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A tow truck driver suffered serious injuries in the early morning hours of April 15 when a car on I-395 outside Washington DC lost control and hit him as he was attending to a disabled vehicle. 

Virginia State Police said the tow truck driver was outside his rig clearing an accident scene when he was struck at 4 am near Seminary Road. A 2004 Honda Accord was going northbound on I-395 when it lose control and struck a jersey barrier, crossed the interstate onto the right shoulder and struck the tow truck and driver.

The serious Virginia crash happened when heavy rains had fallen, which led to slick roads.

The tow truck driver suffered serious injuries but is in stable condition at a local hospital. The tow truck company owner credited the actions of a good Samaritan who stopped at the site of the accident and put a tourniquet on his leg, which was bleeding severely. The good Samaritan also waited with the tow truck driver and talked to him so he did not pass out.

The driver of the Honda has been charged with failure to maintain control.

Our View

Our Virginia and North Carolina personal injury attorneys are happy that the injured tow truck driver is in stable condition and should recover.

However, our personal injury lawyers wish to remind all drivers that it is important to drive with care in the rain. Driving both during and after a rain can be very dangerous. The most important thing to remember is to just slow down when the roads are wet. It always takes longer to stop in wet weather. Also, when you are driving at night on a wet road, you may not see standing water that can result in hydroplaning.

To drive more safely on wet roads, keep these tips in mind:

  • The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration states that drivers should reduce their speed by 1/3 on wet roads. 
  • Avoid braking hard on wet roads whenver possible. Take your foot off the gas and brake lightly to stop slowly.
  • Do not make sharp, sudden turns. Take all turns more slowly.
  • Stay in middle lanes if you ca; water often pools in outside lanes.

If you are injured in a car accident due to another driver losing control in this fashion, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Some of the compensation could be for medical costs, lost earnings and rehabilitation. In serious car accidents, this compensation for personal injuries can be substantial, so it is wise to at least consult with an attorney if you suffered injuries from another driver’s negligence.

 

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