Semitrailer truck are common sights on the nation’s highways. They provide an efficient means of moving freight, but they can also become a destructive hazard if their drivers lose control or fail to pay attention to traffic conditions. The recent failure of a semitrailer driver to reduce his speed caused a serious chain reaction car-truck accident in Southern Illinois.
The truck was heading west on Interstate 24 near Metropolis, Illinois when it came upon a line of cars and other vehicles that were stopped, apparently due to traffic conditions. According to police, the truck driver failed to slow down. His truck crashed into the line of cars, damaging seven of them. Three people died in the collision, and six others were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police stated that the driver, a 57-year-old driver from Mississippi, failed to reduce speed as he approached the line of cars.
Police said that, in all, 13 people were involved in the accident – eight drivers and five passengers. Three of the passengers were children. The crash snarled traffic between Illinois and Kentucky for several hours. No mention was been made of vehicle malfunction, driver fatigue, alcohol or drugs as playing a role in the accident, but police say they are continuing to investigate accident.
Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in a similar accident may wish to explore the possibility of making a claim for damages. An experienced personal injury lawyer can often provide a helpful analysis of the facts of the accident and an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.