Every year across New York, more than 15,000 pedestrian accidents occur that involve collisions between vehicles and people traveling on foot. Of these crashes, 15,000 people are injured and more than 300 people are killed. That means that 300 people are injured in these accidents every week and that 25 people are killed every month. This is a problem that continues to persist in the state, and it didn’t get any better last week when a man was hit and killed by a tractor trailer in an accident in Brooklyn.
According to several reports, the unidentified man was attempting to cross the street on Wednesday at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue near Atlantic Terminal when he was hit by the driver of a large truck. Apparently, the truck driver did not notice that he had hit the man and he kept going until someone alerted him of the accident. As a result, the pedestrian was dragged under the truck for at least 15 – 20 feet. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene and police are still investigating the situation.
Driving a large truck in the city is a difficult task, as these vehicles need to navigate through the same tight spaces that are shared by much smaller vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. While such a job is admittedly difficult, truck drivers are still expected to perform at a reasonable level or else they and perhaps their employers could be found liable for damages if they cause accidents. No word has yet been given as to how this could have happened or what led to this incident. The truck driver is reportedly cooperating with the investigation.
When a family loses a loved one in an accident that was not that loved one’s fault, that family is usually sent reeling by the shock and grief that suddenly overwhelms it. That can make it very difficult to understand how to proceed, but families in this position need to make sure that they evaluate all of their legal rights and options so they can potentially avoid additional difficulties in the future. That evaluation should be done by New York accident attorneys. If you have lost someone in a crash, contact The Fitzgerald Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.