MANSFIELD, Ohio- 56-year-old Larry Schreiner was pronounced dead at a local hospital following an accident on US-30 near Mansfield, Ohio. Luke Truman was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The dump truck being operated by Schreiner was traveling westbound when it ran off the side of the road, struck a guardrail, went partially airborne, and struck a utility truck driven by 28-year-old Luke Truman.
Investigators have not determined what caused Schreiner to lose control of the vehicle and crash into Truman’s vehicle.
Authorities reported Schreiner was killed in the crash. Truman suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
No further details were immediately available.
Thoughts on fatal accident on US-30 near Mansfield
Our firm sadly deals with cases like this every day. It only takes a second for a driver to lose control of their vehicle and for a family to be changed forever. Both families impacted here deserve an exhaustive independent investigation into the cause(s) of this accident, and our firm has the experience to get them the answers they deserve. While we cannot determine exactly what happened here, we have handled many accidents like this in the past and have found that most accidents of this nature have similar causes.
The most likely cause of this accident was distracted driving. Most accidents are caused by driver error, and if it is determined that Schreiner was distracted at the time of the accident, his actions are inexcusable, and will likely subject his company to liability for his actions. Truman was clearly an innocent party in this accident, and his family should not have to bear the costs associated with another person’s negligence.
Alternatively, the sequence of this accident suggests that a mechanical issue may have impacted Schreiner’s control over the vehicle. If this proves to be accurate, both families would have a basis to recover against the vehicle’s manufacturer or the trucking company for failing to maintain the vehicle adequately.
Braking systems, steering systems, and tires all need to be in working order before commercial vehicles like this are sent out onto the roadways. Unfortunately, our investigations often find that these components have not been maintained by the truck’s owner, which puts countless lives at risk. If it is found that Mr. Schreiner’s employer failed to take the necessary steps to ensure the vehicle was safe to operate, both families may be able to seek legal recourse for that negligence.
Additionally, we know from the details provided that the type of commercial vehicle Mr. Schreiner was operating was a dump truck. The cargo in these types of trucks is often bulky and heavy, prone to shifting during travel if not properly secured. There are rules and regulations governing the allowable weight for dump trucks and guidelines on how to secure cargo properly. Unfortunately, we often find that employers disregard such guidance and fail to secure the load at all. This can cause the weight of the vehicle to be distributed unevenly, causing the driver to lose control in the event they must stop suddenly or swerve to avoid an obstacle. If the investigation yields evidence that Mr. Schreiner’s employer failed to secure the trucks’ cargo properly, both families may be entitled to seek financial relief.
These are just a few potential legal strategies we may be able to pursue pending the results of an investigation. Our firm knows how to conduct these investigations quickly and comprehensively, getting answers and much-needed relief for devastated loved ones. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Schreiner’s family and pray that Mr. Truman can recover fully.
