Trucker Missed Construction Signs in Fatal Wreck
Six people were killed last week in a tragic accident that occurred upstate on Route 11 near Fort Drum Army post. A truck driver plowed into the back of a line of cars who were waiting for a paving project on the highway.
According to the Washington Post, the police report that truck driver James A. Mills, 45, was alert at the time of the accident and just failed to notice the construction signs and the stopped vehicles. Mills reportedly tried to brake before the accident and “didn’t appear to be impaired or distracted,” according to state police.
Investigator Rick Hathaway reported that there were no text messages or calls immediately before the accident. He also said that Mills was cooperative and helped to pull a victim from their car before it caught fire.
Mills crashed into an SUV that burst into flames on impact. A family of four within the SUV died at the scene. The tractor trailer accident ultimately involved six cars as the SUV was pushed forward in the line of stopped vehicles. One additional victim died later at the hospital.
State police are investigating the tractor trailer accident to determine just how the collisions happened, as is common in car accidents like this. They will use a computer simulation program to diagram precisely how the vehicles moved on impact.
According to the Department of Transportation, the signs leading up to the scene of the accident fit the criteria of department standards, and it isn’t clear how Mills missed the multiple warnings.
The Washington Post reports that the truck involved was owned by MBM Customized Foodservice Distribution out of North Carolina. The company’s trucks have been in 75 accidents in two years, killing one. Twenty-three of those accidents resulted in at least one injury.
New York injury accidents and even fatal accidents are not unusual in construction work zones. This is especially true when the work is being done on a highway where travelers drive at a high rate of speed. While being alert and aware of your surroundings can help ensure you get to your destination safely, you are still at the mercy of every other driver’s alertness.
When you are hurt in a serious accident, it can be difficult to know what to do. The insurance companies will likely call you and try to help you find your way through the claims process. But, these companies don’t always have your best interests in mind.
The personal injury attorneys with Omrani & Taub can be there to help protect your rights and advocate for your best interests. Call us today to discuss your case and your legal options. We can be reached at 212-LAW-SUIT.
