Long Island, Manhattan Accident Attorney Blog

New Brake Requirements May Prevent New York Truck Accidents

A new federal rule will hopefully cut down on the thousands of large truck accidents in New York and across the country.    This new law will require brakes to have stopping distances that are 30 percent shorter than the current rule.

The brake law for trucks has not been updated since 1995.  This regulation will involve 3-axle rigs with gross weight of 59,600 pounds or less, which make up about 80 percent of all large trucks.  With these new brakes, large trucks will stop in no more than 250 feet from 60 mph when carrying a full load.  The current requirement is 355 feet.

A New York truck accident can lead to devastating injuries and death.  In 2008, more than 4,000 people died in large truck accidents across the country.  The majority of the deaths were the passengers in the smaller vehicles.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in New York, you should contact an experienced New York truck accident lawyer who can explain your legal rights.  You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries, depending on the details of your case.  Contact the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445.