Accidents involving large commercial trucks can cause catastrophic damage and life-threatening injuries. In addition to the pain these collisions cause, injured individuals can suffer considerable financial consequences, from medical expenses to lost wages due to missed time at work. When accident-related injuries are caused by a trucker driving aggressively, you could be overwhelmed by a sense of injustice.
If you have suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by someone else’s aggressive driving, you deserve compensation for your losses. The New York truck accident lawyers of Hach & Rose, LLP will use our experience and skills to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their negligence. Our knowledgeable legal team is committed to helping you recover the full compensation you deserve. Call us today at (212) 779-0057 or online to learn more about your legal options.
What Is Aggressive Driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving occurs when a motorist endangers other people or property by committing a combination of moving traffic violations. These violations often happen when the driver’s anger or frustration prevents them from properly focusing on driving.
Signs of aggressive driving may include:
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Changing lanes erratically
- Driving on the road’s shoulder, sidewalk, or median
- Passing another vehicle aggressively
- Accelerating suddenly
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Ignoring turn signals, brake lights, or hazard lights
- Failure to employ turn signals
- Ignoring the speed limit
- Racing
- Executing improper turns
Consult with an experienced New York personal injury lawyer if your accident-related injuries occurred because of these or similar behaviors. If you are unsure whether the cause of the accident qualifies as aggressive driving, your attorney will investigate the collision to determine what happened and who is liable.
What Are the Dangers of Aggressive Truck Driving?
Truck accidents are inherently dangerous for other road users. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicate that passenger vehicle occupants are at least four times more likely than truck drivers to suffer injuries or death in an accident involving a large commercial vehicle. The reason for this discrepancy is the truck’s size and weight. A large truck might be up to 30 times heavier than a passenger car, so the smaller vehicle will sustain a greater force of impact. Furthermore, the difference in size means that a small car can underride a truck’s trailer.
When a trucker operates their vehicle in an aggressive manner, the risk to pedestrians and other vehicle occupants increases dramatically. No matter the cause of the driver’s aggression, your attorney will investigate driving logs and data from the truck’s onboard computer. They’ll discover what caused the accident. If the driver were an employee rather than an independent contractor, the trucking company would most likely be liable for its agent’s misbehavior.
What Kinds of Injuries Can Aggressive Truck Driving Cause?
An aggressive truck driver has the capacity to cause life-altering injuries. Many people injured in truck accidents suffer disabilities or disfigurements that prevent them from returning to the life they once knew. Potential consequences of aggressive truck driving include:
- Head injuries such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and back injuries such as whiplash, chronic pain, paraplegia, and quadriplegia
- Broken and fractured bones
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Loss of limbs
- Death
If you have suffered an injury in an aggressive driving accident, keep track of your medical bills, treatment information, and any other documentation that can help your attorney demonstrate the extent of your injuries.
If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident due to the trucker’s aggressive driving, the attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP can file a wrongful death claim on your behalf. You may be eligible for compensation such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of income for the decedent’s dependants
- Pain and suffering your loved one endured
- Loss of companionship
While no money can bring your loved one back, holding the at-fault party accountable for your loss can help ensure that truck drivers and their employers behave more responsibly.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Hiring a truck accident injury lawyer to handle your claim will put your case in the hands of an experienced professional who knows how to handle cases like yours. While you focus on recovering from your physical injuries and psychological trauma, your attorney can take steps such as:
- Investigating the causes of the accident
- Determining who was at fault
- Reviewing and assessing your medical records and expenses
- Handling insurance forms
- Assessing the monetary value of your claim
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Preparing your case for a courtroom trial if the insurer is unwilling to offer you the compensation you deserve
If your case ends up heading to court, you must comply with New York’s statute of limitations. The state gives injured individuals up to three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Your attorney can ensure that your claim remains on track to meet this deadline so that you do not forfeit your right to compensation.
Contact an Experienced New York Truck Accident Attorney
Nobody should be the victim of aggressive truck driving. Nevertheless, far too many New Yorkers suffer injuries and losses due to the negligence of truckers and the top-down pressures of their employers. If you have received injuries in an accident with an aggressive trucker, you can claim compensation for the losses you have suffered.
The experienced New York truck accident lawyers of Hach & Rose, LLP are proud to fight for the rights and interests of injured New Yorkers. Our firm has a successful track record of winning settlements and verdicts for our clients, and we are ready to put our skills to work for you. Call us today at (212) 779-0057 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help you.