Semi-truck driver Turns in Front of Oncoming Traffic, Causing Fatal Collision at South DuPont Highway and Tower Hill Road in Harrington, Delaware
Delaware State Police report that on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at approximately 10:24 a.m., a 2017 Kentworth semi-truck pulling a 2014 Wilson trailer was in the left turn lane on US 13 / South DuPont Highway northbound in Harrington, Delaware. The tractor-trailer driver was being driven by a 65-year-old Townsend man preparing to turn left onto westbound Tower Hill Road. At the same time, an 18-year-old Dover man was driving a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta traveling southbound in the left lane of US 13 / South DuPont Highway towards the intersection of US 13 / South DuPont Highway and Tower Hill Road. Riding in the passenger of the Jetta was an 18-year-old Millsboro woman. As the Jetta approached the intersection, the semi-truck pulled out in front of it, causing a collision at the intersection.
The 18-year-old Dover man driving the Jetta was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. The status of his injuries is currently unknown. The 18-year-old female passenger from Millsboro was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 65-year-old Townsend man driving the semi-truck was not injured.
Rules of the Road – Higher Standards and Regulations for Drivers of Commercial Vehicles
Legal contributor Attorney Brian Mickelsen, an experienced truck accident lawyer, represents victims injured or killed in semi-truck / tractor-trailer accidents. Below, Attorney Mickelsen shared his insight into the legal options available to victims injured in commercial truck accidents.
“Drivers of commercial vehicles are held to a higher standard than your average driver. They must follow a whole host of other rules and regulations, in addition to normal traffic laws. This is because the stakes are so high with these vehicles. As the vehicle, in this case, commercial trucks are massive, and if involved in a collision, can cause terrible injuries and death. These vehicles take longer to maneuver, turn, and get up to speed. As a result, the guidelines are more stringent for them. A driver of a commercial truck MUST give himself or herself enough space and time to safely turn. When they fail to be aware of these specifics, the results can be catastrophic.”
What Should I Do When I Or a Loved One Have Been Involved In A Trucking Accident?
“After an accident like this, it is critically important that key evidence is not lost or destroyed – witness testimony, dash and body cam footage from responding officers, dashcam from the truck involved, hours of service logs for the at-fault truck driver, electronic black box data from all vehicles involved, size and weight permits for the at-fault truck, vehicle inspections from the at-fault truck, toxicology reports, cell phone data from the at fault driver, etc.”
An experienced attorney at Mickelsen Dalton LLC can help determine if you have a claim and advise you of your options. Our attorneys have successfully represented several victims in cases arising from trucking accidents. Within the past three years, Mickelsen Dalton LLC has recovered over $30 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. We have been featured in Fox News, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and several other national news organizations.
Anyone may contact our attorneys for a free consultation at (843) 804-0428 or (678) 641-9054 or by email at info@mickelsendalton.com.
Disclaimer:
Past results are not a guarantee of future results. The information contained in this post is from news articles and may therefore contain inaccuracies. We will correct or remove this post upon request. The material contained in this post is not intended to constitute legal advice.
