Over 85 years of trial work for injured New Yorkers and their families.
If you were hit by a commercial truck in Queens, the damage may be far worse than what a typical car accident produces. Truck collisions cause severe fractures, internal organ damage, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries at rates that dwarf other types of motor vehicle crashes. A Queens, NY truck accident lawyer at Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP can level the playing field. We offer free consultations and handle every truck accident case on a contingency fee basis.
Truck Accident Lawyer Queens, NY
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a sedan. When those two vehicles collide, the physics are devastating for whoever is in the smaller one. FMCSA crash data shows that nearly 6,000 people died in crashes involving large trucks in 2022, and the vast majority of those fatalities were occupants of the other vehicle, not the truck.
Beyond the severity of the injuries, truck cases involve multiple potential defendants and complex regulatory frameworks that do not apply to passenger vehicle crashes. A truck accident attorney in Queens has to investigate not just the driver but also the trucking company, the broker, the cargo loader, and the maintenance provider. Federal hours-of-service rules, electronic logging requirements, drug testing protocols, and inspection records all come into play. These cases demand a different kind of preparation than a fender bender on Queens Boulevard.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Queens
Queens sits at the crossroads of several major freight corridors. The Long Island Expressway, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and the Van Wyck Expressway funnel commercial traffic through the borough around the clock, and surface streets in areas like Long Island City, Maspeth, and Jamaica see a constant flow of delivery vehicles and heavy trucks. We handle many types of truck collision cases, including:
- Tractor-trailer collisions. The most serious truck crashes typically involve 18-wheelers and other large combination vehicles. We investigate driver fatigue, hours-of-service violations, and whether the trucking company cut corners on maintenance or hiring to build the strongest possible case.
- Delivery and box truck accidents. Queens has one of the densest concentrations of commercial deliveries in New York City. Drivers making frequent stops, double-parking on busy streets, and rushing to meet tight delivery windows create hazards for everyone around them.
- Garbage and sanitation truck crashes. Both private waste haulers and city sanitation vehicles operate on tight schedules in residential neighborhoods throughout Queens. Our firm has recovered significant settlements for clients struck by negligently operated municipal vehicles, and we understand the procedural requirements for filing claims against the city.
- Construction vehicle collisions. Cement mixers, dump trucks, and flatbeds hauling materials are a regular presence on Queens roads, particularly near active development sites. When these vehicles are involved in crashes, the construction company and the vehicle operator may both share liability.
- Bus and commercial passenger vehicle accidents. Charter buses, airport shuttles, and intercity coaches traveling to and from JFK and LaGuardia airports are governed by many of the same federal regulations that apply to freight carriers. When they crash, the injuries to passengers and other motorists are often severe.
- Wide-turn and blind-spot crashes. Large trucks making turns at Queens intersections frequently swing into adjacent lanes or fail to see passenger vehicles and motorcyclists in their blind spots. The driver may not even realize contact was made until it is too late.
- Hit-and-run truck collisions. When the at-fault truck leaves the scene, identifying the vehicle and its owner requires prompt investigation. Surveillance cameras, toll records, and fleet GPS data can help track down the responsible party, but time is a factor.
Why Choose Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP for Truck Accident Cases in Queens, NY?
Substantial Recoveries in Truck and Vehicle Collision Cases
Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP has recovered over $131 million in verdicts and settlements for injured clients. Our truck-related results include a $7,208,000 recovery for a worker killed by a company truck, a $5,250,000 settlement for a man who suffered life-changing injuries after being struck by a negligently driven truck, a $1,850,000 settlement for a driver hit by a street sweeper, and a $1,200,000 settlement for a woman dragged by a Department of Sanitation truck. We also obtained a $1.5 million jury verdict for a man whose car was struck by a tractor-trailer. Each of these cases required a different strategy, but the preparation behind them was the same: thorough, aggressive, and focused on the client’s full recovery.
If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer in Queens, our firm brings the same dedication to truck cases, motorcycle accidents, and every other serious-injury matter we take on.
Attorneys Who Have Been Doing This for Generations
Paul J. Edelstein handles truck accident and personal injury cases at the firm. He graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1995 and has represented injured plaintiffs for his entire career. Paul is a member of the American Bar Association and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and has been recognized by both Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.
The firm itself goes back to 1937, when Paul’s grandfather opened a law practice in Brooklyn. That is three generations of attorneys who have built their careers on one side of the courtroom: the plaintiff’s side. We only get paid if we win your case, which means we take on the financial risk so you do not have to.
What Is Important to Understand About a Truck Accident Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident injuries tend to be among the most severe of any motor vehicle collision, and the compensation available reflects that. New York law allows truck crash victims to pursue damages in several categories:
- Medical costs, from emergency room treatment and surgery through long-term rehabilitation, physical therapy, assistive devices, and any future procedures your physicians anticipate
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity, covering the income you have missed and any permanent reduction in what you are able to earn going forward
- Pain and suffering, which compensates for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and the ways your injuries have changed your daily life
- Property damage, including the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and personal belongings
In fatal truck accidents, the victim’s surviving family may file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
One of the features that distinguishes truck cases from standard auto claims is the number of potentially liable parties. The truck driver is the most obvious defendant, but the trucking company can be held liable for the driver’s actions under respondeat superior. If the cargo was loaded improperly and shifted during transit, the loading company may share fault. If a mechanical failure caused or contributed to the crash, the maintenance provider or the manufacturer of the defective part may be responsible. Our attorneys investigate every link in that chain.
What Are Important Aspects of a Truck Accident Case?
Trucking companies and their insurers move fast after a serious crash. They send investigators to the scene, they download data from the truck’s onboard systems, and they begin building a defense before the injured person has even left the hospital. That is why acting early matters so much.
- Electronic logging devices and onboard data recorders capture the driver’s hours, speed at impact, braking activity, and other critical information. This data can be overwritten or lost if a preservation demand is not sent quickly
- Driver qualification files kept by the trucking company reveal whether the driver had proper commercial licensing, adequate training, a clean driving record, and current medical clearance
- Maintenance logs and inspection records show whether the truck was serviced according to federal and manufacturer schedules, and whether documented mechanical issues were addressed or ignored
- Medical records that connect your injuries directly to the truck collision are essential. Insurance adjusters will look for gaps in treatment or prior conditions to argue that the truck crash was not the real cause of your pain
What Is the Truck Accident Case Timeline?
Truck cases often move more slowly than standard car accident claims because of the number of parties involved and the volume of records that need to be reviewed. The general progression tends to follow this path:
- Immediate aftermath (days to weeks): Get medical treatment, report the accident to police, and speak with a truck accident lawyer in Queens before providing any statements to the trucking company’s insurer
- Investigation and preservation (weeks to months): Your attorney sends spoliation letters, subpoenas the trucking company’s records, reviews the driver’s history, and retains accident reconstruction specialists if the facts are disputed
- Ongoing medical treatment (months to over a year): Settling before you reach maximum medical improvement can mean leaving money on the table, because the full extent of your long-term medical needs may not yet be clear
- Demand and negotiation (weeks to months): Your attorney presents the completed case to the insurer. Trucking policies often carry higher limits than personal auto policies, but the carriers fight proportionally harder
- Litigation and trial (if necessary): If no fair settlement is reached, the case proceeds to court. In Queens, trial timelines depend on the court calendar and can take one to several years
What Should You Bring to Your Truck Accident Consultation?
Bring whatever you have available. Even a partial file gives your attorney a head start:
- The police report or the report number
- Any photographs of the crash scene, the vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries
- Medical records and bills from treatment so far
- Names and contact details for anyone who witnessed the accident
Your attorney will review the facts, explain how New York law applies, and give you an honest assessment of whether you have a case worth pursuing.
What Are Important New York Legal Resources for Truck Accident Cases?
New York law and federal regulations both play a role in truck accident claims. These are the most relevant statutes and agencies:
- Under CPLR Section 214, most personal injury lawsuits in New York must be filed within three years of the accident. Claims involving government-owned trucks require a notice of claim within 90 days
- CPLR Section 1411 establishes New York’s pure comparative negligence rule, allowing you to recover compensation even if you share some fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of responsibility
- The FMCSA publishes federal large truck crash data and commercial vehicle safety statistics
- The NYS Department of Health tracks motor vehicle crash injuries and fatalities by county
- The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee coordinates statewide traffic safety campaigns and publishes annual crash reports
Reach Out to Edelsteins, Faegenburg, & Blyakher LLP to Schedule a Consultation
If you or a family member was injured in a truck accident in Queens, our firm is ready to review the details at no cost. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Queens truck accident attorney.