On behalf of Weisman, Kennedy & Berris Co., L.P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

Travel by automobile is standard in Ohio and across the United States. Not surprisingly, laws are in place related to automobile and road safety. They cover areas such as speed, seat belts and operating a vehicle while under the influence. When people do not follow these rules, the consequences can be devastating.

Three passengers and the driver of a truck were killed north of I-71 in Lebanon on Nov. 21. As reported by the State Highway Patrol, the driver of the truck apparently lost control of the vehicle prior to approaching a curve in the road. The truck exited the road and violently rolled, finally coming to rest in a residential yard approximately 100 feet from the roadway. Debris littered the scene, and emergency crews had to shut down the roadway for roughly seven hours following the accident.

Spokespersons for the State Highway Patrol indicated that none of the victims of the crash were secured by seat belts. All four people involved in the truck crash were ejected from the vehicle. They were all pronounced dead at the scene.

Although the crash is still under investigation, law enforcement officers suspect that alcohol might have been a factor in the accident. The violence of the crash also suggests that the vehicle was traveling at an excessively high speed when the accident occurred.

Not all automobile accidents that occur in Ohio are preventable. Even so, Ohio automobile safety regulations do require buckling up, adhering to posted safety limits and refraining from driving while under the influence. Those who travel on Ohio roadways may research these laws to learn how they can prevent serious injuries or even save a life, especially during the holiday season when traffic increases.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch, “‘Violent’ truck crash in southwestern Ohio kills four,” Nov. 22, 2012