New York has seen its share of tractor-trailer accidents that often leave tragedy in their wakes.  Many of these accidents are caused by driver error.  This summer a tractor-trailer that crashed into a Canadian tour bus carrying fifty-two people near the Junius Ponds, NY rest area was found to be caused by driver inattention and mechanical problems.  Two tractor-trailers crashed on Route 60 near Dunkirk in September after one of the drivers failed to yield the right-of-way.  And just this week, a speeding truck driver lost control while exiting the New York State Thruway causing the cab of the truck to hang upside down on the bridge, while the rest of the rig crashed below.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), nearly 3,500 people were killed and another 63,000 were injured in large truck and bus accidents in the U.S. in 2009.  In New York in 2010, 120 lives were lost in accidents involving tractor-trailers or other large trucks.

The FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partnered in 2007 to conduct the first-ever national study attempting to pin-point the factors that are most likely to increase the risk that large trucks will be involved in serious crashes.  After analyzing over three years of data from 120,000 accidents, results of the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) showed that driver-related actions are most likely to be the reason for accidents involving large trucks. 

In over 50% of the accidents examined, drivers of large trucks were found to be the cause of the accident.  Most often, driver decisions, such as driving too fast for conditions, misjudging the speed of other vehicles, or following other vehicles too closely, resulted in a crash.

Close behind driver decision, were driver recognition errors including drivers who were inattentive, distracted by something inside or outside the vehicle, or failed to observe the situation adequately for some other reason.

Other risks including vehicle maintenance issues such as the truck’s braking system, interruptions or sudden changes to traffic flow, and driving in unfamiliar surroundings were also found to be an associated factor in many large truck accidents.

Our NY truck accident attorneys want to remind drivers in-and-around Rochester, Syracuse, Elmira and Watertown to be focused and drive defensively around large trucks.  When traveling near big rigs on NY highways remember to stay out of a truck driver’s blind spots, always keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the truck, and watch out for turning trucks.  Also, don’t hesitate to contact the authorities if you see a truck being driven erratically. 

Contact Our NY Accident Lawyers Today

Experience counts. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a truck accident in New York that was caused by another driver, contact the Law Offices of Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates  today for a review of your case. There is no cost to you for the initial call.

Call our 24-hour answering service at (800) 825-5229 or submit our online contact form.  We have offices in Rochester, Elmira, Syracuse, Watertown or online at www.1800talklaw.com.