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Truck Accidents Occurring in Parking Lots

Posted in Firm News

When most people think of a truck accident, they think of a high-speed wreck on the highway. However, since trucks are difficult to maneuver, and drivers have a hard time checking all their blind spots, parking lots can also be a dangerous area for pedestrians when trucks are around. In fact, low-speed accidents account for a large portion of the truck accidents that occur each year.

Truck drivers have a legally imposed duty to make sure that when they are operating their vehicle, they are doing so in a safe manner. This includes giving the truck a pre-trip look over to make sure that all the external mirrors, locks, and equipment are properly attached and functioning. Once the truck driver conducts that check, he also needs to make sure that he carefully leaves the parking lot. If the proper care is not taken, a serious or fatal pedestrian accident could take place, leaving the truck driver liable for the damages. In fact, this very type of accident recently occurred in the parking lot of a Pennsylvania gas station.

Truck Driver Runs Over Pedestrian in Gas Station Parking Lot

Earlier this month, one man was killed when he was run over and then dragged by a tractor trailer after he had stopped to get gas off the highway. According to one local news report covering the tragic accident, the tragedy occurred in the early morning hours on a main state highway.

Evidently, the victim was a 69-year-old man who had stopped at the service station to fill up his truck with gas. He parked the truck at the pump, got out to pay the cashier inside, and then walked back to his truck. However, as he was walking back to his truck, he had to cross in front of a tractor trailer. The driver of the tractor trailer must not have seen the man crossing, since the truck driver ran him over and then dragged him down the road. Sadly, the man was pronounced dead about an hour later. The cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma to the head. Currently, no charges are pending against the driver of the tractor trailer, but that could change as the investigation continues.

Financial Recovery for Accident Victims When No Citations Are Issued

While it does help an accident victim’s case if the other driver is issued a citation for their role in causing the accident, it is by no means a requirement. Indeed, many New Mexico truck accident cases are won each year by accident victims who were injured in crashes that did not result in a citation being issued. To learn more about this area of the law, consult with a dedicated New Mexico truck accident attorney.

Have You Been the Victim of a New Mexico Truck Accident?

If you or a loved one has recently been the victim of a New Mexico truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The skilled New Mexico personal injury attorneys at the Fine Law Firm have the experience and dedication you need to feel comfortable putting your case in their hands. With a successful track record in thousands of cases, the Fine Law Firm knows what it takes to help their clients pursue the compensation they deserve. Call 505-889-FINE to set up a free consultation today.

More Blog Posts:

Risks Associated with Fatigued Truck Drivers in New Mexico, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, June 28, 2016.

Court Issues Evidentiary Ruling Regarding Liability in Fatal Trucking Accident Regarding Expert Testimony, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, June 3, 2016.

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