A recent accident in New Jersey involving a dump truck and five other vehicles resulted in the deaths of three people. According to the report, the crash took place on Interstate 280 at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 27.
Authorities stated that the dump truck was traveling east on the highway in East Orange when the driver lost control of the truck and collided with a Honda, which burst into flames, along with four other vehicles. Witnesses who were at the scene stated that the driver of the dump truck and others attempted to rescue the three individuals who were trapped in the Honda, but all three occupants perished when the vehicle erupted in flames.
The identities of the deceased individuals were not released as their family members had not yet been notified. Four others who were involved in the crash reportedly suffered minor injuries. Since the accident remains under investigation, the report did not indicate why the driver of the dump truck lost control of the vehicle or indicate whether authorities planned to file charges against the driver for his or her involvement in the cause of the fatal accident.
A truck accident is likely to cause serious injuries or even death due to the truck's larger mass. The family of an individual who dies in a truck accident like the recent I-280 one could be eligible to file a wrongful death claim against the driver or other party who was determined to be liable. Liability in such a case will hinge on the results of a completed accident investigation and any findings of negligence on the truck driver's part, such as distracted, impaired or fatigued driving. A personal injury lawyer may be able to pinpoint other sources of liability in a complex accident involving a large truck and multiple vehicles in order to potentially maximize the plaintiffs' recovery.