A large truck crash slowed down traffic in New York City at the George Washington Bridge when Joao Daponta, 59, the driver of a tractor trailer, failed to control his vehicle and rear-ended another truck. The impact was so powerful that it resulted in the cab of the rear truck being lodged under the back end of the other truck. First responders reported that the trucks were jammed together so closely that they at first believed they were one vehicle.
Daponta was trapped in the vehicle and perished. Disaster personnel attempted to remove his body from the vehicle while the driver of the other truck was transported to Englewood Hospital in New Jersey. He is said to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover.
Investigators are exploring if Daponta may have fallen asleep at the wheel or had health issues.
Ironically, about the time of the deadly accident, a witness reported observing an individual desert his or her vehicle on the bridge then jump off the edge of the bridge. The vehicle was discovered vacated. The alleged suicide and the truck accident resulted in hours of delays for commuters.
Rear-End Accidents Most Common
Rear-end accidents are the most common type, accounting for about 28 percent of all crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Rear-end crashes are often caused by distraction or lack of attention. Sometimes they are caused by a driver misjudging stopping distances.
Most rear-end collisions are not fatal, although both drivers and passengers are occasionally killed in these crashes. By far the more common types of injuries associated with a rear-end crash are the whiplash injuries sustained by the drivers or passengers in the forward car.
Being a victim in a car accident can be devastating and leave you with life-changing injuries. While you cannot always control what happens on the road, you can be prepared if something should happen to you. When faced with being the victim of a serious car accident, you need to feel confident that you can count on lawyers who can fairly represent you in the court of law.
The Fitzgerald Law Firm in New York has represented many victims of automobile and truck accidents. Contact the Fitzgerald Law Firm today to learn how you may be able to recover compensation to pay for your medical bills, pain and suffering and other costs associated with a car accident.