A serious tractor-trailer accident in a community a couple of hours south of the Roanoke City area recently claimed the life of one motorcycle rider and injured five others. The motorcyclists were traveling from northern Virginia and southern Maryland to a motorcycle rally in Atlanta. The truck accident occurred on a local freeway and involved a tractor trailer and six motorcycles. A 37-year old motorcyclist from Woodbridge, Virginia was killed instantly. A 51-year-old motorcyclist from South Chesterfield died of his injuries two days later. Four other motorcyclists, ranging in age from 44 to 57, were also injured in the semi-truck accident. One of the four was listed in stable condition following the accident. The remaining victims were treated for their injuries.
The truck driver was charged with felony hit and run and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. According to authorities, the 34-year-old truck driver fell asleep while driving. The tractor trailer struck the motorcyclists as they were parked on the side of the road due to mechanical problems with one of the motorcycles. The motorcyclist standing along the side of the road was struck and killed instantly. The truck driver stopped approximately a half a mile up the road from the accident; according to authorities, the truck driver stopped because the tractor trailer sustained a flat tire in the accident.
Victims of truck accidents can include motorists as well as family members who suffer the unexpected and untimely loss of a loved one. Resources are available to help victims of a truck accident recover compensation for their losses. Victims who have been injured by a negligent truck driver, such as one experiencing truck driver fatigue, can seek remedies through a personal injury claim. Family members of a person killed in a truck accident can seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Source: Fox 8, “Tractor-trailer driver charged in fatal wreck on I-85 appears in court, claims arrest was ‘illegal,’” Stephanie Ando, July 20, 2015