The tires on today’s cars and trucks are well-made and seldom lose air unless they suffer a puncture. Nevertheless, most drivers in Massachusetts have suffered at least one flat tire while driving on a busy road. Changing the tire under those circumstances can be very dangerous, as a recent truck accident in Easton demonstrated.
Easton police said that they received a call about a pedestrian-vehicle collision shortly before 1:00 p.m. on Jan. 30. Witnesses told emergency responders that they saw a car stopped in the break-down lane on Washington Street and that the driver appeared to be changing a flat tire. One witness said that she heard the sound of the collision and that, when she turned to look, she saw a man lying at the end of her driveway. The injured man was taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses also saw a pick-up truck that was equipped with a snow plow. Police believe that the truck – or, more exactly, its plow – struck the man who was trying to change his tire. The truck driver stopped and appeared to be cooperating with police.
Police have not yet identified anyone who may have witnessed the crash as it happened. They are therefore scratching their heads over the exact cause of the accident. Did the decedent pull his car completely into the break-down lane? Which tire was he repairing? Where was he standing when he was hit? How fast was the pickup traveling? Was the pickup truck completely within its proper driving lane? Police accident investigators are trying to reconstruct the accident.
People who have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in such an accident often wonder whether they can recover damages from the driver who was at fault. Determining fault can be difficult, and commencing a lawsuit may be the only way to obtain the necessary answers. An attorney who is experienced in handling truck accident cases can provide a helpful overview of the evidence and an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.
