I-84 Tractor Trailer Accident Kills 2 in East Hartford
Tragedy struck on I-84 West in East Hartford, Connecticut on Monday, June 3, 2019, when two people were killed in a severe accident involving a school bus and three tractor trailers. Police believe that one of the tractor trailers rear-ended the school bus. The driver of the bus, Verlean Douglas of South Windsor, Connecticut was tragically killed in the crash. No students were on the bus at the time of the accident. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Norman Bliss, was also killed.
According to the police investigation, Ms. Douglas had stopped her bus in traffic on I-84. Mr. Bliss was traveling the center lane as he approached the stopped traffic. Although he attempted to take evasive action, he was unable to avoid colliding with the rear of Ms. Douglas’ school bus, causing the tragic accident that killed them both. Links to the news report can be found here and here.
An accident like this could have, and should have been avoided. The accident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. The police investigation suggests that Mr. Bliss was distracted or otherwise not paying attention to the road in front of him. The tractor-trailer industry is highly regulated. Drivers are only permitted to drive for a set number of hours in a day before they are required by law to take a break. The timing of this accident begs several questions. Had Mr. Bliss been driving too long? Was he over his allotted number of hours? Why was he not paying attention to the road in front of him?
Ms. Douglas’ family is left to grieve the loss of a loved one after the tractor-trailer accident took her life on June 3, 2019. They may also be asking themselves what to do next. Rest assured, the tractor-trailer company has already begun preparing for a potential lawsuit. They are gathering evidence, talking to any witnesses, searching social media, and researching Ms. Douglas herself to find out what kind of person she was. The goal is simple. They want to minimize their potential exposure and liability in the lawsuit that will inevitably come. That is why it is so essential for the families of the individuals killed in an accident like this to seek representation immediately.
The experienced truck accident attorneys at StangerLaw LLC have years of experience handling tractor trailer accident cases. What sets us apart is the fact that we have handled cases not only for plaintiffs but for the tractor-trailer companies themselves. This unique perspective allows us not only to know what questions to ask the tractor-trailer company but where to look to find the answers. We understand how tractor-trailer companies prepare, defend, and value cases. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Utilizing this unique perspective allows us to help families get the results they deserve when a devastating tractor trailer accident like the one that occurred on June 3, 2019, on i-84 near East Hartford, Connecticut takes away a loved one like Ms. Verlean Douglas.
