Christopher Bostwick (Full Name: Christopher Ryan Bostwick), of Locust Grove, Died In Hit-And-Run Collision With Tractor Trailer Truck on Interstate 75
HOUSTON COUNTY, GEORGIA (August 28, 2023) – A man riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle was killed in a Houston County hit-and-run semi-truck accident along Interstate 75.
Houston County officials are saying that the collision occurred around 12:27 a.m. on Sunday. A man was traveling down Interstate 75 on a Harley Davidson when he lost control.
He eventually came to rest in the roadway before being hit by a semi-truck that failed to slow down. The semi-truck driver did not stop after the crash and continued traveling south.
A Jeep Compass also hit the motorcyclist and pulled over to the side of the interstate. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Houston County officials are asking anyone that may have witnessed the crash to come forward and speak with them.
Liability For Houston County Semi-Truck Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in semi-truck accidents. According to the IIHS, “A total of 4,714 people died in large truck crashes in 2021, a 17 percent increase compared with 2020. Sixteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 68 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.” There are a number of reasons a semi-truck can be particularly dangerous.
- Commercial trucks often weigh 20 – 30 times more than passenger vehicles.
- Commercial trucks can take 20 – 40 percent more distance to come to a full stop.
- Commercial trucks have a high ground clearance thereby making underride collisions more likely.
Semi-truck drivers must get a commercial driver’s license. As such, they are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must also abide by all rules and regulations set forth under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. To that end, truck drivers must take periodic breaks and limit the amount of time that they remain active on the road. One of the major safety concerns for truck drivers is fatigue. Truck drivers are often asked to complete unrealistic delivery schedules and may become dangerously fatigue in the process.
Truck drivers must exercise due care to avoid pedestrians and vehicles in the roadway. Pursuant to Georgia Code § 40-6-180, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be reasonable or prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is no reason that a semi-truck driver should ever hit another vehicle in their own lane. These types of collisions tend to take place when drivers are either distracted or following the lead vehicle too closely.
If a semi-truck driver was working when an accident took place, their employer could be vicariously liable for the collision. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a truck driver may have been completing a delivery route when they crashed. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any hit-and-run collision involving a semi-truck.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage of the crash should be sought.
- Fragments of the truck that fled should be examined.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
The vast majority of semi-truck accidents are preventable and involve some amount of human error. It is important that victims of semi-truck accidents understand that they do have rights. In particular, the family of any person that died due to the negligence of a truck driver may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. A truck accident attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and get to the bottom of what caused any collision.
Investigating Houston County Semi-Truck Accidents
We at The Butler Kahn Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. The truck driver involved in this crash should do the right thing and come forward. It is never too late to do the right thing.
Do you need more information about a Houston County semi-truck accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that truck drivers are held accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-831-6521.
