Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Queens, NY
Accidents involving commercial vehicles have the potential to cause severe physical, financial, and emotional harm to victims. If a semi-truck, delivery vehicle, tour bus, or other commercial vehicle hit you while you were driving, cycling, or walking in Queens, New York, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your medical expenses and other accident-related losses. You don’t have to fight for it alone.
The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., will put our decades of combined experience to work for you. Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers will focus on handling the full scope of your case – from investigating the accident and preparing your claim to negotiating with insurers and filing a lawsuit, if necessary, while you focus on healing. Secure personalized, committed, and aggressive legal representation by contacting our personal injury attorneys today to arrange your free consultation.
How The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. Can Help After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Queens, NY
The aftermath of a serious commercial vehicle accident can feel overwhelming. Between medical appointments, insurance paperwork, and lost income, it’s hard to know where to begin. Trying to handle any of this while also experiencing physical and emotional pain can be difficult to manage.
The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. is here to take that stress off your shoulders. From the moment you contact us, our Queens car accident lawyers handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery. We provide each client with personalized attention, tailoring our strategy to fit the facts of your case and your specific needs. We’ll never treat you like just another case file – we keep our caseload low to provide the attention you deserve, keep you informed, listen to your concerns, and offer clear guidance at every step.
When it comes to results, we take an aggressive approach, pushing back hard against insurance companies and opposing counsel to pursue the maximum compensation available. Whether we resolve your case through negotiation or take the fight to court, we’re ready to pursue what you deserve.
When you’re already worried about medical expenses and lost income, the idea of hiring a lawyer might feel like an additional burden you can’t bear. That’s why The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. works on a contingency fee basis – you won’t pay us attorney fees upfront, and you’ll owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. You have nothing to lose – and potentially much to gain – by letting us advocate for you. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation to discuss your legal options for seeking full and fair compensation for your truck accident injuries.
Who Is Liable for a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Commercial vehicle accidents in Queens can be far more complex than typical passenger vehicle crashes, where liability is concerned. Unlike accidents involving only private individuals, commercial vehicle collisions often involve several parties, each with different responsibilities and legal obligations. Uncovering who is at fault – and proving it – requires a detailed investigation into the commercial driver’s actions, the vehicle’s maintenance records, the employer’s safety policies, and how the various parties abided (or failed to abide) by state and federal regulations governing commercial vehicle operations.
Multiple parties can share responsibility, and identifying them early is essential for building a strong claim. Depending on the facts of the case, any of the following parties may be liable:
- Commercial Vehicle Driver – A truck driver may be at fault for speeding, distracted driving, driver fatigue, or violating traffic laws. Evidence such as dashcam footage, logbooks, and eyewitness accounts can help establish a driver’s negligence.
- Driver’s Employer – Employers may be liable if they failed to properly train the driver, required unsafe schedules, or hired someone with a poor driving record. Employers are also generally responsible for their employees’ actions while on the job under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability.
- Commercial Vehicle Owner – If a different entity owns the commercial vehicle than the driver or employer, that party may share liability, especially if they failed to maintain the vehicle.
- Maintenance Contractors – Third-party maintenance providers could be liable if improper repairs or lack of maintenance contributed to the crash.
- Cargo Loaders – In accidents involving large trucks or delivery vans, improper loading or unsecured cargo can make a vehicle unstable and dangerous. If a third-party company handled loading, it may be responsible for the accident.
- Manufacturers – If a defective part (such as faulty brakes or tires) contributed to the accident, the parts or truck manufacturer or distributor may bear liability under product liability law.
An experienced Queens car accident attorney from our law firm can carefully analyze your case to determine who was responsible for your injuries. Then, we can relentlessly pursue the compensation you deserve.
Compensation Available After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
Victims of commercial vehicle accidents often suffer catastrophic injuries and financial hardship far exceeding New York’s serious injury threshold. If someone else caused the crash that harmed you, you may be entitled to seek compensation for a wide range of losses, both economic and non-economic, including:
- Medical bills (emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, medications)
- Future medical expenses and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages due to time missed from work
- Reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your long-term employment opportunities
- Property damage (including repair or replacement of your vehicle)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or psychological trauma
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (for spouses, in cases involving severe injury or death)
The average settlement for commercial vehicle accident claims varies considerably. The amount of compensation you can pursue depends on the type, severity, and impact of your injuries and the strength of the evidence supporting your claim. This is why you need thorough documentation of your injuries and their consequences, including medical records, reports from your doctors, proof of missed work, and testimony from vocational, medical, and/or accident reconstruction experts.
A commercial attorney from The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. can gather and organize this evidence, along with photographs, police reports, trucking company records, and witness statements, to support a claim reflecting the full value of your losses – not just what the insurance company is willing to offer.
What to Do After Being Involved in a Commercial Vehicle Accident
The moments following an accident with a commercial vehicle in Queens are often disorienting and stressful. If you’re able to do so safely at the scene, call 911 immediately. Seek medical attention for yourself and anyone else injured. Document the accident scene with photos and collect the driver’s information and any witnesses’ contact details. Avoid making statements about fault or speculating about what happened.
Taking the right steps in the days and weeks following the accident can protect your legal rights and strengthen your claim. Here’s what to do:
Seek Medical Care and Follow Treatment Plans
See a doctor as soon as possible. Accidents involving large trucks and other types of commercial vehicles often cause severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and neck injuries, so it’s crucial to seek medical treatment immediately to minimize these injuries as much as possible.
Additionally, symptoms of brain injuries and other serious injuries may not be immediately obvious, and getting treated may help prevent life-threatening complications. Receiving prompt medical care also creates a record that links your injuries to the crash. Follow all treatment plans and attend every follow-up appointment, as insurers may point to gaps in care or missed visits to downplay the severity of your injuries.
Preserve Evidence and Document Everything
Keep copies of all documents related to the accident, including medical records, repair bills, police reports, and insurance correspondence. If you missed work, collect pay stubs or employer statements showing your lost income.
Maintain a journal to track your pain levels, symptoms, and how the injuries are affecting your daily life. This type of documentation can support claims for pain and suffering or diminished quality of life.
Consult a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Before Speaking with Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters may seem helpful, but their goal is to limit the amount paid on your claim. Avoid giving recorded statements or signing anything before speaking with our car accident attorneys. They can handle all communications, gather evidence, investigate liability, and help you avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your commercial vehicle accident settlement. Securing legal representation early can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Types of Commercial Vehicles
A wide range of industries in Queens rely on commercial vehicles to perform different roles in their operations, and these vehicles come in many different forms. When the following types of large commercial vehicles are involved in accidents, the consequences can be serious due to their size, weight, or the nature of their cargo:
- Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers
- Delivery trucks and vans (Amazon, UPS, FedEx)
- Box trucks and moving trucks
- Dump trucks and cement mixers
- Flatbed trucks
- Buses, including city, school, and charter buses
- Rideshare vehicles (Uber, Lyft)
- Taxis and limousines
- Tow trucks
- Utility and maintenance vehicles
- Construction vehicles (backhoes, loaders)
- Food trucks and mobile vending units
- Fleet vehicles operated by companies or municipalities
Each type of commercial vehicle may involve different rules, regulations, and potential sources of liability depending on who owns, operates, or maintains the vehicle. Your vehicle accident attorney can investigate and identify the parties responsible for the vehicle and its care.
Get Legal Help from Our Queens Accident Attorneys Today
For aggressive and determined legal support and advocacy following a commercial vehicle accident in Queens, reach out to the team at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. Our personal injury firm in Floral Park serves clients throughout Queens and will fight to hold commercial drivers, their employers, and other responsible parties to account for the harm they’ve caused you. Contact us today to discuss your case for free with an experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer.