When there is a story about a distracted driving accident in Indiana or anywhere else across the nation, there is an automatic assumption that the driver was using his or her phone. However, there are many ways in which a driver can be distracted and all can lead to motor vehicle accidents with injuries and fatalities. This is especially dangerous when the distracted driver is operating a large truck. People who have been hurt or lost a loved one in a crash should be aware of the variety of ways in which a driver can be distracted and consider this as part of a potential legal filing for compensation.
A semi-truck crashed into vehicles in front of it during slowed traffic after its driver was distracted by his cup of coffee. Three people died and many others were hospitalized after the accident. The accident happened on the interstate in the late morning at around 11 a.m. Eight vehicles in addition to the truck were involved. The fatalities were two women, 21 and 19, and a toddler. The driver of the truck, a 34-year-old man from Michigan, said he put his cup down just as he approached the traffic. He rear-ended the vehicles leading to the deaths and injuries. In total, 14 survivors were taken for treatment. The injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. The trucker was arrested on various charges including reckless homicide.
Large trucks are a constant on the road. Drivers of passenger vehicles will undoubtedly have concerns about their size and speed. When adding risky and illegal behaviors that the truck driver might engage in including distracted driving, speeding, negligence, recklessness, driving under the influence, drowsy driving and more, there is a major chance of a collision.
Injuries in a truck accident can be severe with hospitalizations, lost income, the inability to live a normal life and other problems. When there is a fatality, the family left behind must come to accept the loss of a loved one in such an unnecessary accident. While a legal filing will not prevent the accident from having occurred, it can be useful to recover compensation for all that was lost. In this accident, it is already known that the driver was distracted. For help in pursuing compensation through a legal filing, a law firm experienced in motor vehicle accidents should be consulted with as soon as possible.