Albany Trucking Accident Lawyer Protecting Injured People
A collision with a tractor-trailer can cause severe injuries in seconds. Medical bills may grow while you are unable to work, and several insurance companies may begin protecting their own interests.
I am Robert A. Becher, an experienced Albany trucking accident lawyer. For decades, I have represented injured people throughout the Capital District and Upstate New York. I investigate serious crashes, identify every responsible party and pursue the compensation my clients need to move forward.
Who Is Liable In An Albany Truck Accident?
Commercial truck claims are often more complex than passenger vehicle cases. The truck driver may have caused the collision by speeding, driving while tired or following too closely. However, the investigation should not stop there.
Other potentially liable parties may include:
- A trucking company that hired an unsafe driver
- A fleet owner that failed to enforce safety rules
- A maintenance contractor that performed poor repairs
- A cargo company that overloaded or improperly secured a trailer
- A manufacturer that supplied defective brakes, tires or other parts
A trucking company may also be responsible for pressure placed on drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules. I examine employment records, company policies and safety practices to determine whether corporate decisions contributed to the crash.
Critical Evidence To Preserve After A Truck Crash on I-87, I-90 or the NYS Thruway
Truck accident evidence can disappear quickly. The truck’s engine control module, often called its black box, may contain details about speed, braking and engine activity. Electronic logging devices can show driving hours, rest periods and possible hours-of-service violations.
Other important records may include:
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance reports
- Driver qualification and training files
- Dispatch instructions and delivery schedules
- Cellphone or onboard communication records
- Cargo loading documents
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
Federal rules generally require carriers to retain electronic driver logs for six months, but other records may be kept for different periods. A prompt preservation letter can direct the trucking company and other parties to protect relevant evidence. Acting quickly is especially important after a collision on busy routes such as the I-87 Northway, I-90 corridor or New York State Thruway.
How New York’s Comparative Negligence Laws Affect Your Commercial Truck Claim
Insurance companies often argue that an injured driver changed lanes improperly, followed too closely or failed to avoid the truck. Being accused of partial fault does not automatically end every claim.
Under New York CPLR § 1411, fault may reduce the compensation an injured person can recover. Current law also includes additional limits for certain personal injury claims governed by New York’s no-fault insurance laws. The outcome can depend on the percentage of fault assigned to each party and the type of damages being pursued.
I gather physical evidence, witness statements, electronic records and expert analysis to challenge unfair blame. You should not accept an insurer’s fault determination without first obtaining legal advice.
Speak With A Proven Legal Ally For The Injured
I provide direct, personal representation to people hurt in 18-wheeler and tractor-trailer collisions in Albany or anywhere throughout Central or Upstate New York. Call Robert A. Becher, Attorney at Law, at 518-436-9525 or send me an email to arrange a free consultation. You will not owe an attorney’s fee unless I recover compensation for you.