2 Police Officers Injured in Crash on Interstate 78
Multi-vehicle car accidents can be scary. With so many tons of metal involved, there are bound to be serious injuries. Two police officers were recently involved in such a crash, but fortunately, they are in stable condition.
The incident happened on the afternoon of August 9. The New Providence police officers were in their patrol vehicles when they were injured in the multi-vehicle chain reaction crash, which occurred on Interstate 78 West, near mile marker 43.
A Honda Odyssey was heading west when it rear-ended a New Providence patrol vehicle that was on the westbound shoulder handling a traffic stop. The patrol vehicle had its emergency lights flashing. This caused a chain reaction involving a second New Providence patrol vehicle as well as a Mercedes-Benz that the officers had initially stopped.
The two New Providence officers were injured and taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where they are in stable condition. The driver of the Honda Odyssey was also injured and taken to the same hospital. The occupants of the Mercedes-Benz were inside a tow truck at the time of the accident. They were evaluated by emergency medical services and released at the accident scene.
What to Know About Chain Reaction Crashes
Chain reaction crashes are typically multi-vehicle collisions. They involve three or more vehicles where the initial impact causes subsequent collisions. These types of crashes can be particularly dangerous due to the number of vehicles involved, which increases the likelihood of injuries or fatalities.
They are often triggered by a sudden stop, a vehicle losing control, or a crash. Common causes include distracted driving, tailgating, poor weather conditions, and obstacles in the roadway.
The force from the initial impact can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle, causing multiple collisions. Vehicles involved may be hit multiple times from different directions, increasing the severity of the crash. Secondary impacts can occur if vehicles are pushed into other lanes of traffic.
Chain reaction crashes are often hard to figure out, since they tend to come with legal issues. Determining fault can be complex, as multiple parties may share responsibility. Insurance claims can be a mess, with various drivers potentially filing claims against each other. Because of this, police reports and eyewitness testimony are crucial for sorting out liability. Drivers will be tasked with gathering as much evidence as possible to absolve them of any liability.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Car accidents can happen to anyone, and even police officers can be affected. Law enforcement officials work to protect the safety of others, but sometimes they are the ones who need help.
A Morristown car accidents attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can assist you. We have successfully recovered compensation for accident injury victims and their families across New Jersey. Schedule a consultation with our office today by calling (973) 455-1567 or filling out the online form.
Source:
tapinto.net/towns/new-providence/sections/police-and-fire/articles/new-providence-police-officers-injured-in-interstate-78-crash
