Fifty miles west of Phoenix a tractor trailer traveling east on Interstate 10 crossed the median. A van with seven people, thought to be a family, was westbound on the same road. All seven people in the van died in a head-on collision.

Due to the massive weight disparity between a semi truck and a car, minivan or SUV, those in the personal vehicle can suffer significant injuries or die when there is a semi truck accident. In this case the truck driver and his wife were also injured in the accident.

The truck accident occurred at 11:00 a.m. near the Burnt Well Rest Area. After the semi truck crossed the median and struck the van head-on, the van and the truck went down a six foot embankment where the van burst into flames. Autopsies will be performed on the seven individuals in the van, who have not yet been identified. Two of them are thought to be teenagers.

The truck driver and his wife were taken to an area hospital for treatment.

The initial investigation has determined that the truck driver had a medical condition which contributed to the crash, and so at this time there are no criminal charges.

When negligence is the cause of a personal injury, or in this case death, of another person then the negligent individual can be held responsible for damages including pain and suffering. For example, the truck driver could still be negligent if his medical condition was known prior to the accident. Or he could be held liable if he was prone to seizures and had stopped taking his medication.

It was reported that an investigation is ongoing. Should the truck driver be negligent, the survivors of the seven people in the van could sue for the wrongful death of their loved ones.

Source: azcentral.com, "7 dead in fiery Interstate 10 accident," Laurie Merrill and Jackee Coe, July 29, 2012

At our Phoenix law firm we represent those who have suffered a personal injury or survivors of those lost due to a wrongful death similar to that described in this posting.