Crash injures Virginia Department of Transportation worker

A truck driver died and a Virginia Department of Transportation sustained injuries as the result of a recent truck accident. The tractor-trailer accident occurred on U.S. Highway 58 during the morning hours, as the road was temporarily closed down for repairs.

A flatbed truck without a load was traveling west a load when it hit a Virginia Department of Transportation vehicle, sending the flatbed careening from the roadway and into some nearby trees. The 63-year-old truck driver did not have his seatbelt secured, and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Additionally, the injured highway worker is expected to make a full recover.

According to Virginia State Police, alcohol is not believed to have played a role in the deadly incident. In addition, none of the signs placed on the road by state workers were malfunctioning at the time of the crash. It is unclear if the flatbed truck was speeding, or what exactly contributed to the accident.

Lane closures and road construction crews are not expected to disappear from truck driver’s view anytime soon. Virginia’s beleaguered roadways have been ailing for some time, so it’s absolutely vital for all drivers to carefully follow traffic signs and exercise extreme caution when driving through a road construction zone.

While most commercial vehicle operators prioritize safe driving, just one negligent action can forever change lives. For example, the truck driver may have been on the road for too many hours (on his accord or in response to demands from his employer) and could have been overly tired as a result. As the injured highway worker recovers, it may be worthwhile to see if the trucker’s estate or his employer can be held accountable. In some cases, it is possible to seek compensation from the estate of a deceased person’s estate if his or her negligence caused an accident.

Source: The Virginian-Pilot, “Driver ID’d in fatal crash in Southampton County,” Cindy Clayton, Jan. 4, 2013