Earlier this month, an eight-vehicle accident near New Haven, Connecticut, claimed two lives, including a 61-year-old woman from Maryland. According to one local Connecticut news source, the accident took place on Interstate 95 southbound, at around 5:30 in the morning.
Evidently, a semi-truck traveling in the southbound lanes of travel veered off the road near exit 70, crashed into the guard rail, and then slammed into an abutment. The contents of the truck spilled across the road, and the truck caught fire. The driver of the truck was pulled out by emergency crew members and immediately taken to the hospital, where he was admitted with serious injuries.
Seven other vehicles were also involved in the fatal accident, with a total of two people losing their lives. One 61-year-old woman from Maryland and another 38-year-old woman from Alabama both died as a result of the injuries they sustained in the accident. Two others were injured in the accident but suffered only minor injuries. Three people were not injured at all and were able to immediately go home.
Police have begun an investigation into the cause of the fatal truck accident. At this point in time, it does not seem as though the driver of the semi-truck is facing any criminal charges. However, that may change as police conclude their investigation.
Veering Semi Trucks on Maryland Highways
While the exact cause of the fatal accident described above has not yet been determined by police, it seems fair to say that, at this point, the truck driver was likely at least partially at fault. It is still uncertain as to why the truck veered out of its lane of travel and into the guard rail, but a number of possibilities are possible:
- The driver could have been distracted while he was on the phone or texting;
- The driver may have been driving while drowsy, after a long overnight shift;
- The driver may have been intoxicated at the time of the accident; or
- The driver could have suffered some kind of medical emergency in the moments leading up to the crash.
If any of the above circumstances were at play in the fatal accident discussed above, it is possible that the truck driver could have prevented the accident and therefore may be held liable. Of course, the case will heavily depend on the other surrounding circumstances. To learn more about Maryland truck accident cases, contact a dedicated personal injury attorney today.
Are You in Need of an Attorney?
If you or a loved one has recently been the victim of a Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated attorneys at the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of experience enforcing the rights of injured Marylanders and know what it takes to bring a winning case. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation with an attorney from Lebowitz & Mzhen.
More Blog Posts:
Semi-Truck Driver Charged in Fatal I-95 Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 28, 2015.
Two Dead, One Injured in Late-Night Maryland Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published August 11, 2015.