(Fox Atlanta)
Local News
A runaway trailer reportedly collided with an SUV on State Road 92, claiming the life 25-year-old Tiphanie Fletcher.
According to Fox Atlanta, Ms. Fletcher was traveling southbound on State Road 92, south of Fayetteville, when a trailer carrying a home gym came unhitched from a Chevy Silverado pickup truck. The trailer apparently veered into the southbound lanes, striking Ms. Fletcher’s SUV on the driver side door and forcing it into a tree. Ms. Fletcher later succumbed to injuries.
Investigators are also looking specifically at trailer hitch ball, which they allege may have been too small for the trailer. Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb reportedly told media “simple precautions could have prevented the tragedy that took the young mother’s life, such as using safety chains.”
Our Legal Take
Trailer tragedies are becoming all too common across the U.S. A recent report shed light on the perils of trailers and the crucial need to properly inspect them before taking them on the road. The Murray Law Firm is now questioning whether this tragedy was a result of careless inspection or a catastrophic equipment malfunction:
What was the make and model of the trailer? Does this model have a history of faulty hitches? Investigators are focusing on the pickup ball hitch. Did a ball hitch malfunction contribute to this crash?
What is the maximum weight this model trailer and ball hitch can hold, according to manufacturer specifications? Did the home gym exceed these weight restrictions?
Do manufacturer guidelines provide consumers with accurate ball hitch size requirements to fit securely and, if so, did the operator use the correct size ball hitch for this trailer?
Did the trailer come with safety chains to prevent a lose trailer from veering off into traffic and, if so, were these chains used properly?
As the answers to this investigation continue to emerge, the family of Tiphanie Fletcher may elect to hold the driver civilly liable for her wrongful death. Additional claims may also be filed with the trailer and ball hitch manufacturers, should an equipment malfunction have contributed to this horrific accident. Such claims will serve as a grave reminder to all Georgia drivers on the need to meticulously inspect their trailers. Claims of this magnitude will also demand trailer and ball hitch manufacturers reevaluate trailer safety, making trailer equipment safer and putting safety stops in place to prohibit drivers from using the trailers without proper setup. Perhaps, through these legal claims, many other lives may be spared.
The Murray Law Firm works tirelessly to protect victims and families devastated by driver and manufacturer negligence. We offer our legal expertise, if needed. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 404.842.1600. Consultations are free and confidential.
