In most cases, New York allows three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if a government entity such as a city agency operating sanitation trucks or tow trucks is involved, a notice of claim must be filed within 90 days of the accident. Contact a truck accident attorney in New York City as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.
New York City Truck Accident Attorney
Being injured in a truck accident in New York City can be overwhelming. The injuries are often severe, the insurance process is complicated, and identifying every liable party is rarely straightforward. Our New York City truck accident lawyers are here to stand with you, helping you understand your rights and pursue compensation for everything you've lost.
We offer a free consultation and handle every case on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover for you. As an experienced law firm serving New York City, we know what it takes to build a strong case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Why NYC Truck Accident Cases Are More Complex
Truck accidents in New York City are far more complicated than standard motor vehicle accident cases. Commercial vehicles operate under a complex web of federal and state regulations, and when a truck crash occurs, multiple parties may share liability.
Unlike a typical car accident, a truck accident case can involve the truck driver, the trucking company, the vehicle manufacturer, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers, each with their own insurance policies and legal teams. Negligent trucking companies that cut corners on safety, ignore trucking regulations, or engage in negligent hiring create dangerous conditions for everyone on the road.
Truck accident victims who try to handle these cases alone often find themselves outmatched by well-resourced insurance companies motivated to minimize payouts. Having the right New York City truck accident attorney from the start makes all the difference in what your family is able to recover.
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle in NYC
New York City's congested streets, highways, and tunnels create conditions where truck accidents occur with real frequency. Our legal team handles NYC truck accident cases involving:
- Semi truck accidents and tractor trailer collisions
- Commercial truck and delivery vehicle accidents
- Jackknife truck accidents where the truck's trailer swings out of control
- Garbage truck and sanitation truck accidents
- Tow truck accidents
- Large truck rollovers and multi-vehicle collisions
- Accidents involving hazardous materials spills
- Accidents caused by improperly loaded cargo
Whether the accident happened on the highway, a busy Manhattan street, or anywhere else in the five boroughs, we're here to help.
Common Causes of NYC Truck Accidents
Most NYC truck accidents are caused by driver fatigue, negligence, or violations of New York trucking regulations. Common contributing factors include:
- Driver fatigue from hours-of-service violations
- Distracted driving, including phone use behind the wheel
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Safety violations and failure to follow federal and state regulations
- Poor vehicle maintenance including brake failures and mechanical defects
- Improperly loaded cargo causing trucks to lose control
- Negligent hiring or inadequate specialized training
- Violations of commercial driver's license requirements
When a negligent truck driver or their employer causes a truck crash, truck accident victims have the right to pursue compensation for their injuries and losses.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
Given the size and weight of commercial trucks compared to passenger vehicles, serious injuries are common when a collision occurs. Injury victims we represent have suffered:
- Catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and lacerations
- Burns and internal organ damage
- Severe injuries requiring long-term rehabilitation
- Physical injuries causing permanent disability
- Wrongful death
Some of these injuries heal with time. Others create lifelong conditions that affect your ability to work, support your family, and enjoy the life you built. If injuries from a truck accident are impacting your daily life, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
What You Can Recover
A successful truck accident lawsuit can help you pursue compensation for both the immediate and long-term impact of your injuries. That may include:
- Medical bills and future medical costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Wrongful death damages if a family member was killed in the accident
If the accident resulted in a fatality, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a separate claim. Our New York wrongful death lawyers handle these cases with the same commitment to fair compensation.
Our legal team gathers police reports, driver logs, medical records, surveillance footage, and other critical evidence to build the strongest possible case. We know the insurance company will work to minimize what they pay. We work to make sure that doesn't happen.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a NYC Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases often involve more than one liable party. Depending on the circumstances of the truck crash, responsible parties could include:
- The truck driver: A negligent truck driver who was speeding, experiencing driver fatigue, or distracted driving can be held personally liable.
- The trucking company: Negligent trucking companies that failed to maintain their fleet, violated trucking regulations, forced drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, or engaged in negligent hiring can share liability.
- The manufacturer: If a defect in the commercial truck or its components contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held accountable.
- Cargo loaders: When improperly loaded cargo causes a truck crash, the party responsible for loading may also share liability.
Our New York City truck accident attorneys investigate every angle to identify all responsible parties and build the strongest possible truck accident claim.
How New York Law Affects Your Truck Accident Case
New York is a no-fault state, meaning truck accident victims must first file a claim through their own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. However, when serious injuries exceed PIP limits, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties.
New York also follows pure comparative negligence rules, meaning your maximum compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 20% at fault on a $100,000 claim, you would receive $80,000. Our truck accident attorneys work to ensure fault is assigned accurately so your recovery reflects what truly happened.
Commercial vehicles operating in New York are subject to both New York trucking regulations and federal and state regulations governing hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo loading. When violations of these regulations contribute to a truck crash, they become critical evidence in your truck accident case. Our legal team knows how to obtain driver logs, inspection records, and other documentation that establishes negligence.
When government entities such as city agencies operating sanitation trucks or tow trucks are involved, strict notice requirements apply. Claims must be filed within 90 days of the accident date. Connecting with a truck accident lawyer in NYC as early as possible is critical.
Why Families Choose Ward Law
We handle every NYC truck accident case on a contingency fee basis, so there is no financial risk to seeking help. We offer a free consultation in both English and Spanish, and our NYC truck accident attorneys are available around the clock.
Ward Law has recovered nearly $1 billion in compensation for injury victims across New York City and beyond. We've built our firm on the belief that justice belongs to everyone, and we bring that commitment to every truck accident case we handle.
Contact a New York City Truck Accident Lawyer Today
You shouldn't have to face truck accident litigation alone. Whether you need to file a truck accident claim, establish negligence against a trucking company or manufacturer, or simply want to understand your options, Ward Law is ready to help.
Our New York personal injury attorneys serve truck accident victims across the five boroughs with compassion, experience, and a commitment to maximum compensation. Every consultation is free and you won't pay anything unless we win your case.
Call 855-DOLOR-55 or schedule your consultation online today. We're here for you.
New York City Truck Accident FAQs
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Depending on the circumstances of the truck crash, liable parties could include the negligent truck driver, the trucking company, the vehicle manufacturer, or cargo loaders. Truck accident cases in New York often involve multiple defendants, which is why having an experienced New York City truck accident attorney who knows how to investigate every angle matters.
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Truck accident victims may be entitled to recover medical bills, future medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. Cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death tend to recover more. The best way to understand what your NYC truck accident case may be worth is to speak with a New York truck accident lawyer during a free consultation.
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New York follows pure comparative negligence rules, meaning your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found partially responsible for the accident, you can still pursue compensation, but the amount will be adjusted accordingly. Our New York City truck accident lawyers work to ensure fault is assigned accurately so your recovery reflects what truly happened.
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Commercial vehicles operate under a complex set of federal and state regulations that don’t apply to standard motor vehicle accident cases. Truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties, specialized evidence like driver logs and inspection records, and trucking regulations violations that require experienced handling. A truck accident lawyer in New York City who understands these complexities can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.


