Man Killed In Gerritsen Beach Garbage Truck Accident

New York Police Department Officials Investigating Fatal Gerritsen Beach Garbage Truck Accident Gerritsen Avenue in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (January 20, 2024) – A man has tragically died after being involved in a Gerritsen Beach car accident with a garbage truck along Gerritsen Avenue.

New York City police officials are saying that the accident took place around 12:35 a.m. on Friday. A man was driving a Mercedez-Benz when he was hit by a private garbage truck making a U-turn.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Sadly, the 42-year-old driver in the Mercedes died due to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital.

A full investigation into the Gerritsen Beach crash remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Brooklyn Garbage Truck Accidents

Garbage truck accidents are far more common than many people realize. According to one report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are around 2,500 garbage truck fatalities every year. Garbage trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of pedestrians. A fully loaded garbage truck can weigh as much as 50,000 lbs. Even a low impact collision can be catastrophic. There are a number of steps that garbage truck drivers should take in order to avoid collisions.

• Garbage truck drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
• Garbage truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for potential hazards.
• Garbage truck drivers should use their horn when necessary to alert other drivers and pedestrians of their presence.

Garbage truck drivers are supposed to exercise due care in order to avoid collisions. Many accidents are due to drivers that make dangerous left turns or U-turns. According to New York Vehicle Code 1141, “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.” It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any collision.

• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Medical records should be preserved.
• Surveillance footage should be sought.
• The police report for the collision should be reviewed.

If a garbage truck driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. The family of any person that died in a garbage truck accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Investigating Brooklyn Garbage Truck Accidents

We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man that died in this Gerritsen Beach garbage truck accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of this victim’s family. 

Do you need more information about a Gerritsen Beach garbage truck accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that garbage truck companies are held accountable for their negligent actions. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.