A recent trucking accident, which occurred in Gwinnett County, Georgia, highlights the danger many semis pose to highway safety, and the need for witnesses to be diligent in reporting what they see when an accident occurs.
On July 8, 2013, at around 1 p.m., Rabina Adnan, a 34-year-old wife and mother of two was killed on I-85. Adnan, her husband Syed Iqbal, and their two children were traveling along the highway in a Nissan Pathfinder. Though the exact circumstances of the accident are currently unclear, investigators believe a semi came into the lane in which the SUV was traveling and either struck the SUV or forced it into another truck. Adnan was ejected when the SUV rolled over. Adnan, the only one not wearing a seatbelt, was the only fatality.
Gwinnett County Police are asking if anyone has any information about the truck that may be at fault in this accident. According to Gwinnett county Police’s Jake Smith, a witness followed the truck he believed was involved and gave the police the truck’s information. However, he lost sight of the truck for a short period of time. Smith stated, “From the investigator’s preliminary investigation of the vehicle, there was not anything distinct as far as damage or marks on the tractor trailer that would lead him to believe that the truck definitely was part of the accident” and, as a result, the driver has not yet been charged.
However, according to Smith, “It’s possible that the truck changing lanes simply forced the Pathfinder over. Rather than being struck by the 18-wheeler, it simply moved and was forced into the boxed truck.” Reportedly, the family’s SUV is so damaged that it is difficult to tell if it was struck by the semi prior to rolling over.
In cases such as this, witness testimony can be crucial in establishing fault in a trucking accident. Usually, the more time that passes between an accident and when an experienced trucking accident attorney’s investigation begins, the more difficult it is to gather this kind of evidence. If you or a loved one is the victim of a trucking accident, contact an experienced attorney immediately.
