Driver William Goff, Jr. age 47 of Lynchburg was critically injured Wednesday evening while driving on 460. A freightliner truck made a U-turn into Goff’s path. The driver of the tractor trailer, Jamison Ishmann of Tennessee with failure to yield right of way. Police believe that Goff’s vehicle, a small 4 door sedan hit the truck at about 60 mph. Goff was taken directly to the hospital. As of this posting, there has been no update on his condition.
Pictures posted to twitter by the Forest Volunteer Fire Department show a barely recognizable sedan with irreparable damage to the front bumper, hood, front passenger fender, a broken windshield, and deployed front and side airbags. I’m certain that first responders to the scene feared the worst upon arrival.
Car vs. Tractor Trailor
Well, it can be a bit like David and Goliath. Tractor trailers can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds in the U.S. while a small to mid-size sedan is 4,000 pounds. Add 60mph speed to mix and you have an extremely dangerous situation where fatlaities and severe injuries are likely to occur.
We Share the Road with Tractor Trailers, What is Being Done to Enhance Safety?
As long as human error is a factor, there will still be accidents. Airbags and seatbelts are just two of the safety features being used passenger vehicles to decrease the chances of injury after an accident occurs. The most effective safety features, however, are the features that keep the occupants from being in an accident in the first place. Anti-lock braking and automatic braking (available on newer luxury models in 2018) are two of these preventative features.
What Types of Car vs. Truck Accidents are the Most Dangerous?
Underride accidents are the most dangerous accidents that occur when a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck collide. Underride accidents are exactly what their name describes. The passenger vehicle literally goes under the trailer, causing the windshield and passengers to hit the trailer at full speed. Severe injuries and death are the most likely result from these accidents. Unfortunately, they usually occur on interstates and often times occur at speeds from 50-70. Crashes at these speeds are not even tested by the Insurance Institute.
The Insurance Institute does perform testing for this type of accident at lower speeds. Injuries and damages to test subjects are horrendous and clearly illustrate what happens to vehicle occupants. That is why they are proposing that the government should require tractors to have reinforced underride guards on all trailer sides and rears. This idea has real potential to save lives and prevent injury.
What Do I Do if I am Hurt in a Truck Accident?
If you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, call The Thomson Law Firm for a FREE consultation (540) 777-4900.
