Truck Driver Charged in Fatal Barrow County Crash

By Grant Law Office on June 16, 2014

A 29-year-old man has been killed in an Atlanta pickup truck accident involving a Dodge 3500, a 1989 red Dodge Ram 50 truck, a tractor-trailer, and a mower. According to a news report in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the fatal car accident occurred on Georgia 316 in Barrow County. Officials say the Dodge 3500 came to a stop because the driver was unable to navigate around the mower.

The driver of the pickup slowed down as it approached but the tractor-trailer failed to avoid the collision and struck the back of the pickup which then hit the Dodge 3500. The pickup truck and the trailer of the truck overturned. A 29-year-old man was killed, a 44-year-old Athens man was injured, and the 40-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer was charged for homicide by vehicle in the second degree and following too closely.

All drivers are responsible for the way they behave on the roadway. We all have a duty to exercise care when operating a vehicle. We must obey traffic control devices, travel at or below the speed limit, and not behave in a manner that could result in an accident. Under Georgia law, families who have lost a loved one because of a negligent driver may file a wrongful death claim in court.

A civil lawsuit does not require the family to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the at-fault driver broke the law. It is only necessary to show that the driver’s negligence contributed to the crash. If successful, support may be available for losses such as medical expenses, funeral bills, lost future wages, loss of companionship, and other related damages.

Filing a claim may be the last thing on your mind if you recently lost a loved one in a fatal truck collision. However, taking action is often the only way to receive fair compensation for your loss. This is especially true in complicated cases involving multiple drivers and truck companies. No verdict or settlement can replace the life of a loved one, but a successful wrongful death claim can provide you and your family with the financial support you need during this difficult time.