An accident involving a tractor-trailer and another vehicle occurred in Rosedale, Queens on Monday, April 17th, at about 6:30 p.m. According to police, a vehicle crashed into the tractor-trailer close to the intersection of Rockaway Boulevard and Brookville Boulevard in the vicinity of John F. Kennedy International Airport. The vehicle was crushed underneath the tractor-trailer, was torn apart, and could not be identified. Other truck drivers were visibly shaken by the accident.
Two men who were between the ages of 20 and 30 were taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in critical condition. First responders worked frantically to free the victims from the wreckage. Another individual suffered minor injuries, and refused medical attention at the scene of the accident. Investigators think that the tractor-trailer was reversing while making a delivery when it was hit by the car. They are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.
Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents
The principal cause of tractor-trailer accidents is driver error, either on the part of the automobile operator or the truck driver. Tractor-trailer drivers are required to rest for specific amounts of time. If the weight of the truck is over 10,000 pounds or is carrying hazardous materials, the truck driver must take a certain number of rest periods. However, some drivers do not always obey the regulations. Because they are frequently paid by the mile, drivers often do not take their required breaks, and are affected by driver fatigue, which is a major cause of tractor-trailer accidents.
Other causes of tractor-trailer accidents are:
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving (because of illegal cell phone use or other distractions)
- Incorrect loading of cargo
- Negligence in performing required safety checks
- Negligence in maintaining sufficient safety standards of truck
- Lack of installation of blind-spot mirrors
- Driving at an excessive speed
- Failing to obey traffic laws
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer, call the personal injury attorneys at Proner and Proner. They will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, and advocate zealously on your behalf to hold the guilty party liable for negligence.
