It is well known that New York is a city full of pedestrians. With the number of pedestrians on city streets continuing to increase, the number of auto-pedestrian accidents are also on the rise. Sadly, these accidents often leave their victims with life-changing injuries. This was certainly the case for a pedestrian recently injured in a commercial vehicle accident.

A 63-year-old woman was crossing a local street on the Upper East Side when she was struck by a cement truck. The driver of the truck, a 52-year-old male, apparently wasn't aware he had hit anyone and kept going, unknowingly dragging the woman along with him. It wasn't until another pedestrian flagged him down and got him to stop that he was able to hear the victim's screams. The driver and several others came to aid the victim until an ambulance arrived at the scene. One of the victim's legs was severed just below the knee as a result of the accident; her current condition is unknown.

Commercial vehicles are big and often don't provide the best visibility for their drivers. In this case, the driver -- understandably horrified by the event -- is still trying to figure out what happened. He has reportedly been cooperating with local police as they try to piece together the events that led up to the incident. While the accident is still being investigated, it is unknown if any criminal charges will be filed against the driver.

A pedestrian hurt in a commercial vehicle accident often suffers from crippling if not fatal injuries. The woman involved in this tragic accident may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against the driver and his respective employer to seek compensation for her pain and suffering, medical expenses and future care/needs. If liability is established, a New York civil court could grant her a monetary award for injuries suffered and to assist in her recovery.

Source: dnainfo.com, Woman Loses Leg to Cement Mixer in Upper East Side Traffic Accident: Police, Tanay Warerkar and Janon Fisher, Jan. 18, 2014