Truck Accident Attorney in White Plains
Representing the rights of Westchester and Bronx County clients after a truck accident
The roads of New York are some of the most traveled roads in America. Whether people are driving in and out of New York City or traveling from city to city on the eastern seaborne, they will most likely travel through the Bronx or Westchester County. Accordingly, these roads are some of the most dangerous in the country. Bursting with aggressive drivers and hazards, New York roads can be treacherous to navigate. Vehicles of all kinds, commercial and private, are trying to get from one place to another in as little time as possible. Accidents are frequent occurrences. When a motor vehicle collides with another, the result can be devastating. When a truck is involved, the chance of a serious accident with serious injuries increases dramatically. Truck drivers have a responsibility to drive safely, within the speed limit, and for a certain amount of time per day in order to act within the laws drafted by the federal government. Unfortunately, some truck drivers operate their vehicles irresponsibly and put everyone on the road at risk. If you have been in a truck accident, you need to consult an attorney as soon as possible. The right representation can investigate the cause of the accident and hold the liable parties accountable. If you need our legal services, contact The Law Offices of Daniel A. Kalish.
The FMCSA, truck drivers, and employer pressure
The job of a truck driver is a difficult one. Often, truck drivers are pressured by their employers to make better time within the guidelines of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. According to the hours of service (HOS) regulations, a truck driver can only drive 11 hours within a 14 hour work day. In addition, a truck driver’s work week is maxed out at 70 hours, a major decrease from the 82 hour work week they once had. Though the intention was to protect truck drivers from exploitation, it also adds pressure to their jobs. Employers do not want to see a change in productivity. This leads to truck drivers who are tempted to speed and take less care on the road, therefore leading to truck accidents.
Other factors that cause a truck accident
Many other factors cause truck accidents as well. Visibility is a major problem for truck drivers. Even when a truck driver is operating the vehicle with care, trucks are inherently hard to maneuver and have huge blind spots made by the structure of the truck itself that lead to the potential for other drivers to become trapped, run off the road, and other dangers.
Trucks are heavy. Trucks are usually loaded with tons of cargo. When a truck is driving at highway speeds, it needs longer to come to a stop. The stopping distance depends on the cargo it holds. A truck can have an average length of 45 to 65 feet and weigh up to 80,000 pounds of gross weight. For a truck weighing 80,000 pounds, it would take about 525 feet to stop, almost two football fields. When a truck driver is driving irresponsibly and they need to stop immediately, they will often not have the room they need, leading to a serious accident.
Trucks are also more susceptible to mechanical problems. Unfortunately, this is the case for all motor vehicles. Cars with mechanical problems rarely impact other drivers on the road and those are rarely serious. In the case of a truck, mechanical problems can lead to serious problems on the road. When a truck is traveling at 65 mph with 80,000 pounds of cargo and has mechanical problems, it can be catastrophic.
If these factors apply to your situation, you have a lot to consider. Though your medical bills and lost wages are covered by PIP insurance, you may be impacted further because of the accident. It is important to consider your legal options. You may be able to hold the driver, employer, or manufacturer of the truck liable for punitive damages.
Contact a White Plains law firm to protect your interests
The Law Offices of Daniel A. Kalish serves New York victims of truck accidents. If you have been seriously injured because of a collision with a truck, you should consider your legal options. Our firm will investigate the matter, guide you through the laws and regulations, and passionately advocate on your behalf. Knowing who is to blame for your injuries is a complicated matter and takes a skilled attorney to review all the factors that led to your ordeal. If you need quality legal services, contact The Law Offices of Daniel A. Kalish.