Woman, Child Killed in Truck Accident on I-66
RINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA - A woman and a child were killed on Friday afternoon, around 2:30 p.m. on the side of I-66.
Virginia State Police reported that Krystal Akers of Dublin was killed in the crash, along with an 11-year old girl whose name has not been released. The State Police said that Ms Akers was in a Hyundai Tuscon that had pulled off onto the shoulder of I-66 when it was struck.
There were other occupants of the Hyundai, including the driver, Mr. Greggory Akers, and a 3-month old child were transported to local hospitals. Another passenger was also hurt, Ms Tammy Akers.
The Hyundai was on the shoulder of the road at the time of the crash, and repeatedly was fully-stopped when it was hit. VSP reports that the vehicle was pushed over 400 feet after impact!
The striking vehicle was initially reported to be an "SUV," but pictures of the scene suggest the vehicle, an Isuzu, is actually either a box-truck or a "junk" hauler.
The striking vehicle's driver, reportedly Anthony David of Hyattsville, Maryland, suffered minor injuries; the truck's passenger, Mr. Joshua Hankey, was reported to have been "seriously hurt."
State Police have announced that charges against the driver of the truck are "pending," but no announcement has been made on what those charges are, or will be.
No mention has been made as to how the crash occurred.
Blaszkow Legal extends our most solemn condolences to the families of those tragically killed, and to the passenger of the truck who was also hurt.
Truck Accidents in Prince William County
Truck accidents are sadly common, and have a wide range of causes. In all truck crashes, the police begin an immediate investigation of the incident, to find out what happened. In serious cases, such as fatal crashes, the truck itself will often be impounded, and the truck's internal computers searched for information.
On a commercial vehicle, there are numerous electronic data systems that will assist in reconstructing the crash itself. These include the air-bag sensor, electronic control module, onboard computer system, hard-mounted GPS, and more. The data on these systems is invaluable, and when the raw data is pieced together it can either support - or contradict - the statement of drivers.
Additionally, on board electronics systems that are not hard-wired to the truck itself, will also sometimes be seized as evidence: cellular phones, GPS systems, laptops, and other computerized devices. Especially among truck drivers, the increasing prevalence of computer technology has lead to a rise in distracted driving crashes involving commercial vehicles.
Liability in Fatal Truck Crashes in Virginia
While the police are conducting their investigation, it is vital that anyone hurt in a truck accident, or their families, contact an experienced Virginia truck accident lawyer so that a civil investigation can get underway.
It is important to remember that the judgments made by police officers often do not answer the same questions as in civil claims:
In a criminal case, the police only have to prove that the defendant (the person they determine is at-fault) is responsible for the crash;
In a civil case, a truck accident attorney has to prove that 1) the defendant was at-fault AND 2) that the injured parties were not at fault, in any way.
This is due to a quirk of Virginia law, known as contributory negligence. Insurance companies love this doctrine, because no matter how horrible the crash, they can escape having to compensate injured parties by arguing they were in some way responsible, even as little as 1%.
Consulting an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
The grieving process is hard for the families of lost loved ones, and that grief is all the harder to process when a loved one's death was needless, or caused by the recklessness of others. You may wish to grieve in peace, but the press, insurance companies, and others want to talk and make you relive it time and again. Contact an experienced Truck Accident Lawyer who can interdict all of these stresses, and help insulate you from all of that. Simultaneously, a truck accident attorney is going to begin investigating, and fighting for the compensation that you and your family deserve.
Speak to an Attorney today - at Blaszkow Legal, it's our mission to fight against insurance companies, and stop them from dragging the names of the injured through the mud. We work to hold negligent people and companies accountable for their actions. Call us any time for a free consultation: 703-879-5910
Note: When creating these blog posts, our team of writers utilizes external sources, including local and state news sources, social media platforms, police accident incident reports, state police accident reports, and at times, eyewitness accounts. Please contact us immediately if you discover any incorrect information so that we can update the post with the most current, accurate information available.
Disclaimer: This post is not a business solicitation, and none of the information provided in this blog post should be interpreted as medical or legal advice. If you have been injured in an accident, seek immediate medical attention.
