Truck Drivers Claimed He Thought Victim Killed in Fatal Hamburg Truck Accident Was a Deer
HAMBURG, NEW YORK (August 23, 2025) – A pedestrian has tragically died in a Hamburg truck accident along Interstate 90, according to the New York State Police.
Hamburg police officials are saying that the collision took place around 4:48 a.m. on August 19. A tractor-trailer collided with a pedestrian for undetermined reasons.
The victim apparently walked from a nearby hotel on I-90. Apparently, the truck driver kept going after the collision and told authorities that he thought he may have hit a deer.
Paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. Sadly, he later died due to the severe nature of his injuries.
Liability for New York Truck Accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured in collisions every year. According to the IIHS, “A total of 4,354 people died in large truck crashes in 2023. Sixteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 65% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 17% were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.” There are many factors that could contribute to any pedestrian collision.
- Speeding remains one of the most common causes of truck accidents.
- Truck drivers are often asked to work long hours and naturally become fatigued.
- Poor visibility is another major cause of truck accidents.
Truck drivers have a legal obligation to use caution to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway. It doesn’t matter if the pedestrian is crossing illegally or simply standing in the road. 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. When a driver fails to slow down in order to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after any truck accident.
- Medical records related to the incident should be preserved.
- Dashcam footage from the truck driver involved should be reviewed.
- The police report that detailed the accident should be collected.
Truck accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where truck drivers are not adequately scanning the road ahead of them. Sadly, truck drivers and their employers will virtually never admit fault if they kill someone. It is more likely that they will blame the victim for what happened. This is why it is so important that victims seek the opinion of an experienced legal advocate.
Investigating New York Truck Accidents
We at GLK Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian killed in this Hamburg truck accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the authorities. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Do you need more information about a Hamburg truck accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their legal rights and that truck drivers are held accountable for their negligent actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
