New Jersey Truck Driver's Accident Trial to Begin in November
The trial of the truck driver accused of causing a fatal accident in 2008 is expected to begin in November.
Kenneth A Middlebusher is a resident of Deptford in Gloucester County. According to police reports, Middlebusher was driving a truck on route 9 in Woodford in Vermont in April 2008 at high speeds, when the tractor trailer overturned and crashed into two other cars. Two occupants of one car were killed instantly, while the driver of the other car died in September. According to police, the tractor trailer driver had been operating the truck at excessive speeds that were too high for prevailing road conditions. Besides, the truck was hauling loads of paper rolls that were not secured properly. Police believe that shifting of the loads may have caused the tractor trailer to overturn.
The trial is set to begin on November 12th, and if convicted, Middlebusher is looking at 15 years in jail. Driving at excessive speeds is one of the most common causes of tractor trailer accidents. Driving at excessive speeds does not always mean that a driver is driving above posted speed limits. A trucker can also be said to be speeding if he is traveling at speeds that are too high for the prevailing traffic and weather conditions.
For instance, driving on a crowded freeway or during rush hour will mean that a truck driver must adjust his speeds in a manner that allows him and motorists to be safe. Besides traffic conditions, drivers must also take into consideration the elements of the weather. Heavy rain, strong winds, snow fall and other poor conditions can impact safe operations of a tractor trailer. In such cases, drivers must slow down so they can maintain control over their vehicle. Unsecured loads are a less obvious, but crucial factor in any truck accident. Because these 18 wheelers carry large and heavy cargo, it's imperative that the cargo is secured properly to maintain balance. Overloading or shift of an unsecured cargo can cause a change in balance, leading to the driver losing control over the truck.
Scott Grossman is an experienced Passaic truck accident attorney representing injured victims of such accidents in Passaic, Haledon, Totowa, Little Falls, Clifton, Paterson and other cities in Passaic County, and across New Jersey.