Last month, authorities in another state issued 30 commercial truck drivers citations stemming from related pileups in January that involved 193 vehicles. The car and truck accident occurred on I-94 and claimed the life of one truck driver. The chain-reaction collisions occurred in both the westbound and eastbound lanes of the highway. After officials concluded their investigation into the fatal crash, they ticketed 58 people (including the truck drivers) for speeding.
Reports indicate that driving conditions at the time were affected by heavy snow. The chain-reaction collisions happened just after 9:00 a.m. and started when a semi-truck rear-ended a van, sending that van slamming into another vehicle. Thereafter, 60 vehicles became involved in that eastbound accident. Of serious concern in that particular crash was the fact that a tanker truck carrying thousands of pounds of liquid formic acid rolled overturned beside a tractor-trailer transporting fireworks. The two trucks ignited, leading to the fireworks also catching fire. Authorities ultimately had to enforce an evacuation order due to that dangerous situation.
The Canadian trucker who lost his life died in that eastbound collision. The westbound accident happened minutes later because several drivers failed to exercise appropriate caution when passing by the eastbound collision. Drivers owe a duty of reasonable care to others, no matter the snowy conditions or distraction of an accident in the opposite-bound lanes of traffic. At least 133 vehicles were involved in the westbound collision. Officials report that 26 commercial trucks were involved in the eastbound collision and 50 commercial vehicles were involved in the second.
A Michigan State Police representative stated that this truck accident reveals the extreme hazards posed by driving too fast for weather and road conditions. As he pointed out, drivers are responsible for controlling their vehicles no matter what is going on in the roads at the time. Failure to control a vehicle can result in injuries or even death—and that can lead to traffic citations or even criminal charges in the most serious of cases.
Those who are injured in a truck accident like this one may also have the option of seeking financial restitution in a civil court of law. This can help cover medical and other related expenses. Please consider contacting my St. Louis personal injury law firm at 1-888-586-7041 to discuss the facts of your case. We may be able to help you seek the financial damages to which you are entitled and hold the truck driver believed to be negligent responsible for causing your injuries.
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Source Article: http://www.overdriveonline.com/30-truck-operators-hit-with-tickets-following-193-vehicle-pileup-on-i-94/