Truck Accidents on Roadways Create Risk of Secondary Crashes

Studies have proven that nearly 20 percent of all highway collisions are caused by secondary crashes, often seen after truck accidents. They occur when an initial crash generates other accidents in the traffic queue or near the scene of the accident.

The time it takes to clear the accident, type of vehicles involved, and lateral location of the initial crash all contribute to the likelihood of a secondary crash occurring. Truck accidents usually result in long road shutdowns that lead to increased traffic congestion and raise the risk of secondary crashes. Additionally, trucks may carry dangerous cargo or chemicals that may be poisonous, flammable, and provoke secondary crashes.

Who is at Fault During Secondary Crashes?

Rear-end collisions that happen when drivers stop abruptly are the cause of most secondary crashes, which are seen more frequently in urban areas because of the amount of vehicles passing an incapacitated car on busier roadways. Secondary crashes also typically arise during rush hour and on freeways that feature four lanes or more.

Since drivers should always be cautious, a rear-end collision that triggers a secondary crash is almost always the fault of the driver at the end. In rare occasions, debris or certain weather conditions may prompt the accident.

QuickClear

The chances of a secondary crash increase by 2.8 percent for every minute the initial incident continues to be hazardous. Therefore, clearing accident sites as quickly as possible significantly reduces the risk of serious secondary crashes that can lead to fatalities.

In order to minimize secondary crashes, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Safety Highway Patrol have partnered with the Federal Highway Administration to design the first traffic incident management program to public safety partners and first responders in Ohio.

This program is referred to as QuickClear and is designed to prevent back-ups, driver frustration, lost time and money, delay, and deadly secondary crashes. It reduces the severity and duration of traffic incidents and in turn improves the safety of emergency responders, motorists, and crash victims. QuickClear encourages the following:

• Moving your car to a safe location and out of travel lanes if you are involved in an incident and are not suffering from any injuries
• Moving over and slowing down when you notice flashing lights ahead of you
• Avoiding following too closely because doing so can make it more challenging for you to see the big picture and can lead to an inability to recognize traffic that is stopped or slowing

Why Secondary Collisions are Complicated

Often times, secondary collisions cause both insurance companies and drivers involved to blame one another, leading to back and forth banter that may require litigation. For this reason, if you are a victim of a secondary collision, it’s vital to seek legal representation from reputable Ohio personal injury attorneys who can investigate your case and may be able to help you obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help

The complexity of fault requires individuals involved in a secondary crash to consult an experienced attorney immediately. If you have suffered from a secondary crash that was sparked by a truck accident, be sure to contact the Ohio truck accident attorneys at Kisling, Nestico & Redick. Whether you were seriously injured or lost a loved one, we can help. KNR offers a free, no-obligation consultation and operates on a contingency fee basis meaning you won’t us a penny unless you recover compensation.

Call us at 1-800-HURT-NOW today.