On August 7, 2013, a 61-year-old man from Tomah, Wisconsin, was critically injured after running a stop sign in his minivan and crashing into the side of a refrigerated truck. The 23-year-old driver of the truck did not suffer life-threatening injuries and was treated at St. Mary’s Hospital, while the critically injured driver was evacuated by helicopter to an undisclosed Madison hospital following the collision.

When interviewed, the Columbia County sheriff stated that the man’s condition was extremely life-threatening and included both head injuries and a broken leg. The sheriff’s office also released a statement that said the minivan driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car as both vehicles traveled an additional 50 feet or so after the crash.

The minivan driver was traveling east on Highway 60 when he failed to stop at the crossroads with Highway 22. The truck driver was traveling north on Highway 22, a little further north than Highway 51. Someone called emergency responders at 10:22 a.m., which included not only the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office but also the Arlington Fire and EMS, Poynette EMS, the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Columbia County Highway Department. One interviewed witness described the minivan as traveling at almost highway speed.

If the injured minivan driver is proven to be at fault for the accident, the truck driver may be entitled to compensation for the damages incurred as a result, including hospital bills and lost wages. A personal injury lawyer might be able to help the families of those who were injured or killed by another driver’s negligence or willful act. Such lawyers would be able to assist law enforcement with interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, furthering investigations, taking depositions, representing clients in court and offering advice.

Source: The Tomah Journal, “Tomah ‘extremely critical’ after crash in Columbia County“, Shannon Green, August 08, 2013