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A collision with an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or other commercial vehicle is one of the most violent events a person can survive. When a vehicle weighing 80,000 pounds strikes a passenger car, the results are almost always catastrophic. If you or a family member were injured in a truck accident in New York, you need an attorney who understands the complex web of federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and aggressive insurance defense tactics that make these cases uniquely challenging.
At Zlotolow & Associates, our New York truck accident lawyers have spent more than 20 years fighting for victims of commercial truck and 18-wheeler crashes across New York City and Long Island — including Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Melville. We’ve recovered $2.4 million for a single truck accident victim, and we’re prepared to pursue maximum compensation for you. Call (631) 564-0498 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Truck accident claims are fundamentally different from car accident cases — and far more complex. Here’s why having the right attorney matters:
At Zlotolow & Associates, we move quickly to preserve evidence, retain expert accident reconstructionists, and build the strongest possible case before critical data is lost.
When people search for an 18-wheeler accident lawyer, they are describing the most catastrophic crashes on New York’s roads. A fully loaded semi-truck — also called a tractor-trailer, big rig, or 18-wheeler — can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car. When one collides with a smaller vehicle, the injuries are frequently severe or fatal.
These commercial vehicle cases are fundamentally different from ordinary car accidents:
We handle crashes involving 18-wheelers and semis, delivery and box trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, tankers, flatbeds, and other commercial vehicles throughout New York City and Long Island.
Commercial truck and tractor-trailer crashes take different forms, each with distinct causes and liability considerations:
A jackknife occurs when a semi-truck’s trailer swings outward, forming a V-shape with the cab. This typically happens when a driver brakes hard on a slick surface or takes a curve too fast. Jackknifed trucks can block multiple lanes and strike several vehicles simultaneously. Fatigued driving, brake defects, and speeding are common contributing factors.
One of the most deadly truck crash types — an underride occurs when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer of an 18-wheeler, often shearing off the roof of the passenger vehicle. Federal regulations require rear underride guards on trailers, but side underrides remain a serious risk. When guards are missing, inadequate, or defective, the manufacturer or carrier may be liable.
Truck drivers making right turns must swing wide to the left first to clear the turn. This creates a dangerous blind-spot squeeze zone where cyclists, motorcyclists, and passenger cars can become trapped between the truck and the curb. Wide-turn accidents are especially common on New York City streets and Long Island intersections.
Rollovers can result from speeding, sharp curves, overloaded cargo, improperly secured loads that shift during transit, or tire blowouts. A rolling 80,000-pound truck causes massive destruction to any vehicle or person in its path.
Commercial trucks require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles. Worn brakes, inadequate brake maintenance, or improperly adjusted air brakes can result in a fully loaded truck being unable to stop in time. Motor carriers are required to maintain braking systems under FMCSA regulations — failures often point to carrier negligence.
Federal and state law strictly regulate how cargo must be loaded, secured, and weight-distributed on commercial vehicles. Improperly secured loads can shift in transit, altering a truck’s center of gravity and causing loss of control. Cargo spilling onto the roadway can create multi-vehicle pileups. Liability in these cases may fall on the carrier, cargo company, or freight loader.
Not every commercial vehicle crash involves a tractor-trailer. Delivery vans, box trucks, and straight trucks operated by freight, e-commerce, and food-service companies are a growing source of serious accidents on New York City streets and Long Island roads. These drivers work under tight delivery quotas, make frequent stops in traffic, and often operate vehicles with significant blind spots. Liability may rest with the driver, the delivery company, or the contractor that employs them.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes strict regulations on commercial trucking. Violations of these rules are among the most powerful evidence in a truck accident case because they demonstrate not just negligence — but a failure to follow the law:
| FMCSA Regulation | Common Violation | Who May Be Liable |
|---|---|---|
| Hours of Service (HOS) | Driving beyond 11-hour daily or 60/70-hour weekly limits; falsifying logbooks | Driver, Motor Carrier |
| Drug & Alcohol Testing | Failure to conduct pre-employment, random, or post-accident drug testing | Motor Carrier |
| Vehicle Maintenance | Neglecting brake, tire, steering, or lighting inspections and repairs | Motor Carrier, Maintenance Company |
| Driver Qualification | Hiring drivers with disqualifying records or without valid CDL | Motor Carrier |
| Cargo Securement | Overloading, improperly distributing weight, or failing to secure cargo | Driver, Carrier, Cargo Company |
| Cell Phone / Distracted Driving | Using a handheld phone while driving — FMCSA explicitly prohibits this for CMV drivers | Driver, Motor Carrier |
One of the most important distinctions between commercial vehicle accident and car accident claims is the number of potentially responsible parties. Our attorneys investigate every angle to identify all liable defendants:
The physics of a semi-truck collision — extreme mass at highway speed — mean that injuries are frequently catastrophic and life-altering. The most serious injuries we regularly handle include:
| Injury Type | Impact & Long-Term Consequences |
|---|---|
| Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) | From concussions to severe brain damage; may cause permanent cognitive, emotional, and physical impairment |
| Spinal Cord Injuries | Partial or complete paralysis; may require lifetime care, home modifications, and assistive technology |
| Broken Bones & Crush Injuries | Multiple fractures, crushed limbs, or amputations from the weight of a truck collapsing a vehicle |
| Internal Organ Damage | Blunt force trauma from crash impact; may require emergency surgery and extended hospitalization |
| Burn Injuries | From fires caused by fuel spills; often require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation |
| Neck & Back Injuries | Herniated discs, whiplash, and nerve damage that may cause chronic pain and loss of mobility |
| Wrongful Death | Truck accidents are disproportionately fatal; families of victims may bring a wrongful death claim for full damages |
Because commercial trucks carry substantial insurance and cases frequently involve multiple defendants, truck accident settlements and verdicts are often significantly higher than car accident cases. Compensation you may be entitled to includes:
Important: New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation — reduced only by your percentage of fault. Do not assume that because you may have contributed to the crash you have no case. Call us first.
The actions you take in the hours and days after a truck accident can determine how much compensation you ultimately recover. Follow these steps:
Do not wait. Electronic logging device (ELD) data and onboard black box records may be overwritten within 30 days. Driver qualification files can be purged. The faster an attorney can send a preservation letter to the carrier, the more evidence is protected.
Long Island’s highways — the Long Island Expressway (I-495), the Northern and Southern State Parkways, Sunrise Highway, and the Cross Island — carry heavy commercial truck traffic every day. Zlotolow & Associates represents truck, 18-wheeler, and commercial vehicle accident victims throughout New York. Our Long Island office in Melville, NY serves clients across Suffolk County — including Huntington, Babylon, Brentwood, Commack, and Deer Park — and all of Nassau County, including Hempstead, Garden City, and Mineola. We also represent clients throughout all five New York City boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as Westchester County and upstate New York.
All truck accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Free consultations are available by phone or at either of our offices.
If you were hurt in a commercial vehicle accident anywhere on Long Island, our Long Island personal injury team is ready to help — contact us for a free consultation.
Yes. Truck and 18-wheeler crashes involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and aggressive insurers, and critical evidence can disappear within weeks. A lawyer can preserve black-box data and driver logs, identify every responsible party, and pursue the full compensation these severe injuries require.
Liability often extends beyond the driver to the trucking company, the freight broker, the cargo loader or shipper, a maintenance contractor, and the truck or parts manufacturer. Identifying every responsible party is essential because it determines how much insurance coverage is available for your claim.
Trucks are governed by federal FMCSA rules, weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and involve more potentially liable parties and larger insurance policies. Injuries are typically more severe, and preserving evidence like electronic logs and ECM data requires immediate action — making these cases more complex than car crashes.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets rules for Hours of Service, driver qualification, vehicle maintenance, and electronic logging. When a trucker or carrier violates these standards — for example, driving over the legal hour limit — that violation can be strong evidence of negligence in your case.
Value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical costs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Because trucks carry large commercial insurance policies and multiple parties may be liable, truck accident recoveries are often substantially higher than car accident cases — but every case is unique.
When a trucking company’s negligence turns your life upside down, you need an attorney who will fight as hard as their legal team. At Zlotolow & Associates, we understand the tactics commercial insurers use to minimize truck accident claims — and we know how to counter them. With more than two decades of experience, millions of dollars recovered for our clients, and offices in Melville, Long Island and New York City, we are ready to go to work for you.
There are no upfront fees and you pay nothing unless we win. Call (631) 564-0498 or complete our contact form to schedule your free, confidential consultation today. We serve clients throughout Long Island — including Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Melville — and all five NYC boroughs.
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