Most of our everyday actions do not come with a lot of risk unless we spend a lot of time climbing cliffs or diving for buried treasure. One thing we do nearly every day that can come with risk is being near trucks and other heavy vehicles.
This is because the weight and speed of trucks and their cargo make any collision a possibly fatal incident. Several risk factors can come together to cause a truck accident, like heavy traffic or construction zones.
A work zone accident on a stretch of Interstate 81 in Smyth County sent two people to the hospital recently. A tractor-trailer apparently collided with a vehicle contracted by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The force of the crash sent the trailer off the highway, and it burst into flames.
Fortunately, no one was killed in this accident. However, construction zone accidents can easily be fatal if a truck strikes a worker or a piece of equipment that offers little protection to its users or others nearby.
The accident is still being investigated by Virginia state troopers. Charges may be pending against the driver of the truck if police or prosecutors determine this was a case of reckless driving.
Regardless of criminal charges, a driver or a truck operator may be liable for financial damages if their actions or negligence cause damage, injury or death. An attorney can help victims of truck accidents or their families work out their options in a difficult time after a crash. No one should have to recover without the proper help.