Last month, a truck accident in the Bronx brought to light issues of truck driver negligence. Bridge inspectors and a truck driver were injured when a semi truck ran into the structure of a bridge. The truck was too tall for the overpass, causing its trailer to fall off and onto the bridge inspectors' car.
One question investigators asked after this accident was: why did the truck enter the overpass? While we cannot answer this question without all of the facts, truck driver negligence may have played a part.
Large truck drivers have special duties that go far beyond paying attention to weight and height limits on roads and bridges. Most truck drivers are safe, skilled drivers who follow all of the rules of the road. Nevertheless, some truck drivers and trucking companies cut corners or make wrong decisions that can lead to serious consequences.
Truck Accidents Caused by Truck Drivers
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Large Truck Crash Causation Study, driver error contributed to 87 percent of the truck accidents that could be attributed to large trucks (55 percent of all large truck crashes). Some of the mistakes that truck drivers made included:
- Falling asleep at the wheel (drowsy driving)
- Distracted driving / inattention
- Improper merges
- Failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light
- Speeding or failing to change speed in varying weather conditions
- Making inadequate evasive actions
- Following other vehicles too closely
- Failing to pay attention to the truck's no-zones (blind spots)
- Drunk driving
Speeding alone contributed to 23 percent of the large truck crashes investigated in the study. Driver fatigue contributed to 13 percent.
Bringing a Personal Injury Claim Against a Truck Driver
If a truck driver's actions contributed to a New York truck accident, the victims can bring a personal injury claim against the truck driver's insurance company. They may also be able to hold the truck driver's company responsible for inadequate training, unrealistic schedules or other serious problems. A personal injury attorney can help start the process toward financial recovery.
