For more than 45 years, our personal injury lawyers have represented hundreds of construction site accident victims.
Not all truck accidents involve tractor-trailers. When road repairs or expansions occur, various construction trucks are used in New York. They’re used at all types of construction sites. However, their close proximity to drivers and pedestrians increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
If you or a loved one were injured in a construction truck accident, contact Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law. For more than 45 years, our construction accident lawyers have represented hundreds of construction site accident victims. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Types of Construction Trucks
Many trucks and other heavy equipment are regularly used on construction sites. These vehicles are an essential aspect of getting the job done and getting the work done faster. However, as is the case with other commercial trucks, severe accidents can occur.
Some of the most common types of construction trucks include:
- Cranes
- Front-end loaders
- Bulldozers
- Dump trucks
- Cement mixing trucks
- Excavators
- Forklifts
- Bobcats
- Road rollers
- Earthmovers
- Backhoes
- Trenchers
Construction work includes moving heavy loads for dumping, excavation, or lifting. It is not humanly possible to lift tons of weight without the help of these vehicles. And these trucks are heavy and carry heavy loads. For instance, if a dump truck is filled to capacity with 6.5 tons, the truck and load will generally weigh around 13 tons.
Leading Causes of Construction Truck Accidents
Construction truck accidents occur for many of the same reasons as other vehicle accidents. The leading causes include:
- Driver negligence – Many truck accidents are caused by the operator’s negligence. Fatigue, speeding, and distracted driving are just some unsafe driving habits that lead to accidents.
- Blind spots – Construction vehicles have large blind spots along their sides and front and back. When the driver is unaware of them or doesn’t make sure anyone is in their blind spot, they can cause a preventable accident. Backover accidents where the driver doesn’t see a pedestrian behind him are common construction accidents.
- Negligent hiring – By law, construction companies must properly screen drivers to ensure they are qualified to operate large construction vehicles. Suppose the driver doesn’t have the training, experience, or adequate driving record required to operate a construction truck. In that case, the victim may have the right to file a personal injury claim against the company the driver works for.
- Improperly loaded – Each vehicle that carries a heavy load must be loaded and secured correctly. If not, the truck can be unstable and cause a rollover accident, or the load could fall off the truck into oncoming traffic.
Construction Accident Lawyers NY
The construction accident lawyers at Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law help people injured in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. Our law firm has a reputation for reaching favorable settlements on behalf of our clients and winning trials when no fair settlement offer is made.
If you or a loved one were injured in a construction site truck accident, contact our firm to schedule a free consultation.