Motor vehicle accidents are difficult to avoid in dangerous situations, such as reckless driving on interstate highways and near construction projects. In some cases, a single incident can cause problems for many vehicles and their drivers at once, resulting in serious injuries and loss.

A driver of a semi-truck rear-ended a car stopped near a construction site on I-76 in eastern Ohio. The semi pushed the car into another and went on to strike another car nearby as well.

The chain reaction eventually involved nine vehicles. Seven people, including an 8-year-old boy, had injuries serious enough to be transported to one of several local hospitals. Fortunately, a full recovery appears to be most likely for all victims of the accident.

The section of the interstate where the first collision occurred has a posted speed limit of 70 mph, a speed that leaves very little time to stop in the case of an emergency. These conditions create hazards for chain-reaction accidents such as this.

Emergency services from three Ohio townships responded to the major accident. Police offered a warning against distracted driving, especially in areas where high speeds make accidents more likely.

Ohio is a proportionate comparative fault state when calculating liability in accidents. A person who suffered injury or loss in a motor vehicle accident can only claim damages if they less than half at fault for the event.

An experienced legal counselor can help victims of motor vehicle collisions determine their possible reimbursement for medical expenses or compensation for pain and suffering during recovery.

Source: WFMJ, “Victims of nine-vehicle crash on 76 identified,” Christine Holmes, July 17, 2017