Heavy Fog to Blame for Lake Wales Truck Accident

 Truck Accidents

Christopher Ellis sustained serious injuries as a result of an accident with several semi-trucks on State Road 60 at the intersection with Logistics Parkway in Lake Wales, Florida.  The accident happened at approximately 6:00 a.m. on the morning of January 25, 2017 with heavy fog in the area.  There is no traffic light at this intersection despite being frequently used by semi-trucks due to the CSX freight rail hub that is located nearby.  The precipitating cause of the crash was when one semi-truck struck the rear end of another one in front of it, causing that semi-truck to jackknife.  It is not specifically known why the rear end collision occurred.  Thereafter, an SUV driven by Ellis attempted to avoid the collision between the first two semi-trucks but impacted the jackknifed truck.  The SUV was then struck from the rear by a pickup truck and another semi-truck. A total of 7 vehicles were involved.

Too Fast For Conditions

While it is not known why the two trucks collided, my thought is that going too fast for the conditions was a contributing factor.  Florida requires that drivers slow down in heavy fog.  Section 316.183, Fla. Stat. states:

No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.  In every event, speed shall be controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance or object on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

I have to think that the lead semi-truck was going slow due to the fog (we do not know whether it had its lights on or not) and was struck by the second truck that was going faster.  The difference in speed was likely significant based on the crash damage.  These trucks may share legal responsibility for the serious injury to Ellis driving the SUV if the the lead truck did not have its lights on (the second truck is responsible for hitting the first).  Additionally, arguments can be made that the pickup truck and the third semi-truck were going to too fast and, but for speed, would have been able to avoid a collision.

Motor Vehicle Fault In Florida

If a lawsuit is filed against the other drivers for this accident, then each insurance company involved should pay something toward Ellis’s claim because there is a question of comparative fault that cannot be easily answered.  As Florida is a comparative fault state, each driver will be legally responsible to pay for their share of the total damages as determined by a jury, even if some defendants have settled before going to trial.

Call A Lakeland Truck Accident Attorney For Help On Your Case

If you or someone you know has been involved in a semi-truck accident in Polk County, you should contact a Lakeland truck accident attorney for a free, no-obligation case review.

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January 25, 2017