Trucks in Williamsville often race along Main Street to and from area businesses. In winter, sand and salt trucks, and snowplows are common on the highways and local streets.
Truck traffic can be hazardous for other drivers, especially during a typical winter in New York. Accidents are more likely to occur when these large, cumbersome vehicles share the road. Motorists and others often suffer severe and even fatal injuries in crashes involving trucks.
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation for your losses if you or a loved one was harmed in a truck crash. Our Williamsville truck accident lawyers understand the trucking industry and will work diligently to pursue a settlement on your behalf. Reach out to Richmond Vona, LLC today to learn more.
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Trucks and Drivers Must Meet Stringent Safety Requirements
Trucking is a highly regulated industry, subject to detailed federal regulations. Specific rules govern securing cargo, a truck’s maximum load, proper vehicle maintenance, and more.
Truck drivers must have commercial licenses (CDL), which require extensive training. Penalties for driving infractions such as speeding are harsher if the driver is a CDL holder. Similarly, CDL license holders could face driving while intoxicated charges if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .04, in contrast to .08 for other drivers.
In addition, truckers must follow strict work rules. They may drive a maximum of 11 hours a day and may be on duty for no more than 14 hours. They can be on duty for no more than 60 hours over seven consecutive days or 70 hours over eight consecutive days. When a truck accident causes an injury, our diligent Williamsville attorneys can request a copy of the driver’s log to determine whether they were observing the work hours rule.
Common Injuries After a Truck Crash
Due to their large size, trucks and other commercial vehicles can create a great deal of damage when they are involved in an accident with a car, motorcycle, bus, pedestrian, or other vehicles. Injuries can range in severity from scrapes and bruises to more severe or catastrophic harm. Some of the injuries common to these collisions include:
Broken bones and fractures
Lacerations
Back and neck injuries
Whiplash
Burns
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord damage
Paralysis
Amputations
Unfortunately, in some scenarios, these collisions can result in wrongful death. Regardless of the extent of harm, a compassionate Williamsville truck wreck attorney can help to understand the impact the injuries have had on an individual’s life and seek recovery for these losses.
Determining Liability in a Semi-Truck Wreck
In most negligence cases, the injured person must prove that another party failed to use reasonable care and that their negligence was the direct cause of the accident and resulting harm. Trucking companies and their drivers must meet a higher standard. As common carriers transporting goods for hire, they must use the utmost care to avoid injury to others. Skilled legal representation can investigate an accident to establish whether the company and driver used the utmost care in all respects. Any deviation from best practices could indicate that the trucking company or its driver was negligent.
Rely on a Williamsville Attorney to Handle Your Truck Accident Claim
A semi-truck wreck could wreak havoc on your life. You might have substantial medical bills and not be able to work. You could need support to relearn how to look after yourself, and you might not be able to enjoy life the way you once did.
You deserve compensation for all your losses. A Williamsville truck accident lawyer can help you claim damages and move forward with your life. Call Richmond Vona, LLC today to go over the details of your incident.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
