Motor vehicle accidents are a common hazard of modern life, and accidents involving large trucks can be particularly devastating in terms of injuries. If you drive on American roadways, you are sure to share the road with large trucks, but it is important to be aware of particularly hazardous areas near you. If you live in the Long Island area, you should educate yourself as to why the Long Island Expressway is a trucking danger zone.
About Truck Accidents
Large trucks in close proximity to smaller passenger vehicles create an inherently dangerous situation. Some hazards that are unique or uniquely dangerous for trucks include the following:
- Weather conditions. Ice, rain, or other weather-related conditions that reduce friction on roads are hazardous to all vehicles, but they can be especially so for large trucks because of the difficulty of stopping a vehicle that is so heavy.
- Blind spots. It is normal for a motor vehicle to have a blind spot, but large trucks that do not install special mirrors can have large blind spots, and it is possible for cars to drive alongside them for long periods of time without the truck driver being able to see the other vehicle.
- Trailer issues. Large trucks that pull cargo trailers can sometimes have accidents because of their trailers that sway on turns. A trailer can jackknife and collide with cars in multiple lanes beside a truck.
In 2024 alone, there were over 120,000 trucks involved in injury accidents across the United States, and trucks accounted for 9% of all motor vehicles that were involved in fatal accidents. In 2022, 146 people were killed in accidents that involved large trucks in the state of New York.
About the Long Island Expressway and Exit 49
The Long Island Expressway, which is officially called Interstate 495, is a main commuter highway for people in and around Long Island. It runs east to west and spans around 71 miles. This highway sees heavy commuter traffic every morning and evening, as well as heavy shipping traffic. Exit 49 is an exit that connects the Long Island Expressway to New York State Route 110. This is a frequent trucking route that leads to Nassau County and Suffolk County. Because Route 110 is also an extremely busy road, running north to south, there is often a serious bottleneck effect at Exit 49, especially during high-traffic stretches of time in the morning and evening.
This bottleneck can create an especially treacherous situation when it comes to accident potential. Incidents such as rear-end collisions and side-swipe collisions are common around exits and during slowdowns, especially if road conditions are slick or if drivers are not paying full attention to the road.
What to Do if You Are in an Accident on the Long Island Expressway
If you are involved in a truck accident on the Long Island Expressway, the following are some things you should do immediately:
- Seek medical attention. Any time you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, even if you do not immediately think your injuries are serious, you should get a full evaluation from a qualified medical professional. Some injuries may not be obvious at first, so this is an important step to protect your health.
- Call the authorities. If you are able to safely move your car out of the roadway, you should do so. Either way, you should call the police to report the accident.
- Exchange information. If you are able to talk to the other driver or drivers involved to exchange insurance information, you should do so when it is safe.
- Document the scene. You should take photos and videos of the scene of the accident, including road conditions, weather conditions, vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, and any other potentially relevant aspects.
- Hire a truck accident lawyer. If you are injured in the accident, you should hire a truck accident lawyer at your earliest convenience. Your attorney can help you through every step of the process when seeking compensation, from filing your initial insurance claim to representing you in the courtroom if your case requires litigation.
FAQs
What Is a Side-Swipe Collision?
A side-swipe collision occurs when two vehicles strike each other on their sides. This kind of collision is common for large trucks due to blind spots. They may change lanes without seeing a car next to them, or a car next to them may change lanes or alter its speed, not knowing the truck driver cannot see their vehicle.
Can I Claim Compensation for a Truck Accident on the Long Island Expressway?
Yes. If you were injured in a truck accident on the Long Island Expressway, you can claim compensation for your economic and non-economic losses as long as the accident was not 100% your fault. In New York, laws governing personal injury compensation work on the concept of pure comparative negligence, meaning that if the other person was even 10% at fault for the accident, you can claim some compensation.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous Compared to Passenger Vehicle Accidents?
All motor vehicle accidents are dangerous, but those involving trucks can be especially so because of the size difference between the involved vehicles. Because of the additional weight, it takes a lot of force to stop a truck once they are moving and their mass increases the energy of an impact. Therefore, impacts between large trucks and smaller vehicles are more forceful which is especially dangerous for people inside of these smaller vehicles.
What Compensation Could I Get for a Truck Accident?
If you are injured in a truck accident, you can make a claim for your pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, as well as any medical expenses and lost wages that were not paid for by the No-Fault auto insurance. The goal is to help the injured person restore their life to the way it was before the accident as much as can be done. The only available remedy to accomplish that goal is by monetary compensation from the parties responsible for causing the accident.
Need Legal Support? Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been in a truck accident on the Long Island Expressway, or any highway or roadway and find yourself in need of legal assistance, contact the Law Office of Brett J. Nomberg, PLLC. We have been serving clients in Long Island and throughout New York for more than 30 years, and we have what it takes to stand up for you.
