Truck accidents often wreak far more damage to victims simply because of the size of them. Depending on where you’re driving on the road, trucks can weigh anywhere from 26,000-33,000 pounds, making them a dangerous weapon on the road. There are about 4,000 people killed and 130,000 injured in truck accidents in the United States every year, and the trucking industry is only continuing to grow.
New York City is known for its dense population, making it particularly difficult for drivers to stay safe on the road. Whether it is due to traffic, weather, or the number of street inclines on a driver’s route, the average amount of traffic accidents in New York is generally higher than in other states. When these unfortunate incidents occur, it is vital to have a powerful New York truck accident attorney at your side. Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP fights personal injury cases and specializes in truck accident and traffic accident law. Our knowledgeable attorneys understand New York traffic guidelines and will fight hard to earn you the compensation you need and deserve. Call (212) 986-7353 for a consultation about your specific case.
What is a Runaway Truck Accident?
Runaway truck accidents happen when a truck’s brakes malfunction and a driver loses control of their vehicle, usually while traveling downhill. Driving down a slope creates a potentially life-threatening situation for truck drivers as the weight behind the truck can add extra strain on the brakes causing them to snap.
There can be many causes of runaway truck accidents that include:
Unsafe Roads. This can be due to limited space, road construction, incorrect signage, lousy lighting, improper fencing, and city worker or animal interference.
Bad Weather Conditions. Driving downhill is always dangerous, especially when you are backed with a lot of weight. Rain, snow, and sleet can drastically increase the chances of an accident but do not exclude the driver from fault.
Truck Company Negligence. Failure to do routine checks on trucking equipment may leave the company liable for damages in case of an accident. Some of these checks include:
- Regular brake maintenance, which is required by federal law
- Standard or routine drug testing on truck operators
- Background checks of drivers and employees before hiring
- Truck weight checks for overloading
Truck Driver Negligence. There are many forms of driver negligence or reasons a driver may otherwise be held responsible for the damages caused in an accident. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, 83% of all truck crashes in 2014 were caused by human error. This can include:
- Driver fatigue
- Truck overloading
- Substance abuse
- Driver inexperience
How Our New York Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
A runaway truck accident can cause immense damage that can last a lifetime, stingy insurance companies and manipulative trucking industry practices threaten to stand between victims and the compensation they need. If you believe that you have suffered from an accident caused by the negligence of truck driver, then you may be entitled to financial compensation. Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP has an experienced team of professionals that will fight for your financial benefit. Contact (212) 986-7353 today to speak to a qualified specialist about your specific situation.