The driver of a tractor-trailer ran into another car on Route 515 in Vernon at around 2:40 p.m. on Aug. 10. A 42-year-old woman was in her Chevrolet Tahoe at a traffic light when the truck hit her. Both she and the driver were seriously injured, but they have been released from the hospital.
The 36-year-old truck driver has been charged with unsafe lane change, reckless driving and breaking a township ordinance for trucks above the 4-ton limit. Authorities say there may be additional charges. The accident happened when the truck went off the roadway and across a parking lot before hitting the woman’s SUV. The SUV was slammed into a ditch, and the driver was trapped in the car. She had to be extracted with a special tool. The accident also destroyed the sign for the shopping center. A bucket loader was needed to keep the tractor-trailer from continuing to roll.
Several other accidents have also occurred in the area. In May, a dump truck spilled its cargo of dirt when it turned over. A bus accident more than two decades ago killed six people and injured many more.
Truck accidents can be serious. They may lead to severe injuries that could prevent a victim from working. If a truck driver causes the accident, the driver and the company the driver works for may be considered liable for damages. Personal injury compensation can be critical for the victim and their families. If the compensation offered is insufficient, the injured person might want to file a lawsuit.