A truck accident, whether on the job or not needs to be handled by a Truck Accident Attorney. With a truck accident ticket on your record, you could be at risk of losing your job or even jail time. According to the United States Department of Transportation, 56,422 large trucks were involved in injury crashes with a large part of that statistic relating to fatal crashes. As a truck driver, you have to take extra precautions when you are on the highway. Failure to do so can result in a ticket or worse.
If you have been considered at fault for a truck accident, you will need to contact a trucking ticket attorney. At My Tickets NYC, we have seen plenty of drivers receive their share of accident tickets, and most of the time, the incident occurred from factors that were outside of their control. Talk to one of our lawyers to see how we can save you and your job from the repercussions of a truck accident ticket.
What Causes Truck Accidents
One of the best defenses a trucking ticket attorney can provide you with is lack of negligence. There can be extraneous circumstances that could have contributed to your accident. And sometimes, despite your best efforts, these conditions result in a truck accident. Because of the strict rules that a commercial truck driver must adhere to, it may seem reasonable to automatically assume that you are at fault. However, if these underlying conditions can be proven, it may just save you a ticket.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a common contributor for standard size vehicle accidents. However, if there is a distracted driver sharing the same highway as a commercial size vehicle, the result can be fatal. As long as you can prove reasonable care when driving around these types of drivers, the secondary driver should be found at fault.
Weather Conditions
New York’s seasonal weather conditions can be unpredictable. Truck drivers are instructed on how to drive carefully during these hazardous conditions, but sometimes that icy layer on the road can’t be avoided. Make sure you take into account the weather conditions and what actions you took in order to prevent the accident.
Aggressive Driving
There is no getting away from aggressive drivers, especially in New York. If you see someone driving recklessly on the highway, it is best to keep as far away from these vehicles as possible to prevent yourself from being involved in an accident. Remember that your vehicle can weigh 25 times more than theirs so you do not have as much control over your truck as they do.
New York Truck Accident Laws
New York is a no-fault state, however, federal law makes it so that commercial truck drivers must strictly adhere to company regulations. These regulations are enforced by law in the State of New York to prevent accidents from happening.
Company Rules and Regulations
Generally, companies have to maintain records of employee work hours, substance abuse, driving records and performance reviews. However, sometimes these rules are neglected by some companies and contribute to commercial vehicle accidents.
Speeding and Cautious Driving
As a commercial truck driver, you can get a speeding ticket for going 15 miles over the speed limit. More than one of these will result in a suspension of your license. Failure to drive cautiously and making harmless maneuvers like tailgating or improper lane changes can result in an accident. This is considered a serious traffic offense for anyone with a CDL.
What You Should Do After A Truck Accident
A truck accident is going to be scary. Because of the size of the vehicle, there is a higher chance of injury. Here are the first steps you need to take after being involved in an accident with your commercial vehicle:
Call 911
This is vital. You have ten days to turn in any information about the accident, and failure to do so can put you at risk of losing your license. It’s also important to call 911 to have police and medical records on file right away.
Start Collecting Evidence
After you’ve contacted the authorities, you will need to collect evidence. This includes the other driver’s license, vehicle, and contact information. Videos and photos will be especially telling when representing your case, so do your due diligence to gather as much “intel” as you can while on the scene of the truck accident.
Call A Truck Accident Attorney
A Truck Accident Attorney can help you save you your job, time, and money. Contact MyTicketsNYC in Queens for NYC’s best traffic ticket lawyers today at 917-426-2WIN (2946). Or email us at info@myticketsnyc.com for a free consultation today.