Tractor Trailer and Truck Accident Lawyers in Kingston

Representing Injury Victims in Claims Against Powerful Trucking Companies

Truck accidents often cause extensive damage to drivers who are in vehicles smaller than tractor trailers, and the idea of suing a trucking company for those damages can be intimidating.

The Kingston truck accident attorneys of Basch & Keegan LLP are here to help you recover fair compensation for your collision-related injuries and damages. We are available to discuss the details of your case.

Complete our contact form or call (845) 251-4545 24/7 to schedule a free consultation with our Hudson Valley legal team.

Unique & Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Many of the reckless driving behaviors that contribute to car accidents can cause truck accidents as well. For example, distracted driving and driver fatigue are often the cause of truck accidents. However, tractor trailer operation also presents risks that are unique to truck accidents. Truck drivers are often under strict and rigorous deadlines that require them. When they do get the opportunity to sleep, it is often in an unfamiliar place that is not conducive to proper sleep efforts. This makes fatigued driving an increased risk for truck driving accidents.

Additionally, negligence in a trucking company’s operations or the actions of a truck driver can be a cause of collisions.

Here is a breakdown of the most common causes of tractor trailer and truck accidents include:

General reckless driving

Distracted driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs

Overweight or hazardous cargo

Driver fatigue / Hours of Service violations

Maintenance and repair issues

Defective vehicle parts

Road conditions

Negligent hiring and training

Other safety violations

Who is Liable for Truck Accidents?

As you can see, many of the most common causes of tractor trailer and truck accidents are factors that are out of the driver’s control. In these cases, who is liable for resulting damages?

Trucking companies are almost always involved in accident cases involving their drivers. A driver’s employer may be directly at fault for collisions resulting from safety violations, too-demanding schedules, or instances in which a driver was hired despite inexperience or a history of reckless driving.

Although drivers are often ultimately responsible for causing collisions, the cause of those collisions can often be attributed to the negligence of employers. Even in cases in which a driver is almost completely responsible for a truck accident — such as in cases of distracted driving or DUI — trucking companies are involved in litigation. Oftentimes, they have large legal teams and insurance providers to back them up.

Third parties may be liable for tractor trailer accidents in some instances. In cases in which poor vehicle or road maintenance is to blame, the people responsible for maintaining a truck or the road could be found at fault. If parties who are responsible for investigating and regulating the safety or trucking companies fall short, resulting in an accident, they may be liable for damages.

Evidence of Neglect in Tractor Trailer and Truck Accident Cases

Trucking companies often maintain extensive records of their business. These records can be useful if you are injured in a truck accident. Additionally, tractor trailers often have devices that track the use of the vehicles, such as the “black box,” which records data on a truck’s operations.

The following pieces of evidence may be useful in your truck or tractor trailer accident case:

Photographs of the accident scene

Photographs of your injuries

Medical records

Bills

Evidence of your time off work and lost wages

Traffic surveillance footage

Witness accounts

Black box data from the tractor trailer

Hiring documents from the trucking company

Safety violation records

Hours of Service records, trip logs, and GPS data

Police report

Contact Us to Schedule a Free Consultation

We offer around-the-clock support to people who have been injured by the negligence of truck drivers, their employers, and third parties. During a free consultation, you can discuss your unique circumstances with our experienced lawyers and learn how we can help you.

Our team can be contacted 24/7 via phone at (845) 251-4545, as well as through our online form. Reach out to us to schedule a free consultation with our tractor trailer and truck accident attorneys in Kingston.