Big rig slams into a train overpass
CENTER MORICHES, Long Island, New York — An 18-wheeler tractor-trailer truck slammed into a train trestle overpass and flipped over around 5:00 a.m. The 18-wheeler was heading west on Main Street. The Long Island Railroad suspended train service for the morning to allow train officials to inspect the integrity of the bridge according to Long Island News 12. Law enforcement officers closed Montauk Highway to traffic in both directions while crews cleared the debris from the crash and inspected the bridge. Officers did not provide a reason why the truck traveled on Main Street with a height that exceeded the clearance of the train trestle. Police did not say whether they issued any charges against the driver.
Big rig accidents occur for numerous reasons. Those reasons include intoxicated operation, distracted driving, fatigue, recklessness, speeding, improper passing, turning, and lane changes, as well as refusing to obey traffic signs. Large truck accidents can happen for many other reasons in addition to those stated.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, which is the federal agency that oversees tractor-trailer and passenger bus safety, indicated that some of the factors that cause truck crashes begin to manifest within hours of the crash itself. Other factors happen within the moments before a collision, such as the decision to switch lanes without signaling or making an improper turn. However, alcohol or drug consumption, fatigue, and distraction could influence the exercise of poor judgment by the truck driver. Lack of experience and lack of familiarity with the roads could also lead to poor judgment and negligent operation of an 18-wheeler as well.
Trucks in poor conditions also contribute to trucking accidents. Brake problems, alignment problems, and tire wear causes a large number of truck crashes. Furthermore, inadequately secured cargo could toss the weight of the load to the side and create a jackknife accident.
New York | Brooklyn | Queens | Long Island | New Jersey | Florida
Call us at: 1-800-YOURLAWYER (800-968-7529) | Schedule your free consultation
Have you or a loved been harmed in a truck accident?
Click to Get A Free Case Review
