Hit a 13'6 ¹/² bridge.

So I was in NYC on a designated local truck route getting one area to the next in Brooklyn on Ave U. I come up to the coney island train Bridge like I have done million times before. The same way I went into the city earlier in the morning. I made it under it the first time. On my way out I hit the bridge when I was empty. When I measured the bridge it was 13'6 ¹/² inches. When I measured my trailer I was sitting at 13'8" almost. My company is trying to blame me & fire me. Is there anything I can do to fight this? Labor lawyers or anything since it was equipment malfunction and apparently this happen with other trucks in our fleet but they didn't go around and check all the trucks. Any ideas would be helpful.

 

Does your company have anything in writing about the minimum clearence you are allowed to go under? I would not say another word to them until I spoke with an attorney. They are not your friend.

 

Nothing in policy & they defense is i went under a bridge marked 12'2" in NYC which anyone knows if they run NYC they don't put the actual height. I gone under bridges that been 11'12" , 12' , 12'2" , and 12'6" and made it no problem because NYC measure weird. I also measure my stuff before leaving. But once I was empty guess it raised up. Or it malfunction mid route. Like how is a driver supposed to know that. I also was going 5mph under bridge because I know its a tight fit. Any clue on good attorney or what kinda attorney I need to call?

 

This thread just gave me extreme anxiety, my hats off to you m! Good luck driver!

 

It sounds like your employer has decided to take the cheaper way out (short term) and throw you under the bus instead of fixing the problem. Lawyer up!

 

I need to see how this plays out because I’m genuinely curious, and it’s raised a question I didn’t even consider until now lol thanks

 

The OP is not the first driver I have heard this same issue from. Depending on the tires and suspension a trailer can be several inches higher empty than loaded. I am going to stay out of the fighting part of this problem. With a lot of carriers hitting a bridge is something they don't like.

You green drivers really need to remember two things about bridges. Don't take those clearance signs as gospel. They can be several inches off after a road is resurfaced. next, almost every trailer will be a bit higher empty. This means you can get under one going in and strike it coming out.

 

When you call the New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS), you will be asked what county you are calling from, and where in New York you would like to see an attorney. The LRIS staff will ask you to describe your problem. Any information you provide will be held in the strictest confidence. The LRIS counselors are not lawyers and therefore cannot give you legal advice, but will help you find the right resource for your situation. In the event that we do not offer lawyer referrals in your county, we will provide you with contact information for a lawyer referral service that does.

WHAT IS THE COST?

If you are referred to an attorney through the lawyer referral service the attorney will provide you with a half-hour consultation for $35. (Free consultations are given for personal injury, social security, medical malpractice, veteran's and military law, unemployment or workers' compensation.) During your visit with the attorney, you and the attorney will discuss your matter and decide what further action to take, if any. There is no obligation for you to hire the attorney, nor is there any obligation on the part of the attorney to take your case. If the attorney agrees to represent you, the attorney will charge you at his or her regular rates.

If you can't afford to pay a lawyer, there may be a legal services association that can help. Visit lawhelpNY.org for further information.

That should get you started.

 

Yep

 

I'm not an attorney, but, I have spoken to several drivers who have been fired because they struck a fixed object. I am sure there is a better legal term for this, but on this subject, there is a 900-pound gorilla in the room. The OP hit a fixed object. I'm not taking sides. I'm just stating a fact. It will take thousands of $$ to get this case into court. As a driver, you are considered to be the capt of that truck. Most likely if the OPs carrier fires them for striking a fixed object the OP will have very little recourse. I know of a driver that was fired because he hit a power line while trying to get his 53-foot trailer into a place not designed for it. That carrier's safety dept fired him anyway because they said he should have used better judgment. One good thing about this. There are many places that will hire you. This is not a career-ender by any means!