The Lurking Danger of Delivery Truck Accidents
With so many people shopping online, the city has seen an explosion of delivery trucks that carry packages straight to a consumer’s door. Unsurprisingly, we are seeing more collisions between these box trucks and pedestrians.
Two fatal pedestrian accidents with box trucks in December 2019 highlight the dangers that pedestrians face. One of the crashes occurred in Sunset Park in Brooklyn around 3:30 pm. The victim, Brendan Gill, was standing in the middle of the street near 39th Street and 3rd Avenue when a box truck hit him. The victim was rushed to Lutheran Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The other crash happened the same day in Soho around 5:00 pm. The victim, an unidentified 26-year-old female, was struck at the intersection of Howard and Broadway. She was in the crosswalk when the driver of a box truck actually reversed into her. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The police did not suspect a criminal motive in either case. But this is cold comfort to the victims and their families, who must suffer the consequences of these collisions.
Why Box Trucks Are Dangerous
Box trucks are much smaller than tractor-trailers, which leads some people to assume that they are safer out on the road. However, box trucks tend to operate in congested city centers, delivering packages and goods to businesses downtown. Tractor-trailers, though occasionally entering the city, spend most of their time on the highway, carrying goods to far-off locations.
Despite their reputation, box trucks are very dangerous vehicles. They can be hard for drivers to maneuver and are very heavy, which can make them deadly when they travel at high speeds. Pedestrians, in particular, are vulnerable in collisions since they have absolutely no protection in a crash.
One reason these trucks get into collisions is that the drivers are under pressure to make deliveries in a timely fashion. Consequently, they might speed, cut corners when turning, or try to scoot past pedestrians who are in the crosswalk. Some truck drivers might be so stressed that they fail to stop after striking a pedestrian, instead fleeing the scene of the accident.
Other accidents involving delivery trucks are caused by blind spots, especially behind the truck. A truck driver can easily back into a pedestrian when trying to pull out of a driveway or parking lot. Other trucks can mow someone down when trying to back into a parking spot.
Do You Need a Brooklyn Truck Accident Lawyer?
Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman is a leading law firm in New York City committed to helping pedestrians injured in truck accidents. If you or a loved one was hurt, you should contact a lawyer immediately. New York places limits on the ability of victims to get compensation when they delay.
For help with your case, please contact us to schedule a free consultation. You can reach us by calling 212-285-3300 or by filling out our contact form.
