Family Dies After 18-Wheeler Collision
A father and daughter are dead following an accident that happened Friday evening on I-10. An official from the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office identified 41-year-old Gary Carruth and his daughter, 13-year-old Summer Carruth, died when their truck collided with a semi-tractor trailer. The accident happened at approximately 8:30 p.m. near Boerne Stage Road. A portion off I-10 was shut down because of the accident. Two other passengers that were riding in the in the back seat of Carruth’s pickup truck survived and were transported to University Hospital. They are listed in stable condition.
Accidents involving 18-wheel tractor trailers can be devastating and even deadly. National statistics show that each year thousands of motorists are either critically injured or killed in accidents involving big rigs. Many of the accidents involving 18-wheel tractor trailers are due to the negligent operation of drivers. Their great size and weight makes them difficult to operate safely, which is why you need a special license to operate them. Some of the causes of accidents involving 18 wheel tractor trailers can include reckless driving, improper driver training, mechanical failures, unsecured loads and the most common cause of the driver simply being overworked and facing driver fatigue. According to a survey conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board, some 20% of truck drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the previous three months. Considering the number of trucks that are seen on the road on a daily basis, such numbers and the potential for accidents are sobering. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ( http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/) has imposed strict hours of service laws nationwide.
The State of Texas also supports these federal guidelines. The hours of service rules outline how long drivers can safely operate their tractor trailers in a day. This does not mean, however, that truck drivers won’t or don’t break those laws in order to try to make a living. Some trucking companies will routinely give drivers unrealistic deadlines to go over very long distances where going against the hours of operation rules is all but required.
If you or a loved one has been involved in and suffered as the result of an accident involving a big rig or 18 wheel tractor trailer, give our offices a call. We will match you with an attorney who will listen to the details of your case and will outline several options to pursue for your case. We will work for you and will fight to make certain that trucking companies that are negligent be held accountable for their actions and over-the-road policies. Medical costs, long term treatment and rehabilitation and ongoing medical costs can all be a part of your accident claim. We are here to help you. Give us a call today. Your initial consultation with our law offices is confidential, free, and without obligation.