In New York City, traffic accidents happen all the time. Some are big, some are small, and everyone involved is entitled to representation. One form of traffic accidents that have been receiving increased scrutiny are those related to garbage trucks.
Recent inspections show that New York City garbage trucks are faulty and prone to dangerous infractions. These inspections, conducted by the NYPD in Manhattan and the Bronx over the past month, found that every private garbage truck examined failed key safety measures. Infractions found in these trucks included everything from faulty brakes, to leaky fuel lines, to missing lights. What makes these findings all the more concerning for private garbage truck drivers is that they correspond to a rise in garbage truck accidents in NYC.
Dangerous Garbage Trucks on New York City Streets
According to the NYPD, private garbage truck accidents have resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people since 2016. Department Chief Terence Monahan alleges that these 25-ton trucks, in addition to being broken down, have violated New York City laws and caused accidents by:
- Failing to yield to pedestrians and cyclists
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Driving the wrong direction
- Failing to stop for red lights
These accusations came at a press conference in conjunction with an upcoming NYPD crackdown on garbage truck safety, initiated after the police department finished its inspection last month. NYPD Chief of Transportation, Thomas M. Chan, has said that this year alone, 1,826 summons have been issued for garbage truck violations.
Contact Gannes & Musico, LLP if You Need Defense in a Garbage Truck-Related Case
Despite Chan and the NYPD’s assurance that garbage trucks with serious equipment failure will be taken off the road, private garbage truck drivers need to know how to protect themselves should they end up in court. Faulty truck infractions are not your fault, and if you are being unfairly blamed for a maintenance problem, you may be entitled to an attorney. Don’t let the negligence of your employer put you behind bars. If you’re a private garbage truck driver in need of representation, contact a New York City traffic attorney at Gannes & Musico, LLP today.
To meet with a New York City traffic attorney from our team, please call us at (877) 803-2603 or contact us here.