One semi truck driver was killed and another taken to the hospital after two big trucks crashed head-on near Kenilworth Road in Marshall County on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. The accident happened near a T-Junction on US6 around 9:32 am.
The driver of the Volvo semi truck going east on US6, a 56-year-old man, was killed, leaving behind five children. His truck crossed the center line and hit the second semi that was going westbound, driven by a 35-year-old man who was taken to the hospital.
The State Police assisted at the scene of the accident. The road was closed for several hours as the accident was investigated.
Most deaths in large truck crashes are passengers in cars and pickup trucks, but semi truck drivers are sometimes killed, especially when the accident is with another large truck. Truck braking capacity, driver fatigue, and other factors can play a part in these accidents. Less than 20% of those killed in large truck crashes are truck occupants; most are occupants of passenger vehicles.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates these trucks and sets laws that the corporations and drivers must follow. Rigs are often stopped on the road and inspected by federal and state officials. According to the latest data collected by that agency, the most frequent driver violations in roadside inspections in 2014 were for:
- no driver’s log
- a non-English-speaking driver
- driving beyond the hours of service (HOS) rules.
The most frequent vehicle violations in roadside inspections in 2014 were for:
- Vehicle not having the required operable lamps
- Clamp/roto-chamber type brakes out of adjustment
- Tire tread depth too small
Any of these factors could play a part in fatal accidents involving semi trucks. We don’t know exactly what caused this accident. Survivors of accidents and next of kin need experienced lawyers to help see them through this difficult time.
Wrongful death lawsuits in these accidents can be brought against the truck company, the company that maintains these big rigs, the owner of the freight, and the manufacturer of a truck part that may be defective. Your attorney must be able to investigate the accident, preserve all evidence, re-create the accident if necessary, and know how to deal with insurance companies and lawyers for big corporations.
