Young Woman Killed In Tractor-Trailer Accident on I-40
Beware The Blind Spot
Yesterday, I blogged about a woman who tried to cross an Interstate median and was killed when she was hit head-on by a fast moving tractor-trailer. The theme of the article was that there are things you should and should not do when traveling on an Interstate highway.
A recent article on the website of the Herald-Citizen tells of a tragic automobile tractor-trailer accident on I-40 near Monterrey that brings the focus on another driving error that we must avoid. An inevitable fact of life is that we have to share the highways of this wonderful country with commercial vehicles of all sizes. We have to understand the dynamics of these 80,000 lb giants and act accordingly.
According to the article an 18-year old woman, Lindsey Toft, was fatally injured and three other teens were injured in the collision. It appears that the SUV they were riding in was being driven by Matthew Harris, 18, and was driving in the right lane in a blind spot of the tractor-trailer that was passing on the left. The Tractor-trailer gave a right turn signal and attempted to enter the right lane, Harris blew his horn and swerved to avoid being hit, lost control, hit the guard rail and then went back onto the roadway where his vehicle was hit by another tractor-trailer. Ms. Toft was not wearing her seatbelt and was ejected fro the SUV.
The Tennessee Rules of the Road specifically warn us not to drive in the blind spot of other drivers, especially tractor-trailers. Traveling in a position where the driver ahead of you cannot see your vehicle can be dangerous as evidenced by this accident. Either stay behind or go around. If the vehicle begins to enter your lane immediately slow down and yield the right of way. Do NOT follow to the side and do not expect the other driver to hear your horn.
If you or a loved one is injured in a Tennessee car/tractor-trailer accident contact the experienced Tennessee accident and injury lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.
Phillip Miller is a Tennessee Accident Attorney specializing in
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