A Walterboro, SC man was killed when the tractor he was driving overturned after being struck by another car. According to official reports, the accident occurred around 6 pm on Saturday, November 26 on Maple Ridge Road in Colleton.
Ronnie Sylvester Generette, 54, was using his John Deere 5105 tractor to pull a trailer full of Christmas decorations to assist in the set up of an elaborate holiday display. Robert Wade, 37, struck the trailer with his Honda, causing Generette’s tractor to overturn and eject him from the driver’s seat. He was pronounced dead at the scene, with the cause of death listed as blunt force trauma. Wade was treated at the Emergency Department of the Colleton Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.
The tractor ended up in a ditch near the highway with the Honda close by. The scene was strewn with Christmas lights and decorations, and the road surrounding was closed for five hours. The Colleton County Fire and Rescue Department and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating the crash; no arrests have been made so far.
Civil liability issues in a fatal car accident
Accidents such as the one described above must be carefully investigated to understand who was at fault. It is generally assumed that when a car strikes another from behind, the driver of that car bears the responsibility for the accident. However, factors such as vehicle defects or malfunctions, or roadways in disrepair may also be considered.
In other situations, alcohol use, distracted driving, or fatigued driving may also have played a role. A driver who is drunk or distracted when he or she hits another car from behind, killing another driver, can be held responsible for the death in a civil, as well as a criminal lawsuit.
The families of victims who die in such circumstances are due a thorough investigation to understand what happened and who was liable for the death of their loved one. A clear picture of the accident and its causes can help a family to decide whether filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver is warranted.
Compensation available to victims of negligence
A lawsuit cannot bring a loved one back, of course, but it can help to cover costs that create hardship for a family that is left behind. Litigation may seek to recover various types of compensation, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or wrongful death costs, as well loss of earnings or earning potential if the victim supported a family. In addition, a lawsuit can hold a negligent driver accountable for irresponsible behavior that resulted in the loss of their loved one.
To speak with a skilled South Carolina car accident lawyer about your claim for damages, please call Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers at (803) 200-2000 to set up a no-cost consultation. Our highly credentialed attorneys advocate on behalf of injury victims throughout Lexington and Richland Counties.
