One person is dead after a tractor-trailer hit a pedestrian in New York’s Southern Tier around 3 a.m. this morning. The accident left portions of Route 17 closed for more than three hours. Other than the one fatality, few details are known about the crash.
People usually understand the potential risks associated with driving a car. However, pedestrians often don’t expect that their lives will be in danger on the road. Unfortunately, an inattentive driver can turn a quiet stroll down the street into a tragedy. Whether you live in New York City or beyond, drivers of every kind of vehicle must exercise caution. Truck drivers, however, must remain even more attentive. That’s because the sheer size and weight of a truck can leave people with devastating and often fatal injuries. In instances like this, an investigation may reveal that the truck driver was not paying close enough attention to the road at the time of the accident. It could also reveal mechanical failures. If negligence appears to be a factor in the collision, the victim’s family may be able to pursue legal action against the truck driver or the trucking company. While no amount of compensation can change the past, a successful civil suit may help surviving family members move forward with their lives. In addition, it may alleviate financial difficulties that resulted from the tragic accident. Dealing with a trucking company can be challenging. In order to be sure that families in similar situations get what they deserve, they would likely find working with an experienced personal injury attorney beneficial. Source: The Wall Street Journal, “Pedestrian killed on Rte. 17 in NY’s Southern Tier,” Feb. 19, 2013