Truck Driver Suffers “Medical Emergency” Before Hitting 16 Cars in New Hampshire
Medical emergencies are common on the road, and they can lead to serious accidents. These accidents become even more catastrophic if the medical emergency affects someone driving a heavy, large vehicle – such as a cement truck. Unfortunately, this is exactly how a recent New Hampshire truck accident unfolded, and it affected a total of 16 vehicles. How can you pursue compensation after a crash of this nature?
Cement Truck Driver May Have Suffered Some Kind of Medical Emergency
In March of 2024, New Hampshire police reported that a cement truck had crashed on I-93 near Concord. After losing control, the trucker veered off the road and subsequently struck a total of 16 vehicles. Police say that the trucker veered right, struck a guardrail, and continued for a full 100 feet while scraping against the rail. When the guardrail ended, the truck veered even further right, left the road entirely, and went through a fence.
It was at this point that the truck began to roll down an embankment toward a parking lot. Upon reaching the parking lot, the cement truck struck 10 vehicles. The cement truck was traveling with enough momentum that it carried on into a second parking lot, striking six additional vehicles in the process. Bystanders noticed that even after losing momentum and coming to a halt, the truck’s wheels were still spinning. Finally, one witness managed to turn off the vehicle.
Police later reported that the trucker was likely unconscious throughout the entire incident. Although they attributed this to some kind of “medical episode,” authorities did not go into detail. The individual in question was transported to a nearby hospital, where he assumedly made a full recovery. No other injuries were reported, which is something of a miracle given the insane level of destruction this truck caused.
Is a “Medical Emergency” a Legitimate Defense in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
A sudden, unexpected medical emergency is a legitimate defense in a truck accident lawsuit. However, the medical emergency in question must be legitimate – and lawyers may uncover evidence that calls this excuse into question. Perhaps most notably, a trucker cannot use this defense if they suffer a medical emergency caused by the negligent use of drugs or alcohol. For example, they might pass out after abusing prescription drugs. This falls into the category of “impairment” rather than medical emergencies.
Find a Qualified, Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in New Hampshire
If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced Manchester truck accident lawyer, look no further than the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira, PLLC. Over the years, we have helped numerous truck accident plaintiffs – and we know how dangerous these vehicles can be. While truckers often point to so-called “medical emergencies” to justify their crashes, this defense may not stand up to scrutiny. Book your consultation today to learn more about your legal options.
Sources:
boston.com/news/local-news/2024/03/26/cement-truck-driver-new-hampshire-crash-likely-suffered-medical-emergency/
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6614564/
