A pregnant woman is in critical condition after a Ford pickup truck landed on her vehicle. According to Fox 13, five others were hospitalized in the accident.
The crash happened around 12 p.m. A prior collision involving a tractor-trailer and a snow plow had stopped traffic, but a yellow semi-truck failed to stop and rear-ended the Ford pickup. The Ford went airborne and landed on top of a Volkswagen Jetta, which was driven by the pregnant woman.
Emergency responders rushed the driver of the semi-truck, three occupants of the Ford pickup, and two occupants of the Jetta to nearby hospitals for treatment.
This accident is a tragic reminder that rear-end collisions can happen at any time – and they often have catastrophic consequences. If you were injured or lost a family member in a rear-end crash, the at-fault driver may be liable for your medical bills, lost income and non-economic damages.
If the incident happened in Utah, contact the Truman Law Firm P.C. Ronald W. Truman is a personal-injury attorney in Utah with a reputation for tough litigation and a strategy for winning substantial settlements and verdicts for his clients.
Mr. Truman is a member of the American Association for Justice and of the Utah Association for Justice. Schedule a free initial consultation today by calling 435-986-2222.
4 Tips to Help Drivers Avoid Rear-End Collisions
According to the Washington Post, there are 1.7 rear-end accidents in the United States every year. These collisions can damage any part of the body, but the neck, spine and back are particularly susceptible to injuries.
Fortunately, there are steps that drivers can take to avoid rear-end collisions. These four strategies are particularly effective:
- Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Lengthening your following distance will give you more time to brake if traffic ahead slows down. Maintain at least three seconds of following distance when driving on the highway in clear weather. Double that distance to six seconds when driving in rain and other adverse conditions.
- Reduce Your Speed: This is particularly important when driving in congested traffic. The slower you travel, the more time you will have to react when the vehicle in front of you brakes suddenly.
- Avoid Distracted Driving: According to Distraction.gov, 3,179 people died in distracted-driving accidents in 2014, and 431,000 were injured. A significant number of these victims were involved in rear-end collisions. Keep your eyes on the road in front of you by putting your cell phone on silent, not eating or drinking behind the wheel, and resisting the urge to look at billboards and accident scenes.
- Monitor the Vehicle Approaching You from Behind: If you need to brake suddenly to turn or to stop for traffic, do not expect the driver behind you to react quickly. Use your mirrors to evaluate the driver’s behavior, and try to have an escape plan such as driving onto the shoulder.
If you were injured by a drunk, distracted or negligent driver, contact a Utah accident lawyer from the Truman Law Firm P.C. Call 435-986-2222 today to schedule a consultation.
