A pedestrian is dead after being struck by a tractor-trailer along Interstate 80 near the Buckhorn exit in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Reports said the 44-year-old Northumberland man was changing a tire on his vehicle when he was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer. The tractor trailer accident occurred at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning on the right shoulder of the westbound lane of I-80.
Pedestrian accident facts
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts on 2013 motor vehicle crashes reported that 4,735 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2013 and an estimated 66,000 were injured. Ninety-two percent of the pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes that involved a single vehicle. Pedestrian and other non-occupant fatalities accounted for 17% of the total traffic fatalities in 2013. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 70% of all pedestrian deaths in 2013 occurred on major roads.
What to do if you get a flat tire on a the highway
If you find yourself with a flat tire when driving, it is important to find a safe spot to pull over. If you’re traveling along a highway or interstate, take the nearest exit that is safest. Driving a short distance on a flat tire should be fine if you do so carefully. If you can’t make it to the exit, pull as far onto the shoulder as possible. Don’t stop in the middle of a curve in the roadway where approaching vehicles can’t see you. Once you’ve pulled safely off the road, turn on your hazard lights immediately, so that other vehicles can see that you have a problem.
Do not attempt to change a flat tire unless you have the proper equipment and you are sure you can work safely away from traffic, which may not be possible on a highway or interstate. Keep reflective triangles or other roadway warning devices in your vehicle for emergencies. They can be set up behind your vehicle to warn oncoming traffic. Remember, changing a tire on the side of any roadway is extremely dangerous, so it is always best to call for help. You can call the police, a tow truck operator, or AAA for assistance.
Drivers share the responsibility of keeping pedestrians safe near roadways. It is imperative to stay alert while driving and look out for pedestrians at all times, even on highways, such as I-80, I-81, I-76 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You never know when someone may be out of his or her vehicle due to an emergency or walking along a highway or other roadway. Follow posted speed limits at all times on all roads and slow down when visibility is limited due to weather conditions or in the evening. Most importantly, never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They can impair your reaction time and reflexes, causing a very dangerous driving situation.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, truck collision, tractor trailer accident, or another motor vehicle accident, call the truck accident lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli today for a free consultation. Call an attorney in Philadelphia at 215-575-9237 in Wilkes-Barre at 570-714-HURT.