A fiery truck accident on Virginia’s Interstate 81 near Staunton resulted in a damaged bridge and hour-long delays. According to Virginia State Police, the tractor-trailer at the center of the wreck was overloaded and speeding. When a tire blew out, the driver lost control, and the tractor-trailer smashed through a bridge’s concrete guardrail, plunging down a ravine and immediately catching on fire.
Although no one was injured in the accident, the trucker has been charged with reckless driving. Both northbound lanes near Staunton were shut down briefly, causing traffic to back up for eight full miles. The Virginia Department of Transportation is planning to keep the left lane closed until the bridge is successfully repaired.
Virginia’s mountainous Interstate 81 is one of the most frequently-used trucking routes in America. Unfortunately, it is also notoriously accident-prone. Truckers are well aware of the dangers of this stretch of highway, including dense traffic, narrow lanes, and steep grades. When a truck driver fails to show reasonable care and someone is injured in an accident, he can and should be held responsible for negligence.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Virginia truck accident, contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at Kalfus & Nachman today for a free consultation.
