16-Year-Old Girl Killed, 8-Year-Old Girl Injured In Woodside, Queens Truck Accident By 46th Street and 47th Avenue
WOODSIDE, QUEENS (August 31, 2024) – A 16-year-old girl has tragically died and her 8-year-old sister was injured in a Woodside, Queens truck accident.
New York City officials are saying that the incident took place on Wednesday. The two girls were walking when they were hit by a box truck making a right turn.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victims. The 16-year-old girl died, and her 8-year-old sister was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
The truck driver left the scene and was discovered not far away while making a delivery. The driver told police he did not see the girls prior to the collision.
Authorities have declined to charge the truck driver involved in the crash.
Liability For Queens Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians and those in smaller vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2022, 5,837 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, an 1.8% increase from 2021 and a 49% increase in the last 10 years. The involvement rate per 100 million large-truck miles traveled is up 3% from 2021, and up 24% in the last 10 years.” Truck drivers should take a number of measures in order to prevent collisions.
- Truck drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Truck drivers should use their horns when necessary to alert pedestrians of their presence.
- Truck drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
All truck drivers have a legal obligation to use caution to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to New York Vehicle Code 1146, all drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians, bicyclists, and domestic animals in the roadway. If a truck driver fails to slow down and hits a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any collision.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be collected.
- The police report for the collision should be reviewed.
The vast majority of pedestrian accidents are preventable. They tend to involve drivers that are either distracted or traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions. When a driver hits a pedestrian without realizing it, this tends to indicate that they either were not paying attention or failed to check their blind spots. The family of any person that died in a pedestrian collision may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Woodside Truck Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of the girl that died in this collision. It is our hope that the 8-year-old girl will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victims’ family.
Do you need more information about a Woodside truck accident? Our team of pedestrian accident attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent drivers are held to account for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
