Trucks are larger in size and weight than standard vehicles. For this reason, they often cause more serious injuries that other vehicles when they are involved in accidents. Due to this increased risk of injury, it is even more important that drivers of trucks take all precautions to use care in their actions. Improperly trained drivers and driver fatigue can lead to unnecessarily dangerous situations and cause truck accidents.
A New York sanitation worker was severely injured in a recent accident involving a rental truck. The worker was placing trash into the back of a garbage truck when it was struck from behind by a driver in a rental moving truck. The worker became lodged between the two trucks, suffering numerous injuries in the process. His injuries include a broken arm and leg, but the most serious injury was to his other leg, which was shattered above the knee. The leg was close to being amputated due to the severity of the injury. Officials believe that the driver of the rental truck may have been sleeping at the time of the accident.
In determining liability for any injuries suffered in an accident, courts apply the theory of negligence to the facts of the case. All drivers are required to use appropriate care in their actions. A failure to use this care that causes an accident may expose a driver to liability if the accident results in injury to others involved. Many acts or failures to act may constitute negligence, including sleeping while operating a vehicle. Since the driver of the rental truck is alleged to have been sleeping at the time of the accident, this act may indicate that he violated his duty of care to the sanitation worker and may be required to compensate the worker for any damages related to his serious injuries.
Due to the significant nature of the worker’s injuries, he may incur extensive damages. It is important that he is aware of his possible right to receive compensation for his damages and the proof required to do so.