Driver Survives Dramatic South Georgia Car Crash Caught on Video
A woman is currently recovering at South Georgia Medical Center with serious injuries after surviving a car crash that has been reported as a “real-life ‘Fast and Furious.’” On May 24, officers were responding to another crash on Highway 84 in Lowndes County when a speeding vehicle was launched into the air after driving onto the ramp of a flatbed tow truck. The truck was parked in the left lane with its emergency lights activated. The driver, a 21-year-old Florida woman, was launched 120 feet down the highway, landed upside down, and then tumbled end to end before coming to a stop. The entire incident was captured by a responding officer’s body-worn camera.
While details are still emerging, the crash illustrates the importance of following “Move Over” laws, which are designed to shield both drivers and first responders from car accident injuries. If you have been injured in an accident by a driver who failed to move over when required to by law, a Tifton car accident attorney can help you seek compensation.
Georgia’s Move Over Law
Georgia’s Move Over law, also known as the “Spencer Pass Law,” is found at OCGA § 40-6-16. It requires the operators of motor vehicles approaching stationary emergency vehicles that are displaying flashing lights to approach the emergency vehicle with caution and, absent any other instructions from a police officer, proceed as follows;
- Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the emergency vehicle if safe to do so
- If a lane change would be impossible or unsafe, reduce speed to a reasonable and proper speed for the conditions and be prepared to stop
The Move Over law applies to authorized emergency vehicles (i.e., police cruisers, ambulances, and fire trucks), towing and recovery vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, and utility service vehicles. Violation of Georgia’s Move Over law is punishable by a fine of up to $500.
Consequences of Failing to Move Over
Drivers who fail to heed Move Over laws can cause accidents even more serious than the one at issue here. While it may be hard to believe, FBI statistics indicate that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among police personnel in the line of duty, even accounting for shootings. Potential consequences of failing to move over include:
- Serious injuries from single-vehicle accidents
- Striking emergency personnel
- Striking other bystanders
- Striking other vehicles in the vicinity
Drivers who cause injuries by failing to move over when they are legally required to may be liable for damages, as their failure to act may be considered a breach of the duty of care they owe to others on the road.
Get Help From a Tifton Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident due to another driver’s failure to move over when legally required to, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim. For more information, please contact a Tifton car accident attorney at the Hudson Injury Firm by calling 229-396-5848 or using our online form.
