Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Horrific Crash On I-485 Leaves Six People Dead
What was supposed to be a fun family outing at an amusement park turned into a tragedy when five family members were killed in a horrific crash. The accident on I-485 resulted in six deaths and additional injuries. The crash happened on the I-485 outer loop near exit 9 to Wilkinson Boulevard in west Charlotte. Numerous police and medics responded to the scene, and the road was closed for hours. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash in coordination with the Highway Patrol.
Details About the Crash
The crash happened between a Honda CR-V, a Chrysler van, and a tractor-trailer. According to reports, the CR-V, driven by a 16-year-old, was traveling in the middle lane when he decided to change lanes. He moved into the right lane, hitting the Chrysler van. The impact caused both vehicles to veer off the road and into a tractor-trailer, which was parked on the side of the road. The impact was severe, resulting in six fatalities.
The Chrysler van was occupied by a family that was traveling to Carowinds, an amusement park in Charlotte for what was supposed to be a fun day. Instead, five family members died at the scene of the accident. The family members were ages 23, 27, 8, 3, and 1. A 16-year-old girl was the only survivor from the van. She was transported to the hospital for treatment of her injuries. The passenger of the Honda also died at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not hurt.
NTSB Investigating Accident
The NTSB is typically involved in the investigation of airplane and train accidents, but they are also sometimes called upon to review serious auto accidents. The NTSB will review all aspects of the crash to determine the cause and any contributing factors. They are working with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to gather information and will release a report once they complete the investigation. So far, no charges have been filed against the driver of the Honda. It may be months or longer before the NTSB releases its findings.
How to Seek Compensation After an Accident
If you or a loved one was seriously hurt in an accident that was not your fault, you may be owed money from the negligent driver. First, you must establish that the other driver was negligent and that you were not at all negligent. Negligence simply means that a driver failed to use reasonable care, which caused harm to another. The elements of negligence include the duty of care, breach of duty, injuries or damages, and proof that the injuries were a result of the other party’s negligence. In North Carolina, you may not obtain damages if you were at all negligent in the accident. It is helpful to talk to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the incident. Your lawyer will gather and review evidence and help you seek money for your damages.
If you were hurt in an accident, you will want to speak to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney right away. Call us at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
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