Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Serving New York

Protecting Your Rights After Catastrophic Truck Accidents

Big rig rollover accident lawyer handling truck rollover cases from driver inattention, texting and speeding

Accidents involving large commercial trucks, such as 18-wheelers, are among the most devastating on our roads. These massive vehicles, weighing up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, can cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities in collisions. Whether you were injured in a truck accident in New York, Attorney David P. Willis offers the expertise you need to secure justice and maximum compensation.

Licensed in New York and Texas, Willis brings over 40 years of experience to each case. As a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer since 1988, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a former attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas, Willis has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients nationwide.

Industries and Highways Contributing to New York Truck Accidents

New York’s economy relies on industries such as freight logistics, agriculture, and construction, all of which depend on commercial trucking. These industries operate across some of the state’s busiest highways, including:

  • I-87 (New York State Thruway): A critical route for freight haulers traveling between New York City and Albany.
  • I-90: A major corridor for trucks servicing Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.
  • I-495 (Long Island Expressway): Vital for delivery trucks servicing New York City and Long Island businesses.
  • I-81: Connects agricultural hubs and industrial zones in central and northern New York.
  • I-278 (Brooklyn-Queens Expressway): A key route for delivery vehicles in the NYC metro area.


Freight delivery companies like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon rely heavily on these highways, creating a constant flow of truck traffic. Tight delivery deadlines and urban congestion often lead to reckless driving behaviors, increasing the risk of accidents.

Why Truck Accidents Are So Devastating

The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make them inherently dangerous. A fully loaded truck is 20 times heavier than a standard passenger vehicle, resulting in devastating consequences when a collision occurs.

Common Scenarios in Truck Accidents:

  • Rollover Accidents: Improperly loaded cargo or sharp turns can cause trucks to overturn, blocking multiple lanes of traffic.
  • Jackknife Collisions: Truck driver speeding and sudden hits brakes causing the truck’s trailer to swing sideways, often leading to multi-vehicle crashes.
  • Underride Crashes: Smaller vehicles slide under a truck’s trailer, frequently resulting in fatalities.
  • Rear-End Collisions: Trucks require longer stopping distances, making rear-end crashes common in high-traffic areas.
  • Right-Turn Accidents: Tight turns in urban areas like Manhattan and Brooklyn often result in collisions with cyclists, pedestrians, or smaller vehicles.
Red semi-truck on highway—legal representation for truck accident injury victims
Truck accident lawyer near me helping clients recover from rollover injuries.

Federal Regulations and Violations

Truck accident cases are often complicated by violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, which govern the commercial trucking industry. Common violations include:

  1. Hours of Service (HOS) Rules: Drivers are limited in how long they can operate without rest to prevent fatigue. Violations, such as falsified logbooks, are a frequent cause of crashes.
  2. Vehicle Maintenance: Trucks must undergo regular inspections to ensure they are safe for operation. Brake failures and tire blowouts often occur due to negligence in maintenance.
  3. Cargo Securement: Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing rollovers or debris on the roadway.
  4. Driver Qualifications: All truck drivers must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and meet physical fitness standards.


Identifying violations of FMCSA regulations is a critical component of building a strong case. Attorney Willis’s extensive experience in uncovering these violations ensures that trucking companies are held accountable for their negligence.

Semi-truck accident attorneys proving negligence in trucking litigation

Speeding and Aggressive Driving in Truck Accidents

Speeding and aggressive driving are leading contributors to devastating truck accidents in New York. Truck drivers under pressure to meet tight delivery schedules or deadlines often exceed speed limits, tailgate other vehicles, or make reckless lane changes. These behaviors are even more dangerous when involving large commercial vehicles, which require much longer stopping distances and have slower maneuverability than passenger cars.

At highway speeds, the force of a collision involving an 18-wheeler can be catastrophic, leading to severe injuries or fatalities. Aggressive driving combined with the sheer size and weight of these trucks creates hazardous conditions, particularly on busy urban highways like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278) or the Long Island Expressway (I-495). Victims of such accidents often face life-altering injuries, making it essential to hold negligent drivers accountable for their reckless actions.

FMCSA and Hours of Service (HOS) Violations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces regulations designed to keep commercial trucking operations safe, with Hours of Service (HOS) rules being among the most critical. These regulations limit the number of hours a driver can operate without taking mandatory breaks, helping to prevent fatigue—a leading cause of truck accidents. Despite these rules, many drivers or their employers violate HOS standards by falsifying logbooks or exceeding driving limits to meet unrealistic delivery demands.

Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and are more prone to mistakes, significantly increasing the risk of crashes. Investigating potential HOS violations is a crucial part of building a strong case against negligent trucking companies. Attorney Willis has extensive experience uncovering these violations, ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable for endangering lives.

Illegal Parking on Highways Without Safety Measures

Illegal parking on highways is a serious and often overlooked hazard in truck accident cases. Commercial trucks frequently stop on shoulders or roadways without using required safety measures such as reflectors, warning lights, or flares. This negligence is especially dangerous at night when visibility is reduced, making these parked trucks nearly invisible to oncoming vehicles. Rear-end collisions and underride accidents, where smaller vehicles slide beneath the truck, are tragically common in these scenarios.

New York highways like I-87 and I-90 are particularly prone to these risks, with heavy truck traffic and limited space exacerbating the danger. Illegal parking not only violates FMCSA safety regulations but also puts all motorists at significant risk. Attorney Willis works tirelessly to expose such violations, securing justice and compensation for victims harmed by this preventable negligence.

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Truck Accidents Across New York

New York is a major hub for commerce, transportation, and logistics, with an extensive network of highways connecting urban centers, industrial zones, and rural areas. This state sees some of the nation’s highest rates of truck accidents, particularly in its most populated cities:

  • New York City: Busy highways like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278) and the Long Island Expressway (I-495) are frequently clogged with commercial delivery trucks, increasing crash risks.
  • Buffalo: Known for industrial activity, highways like I-90 and I-190 see heavy freight traffic.
  • Rochester: With major routes like I-490 and I-390, Rochester connects to regional agricultural and manufacturing zones.
  • Albany: Highways like I-87 and I-90 serve as critical corridors for government and commerce.
  • Syracuse: Positioned on I-81 and I-690, Syracuse experiences significant truck traffic through central New York.
  • Yonkers: Proximity to New York City and major roadways like the Saw Mill Parkway contributes to frequent accidents.
  • Schenectady, Utica, White Plains, and Binghamton also report consistent truck-related incidents, highlighting the statewide scope of this issue.

Common Industries Contributing to Truck Accidents

New York’s economy relies heavily on industries like logistics, agriculture, and manufacturing, all of which contribute to the high volume of commercial truck traffic.

  • Freight Delivery: Amazon, FedEx, and UPS operate thousands of trucks daily on highways like I-495 and I-87, often leading to crashes caused by tight schedules and driver fatigue.
  • Agriculture: Trucks transporting agricultural goods are common on rural highways in upstate New York, creating hazards for smaller vehicles.
  • Construction: Construction vehicles and flatbed trucks carrying heavy equipment frequently travel through urban and suburban areas, posing risks in work zones and narrow streets.
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Challenges of Truck Accident Cases

Aggressive Defense by Trucking Companies

Trucking companies and their insurers often act quickly to minimize liability. Their tactics include:

  • Deploying Rapid Response Teams: These teams gather evidence favorable to the company within hours of the crash.
  • Delaying or Tampering with Evidence: Critical evidence like black box data and driver logs may be altered or destroyed.
  • Pressuring Victims to Settle: Insurers often offer lowball settlements, hoping victims will accept less than they deserve.


Attorney Willis is prepared to counter these tactics by acting swiftly to preserve evidence, challenge defense strategies, and negotiate aggressively for fair compensation.

How Attorney Willis Helps Truck Accident Victims

Comprehensive Investigation

Our firm conducts a meticulous investigation to uncover the truth behind your accident. This includes:

  • Preserving Evidence: Issuing legal holds to secure black box data, maintenance records, and driver logs.
  • Accident Reconstruction: Collaborating with experts to analyze physical evidence and recreate the crash.
  • Witness Testimony: Interviewing eyewitnesses to strengthen your case.

Truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties, including:

  • Truck Drivers: For negligent actions such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving while fatigued.
  • Trucking Companies: For failing to maintain vehicles or hiring unqualified drivers.
  • Cargo Loaders: For improperly secured or overloaded cargo.
  • Manufacturers: For defective parts leading to mechanical failures.

Victims of truck accidents face significant financial and emotional challenges. Attorney Willis fights to recover:

  • Medical Expenses: Covering surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
  • Lost Wages: Including reduced earning capacity due to injuries.
  • Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
  • Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence by trucking companies.
Leading truck accident trial lawyer in Houston with proven results in trucking litigation with 40+ years experience

Why Choose New York & Texas Attorney David P. Willis?

  1. Proven Results: With over 40 years of experience, Willis has recovered hundreds of millions for clients.
  2. Dual Licensing: Licensed in both New York and Texas, Willis offers expertise tailored to two of the nation’s busiest trucking states.
  3. Board Certification: As a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer since 1988, Willis demonstrates unmatched expertise and dedication.
  4. Supreme Court of Texas: As a former attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas, Willis brings unparalleled legal insight to every case into the inner workings of the law and the appellate system at the highest levels.
  5. Trial-Ready Approach: Preparing every case as if it will go to trial ensures the best possible outcomes for clients. Prepare for War – Motto for over 40 years of Trial Practice

Truck Accident Attorney – Licensed in New York & Texas

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in New York, Attorney David P. Willis is here to help. With over four decades of experience and a track record of success, he has the expertise and resources to handle even the most complex cases.

Call 1-888-LAW-2040, visit with a NY Truck accident Attorney at law.net or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Let us handle the complexities of your case while you focus on recovery.