Janet Colon, 30, was critically injured in a truck accident after her car was hit and trapped on the Interstate 84 between two tractor trailers, WIBX reports. New York State Police troopers say their preliminary investigation showed that a big rig hit the woman’s vehicle from behind and pushed it into the back of a second tractor trailer. Colon became entrapped in her vehicle and had to be rescued by emergency workers and paramedics. Colon was flown to a regional hospital where she was listed in critical condition. The drivers of the two trucks were reportedly from New York and Texas respectively. So far, no tickets have been issued as the investigation is ongoing.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Due to the large size and weight of big rigs and truck, the consequences for smaller vehicles that are involved in collisions with trucks are usually devastating. Several factors contribute to truck accidents, posing risks to both truck drivers and other road users.
- Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road, tight schedules, and pressure to meet delivery deadlines can lead to driver fatigue. Fatigued truck drivers may experience impaired reaction times and reduced concentration, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Speeding: Excessive speed is a significant factor in many truck accidents. The sheer mass of trucks makes it difficult for them to stop quickly, and driving at higher speeds makes the issue worse. Speeding reduces the driver’s ability to react to unexpected situations and may increase the severity of collisions.
- Distracted driving: Distractions, such as mobile phone use, eating, or adjusting the radio, can divert a truck driver’s attention from the road. Distraction-related accidents are a growing concern as technology becomes more prevalent in the cab of trucks.
- Inadequate training: Insufficient training for truck drivers can lead to poor decision-making, improper vehicle handling, and inadequate responses to challenging road conditions. Proper training is crucial for ensuring safe driving practices. This means a trucking company/owner can be held accountable for negligent (careless) hiring and retention of its drivers or not training them properly to do their jobs.
- Poor weather conditions: Adverse weather, such as rain, snow, or fog, can significantly impact visibility and road conditions. Trucks require greater stopping distances, and reduced visibility increases the risk of accidents, especially when combined with driver error.
- Equipment failure: Mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, can lead to catastrophic accidents. Regular maintenance and thorough pre-trip inspections are crucial for preventing accidents caused by equipment failures.
- Improper loading: Incorrectly loaded or insecure cargo can lead to imbalances, causing the truck to tip over or jackknife. Proper loading and securing of cargo are essential to maintaining stability during transit.
- Aggressive Driving: Reckless or aggressive behaviors like tailgating, sudden lane changes, and road rage contribute to truck accidents. These actions can lead to collisions or force other drivers to take evasive measures, resulting in dangerous situations on the road.
Compensation for Injuries and Damages
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.
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.
Contacting an Experienced 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.
For over 53 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://wibx950.com/woman-entrapped-by-in-crash-sandwiched-by-two-tractor-trailers/