Zephyrhills, Florida – A Tampa man passed away Wednesday morning when a semi-truck collided with his motorcycle.
According to officials, a Freightliner truck was traveling westbound along Chancey Road when it initiated a left turn directly into the path of a Kawasaki motorcycle heading east on the same road, resulting in the two vehicles colliding.
The motorcyclist died at the crash scene; the semi-truck driver did not sustain any injuries.
No further details have been provided.
Thoughts on Semi-truck Accidents
The motorcyclist here was the innocent victim of another’s wrongdoing. The question now becomes who all the parties at fault are and how this accident could have been prevented.
Truckers are responsible for driving with extreme caution. Truckers failing to follow basic safety rules can have devastating results, especially for smaller vehicles like motorcycles. Because motorcycles lack the protection larger vehicles are granted, trucks must drive with the utmost precaution on the roadways. This means they need to obey road rules (like yielding), pay extra attention to potential blind spots, and maneuver their trucks with safety in mind. When truckers fail to drive vigilantly, and they cause a fellow motorist serious injuries or death, they need to be held accountable for their negligent actions.
In addition, trucking companies are responsible for vetting and placing qualified drivers on the roadways who have demonstrated an ability to operate these massive machines. While some truck drivers fail to yield because of disregard for rules, distraction, or speeding, some drivers just lack the experience to perfect these hard-to-maneuver turns. Truckers need to have a demonstrated ability to handle their trucks safely before their employers allow them to take the roadways for the safety of all motorists.
Employers also have the obligation to inspect their trucks and maintain them routinely. Was the Freightliner that collided with the motorcycle optimized for safety? Were all mirrors adequately installed so the driver had a broader view? Did the truck have sensors to warn the driver of a nearby vehicle? If the company failed to keep its truck up-to-date with safety guidelines, it may be held accountable for any serious injuries or death that result from its negligence.
My condolences to the surviving family, and I hope they receive the justice they so rightfully deserve.
*******
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.
