6 Semi-Truck Pileup in Wyoming Leaves 1 Injured

Light snow fell on Tuesday morning along Interstate 80 in southwestern Wyoming. The weather left the roads slick and driving conditions dangerous for all vehicles traveling along the route, but it proved especially perilous for 6 semi-truck drivers who were involved in a pileup just before 8:00 a.m. local time.

Emergency crews worked for two hours after responding to the crash to extricate a driver from one of the semi-trucks involved; the person was successfully freed and suffered minor injuries.

It’s currently unclear what the cause of the crash was. However, between reduced visibility, icy roads, and cold temperatures, driving conditions are dramatically affected by winter weather. Because of their sheer size, big rigs are especially susceptible to these dangerous conditions. All drivers have the responsibility to operate their vehicles safely year-round, but the dangers introduced by inclement weather increase the importance of safe driving practices.

Tips for Driving Safely in Winter Weather

If you need to travel in inclement weather, no matter how far, you can improve your chances of arriving safely at your destination by following these winter weather driving tips:

• Prepare for your trip. Preparation is key! Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving by checking the battery, the windshield wipers, the tires, and other important parts of the car before every trip.
• Protect yourself and others in your vehicle. Decreased visibility and slick roads are a dangerous combination for semi-trucks and passenger vehicles alike. Prevent crashes by driving carefully, looking far ahead to allow yourself a longer reaction time and accelerating and decelerating slowly. This can help prevent rear-end collisions, which are among the most common winter weather accidents.

Truck drivers are exposed to some of the most dramatic weather while on the road because of the long routes and frequency of trips they must take. It’s up to the truck companies to maintain the vehicles and keep an eye on the weather forecast to keep their drivers safe while on the job.

Our truck accident attorneys have years of experience helping semi-truck drivers who have been injured on the road. When truck drivers need help getting the care they need, Arnold & Itkin is proud to represent them. No matter what.