Firetruck Involved in Fatal Collision With Queens Cyclist Near Juniper Valley Park
QUEENS, NEW YORK (April 20, 2025) – A bicyclist has tragically died in Queens after being hit by a New York Fire Department truck on Juniper Boulevard.
New York City officials are saying that the accident took place around 4 PM on Saturday. A man was riding his bike along Juniper Boulevard when he was hit by a New York City Fire Department truck that was turning off of a nearby street.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Despite the life-saving measures of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
One witness described seeing two firefighters at the scene who seemed visibly shaken, as though they were in a state of shock. A full investigation into the Queens fire truck accident remains ongoing.
Liability for Queens Fire Truck Accidents
Many people are killed or seriously injured every year in accidents involving emergency vehicles, including fire trucks. According to the National Safety Council, “Crashes involving police vehicles accounted for the most deaths (149), followed by ambulances (40), and fire trucks (35).” There are several factors that could contribute to an accident involving an emergency vehicle.
- Emergency vehicles routinely speed and perform other traffic maneuvers that would otherwise be illegal.
- Emergency vehicles routinely drive through dense urban settings filled with pedestrians and cyclists.
- Collisions with emergency vehicles are much more likely to happen at intersections, especially as drivers are making left turns.
All emergency operators have a legal obligation to exercise a great deal of care in order to avoid collisions. When an emergency operator is responding to an actual emergency, they must use their lights and sirens. When an emergency operator is not responding to an actual emergency, they must obey the rules of the road as would any other driver. Victims of emergency vehicle accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Even if an emergency vehicle is responding to an emergency with its lights and sirens, it must still take certain measures to avoid needlessly injuring or harming pedestrians. If an emergency operator performs their job duties with a reckless disregard for the safety of the public, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. The family of any person killed in a crash with a fire truck or other emergency vehicle may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating New York City Fire Truck Accidents
We at GLK Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of the cyclist killed in this collision. Any person with more information about what happened should reach out to police officials. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies may potentially be averted.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a New York City fire truck accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to assist you in any way that we can. We can investigate all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are. Whether you just have legal questions or need help getting to the bottom of what caused any particular collision, we may be able to assist you. You can contact us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
