Florida man dead after 7-vehicle crash

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating an early morning truck crash on Interstate 95 that left one person dead and at least four others injured. While the exact cause of the wreck is not clear, authorities say much of the damage occurred when a tractor-trailer landed on another vehicle, killing one of its occupants. The 18-wheeler then caught fire. A total of seven vehicles were involved in the serious truck accident.

Although the FHP has yet to determine whether the truck driver is responsible for the crash, the other motorists who were hurt in the accident could potentially be entitled to damages compensating them for their injuries.

Following the accident, emergency rescue workers who were responding to another collision reached the accident site and extricated two victims who were trapped in the wreckage of their vehicles. They took two individuals to a regional hospital, where they were both described as in "serious" condition. One of those victims was transported by helicopter. Two other victims were sent to a different hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities say five additional victims declined to be treated at the crash site.

No charges have been filed or any citations issued, pending the completion of the FHP's investigation. But accidents like this could have many different causes. Perhaps a car swerved in front of the truck, causing it to tip? Or the truck driver could have been under the influence of a controlled substance? The truck also could have been poorly manufactured, in which case the driver would not be at fault.

Source: TCPalm, "All I-95 southbound lanes now open in Martin County after fatal crash," Will Greenlee, Nov. 29, 2012