Rear-End Collision Involving 18-Wheeler, Tow Truck Kills 1, Injures 2

According to KSAT12, a collision between an 18-wheeler and a tow truck in San Antonio resulted in one fatality. Police determined that the accident happened at around 9:15 p.m. on a Wednesday late last month.

Investigators claim a heavy-duty tow truck was decelerating for a work convoy on Interstate 35 in the city’s South Side near Somerset Road when the tractor-trailer struck it. The driver of the 18-wheeler allegedly was unable to slow down in time, and the huge vehicle rear-ended the much smaller tow truck.

The tractor-trailer essentially ended up on top of the tow truck’s cab. The force of the impact crushed a passenger who had been riding in the tow truck, a 44-year-old man, and he sustained fatal injuries at the scene.

Two others sustained serious injuries in the collision, and responders brought them to local hospitals for treatment. Their conditions are unknown.

Crews who cleared the wreckage claim there were no skid marks at the site. The accident remains under investigation.

If you were hurt in a motor vehicle collision with a tractor-trailer, you have enough to worry about regarding your recovery without having to navigate complicated legal proceedings, too. Contact the Cooper Law Firm to discuss your case with a seasoned truck accident attorney who can file a personal injury claim on your behalf.

Attorney N. Eric Cooper will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and ultimately guide you through every stage of the claims process. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with a truck accident lawyer in Texas.

Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision?

A lot of motorists assume that the driver in back is always at fault in a rear-end collision. Although this is often the case, it is not necessarily a hard and fast rule, and there are some scenarios in which the driver up front is at least partially responsible for the accident.

In general, rear-end collisions occur because the driver in front braked suddenly and the motorist in back did not leave enough stopping distance to react in time. In order to avoid causing this kind of crash, you should always keep your eyes on the road ahead and leave adequate distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you.

Unfortunately, there are some circumstances in which rear-end collisions can occur even if you are paying attention and driving defensively. If the driver ahead of you stops suddenly while traveling on the highway at a high rate of speed, for example, there may be no way to avoid hitting him or her. In such a scenario, the motorist in front may be liable because he or she was negligent.

If a vehicle defect contributes to a rear-end collision, on the other hand, the automobile manufacturer may be liable. Likewise, if you strike the car ahead because another car struck you from behind, you would not be liable unless you were traveling too closely to the vehicle in front of you.

If you were involved in a rear-end collision that was not your fault but you’re not sure how to prove liability, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper helps clients throughout east Texas.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Texas. If you want to learn more about truck accident claims in Texas, visit the USAttorneys website.