On December 18, a North Carolina woman lost her life in a two-vehicle crash in Surry County. The accident occurred at around 9 a.m. in Mount Airy.
According to Surry County Emergency Services, the victim, who was in her 80s, was driving a pickup truck on Old U.S. 601 when she collided with an empty logging truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The driver of the truck suffered unspecified injuries and was taken to Northern Hospital of Surry County for treatment.
The deceased victim lived on the 1500 block of Old U.S. 601. No information regarding the logging truck driver’s identity or medical condition was released. The North Carolina Highway Patrol did not release any additional information regarding the crash.
Studies have shown that the majority of commercial truck accidents are caused by negligent truck driver behaviors, including distracted driving, speeding, performance errors, fatigue and impaired driving. Many truck crashes are also linked to poor vehicle maintenance and the hiring of unqualified drivers.
When accidents are caused by negligent truck drivers and/or trucking companies, injured victims have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. This type of suit can be filed in addition to any criminal charges that may be filed by authorities. An attorney familiar with truck accident claims could review a victim’s case and recommend the proper course of action. If a lawsuit is advised, a lawyer could help gather evidence supporting the claim and file the necessary paperwork in court. If the suit is successful, the victim may be awarded compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and other crash-related damages.
Source: The Mount Airy News, “One dead in logging truck crash,” Bill Colvard, December 19, 2018