A few weeks ago, tragedy struck on US 59 just four miles west of Freer in Duval County. It was around 8:30am on Monday, June 7th. For reasons unknown, the driver of a Mitsubishi vehicle traveled across lanes and onto a grassy shoulder where an unoccupied 18-wheeler was parked. The vehicle caught on fire, which also spread to the semi-truck. The driver did not survive.
At first glance, it may sound like the driver of the Mitsubishi is responsible for the accident. At the time of this article, we do not know why he or she veered off into the other lane and onto the shoulder.
Yes, distraction, fatigue, speeding, or even intoxication are common causes of these types of accidents, but there are other possibilities. The driver could have suffered a health issue, a tire blowout, or even encountered something on the highway causing the vehicle to swerve. We just don’t know the details.
Regardless of what caused the vehicle to swerve, the question remains, would the driver still be alive today if the 18-wheeler was not parked and left alone on the side of US 59?
And why was the semi-truck left there in the first place? 18-wheelers parked on the side of the highly can present a great danger to other drivers. They are much larger and heavier than a regular passenger vehicle. And, as seen in this case, a collision between a car and an 18-wheeler can be deadly.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has laws about this practice. In one of their regulations, big rigs should only be parked on the side of the highway in the event of an emergency situation.
The truck must have its hazard lights on, and the driver should place warning devices such as red flags, flares, or reflective triangle out to warn other drivers. If the driver of the 18-wheeler doesn’t do these things and follow other guidelines set by the state or FMSCA, then it could lead to a liability suite for injuries or death by a stopped big rig.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler or company truck, the best thing that you can do is seek legal help. In most cases, you can find an experienced injury attorney who will take your case at no upfront charge to you.
DeSouza Law Firm is a leading personal injury firm representing accident victims throughout Texas.
If you’ve been injured by a car, truck, 18-wheeler, company vehicle, or in the oilfield, call DeSouza Injury Lawyers today at 361-799-2222 or visit the firm online at https://jfdlawfirm.com/.