New York City Truck Accident Lawyer
If a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, or commercial truck struck you in New York City, the carrier’s insurer was already working against your claim before you reached the emergency room. Frekhtman & Associates has recovered more than $900 million for injured New Yorkers and has represented truck accident victims across all five boroughs for more than 25 years. Attorney Arkady Frekhtman and the team act within hours to preserve evidence and fight for full compensation.
New York City moves approximately 90% of its freight by truck, according to NYC DOT data. That means tens of thousands of commercial vehicles share the BQE, the Cross Bronx Expressway, and every delivery corridor across all five boroughs with motorists, residents, cyclists, and pedestrians.
If a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, dump truck, garbage truck, box truck, or delivery vehicle struck you in New York City, the outcome is rarely minor. The size and weight disparity produce catastrophic injuries. Behind every impact are mounting medical bills, lost income, permanent disability, and a trucking company whose insurance lawyers were assigned to your case before you reached the emergency room.
A New York City truck accident lawyer needs to move just as fast on your side. Attorney Arkady Frekhtman and the NYC personal injury attorneys at Frekhtman & Associates have represented truck accident victims across all five boroughs for over 25 years. Our attorneys handling 18-wheeler cases know how carriers hide evidence, which Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) violations they routinely commit, and how to use both against them in court. Our clients do not face these companies alone.
Why Clients Choose Frekhtman & Associates
| $900M+ Recovered | 25+ Years Fighting for NY Victims | $69.25M Largest Single Recovery |
| 300+ Five-Star Google Reviews | 9.9 Avvo Rating | National Top 100 Trial Lawyers | Free 24/7 Consultation – No Fees Unless We Win |
We are fluent in English and Russian, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fees unless we win. Call (866) 288-9529 now for a free consultation, available 24/7.
NYC Commercial Truck Crash. High Seven-Figure Settlement.
Amazing work on my bus accident case. I was a passenger on a New York City bus when a truck crashed into us. The law firm handled the case professionally. The end result was a high seven figure settlement. I'm recommending all my friends and family.
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle in New York City
No two truck crashes look the same, but they all produce the same result: catastrophic injuries that permanently alter lives and demand maximum compensation. The crash type determines which evidence we chase, which defendants we name, and which federal violations we assert.
Rear-End Truck Collisions
Fully loaded commercial trucks require significantly longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles. Truck driver fatigue, tailgating, deferred brake maintenance, and distracted driving all eliminate that margin. The resulting force produces traumatic brain injuries and spinal damage that permanently alter lives.
The trailer folds violently across multiple lanes with no warning. On the BQE or the Cross Bronx Expressway, vehicles at highway speed have nowhere to go. Brake system inspection and driver speed data must be secured before carriers overwrite or dispose of records.
Truck Blind Spot Accidents
Commercial trucks carry large no-zones on both sides, directly behind the trailer, and directly in front of the cab. Unsafe lane changes and failure to check mirrors before merging produce sideswipe and rear-end collisions.
Wide Turn Crashes
Large trucks swing wide into adjacent lanes to execute right turns. NYC’s narrow intersections leave cyclists, pedestrians, and passenger vehicles almost no margin to escape.
A passenger vehicle slides beneath the trailer, and the roofline is sheared off. These crashes involve defective rear guards, abrupt stops without warning, or trailers sitting in low-visibility conditions without required lighting.
Rollover Truck Accidents
Overloaded or improperly loaded trailers, excessive speed on expressway ramps, and emergency overcorrections all cause commercial vehicles to roll. NYC’s elevated interchange curves concentrate this risk.
Our attorneys handle every commercial vehicle type operating in New York City, including tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers, garbage and sanitation trucks, delivery and box trucks, dump trucks, tankers, flatbeds, and freight carriers.
If the vehicle that struck you or the accident type is not listed above, call us at (866) 288-9529. We evaluate the commercial truck accident claim of any kind operated by a company at no cost.
Watch: Why the "Blind Spot" Excuse Often Supports a Truck Driver Negligence Claim
Attorney Arkady Frekhtman explains why "I didn't see the car" is often evidence of negligence rather than a defense against it. Professional truck drivers are trained to continuously monitor surrounding vehicles, which means a passenger car does not simply appear in a blind zone.
How Our Attorneys Investigate Your Truck Accident
Every truck accident investigation we conduct begins within hours of the crash. The trucking company’s response team arrives at the scene almost immediately. Their purpose is to control the narrative before you have legal representation. We match that pace the moment you retain us.
For a detailed breakdown of evidence requirements specific to your case and how it helps in building a winning truck accident claim, see our guide to the evidence needed after a truck accident in New York.
Hurt in a Truck Crash in NYC? We Help You Get the Medical Care You Need, Too.
Many truck accident victims do not know where to find specialist care, how to pay for it before a settlement, or how to make sure their medical documentation holds up in litigation. Our team connects clients with physicians who have direct experience treating serious truck accident injuries. Your recovery and your case move forward together.
Call (866) 288-9529 now. Free consultation, 24/7.
She Was Rear-Ended by a Semi in the Bronx. We Found the Doctors. Then We Did Not Back Down.
I had a case in the Bronx where a semi truck rear-ended me. This firm helped me get the medical care I needed. They found excellent doctors and made sure everything was taken care of. Then when it came time to negotiate they did NOT back down. They fought hard for the maximum possible money for me and I was very happy with the final result.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a New York City Truck Accident
In most New York truck accidents, the driver is not the only party responsible. Identifying every liable defendant is one of the most consequential steps in a truck accident claim, and it requires an investigation that goes far beyond the police report. Each additional defendant represents a separate insurance policy and a larger potential recovery for your injuries.
The Truck Driver
Driver negligence is the starting point: hours-of-service violations, impaired operation, distracted driving, and failure to check mirrors. ELD records and the driver qualification file document these failures precisely.
The Trucking Company
Carriers bear direct liability for hiring qualified drivers, maintaining their fleet, and maintaining FMCSA compliance. When a company disregards prior safety violations, sets delivery timelines that pressure drivers to cut corners, or defers maintenance to reduce costs, the company itself is a named defendant.
The Graves Amendment and Leased Vehicles
Under the Graves Amendment to the Transportation Act, a company that rents or leases its vehicles to an independent operator generally cannot be held vicariously liable for that operator’s negligence. This protection applies only to businesses whose primary trade is renting or leasing vehicles, not to companies that incidentally lease out equipment as part of a different business. Whether the driver is a true employee or a contractor changes which legal doctrine applies and which defendant you can pursue.
Delivery Companies and the Gig Economy
Major carriers like Amazon have structured their delivery networks to classify drivers as independent contractors. Courts across the country are scrutinizing this structure, and in cases where the company exerts sufficient operational control, liability has been extended to the parent company. We investigate the real relationship, not the one the company describes in its contract.
Cargo Loaders and Freight Brokers
Improperly loaded or overweight cargo causes weight imbalance, trailer separation, and highway debris. The entity responsible for loading and documenting cargo shares liability when that cargo contributes to a crash.
Maintenance and Repair Contractors
Third-party shops that miss critical defects, perform negligent repairs, or install faulty components bear direct liability when that work contributes to a mechanical failure on New York City roads.
Truck and Parts Manufacturers
Defective brake systems, faulty tires, and inadequate underride guards support product liability claims against the manufacturer, independent of driver or carrier negligence.
Government Entities
Dangerous road design, missing signage, and failed traffic control can create government liability. Claims against any NYC agencies (NYPD, DSNY) and state authorities operating in the city, including the MTA, require a formal Notice of Claim served within 90 days of the crash, or the right to sue is lost.
Truck Accidents Are Their Specialty. They Hire the Best Experts and Spare No Expense.
I was very pleased to have worked with NY law firm, Frekhtman & Associates with a recent truck accident in which I got seriously hurt. The staff is very friendly. I have the utmost of confidence in their team. Truck accidents are their specialty. They know this area of law. They hire the best experts and spare no expense. This injury law firm is the real deal!
What to Do After a NYC Commercial Truck Crash
The 48 hours after a commercial truck crash are the most consequential hours of your entire case. The carrier’s response team is dispatched within hours of a collision. Their purpose is not to help you. It is to control the narrative and protect the insurance company. Every hour without legal representation is time they spend working against your claim. See what to do after an accident with a commercial truck in NYC:
Once you have taken these steps, our legal team takes over everything.
Injuries Caused by Commercial Truck Accidents in NYC
Commercial trucks cause injuries that standard car crashes rarely produce. According to FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2023, approximately 70 percent of those killed in large truck crashes were occupants of passenger vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists account for a further share. The vehicles that bear the least responsibility for these collisions absorb nearly all of the physical damage.
From concussions to permanent cognitive impairment, TBIs disrupt memory, mood, and the ability to work. Many truck accident TBI victims require lifelong care and are never able to return to their previous employment.
Impact-related fractures can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia, requiring extensive home modifications, round-the-clock assistance, and permanent lifestyle changes that no settlement figure can fully undo.
Ruptured fuel tanks lead to catastrophic burns requiring years of skin grafts and resulting in permanent scarring and restricted mobility.
Crush Injuries and Bone Fractures
The weight of a tractor-trailer can shatter bones and trap occupants, leading to surgical reconstruction, chronic pain, and a limited range of motion that persists for years.
Internal Organ Damage
Blunt force trauma causes silent internal bleeding and organ failure that requires immediate invasive surgery and prolonged hospitalization, often with complications that develop weeks later.
Amputations
Catastrophic impacts result in the loss of limbs, permanently altering a victim’s independence and requiring costly prosthetics, therapy, and adaptive equipment for life.
These life-altering injuries create legal claims against every party whose negligence contributed to your crash. Our legal team identifies all responsible parties and pursues maximum compensation for Staten Island truck accident victims.
These injuries produce lifetime costs that far exceed what initial insurance offers are designed to cover. For a breakdown of documented injury types and their settlement ranges in New York City truck cases, see common NYC truck accident injuries and settlement amounts.
Our attorneys handle catastrophic injury claims across all five boroughs. The severity of your injury determines the scope of your claim, and we build that scope from documented evidence, not from estimates.
Watch: What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in New York City?
Attorney Arkady Frekhtman walks through the carrier violations and driver failures behind the most serious commercial truck crashes in New York, and what each means for your claim.
What Compensation Can You Pursue After a NYC Truck Accident
New York law allows truck crash victims to recover full compensation for every documented loss. Commercial trucks carry higher minimum insurance policy limits than passenger vehicles, which means the potential recovery in a catastrophic truck accident case is substantially larger than in a standard car accident claim.
- All Medical Expenses: Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and all projected future treatment costs, calculated using expert medical testimony and life-care planning.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, limitations in daily activities, and emotional distress. New York allows full compensation for pain and suffering that meet the threshold under Insurance Law Section 5102(d), including TBI, paralysis, amputations, burns, and permanent disfigurement.
- Permanent Disability and Disfigurement: Loss of mobility, permanent scarring, inability to perform activities you previously enjoyed, and the loss of independence that requires ongoing assistance.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Income lost during recovery and the full projected gap between what you would have earned and what your injuries now allow you to earn, calculated using forensic economic analysis.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal property destroyed in the crash.
- Wrongful Death Damages: When a collision is fatal, our wrongful death attorneys help surviving families pursue compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the documented financial impact of that loss on surviving family members and dependents. New York wrongful death law focuses recovery on documented economic losses, including financial support, medical and funeral costs, and loss of services.
For a detailed discussion of what your specific claim may be worth, see how to estimate the value of your personal injury case.
Federal Trucking Regulations That Apply to Truck Accident Claims
When a commercial carrier violates Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and someone is injured as a result, those violations are not just paperwork failures. They are evidence of negligence that directly supports your claim. A complete reference to federal trucking regulations applicable to New York cases is available separately.
- Hours-of-Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395): Drivers are limited to specific on-duty and driving hours before mandatory rest periods. Carriers that allow or incentivize violations put exhausted drivers on the same roads as everyone else.
- Drug and Alcohol Testing (49 CFR Part 382): Pre-employment, post-crash, and random testing are federally required. When a carrier skips these requirements or ignores positive results, they place impaired drivers on New York City streets.
- Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection (49 CFR Part 396): Every commercial truck must be regularly inspected and maintained. Brake failures, blown tires, and mechanical breakdowns are rarely accidents. They are the product of deferred maintenance.
- Driver Qualification Requirements (49 CFR Part 391): Carriers must verify licensing, medical clearance, training history, and safety records before a driver operates a vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds. Rushing that process or ignoring red flags places unqualified drivers on public roads.
- Cargo Securement (49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I): Freight must be properly loaded and secured. When it isn’t, cargo shifts, spills onto highways, or causes rollovers, and the entity responsible for loading shares the liability.
Call (866) 288-9529 for a free case evaluation and find out how specific federal violations support your claim.
A Family Member Was Badly Hurt in a Truck Wreck. They Found This Firm Online. The Outcome Was Extraordinary.
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.
New York No-Fault Law and Your Right to Sue
New York is a “no-fault” state. Under New York’s no-fault insurance law, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays initial medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. You must submit your no-fault application within 30 days of the accident, or coverage can be denied entirely.
No-fault does not cover pain and suffering. To file a lawsuit for full damages, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law Section 5102(d). That threshold includes fractures, disfigurement, or dismemberment; permanent loss or significant limitation of a body function or system; and medically determined impairments preventing substantially all daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days following the crash. The full threshold also includes loss of a fetus and a permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member, a distinct category that applies when the limitation is medically significant and permanent.
What If You Are Partially at Fault?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation if you were partially responsible, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Example: If a jury awards $1,000,000 but finds you 30% at fault, you receive $700,000.
Trucking insurers aggressively weaponize this rule to shift blame and save money. We counter insurance company tactics using black box data, ELD records, and accident reconstruction to keep your fault percentage as low as possible.
Filing Deadlines in New York Truck Accident Cases
Missing a filing deadline in a New York truck accident case permanently eliminates your right to compensation in most situations. Limited exceptions exist, such as when the injured person is a minor or is mentally incapacitated, but you should never assume one applies to your case.
- Personal Injury: Most truck accident lawsuits must be filed within three years of the accident date under CPLR Section 214.
- Wrongful Death: Eligible families have two years from the date of death under EPTL Section 5-4.1.
- Government Claims: If the truck was operated by NYPD, DSNY, or the MTA, a Notice of Claim must be served within 90 days of the accident under General Municipal Law Section 50-e. Missing this deadline eliminates the claim entirely.
Evidence in NYC vanishes quickly. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses is routinely deleted within days. Under 49 CFR Section 395.8(k), carriers must retain ELD records for a minimum of six months. We act immediately to issue preservation letters that stop the carrier from destroying evidence. Learn how insurance companies use delay, deny, and defend tactics in truck accident claims and why acting immediately protects your recovery.
Do not wait. Call (866) 288-9529 now for a free, confidential case strategy session.
Motor Vehicle Case Results from Our NYC Practice
Commercial truck accident cases, which typically involve higher insurance limits, multiple corporate defendants, and catastrophic injuries, are among our most significant recoveries. The results below reflect documented motor vehicle cases handled by Frekhtman & Associates.
These results represent real recoveries for real clients. View our complete verdicts and settlements record for the full case history.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is unique and the value of any claim depends on its specific facts.
A Commercial Vehicle Box Truck Changed Her Life. The Settlement Far Exceeded Her Expectations.
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.
Personal Attention From Start to Finish. Always Available. Very Happy With the Outcome.
I was really pleased with the level of personal attention and care that my lawyer gave to my truck accident case. They were always available to answer my questions and provide updates, and I feel like they really had my best interests at heart. I'm very happy with the outcome of my case and would recommend them to anyone in need of a truck accident lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions About NYC Truck Accident Claims
Do I Need a Specialist Truck Accident Lawyer, or Can Any Personal Injury Attorney Handle My Case?
You need a specialist. Commercial truck claims involve FMCSA federal regulations, multiple corporate defendants, and evidence types that most general personal injury attorneys encounter rarely. Obtaining ELD data, subpoenaing carrier maintenance records, deposing a safety director, and retaining a biomechanical engineer to analyze crush damage requires a practice built specifically around trucking cases. A standard car accident attorney has none of that infrastructure.
How Long Will My Truck Accident Case Take to Resolve in NYC?
Most truck accident cases take one to three years to resolve, depending on injury severity, the number of liable parties, and whether the case goes to trial. Simple cases with clear liability and fully documented injuries may settle within 12 to 18 months. Catastrophic injury cases involving paralysis, TBI, or wrongful death that proceed to trial take two to four years. We do not pressure clients to settle before reaching maximum medical improvement, because early settlement consistently leaves compensation on the table.
How Much Is My NYC Truck Accident Case Worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, economic losses, available insurance coverage, and the number of liable parties. Catastrophic injuries from an 18-wheeler, including paralysis, traumatic brain injury, and amputation, typically result in multi-million dollar recoveries because of lifetime care requirements. An accurate case value requires a complete liability investigation and a full medical record review. No attorney can give you a reliable number at the first meeting, and any attorney who does is guessing.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company's First Settlement Offer?
No. First offers are designed to close your claim before you understand the full scope of your injuries, your permanent limitations, or your future medical costs. Once you sign a release, you cannot pursue additional compensation when complications develop or conditions worsen. Learn how insurance companies use the delay, deny, and defend strategy in truck accident claims and why first offers are almost never the right offers.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Have Pre-Existing Injuries?
Yes. The trucking company is liable for the full extent of harm caused by the crash, even if a pre-existing condition made you more susceptible to injury. What matters is proving that the truck accident aggravated, worsened, or accelerated your pre-existing condition. We work with medical experts to document that causation precisely and counter any attempt to attribute your current condition to what existed before the crash.
What If the Commercial Driver Did Not Receive a Traffic Ticket?
You can still recover full compensation. A police citation is helpful evidence but is not required to win your case. We conduct independent investigations using accident reconstruction experts, black box data, ELD records, driver qualification files, and witness statements to prove liability without relying on any citation.
Speak With a NYC Truck Accident Lawyer Today
The trucking company already has lawyers. They were assigned to your case before you left the emergency room. Their entire job is to pay you as little as possible, and they are very good at it.
Frekhtman & Associates has spent more than 25 years making sure that the fight is not one-sided. More than $900 million recovered. More than 300 clients left five-star reviews because we delivered when it mattered most. We do not settle for what the insurer offers. We settle for what the case is actually worth, and when they refuse, we go to trial.
Free consultation. Available 24/7. No fees unless we win.
Too injured to travel? We come to you. Hospital visits, home consultations, and video calls are available across all five boroughs, on your schedule.
Areas We Serve Across New York City
Frekhtman & Associates represents truck accident victims throughout New York City and the surrounding areas. Our trucking accident attorneys handle cases in every borough and understand the unique aspects of filing claims in each jurisdiction.
We serve clients in:
- Bronx Truck Accident Lawyer
- Brooklyn Truck Accident Lawyer
- Manhattan Truck Accident Lawyer
- Queens Truck Accident Lawyer
- Staten Island Truck Accident Lawyer
We also represent victims injured in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bus accidents, MTA accidents, train accidents, construction accidents, and boat accidents across all five boroughs and throughout New York State.
Contact For A Free Case Review
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. According to studies, victims represented by a personal injury lawyer receive higher settlement amounts compared to those who handle their cases independently. For a free case evaluation: