On Friday, April 22, a beloved music teacher at Sims Middle School was killed in a Union County crash. The teacher, Stephen Lee was on his way to the school at the time of the crash.

According to investigators in media reports, the bucket truck driver went left of center and hit Mr. Lee’s vehicle killing him.

• What caused the driver to leave his lane?
• Was the bucket truck driver distracted?
• Was the driver drowsy at the time of the collision?

These questions can’t be answered at this time, but are common reasons collisions with trucks occur. This tragedy is a terrible reminder of the importance of paying attention while on the road, especially when operating a large vehicle.

In light of this terrible tragedy resulting in the death of a 31-year-old teacher, I want to take a moment to address some common truck driver distractions and some information on wrongful death situations.

If you suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one due to a collision with a large vehicle truck, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You can request a free consultation through our contact form or call us at 864-235-4999 by tapping the button below.

Possible Union County Crash Factors: Distracted Driving

The media report doesn’t provide a reason for the driver drifting left of center in the Union County crash. Based on my more than 20 years of legal experience, the most common factor in wrecks involving large vehicles is driver distractions.

Talking or texting on a cell phone and paying attention to what is in the back of the driver’s cab are the most common types of distractions. You can learn more about driver distractions by clicking the button below.

All drivers have a responsibility to look out for their fellow drivers on the road. This is even more important for drivers of larger vehicles, like bucket trucks. Due to the added weight of large trucks, any collision can be serious, which is why truck drivers must exercise due care while on the road at all times.

Wrongful Death

South Carolina law allows families to seek compensation for the losses sustained as a result of a loved one’s death. The law allows for family members to be compensated for the grief, emotional pain, loss of guidance and emotional support, and loss of financial support that a deceased family member would have provided. When a collision involving a death occurs, those responsible need to be held accountable.

Every case and client is different, which means you deserve a lawyer who will put your family’s best interest at heart. If you’ve lost a loved one due to a collision, please don’t hesitate to reach out by calling us or submitting the free request via the contact form below.