Brooklyn Truck Accident Lawyer
Based on 300+ reviews
Why Hire Our Brooklyn Truck Accident Lawyer?
Nearly $1 Billion Won
We’ve recovered almost $1 billion for injured clients across documented cases
Largest MVA Recovery
Media Recognition
We’ve been featured in national and local outlets including the New York Post, Daily Mail, and CBS New York
No Fee Unless We Win
Since 2000, Frekhtman & Associates has represented injury victims in truck accidents throughout Brooklyn, Kings County, and greater New York. Our Brooklyn truck accident lawyers handle cases involving 18-wheelers, big-rigs, tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, box trucks, tanker trucks, garbage trucks, and other commercial vehicles.
We have recovered over $900 million for injured clients, and our 4.8 Google rating reflects the trust people place in our team. When negligence, unsafe driving, poor maintenance, or trucking safety violations contribute to a crash, we pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Our Track Record:
- $900M+ recovered for injured clients
- $69.25M largest single motor vehicle accident verdict in New York
- 25+ years fighting for New York injury victims
- 300+ five-star Google reviews
- English and Russian spoken
- 9.9 Avvo rating | National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Featured in NY Post, Daily Mail, and CBS New York
Our attorneys investigate the crash, work to preserve key evidence, identify all liable parties, deal with trucking insurers and defense lawyers, and prepare cases for settlement or trial.
You don’t have to face powerful trucking corporations and their insurers alone. Get a free and confidential consultation with a Brooklyn truck accident attorney today – no obligation, no upfront cost.
Why Are Truck Accidents in Brooklyn, NY So Dangerous?
On Brooklyn roads, a collision with a commercial truck is rarely minor. Heavy freight traffic, dense intersections, and limited space make these crashes especially dangerous.
- Truck size and stopping distance: A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and needs far more distance to stop than a passenger vehicle. That makes sudden traffic slowdowns in Brooklyn much more dangerous.
- Blind spots and wide turns:Trucks have large blind zones and need extra room to turn. In Brooklyn traffic, that creates major risks during merges, lane changes, and right turns.
- Brooklyn traffic density: Brooklyn roads are crowded with cars, buses, delivery vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. When a truck driver has limited room to react, even a small mistake can cause a catastrophic crash.
- Freight-heavy Brooklyn roads: Truck traffic is especially relevant on routes like the BQE, Gowanus Expressway, Atlantic Avenue, and Flatbush Avenue Extension / connected truck-route roads. These corridors combine heavy commercial traffic with frequent merge points and tight urban driving conditions.
These crashes cause the greatest harm to people in smaller vehicles, pedestrians in crosswalks, cyclists riding beside turning trucks, and passengers exposed to high-force impact.
If I could give more stars, I would!
Working with Frekhtman & Associates was an absolute game-changer after my serious car accident involving a commercial vehicle box truck. Arkady and the entire team went above and beyond to ensure I received the compensation and justice I deserved. Their expertise and relentless advocacy resulted in a settlement that far exceeded my expectations.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Brooklyn?
Truck crashes happen because of preventable safety failures by drivers, trucking companies, or other responsible parties.
- Driver fatigue and HOS (Hours-of-Service) violations: FMCSA limits driving and on-duty hours because tired truck drivers are more likely to miss hazards and react too slowly.
- Distracted, impaired, or aggressive driving: Inattention, speeding, and unsafe driving behavior can quickly turn Brooklyn traffic into a high-impact crash.
- Unsafe lane changes, turns, and blind-spot errors: Large trucks need more room to merge and turn safely. FMCSA crash-causation analysis identifies inadequate surveillance as a key factor in serious truck crashes.
- Overloaded or poorly secured cargo: FMCSA cargo-securement rules are designed to prevent loads from shifting, spilling, or falling from a truck in transit.
- Poor maintenance or defective equipment: Brake problems, tire failures, steering issues, and skipped maintenance can make a truck much harder to control.
- Unqualified or poorly screened drivers: Commercial drivers must meet CDL and driver-qualification requirements. When a company puts an unqualified driver on the road, the crash risk goes up.
- FMCSA safety-rule violations: Truck crashes may also involve failures tied to drug and alcohol testing, driver qualification records, required inspections, and other federal safety rules.
Whether you were a driver caught in a truck’s blind spot, a pedestrian struck at a crosswalk, a cyclist sideswiped on a commercial corridor, or a passenger injured in a collision, if a commercial truck was involved, you may have a right to compensation. Our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers are ready to help.
What Types of Truck Accidents Are Common in Brooklyn, NY?
The type of truck crash matters because it changes how fault is investigated, what evidence matters most, and which parties may be liable.
- Jackknife crashes: The cab and trailer fold or swing out, which can block multiple lanes at once.
- Underride crashes: A smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a trailer, which can lead to devastating or fatal injuries.
- Wide-turn crashes: Large trucks need extra room to turn and may swing left before turning right, creating a squeeze zone near the curb.
- Blind-spot and sideswipe crashes: Large trucks have major blind spots, so unsafe lane changes can hit vehicles traveling beside them.
- Rollover crashes: A high center of gravity, shifting loads, speed, and curves or ramps can cause a truck to tip over.
- Rear-end collisions: Large trucks need more distance to stop, so traffic slowdowns can turn into high-force rear-end crashes.
- Cargo spill and overloaded-truck crashes: Improperly secured cargo can leak, spill, blow, or fall from a truck and trigger multi-vehicle collisions.
- Delivery truck crashes: Box trucks and local delivery vehicles create added risk near curbs, crosswalks, loading zones, and double-parked streets in dense Brooklyn neighborhoods.
- Head-on collisions: These crashes happen when a truck crosses into oncoming traffic and can cause extreme damage because of the size difference between vehicles.
- Tire blowout crashes: A tire failure can cause loss of control, flying debris, or a chain-reaction collision.
Each crash type can point to different evidence, safety failures, and liable parties.
What Injuries Are Common After a Brooklyn Truck Accident?
Truck crashes can leave victims with life-changing injuries because the force of impact is so much greater than in a typical passenger-vehicle collision. That harm can affect drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Head trauma can lead to concussions, memory problems, dizziness, and lasting cognitive issues.
- Spinal cord and back injuries: These injuries can cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, or permanent paralysis in severe cases.
- Fractures and crush injuries: Broken bones are common in high-force truck crashes and may require surgery, rehab, and time away from work.
- Internal injuries: Blunt-force trauma from a violent collision can damage internal organs and create life-threatening complications.
- Burns, lacerations, and nerve damage: Fires, sharp debris, and crushing impact can leave victims with painful injuries and long-term limitations.
- Amputations and fatal injuries: In the most severe crashes, victims may suffer permanent limb loss or fatal trauma, especially in underride or other catastrophic collisions.
Some injuries show up immediately. Others take hours or days to fully appear, which is why immediate medical care is so important after a truck crash.
A serious truck accident can turn your life upside down. Our experienced Brooklyn lawyers handle everything from investigation to settlement so you can focus on healing. Free case review.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Brooklyn Truck Crash?
Unlike most car accidents, truck accident cases may involve multiple parties sharing legal responsibility. Identifying each responsible party can make a major difference in the compensation available.
Depending on the facts, the potentially liable parties can be:
- The truck driver: The driver may be liable for speeding, distraction, impairment, unsafe lane changes, improper turns, or other negligent driving.
- The trucking company or carrier: The company may be liable if its driver caused the crash while working, or if poor hiring, training, supervision, scheduling, or safety compliance contributed to it. Employer liability can also apply when the driver was acting within the scope of the job.
- The truck or trailer owner: The owner is not always the same as the carrier. In some cases, a separate owner, leasing company, or fleet operator may share liability for the vehicle involved. New York’s owner-liability statute is especially important here.
- Cargo loaders and shippers: A loading company or shipper may be liable if shifting, overloaded, or poorly secured cargo caused or worsened the crash. FMCSA cargo-securement rules are meant to prevent cargo from leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling from a commercial vehicle.
- Maintenance and repair contractors: A third-party maintenance company may share liability if poor inspection, repair, or upkeep contributed to a brake failure, tire failure, steering problem, or other mechanical issue.
- Parts or vehicle manufacturers: A manufacturer may be liable if a defective tire, brake system, underride guard, steering component, or other part caused or worsened the crash.
- Government entities: A city, state, or public agency may be involved if a government-owned truck caused the crash or a dangerous roadway condition contributed to it.
Liability relies on evidence like police reports, black box data, driver records, hours-of-service logs, vehicle maintenance, cargo documentation, eyewitness statements, and crash reconstruction analysis. At Frekhtman & Associates, we investigate every potential angle of liability and pursue compensation for you.
A family member got into a wreck.
A truck was involved and the injuries were pretty bad. We found this firm online and from the start everything was handled professionally and diligently. The outcome was extraordinary. It's vital to hire a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of trucks and tractor trailers. These guys definitely know the ropes
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?
- Economic Damages cover measurable financial losses:
- Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, therapy, and ongoing treatment)
- Future medical costs and long-term rehabilitation needs
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage and out-of-pocket expenses
- Non-Economic Damages cover losses without a price tag:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Punitive Damages: Punitive awards are rare and may only apply in cases that prove the truck driver’s gross negligence (e.g., a driver exceeding federal hours-of-service limits or driving under the influence). These damages aim to punish egregious behavior and deter future misconduct.
- Wrongful Death Claims: If a loved one died as a result of a crash with an 18-wheeler, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, and conscious pain and suffering before death.
What Are the Truck Accident Laws and Filing Deadlines in Brooklyn, NY?
Before filing a truck accident lawsuit, it is crucial to understand New York’s legal regulations. Your ability to recover compensation may be permanently impacted if you miss a deadline or misinterpret how fault is determined.
- Lawsuit Deadlines: As per the New York Statute of Limitations, you generally have three years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (CPLR §214). Wrongful death claims carry a shorter two-year time limit to file (EPTL §5-4.1).
- Notice of Claim for Government-Owned Trucks: If the truck was operated by a New York City or state government entity (including NYC Sanitation or the MTA), you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident before any lawsuit can proceed. Claims against state entities follow separate procedures under the Court of Claims Act. Our truck crash attorneys can advise you on which rules apply to your case.
- Pure Comparative Fault: New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule (CPLR §1411), meaning fault can be shared between multiple parties, including the victim. Even if the claimant is partially at fault for the truck accident, they can still recover compensation. Damages are simply reduced by the percentage of responsibility.
Ready To Schedule Your No-Obligation Case Review?
After a serious truck accident, medical bills, lost income, and insurance pressure can build fast. You do not have to deal with the trucking company or its insurers alone. Frekhtman & Associates has recovered millions for injured New Yorkers, including a $69.25 million motor vehicle verdict, and we bring that same trial-ready approach to every truck accident case we handle.
Call us or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at a time that works for you.
Black box data can be overwritten within days. Traffic camera or nearby surveillance footage is often deleted within 30 to 60 days. While the legal window is three years, the evidence window is immediate.
FAQs After a Truck Accident
What To Do After a Truck Accident?
Following a traffic crash involving a truck, prioritize your safety first and follow these steps to take after a truck accident:
- Call 911: Report the crash, request medical help if needed, and get the police report number.
- Get medical care right away: Do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Some injuries take time to appear.
- Document the scene: Take photos or video of the truck, DOT number, license plates, vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
Get witness information: Names and contact details can become important if the fault is disputed. - Be careful with insurers: Do not give the trucking company’s insurer a recorded statement before speaking with a commercial truck dump lawyer.
- Contact a Brooklyn trucking injury lawyer: An attorney can help preserve black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and other evidence before it disappears.
What Should I Look For When Choosing a Truck Accident Attorney?
When choosing a truck accident attorney in Brooklyn, look for a firm with real experience handling commercial vehicle cases, proven results, trial readiness, clear communication, and a contingency fee structure. At Frekhtman & Associates, that means working with attorneys who understand how to investigate truck crashes, deal with trucking insurers, identify all liable parties, and build cases for full compensation. Our team combines results-driven advocacy with direct client communication, so you know where your case stands and what comes next.
How Long Will It Take To Resolve My Truck Accident Case?
The time it takes to settle a trucking claim depends on case complexity, injury severity, and whether liability is disputed. Straightforward cases can be resolved in a few months. Cases involving serious injuries, multiple defendants, or trials in the Kings County Supreme Court may take several years or longer.
Visit Our Brooklyn Office
Frekhtman & Associates
60 Bay 26th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11214
The Right Representation Near You
While it’s possible to handle a personal injury case on your own, having an experienced attorney by your side significantly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. We have our office located all over New York City, so you don’t have to worry about office visits. You can find and visit one of our offices near you.