An NCDOT highway crew member called out in the predawn hours of Oct. 2, 2012, to clear a downed tree from Old U.S. 421 in Deep Gap, North Carolina, lost his life when he was hit by a car. The deadly accident occurred just east of Boone, near the intersection with Browns Farm Road.
Police determined that the driver of the vehicle that hit and killed the worker was not speeding or impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision. It remains unclear whether charges will be filed in connection with the accident.
The North Carolina Wrongful Death Lawyers’ Perspective
A report on the wreck in the Charlotte Observer notes that the deadly crash occurred less than 48 hours after an expanded version of North Carolina’s “move over law” took effect. Drivers in the Tar Heel State are now required to slow down, change lanes or even pull over when approaching police officers, emergency responders, tow truck drivers and road crews working on or alongside the road. This tragic accident appears to illustrate the worst that can happen when a driver fails to heed that safety legislation.
Sadly, serious and fatal accidents in which drivers of cars and trucks strike road crew workers are not rare. Each, however, should be preventable if drivers pay attention and give public safety and construction personnel the room and time they need to do their jobs.
Potentially Helpful Info
Any person who has lost a family member in a traffic accident caused by another person can download this free report written by North Carolina wrongful death attorneys to begin learning about their legal rights and options for filing claims for compensation.
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