Woman Killed, Children Injured In Cumberland County Dump Truck Collision Along Steep Run Road
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY (July 1, 2024) – A woman has tragically died and four children were injured in a Cumberland County dump truck collision on Steep Run Road.
Cumberland County officials are saying that the collision took place around 9:00 a.m. on June 20. A woman was driving an SUV with four children inside.
That SUV was hit by a dump truck at the intersection. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims.
Sadly, the woman driving the SUV died due to her injuries. Four children were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment.
The police cited the driver of the dump truck for failure to yield.
Liability For New Jersey Dump Truck Accidents
According to the Engineering News-Record, “Dump truck accidents severe enough that the vehicle had to be towed away rose 9%, hitting 8,206 in 2016, the latest year statistics are available.” Dump trucks can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians and those in smaller vehicles. There are several reasons why dump trucks can be dangerous.
- Dump trucks can weigh 10 times more than passenger vehicles, thereby making even low speed collisions potentially catastrophic.
- Dump trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles and pedestrians.
- Dump trucks have a high center of gravity, which can lead to pedestrians and smaller vehicles being pulled under the hood.
Dump truck drivers must do everything in their power to avoid causing accidents. Many dump truck collisions involved drivers who made dangerous left turns. Pursuant to NJ Rev Stat § 39:4-123, drivers intending to turn left must yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles that are close enough so as to pose a hazard. If a driver fails to yield the right-of-way to another driver prior to an accident, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Several factors may have contributed to any truck accident.
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
Car accidents can be extremely traumatic for all involved. They can be especially hard on families in the event that someone dies. To make matters worse, the company that operates dump trucks will often do everything in their power to deny liability if one of their drivers is involved in a collision. This is one of the reasons it is so important that evidence is properly preserved after any collision. The family of any person who died in a dump truck accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Investigating Cumberland County Dump Truck Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman who died in this collision. It is our sincere hope that all of the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.
Do you need more information about a Cumberland County dump truck accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. 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.
