New York Injury Talk Blog

A trailer being pulled by a dump truck separated from the truck and caused two NY vehicle accidents that injured 17 people near Syracuse. The Post-Standard reports that the raised box on the dump truck struck the Route 7 overpass while driving on the New York State Thruway in Manchester. The raised truck box then crashed to the ground.

As a consequence, a 47-year-old Brooklyn man driving a passenger van hit the fallen box. His van was carrying eight children and two adults. Two of the children in that van were airlifted to a local hospital with injuries. A second vehicle then hit the fallen dump truck box. A black SUV with three adults and four children collided with the box head-on.

Dangerous trailers that break loose on the freeway have had devastating consequences on our nation's roadways. These freeway vehicle accidents usually have deadly consequences. Some of the issues to investigate in such cases include whether the trailer was properly secured, and why a truck driver would drive under an overpass without knowing or understanding the height restriction. If the law was broken or if the truck driver or the truck's owner had been negligent, the injured victims could seek compensation from the trucking company.

Injured New York truck accident victims in cases where negligence is involved may be able to seek compensation to cover medical costs, loss of earnings and other related damages. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York truck accident, please contact the New York truck crash lawyers at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro LLP for a free and comprehensive consultation.

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Posted In: Truck Accidents

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A tractor-trailer was involved in a multi-vehicle auto accident in New York that killed a woman and her child in Bethpage. The New York Post reports that at least four vehicles were involved in the fatal tractor-trailer crash. The incident happened near a busy intersection. At this time, there is no official word as to how the crash happened, but it is believed that the tractor-trailer ran a red light and plowed into the other vehicles. It is not clear if there are other injuries in addition to the tragic death of the mother and her 11-year-old daughter.

Truck drivers are often asked to operate large vehicles and are required to work extremely long hours. Tired driving can sometimes lead to negligent driving and a truck driver's inattention can have devastating consequences. There are 150 fatal truck accidents in New York every year alone. In addition to fatigue, other common causes of tractor-trailer accidents in New York include alcohol or drug use, reckless driving and mechanical failure.

Continue reading "Long Island Tractor-Trailer Accident Kills Two" »

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Posted In: Truck Accidents

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A sanitation worker in Queens suffered fatal job injuries in Astoria when he was struck by a tractor trailer. The 41-year-old man, who was an 11-year veteran of the Department of Sanitation of New York, had just collected trash near the intersection of Ditmars Boulevard and 35th Street when the truck hit and killed him, according to a news report in the Queens Courier. The worker was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. It is not clear what caused the truck to strike the worker.

This is no doubt a tragic accident. However, in vehicular accidents that are caused by someone else's negligence, an injured victim or a deceased victim's family could file a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. When a person is fatally injured on-the-job, his family will be entitled to New York workers compensation benefits. However, in cases where a third party is involved, the family can also file a claim against that negligent party.

Continue reading "Fatal Accident Claims the Life of New York City Sanitation Worker" »

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Truck Accidents , Workers Compensation , Workplace Injuries , Wrongful Death

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A 33-year-old woman was killed in a New York truck accident, which police say was caused by an exhausted driver who was watching a pornographic film on his laptop while driving. According to a WKBW news report, the woman's vehicle was stalled on the Interstate 90 after her car struck deer. Her stalled vehicle was then hit by the truck driver. New York State Police say the driver was operating the tractor-trailer while keeping false log books and was actually operating the vehicle with very little sleep. He also had a computer on his lap that was streaming porn while he was operating the truck at the time of the fatal collision.

In this case, police say the driver was in violation of a federal transportation law, which allows 10 hours of driving within a 15-hour on-duty period after eight hours of off-duty time. The law also prohibits commercial truck drivers from driving after their 15th hour on duty in a workday or after 60 hours on-duty in seven consecutive days or 70 hours on-duty in eight consecutive days. In this particular case, the driver was also distracted by a movie he was allegedly watching on his laptop. He has been charged with second degree manslaughter in connection with this fatal auto accident.

Continue reading "Fatal NY Truck Accident Caused by Tired Trucker Distracted by Laptop" »

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Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Truck Accidents , Wrongful Death

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One man died and two others were injured in a car versus truck accident in New York State. According to this news report, 37-year-old Roberto A. Vasquez was driving a tractor-trailer rig north on Route 60 in he town of Charlotte when a southbound GMC Envoy crossed into the northbound lane directly into Vasquez's path. Donald F. Lines, 65, the driver of the Envoy was killed and his wife, 69-year-old Georgianna E. Lines, was seriously injured in the crash. Vasquez apparently tried to take evasive action, but the GMC hit the nig rig and came to rest on the west shoulder of the roadway, New York State Police officials said. Lines was pronounced dead at the scene while his wife suffered head injuries. Vasquez sustained neck and back injuries in the NY auto accident.

According to the Department of Transportation statistics, there were 3,206 large truck accidents in New York State in 2007 involving both fatal and non-fatal big rig accidents, a significant increase from 2,874 truck accidents in 2006. Some of these truck accidents are caused by truck drivers while others are caused by drivers of passenger vehicles.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New York truck accident, it would be in your best interest to contact New York's skilled truck accident lawyers at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free consultation and case evaluation. We will thoroughly analyze the facts of the case, determine whose fault the accident was and make sure the negligent parties are held accountable and you get fair compensation for your injuries, damages and loss.

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Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Personal Injury , Truck Accidents , Wrongful Death

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Five people were killed in an auto accident after their car was struck by a tractor trailer in the New Jersey Turnpike and burst into flames, according to this Associated Press news report. The car had apparently been stopped in traffic in the right southbound lane in Mount Laurel when it was struck by the big rig. The car shot into the center lane with its occupants trapped inside triggering a chain reaction crash involving six other vehicles.

The article identifies the deceased victims as follows – Jeanette Urbano, 72, Salvatore Urbano, 74, Anna Kane, 76, Rose Kane 75 and Francis Kane, 78. Three New York City area residents were also seriously injured in this fatal car accident. Police are looking into whether the driver of the tractor trailer was under the influence of alcohol, which is a routine part of the investigation.

Tractor trailer accidents in New York can have devastating effects on those involved, particularly occupants of passenger vehicles as evidenced in this auto accident. This is because these are large, heavy vehicles that can be hauling up to 80,000 pounds. If the big rig accident is caused by driver error, poor vehicle maintenance or an impaired driver, then both the driver and his employer, the trucking company, could be held liable.

It is very important that injured victims and families of decease victims contact an experienced New York auto accident attorney to find out more information about their legal rights and options. They could be entitled to significant compensation. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New York auto accident, please call Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro, LLP for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Truck Accidents

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A woman, who died in a recent automobile accident on the New Jersey Turnpike when the sport utility vehicle she was in got struck by a big rig, has been identified as 68-year-old Ruby Riggins. According to this report, Riggins, a Brooklyn resident, was a passenger in the SUV that was being driven by Mellie Riggins, 68, also of Brooklyn.

The tractor-trailer accident happened near the Exit 5 interchange when the truck that was trying to make a right turn and drive across the lanes of the highway to get to the exit ramp crashed into the SUV. Mellie Riggins had stopped the SUV on the left shoulder when the tractor-trailer driver, Christian Campagna, 28, of Sicklerville, slammed right into the vehicle, officials said. The impact overturned the truck spilling its load onto the highway causing the southbound side of the turnpike to be closed. Ruby Riggins died at the scene of the auto accident while Campagna and Mellie Riggins suffered injuries.

Continue reading "New Jersey Big Rig versus Auto Accident Kills New York Resident" »

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Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Personal Injury , Truck Accidents , Wrongful Death

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A two-vehicle accident near Westampton has killed 61-year-old Johnnie Dixon, a Willingboro resident and proved to be the third motor vehicle related fatality crash of 2009 to occur in Burlington County. According to a recent news report in the Burlington County Times, the Burlington tractor-trailer accident happened on Woodlane Road in icy conditions when the area was under heavy fog.

Dixon was driving his Toyota Avalon on Woodlane Road when a tractor-trailer that was driven by Phillip Hoang, a Westminster, Calif. resident, made a turn on to Woodlane Road from Stemmers Lane. The Toyota went into the trailer section of the truck and became partially lodged under it, the report said. Dixon died at the scene of the NY car versus big rig collision. The truck is said to be owned by California-based trucking company TSJ Transportation.

Based on this news report, the New York auto accident is still being investigated and no charges have been filed yet. However, officials say limited visibility and road conditions may have caused the crash. It is estimated that big rigs and trucks cause one accident every 16 minutes in the United States. Of course, the size and weight of these tractor trailers have a devastating effect on smaller passenger vehicles leaving occupants with serious internal injuries that include internal bleeding, head trauma and broken bones.

At Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro, our experienced New York personal injury attorneys will delve into your case to determine if there was negligence involved and who or what could be held responsible for your automobile accident and injuries. As the injured party, you deserve to be compensated for your medical expenses, loss of wages and suffering.

Call our New York car collision attorneys to discuss your case today.

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Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Personal Injury , Truck Accidents

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According to a NY Times report, a dump truck hit a pedestrian footbridge injuring the driver. The incident occurred after the driver triggered the truck’s hydraulic switch that raises the back of the truck. The bridge, which is maintained by state authorities, collapsed after the NY Dump Truck Accident.

Hopefully the driver is able to recover from his injuries quickly. At a first glance, it appears that the truck may not have been equipped with proper protective devices to prevent accidental triggers of the hydraulic system. A simple glass shield or other least costly protective measure may have done the trick. Moreover, I am also concerned with the extent the bridge contained warnings signs of its height. Was the trucker alerted that the bridge posed a dangerous condition unknown to him considering it was in the late night hours?

Also, whether the bridge was properly built to withstand collisions like this one is a question that needs to be asked. Did the bridge meet transportation safety standards? The article states that the collision occurred around 2:06 in morning. Again, was the driver alerted that the bridge overpass may have been too low for his truck. I am not suggesting the driver deliberately touched the hydraulic mechanism, however, a potential comparative liability might arise with the City for its failure to have warning signs. It is not clear from the report if the driver was able to see the overpass. As such if the truck was negligently manufactured the driver might have a potential NY products liability claim against the manufacturer of truck. Also, a potential claim might arise against the state officials for their failure adequately install warning signs at the overpass to alert truck drivers. If the city is found liable, then they will have to pay for damages incurred by the driver. Such damages may include for hospital stay, loss wages, pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or fatally injured in a truck accident, the New York auto accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro, L.L.P., would like to meet with you. Please call our office at 212-986-7353 to set up an appointment to discuss your case.

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Posted In: Truck Accidents

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