Truck Driver Who Caused Beltway Accident Charged With Reckless Driving

To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction.  In this case the driver of a tractor-trailer hauling plumbing materials was charged with reckless driving after his truck lost control while exiting from the Capital Beltway onto I-66 West in Virginia (VA).

While pulling a tanker, tractor-trailer drivers need to pay close attention to exit ramp speeds. If it reads 35 mph large trucks should reduce speed to 30 mph or slower. Trucks have a high center of gravity which makes it very easy to flip.

The driver of the truck was not injured in the crash, police said, but he was charged with reckless driving for failing to maintain proper control. According to a police statement, "Speed was a factor in the crash."

Improperly loaded trucks come with a different set of dangers. A truck that is top heavy is more likely to blow over while traveling though windy areas such as a mountain passes, open plains or bridges, and a top-heavy truck is more likely to tip over while taking curves, driving on an exit ramp, driving on an entrance ramp or taking a turn at an intersection.

As a Virginia personal injury attorney I have seen clients who have been in catastrophic accidents due to the sheer weight of the truck that crashed into their car. Their pain and suffering is often compounded by the fact that many liability, underinsurance and separate insurance policies are involved in any trucking business, tracking down the insurance sources or proper trucking company that may be responsible can be an overwhelming burden.