ROGERS, Minnesota- Multiple vehicles were involved in a crash on I-94 that left one person dead and multiple people injured in Rogers, Minnesota.
According to the Minnesota State Police, the accident involved at least half a dozen vehicles. Authorities reported that a dump truck involved in the crash caught fire for unknown reasons.
The extent of injuries was not immediately apparent, and no information has been released on the cause of the crash. An investigation into the accident continues.
No other information was immediately available.
Thoughts on fiery, fatal crash near Rogers
We want to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the individual who passed away as a result of this accident, and to those who are recovering from injuries. We pray that no further injuries or fatalities are reported and that an investigation will provide those affected with much-deserved answers. However, crashes as large as this often have multiple causes or aggravating factors, and it is important to have an independent investigation done to ensure nothing is missed. Our firm recognizes the importance of exhaustively investigating all potential causes to bring justice and much-needed relief to the victims.
As the investigation is pending, we can begin to hypothesize about potential causes and legal strategies based on our handling of other cases with similar circumstances. We know that a common cause of post-collision fires is bad fuel lines or fuel lines that are not properly protected. Owners of commercial trucks, like the dump truck here, have a duty to ensure that all routine maintenance is performed and that their vehicles are in safe working order before they send them out onto roadways. Truck owners who are found to have neglected this duty must be held responsible for their negligence, and the victims of that negligence deserve the opportunity to seek financial compensation from them.
We also know that cargo in this type of truck is often not properly secured. Commercial trucks are often carrying heavy cargo that can shift throughout the course of the trip, making it more likely that the truck will roll over or lose control in the event of a crash. Whether it is a matter of the driver not ensuring the cargo was properly secured, the driver’s employer failing to ensure other employees responsible for securing cargo did their jobs or were properly trained in the first place, or a matter of the driver’s employer failing to ensure the truck had the equipment necessary to properly secure the cargo at all, any evidence of negligence with respect to properly handling the cargo would offer another potential avenue for the victims to seek legal recourse.
Owning and operating large commercial vehicles comes with unique risks and requirements, and for good reason. It is too soon to assign blame in this instance, but our firm has a wealth of experience identifying negligence in the trucking industry and fighting for victims and their loved ones. Our sympathies are with the family of the deceased, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured.
