Fiery Rear-End Collision with 18-Wheeler on Interstate 59 Kills One
According to The Times-Picayune, a 49-year-old man from Slidell died in a fiery rear-end collision with an 18-wheeler truck after attempting to pass it. Louisiana State Police claim the accident happened at around 1 a.m. on a Wednesday earlier this month.
After conducting a preliminary investigation, State Police were able to determine that the man had been driving a Chrysler sedan southbound on Interstate 59 prior to the crash. He had been traveling in the right lane when he came upon the tractor-trailer and allegedly tried to pass it.
In his attempt to pass, the man rear-ended the 18-wheeler, and the sedan caught fire almost immediately as a result of the impact. The motorist sustained fatal injuries when the car became engulfed in flames, and the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead at the scene.
Because of the extent of the damage, investigators were unable to determine if the man had been wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. Police collected blood samples from both motorists for analysis.
The other driver involved, a 58-year-old trucker, was wearing his seat belt when the man rear-ended his vehicle. He consented to a voluntary breath test, and police determined that he had no alcohol in his system.
If you sustained serious injuries in a truck accident or lost a loved one in a crash with a reckless driver, contact Laborde Earles Law Firm. Our award-winning team is proud to fight relentlessly on behalf of accident victims and help them secure the compensation they deserve. Call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free case evaluation with an auto accident attorney in Alexandria.
How Can You Reduce the Risk of Getting into a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are often devastating for the passenger vehicle occupants involved because tractor-trailers are so much larger than cars and can cause significantly more damage. Although you have no control over drunk, distracted, or drowsy truckers, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of causing a collision yourself. Read on to learn just a few of them:
- Avoid Traveling in a Truck’s Blind Spots
Trucks have much larger blind spots than passenger vehicles, and traveling in them can lead to catastrophic sideswipe accidents. Remember: If you cannot see a truck’s mirrors, the trucker cannot see you.
- Do Not Change Lanes Abruptly
It is never wise to cut off an 18-wheeler or change lanes abruptly in front of one. Because of their weight, large trucks need significantly more stopping distance than smaller vehicles, which is why truckers are unable to stop short in traffic.
- Give Trucks Plenty of Room to Turn
Trucks need a lot of room at intersections, especially when they are turning right. Keep this in mind when turning near a tractor-trailer, and always give truckers a wide berth.
Sadly, even the most cautious motorists can end up in a serious truck accident. If you were hurt in a collision that was not your fault, contact Laborde Earles Law Firm for quality legal representation during every stage of the claims process. Call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free consultation with a car wreck lawyer in Alexandria.