HARDEEVILLE, South Carolina – 72-year-old Michael Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene of a semi-truck crash after his Nissan Rogue was struck by an 18-wheeler on I-95.
Johnson was traveling on I-95 around 5:00 a.m. when his 2010 Rogue was struck for unknown reasons. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Two unidentified passengers were injured in the crash and transported to Savannah Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Authorities reported the driver of the semi-truck left the scene of the crash. The South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating.
No further information is currently available.
Thoughts on the fatal semi accident in South Carolina
This is a particularly heartbreaking case, and we cannot imagine what Mr. Johnson’s loved ones are going through. They have our deepest sympathies. While we must wait for the conclusion of the Highway Patrol’s investigation to say anything definitively, we can identify numerous potential avenues through which Mr. Johnson’s family could seek legal recourse.
All drivers have a duty to stop in the event they are involved in an accident of any kind, but some individuals believe they can avoid consequences for their actions. Thankfully, every state has laws outlining severe punishments for individuals who flee, like the semi-truck driver in this case. Once the Highway Patrol can identify the driver in question, Mr. Johnson’s family will be able to recover against him for this heinous act.
Additionally, we need to look at the initial cause of the collision. In crashes between passenger vehicles and semi-trucks, negligence by the trucker is often the cause. This is especially true when the trucker flees the scene of the crash. A finding from the Highway Patrol that the semi-truck driver neglected his duty to operate his vehicle safely will allow Mr. Johnson’s family another basis to recover against the driver.
It is also important to note that this accident occurred in the early hours of the morning. Semi-truck drivers often try to comply with demanding schedules put in place by their employers. There is guidance available on how much time employees can drive without mandatory breaks, but these suggestions are often ignored, and employees are pressured to operate when they know they are likely too tired to do so safely. If it can be shown that the employer here required or ignored drivers breaking these rules, Mr. Johnson’s family may recover directly against the employer.
Our firm takes a holistic approach to truck accident cases and ensures all parties are held responsible for their actions. We are not looking for an easy victory; we are looking to provide the injured family with the emotional, financial, and medical help they need to move forward. Until then, our firm offers our deepest condolences to the Johnson family and prays the injured can recover fully.
