(845) 802-0047One of the most dangerous maneuvers that a large commercial vehicle could make is passing another vehicle. This is particularly true on fast-moving highways and thruways like I-90, I-87, and other interstates. Large trucks like semi-tractor trailers have much larger blind spots which make it more difficult to see other vehicles in other lanes, particularly smaller passenger vehicles and motorcycles. When a large semi tractor-trailer attempts an improper passing, it could result in very serious and fatal New York trucking accidents.
There are two common places where improper passing by a large semi tractor-trailer occurs:
The first is on a highway or interstate with multiple lanes. Improper passing here could be passing on the right side of another vehicle, which is unsafe and dangerous. Or improper passing on a highway or interstate could be passing over the speed limit or above a reasonable speed considering the condition of the roadway and amount of traffic.
The second is on a two-lane road (one lane in each direction) and an 18 wheeler decides to pass by going into the other lane. Even if it is a designated passing area (one broken/dashed yellow line), a large commercial vehicle passing on a two-lane road is incredibly dangerous. This is because the roadway is already narrow since it is only two lanes, there is not a lot of space for the truck to pull into the left lane to pass, and the amount of space to complete the pass is usually shorter forcing a truck driver to aggressively accelerate to pull ahead. When a truck driver makes this improper passing in an area not designed for passing, it is incredibly dangerous.
Common New York Trucking Accidents Caused by Improper Passing
Given the factors at play when a large commercial vehicle like a big rig, box truck, tanker, and other truck are improperly passing another vehicle, there are certain types of collisions which occur in this type of New York trucking accident.
This includes some of the following types of 18 wheels crashes:
- Sideswipe crashes;
- Rear end collisions;
- Cutting off another vehicle that rear-ends the truck;
- Head on collisions;
- Rollovers;
- Jackknife crashes;
- Trailers that topple onto other vehicles and causing crushing accidents;
- Cargo that falls off a truck;
- Left turn crashes;
- Speeding accident; and
- Other common accidents.
Causes for Improper Passing Accidents in New York
There are many reasons why there may be an improper passing New York trucking accident. Most of these causes are due to truck driver error. This means that the causes are often reckless, careless, and due to the negligence of a New York truck driver.
Some of the common causes of New York trucking accidents due to a truck driver improperly passing another vehicle include the following:
- Aggressive driving;
- Drunk driving or drugged driving;
- Fatigued driving, such as due to hours of service (HOS) violations;
- Driver inexperience;
- Not using indicators or blinkers;
- Failing to have the proper truck lights activated and on;
- Mechanical defects;
- Speeding;
- Failing to gauge other vehicles’ distance and speed;
- Not seeing other vehicles in the truck’s blind spots; and
- Other common causes.
Were You Injured in a New York Trucking Accident Caused by a Truck Driver Improperly Passing You? Call Us
Victims of New York trucking accidents due to a truck driver’s improper passing of you or another vehicle could result in liability against the truck driver and trucking company. This is because New York law prohibits passing in certain areas of roadway and always requires a motorist to pass only when it is safe to do so. If a truck driver is passing in a manner that is not safe, it could automatically be deemed negligence by the violation of New York law. This allows victims and their families to recover compensation for personal injuries, including for their pain and suffering, lost wages, lost future earnings, medical bills, and loss of relationship with their loved ones and dependents.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or if a loved one was wrongfully killed due to a truck driver’s negligence for improperly passing you or another vehicle, please call our New York trucking accident lawyer to learn how we can help protect your rights to compensation under New York law. We offer FREE consultations and can speak with you no matter where you are in New York.