When trucks travel on the roads, they are a higher risk to others than smaller vehicles. If a truck goes out of control, it takes up multiple lanes, has the potential to block traffic and could collide with many different people or things.
Take for example this crash involving two tractor-trailers. The vehicles collided at around 5:00 a.m., between exits 16 and 17 on Interstate 84. At the time, one of the trucks caught fire.
When a vehicle is on fire, there is a serious risk of individuals inside suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. On top of that, the kind of products being carried in the vehicle could impact the people inside. Gas or chemicals could cause chemical burns, which put people in the truck and around it at a risk of injury.
When a vehicle catches on fire, it’s vital for anyone inside to get out quickly. Fortunately, in this case, only one person was injured. The injuries were reportedly minor. This crash caused many of the highway lanes to close for several hours. At around 12:30 p.m., the police were able to reopen the lanes.
Crashes involving semitrucks and fires are some of the most dangerous you’ll see on the roads. If you get into a crash with a truck and see fire, move to safety. While the police want you to remain at the scene, it’s important to move anyone who is injured away from immediate danger. If you end up with burns or other injuries as a result of the crash, your attorney can help you fight for compensation once you’re on the road to recovery.
Source: Fox61, “Fiery truck crash shuts down I-84 in Southbury,” Nov. 18, 2017