In the aftermath of a horrific traffic accident, a survivor was given the recent opportunity to thank those who came to her rescue. Almost three decades after the tragedy occurred, a woman, who had been a teenager at the time, was able to publicly acknowledge, thank and honor those who are credited with helping her survive. The auto accident, which took place in 1986, is said to have led to some significant changes in commercial vehicle laws in Maryland and throughout the United States.
Three 17-year-old girls had been traveling together on their way home from school when the tragic accident occurred. A commercial dump truck that was apparently full of hot asphalt crashed into their vehicle. The car the girls were in was crushed upon impact.
Two of the teens were killed in the crash. A paramedic who has since retired from his job said that the young woman who survived was trapped in her seat and had a visible open fracture on her skull. He was able to cut her seat belt so that the teen could be extricated from the vehicle and transported to a hospital for emergency care. The girl, now an adult and working as a yoga instructor, was given the opportunity recently to thank the paramedic and others when she was scheduled to teach an exercise class in their area.
As noted, the Maryland auto accident led to several changes in commercial vehicle laws in the state and nationwide. In similar circumstances, a person who has survived injuries in a motor vehicle accident caused by another motorist is able to file a legal claim in a civil court. When a victim has succumbed to his or her injuries, an immediate family member may file a claim on his or her behalf.
Source: wtop.com, "Saved from deadly crash, Md. woman reunites with rescuers decades later", Michelle Basch, Aug. 17, 2015