poor road conditions
Sudden stops
Distracted driving
Blind spots

A skilled auto accident lawyer at Chopra & Nocerino, LLP, can get to the bottom of how your accident happened and who is responsible. Let us put our extensive skills and experience to work for you.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in New York Delivery Truck Accident Claims?

According to the NHTSA, 117,300 trucks were involved in crashes that caused injuries in 2021. These crashes can be tragic and deadly. In May 2023, for instance, a 14-year-old girl in Queens lost her life when the car she was in crashed into a UPS truck. Common injuries sustained in delivery truck accidents include:

Back and neck injuries
Traumatic brain injury
Broken and fractured bones
Sprains, strains, tears, and bruises
Spinal cord injuries, including full or partial paralysis
Burns and road rash
Psychological trauma
Wrongful death

The New York Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers at Chopra & Nocerino, LLP, Go to Bat for You

Chopra & Nocerino, LLP, works tirelessly to secure full and fair compensation for injury victims throughout the five boroughs and beyond. Personal injury law is our field of play. If you were injured in a delivery truck accident, there are many layers of investigation, and legal strategies may come into play. Working with a top-notch, dedicated legal team can help you find the best path forward.

We take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing until we win your case. We also offer free, no-obligation consultation, so there is no downside to having your case reviewed by one of our attorneys. Schedule yours today by filling out our online contact form.