Tragic 18-Wheeler Crash Kills Woman and Injures Three

A Baton Rouge woman died when her vehicle crossed the center line of LA 955 and hit a semi-truck. According to The Advocate, three passengers in her vehicle – a 22-year old and two infants – were injured in the crash. The driver of the 18-wheeler, 56-year-old Fredric Jones, was not injured.

Police have not determined why the deceased, 33-year-old Kristy Weatherman, drifted into oncoming traffic. They do not expect that impairment contributed to the collision.

This accident is a tragic reminder that passenger-vehicle occupants are far more vulnerable to injuries than 18-wheeler occupants in the event of a collision. Of the 3,660 people who died in large truck wrecks in 2014, 68 percent were passenger-car occupants while only 16 percent were truck occupants.

This crash also highlights the dangers of drifting into oncoming traffic. Only 2 percent of motor-vehicle accidents are head-on collisions, yet they account for nearly 10 percent of all traffic deaths.

If you were injured or lost a family member in a truck crash, you may be entitled to compensation for health-care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. If the incident happened in Louisiana, contact Morris Bart, LLC.

A truck crash attorney in Baton Rouge will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 800-537-8185 to arrange a free initial consultation.

Top 5 Causes of Head-on Collisions

Driver errors contribute to more than 90 percent of motor-vehicle crashes – and head-on accidents are no exception. Although there are several reasons why head-on collisions happen, most of these wrecks involve one of these five factors.

1. Driving while Distracted: Drivers who text, eat or drink, or gawk at roadside distractions are more likely to drift into oncoming traffic than motorists who keep their focus on the road.
2. Alcohol Use: Alcohol contributed to nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities in 2014.
3. Drowsy Driving: According to DrowsyDriving.org, the effects of fatigue on a driver’s performance are comparable to those of alcohol. Delayed reaction time, poor decision-making, inattentiveness – these can all contribute to head-on collisions.
4. Poor Weather: Rainstorms and ice can make the roads slick, which can prevent your tires from maintaining traction. This often causes vehicles to drift into oncoming traffic. Head-on collisions are also more likely to happen in rainstorms and fog due to low visibility. If drivers cannot see a sharp turn approaching, they may take a wide angle and enter oncoming traffic.
5. Using Poor Technique When Passing a Vehicle: In order to overtake a vehicle safely, a driver must carefully calculate speed and distance. If the driver uses poor technique, a head-on accident is more likely to happen. 

If you were hurt in a truck crash in Louisiana, contact Morris Bart, LLC. Our legal team has been representing the injured for more than 30 years. Call 800-537-8185 today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Baton Rouge truck accident lawyer.

Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.