Why Choose The Sanders Firm To Handle Your Truck Accident Case?
Founded in 1967, our firm has been fighting for injured New Yorkers for nearly 60 years. In that time, we’ve recovered billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.
Trucking companies have powerful insurers behind them, and we’re prepared to match their strength at every turn. Our personal injury attorneys build every case as if it will go to trial, and we’re not afraid to file a lawsuit when necessary. We take a litigation-forward approach that makes it clear to insurance companies that we won’t accept less than our clients deserve.
We credit our legacy of results to our unique combination of relentless NYC grit and a human-centric approach. Our team offers clear communication and accessible representation in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Korean, and other languages to meet the needs of our city’s diverse population. We encourage open dialogue and are available 24/7 to provide personalized attention during the challenging aftermath of a serious truck accident injury.
What Our Clients Have To Say About Working With Us
Our clients’ testimonials reflect the care and determination we bring to every case:
I highly recommend Sanders Law Firm.
Thank you very much, Kalant team, you did a fantastic job. Thank you, Ali, I am so grateful to you!!
Bacho W.
Great experience working with them.
They really helped me with my case. They are the best lawyers.
Villy L.
Thank you so much for all your hard work.
Best attorneys in the nation, they are so kind and professional.
Elizabeth H.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in New York City?
While total traffic injuries in New York City dropped 7.7% from 2024 to 2025, accidents involving trucks remain a significant source of serious harm. In 2025 alone, there were at least 1,402 crashes involving large commercial vehicles across the city. Of those collisions, 526 caused injuries, and three resulted in death.
Manhattan has the highest density of truck routes of the five boroughs. More than 70% of the borough’s fatal pedestrian and bicycle crashes happen on these routes. While not all of these crashes involve large trucks, this data reflects the heightened risk on roadways where heavy vehicle traffic overlaps with dense foot traffic.
Common Causes of NYC Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in New York City are often the result of preventable issues tied to negligent behavior.
Distracted Driving
Texting, eating, or adjusting navigation can take a truck driver’s attention off the road long enough to delay their response to a hazard. Because large trucks require more time and distance to stop, even a brief moment of distraction can lead to a serious collision. For example, a driver looking down at a GPS on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway may fail to notice stopped traffic ahead and rear-end another vehicle.
Poor Truck Maintenance
When a trucking company neglects maintenance, issues such as worn brakes or tire blowouts can cause the vehicle to lose control. For instance, a dump truck with faulty brakes approaching the Holland Tunnel may be unable to slow down before crashing into a vehicle that has slowed.
Reckless Driving
Speeding and aggressive lane changes are particularly dangerous in tight, congested areas. A truck that forces its way into a lane without enough space can sideswipe another vehicle, causing it to spin out of control. In another scenario, a commercial vehicle driver may fail to check their blind spot while changing lanes on Queens Boulevard and strike a motorcyclist, resulting in broken bones and a traumatic brain injury.
Weather Conditions
Rain, fog, snow, and ice can reduce visibility or cause a truck to skid. This risk is amplified for large trucks, which are harder to control on slippery roadways. When heavy rain suddenly impedes a driver’s visibility on busy urban roads like 42nd Street, they may lose sight of nearby vehicles and react too late to avoid a crash.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers often face long hours on the road, which can lead to exhaustion. Fatigue slows reaction time and affects judgment in critical moments, which may cause a driver on the Cross Bronx Expressway to drift into another lane unintentionally and collide with multiple oncoming vehicles.
Trucking Regulation Violations
Many truck crashes occur when drivers or trucking companies violate local and federal safety regulations. For example, Hours of Service limits are designed to prevent fatigued driving, yet some drivers exceed them to meet tight deadlines. Violations of federal vehicle maintenance guidelines can also contribute to accidents.
Size and weight restrictions also play a role in many collisions—when cargo loaders overload a vehicle, drivers may have a harder time controlling the vehicle and might require more distance to stop. In addition, Manhattan has strict restrictions on the routes commercial vehicles can take to keep them away from densely populated areas. Trucks must use only designated truck routes, and ignoring those restrictions can result in large vehicles being routed onto narrow streets not built to handle them.
Who May Be Liable for a Truck Accident in NYC?
Commercial trucking often involves a large, complex chain of command. Any party involved in any stage of a truck’s operations could be liable for an accident if their negligence contributes to a crash, including:
- The truck driver: A driver may be liable if they failed to drive safely, such as by texting while driving on FDR Drive and causing a rear-end collision.
- The trucking company: A company may be responsible if it failed to properly train drivers, enforce safety rules, maintain its fleet, or vet drivers before hiring.
- The manufacturer: If a defective vehicle part contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be liable.
- Government agencies: In some cases, New York City or New York State may share liability if it was responsible for dangerous road conditions that led to the crash.
- Third parties: Other drivers or pedestrians may be at fault. For instance, a driver who cuts off a truck on the Manhattan Bridge may be liable if they then collide with the vehicle.
We Have Your Back
Founded in 1967, The Sanders Law Firm has grown into a large, thriving organization of attorneys, paralegals, medical consultants, and support staff – all committed to providing the highest level of legal representation to injured New Yorkers.
What Type of Compensation May Be Available After a Truck Accident?
If you were injured in a commercial vehicle accident, you may be entitled to two types of compensation: economic damages and non-economic damages. Some cases also qualify for punitive damages, but they are less common.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial losses related to the accident. For example, if you suffered a herniated disc after being rear-ended by a large commercial vehicle, you may pursue compensation for your past and future medical expenses. Your economic damages may also cover your vehicle damage and any income you lost because your injuries limited your ability to work.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the personal impact of the crash. A pedestrian who suffers a spinal cord injury after being struck by a truck might experience significant physical pain and emotional trauma, and both of those losses are compensable in catastrophic injury cases. Non-economic damages may also include loss of enjoyment of life if the injury prevents you from participating in activities you previously enjoyed.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless behavior or intentional harm. These may apply if a trucking company knowingly ignored safety regulations or if a truck driver drove while intoxicated.
What Laws Might Affect Your New York Truck Accident Claim?
Several state laws can impact your right to recover compensation after a truck crash in New York City.
Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
New York’s personal injury statute of limitations is generally three years. That means you must typically file a lawsuit within three years of the date of the crash to pursue compensation for your injuries. However, shorter or different deadlines may apply, including in wrongful death claims and claims against government entities. Our New York City truck accident lawyers are prepared to keep close track of your case’s deadline and work diligently to file your lawsuit before time runs out.
No-Fault System
Under New York’s no-fault insurance system, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. If your injuries meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold, you may step outside the no-fault system and file a fault-based lawsuit for additional compensation.
Comparative Negligence Law
If you’re eligible to file a fault-based lawsuit, each party involved in the crash will be assigned a percentage of fault based on how their actions contributed to the crash. If you were more than 50% at fault you cannot recover compensation, but if your percentage of fault is 50% or less, you still have a case. This comparative negligence system allows you to recover compensation if someone else was primarily at fault for the accident, but your compensation will be reduced based on your own share of fault.
How Our NYC Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help After an Accident
When you turn to our attorneys, we’ll pursue maximum compensation on your behalf while you focus on recovering. You can trust our team to handle every aspect of the legal process with care and precision, including:
- Investigating the circumstances that contributed to the crash and gathering strong evidence
- Identifying all liable parties
- Calculating the full extent of your losses
- Collaborating with our in-house medical consultants and other expert witnesses
- Determining whether you’re eligible to step outside New York’s no-fault system
- Negotiating a fair settlement with insurance companies
- Filing a lawsuit and representing you in trial if the insurer refuses to settle for what your case is worth
Along the way, we’ll provide clear communication so you’re never left wondering where you stand. Schedule a free consultation today by calling (833) SANDERS or completing our online contact form. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you explore your options.