Truck Driver Killed in Crash With Tow Truck

When you think of a truck accident, you don’t usually think of the truck driver getting killed. Typically, it is a motorcycle rider, pedestrian, or driver of a passenger vehicle that is the victim. In a recent crash in South Carolina, the truck driver was killed.

The fatal accident occurred on the afternoon of June 27 on U.S. 178/Fairview Road. A 63-year-old man from Georgia was heading west in a tractor trailer. While approaching the intersection with Bub Shumpert Road, the tractor trailer collided with a Ram tow truck that was turning left onto Fairview Road.

The driver of the tractor trailer died at the accident scene. He was wearing a seat belt. The tow truck driver was hospitalized with serious injuries. It is unknown if the tow truck driver was wearing a seat belt. No other injuries were reported. The South Carolina Highway Patrol and coroner’s office are still investigating the crash.

Tow Truck Accidents

While not usually as big as tractor trailers, tow trucks are large, heavy-duty vehicles. They can often be found on the side of the road helping disabled vehicles. You do not want to get into a crash with them, as they can cause significant property damage and injuries. As seen in this case, they can also cause fatalities.

If you were injured in a tow truck crash, you may want to consider suing the towing company. However, in these cases, time is of the essence. Trucking companies have expensive lawyers backing them up, so you will need to start legal action as soon as possible to recover full and fair compensation.

You have a couple options in this regard. You can sue the tow truck driver directly or the tow truck company. If the tow truck driver was not on duty when they caused the accident, or if they work as an independent contractor, they are responsible for the crash. You must file a claim with the driver’s insurance company. If the truck driver does not have insurance, your insurance may cover the crash if you have uninsured motorist coverage under your own policy.

However, if the truck driver is on duty when they cause an accident, their employer can be held responsible, so you can file a claim with the trucking company. This is often the preferred course of action because business insurance policies tend to have higher limits. This means you can recover more compensation without having to take the case to court.

Contact Us Today

When multiple large trucks are involved in a crash, the results can be disastrous. Truck drivers do have a lot of protection, but they can still be killed in accidents.

The team of Columbia truck accidents lawyers at Simmons Law Firm can secure the compensation you need to get back on your feet and move on with your life. Schedule a free consultation today. Call (803) 779-4600 or fill out the online form.

Source:

thestate.com/news/traffic/article276823841.html