Anyone who has driven on Louisiana’s highways knows that trucks of all shapes and sizes are a very common sight. From smaller pickup trucks carrying light loads to massive 18- wheelers hauling tons of goods, trucks are an everyday means of transporting goods and equipment all across the state. Unfortunately, trucks also pose some serious safety issues for drivers who share the roads with them. This is especially true when it comes to bigger and heavier trucks.
Recently, a truck accident in nearby Baton Rouge caused the death of a 74-year-old woman. The woman was a passenger in a Toyota Camry when a dump truck hit the car, causing the driver of the Camry to lose control of it. Another truck, an 18-wheeler, then plowed into the Camry and sent it into a concrete dividing wall. The driver of the Camry suffered only minor injuries, and the driver of the 18-wheeler was uninjured. The 74-year-old woman died in a nearby hospital.
When a truck collides with a car, it often results in devastating consequences for the people in the car. All drivers must appreciate how dangerous these large trucks can be. Unlike a smaller car, truck drivers cannot easily maneuver trucks or stop them quickly. Likewise, truck drivers must take appropriate care when driving these larger vehicles.
People who are injured as a result of a negligent truck driver may be entitled to compensation. In many cases, the truck company has liability for the actions of the driver and thus has to pay for the driver’s negligence. Likewise, the family members of someone who is killed in a truck accident, like the woman in this case, may have a wrongful death claim against the truck driver and the driver’s employer.
Louisiana’s roads, like those in all other states, are filled with trucks at any given time. Truck drivers and those driving in other vehicles must respect and understand just how dangerous these trucks can become.
Source: WAFB, “Woman killed in multi-vehicle crash on I-12,” July 2, 2013