Tracy L. Mauler, 57, of Saranac Lake, died and 84-year-old Beverly A. Pickreign, was critically injured in a truck accident after a tractor-trailer went out of control and jackknifed on New York State Route 73 the afternoon of Nov. 17. According to the New York State Police website, the tractor-trailer operated by Samuel L. Stoner, 35, was traveling east on NYS Route 73 when the driver lost control due to slush on the roadway.
Truck Accident Investigation
The trailer jackknifed and entered the westbound lane. At the time, a sedan operated by Mauler traveling westbound, was unable to avoid the jackknifed tractor-trailer, resulting in a collision, officials said. A vehicle traveling behind Mauler also struck the tractor-trailer and came to rest after hitting a rock wall. The occupants in that vehicle as well as Stoner were uninjured.
Pickreign, who was Mauler’s passenger, was transported to UVM Medical Center in critical condition. Mauler, who was unresponsive at the scene, was pronounced dead by the Essex County Coroner. This fatal truck accident is still under investigation. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Tracy Mauler for their tragic loss.
Causes and Dangers of Jackknifing Accidents
Tractor-trailer jackknifing accidents occur when the trailer swings out from behind the cab at a sharp angle, forming a shape similar to a folding pocketknife. Such accidents tend to occur when a truck’s wheels lose traction or the driver loses control. Jackknife accidents are especially dangerous because they can unfold in seconds, leaving other motorists with little time to react.
One common cause of jackknifing is braking improperly, especially during emergency stops. When a driver brakes too hard — particularly on wet, icy, or uneven pavement — the trailer can skid and swing outward. Speeding, taking curves too quickly or descending steep hills without proper gear control also increase the risk. Mechanical failures such as worn brakes, malfunctioning anti-lock braking systems (ABS) or uneven cargo loading can further destabilize the truck. Additionally, driver fatigue plays a significant role because tired drivers tend to react more slowly to hazards, making it harder to maintain control during sudden changes in traffic or weather conditions.
The dangers to others on the road are severe. A jackknifed tractor-trailer can block multiple lanes of traffic, creating a massive obstacle that smaller vehicles may not be able to avoid. The swinging trailer can strike nearby cars with tremendous force, leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. These crashes often trigger multi-vehicle pileups, especially on highways where traffic moves at higher speeds. Spilled cargo, fuel leaks and debris can create secondary hazards, making rescue efforts more challenging. Because of their size and weight, tractor-trailers have little margin for error. When they jackknife, the consequences extend far beyond the truck driver, putting everyone on the roadway at risk.
Who is Liable for a Truck Driver’s Negligence?
When a truck driver’s negligence (carelessness) causes an accident, several parties may be held liable depending on the circumstances. The primary responsibility often falls on the truck driver if their actions such as speeding, distracted driving or improper lane changes, caused the collision.
However, liability may extend beyond the driver. The trucking company can be held accountable under the legal principle of vicarious liability if the driver was acting within the scope of their employment when the accident occurred. Additionally, trucking companies may face direct liability if they failed to properly train or supervise the driver or for negligently retaining the driver, ignored safety regulations, or allowed unsafe practices such as exceeding hours-of-service limits. Determining liability in truck accidents often requires a thorough investigation, including examining driver logs, maintenance records and company policies. An experienced New York truck accident lawyer can help injured victims and their families pursue their legal rights and secure maximum compensation in such cases.
Contacting an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
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. It is in the best interest of injured victims and their families in such cases to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before contacting the people responsible for the injuries, and definitely before contacting or communicating with any insurance company, or their lawyers, investigators, or adjusters.
For over 54 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. We also recovered $1,500,000 for a lady who was hurt by a bus.
We also obtained $295,000 out of a $300,000 insurance policy in compensation for the victim of a bicycle dooring accident (where a car door opens into the path of a bicyclist). 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. Also, we got a $1,400,000 verdict in a motorcycle accident.
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://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-investigate-fatal-collision-town-keene