Thomas Sanabria Selkirk: Thomas A. Sanabria of Albany, 15-Year-Old Girl from Troy Injured In Selkirk Fuel Truck Accident On River Road Near Bethlehem
SELKIRK, NEW YORK (December 18, 2019) – A 25-year-old man identified as Thomas Sanabria and his 15-year-old female passenger were injured in a fuel truck accident on River Road.
New York State Police are saying that the accident took place around 12:46 p.m. on Tuesday. For reasons that remain under investigation the fuel truck and car driven by Thomas Sanabria collided head-on along a bend in the road.
The truck which is owned by Fowler Fuels was perpendicular in the roadway by the time police arrived. The car was pinned between a guardrail and the fuel truck.
Firefighters were able to remove Thomas Sanabria from the Kia Optima. The 15-year-old girl in the car was thrown from the vehicle following the collision.
Both were transported to the Albany Medical Center Hospital with major injuries including broken bones and internal trauma. The fuel truck began leaking after the collision but first responders were able to contain it.
Winter weather conditions are believed to have possibly played a role in the crash. Investigators are currently working to determine what happened through accident reconstruction.
An investigation into the Bethlehem Fowler Fuels truck accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Bethlehem Fuel Truck Accidents
Trucks are considered “common carriers” under the law and are held to a very high standard in terms of safety. According to Acosta v. Southern California Rapid Transit Dist., “Common carriers bind themselves to carry safely those whom they take into their vehicles, and owe both a duty of utmost care and the vigilance of a very cautious person towards their passengers. Such carriers are responsible for any,even the slightest, negligence and are required to do all that human care,vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under all the circumstances.” There are a number of factors commonly associated with truck accidents including:
- prescription drug use – 26%
- traveling too fast – 23%
- over-the-counter drugs – 17%
- fatigue – 13%
- alcohol – 8%
- illegal drug use – 3%
Inclement weather is also another major factor for truck accidents. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. They are already very difficult to control even in the best of conditions. Rain, sleet, snow or ice can make operating a truck extremely hazardous. This is why all truck drivers must operate their vehicles according to the prevailing conditions. Even traveling 10 mph below the speed limit could be reckless depending on the actual road conditions. Liability for an accident may also extend beyond any driver.
Cities have a legal obligation to design, construct and maintain roads that are in a reasonably safe condition. When a defect on a roadway contributes to an accident the city or municipality responsible for the road could be held liable for the accident. When there is a history of accidents along a particular stretch of road city officials must take action to correct this problem. There are a number of ways that a roadway could be dangerous including:
- Uneven pavement
- Poor road design
- Improper draining
- Potholes
- Inadequate traffic signals or signs
FMCSA guidelines require commercial trucks to carry between $1,000,000 – $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage depending on the type of material being transported. Any person that is injured in a fuel truck accident may be able to seek help through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, truck companies and cities will often fight vigorously to deny liability for any accident. A truck accident attorney can investigate all of the facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Bethlehem Fuel Truck Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to Thomas Sanabria and the 15-year-old girl injured in this accident. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to the New York State Police as they continue their investigation. It is our sincere hope that measures are put in place to help make River Road safer.
If you or someone that you care about has been injured in a fuel truck accident there are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We are committed to making sure that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have questions about the law or need a free investigation into a particular incident we are here for you. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at 212-471-5106.
