Truck Collisions Top the List of Causes of Fatalities in NY Crashes

Truck Collisions Top the List of Causes of Fatalities in NY Crashes

Crashes involving trucks are among the most dangerous types of accidents occurring on New York roadways. Their size, weight, and speed all contribute to the fact that truck collisions often result in life-altering injuries and fatal crashes.

In recent years, we have seen a huge number of fatal truck accidents–on highways and on city streets. I’ll provide a recap below, and discuss what to do if you end up with serious injuries following a crash. After devastating accidents such as these, many people find themselves in a state of shock and unsure what to do. If you have experienced this, a New York truck crash attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates may be able to help you understand your rights and see a path forward.

Get in touch today for a free consultation at 1-800-NOW-HURT.

17-Year Police Officer Patrick Curley, Killed in Collision with Truck

We often think of serious truck accidents happening only on interstates, but trucks pose serious hazards even in city crashes. If you are from the New York area, you may recall the January 2013 collision between a Long Island sanitation truck and the vehicle of 40-year-old Suffolk County Police Officer Patrick Curley. Curley was off-duty, driving on Route 25 near Siracusa Boulevard in Commack, around 3:30 am when his vehicle collided with a garbage truck. The driver of the Winters Brothers. sanitation truck, James Jarosch, 59, of Ronkonkoma, was on his regular route when he backed out of a business lot and slammed into Curley’s Volvo XC90. Jarosch was not injured. Curley, who had been with the Suffolk County Police Department for 17 years, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was married with a 2-year-old daughter.

More recently, in May 2024, sanitation truck driver Jaswinder Singh was indicted after being charged with criminally negligent homicide. Singh crashed into several cars that were stopped at a red light, and instantly killed motorist Joseph Kelly. Kelly was just 24 years old. According to authorities, Singh was driving at an unreasonably high speed at the time. The truck weighed 19 tons–which points to one major reason why truck crashes often result in such devastating injuries.

Large-Truck Crash Injury Statistics

According to the National Safety Council, injuries in large-truck crashes saw an increase of 3.9 percent in 2022. What is most concerning is that when we look at deaths and injuries in these crashes, 73 percent afflicted occupants of other vehicles, while just 26 percent afflicted truck drivers themselves. In the last 10 years, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased by 49 percent. Additionally, large trucks comprised six percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes.

The number of large trucks involved in injury-causing crashes also increased by 2.5 percent from 2020 to 2021. Since 2016, the number of trucks involved in injury-causing crashes has increased by 18 percent. The number of deaths in large-truck crashes also increased by 49 percent in the last decade.

Negligence on the part of the truck driver can result in life-altering injuries, wrongful death, chronic illness, and more. It is essential that victims stand up for their rights in order to recover the compensation they need to heal from their injuries. Working with a truck crash attorney in New York is among the best ways to protect your health and your future after an accident. Buttafuoco & Associates has been fighting hard for the rights of victims for decades, and we will fight for you as well.

Get in touch at 1-800-NOW-HURT to learn more about your rights.

Why are Truck Accidents so Severe?

Even as passenger vehicles grow in size, tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and even smaller trucks such as those used by city sanitation departments, are far larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. This results in more severe impacts, and thus more extreme injuries and damage to property. Because of their weight, trucks need significantly more time and distance to come to a stop. When truck drivers need to brake quickly, they are at a huge disadvantage. In a related vein, commercial trucks are not as easy to maneuver as smaller vehicles. Turning corners, changing lanes, and even merging onto the highway require much more space, which can result in more accidents, especially when traffic is heavy.

When it comes to highway accidents, additional factors come into play. Truck drivers often have extremely long shifts, increasing their fatigue. Fatigue can impair drivers’ judgment and reaction time, which prevents the safe operation of their vehicles. As with all drivers, truck drivers are also susceptible to dangerous distractions while driving, whether that be from using cell phones, eating, or utilizing navigation systems.

How Can a Lawyer Help You?

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, seeking legal representation from a truck accident lawyer serving New York is essential. At Buttafuoco & Associates, our experience with truck accident law is extensive. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, we may be able to help you:

Get in touch today to schedule a free consultation at 1-800-NOW-HURT.

SHARE

Blog Archive

Archives