A two-vehicle crash on May 26 in Tampa became more complicated when a utility truck hit the Road Ranger vehicle that responded to the initial crash. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash that took place at about 7 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge.
A collision between a Chevy car and a Dodge pickup truck started the accident that turned into a four-vehicle pile-up. The two vehicles were off to the side with a Road Ranger vehicle parked behind them when the utility truck veered to the right and sideswiped the Road Ranger vehicle and hit the Chevy, and the Chevy was pushed into the Dodge. The utility truck carrying drywall supplies overturned and landed upside down. The 53-year-old male Road Ranger suffered critical injuries and was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
The reason the utility truck veered off the road and onto the shoulder is unknown, but a representative of the Road Rangers commented that many drivers fail to move over for emergency vehicles. Despite the “move over” law being more than a decade old, distracted drivers still cause dangers for emergency workers. A few months prior to this accident, a tow truck driver assisting a stranded motorist was hit and killed on the same bridge.
Anyone could be injured in an accident due to a distracted driver, and wrecks could be especially severe when large trucks are involved. Those who are hurt in truck accidents caused by a truck driver’s negligence could file a personal injury lawsuit with the assistance of an attorney seeking compensation for expenses related to the accident like medical costs, property damage and lost wages.