Three Critically Injured, One Airlifted After Chain-Reaction Crash on I-10 in Gadsden County

A serious chain-reaction crash left multiple people critically injured Sunday afternoon on Interstate 10 West in Gadsden County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The crash occurred after an unrelated vehicle fire slowed traffic, highlighting just how quickly roadway hazards can escalate into major collisions.

Troopers say the incident began around 3:00 p.m. near mile marker 183 when an older model sedan caught fire while traveling westbound. Fortunately, all occupants of the burning vehicle were able to exit safely, and no injuries were reported from the fire itself.

As traffic slowed, however, a 20-year-old Tallahassee man driving a Jeep failed to notice the congestion and rear-ended a Nissan directly in front of him, driven by a 44-year-old Quincy woman carrying three passengers. The force of the collision pushed her vehicle into another Nissan ahead, driven by a 39-year-old Orlando woman with two passengers.

According to FHP, the impact left all three drivers with serious, though non-life-threatening, injuries. A rear passenger in the Quincy woman’s Nissan was airlifted to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital as a precaution. Other passengers were also transported by ambulance for treatment.

The crash prompted a major emergency response. Crews from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital’s helicopter unit, local EMS, and fire rescue arrived at the scene to treat victims and transport the injured.

This tragic chain-reaction crash underscores the legal responsibility drivers have to remain alert — especially when traffic slows unexpectedly due to accidents or roadway hazards. In cases like this, multiple parties may have claims, including:

• Rear-End Liability: In Florida, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is generally presumed to be at fault, as they failed to maintain a safe following distance or to pay proper attention to changing traffic conditions.
• Passenger Claims: Passengers injured in either Nissan may pursue personal injury claims against the Jeep driver’s insurance policy. Depending on the extent of injuries, claims may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Comparative Negligence: If investigations reveal other contributing factors — such as improper stopping, vehicle defects, or roadway maintenance issues — multiple parties could share liability under Florida’s comparative negligence system.

For crash victims and their families, navigating the aftermath of a multi-vehicle collision can be overwhelming. Insurance companies often dispute fault in chain-reaction crashes, leaving injured parties at risk of insufficient compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can:

• Preserve critical evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage.
• Identify all potential sources of recovery, including multiple insurance policies.
• Ensure victims receive the full financial support needed for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we have extensive experience representing victims of complex, multi-vehicle crashes. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision on I-10 or anywhere in Florida, call us at 305-638-4143 for a free, confidential consultation. Our team is dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable and securing the justice victims deserve.