Automobiles usually do not fare well in collisions with large commercial vehicles. The greater weight and occasional greater speed of semi-trailer trucks are no match for a sedan that may weigh less than half of the semi. A recent accident on I-75 in Atlanta shows how such tragic mismatches often lead to serious injuries and multiple deaths.
According to Atlanta police, a Nissan Rogue SUV suffered a mechanical failure and was forced to stop in one of the interstate’s driving lanes. While the Nissan was stopped, it was struck by a semi-tractor trailer. All three occupants of the Nissan were killed in the collision, while the driver of the semi was not injured.
The driver of the semi is cooperating with police as they attempt to untangle the cause of the accident. Several causes are possible. The semi may have been traveling too fast. In such cases, excessive speed has two meanings: (a) faster than the posted limit or (b) too fast for existing road or traffic conditions. The semi’s brakes may have failed, or the truck may have suffered some other mechanical failure. The driver of the semi may have been impaired by alcohol or drugs, although police did not mention either substance in their preliminary report on the accident. The driver of the Nissan may have been partially at fault in failing to park her vehicle on the shoulder of the road. The driver of the Nissan may also have failed to properly maintain her vehicle, thereby leading to the collision and the three deaths.
Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one under similar circumstances may wish to pursue a claim for damages against the party who caused the accident. In such cases, the assistance of an experienced accident attorney may be invaluable. A knowledgeable lawyer can evaluate the evidence, provide various legal arguments to support the claim and give an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
