January in Minnesota can be rough on the roads. With winter here, packed highways and snowy conditions can be factors for some of the larger highway crashes of the year. The more vehicles involved in collisions, the harder investigators have to work to find who or what was at fault for the sake of those injured and relevant insurance claims. Icy roads do not excuse reckless driving or other factors, and sorting through the sticky details can mean the difference between receiving help and being left out in the cold.
On December 12th, 2019, authorities had to close off the Northbound I-35 near Owatonna after a highway crash involving six jackknifed semi trailers and 20 passenger vehicles blocked the early morning commute. Cameras along the roads caught both footage of the crash and the highway clearing up. Police had a detour rerouting traffic that delayed highway travel until around 1 p.m. when they declared the stretch clear.
Injuries reported at the scene were, thankfully, minor.
The problems and stress of a motor vehicle accident do not stop when the police open the roads back up, though. Sustained injuries may seem light at first, it might not be clear who is at fault, and the traffic footage may leave details fuzzy. It is in the best interest of those victims involved to be thorough. A visit to the doctor can provide clearer insight into how much help people need through insurance. And a consultation with an attorney may assist people in navigating the paperwork and compensation involved in such a crash.