Traffic accidents happen swiftly. In a matter of seconds, a fairly routine collision can expand, involving several vehicles. More importantly, the number of victims, either fatalities or injured persons, can quickly grow.
A recent collision southeast of Hagerstown showed how quickly the damage and personal injuries can expand.
According to police investigators, a Toyota Prius traveling north on Route 40 had stopped to make a left turn on Mt. Lena Road. A dump truck behind the Prius slammed into the car from the rear and pushed it into the east bound lane, where it collided with two motorcycles.
Three people were pronounced dead at the scene. Another individual was flown to the hospital, and a second victim was taken by ambulance to a medical center.
State police have not released any details about the exact cause of the accident. According to witnesses, the Prius was not moving when it was struck by the truck. The two motorcyclists were presumably moving at the moment of impact. Police have not pointed to either alcohol or drugs as contributing to the cause of the accident. The speed of the truck and the driver’s actions prior to the collision are likely to be critical factors.
Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in a multi-vehicle accident may want to seek compensation for their damages through a personal injury or wrongful death action. An experienced personal injury attorney can provide important assistance in sorting through the facts and evidence and in estimating the likelihood of recovering damages.