Earlier this month, a lawsuit was filed against The Weather Channel based on a 2017 Texas car accident that claimed the lives of all three men involved. According to a recent news report, the lawsuit seeks $125 million for the wrongful death of the accident victim, and was filed against The Weather Channel because the accident was allegedly caused by two of its employees.
Back in March of 2017, two storm chasers were filming footage for The Weather Channel show, “Storm Wranglers.” According to the plaintiff’s complaint, their vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with the vehicle of a 25-year-old storm spotter who was employed by the National Weather Service. At the time of the accident, it is claimed that the men were traveling at approximately 70 miles per hour. The force from the crash propelled the satellite equipment atop one of the vehicles over a five-foot fence, ultimately landing 150 feet away from the scene of the accident. All three men died as a result of the collision.
Family members of the deceased accident victim filed a case against The Weather Channel, claiming that the two men had a “well-documented history of dangerous behavior behind the wheel” that the Channel ignored and may have even encouraged. Family members claimed that The Weather Channel had knowledge of the men’s poor driving habits and encouraged them to run stop signs and violate other traffic laws to obtain exciting footage that could be included in the show. The complaint further alleges that The Weather Channel had ample opportunity to replace the men with “competent, law-abiding” drivers, but failed to do so.
Texas Wrongful Death Claims
When someone is killed in a Texas traffic accident, their loved ones can pursue a claim for compensation against any party they believe to be at fault for the victim’s death. Of course, the other drivers involved in an accident should always be named as defendants. However, there may be additional parties who should be considered, such as employers.
As a general rule, a Texas employer may be liable for the negligent acts of an employee, if the employee is acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident. However, establishing employer liability in a Texas car accident can be tricky, and anyone who is considering such a claim should consult with a dedicated Texas personal injury attorney.
Have You Been Injured in a Texas Car Accident?
If you or someone you care about has recently been the victim of a Texas car accident, consider speaking with the dedicated San Antonio personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw. Carabin Shaw is a dedicated Texas personal injury law firm with decades of collective experience handling all types of personal injury claims, including Texas car accident cases and wrongful death claims. To learn more about how we can help you pursue a claim for compensation, call 800-862-1260 to schedule a free consultation today. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we can get you the compensation you deserve.