State Road 40 is a major route in Central Florida that runs all the way from the east coast to the west coast of the state. The route passes through Ocala and most area residents are probably used to seeing all kinds of vehicles on it. For example, large trucks carrying goods from one side of the state have a constant presence on S.R. 40.
Like all major roadways in Florida, accidents are a serious concern on S.R. 40. Recently, a fatal accident claimed the lives of a mother and her newborn baby. The 21-year-old woman and her baby were headed to the woman’s new job at a daycare center when a westbound dump truck crossed the center line and hit the woman’s SUV head-on.
The head-on collision, which occurred about 45 miles east of Ocala, crushed the 21-year-old’s vehicle. The driver of the truck was a 62-year-old man who had been employed by Volusia County for about 28 years. Authorities did not know what caused the 62-year-old to drive the truck across the center line. Following the accident, which happened just before noon, emergency crews had to shut down both westbound lanes of S.R. 40.
Anytime that a smaller vehicle is involved in a truck accident the occupants of the smaller vehicle usually suffer the brunt of the injuries. Even an SUV cannot hold up against the massive size and weight of a truck.
The details of this accident are not yet clear. But, in many truck accidents, an inattentive truck driver is the cause behind the crash. When the truck driver’s negligence is a cause of an accident, victims have legal rights to seek compensation for accident-related costs. Likewise, as in this case, the families of deceased victims can pursue claims against the driver and perhaps his or her employer.
This recent accident on S.R. 40 is a tragic reminder of how dangerous trucks can be and why it is so important for truck drivers to always make safety their top priority. By filing a lawsuit, those who are wrongfully harmed in these accidents can raise awareness and perhaps save the lives of future motorists.
Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Mom was headed to new job when she, baby killed in wreck,” Patricio G. Balona, Aug. 15, 2014
Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Mom was headed to new job when she, baby killed in wreck,” Patricio G. Balona, Aug. 15, 2014
