Fatal Dump Truck Crash in North Carolina
Charlotte, NC Personal Injury Lawyer
According to a news report, a dump truck overturned onto a vehicle in Wake County, killing its driver. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol indicated that the vehicle, a red Nissan sedan, crossed the center line of the road as the dump truck was running in the opposite direction. The dump truck driver apparently saw the vehicle move into his lane and attempted to make an evasive maneuver to avoid hitting the other vehicle head-on. However, the red sedan sideswiped the dump truck, which swerved as its driver overcorrected and caused the truck to overturn. At that time, another vehicle was traveling in the same lane as the dump truck and was crushed when the truck overturned, resulting in the driver’s death.
Common Causes of Large Truck Rollovers
The risk of a large truck rolling over is much higher as compared to a normal vehicle. The weight and size of a commercial truck requires drivers to have the requisite alertness and ability to respond appropriately to hazardous driving conditions – otherwise, fatal rollovers can occur.
Rollover accidents can occur due to a variety of reasons:
- Failure to reduce speed at a curve;
- Distracted or fatigued driving;
- Underestimating the height and weight of a truck;
- Improperly-balanced cargo;
- A variety of control errors such as oversteering, understeering, and over-correcting for errors; or
- Lack of necessary truck maintenance.
According to a study of truck rollovers, speed remains the biggest contributor to rollover crashes. Rollovers take place when a truck’s front wheels are turning the truck at a rate that is faster than the cargo that it is carrying – therefore, the faster the truck’s speed, the greater the difference. This is why speed is a major contributing factor.
In this case, the police reported that the dump truck driver overcorrected, which occurs when a driver turns too much in one direction followed by corrective turns that exceed the stability of the truck. The same effect occurs when a truck travels at a curve at very high speeds. Other possible control errors include oversteering during lane changes, maintaining inadequate following distances, or reckless maneuvering.
Liability in Large Truck Rollover Accidents
When a commercial truck rolls over and causes injuries, the injured parties may be able to obtain compensation if they can show that either the driver, the trucking company, or a third-party truck maintenance contractor was negligent. If the accident was caused by distracted or fatigued driving, excessive speed, or control errors, then injured parties may be able to recover for injuries from the driver. However, if the accident involved conditions such as poor maintenance, an improperly-loaded or overweight truck, or truck company policies that forced drivers to take risks, then injured parties may be able to obtain compensation from the trucking company, a third-party maintenance contractor, or a loading/unloading contractor.
If you find yourself in an accident with a commercial truck, you should seek the counsel of a seasoned personal injury attorney who has expertise in commercial truck accident cases. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Bice Law, LLC can help you craft the best strategy for obtaining compensation. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Bice Law:
The personal injury firm of Bice Law will examine your case to determine the type and amount of damages that your injury warrants, including payments for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability. We’ll determine whether an out-of-court settlement or trial is the best strategy to obtain maximum benefits for you or your family. If you have suffered injury or harm because of someone else’s actions, take the first step to protect your legal rights – contact the personal injury firm of Bice Law serving both North and South Carolina. You only have a limited time after your injury to file a claim, so act quickly. Call 877-BICE-877 today or submit an online request to get a free consultation with a personal injury attorney. We serve families across both North Carolina and South Carolina.
