What To Know About DUI Accidents: Truck Driver Dead In Philadelphia

A truck driver from Florida lost his life when a drunk driver backed into his tractor-trailer on I-76 last Wednesday. At about 2:30 a.m., a 19-year-old Philadelphia man was driving his Toyota Yaris eastbound on I-76 while impaired. When he passed the Girard Ave. exit, he tried to reverse, but instead lost control of the sedan and crashed into the tractor-trailer behind him.

The collision caused the truck to hit a wall and burst into flames, which killed the 54-year-old truck driver. Firefighters then spent two hours trying to put out the flames. Additionally, the truck was carrying produce, which—along with burnt wreckage from the crash—fell below the highway overpass onto the road below it. As a result, I-76 was closed for over seven hours while crews made minor repairs to the overpass and cleaned up Sweet Briar Drive below.

The driver of the Toyota Yaris had minor injuries, as did his two passengers. They fled the scene of the Philadelphia accident, but police found them at a local hospital and arrested the driver. He was charged with homicide by vehicle, recklessly endangering another person, leaving the scene of an accident involving death, driving under the influence, and more. In addition, police discovered that the Toyota he was driving was a stolen vehicle.

Accidents Involving Impaired Drivers in Philadelphia

It's illegal to drive while impaired in Philadelphia, just as it is everywhere else. But that doesn't stop some drivers from continuing to do it, often causing injuries and fatalities when they end up in accidents. In fact, in one year alone, there were over 10,500 alcohol-related accidents in Pennsylvania, causing more than 330 deaths and about 7,200 injuries.

So if you were injured or lost a loved one in an accident involving an impaired driver in Philadelphia, you're not alone. Fortunately, you do have options when it comes to paying for any damages caused by the accident. You just need to hire a Philadelphia car accident lawyer to find out how to go about getting compensation.

What To Do After a Crash with an Impaired Driver in Philadelphia

If you were in an auto accident in Philadelphia caused by a driver you suspect was impaired, it's important to call the police so you can arrange to get any immediate medical help you may need as well as make a police report. Since driving while impaired is considered per se negligent, the impaired driver would be considered liable for the accident, meaning his or her insurance provider would pay for expenses related to the collision.

This means you have a chance to get compensation for your medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other costs that you incurred in the crash. But reporting the accident to the police is just the first step to getting compensation for your expenses. You then need to contact a Philadelphia car accident attorney so you can set up a meeting to discuss the details of your case. The sooner you meet with an attorney, the sooner you can learn how to proceed with your case, so call today!