Louisville, Kentucky – Authorities reported an accident on Interstate 164 West near Interstate 65 South between a tractor-trailer and passenger vehicle that has left one person dead. The crash happened early Sunday morning, around 4:00 a.m.
According to reports, a semi-truck was parked on the shoulder of the interstate with a flat tire when a passing vehicle crashed into the disabled truck. The force of the impact caused the vehicle to burst into flames.
The unidentified driver of the passenger vehicle died at the scene of the crash. No other injuries were reported.
This crash must be investigated for the family to receive answers
Passenger vehicles crash into parked trucks with alarming frequency. At first glance, many are quick to conclude that the driver of the passenger vehicle, typically the deceased, is wholly responsible for this type of collision. However, that is not necessarily true. Truck drivers cannot simply park their trucks on the side of a busy interstate and then blame someone else when an accident occurs. Parking a truck beside a freeway creates a danger for fellow motorists and must be avoided at all costs. In fact, when necessary to park, federal law mandates specific protocols for the trucker to follow to warn passing motorists of the truck’s presence.
The news article suggests the trucker parked because of a flat tire. This alone does not preclude liability. We recently handled a case for a widow whose husband was killed in a nearly identical accident. The trucking company pointed to the flat tire as a necessary reason for parking. However, as we investigated the case, we determined that the flat tire was entirely preventable. The trucking company sent a truck on the road with an underinflated tire, which led to the blowout. A company cannot neglect routine maintenance and repair and then shift blame when its actions create a serious risk of harm to others.
This case will need to be investigated to determine exactly what happened. However, the family left behind is undoubtedly mourning the loss of their loved one and should have a right to justice. If the trucker or company could have prevented this accident, action must be taken to ensure such behavior is not repeated in the future. Additionally, financial compensation should be awarded to the family to offset any financial hardship caused by their loss. While the law cannot erase their pain, it should alleviate any financial hardship caused by their unexpected loss.
We offer our condolences to all involved.
The Ammons Law Firm is a nationwide personal injury firm focused on catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. Contact the Ammons Law Firm today for a free accident review.
Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.