There are federal regulations in place to ensure safe travel of trucks on the roads. When truckers ignore those regulations, intentionally or not, they endanger the lives of those traveling the same roads with them. Despite enforcement in Pennsylvania of federal regulations, truck accidents still occur. Recently, a multiple-vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer truck happened, causing a number of injuries and one fatality.
Reports indicate that a 65-year-old truck driver from another state did not stop when traffic slowed down in front of him, setting off a series of cars rear-ending each other. There were five automobiles involved in the accident. The state route where the incident occurred was shut down for several hours.
Police noted that multiple people suffered injuries, though their conditions were not reported. Sadly, there was one fatality. An 81-year-old female passenger in one of the vehicles succumbed to her injuries. A coroner’s autopsy confirmed her death was the result of blunt force trauma. Authorities are still investigating the collisions.
Facing unexpected medical and auto repair bills around this time of year can create financial stress. Adding to the financial stress, serious injuries may result in missed time from work. Those injured in truck accidents may be entitled to file claims in civil court and may receive compensation for damages if a truck driver is found to have been negligent. According to Pennsylvania laws, surviving family members of anyone killed in a vehicle accident may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Unexpected burial costs, lost wages and loss of companionship may be recovered if the court finds the truck driver at fault.
Source: wfmz.com, “Woman killed in multi-vehicle crash on Route 222“, Dec. 6, 2016
