Suburban communities in North Jersey and elsewhere often have signs restricting trucks of a certain size or weight from traveling on residential streets. Many of us ignore these warnings because they don’t apply to us, but when the operator of a commercial vehicle fails to heed the rules, a tragedy could result. Even in situations where no restriction is posted, truck drivers should use extra caution when traveling on hills and narrow thoroughfares.
On June 11, a deadly crash occurred at the intersection of Fairview Avenue and Goffle Hill Road in Hawthorne. A dump truck, heavily laden with stones, reportedly failed to stop going down a hill, resulting in a devastating collision with an SUV. Though this accident was particularly serious, taking the life of SUV driver Johnny Azar, residents of the area say that collisions are very common due to the steepness of the road.
An ordinance limits the road to vehicles under four tons, and the truck involved far exceeded this limit with an estimated gross weight around 80,000 pounds. Such violations not only spotlight regulatory inadequacies but also raise questions about the efficacy of signage and enforcement in preventing these ongoing incidents. While a local resident says that a sign on the bottom of the hill reflects the ban, a warning at the top of the hill would be more effective to reduce the likelihood of a truck accident.
Legal action concerning this tragic incident may be forthcoming, as well as government action designed to avert future crashes of this type. Along with additional signs, town officials have indicated that they might work with GPS providers to help make drivers aware of places large commercial vehicles are prohibited.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, it’s important to understand if rules governing operation of commercial vehicles were violated. Drivers who ignore the law and employers that impose unrealistic deadlines on their workers could be legally liable for the damages stemming from an accident. A knowledgeable attorney can review the facts and advise on the best way to hold negligent parties accountable.
Seigel Law in Ridgewood has collected more than $500 million for New Jersey plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death claims relating to truck accidents and other types of incidents. Please call 201-444-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation to discuss your options.