Most drivers exercise common sense and caution while on the road. Staying aware of one’s surroundings and keeping a close watch on what others are doing can help to keep a person safe. However, when a heavy object comes out from nowhere, there’s may be little that a driver could do to avoid a collision. One common scenario of concern to highway drivers is that of flying truck wheels.

On Feb. 10, a 50-year-old man was killed after his van was struck by an object as he drove along Highway 417. The object turned out to be a set of wheels from a tractor trailer heading in the opposite direction on the other side of a median. Evidently the wheels jumped over the median before striking the vehicle. The operator of the truck and his employer were both charged by the Ontario Provincial Police under the Highway Traffic Act.

Statistics indicate there were 135 documented cases of “wheel offs” in Ontario in 2016. A total of 11 deaths have been caused by detached wheels since 2001 in the province. A conviction for this type of offence could come with a fine of up to $50,000.

While it is positive that offenders are held accountable for their actions, this does little to assist the families of the victims. Fatal motor vehicle accidents are terrible events that can leave a family in emotional and even financial turmoil. Those whose lives have been impacted in this way may wish to seek help from a dedicated personal injury lawyer.