Tow Truck Driver Killed In Plantation Accident
Tow truck drivers are often found on the side of the road helping stranded motorists. But sometimes tow truck drivers are the ones who are involved in crashes and in need of help.
A two truck driver in Florida was recently killed after a pickup truck plowed into him. The fatal accident occurred on the morning of October 8 on the Florida Turnpike.
The tragic accident happened when the tow truck driver pulled over to help a motorist who had broken down. Not long after, the driver of a Ford pickup truck, a 42-year-old man from Margate, swerved and rear-ended the tow truck. The impact pushed the tow truck into the disabled vehicle and the other vehicle of a relative of the stranded motorist.
The tow truck driver, a 22-year-old man from North Lauderdale, was outside the vehicle at the time. He was taken to Broward General, where he later died.
Three lanes of the interstate were blocked for hours as the investigation into how the crash happened continued. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash, but alcohol looks to be a factor. The victim’s family is devastated and seeking justice.
Car Accidents on the Shoulder
When a driver is on the highway, the shoulder is meant to be a safe place to pull over, But the irony is that these parts of the road can be dangerous and even deadly. In fact, 12% of highway fatalities happen on the shoulder.
Why is the shoulder so dangerous for drivers? Here are some reasons why:
- Being so close to a highway increases your risk of being hit by a fast-moving car. Getting hit at a high speed can lead to deadly accidents.
- When you slow down to pull over onto the shoulder, drivers traveling behind you may not be paying attention. They could rear-end or sideswipe your car, leading to serious accidents.
- Roadside debris. While you’re on the shoulder, you may get hit by debris. This is due to the wind shear from nearby vehicles lifting up debris and throwing it toward your vehicle.
- Re-entering the highway. Once you fix your vehicle problems, you still have to get back on the freeway eventually. To do so safely, you have to quickly get your vehicle back up to speed. Otherwise, you could get hit by a moving vehicle, which can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
Contact Us Today
Unfortunately, many accidents happen on the shoulder of the road. That’s because drivers are not paying attention to the road. They may see a vehicle on the shoulder and instinctively try to follow them and subsequently crash.
In many cases, large vehicles are involved. The Gainesville truck accident attorneys at Meldon Law can help determine liability. To schedule a free consultation, fill out the online form or call (800) 373-8000. We have four offices to serve you: Gainesville, Ocala, Fort Lauderdale, and Lake City.
Source:
local10.com/news/local/2022/10/08/fatal-crash-on-turnpike-near-plantation-has-lanes-blocked/
