Anyone who has any experience driving a vehicle understands that we all need to be prepared for unexpected events while we are on the road. People make mistakes when they are behind the wheel and our reaction time and attention level are both qualities that can make the difference between avoiding a crash and being seriously injured or worse. Over time, we all tend to learn to anticipate common mistakes that people make so that we can travel safely, but there are certain things that happen from time to time that could never be foreseen by anyone.
Tragically, that type of circumstance seemed to arise last night in upstate New York, as a large truck hauling a trailer of crushed cars had that trailer separate from the cab and break loose on the road. It collided violently with a minivan that was nearby and that was carrying two families, and as a result of the crash seven people were killed including four children. None of the names of those involved in the crash were released, but law enforcement officials stated that it’s likely that the driver of the minivan never had time to avoid the breakaway trailer.
The crash occurred at approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening on Route 13 near the town of Truxton, which is 25 miles south of Syracuse. No explanation was provided for how the trailer broke away from the vehicle, but it was reported that the collision resulted in the minivan being basically ripped to pieces. The youngest person killed in the crash was four years old, and no indication was given as to the nature of the relationship between the families in the minivan.
As would be expected, police are conducting a thorough investigation into what went wrong before determining fault, but this crash will now become part of the statistics regarding New York car accidents. Every year, more than 187,000 people are injured and more than 1,200 people are killed, but it’s rare that a crash like this one would occur. We would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to all of the people who have been affected by this horrible tragedy.
There are certain parties that could be at fault for this breakaway trailer, including the truck driver, workers who attached the trailer or perhaps even the manufacturer of the parts that were in place that were supposed to hold the trailer and the cab together. Once fault is determined, it’s highly likely that lawsuits will be filed in response. This is usually how things progress when something like this happens and people suddenly encounter losses that are difficult to overcome.
We hope that this situation is resolved soon and that the people who have been wronged are able to stand up for their legal rights. If you or someone you love has been injured by a negligent driver, contact the New York accident lawyers at The Fitzgerald Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.