Intoxicated truck driver injures woman on Hudson Valley bridge
Considering the size and weight of a tractor-trailer, it is not uncommon for some people to dislike sharing the road with them. Most truck drivers are very safe and follow the numerous state and federal regulations designed to keep traffic moving safely. However, truck drivers are human and make their fair share of mistakes. As nerve-wracking as it can be to look in a rearview mirror and see an 18-wheeler bearing down on your vehicle, imagine how much more uncomfortable you would be if you knew that the driver of the truck had been drinking. A recent truck accident on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge illustrates how dangerous is it for a truck driver to operate a rig while intoxicated.
The accident
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on August 26, a New Jersey woman was traveling across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, headed eastbound on Interstate 84. A tractor-trailer was approaching from the opposite direction. As the truck neared the woman's Subaru, the truck driver veered, crossing the median into oncoming traffic where his truck collided head-on with the car. The woman driving the car was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie where she was treated for head, leg and internal injuries. The truck driver was charged with vehicular assault, driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance. The crash caused serious traffic delays; according to state troopers, the crash scenes were not cleared until early the next morning.
The consequences
Depending on the severity of the woman's injuries, her medical bills may be significant. The average cost per day of a hospital stay in New York is approximately $1,800 to $1,900, according to BeckersHospitalReview.com. With a head injury, the crash victim may have to go through various types of therapy, which can take months and may involve numerous physicians, nurses and therapists, driving up the amount of the medical bills. If the woman files suit against the truck driver seeking damages and proves her case, she will be entitled to recover the amount of the medical bills that stem from her injuries.
Furthermore, the injured woman may miss a great deal of work if her injuries were severe. Lost wages are another component of the damages that an individual who is injured by the negligence of another can recover.
In addition, if the woman's car was totaled as a result of the collision, which is likely considering it was struck by a tractor-trailer, she can receive funds to compensate her for the property damage to her vehicle.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident due to the negligence of another, you are also entitled to recover damages. Being involved in a motor vehicle accident is a stressful event. Contacting an experienced attorney may set your mind at ease. It helps to know that you have someone on your side who will help you receive the compensation you deserve.