LAREDO, Texas- One person was killed in a head-on collision between two tractor-trailers on Killam Industrial Boulevard.
According to reports, two tractor-trailers were loaded with cargo and traveling on Killam Industrial Boulevard in Laredo when they collided in the roadway.
Authorities have not released information on the cause of the crash or the party responsible. Authorities did confirm that one driver was killed in the accident. The status of the other driver was not released.
An investigation into the crash is being conducted. No other information was immediately available.
Thoughts on the fatal head-on tractor-trailer accident in Laredo
Tragedies like this bring to light how dangerous professional truck driving can be. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the driver who passed away. The information we do have suggests that, for some reason, one or both of the drivers did not have control of their vehicle. Our firm can conduct a swift and thorough investigation and determine exactly what happened leading up to this crash. If it is determined that negligence on the part of the truck drivers, the employers, or the manufacturer of the trucks caused this tragic accident, our firm will ensure those affected receive the help they need under the law.
The most likely cause of this crash is distracted driving. Drivers are often distracted and veer out of their lane. If that happened here, the affected families would have a claim against the negligent driver for the ultimate harm his actions caused. Additionally, if the driver was not appropriately trained, the families may have a claim against the employer for failing to put qualified drivers on the road.
Alternatively, this accident could have been caused by factors outside the driver’s control. For instance, on two-lane roads, we often see things as simple as improper loading leading to serious accidents. The news report confirmed that both trailers were loaded with cargo, and improperly loaded cargo often shifts as the vehicle moves. This causes a change in the weight distribution within the trailer and can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. An independent investigation would be able to determine if this was the case. It may allow the deceased’s loved ones to recover against the employer for failing to provide the driver with a vehicle that was safe to operate.
Tire issues are another common cause of driver loss of control. Tractor-trailer trucks require specific tires for the front, rear, and trailer positions. Incorrectly placed tires, tires past their useful life, or sudden tire failures are all potential causes of this crash. Tractor-trailer owners are responsible for ensuring routine maintenance is done on all their vehicles, and the maintenance providers are responsible for ensuring the work is done correctly. Should an investigation result in a finding that there was negligence either on the part of the truck owner in having maintenance done or that such maintenance was not done incorrectly, legal recourse may be pursued against the owner and/or the repair facility. Additionally, if an investigation reveals the tires were properly maintained but failed anyways, the manufacturer will likely need to be held accountable for its actions.
The details about this collision are slim, and the deceased driver’s loved ones deserve answers. In conducting an independent investigation, our firm will not stop until we have identified and pursued every potential path for financial recovery and have held every wrongdoer accountable for their actions. Our thoughts are with the driver’s loved ones during this difficult time, and pray those injured in this crash can make a full recovery.
