Those who were stuck in traffic on Interstate 5 in Seattle Thursday may have now heard about the cause of that major traffic jam. A semi truck that was driving too fast caused a rollover car accident, which blocked all lanes of traffic for several hours.
The five-vehicle crash took place just after 2 p.m., but lanes did not reopen until after 4 p.m. and even after that gridlock continued from the Interstate 90 interchange all the way to Northgate. Surprisingly, the truck accident did not cause any serious injuries, but it is an example of the dangers semi trucks can pose.
According to the Washington State Patrol, the semi truck driver failed to stop his vehicle in time when he saw cars stopping in front of him. The semi struck a car in front of it, causing that car to spin into a third vehicle. The semi then rolled over, hitting two more cars.
The collision remains under investigation, but authorities have said it is likely the semi driver will be fined for driving too fast for conditions.
According to the Seattle Times, the semi truck-car collision also caused a domino effect, tying up traffic on other highways, which led to additional car accidents.
Accidents that involve semi trucks can be devastating. It is very fortunate that in this case the damage seems to be limited to the vehicles themselves. Seattle truck accident victims are often faced with critical or serious injuries, mounting medical bills and an uncertain future. In these cases, it can be necessary to work with a truck accident attorney to ensure any negligent party is held accountable and that victims receive the compensation they need.
Source: Seattle Times, “Were you stuck in Seattle traffic Thursday? Here’s why,” Sara Jean Green, April 5, 2012