The crash serves as a tragic reminder of the devastation 18-wheelers can cause
A tractor-trailer driver recently caused a fatal truck accident in Indiana after running a stop sign and crashing into another vehicle, killing the other driver on a recent Friday afternoon, according to WANE 15 News.
The truck accident occurred at the intersection of State Roads 9 and 14 in Whitley County, Indiana, which is located about 20 miles west of Fort Wayne. The tractor-trailer driver did not stop at a stop signal and crashed into a Buick driven by an 87-year-old Columbia City resident, who died in the accident.
The victim was on State Road 14 and driving through the intersection when a tractor-trailer heading north on State Road 9 did not stop or slow down, according to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, WANE 15 News reported.
Common causes of truck accidents
Failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light is just one reason why truck accidents happen in Indiana. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates the commercial trucking industry, collects data nationwide and statewide regarding the most common violations involving commercial truck drivers and their vehicles.
In 2021, the five most common violations involving commercial truck drivers in Indiana were:
- Speeding, driving 6 to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit (12,229 violations involving commercial truck drivers in Indiana in 2021)
- Speeding, driving 11 to 14 miles per hour over the speed limit (5,094 violations)
- Lane restriction violations, including changing lanes without signaling or drifting into another lane (4,426 violations)
- Speeding, driving 15 miles per hour or more over the speed limit (2,058 violations)
- Speeding in a work zone or construction zone (1,864 violations)
As the violations indicate, speeding truck drivers often cause serious accidents. But as the lane restriction violations suggest, sometimes truck drivers aren’t paying close attention while they’re driving. As a result, distracted truckers also cause a lot of serious trucking accidents.
Safety tips for drivers
Collisions involving tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, and other large commercial vehicles can have serious consequences. That’s why it’s important for drivers to be alert at all times and do everything they can to avoid an accident involving a commercial truck, such as:
- Make sure you keep a safe distance between your vehicle and large commercial trucks.
- If you’re passing a truck, don’t linger alongside the truck. Sometimes, truck drivers cannot see you in their blind spots. Pass quickly and make sure the truck driver can clearly see you.
- Large commercial trucks need more time and space to stop and slow down. Take this into account if you see a truck on the road.
- If you’re driving through an intersection, make sure to look carefully in every direction for an oncoming truck.
- If you need to stop along a highway or busy road often used by trucks, make sure you stop in a place alongside the road where trucks and other vehicles can clearly see you.
While these tips can be helpful, it's worth remembering that truck drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles safely. Sometimes even the safest drivers sustain serious injuries in crashes caused by truck drivers behaving recklessly or negligently. When that happens, it’s important for injury victims to fully understand their legal rights. That’s why if you were injured or a loved one died in a truck accident, it’s critical to talk to an attorney as soon as possible.
Know your rights. Talk to a truck accident lawyer today.
You might think you don’t need an attorney if a commercial truck driver hit you. But the reality is truck accident claims often turn into complicated legal cases. Part of this has to do with the fact that truck accidents are typically investigated by several different local, state, and federal agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Different state and federal laws also may apply to commercial truck accidents.
With so much at stake, you can’t afford to take chances with your future. You need to level the playing field and give yourself a fighting chance against the trucking company and its team of attorneys.
At Boughter Sinak, LLC, we understand how the legal system works and can help you build a winning legal case. Let us aggressively advocate for your best interests and fight for the financial compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation with an experienced Fort Wayne truck accident lawyer. We have two offices conveniently located in Fort Wayne and South Bend, and we handle cases throughout Indiana.