Three people were killed early Friday morning after the vehicle they were riding in slammed into the back of a semi-truck on I-85 in Midtown, according to Atlanta Police. The accident occurred just north of the Buford Spring Connector at around 3:45 AM, and all three occupants of the passenger vehicle were pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the semi remained on the scene and was uninjured. At the time of the report, investigators were not only still working to determine the cause of the crash, but the identities of two of the victims as well.
The accident resulted in the closure of the northbound lanes for more than three hours. The closure had a cascade effect of congestion on every interstate that crosses through the city as morning commuters were directed to other routes.
Semi-trucks are extremely large vehicles, measuring about 72 feet long, 13.5 feet high, and 8.5 feet wide. They can weigh as much as 30 times more than a passenger car when fully loaded. The size makes them harder to maneuver, with issues such as an increased distance needed to come to a complete stop, the need to make wide turns in order to negotiate corners, and significant blind spots on all four sides of the vehicle, particularly along the right (passenger) side of the vehicle and in the back of it.
Rear-end accidents are usually the fault of the driver in the following car, but not always. Some circumstances in which the driver of the vehicle in the lead would be at-fault include accidents where they have merged into a travel lane without ensuring that there is a safe gap to do so, or when they are backing up.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a semi-truck, an experienced truck accident attorney from Cambre & Associates can help you understand your legal options for seeking compensation for your injury. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
