There are certain roadways around Brooklyn New York that large trucks cannot legally access, due to the increased dangers associated with size and weight classes of certain commercial carriers and transport trailers. Even though the trucking industry is necessary and is considered a high revenue business with over $676 billion dollars in revenue annually, a large percentage of insurance settlements, personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death litigation subtract high dollar costs from that total amount. Contact a personal injury attorney if you have been involved in an accident with a big truck causing injury or property damage near Brooklyn New York.
Roadway restrictions for trucks.
Because a tractor-trailer is approximately 65 feet in length and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, it can cause catastrophic and widespread damage to other cars and highway delays. New York State has specific driving laws for truck drivers including restrictions on what highways they are allowed to ride upon per Section 385 of the Vehicle & Traffic Law, a 53-foot trailer is allowed only limited travel through New York City to reach Brooklyn destinations, using the following routes: I-95 – from Bronx/Westchester County line to I-295; I-295 – from I-95 to Throgs Neck Bridge to the Long Island Expressway (I-495); I-495 – from I-295 to Queens/Nassau County line; and 53-foot long trailers are not allowed to make pick-ups or deliveries in any of the boroughs of New York City.
Regulations.
There are state and federal regulations that require tractor trailers to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis, and requirements for drivers to be evaluated to make sure they are in good health.
Identified commercial driver violations which are common in New York include:
- Improper Maintenance
- Driver Fatigue
- Distracted Drivers
- Commercial Company Negligence
- Unsecured Loads
- Driving in Extreme Weather
Common types of truck accidents.
Common types of accidents involving trucks include rollover, jackknife, and underride accidents. Rollover and jackknife accidents occur when the driver brakes suddenly or with force, causing the trailer to slide around toward the front of the cab, and in a rollover situation, a truck will turn sideways and begin to roll. Underride accidents cause cars who stop short to become trapped underneath the truck and can be catastrophic, especially if underride guards (a strong steel tubing bar fitted in the rear portion of a semi-trailer to prevent cars from passing through) are not in use leaving only the windshield to protect those drivers. All three types of accidents can cause severe damage to nearby vehicles based on the extreme difference in size and weight, increasing possibilities of death and devastating injury. Victims are often left with severe, life altering injuries that can cause future loss and pain and suffering.
Damages.
Legal claims can be made for medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering and future earnings. Even minor injuries resulting from a tractor trailer accident should be investigated to make sure costs associated over insurance coverage will be paid. If a death occurs due to the accident, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed.
Determining civil or criminal charges, based upon acts of negligence that caused the truck-involved accident is a matter for the law enforcement agencies. Contact Jeremy Schiowitz, a distinguished attorney based in New York City and Long Island, to see if his professional expertise can help you with your truck accident case.
Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP
371 Merrick Rd
Suite 302
Rockville Centre New York, 11570
Phone: 347-768-8710
Sources:
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/large-trucks/fatalityfacts/large-trucks
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&=PART&n=pt49.5.380#sp49.5.380.b
https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/STSI.htm
