EDINBURG, Texas—A man and a woman were killed on August 21, 2022, in a collision involving a semi-truck on the 4000 block of South Interstate 69 in Edinburg, Texas. The crash occurred around 5:30 a.m.
Police reports suggest that the collision involved a Chrysler Crossfire, a Dodge Ram pickup truck, and a Peterbilt semi-truck. While no details have been released about the sequence of events leading to the crash, reports note the Chrysler rolled over, and the two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. No further details have been released at this time.
Thoughts on the fatal 18-wheeler crash in Edinburg, Texas
While we do not know all the details of this fatal crash, one must not automatically assume that one or both passenger vehicles caused the accident simply because they are smaller. Although many semi-truck accidents occur because of the driver of the smaller vehicle, semi-truck drivers engage in negligent behavior, too. Alternatively, the truck driver in this scenario may not have had the proper training to recognize the dangers on the roadway. In any case, the families of the passengers killed in this accident should be aware of all possible causes of the accident.
Should the investigation into this crash reveal that the semi-truck driver was distracted while driving, then the victims’ families may very well be entitled to legal relief for the untimely deaths of their loved ones. Since semi-truck drivers must always remain alert and vigilant, lapses in judgment or even slight distractions can result in serious consequences and, therefore, should not be tolerated.
On the other hand, improper training for semi-truck drivers can also lead to devastating accidents. Commercial trucking companies are required to provide their drivers with education regarding, among other things, safety protocols. These safety education courses can include subjects such as evasive driving and blind spot awareness. If the semi-truck driver worked for a commercial trucking company but did not receive training and that led to this accident, then the families might have a legal claim against the trucking company.
Of course, the families of the decedents will likely need to hire lawyers skilled in handling negligence claims to determine a legal strategy in the face of any wrongdoing. While we cannot ascribe fault to any party before the investigation is completed, it is important that the victims’ families get the support and legal assistance they may need at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this accident.
