Texas Injury Lawyers Blog
When a Texas chain-reaction car accident occurs, it can often have devastating consequences. On top of potentially being more likely to cause injuries or death, these collisions are often more complex because of all of the parties involved. Establishing an accurate timeline that maps out exactly how the crash happened and who should be assigned which portion of fault can be a significantly challenging issue on its own. However, if a fatality follows an already complex series of crashes, the situation becomes even more complicated to navigate.
According to a recent local news report, a series of car crashes involving four vehicles left a teenage boy dead. The incident started when a Mercedes broke down on the side of the road when it ran into mechanical issues. Both occupants exited the Mercedes, and moments later, a Dodge pickup saw the Mercedes and stopped behind it. A Nissan traveling on the same road with a 17-year-old passenger slammed into the back of the Dodge pickup and hit another car on the road. The series of crashes concluded when the Nissan crashed into the rear of the Mercedes, which pushed it across the median and into the feeder road. The 17-year-old teenager who was riding in the Nissan did not survive the crash. Firefighters worked for nearly 45 minutes to free the driver of the Nissan, who barely escaped fatal injuries and was transported to a local hospital. According to law enforcement, there was no reason to believe that drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, and the accident was likely caused by speeding.
In Texas, if a fatality occurs following a crash, it could potentially give rise to a wrongful death claim. Potential plaintiffs must understand the mechanics of bringing these claims. First, the party bringing the claim must prove that the deceased was not responsible for causing their own death and that it resulted from the negligence of another party.