Council Bluffs, IA — A semi-truck rear-ended another one on I-29 this past Wednesday in Council Bluffs, leaving two people injured. Police said that Eric Payton, 45, and his passenger, Sherrard McKnight, 50, were both injured after their semi-truck was rear-ended by Randall Baumfalk’s semi-truck on I-29.
The accident happened in the Council Bluffs area, near Madison Avenue. Payton was driving a semi-truck west along I-29 with McKnight as a passenger when traffic began to back up. This was at about 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon on Wednesday, February 25.
As Payton slowed his semi-truck down, he was hit from behind by 50-year old Randall Baumfalk’s semi-truck, who had apparently failed to slow down in time. The accident left Payton and McKnight with injuries and they had to be taken to a local hospitals for their injuries — but they didn’t appear to be in critical condition.
Baumfalk wasn’t injured by the accident and it’s possible he may face charges later.
Map of the Accident
View from the Road
Commentary:
There are two that the law might handle this situation. First, the driver of the semi-truck who didn’t brake may face some penalties or fines — he could even lose his license if the offense is great enough. However, that driver may also be named in a personal injury lawsuit by the people he injured. Even though everyone involved here was “on the job” at the time of the accident, they still have rights the same as any other driver on the road. So then, even if the injured victims have workers’ comp benefits through their employer, they’re still eligible to file a claim against the driver who caused the accident. The two are separate events that don’t necessarily affect one another.
— Grossman Law Offices