Three tractor-trailers collided in a deadly accident in mid-January. The collision occurred at mile marker 133, south of Becker Road in the Palm City area, leaving a 67-year-old Orlando driver dead.
The accident occurred when the Orlando driver failed to stop in time, and rear-ended another semi truck stopped in the right lane due to traffic. This caused the second semi to rear end yet another tractor-trailer, in front of them. Another 29-year-old driver was taken to the hospital for minor injuries, and the southbound lanes were closed for about seven hours to investigate and clean up.
Multi-car rear end accidents
Rear-end accidents are dangerous, even when semi trucks are not involved—and determining liability can be complicated. Generally, rear-end accident liability lies with the rear car. However, the accident above is a good example of when that might be different.
Car accident cases are usually litigated under a theory of negligence. To prove negligence, a plaintiff must show that the defendant had a duty of care (typically to follow traffic laws and avoid causing harm), they breached that duty and as a result, the plaintiff suffered actual injury.
In this case, the middle truck rear-ended the front truck—but they’re unlikely to bear responsibility in this case. They were already stopped in traffic behind the front truck. They would not have rear-ended the front truck if not for the rear truck rear-ending the middle tractor-trailer. The rear truck was the cause of both rear end impacts.
When you’re involved in a multi-vehicle rear end accident, talk to an attorney as soon as possible. You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries, even if you were partially at fault. Talk to an experienced Bradenton, FL auto accident lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh today.