On May 5th, 2020, a Highstown woman was seriously injured when her 2016 Nissan Rogue was struck by a dump truck while traveling northbound on Route 1 in South Brunswick near Northumberland Way. The woman, 48, was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where she remained hospitalized on Wednesday morning.
The accident occured at approximately 8:38 a.m. during rush-hour traffic, according to Patch.com. The driver of the 2005 Kenworth T800 dump truck, a 24-year-old man from Staten Island, attempted to avoid crashing into the SUV by swerving the truck, causing it to overturn and spill its load of gravel onto the roadway. The truck caught fire soon after. The driver was not seriously injured in the collision and no charges were filed.
South Brunswick Deputy Chief James Ryan told NJ 101.5 that this was the second serious car accident to happen in South Brunswick in the past 2 days. On Monday afternoon, two cars collided on Route 130 near Friendship Road. Tuesday’s accident is under active investigation by the South Brunswick Police Department; a cause for the crash has not yet been determined. We pray for a quick and full recovery for those injured in these tragic accidents.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 4,136 people in the U.S. died in large truck crashes in 2018. Of these deaths, 67% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles. It is clear that when a large truck is involved in a collision, occupants of smaller vehicles are at a much higher risk for death.
Accidents involving large commercial vehicles, such as the Kenworth T800 dump truck involved in Tuesday’s accident, can cause catastrophic damage to smaller vehicles on the road, especially when travelling at high speeds on highways. The damage done to accident victims can result in exhorbitant costs including medical bills, property damage, and the cost of future medical treatment. It is important that accident victims understand their options moving forward.
Some of the most common causes for large truck accidents include:
- Truck driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Overloaded trucks
- Unmaintained vehicles
- Poor roadway conditions
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, the victim may have the legal right to receive compensation for their losses from the negligent party that caused the accident. In accidents involving commmercial vehicles, the liability may not be immediately obvious; it may be the driver, the driver’s employer, the truck’s manufacturer, or another party. If an investigation shows that negligence played any role in the accident, the victim may be able to obtain compensation with the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer.
The lawyers at Block O’Toole & Murphy are dedicated to obtaining justice for victims of accidents caused by negligent behavior. Our team will work tirelessly to obtain the highest possible compensation for our injured clients. Our proven track record includes a $14,000,000 jury verdict for a motorcyclist who was struck by a truck that was attempting to make a left turn.
If you or someone you know was seriously injured in an accident, don’t hesitate to call our office at 212-736-5300 or fill out our online contct form to receive a free legal consultation.