Truck accidents are some of the most devastating accidents on the road. Not only are these accidents common, but they frequently result in severe and catastrophic injuries. More than 2,000 people are injured or killed each year when commercial trucks collide with other vehicles on the highways and streets of New York state. Drivers on the Hempstead Turnpike need to know that if they are injured in an accident they are not alone.
About Hempstead Turnpike
The Hempstead Turnpike is a road in New York that runs east to west and connects Queens County in New York City with Route 109 and Cocklin Street. This road is split into two separate segments. The longer westernmost section of this road extends from an intersection with Interstate 295 and NY 25. The shorter section of this road is located in eastern Suffolk County and extends from an interchange with interstate 495 in Calverton New York and reaches to an intersection with County Route 80. It is also known as:
- Cocklin Street in Suffolk,
- Jamaica Avenue in New York City,
- New York State Route 24.
It bisects many important sites including:
- Hofstra University
- University College of Continuing Education
- Eisenhower Park
- Belmont Park
Major Intersections include:
- Interstate 295
- Cross Island Parkway
- Whitestone Bridge
- Verrazano Bridge
- New York 102
- Meadowbrook Parkway
- New York 106
- Wantagh Parkway
- New York 107
- New York 135
- Bethpage Parkway
- New York 109
- New York 110
- Interstate 295
- County Road 94A
- County Road 51
- County Road 63
- County Road 105
- New York 27
- County Road 80
Why Accidents happen on the Hempstead Turnpike
The Hempstead Turnpike is no stranger to accidents as local reports will indicate that there are commonly accidents on this road. Over the past several months there have been numerous reports of accidents claiming the lives of those on the road. In fact, a study published by Newsday found that parts of the Hempstead Turnpike were some of the most dangerous on Long Island. In their report, Newsday found that between the years of 2005 and 2010 there was a total of thirty-two people who were killed and at least 427 were injured in 457 pedestrian accidents. If you have been injured in an accident involving a truck, having an experienced team of attorneys who are dedicated to your cause can be crucial to your cases outcome.
Some of the reasons for accidents on this roadway include:
- Unsafe intersections – There are numerous intersections along the Hempstead Turnpike that are considered to be unsafe by many experts, particularly for pedestrians. The Hempstead Turnpike intersections with the highest pedestrian crashes from 2006-2010 are Franklin Avenue/New Hyde Park Road (23), Clinton Street (16), Meacham Avenue/Covert Avenue (16), North Franklin Street (14), Elmont Road (11), Newbridge Road (11) and Cathedral Avenue (9).
- Reckless driving or speeding – Trucks weigh several thousand pounds more than a standard car or SUV. This means that when a truck driver is driving recklessly or is speeding, there is an increased chance that there is going to be an accident. According to the New York Department of Transportation, reckless driving and speeding are two of the most cited reasons for a truck accident. Reckless driving lead to over 30 accidents in 2014 and truck drivers who were driving in excess of the speed limit caused over 900 accidents in 2014 alone.
- Driving at an unsafe following distance – It takes a truck a substantially longer distance to come to a complete stop than it takes a standard car driver to bring their vehicle to a complete stop. According to the New York Department of Transportation’s report on large trucks, there were an estimated 1,600 accidents involving large trucks that could be attributed to drivers driving at an unsafe distance. In addition, a 2014 report indicated that truck drivers who passed other vehicles too closely caused 169 accidents.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – Truck drivers have a duty not to drive while they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While most New York drivers are aware that they cannot drive if they have a BAC over 0.08% this standard is even more strict for commercial drivers. Truck drivers are prohibited from operating a vehicle if they have a BAC over 0.04%. However, many drivers still operate their vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances. It is estimated that drivers who were under the influence of alcohol or other illicit substances lead to over one hundred and fifty accidents in New York in 2014.
When a truck driver gets behind the wheel, they have a duty to exercise professional caution when they are on the road. However, if a truck driver’s negligence causes an accident that results in injuries, the victim or victims may have just cause for pursuing a personal injury claim against the truck driver, the trucking company, and other third parties involved. Truck accidents victims may be entitled to obtain financial compensation for medical costs, property damage, funeral costs, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and loss of consortium, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Contact a Truck Crash Attorney Today
Because no two truck accidents are exactly alike, you need an experienced trucking attorney who has a profound understanding of the industry and is highly skilled in multiple strategies to successfully combat the powerful trucking companies. If you have been the victim of a truck accident because a truck driver was negligent, then you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries or the loss of a loved one. To schedule a private, no-cost evaluation, call our law offices at (215) 709-6940 or contact us online.
