Lovelock, Nevada—James Compau, 51, died after a single-vehicle accident on August 2, 2022, at around 2:00 pm near Lovelock, Nevada.
Mr. Compau was driving a semi-truck westbound on I-80 on the afternoon of August 2, 2022. He was near mile marker 106 when he crashed into a concrete barrier and left the elevated roadway, landing on the ground below. The trailer detached from the cab of the truck and burst into flames.
Unfortunately, Mr. Compau did not survive the accident. The cause of the crash was not immediately apparent.
No further information was released as to the cause of the accident.
Thoughts on the fatal single-vehicle truck accident near Lovelock
The condition of the semi-truck and any safety or driver-assist technology should be thoroughly inspected to help determine the cause of this crash. A man lost his life; if this accident could have been prevented, Mr. Compau’s family should receive the financial help they need. It is only after we understand this information that we can determine a legal strategy moving forward.
The company for which Mr. Compau worked may be held liable for his death if the maintenance and repair of the truck did not meet acceptable safety standards. If the truck had a mechanical issue that could have been fixed had the company met these standards, they should be held liable for allowing a driver to operate a faulty and dangerous vehicle. If the company did not keep its truck fleet up-to-date with the latest safety technology, it could be held liable for not providing failsafe technology to keep its employees and others on the roadway safe. Drivers should also be trained on utilizing such safety equipment, and it needs to be determined whether the company provided such training to its employees.
Alternatively, if the truck had a mechanical problem related to a part supplied directly by a manufacturer, that manufacturer could be held liable if it is found that the part was faulty or defective. If the tires, brakes, or trailer itself were defective, it will be important to understand that issue so that proper legal action can be taken against the manufacturer.
An investigation must be conducted into the cause of this accident. If the actions of the trucking company or part manufacturers are to blame, action must be taken. Our firm focuses our practice on these types of accidents to ensure all legal theories are explored before determining fault. If those affected by this crash need further information on how this accident occurred, we can help uncover that information and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
