Four firefighters injured in chain-reaction accident
Far south of Boston, a volunteer firefighter was badly injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer yesterday morning, news reports indicate.
The suburban Washington DC firefighter had to have his arm reattached by surgeons after sustaining severe injuries.
Three other firefighters were also injured — as were three other people — though none as seriously.
According to a TV station report, the fire crew had finished responding to a call regarding a minor traffic accident on a highway when their firetruck was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler.
A Jeep was also involved in the crash; it reportedly overturned.
All occupants of all vehicles in the crash were injured in the chain-reaction accident.
Late yesterday, officials confirmed that the most seriously injured firefighter had had his arm reattached by doctors and that blood was flowing to the limb. However, details about his overall medical condition, or other injuries, were not released.
Officials said the firetruck was turning around in an area labeled for “Emergency Vehicles Only” when it was hit by the tractor-trailer. The firetruck had already responded to the previous car accident, so the driver had turned its lights and siren off.
It isn’t clear from news reports if investigators have yet determined why the commercial vehicle was in the Emergency Vehicles area.
Clearly, the volunteer firefighter is going to have significant medical bills, lost wages, physical rehabilitation and much more to deal with as a result of his injuries. Few observers would say he should bear the financial costs of those injuries.
Anyone who has likewise suffered serious injuries in a truck accident should speak with an effective attorney experienced in holding negligent drivers responsible for the harm they do.
Source: NBC, “7 Injured, Including 4 Firefighters, in Prince George’s Crash,” Jan. 30, 2013
- Our Massachusetts law firm represents truck accident injury victims in Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan, Brockton and Quincy.
