An Atlanta woman was killed on Interstate 20 in Douglas County on Sunday morning after the car she was driving struck the back of a stalled semi-truck. The accident just east of Thornton Road in the westbound lanes of the highway, around 9:35 AM., and resulted in the closure of all lanes for about three hours while law enforcement personnel investigated the accident.
It is often believed that a rear-end accident is always the fault of the driver in the following car. However, there are some circumstances in which the driver of the lead car can be responsible, such as if the vehicle is stopped in the roadway. In rear-end accidents involving a stalled semi on the roadway, an experienced truck accident attorney would want to look at factors such as whether the truck driver had been able to completely pull the truck onto the shoulder or if it was sticking out into the travel lane; as well as whether the driver took other precautions to avoid a collision involving their stalled vehicle, such as using warning cones, triangles, flares, and the vehicle’s hazard lights. Additionally, information about the truck, such as when it was last serviced and whether the driver performed a pre-trip inspection to search for hazards before starting their journey as federally required will also need to be determined.
Additional considerations when determining liability in an accident involving a driver rear-ending a stalled vehicle include analyzing the behavior of the driver before the accident occurred, such as whether they were speeding, texting and driving, or other behaviors that could have led them to be unaware that they were approaching a stalled vehicle or unable to stop in time to avoid the vehicle.
If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one due to an accident involving a vehicle that was stalled on the roadway, an experienced accident attorney from Cambre & Associates LLC can help you understand the process of seeking compensation for your injuries. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
