If you’ve been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, pursuing a claim can be challenging. These cases involve more than just traffic laws; they involve a complex system of federal and New York trucking regulations.
Commercial carriers, drivers, and freight companies must follow strict rules at every stage of transportation. When they break those rules, the resulting violations often reveal who caused the crash. An attorney who understands truck accident laws can spot these violations and explain how they affect your case.
At The Law Offices of Theodore A. Naima, we investigate every detail, uncover ignored safety protocols, and expose the mistakes that led to your injuries. We rely on solid evidence, not assumptions, to build your case and pursue the accountability you deserve.
Understanding Federal Regulations and Truck Accident Laws in New York
Two sets of laws and regulations apply to most truck crashes: the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSR) and New York State law.
FMCSR rules apply to commercial trucks engaged in interstate commerce. They cover everything from driver qualifications to service hours, maintenance, and cargo securement.
In New York, vehicle and traffic laws govern truck size, weight, and route limitations, while state transportation statutes grant regulatory oversight over motor carriers. These rules establish baseline safety standards for operating trucks within the state. Violating these truck accident laws in New York may form the basis of a civil claim.
Who Can Be Liable in a Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases frequently involve more than one liable party. In addition to the driver, responsibility may fall on:
- The trucking company,
- A third-party freight broker,
- A shipping or loading company, and
- A maintenance contractor.
Under New York law, an employer may be liable for an employee’s negligent conduct if it occurred within the scope of employment. That includes hiring unqualified drivers, failing safety checks, or ignoring known vehicle issues. Even when the truck driver caused the crash, their employer may share legal fault under negligent hiring, supervision, or retention theories.
How Truck Accident Laws Affect Fault and Compensation
Several laws impose affirmative duties on carriers, and breaching those duties can shift liability. For example, federal law limits how long a driver can operate without rest.
A violation of this rule that results in driver fatigue may support a negligence claim. Similarly, other regulations require regular vehicle inspections. Missing records or skipped maintenance may show a pattern of disregard for safety.
If the injured party can prove a regulatory violation occurred, the court may treat it as evidence of negligence per se. In some situations, the burden may shift to the trucking company to show that the violation did not cause the crash.
The Role of Insurance in Truck Crashes
Unlike passenger vehicles, commercial trucks are subject to federal insurance minimums. Most motor carriers must carry liability coverage of at least $750,000. New York also enforces compliance through its insurance and permitting rules. However, insurers may dispute which policy applies or whether a driver acted during employment.
Sorting through overlapping policies is often necessary to determine full compensation eligibility. These disputes can delay settlement or reduce what victims are offered, especially when multiple companies are involved.
Understanding how to handle insurance companies in these cases is essential. Truck accident cases hinge on what happened in the moment and whether the involved parties followed the law before the crash occurred. An experienced truck accident attorney can help identify every available policy and challenge attempts to shift or deny coverage.
Your Advocate in Complex Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident claims are rarely straightforward. Multiple parties, overlapping insurance policies, and layers of federal and state trucking laws all factor into who may be held responsible.
At the Law Offices of Theodore A. Naima, we understand the rules carriers must follow and can use those rules to help protect your interests and secure the compensation you need.
We’ll investigate every angle, from driver logs to maintenance records, to uncover whether any shortcuts played a role. Let our firm take on the legal pressure while you focus on recovery.
Resources:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA Regulations and Interpretations–49 CFR Parts 300-399, link.
- Hours of service of drivers, 49 C.F.R. Part 395 (2024), link.
- Financial responsibility, minimum levels, 49 CFR § 387.9 (2023), link.
Theodore A. Naima
Theodore A. Naima is the founding partner of the Law Offices of Theodore A. Naima, a Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice Law Firm based in New York. In 2015, Ted was awarded the prestigious AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the company that has long been recognized as setting the gold standard for lawyer ratings, signifying the highest degree of peer recognition and professional excellence.
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