A tractor-trailer carrying cranberries recently overturned along state Route 287. The truck was en route to Boston and traveling on the flyover ramp from Route 17 in north Mahwah at the beginning of evening rush hour when it overturned. The accident resulted in the closure of Route 287 and the Route 17 flyover onramp, and miles of delays for drivers heading home at the end of the work day. Police and other emergency personnel spent roughly an hour attempting to extricate the driver of the tractor-trailer from the cab of the vehicle. A trauma surgeon from St. Joseph’s Medical Center of Paterson was on hand at the scene of the accident. Unfortunately, shortly after the driver was extracted from the truck, he succumbed to his injuries, approximately an hour and a half after the crash originally occurred. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The highway was not entirely re-opened until three hours after the crash occurred. 

Tractor trailer accidents can often result in serious injury and property damage. There are numerous elements that must be perfectly in place to safely drive a tractor trailer.

*Air pressure on tires must be perfect, as a low tire could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle

*A blown tire on a tractor trailer is much more serious than on a passenger vehicle, and can also lead a driver to swerve out of control and crash

*If a semi driver is required to swerve around a stopped car or object in the roadway, a trailer loaded in an improper manner could cause the trailer to become imbalanced and tip more easily

*Since semis already require extra time than a passenger vehicle to come to a stop, any excessive wear in a tractor-trailer’s braking mechanisms could lengthen that time and cause a crash

*Drivers must possess a high degree of alertness and pay close attention to the road, despite working long shifts on tight schedules, and frequently operating on too little rest

Even minor incidents on the road can lead to major crashes for tractor-trailers, and often serious injuries for other nearby drivers. It’s important to remain aware of your surroundings when driving near a semi or tractor-trailer, and to ensure that you are not in the driver’s blind spots or causing a large semi to come to a stop with too little warning. If you or a loved one have been injured in a semi or tractor trailer crash, contact experienced truck accident attorneys to ensure that you’re fully compensated for your injuries. Call the knowledgeable Morristown attorneys at Smith & Doran for assistance with your truck crash claim. Our lawyers are available throughout the area, including Florham Park, Stirling, New Vernon, Mount Freedom, and Morris and Passaic County. Call for a free consultation on your possible lawsuit: 973-292-0016.