Woman Hit, Killed by Tractor-Trailer While Passing

Early Monday morning around 6:00 am, a woman was killed after being hit by a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 55 near Mount Olive, North Carolina.

A 37-year-old lady from Seven Springs was reported traveling westbound on U.S. 55 when her vehicle was hit head-on by a tractor-trailer.

North Carolina Highway Patrol said that the driver of the 18-wheeler was attempting to pass a van and had a double solid line when he hit her. It was also said that it appeared that both drivers attempted to avoid the collision but turned in the same direction.

The force of the wreck drove both vehicles off the highway and trapped Robinson’s car under the cab of the tractor-trailer.

Determining When It is Safe to Pass

Passing in the lane of oncoming traffic is common but not always safe and must be done cautiously. It becomes a danger because we as drivers don’t judge distance very well. It is also difficult to tell how long it will take to accelerate and pass another vehicle or how fast an oncoming vehicle is traveling.

For tractor-trailers, this is even more difficult. Due to the weight of a truck, it takes much longer for the driver to accelerate to an appropriate passing speed. The length of the tractor-trailer also makes it difficult to completely pass another vehicle and move safely back into the appropriate lane.

Regardless of the type of vehicle, it is extremely important that drivers follow all passing laws. To signify when it is legal to pass, roadways are marked with either “dotted-yellow” or “solid double-yellow” lines.

• A “dotted-yellow” line tells the driver that they are allowed to pass another vehicle when it is safe. These are common on straight-a-ways where there are few curves or hills.
• A “solid double-yellow” line, however, signifies that at no point should the driver attempt to pass another vehicle. Typically, these are found on a stretch of road that has curves, hills or in urban areas.

In addition to road markings, some roadways have a “No Passing Zone”.

This means neither side is allowed to pass, even if they believe it is safe.

The Life-Changing Impact of an Accident While Passing

Being involved in an accident while passing a vehicle or witnessing another vehicle pass can be a life-changing experience. They often lead to “head-on” collisions which can be fatal due to the amount of force the two vehicles create when they hit each other.

When a tractor-trailer is involved, the impact is extremely significant. The combination of a truck’s weight and their inability to stop quickly cause great devastation for both the truck driver and the driver of the vehicle being hit.

These types of collisions are preventable. By following passing laws and using your best judgment before passing, you could save your life and the life of another. Drivers commonly pass when they feel another vehicle is moving too slowly and are in a rush to get to their destination. Passing someone is simply not worth your life or someone else’s just so you can get to your destination quickly.

How Can an Accident Attorney Help?

If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone’s negligence, then our truck accident lawyers may be able to help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage and more. We have experience with a wide variety of vehicle crashes, including head-on collisions and truck accidents.

We serve clients across North Carolina from our offices in Raleigh, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, and Kinston (by appointment only). Contact us online or call us at (800)525-7111 to speak with an accident attorney.

The consultation is free and if you decide to hire us, there is no upfront cost and no attorney fee unless we win your case.

Credits: News story provided by The Goldsboro News-Argus