It may be easy to get distracted by data involving truck accidents. The increasing number of collisions involving big rigs, the shocking number of fatalities and the financial toll are statistics that may cloud the real issue. When trucks crash, people often die. Recently, a multi-vehicle accident involving a semi-trailer brought this message home.
Just after 9:30 a.m., two teenagers were only a few hours into their trip to Louisiana when they met with tragedy. The young man and woman were on their way to help flood victims as part of a mission trip when their vehicle was struck by a semi-trailer. The truck driver had apparently experienced a blowout and lost control of his rig.
The truck swerved out of its lane and across the median strip toward eastbound traffic. As it crossed the median, it broke through the cables and collided with three vehicles, including the SUV carrying the 17-year-old missionaries and four other people. Two additional vehicles were damaged by the cable and accident debris.
Rescue workers were not able to save the young man, who died at the scene, and the young woman was pronounced dead a short time later at the hospital. Another accident victim was air-lifted to a local medical center, and three others were transported to hospitals by ambulance.
Investigators may learn that the truck driver’s speed prevented him from being able to control his vehicle after the blowout. Additionally, there may be evidence that the truck was not properly maintained or the tires were not inspected for wear and tear. In any case, the families of these promising young people are now mourning their loss. They will not see their children as mere statistics of truck accidents, and they may soon be seeking legal guidance in pursuing compensation for the suffering this accident has caused them.