Distracted Tractor-Trailer Driver Takes Two Lives

A horrific tractor-trailer accident on Interstate-81 near Harrisonburg, Virginia claimed the lives of two people on February 26, 2008.  The accident happened when a southbound tractor-trailer crossed the median barrier into the northbound lane, and slammed into an Enterprise rental van.  Both occupants of the van were killed.

What was the cause of this terrible accident?  Driver distraction.  That’s right, the truck driver wasn’t paying attention, and because of this he took two lives.  He made it out with minor injuries, which is often what happens in tractor-trailer accidents.  According to the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, in two-vehicle crashes involving passenger vehicles and large trucks, 98 percent of the fatalities were occupants of the passenger vehicle.

The driver was charged with reckless driving, and at this time the police are not planning to file any additional charges.

A study last year by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that 87% of tractor-trailers get into an accident because of a problem with the driver, i.e. fatigue, inattention, speeding.  With so many accidents caused by poor driving, more needs to be done to reduce the number of accidents and deaths caused each year by tractor-trailer accidents.

For more information and statistics, please see our article on tractor-trailer facts.  If you are looking for an attorney to help you with your tractor-trailer accident, please contact us.  You can also visit our library to find out what makes tractor-trailer accident litigation unique.