Updated on: 7/27/2021
A driver reportedly suffered serious injuries after crashing into the back of a disabled semi-truck on US Highway 2 near Everett Monday night.
According to Trooper Rocky Oliphant with the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the driver of the semi-truck was not injured. He also reported that the injured driver was suspected to be under the influence at the time of the collision.
The injured driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. It was not clear whether their injuries were considered life-threatening, nor whether the driver would face criminal charges.
Semi truck was disabled on the US 2 Trestle in Everett when a suspected DUI driver struck the rear of the truck and sustained serious injuries. Semi driver was uninjured. Traffic is being diverted off to Homeacres during this investigation. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/QvxhdRkYy2
— Trooper Rocky Oliphant (@wspd7pio) July 27, 2021
Contributory Negligence in Auto Accident Claims
In Washington, contributory negligence laws dictate that multiple parties may be potentially held liable for an incident which results in bodily injury or death. In this case, there are more questions than answers about who may be to blame for the collision.
For example, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can often times lead to criminal and civil consequences for a driver. At the same time, semi-truck drivers have a responsibility to ensure that they follow proper procedures if their vehicle becomes disabled. This particular stretch of US Highway 2 does not have adequate shoulder space for getting out of the way of moving traffic, so the truck driver likely had limited options.
Regardless of initial speculation about a collision of this magnitude, accident victims would be best-served by consulting with an experienced attorney after a serious collision. This is especially the case in crashes involving a commercial vehicle, such as a semi-truck, as trucking companies often deploy investigative teams to the scene of a collision within hours of a serious crash.
Davis Law Group offers free legal guides on personal injury law through the Washington Accident Books public service program. You can also call our office in Seattle at (206) 727-4000 to request a free legal consultation with our award-winning team of lawyers and legal staff.