Virginia drivers assume certain risks on the state’s roadways, but many people do not feel the need to be looking for potential dangers while sitting at a traffic light. In fact, a vehicle can be more vulnerable while stopped at an intersection because they often have nowhere to go if something happens. This was the case in a recent tractor-trailer crash on U.S. 29.
Two vehicles, a passenger car and a logging truck, were stopped at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Route 663. According to Virginia officials on the scene, a third vehicle, an 18-wheeler carrying produce, failed to stop at the intersection. The truck slammed into the back of the logging truck, which in turn pushed the car into the intersection.
The two trucks ended up engulfed in flames. The driver of the produce truck suffered fatal injuries in the crash and died at the scene. The driver of the truck hauling logs and the driver of the passenger car both suffered unidentified injuries for which they were transported to area hospitals for medical attention. Their current conditions are not known at this time.
The driver of the logging truck may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to cover his injuries and any lost wages, but he may decide to file a personal injury claim against the estate of the tractor-trailer driver and his employer under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. The driver of the passenger car may file a personal injury claim as well. If the deceased driver is proven to be negligent in this crash, then the court may award damages such as medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Source: dailyprogress.com, “One killed in three-vehicle crash“, Jeff Say, July 2, 2014