Loose Boat Trailer Fatally Strikes Bicyclist in Staten Island

 A 21-year-old woman died from injuries she suffered after a boat trailer hitched to a truck came loose on a Staten Island street and slammed into two bicyclists. According to a report in the New York Daily News, a black Toyota truck was towing a 22-foot Trophy fishing boat on Hyland Boulevard in Great Kills when the trailer slipped its hitch and veered into two women riding bicycles. The truck stopped about 100 feet away from the scene of the collision. The women, 21 and 22, fell off their bicycles and were seriously injured.

Both were rushed to a local hospital where the younger woman died from her injuries. The other victim is expected to survive. The Daily News reports that the hitch used to tow the boat was “modified in some way.” Police said the boat came unhitched from the trailer because it was not properly secured. The driver remained at the scene. It is not clear if he would face charges. The investigation is ongoing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased victim and the other woman who has been injured.
Runaway Trailer Accidents
Trailers can pose a serious hazard on our nation’s roadways and highways. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s statistics, in 2008, there were 3,350 towing-related fatal accidents nationwide, in which more than 3,880 people were killed. In 2008, more than 9 percent of all fatal accidents involved runaway trailers. Since then, towing-related accidents have declined nationwide, dropping by 20 percent from 2008 to 2011.
In 2011, there were fewer than 2,680 towing-related fatal accidents. The death toll that year was 3,064. Also, in 2011, trailers were involved in about 8 percent of all fatal accidents. From 2008 to 2011, there were more than 11,660 towing-related traffic accidents, in which more than 13,440 people were killed.
Why Trailers Come Unhitched
There are many different reasons why trailers come unhitched from their tow. In some cases, there is a defect in one of the components of the hitch or mount. In other cases, corrosion, cracks or rust may have weakened the parts or have caused them to break. There have been many complaints about vehicles in which the weld sites of trailer hitches have cracked making towing extremely risky and dangerous.
Often times, the trailer is not properly secured to a hitch. Trailers can also come loose due to reckless vehicle operation, mechanical failure, improper repairs, component failure, lack of proper maintenance, inexperienced operator and overloading or uneven load distribution. A runaway trailer accident can be prevented by diligent maintenance and careful inspection before the truck or vehicle leaves on a trip, and at regular intervals during long trips.
Serious Injuries and Damages
In cases where a trailer comes loose from the vehicle pulling it, the trailer is basically like a projectile hurtling out of control putting anyone in its path in serious danger. Runaway trailer accidents often involve multiple drivers and result in catastrophic injuries or even death. Victims suffer major, life-changing injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, broken bones, amputations and internal organ damage.
All drivers, including commercial truckers – have a duty and a legal responsibility to ensure that these trailers are properly secured to their vehicles. When a runaway trailer accident occurs as the result of a defective product or part, the manufacturer can be held accountable for the injuries, damages and losses caused.
If the truck driver was on the job during a trailer-related accident, his or her employer can also be held liable. There may be several liable parties in these types of cases including the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the truck and/or trailer, the shipping company, the manufacturer of the truck or trailer, the mechanic/technician and/or maintenance company who worked on the rig, and any other person or company who caused or contributed to the accident. In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families of deceased victims can also seek compensation by filing a wrongful death claim.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a truck accident or an accident involving a dangerous trailer, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. We recently recovered $5,600,000 and $2,550,000 for victims of truck accidents.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: New York Daily News