As construction is a necessary part of New York City life, so is the presence of dump trucks. Unfortunately, these large and cumbersome vehicles also have the tendency to be involved in serious, sometimes fatal, accidents in and around Forest Hills. It is often the driver of these trucks who acts negligently causing a collision, and those negligent drivers should be the ones held accountable. Forest Hills truck accident lawyer Michael J. Redenburg assists victims, as well as families who have lost loved ones, file the appropriate legal action against those responsible. Victims of dump truck collisions often need help paying for their medical treatment, life expenses while unable to work, and other costs related to their injuries. Mr. Redenburg is dedicated to making sure the parties at-fault for causing an injury are also the ones who bear financial responsibility. If you’ve been injured, or lost a loved one as a result of a fatal dump truck accident, call our office at (212) 240-9465 or contact us online to find out more about your legal options.
Dangerous Forest Hills Dump Truck Accidents
Dump trucks are useful for carrying materials like loam and gravel to and from construction sites across Forest Hills. These large trucks are often entering and exiting job sites, including those that carry hot asphalt necessarily used for road construction. Road construction is ongoing in Forest Hills, especially as bike connection projects and other such improvements get approved. New construction such as residential buildings along Yellowstone Boulevard and those reserved for mixed-use along 112th Street are continuously evolving. This means dump trucks are always present. However, many dump truck accidents are avoidable, and many times due to a dump truck driver’s error in judgment. When this occurs, victims should consult a seasoned truck accident attorney in Forest Hills to determine what legal rights they may have.
Various factors indicating negligence can contribute to a dump truck collision, such as:
- Excessive speeding
- Fatigue
- Failure to check when backing up or turning
- Driving under the influence
- Faulty suspension system
- Uneven tire pressure
These types of accidents also occur because dump trucks are more unstable than other vehicles, especially when the truck’s box on the back has been raised to dump out materials. Injuries from dump truck accidents can range from broken bones and lacerations to paralysis, traumatic brain injury, and even death. Dump truck collisions are especially dangerous when they involve pedestrians, which can be common both on site as well as on NYC streets with heavy foot traffic.
Liability for Dump Truck Accidents
Personal injury or wrongful death claims are brought against a defendant, or defendants, based on negligence. In cases arising out of a dump truck crash, it is often a driver’s negligent acts that caused an accident. A knowledgeable Forest Hills truck accident lawyer can help prove the elements of negligence. Negligence is shown if the defendant has breached their duty to another to act as a reasonable and prudent person would given the same, or similar, circumstances. This breach must also be shown to be a proximate cause of the victim’s injury or death. For instance, a dump truck driver who fails to check behind the vehicle before backing up and strikes a pedestrian, can be found to have been negligent. A trucking or construction company who employs a driver can also be vicariously liable for their employee’s negligent behavior.
In these claims, evidence such as medical records, a company’s hiring practices, driver’s logs, vehicle maintenance records, and other documentation must be gathered. Accident reports compiled by the police are also important to help establish liability. In Forest Hills, the NYPD’s 112th Precinct investigates and prepares reports for truck accidents. These reports can be obtained from their headquarters at 68-40 Austin Street. Reports can also be requested online via the NYPD Collision Report Portal or from the Department of Motor Vehicle’s website for a fee. Once liability has been established, victims can be awarded damages in the form of past and future medical expenses and lost income, as well as diminished earning capacity. In fatal accidents, certain relatives may be compensated for any outstanding medical costs related to the deceased’s death, as well as burial or funeral expenses and loss of support.
Truck Accident Lawyer Assisting Victims in Forest Hills, NY
If you have questions about your legal rights and options in the aftermath of a collision involving a dump truck, Forest Hills injury attorney Michael J. Redenburg is available to help. Mr. Redenburg offers compassionate and comprehensive legal services to clients throughout New York City, and is committed to making sure you feel confident in your representation at every stage of the process. Contact our office online or call (212) 240-9465 so we can get started on your case today.