I Rear-Ended a Semi-Truck in Manhattan: Can I Sue?

If you rear-ended a semi-truck in Manhattan, you may have experienced severe injuries and considerable vehicular damage. An accident like this can be traumatic, painful, and costly. But can it lead to compensation? This is an important question, and you should explore your legal options with an experienced truck accident attorney if you’re serious about pursuing positive outcomes.

Rear Vehicles Are Usually to Blame for Rear-Enders 

The general rule is simple: If you rear-end another vehicle, you are usually at fault. In the eyes of the law, all drivers must watch their speed and give other vehicles plenty of following distance. If you rear-ended another vehicle, the authorities will assume that you failed to do this. They might also assume that you were speeding or distracted before the impact. This rule applies to all kinds of vehicular collisions, including semi-truck crashes.

Was the Semi-Truck Parked Illegally? 

Many drivers in Manhattan park illegally. Although you might think that this is a very minor traffic infraction, the truth is that illegal parking can kill. This is especially true when it comes to large semi-trucks, which may block lanes when parked illegally.

If you rear-ended an illegally parked semi-truck, you might be able to argue that you were not to blame for the collision. This type of accident might happen on a highway, or it might happen in a more congested downtown area.

Truckers often park illegally on the shoulders of highways, and they may partially block lanes of travel in the process. This negligence can be particularly dangerous at night, as drivers may not see these parked semi-trucks until the last second.

Truckers might also park in more congested downtown areas when unloading their cargo. This applies not only to semi-trucks but also to box trucks, moving vans, and so on. If you impacted the back of a double-parked semi-truck, you could argue that the trucker caused the accident.

What if a Trucker Veered Into My Lane? 

If a trucker veered into your lane, you may not be to blame if you rear-ended the vehicle. There’s not much you can do in this situation, and the trucker could be held accountable for your resulting injuries. This is especially true if the trucker failed to signal before maneuvering. You might also face this situation if the trucker tried to merge onto a highway in a highly reckless manner.

Key Takeaways 

• The rear vehicle is usually at fault in a rear-ender
• You may be able to sue if the trucker parked illegally on the shoulder
• You might also sue if the trucker suddenly veered into your path

Can a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?

If you rear-ended a semi-truck in Manhattan, you shouldn’t give up on the possibility of a lawsuit until you speak with a lawyer. Although it’s true that rear-ending another vehicle is typically a sign of negligence, there are situations in which the trucker might be to blame. Consider discussing your situation with the New York accident lawyers at Cohan Law, PLLC today.

Source:

 dot.ny.gov/main/business-center/contractors/construction-division/construction-repository/MV-104A_Codes_N.pdfA