One person was life-flighted after a logging truck accident on the morning of Friday, October 27th in Robeson County. The accident took place at about 7:00 a.m. on Highway 74 in Orrum. According to sources, the driver of a tractor-trailer transporting logs with overhang executed a lawful U-turn at an authorized location in order to head eastbound along Highway 74, but failed to yield to oncoming traffic.
Why are logging truck accidents so dangerous?
The driver of a second semi-truck that was transporting lumber struck the overhanging logs on the first truck, left the roadway, and collided with a third truck, a full-sized Chevy towing an enclosed trailer. When the second semi and the Chevy collided, the pick-up’s trailer separated from the vehicle and traveled alongside the semi which eventually came to a stop on the shoulder and caught fire. The Chevy came to a stop in an active lane.
About a dozen fire engines and other emergency crews responded to the crash.
One person, the driver of the truck carrying lumber, was transported by paramedics to the University of North Carolina Health Southeastern. From there, they were flown to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.
A report from the North Carolina Highway Patrol states that speeding and intoxication were not factors in this accident and that all involved parties were properly restrained.
The injured truck driver, a woman in her 30s, is from Orlando. The tractor-trailer was registered to her spouse, who was in the sleeper compartment when the accident occurred. He sustained a minor injury.
It is unclear at this time if any citations were issued.
The North Carolina truck accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have more than fifty combined years of experience handling major truck accidents. We are committed to seeking maximum financial compensation for our clients. We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover damages. Call us today to schedule your free case review.
How Do Logging Truck Accidents Happen?
If you have ever found yourself driving in the vicinity of a logging truck, you probably gave it as wide a berth as you possibly could. The idea of driving behind an oversized truck piled high with logs that look like they could topple over any second is scary. This feeling is warranted since there are significant hazards involved with logging trucks that motorists need to be aware of.
An analysis of fatal logging truck accidents conducted in 2015 showed that 70% of all logging truck accidents take place in the southeastern part of the United States where the logging industry has a substantial foothold. Unfortunately, serious accidents can happen any place logging trucks operate and an ample amount of natural resources ensures these trucks are always on the roadways. In 2018, the logging industry employed a total of 8,660 full-time truck drivers and industry revenues fell just shy of $20 billion.
The very nature of the logging industry means that logging trucks are more prone to being involved in serious accidents. For example, when pine is harvested, the trunks are transported intact because they are going to be made into pulpwood. This results in 18-wheelers carrying loads of massive logs stacked as high as 10 feet. To make matters worse, there is only so much that can be done to secure this type of cargo because the logs are different lengths and sizes. Once a log escapes the group, there is nothing to stop it from rolling or sliding away. This can lead to an unbalanced load. Once that happens, any sudden maneuver has the potential to turn into a devastating accident.
Common Causes of Log Truck Accidents
Logging truck drivers are paid by the load, so many of them try to carry as many logs as possible. Due to this, even a minor accident can lead to severe physical injuries and massive property damage. The most common causes of logging truck accidents in North Carolina are:
- Rear-end accidents, especially where log overhang is involved
- Speeding
- Crossing the centerline
- Unrealistic delivery deadlines
- Excessive driving hours
- Disregarding the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
- Improperly loaded logs
Contact a North Carolina Logging Truck Accident Lawyer
As with any type of commercial truck, logging trucks are considerably heavier and larger than most other vehicles on North Carolina roadways. This difference in size and weight can result in serious or catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths, particularly at highway speeds. If you would like to speak with an experienced North Carolina trucking accident lawyer about your logging truck accident case, contact the North Carolina personal injury firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp by calling (833) 997-1774 to schedule a free consultation.