KYLE, Texas—One unidentified person suffered serious injuries in a collision between a passenger car and a semi-truck on I-35 near Kyle, Texas. The incident occurred just before 7:00 p.m. on October 4, 2022.
According to initial reports, a semi-truck hauling sugar collided with another vehicle traveling northbound on I-35. Immediately upon collision, the semi-truck’s diesel fuel tanks ruptured and caught fire.
Authorities confirmed that only one person was seriously injured in the crash.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. No further information is currently available.
The people involved in this crash will need more answers to make sure they get the help they need to recover
While we cannot be certain, statistics suggest the victim injured in this crash was likely the occupant of the passenger car, not the truck driver. Simply due to the size and build of their vehicles, truck drivers often avoid serious injuries in accidents involving more than one vehicle.
Given the risks posed by big rigs on our nation’s roads, truck drivers are held to a higher standard of care than normal motorists. Semi-truck drivers must remain alert and work diligently to avoid hazards and collisions with other vehicles. 18-wheelers require greater stopping distances, turning radiuses, and clearance on either side of the vehicle to ensure safety for both the truck driver and those in smaller vehicles. Thus, even if the injured motorists contributed to this accident, the risk of death is still greater for that motorist, and the semi-truck driver or commercial trucking company can still be held liable for injuries if safety for all drivers was not prioritized.
Additionally, the injuries in this incident may have been worsened by the semi-truck catching fire so suddenly after the collision. Although the truck was involved in an accident, truck manufacturers may be held responsible for design defects in the placement of fuel tanks and fuel lines, which lead to the spontaneous combustion of large trucks. Sometimes, personal injury attorneys have been able to prove that the fiery collision could have been prevented had the manufacturer taken better precautions and equipped the truck with different fuel tanks. In such cases, the manufacturer’s insurance typically helps compensate victims for injuries caused by the fire.
Whether this accident was caused by the car or semi-truck, or worsened by a defective design, the victim will likely wish to consult with an experienced attorney to develop a legal strategy to apportion liability for injuries amongst any responsible parties.
