Commercial Vehicle Accidents Require Serious Representation
When people come to me after a crash involving a truck or other commercial vehicle, it’s rarely minor. Commercial vehicle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. These cases are different from regular car accidents because they typically involve multiple parties, complex insurance coverage, and serious legal challenges. As someone who has represented clients in these cases for years, I know how high the stakes are—and how important it is to act fast.
Why Commercial Vehicle Accidents Are So Dangerous
Commercial vehicle accidents involve massive machines that weigh tens of thousands of pounds. When a vehicle that size hits a passenger car, the outcome is often devastating. Victims may suffer spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, or even death. Survivors often face long hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and lost income—not to mention the emotional toll.
Unlike standard auto accidents, these crashes often involve:
- Tractor-trailers (18-wheelers)
- Delivery trucks
- Utility vehicles
- Construction vehicles
- Rideshare or fleet vehicles
Who’s Liable in a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
One of the most critical aspects of these cases is determining liability. It’s not just the driver who may be at fault. In commercial vehicle accidents, there may be multiple layers of responsibility that include:
- The trucking company, for pressuring drivers or failing to maintain their vehicles
- Third-party maintenance providers, who improperly serviced the vehicle
- Cargo loaders, whose negligence can cause imbalances and rollover crashes
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers, for faulty brakes, tires, or steering systems
Because commercial vehicles are required by law to carry high-limit insurance policies, trucking companies and their insurers will aggressively defend against claims. You need an attorney who knows how to push back—and who has the experience to take these cases all the way.
My Process: Investigating the Crash and Building Your Case
When you hire me, I move quickly to preserve critical evidence. That could include:
- Securing and reviewing black box data
- Examining driver logbooks and hours-of-service compliance
- Investigating the company’s safety and maintenance records
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts
- Requesting footage from dashcams or nearby surveillance cameras
- Obtaining truck driver/commercial driver DMV records
- Interviewing witnesses and first responders
My team at MidHudson Injury Law builds a complete picture of what happened and who’s responsible. We also work with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries and long-term care needs.
What Damages Can You Recover?
Victims of commercial vehicle accidents are often entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium (for spouses or family members)
In cases of gross negligence, we may also seek punitive damages to hold the company accountable for reckless behavior—such as encouraging drivers to skip rest breaks or falsify logs.
What Should You Do After a Commercial Vehicle Crash?
If you’re involved in a crash with a truck or commercial vehicle:
- Seek medical care immediately, even if you don’t feel injured—symptoms often appear later.
- Document everything: photos of the scene, your vehicle, and your injuries.
- Do not speak to the trucking company’s insurer without legal representation.
- Contact a personal injury attorney who has experience with commercial cases.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), over 5,000 people were killed in large truck crashes in 2021 alone. Many of these deaths were preventable, and families deserve justice.
Let Me Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
At MidHudson Injury Law, I don’t back down from trucking companies or their insurers. I’ve helped many clients recover the money they need to move forward after devastating accidents. You shouldn’t have to deal with this alone—and you don’t have to.
If you or someone you love was injured in a commercial vehicle accident, contact me today. I’ll fight for you.