Woman Killed in W. VA Truck Crash

1/30/2011
Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton
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Woman Killed in W. VA Truck Crash

A 21 year-old woman was killed by a truck only moments after calling for help for her disabled vehicle.

The accident occurred in Benwood at approximately 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 27^th, 2011. Maryann Oakland, of Moundsville, died after being struck inside her car by a commercial flatbed truck. She was waiting for help in the travel lane on a southbound W. Virginia (VA) overpass exit when her 1991 Buick was hit. The car then burst into flames. According to State Police, Oakland was killed instantly.

Benwood Police Chief Frank Longwell said that his department had received a call from a stranded motorist on the Bellaire Toll Bridge overpass. However, before officers could respond, the crash occurred, only moments after the call was placed.

West Virginia State Police Sgt. J.A. Laing had this to say in a press release:

"The commercial motor vehicle struck the rear of the victim's vehicle at interstate speeds. The victim's vehicle was destroyed on impact and became engulfed in flames. The victim was killed instantly and pronounced deceased at the scene."

The driver of the truck, who had been hauling equipment on the flatbed, received only minor injuries. The crash is being investigated and a report will be given to the Prosecutor's office for legal review.

Our hearts are saddened by the news of Ms. Oakland's untimely death, and we offer our condolences to her family at this time. It is scary that truck drivers might not be ready to slow down and avoid a disabled vehicle. As professional drivers they should know to expect this situation and take to needed action to just run into the back of a stranded person.

If you feel you have a claim against a VA trucker for an accident, contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible.

IW

Category: Crashes Caused by Trucks

Labels: accident Attorney Bedford case claim compensation Cooper driver injury legal tractor-trailer truck VA victim Virginia wrongful death

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling truck wreck cases. Check out our truck accident case results and our free consumer guide on what to do if you get involved in an accident with a commercial truck.

We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Newport News, VA, if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Jim and Rick have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers receive this honor.

In addition, our VA injury law firm was the first in the commonwealth to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms, and we have the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization. The rating indicates we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

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