High Winds, Black Ice, and Blowing Snow
While I was writing my article last week about high winds, black ice, and blowing snow on the Wyoming and Colorado highways, more than 20 vehicles (including multiple commercial trucks and passenger vehicles) slid and crashed into one another on Interstate 80, between Cheyenne and Laramie.
You can see some of the chilling photos from CBS Denver’s evening news here: https://youtu.be/n8v6DEjsgPo
One of the truckers involved had his live-feed camera rolling, which captured the conditions and his inability to stop before crashing into a jackknifed trailer: https://youtu.be/GOdDaKmmh3w
Based on those clips, you’re not surprised that multiple injuries were reported by the Wyoming Highway Patrol. We can only hope that those injuries were not severe and that everyone has a speedy recovery.
I-80 was shut down nearly all day to clear the wreckage and investigate the cause of the multiple crashes (something tells me it had to do with drivers unnecessarily pushing themselves over this treacherous stretch of highway, but what do I know).
You can read more about the pile-up at: https://kgab.com/whp-wreck-on-i-80-involving-roughly-20-vehicles-multiple-injuries/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=newsletter_19320985&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
You can also watch Trucker B analyze the live-feed here: https://youtu.be/bLaZvtMmXAA
Hopefully, more and more truckers and drivers in general will take his advice. “By the way,” he says. “If the road conditions are this bad, DON’T. Just don’t.”
What to Do if You’ve Been Involved in a Trucking Accident
Unfortunately, those of us who live in these parts know that not everyone is as wise as Trucker B. Which means these kinds of crashes will continue to happen.
If you or a loved one is injured in a trucking accident, you would be wise to hire a trucking accident attorney. Unlike a typical car accident at a city intersection, trucking accidents implicate federal and state regulations and safety standards and often require engineers and other experts to reconstruct the scene, download and interpret electronic data, and investigate the employment and driver files of the trucking companies. There can also be issues with vicarious liability, lease agreements between drivers and companies, and issues regarding apportionment of fault. You will need an experienced truck accident attorney to represent your interests and navigate the complexities of your trucking accident case in order to give you the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve. And while your attorney is focusing on maximizing your recovery, you can focus on treatment and recovery.
Finally, you might consider your insurance needs. There are plenty of products out there to choose from, and I don’t advocate for one over another, but be sure to consider all the factors, including sufficient underinsured motorist coverage. Here’s an article with helpful information on that front: https://money.com/best-auto-insurance/
And we’ll be writing more about the topic of insurance in the future.
Stay safe out there!