Five people including an infant were injured in a truck accident after the trailers of a tandem FedEx tractor-trailer crashed on the New York State Thruway striking another disabled vehicle. According to a report in the Democrat and Chronicle, the tractor-trailer overturned leaving the rig dangling from a bridge the morning of March 14. Officials said the tractor-trailer also ended up sideswiping a disabled vehicle while going east on the highway.
Five people in all were injured including an infant in the vehicle and the truck driver. All are expected to survive. Officials said both trailers were empty at the time of the crash and that had they been full, the incident would not have been “survivable.” Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was injured in this crash.
Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Tractor-trailer crashes can be devastating due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. There are several common causes for these accidents, often resulting from a combination of human error, mechanical failure, and external factors:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue, impairing reaction times and decision-making abilities. Despite regulations on driving hours, some drivers may push themselves to meet tight deadlines, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Distracted driving: Distractions such as texting, using a phone, eating, or adjusting controls while driving can divert a driver’s attention from the road, potentially causing a collision. In the case of tractor-trailers, driver distraction can have particularly severe consequences.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to react to hazards and increases stopping distances, making it more likely for a tractor-trailer to be involved in a collision. Speeding is often compounded by factors such as pressure to meet delivery deadlines.
- Poor weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice, or fog can reduce visibility and traction, making it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles. Tractor-trailers, with their heavy loads, are particularly susceptible to losing control in inclement weather.
- Mechanical failures: Defective brakes, tire blowouts, steering malfunctions, and other mechanical issues can lead to accidents. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial for preventing these failures.
- Improper loading: Incorrectly loaded cargo can cause instability, leading to rollovers or jackknifing. Overloading or uneven distribution of weight can also affect a truck’s handling and braking ability.
Accidents caused by trucks often result in catastrophic or major injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord trauma, internal organ damage, multiple broken bones, amputations, etc. Such injuries can require significant medical treatment and rehabilitation and leave individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities that prevent them from working and earning an income.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Victims who have been injured in truck accidents may be able to seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families of deceased accident victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as lost future income, funeral costs, medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident caused by a negligent or careless driver, 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, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 52 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
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, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, 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.
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Source: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2024/03/14/ny-thruway-crash-leaves-tractor-trailer-dangling-off-bridge-near-rochester-new-york/72970866007/