Short summary: An over-height tractor-trailer struck a Thruway overpass near Nyack, flipped, and hit a parked car. Truck crashes generally involve more responsible parties than car crashes: the driver, the trucking company, sometimes whoever loaded the vehicle. There is more insurance in play too, which is why the sorting-out takes more than a call to an adjuster.
A tractor-trailer that was too tall for the road slammed into an overpass on the New York State Thruway near Nyack this week, flipping onto its side and crashing into a parked car. It's a reminder that some of the most dangerous drivers on New York roads aren't distracted teenagers, they're commercial trucks that never should have been on that route in the first place.
Here's what happened, and what it means if you're ever hurt by a truck that shouldn't have been where it was.
What Happened Near Nyack
Around 12:20 p.m. Monday, a Mack tractor-trailer struck the South Broadway Bridge overpass on southbound I-87, according to CBS New York. The impact flipped the rig onto its side, and it then struck a sedan parked on the shoulder. The car's driver was taken to Nyack Hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening. Investigators say the truck was several feet over the legal height limit, and its driver, a 50-year-old commercial operator, was ticketed for driving an over-height vehicle. Two southbound lanes were closed for hours during cleanup.
Why Truck Crashes Are Different
Commercial trucks generally carry extra layers of responsibility that a typical car crash doesn't. Trucking companies must follow federal height, weight, and load rules, and a driver who ignores a posted clearance can create a hazard for everyone nearby, not just their own cargo. When a commercial vehicle causes a crash, more than one party may be involved: the driver, the trucking company, or whoever loaded the vehicle. Sorting that out generally takes more than a quick call to an insurance adjuster.
If You're Hit by a Commercial Truck
Document everything at the scene
Photos of the truck, its company markings, and any visible damage can matter later, especially in cases involving oversized or improperly loaded vehicles.
Get checked out, even if you feel fine
Impacts involving large trucks can cause injuries that don't show symptoms right away. Our guide to recovering with physical therapy after a crash covers what that process typically looks like.
Ask about a rental while your car is in the shop
A totaled or damaged vehicle shouldn't leave you stranded. See our notes on rental car coverage after an accident.
Know your deadlines
New York's no-fault rules move fast. Our explainer on the 30-day no-fault deadline is a good place to start, though deadlines vary by situation, which is exactly why it's worth getting advice now.
Reporting: CBS New York.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
Who pays after a truck accident in New York?
Generally more parties than a car crash: the driver, the trucking company, and sometimes whoever loaded the vehicle, each with its own insurance. Sorting that out usually takes more than a quick call to an insurance adjuster.
What should I do if a commercial truck hurt me or damaged my car?
Photograph the truck, its company markings, and the scene; get the police report; see a doctor the same day; and get free advice before accepting any offer.
Not sure where you stand after a crash? Get your free case review or call (888) 208-0529. A real person answers, 24/7.
