Joyl Sartin Seriously Injured In Cowlitz County Hit-And-Run Semi-Truck Accident Along I-5 Near Woodland —> GoFundMe Created To Support Victim
COWLITZ COUNTY, WASHINGTON (June 23, 2022) – A mother of three identified as Joyl Sartin was seriously injured in a hit-and-run semi-truck accident on I-5.
Cowlitz County officials are saying that the accident took place on June 15, 2022. Joyl Sartin was driving her vehicle when she was hit by a semi-truck.
The force of the impact sent her car down an embankment and into the water. Unfortunately, the driver of the semi-truck did not remain at the scene to offer aid.
A good Samaritan who witnessed the crash pulled over and remained with her until paramedics arrived.
Joyl Sartin was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. She has a long road to recovery and has already undergone two surgeries for a broken leg and back.
You can help support her recovery through GoFundMe. According to the GoFundMe page, “On June 15, 2022 JoyL Sartin, mother of three and independent Chef, was struck by a semi while driving her vehicle; this sent her car and her down an embankment and into the water. The semi-truck did not stay at the scene.”
Liability In Cowlitz County Semi-Truck Accidents
Nearly 4,000 people are killed in semi-truck accidents every year in the United States. There are a number of factors that could potentially contribute to a semi-truck accident. According to the FMCSA, “Fatigue, drinking alcohol, and speeding are major factors in motor vehicle crashes overall. Although their presence does not always result in a crash, these three factors, as well as other driver, vehicle, and environmental factors, can increase the risk that a crash will occur.” There are a number of steps that truck drivers and truck companies should take in order to prevent collisions.
- Truck drivers should be adequately rested before the start of their shift.
- Truck drivers should a abstain from alcohol or other substances that could impair them.
- Truck companies should ensure that their fleet is well-maintained.
- Truck companies can install safety features on their trucks such as forward collision avoidance systems.
Truck drivers must get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They are professional drivers and are expected to understand how to operate their vehicle safely at all times. Many truck accidents are due to truck drivers that follow the lead vehicle too closely. Pursuant to Washington Revised Code RCW 46.61.145, the driver of any vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than would be reasonable given the prevailing conditions of the highway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another vehicle in their own lane of traffic.
It is illegal to flee the scene of any collision that results in bodily injury or death. According to Washington Revised Code RCW 46.52.020, the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident that causes bodily injury must stop their vehicle at the scene and exchange insurance information with the affected party. If the driver flees the scene of an injury collision, they could be held accountable through both a civil and criminal claim. In many instances, drivers may not realize that they hit someone. These types of accidents tend to happen when the at fault driver simply was not paying adequate attention to the road.
Depending on the facts of any case, a truck driver’s employer could potentially be liable for an accident. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, many truck companies will hire their drivers as “independent contractors.” It is important to determine the employment status of any truck driver at the time of a collision. There are many other items that should be investigated.
- Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought.
- Fragments of the fleeing vehicle should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The FMCSA requires commercial trucks to carry between $750,000 – $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Any person that is injured in a car accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Many people may not realize the full extent of their injuries for several weeks or months after a collision. A truck accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Cowlitz County Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to Joyl Sartin as he continues to recover. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim and her family. The truck driver responsible for this collision should do the right thing and come forward. It is never too late to do the right thing.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured due to the negligence of a semi-truck driver? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping our clients get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover and move forward with their lives. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
