Recently, an incredibly tragic truck accident killed four children and injured their father, when an intoxicated truck driver struck them at a high speed. The incident—which could have been prevented had the truck driver not decided to drive under the influence of drugs and illegal substances—is a sobering reminder of how quickly a Maryland truck accident can change a life.
According to a local news source covering the accident, the truck was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 before the accident. There were reports that the truck was being driven recklessly, as it was weaving back and forth within traffic and even forced another semi-trailer onto the roadway’s shoulder to avoid an accident. The driver did not slow down or brake when he approached slowing traffic at a construction zone. In fact, GPS information from the truck showed that it was going over 70 miles per hour at the time of the collision. As the truck approached the line of stopped traffic, it struck a rented Chevrolet Impala, pushing it into another semi-trailer and knocking the trailer off of its front axle. The Impala as well as the truck that caused the accident both crossed the left lane into the median, catching fire.
The driver of the Chevrolet Impala was removed from the car by emergency responders. He was immediately flown to the hospital where he was placed into a medically induced coma and admitted to the hospital’s burn unit. Tragically, his four children—ages 15, 13, 8, and 6—all died in the accident.
Following this unbelievable tragedy, the truck driver responsible for the crash—who was not injured—tested positive for cannabis, amphetamines, and MDMA (ecstasy). The officers reported that at the scene of the crash he was speaking slowly, slurring his speech, and that he fumbled and struggled to put his driver’s license back into his wallet when returned to him by officers. Officials stated that he was unable to safely operate a vehicle in his condition. The driver also told officials that he was looking at his phone while driving right before the accident.
The driver was charged with nine felonies related to the crash. However, these felony counts do nothing to help the family who lost four children, and the father who suffered severe injuries. This is one of the reasons why Maryland law allows those in similar situations to file their own personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash. By doing so, they can recover financially to cover funeral and burial expenses, past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and even the pain and suffering.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you have recently been injured or lost a loved one in a Maryland truck accident, you may be suffering physically, financially, and psychologically. Contact Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, today to speak with a compassionate advocate who understands your situation and can help you pursue financial recovery for your injuries. While nothing can undo the damage that has been done, our goal is to help you recover financially so that you do not have to worry about how to pay bills in the aftermath of a tragedy. To learn more, call us today at 800-654-1949.