Authorities believe that a semi truck driver may be at fault for starting a deadly crash on Thursday night. Officials believe that an SUV was stopped in a construction zone on I-65 near Roselawn, Indiana and was waiting for traffic to move. A second semi truck approached the SUV from behind but may not have stopped in time, striking the rear of the SUV.
The SUV was pushed forward and into the back of the semi truck in front of it, trapping the SUV and its occupants between the two large commercial trucks. The SUV caught fire and was nearly destroyed, forcing authorities to remove the vehicle from between the trucks to determine how many occupants were injured or killed. So far, police have determined that seven people were killed in the crash, including four children.
The victims include a three-year-old child, two five-year-old children, a seven-year-old child, and adults aged 27, 35, and 49. An adult and two children killed were residents of Atlanta, Georgia while the remaining victims are believed to have been residents of Merrillville, Indiana. The crash shut down I-65 for several hours as authorities worked to clear the wreckage and tend to the survivors. Both truck drivers reported minor injuries in the accident but were expected to survive.
Though authorities are still investigating, the early reports of this crash make it appear that the victims who lost their lives did nothing wrong, making the tragic nature of this crash even worse. Though it is easy to speed or to take your attention from the road, accidents like this continue to prove that losing your focus on driving even for a moment may result in a crash.
Any accident can result in serious injury or death but accidents with a semi truck are more likely to turn tragic. Semis have an average weight several times greater than a passenger vehicle, making them much harder to stop in a short distance. Additionally, semis sit higher off the road than a typical car, meaning that in the event of an accident, it is possible for a car to be pushed underneath a semi, causing more extensive damage to the vehicle and putting its passengers at greater risk for harm.
In the event that a truck driver causes a crash that results in injuries, it can be difficult to determine who is at fault for the accident. While it may seem clear, in fact most truckers are on the job at the time of accidents, meaning that the trucker or the trucker’s employer may be liable. In addition, other parties can also share in the blame if the accident is due to faulty maintenance on a truck or failure to properly repair a vehicle. Since these case can be complicated, victims of accidents may want to speak with a personal injury attorney to determine if they have a case, and if so, what claims the victim may be able to bring.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are Chicago truck accident lawyers with the skill and knowledge to bring claims on behalf of accident victims. Through our representation of accident victims and their families, we have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients and we continue working for victims’ rights today. If you have been the victim of a truck accident, call us at (312) 924-7575 and let us provide you with a free case consultation. We are standing by 24 hours a day so please call us now and let us help you understand your rights.
Prior Blog Entries:
Fatal Crash Involving Rollerblader in Chicago Area, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 16, 2013.
Possible Hit-And-Run Leaves Motorcyclist Injured, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 13, 2013.
Resources:
Seven Killed When SUV Crushed Between Two Semis On I-65, CBS Chicago, published August 16, 2013.