The Press Connects reported recently on a tragic truck accident involving livestock. According to the State Police, the accident happened in Western New York when a truck transporting 31 cows ran off the road and overturned. The driver was handed a ticket for a faulty rear brake and a ticket for unsafely changing lanes.
Our New York City injury lawyers know that poorly maintained trucks can cause serious crashes. The trucking industry has many regulations in place to ensure trucks and their operators are safe to travel on our roadways.
Apparently the 35 year-old truck driver drove too close to the side of the road causing the tires to leave the roadway. When the tires sunk into the soft ground the result was the truck rolling over causing it to land on the median.
It took eight hours for crews to clean up the scene and for emergency workers to rescue the cows as 17 perished in the crash. The investigation is ongoing and will include looking into the number of hours the driver had been behind the wheel at the time of the accident. The truck had picked up its cargo in Lowville N.Y. and was heading to processing plant in Wyalusing, located in Pennsylvania, roughly a 200-mile trip. This was the trucking company’s only vehicle and records from the U.S. Department of Transportation indicate that they have had no accidents in the last two years.
Truck drivers transporting livestock need to ensure their truck and trailer are properly maintained to prevent a breakdown. They need to check brakes, lights and tires prior to any trip and make the necessary repairs. They should also obey all safety regulations and laws.
Livestock truck drivers have the responsibility for taking care of the animals they are transporting; not only to ensure their health but preventing stressed animals from causing an accident. Drivers should always begin their trip slowly and avoid sudden stops. Rounding curves quickly or making sudden stops and starts could cause the animals to be knocked over causing a load shift. Checking on your cargo frequently is a good idea to ensure that load partitions haven’t moved and are secure and latches are closed on trailer doors.
Driving off the side of the road is often a sign of drowsy driving. The New York State Department of Health’s brochure Wake UP! to the risks of Drowsy Driving indicates that the following drivers are at the greatest risk for having an accident caused by drowsy driving:
- Truck drivers.
- Workers who work on the night shift.
- Parents that have young children.
- People that have sleep disorders that are untreated.
- Young drivers, particularly males under the age of 26.
Contrary to popular belief, listening to a loud radio, having the air conditioning on high or having the windows open will not prevent you from falling asleep at the wheel. Drinking a caffeinated beverage will help a little but the caffeine takes roughly 30 minutes to kick in. If you start to yawn a lot, start to have head bobs, hit the rumble strip or drift out of your lane it is time to pull over and get some sleep.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a New York bus or truck accident in Manhattan or Queens, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC for a free appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-877-313-7673 for 24 hour assistance.
Additional Resources:
17 cows die in tractor trailer rollover, by Steve Reilly, Press Connects
Public Awareness and Enforcement of Distracted Driving Laws Can Reduce Cell-Phone Related Car Accidents in New York City, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, August 6, 2011
Bus Safety Inspections ‘Too Little Too Late’ for Families Mourning After Recent Fatal New York Bus Accidents, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, July 23, 2011
