Jamaica Truck Accident Lawyer

Establishing Liability in a Truck Accident

To determine who you can sue for damages, you must identify who is liable for your accident. Truck accidents can be complicated because so many parties play a part in getting the truck ready to transport all the cargo.

Possible at-fault parties include:

The Truck Driver

Truck drivers work long hours and just want to get to their destination. They might end up speeding, getting distracted, or falling asleep at the wheel.

Not taking regular breaks or driving cautiously puts them at risk of causing an accident.

The Trucking Company

The carrier is responsible for every truck driver and truck they send on the road. In addition, they must abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, including:

• Hiring qualified employees
• Thoroughly training the employees
• Making sure that the drivers follow the FMCSA’s Hours of Services Regulations
• Checking the drivers’ logbooks
• Ensuring the cargo is safely packed, meeting all the maintenance standards

If the trucking companies cut corners and fail to uphold any of these regulations (or others), this non-compliance can lead to serious repercussions for the driver—and other road users.

Parts Manufacturers and Mechanics

Sometimes, the parts installed in the truck malfunction or were already defective. If the manufacturer or mechanic never tested the truck to make sure everything was working properly and an accident happened, they could be the liable party in question.

A Government Entity

Jamaica is responsible for keeping all streets throughout the city clean. If there is a road hazard, such as debris, and they fail to take care of it right away, a truck driver could hit it and lose control of the truck. They could then strike your car, causing your injuries.

There could be other parties, or even multiple parties, at fault in a truck accident. Your lawyer can investigate to identify who is responsible for your damages.

Our Jamaica Lawyers Can Help You Pursue a Comprehensive Truck Accident Claim

Don’t feel like you have to take on the legal system on your own after a truck accident. Our lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP have handled truck accident cases in the past, so they know the ins and outs of the process. On your behalf, we can:

• Make an evidence file
• Consult expert witnesses
• Contact eyewitnesses
• Relay messages between you and the other party’s representatives
• Negotiate a settlement
• Argue your accident case in court, if it comes to that
• Comply with state deadlines

The most prominent deadline we will try to comply with is the statute of limitations. New York State allows personal injury victims three years to file a lawsuit under CVP §214.

If you lost your loved one in the truck accident, you have two years to file your lawsuit under EPT §5-4.1. Failure to file within these time frames can result in the court not hearing your case, so make sure you get started as soon as possible.

We Can Help You Try to Get Your Damages Covered

Your injuries and losses will reflect the severity of the accident. Luckily, we can seek financial recovery for them. With that, you might be able to recover:

Past and Future Medical Bills

You might have needed to receive emergency medical care and/or are advised to continue treatment after the accident. Some of these expenses might entail:

• Medication
• Assistive medical equipment
• Doctor’s visits
• Chiropractic and physical therapy sessions
• Hospital stays
• Surgeries
• Bloodwork and other body scans

Past and Future Lost Income

Your injuries might have affected your ability to work. That is, you could have been forced to take time off, work part-time, quit your job, or take a lower-ranking position. Because of this change, you might have the options to claim lost:

• Hourly wages
• Salary
• Tips
• Promotions
• Vacation time
• Commission
• Business opportunities

Property damage costs

Your car could have been damaged or totaled in the accident. By looking at your repair bills or invoices, we can request compensation for property damage or destruction.

Non-Economic Damages

Truck accidents can affect victims physically and emotionally. Just because these losses don’t have a monetary value doesn’t mean you can’t seek recovery for them in a claim or lawsuit.

For example, you can recoup:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost quality of life
• Disability
• Disfigurement and scarring

Wrongful Death Damages

If your loved one lost their life in a car accident, we offer you our condolences. You might have outstanding balances related to their demise. To help you cover these costs and with this drastic life adjustment, you may be able to claim:

• Funeral expenses
• The burial plot fee
• Their pain and suffering
• Their medical bills
• Your loss of consortium, companionship, and financial support

Keep in mind that the damages listed here don’t include everything you can recover. Your lawyer can evaluate all the ways this truck accident has affected your life and can quantify all of your damages accordingly.

Connect with the Attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Today

The aftermath of a truck accident in Jamaica can be full of confusion, stress, and pain. You don’t have to let this turmoil continue. Let the lawyers at the Law Offices of Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP LLP take it from here while you recover. Call us today at (866) 878-6774 for a complimentary case review.