Usually when one hears that motor vehicles have been involved in crash, it is assumed that the vehicles actually collide. However, in reality, multi-vehicle accidents causing serious damage to property and people can happen without the vehicles ever making contact. An accident illustrating this fact took place earlier this week on I-80 in Pennsylvania.
The accident in question involved two tractor trailers in Lackawannock Township. The truck crash happened early in the morning while it was still dark. According to Pennsylvania State Police, the two trucks were travelling in the same direction in separate lanes. When the truck in the lane to the right lost control and crashed, the one travelling in the left lane attempted to avoid it. In a defensive move the second truck swerved and landed in the median on its side. The accident closed the road for several hours.
Drivers of trucks are often painted as villains in accidents where they are involved. The reality however is they too are often victims who are entitled to recover a financial settlement when injured due to the fault of another. Miraculously no one appears to have been injured in either of the trucks. Some types of injuries however, do not immediately appear. Should this be the case for the driver of the second truck, whether an employee of a trucking company or an independent owner-operator, he or she may file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. As is the case with all personal injury claims, it is important to file the claim as soon as possible.
Source: WKBN, "Two Tractor Trailers Crash on I-80," Sept. 27, 2011