When truck accidents occur in New York, those involved are advised to seek immediate safety by exiting the roadway if they can. It is also a good idea to set up flares (if available) when disabled vehicles are on the roadway. The moments following a collision are treacherous when there is oncoming traffic. After a recent accident involving an SUV that had struck a tractor-trailer, the operator of the big rig exited his vehicle to exchange information with the other driver.
The SUV was disabled in the right lane. Tragedy struck as the 75-year-old tractor-trailer operator was returning to this vehicle after speaking with the SUV driver. Another big rig heading in the same direction struck the disabled vehicle in the roadway, causing it to flip. The massive truck hit the elderly man as it rolled over after clipping the SUV.
Westbound lanes were shut down for 6 hours
Responders worked for six hours to clear the road of debris following the two accidents, which occurred on a recent Monday night. Traffic began flowing again early Tuesday morning. An investigation remains ongoing.
New York wrongful death claims
When a collision occurs in New York, the results are often disastrous, especially when one of the vehicles is a tractor-trailer. If a fatality results, an immediate family member of the deceased victim may be entitled to seek restitution for damages by filing a wrongful death claim in civil court. A plaintiff in such a case is tasked with proving in court that the defendant’s negligence was a causal factor in his or her loved one’s death.