Long Island Truck Accident Attorneys

Over 20 Years, 10,000+ Cases, & Direct Attorney Access Throughout Your Representation

Truck accident claims aren’t like standard car accident cases. Federal FMCSA regulations, multi-party liability chains, and the catastrophic injuries these collisions produce make them among the most complex personal injury matters on Long Island. At The Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C., we’ve represented truck accident victims and their families for over 20 years, building more than 10,000 successful cases with one consistent approach: every case is prepared in-house by Gregory Goodman, start to finish, with no hand-offs to associates and no outsourcing.

That matters here. When a commercial truck causes a crash, the trucking company’s insurer often dispatches a response team to the scene within hours. You need an attorney who already knows your case, not one reading a file summary for the first time. Our clients have direct access to their attorney throughout the representation, and we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury because that preparation can produce results at the negotiating table too.

Call the truck accident lawyers at The Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C. at (800) 242-3740 for a free initial consultation.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents on Long Island

Most truck accidents are preventable. Understanding what caused your crash is the foundation of every liability argument, and it shapes which parties we pursue and what evidence we secure first.

Driver-level causes:

• Fatigue and violations of FMCSA hours of service rules that limit how long a driver may operate before mandatory rest
• Distracted driving, including cellphone use behind the wheel
• Intoxication or impairment
• Speeding, improper lane changes, and failure to follow traffic laws

Vehicle and cargo causes:

• Improper loading or unsecured cargo that shifts during transit
• Worn or defective brakes and tires
• Failure to inspect and maintain the truck between hauls

Carrier-level causes:

• Negligent hiring of unqualified or uncredentialed drivers
• Pressuring drivers to exceed federally mandated hours of service limits
• Systemic disregard for safety protocols across the fleet

Heavy commercial truck traffic on the Long Island Expressway and surrounding routes means these failures play out in some of the most congested corridors in the state. Police reports, driver logs, and maintenance records often reveal patterns of repeated violations that go well beyond a single driver’s mistake. We investigate all of it.

How We Investigate Tractor Trailer & Semi-Truck Accidents

A thorough investigation is what separates a well-supported claim from one that stalls in settlement talks. After preserving time-sensitive evidence, we go deeper than most carriers expect.

We consult with engineers, work with accident reconstruction professionals, and request electronic control module data from the truck’s black box, which records vehicle speed, brake application, and steering input in the moments before and during the crash. Dispatch records, inspection logs, and driver logbooks reveal whether the carrier was cutting corners before your accident ever happened. Cellphone use history, traffic camera footage, and surveillance video from nearby businesses fill in the picture of what happened at the scene.

With over 20 years handling truck accident matters, we know which FMCSA regulations to scrutinize and where violations most often appear. We build a detailed timeline linking mechanical failures or procedural errors to the crash, then review the conduct of the trucking company and any third parties to determine where responsibility lies.

Trucking companies and their insurers act fast. Reach out even if the accident occurred more than a year ago; evidence is sometimes preserved beyond the window most people expect, and we can assess what’s still available.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Long Island Truck Accident

Truck accident liability rarely stops with the driver. A collision involving a big rig or tractor trailer can implicate multiple parties, each bearing legal responsibility under different theories of law.

Potentially Liable Parties

Potentially liable parties include the truck driver, the trucking company under vicarious liability for the driver’s conduct, the company that owned or leased the truck or trailer, the cargo owner, the company that loaded or secured the freight, the vehicle or parts manufacturer, and the maintenance provider responsible for the truck’s condition. Negligent hiring and negligent entrustment claims arise when a carrier puts an unqualified, uncredentialed, or impaired driver behind the wheel. Product liability claims arise when a defective component such as brakes, tires, or steering parts contributed to the crash. We analyze who did what, when, and how, reviewing inspection records, manufacturer notices, and workplace safety standards to pursue claims from every viable angle at once.

New York Pure Comparative Negligence

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can pursue compensation even if you bear some share of fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it isn’t eliminated.

New York No-Fault Insurance & Truck Accident Claims

New York is a no-fault insurance state. After a truck accident, victims generally file a personal injury protection (PIP) claim with their own insurer regardless of who caused the crash. PIP covers a portion of medical expenses and lost wages, but it doesn’t cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and its limits may fall well short of the actual losses in a serious truck collision.

Victims who meet New York’s serious injury threshold under Insurance Law Section 5102(d) may step outside the no-fault system and pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault truck driver, trucking company, or other liable parties. That lawsuit can seek the full scope of losses PIP doesn’t reach. Multiple insurance policies may apply in a truck accident claim, including the trucking company’s commercial liability policy, the carrier’s cargo policy, and the victim’s own underinsured motorist coverage. Identifying every applicable policy is part of how we pursue all available compensation in your claim.

Damages You May Be Entitled to Recover

Commercial trucks are large, heavy, and capable of producing injuries that reshape lives. The damages in these cases reflect that reality. We pursue compensation for the full scope of your losses, including:

• Vehicle repairs or replacement, plus alternate transportation during repairs
• Medical costs, covering immediate emergency care and ongoing treatment
• Lost wages during the recovery period
• Diminished earning capacity if a permanent disability prevents you from returning to your prior work, as may arise from catastrophic injuries
• Pain and suffering for ongoing physical pain and mental distress
• Non-economic losses including loss of consortium and loss of enjoyment of life

We document long-term impacts on daily living in full: rehabilitation needs, home modifications required by the injuries, and family caregiver arrangements that shift because of the accident. That documentation strengthens the claim from the outset and helps account for losses when we negotiate or go to trial.

Types of Commercial Vehicles & Why It Matters

Long Island truck accidents involve a range of large commercial vehicles: tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, big rigs, semi-trucks, delivery trucks, garbage trucks, and construction vehicles. Each category operates under its own federal and state regulations, weight limits, and insurance requirements.

Tractor trailers and 18-wheelers present heightened danger on highways because of extended stopping distances and high centers of gravity. Semi-trucks create hazards at intersections and in congested traffic. Insurance coverage requirements differ by vehicle type and can affect how insurers respond to claims from the start. We analyze each accident to ensure every applicable safety regulation and required coverage level factors into the strategy, adapting our approach based on the specific vehicle involved.

Local Laws & Court Procedures in Nassau and Suffolk Counties

Truck accident claims on Long Island are shaped by New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, which enforces vehicle inspection mandates and specific operating rules for commercial vehicles. Violations of these requirements can directly influence liability determinations, and our familiarity with these statutes lets us use local law in your favor.

Court procedures, filing requirements, and documentation standards differ between Nassau County and Suffolk County. Those distinctions affect how a claim moves forward and must be accounted for to avoid procedural delays. We approach each claim with procedures and timelines specific to the jurisdiction, whether we’re preparing pre-trial motions or taking a case through trial.

What to Expect After Filing a Truck Accident Claim

Once a claim is filed, the insurance carrier typically opens its own investigation: reviewing police reports, requesting statements, and assessing the accident. Initial settlement offers frequently don’t reflect the full extent of losses, particularly in serious truck collision cases where future medical needs and lost earning capacity are at stake.

If settlement negotiations don’t produce a fair agreement, the claim proceeds to court, where we present the case before a judge or jury. Trucking company insurers move quickly after a crash, which is why having legal representation in place early protects your position while the insurer conducts its own investigation.

We coordinate with healthcare providers, handle correspondence with insurance companies, and answer your questions about timelines, next steps, and what negotiations or litigation can involve. Our clients have direct access to their attorney, not a rotating set of support staff, and receive consistent updates and straightforward answers at every phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in New York?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York, including truck accident claims, is three years from the accident date under CPLR Section 214. When a government entity is involved, a notice of claim must typically be filed within 90 days. These timelines can be complicated, so contact an attorney promptly. We handle filing deadlines and guide you through every step of the process.

What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Even if you share some responsibility for the accident, you can still recover damages. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault: a $100,000 award with 20% fault assigned to you results in an $80,000 recovery, but it isn’t eliminated. We work to limit the fault attributed to you so your recovery can more accurately reflect your losses.

What Steps Should I Take Following a Truck Accident?

Seek medical care first, even for symptoms that seem minor, since some injuries don’t present immediately. Document your injuries and treatment to establish a claim record. If possible, photograph the scene, gather witness contact information, and record details about the truck involved. Ask law enforcement to file an accident report. Then contact our firm. Early legal representation protects your position before the trucking company’s insurer begins its own investigation.

What If a Loved One Was Killed in a Truck Accident?

Wrongful death claims arising from truck accidents in New York are governed by a two-year statute of limitations under EPT Section 5-4.1, which is shorter than the standard personal injury window. It’s important to consult an attorney without delay. We handle these claims with the same in-house preparation and direct attorney access we bring to every case, and we can walk surviving family members through the process from the initial consultation forward.

Get in touch with The Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C. at (800) 242-3740 to speak with a truck accident lawyer over the phone or to schedule a free initial consultation.