A tractor-trailer collided with a van on Route 33 in East Windsor, New Jersey, killing the truck driver and injuring two others. ABC 6 reports that the truck crossed a median on Route 33. The 52-year-old driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The 42-year-old woman driving the van and her 3-year-old child were hospitalized after the crash. While the collision occurred in the early morning hours, investigators have not said if truck driver fatigue caused or contributed to the accident.
Truck drivers occasionally exceed the amount of hours they are permitted to drive without sleep. Unrealistic delivery schedules and/or a driver’s attempt to earn more money, may result in truck drivers taking to the roads when they clearly are tired and fatigued. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which monitors and regulates trucking companies, has put in place regulations to restrict the number of hours a truck driver can operate his or her rig without sleep. However, the truth remains that this law is difficult to enforce, and truck drivers continue to put themselves and others in danger by driving excessive hours without appropriate rest.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it is important to contact an experienced NJ personal injury attorney familiar with the factors relating to trucking accidents. A knowledgeable attorney will secure documents including driver, transport company and State driver/weigh station logs before they are lost, misplaced or destroyed.
The New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Blume Forte have experience in pursuing claims against negligent trucking companies and drivers: whether through out-of-court settlement, arbitration, mediation, or, through trial, we will assist you to secure appropriate compensation for your physical injuries and other damages. Call us at 973-845-4421 for a no-cost consultation.