When most Pennsylvania drivers think of motor vehicle accidents, many imagine an unavoidable series of events that lead to calamity. However, distracted driving is one cause of serious car accidents that can absolutely be avoided. Distracted driving is generally defined as the practice of driving a motor vehicle while engaged in another activity, typically one that involves the use of a mobile phone or other electronic device. This was the case in a recent story that ended tragically for one man, and forever changed the life of another.
In Oct. 2017, the driver of a truck that contained a dash cam was traveling on I-81 near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His vehicle struck a motorcycle being driven by a 56-year-old man, with his sister as a passenger. The driver of the motorcycle was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, while his sister, the second victim, is still attempting to recover from the serious injuries she suffered.
Police were horrified when they began to review the dash cam footage to attempt to understand what caused the accident. The driver of the truck claimed that he was distracted by construction work on the road, but investigators were shocked to discover that, in fact, the man had been watching an NFL game as he drove on the highway. They quickly learned that the truck driver had previously placed a bet on the game, and had also sent several text messages while driving. Immediately before the crash, investigators say the man can be seen looking away from the road, and could hear the sounds of the football game being played as he crashed into the helpless siblings on the motorcycle.
When fatal car accidents occur, it may be difficult for the victims’ loved ones to grasp the sudden circumstances that have caused loss of life and serious injury to members of their family. People may be overwhelmed when they are expected to deal with medical bills, funeral expenses, insurance matters and possible criminal action to be taken against the driver at fault. In many cases, families may find it helpful to seek the assistance of an experienced attorney, who may be able to help with legal matters in a time of grief and recovery.