• 26
  • January
    2012

Two construction contractors were injured after a semi truck hit a bridge in the Bronx on Monday. The contractors were inspecting the overpass when the truck's trailer separated from the truck, causing it to fall onto their car and pin them inside.

According to new sources, the truck was not supposed to be on the bridge when the New York City truck accident occurred. It was too tall for the bridge. The truck driver and two contractors were injured (at least one critically) and the truck caused some damage to the bridge.

The Bronx truck accident is under investigation. One of the questions the investigation will ask is: why was the truck on the bridge? Depending on the facts unveiled by the investigation, the truck driver and his or her company may be held liable for the accident.

Truck Accidents in New York

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 11,672 large truck accidents in New York in 2010. More than 100 of these truck accidents were fatal, and 5,392 people were injured.

The government has recently taken steps to prevent truck accidents, including steps to minimize the risk of accidents caused by truck drivers. For example, the federal government recently amended the trucker hours of service requirements in an effort to reduce truck accidents caused by drowsy driving. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation banned all truck drivers from texting while driving on federal highways.

Yet, no ban can prevent all truck accidents from occurring or can teach all drivers to drive responsibly. When truck accidents occur, those injured and the families of those killed can turn to the law to hold responsible parties accountable. Through a personal injury claim, they may be able to recover compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages and more.

Source: New York Post, "Truck-Smash Nightmare," Jessica Simeone, Jan. 24, 2012.