Aiken Truck Accident Claims Lives of Two People
While we rely on trucks to deliver products and materials on a regular basis, sharing the road with them can put motorists at risk. Considering the large size and bulk of most trucks, crashes can end up resulting in serious and potentially life-threatening personal injuries. Sadly, this was the case in a recent truck accident in Aiken, which claimed the lives of two people. To protect yourself and those you love, it is important to be aware of the risks.
Truck Accidents In Aiken
According to a September 14, 2020 WRDW News report, an Aiken dump truck accident recently claimed the lives of two people. The crash occurred on Edgewood Highway near Lake Shore Drive. According to witnesses, the Toyota Camry that the two victims were traveling in was headed south when it crossed the centerline of the two-way highway. It then collided with a dump truck headed the opposite direction. The 30-year-old driver and a 25-year-old passenger in the vehicle both died as a result of their injuries. The dump truck driver, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to a local hospital and is expected to recover.
Unfortunately, this type of crash is not an isolated incident in Aiken. Trucks in general take longer than other vehicles to come to a stop and drivers are less able to respond to unexpected emergency situations. This makes truck accidents more likely to happen, and head-on collisions are one of the leading types of truck accidents. Other common types of truck accidents include:
Rollover truck accidents, which often impact drivers in surrounding lanes
Jackknife accidents, which happen when a truck driver slams on their brakes, causing the trailer to ride up alongside of the cab
Side-swipe accidents, which often occur when trucks pass other vehicles
T-bone crashes, which is when a driver crashes directly into the side of another motorist, often in intersections.
Reducing Your Truck Accident Risks
According to statistics from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPH), more than 300 people are killed in truck accidents throughout the state each year while thousands of other victims suffer serious personal injuries. Lack of training or experience on the part of the truck driver, dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding or driving under the influence, and negligence on the part of the trucking company in requiring overly demanding schedules are often to blame.
For motorists, it is important to take precautions to prevent being a victim in a truck accident. These include:
Give truck drivers plenty of room on the road
Avoid tailgating, improper passing, and other dangerous behaviors
Avoid truck “no zones”, which are large blind spots along each side and in front of and behind the truck
If you see a truck coming up quickly behind you, move to another lane
Contact Our Aiken Truck Accident Attorney
When truck accidents happen, the Surasky Law Firm is here to help you get the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Call or contact our Aiken truck accident attorney online and request a consultation today.
