HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas – Last Friday, in Henderson County, a motorcyclist lost his life when a semitrailer collided with his 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle.
According to reports, the motorcycle was traveling westbound on FM 85 when an 18-wheeler, towing a trailer eastbound, failed to yield the right of way while attempting a left turn onto FM 2613, colliding with the motorcycle.
Ray Stickinger was transported and pronounced dead at the local hospital.
The operator of the truck did not sustain any injuries.
Additional details and updates will be provided as they become available.
Thoughts on fatal motorcycle accidents
Failure to yield is one of the main reasons large trucks cause fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). In 2018, trucks failing to yield caused 226 fatalities (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Truck drivers who ignore safety road laws and cause devastating wrecks need to be held accountable for their negligent actions.
While some truck drivers fail to yield because of disregard for rules, distraction, or speeding, some drivers just lack the experience to perfect these hard-to-maneuver turns. Trucking companies are responsible for vetting and placing qualified drivers on the roadways who have demonstrated an ability to operate these massive machines. When trucking companies fail to do so or to provide their drivers with proper training, they can and should be held accountable for negligence if one of their drivers causes serious injuries or death on the roadways.
In addition, employers have to inspect their trucks and maintain them routinely. Was the semi-truck that collided with Mr. Stickinger optimized for safety? Were all mirrors adequately installed so the driver had a broader view? Did the truck have sensors to warn the driver of a nearby vehicle?
It is clear that the motorcyclist here was the innocent victim of another’s wrongdoing. The question now becomes who all is at fault, and how could this accident have been prevented.
My condolences to the surviving family, and I hope they receive the justice they so rightfully deserve.
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The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, with extensive experience in complex auto/tire defect and commercial vehicle cases.
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.
