When you are driving around large commercial trucks, you know you should probably take extra precautions. Due to their size and weight, large trucks can be dangerous in an accident. However, there are times when you cannot predict the actions of truck drivers. At the Jardine Law Offices P.C. P.C., our Salt Lake City truck crash attorneys want to talk about a recent crash that happened in nearby Draper involving a stalled semi-truck and a passenger vehicle.
What happened in this case?
A 23-year-old man was killed after he ran into the back of a stalled out semi-truck on the side of I-15 in Draper. The crash happened on Sept. 5, and the Utah Highway Patrol says that the semi-truck hauling two trailers had experienced mechanical problems. It stalled in the northbound lanes of I-15 near 14900 South.
A sedan approached the rear of the truck at a high rate of speed and slammed directly into the back of it. The man inside the Sedan was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck was not injured in the incident.
Police say that the semi-truck experienced an air malfunction that caused the tires to lock up. The driver had been stalled on the road for about five minutes before the crash occurred. The driver said he tried to get the truck off the road, but could not due to the mechanical failure.
“We don’t know if he saw the semi or not. It appears it was a high-speed impact, so there wasn’t much braking prior to the accident,” police said.
The issues at hand
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has certain procedures that driver who stalls out on or near the roadways must follow. This includes the proper use of warning triangles or flares to let oncoming drivers know about the broken-down truck. Whether this occurred or not will need to be explored.
Investigators will also need to look into why the mechanical failure happened in the first place. Trucking companies should regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles in order to prevent incidents like this from taking place at all.
We are ready to get to work on your behalf
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a large truck that was caused by the truck driver or truck company’s negligence, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At the Jardine Law Offices P.C. P.C., our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to get to work on your behalf. We want to ensure you are fairly compensated for all of your accident-related expenses. This can include:
- Coverage of medical expenses
- Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
- Coverage of physical therapy
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against the negligent party
When you need a Salt Lake City truck accident attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 801-350-3506 for a free consultation.