Bazetta Township, Ohio — A semi-truck slammed into a 2016 Ford Escape, killing the SUV driver, Bo Angel. The collision occurred at approximately 3:35 a.m. on Route 5 near the Elm Road exit.
Reports disclosed that a 2016 Ford Escape had broken down in the right lane of State Route 5. Angel called 911 to notify the police about his disabled vehicle, and officers were en route when a 2018 Mack garbage truck collided with the Escape from behind. The impact caused the Escape to go spinning 360 degrees.
Angel succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the truck sustained minor injuries.
Motorists need to be held responsible when they cause fatal crashes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) reports that about 2,000 deaths a year happen because of rear-end collisions. That’s a high number of fatal accidents that are almost always preventable if motorists practice caution. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommends truck drivers look ahead of the road for about 15 seconds for hazards, traffic issues, and other dangers that may arise. Was that advice followed in this incident?
This accident happened early in the morning, presenting many hazards and raising many questions. Were all the lights functioning correctly on the truck so the driver had a clear view ahead? Was the trucker distracted or fatigued and failed to react on time? Tired drivers will find it harder to see and focus, and their reaction time is slower. This presents danger in situations where truck drivers should be alert and have seconds to react to avoid a collision.
When someone loses their life on the roadways, all questions of what went wrong and who shares fault need to be examined and answered. A look at the trucking company’s culture will give insight into whether they share fault for the accident their driver was in. Does the trucking company train their drivers on safe driving rules and expectations? Do they vet their drivers for repeated traffic violations? Do they pressure their drivers to make deadlines even if it compromises safety measures? Trucking companies can be held accountable for devastating collisions they could have prevented with better safety practices in place.
When someone loses their life, all parties that share fault need to be held accountable. Nothing will bring back the deceased; however, their family deserves answers and justice for the pain and suffering of losing their loved one caused by someone else’s negligent actions.
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The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, with extensive experience in complex auto/tire defect and commercial vehicle cases.
Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.
