Sonny Reynolds , of Panama City, Florida, Died, Crystal Taylor-Williams, of Panama City, Florida, Seriously Injured In Potter County Semi-Truck Accident On RM 1061 Near Amarillo
AMARILLO, TEXAS (August 17, 2022) – A U-Haul truck driver identified as Sonny Reynolds died and Crystal Taylor-Williams was injured in an Amarillo car accident on RM 1061.
Potter County officials are saying that the collision took place around 9:40 a.m. on Thursday. A 29-year-old man was driving a Freightliner Truck tractor towing a semi-trailer when he veered into northbound lanes of traffic.
The semi-truck then collided head-on with a 2019 Ford F650 (U-Haul box truck) driven by Sonny Reynolds. The force of the impact caused a chain reaction crash with a Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Crystal Taylor-Williams.
Both the semi-truck and the U-haul caught fire and all vehicles eventually came to rest in the northbound lanes. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims.
Sonny Reynolds was pronounced dead at the scene by a Potter County official. Crystal Taylor-Williams was taken in an ambulance to Amarillo Northwest Texas Hospital with serious injuries.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Potter County Semi-Truck Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in semi-truck accidents. These collisions can happen for many different reasons. According to the FMCSA, “Fatigue, drinking alcohol, and speeding are major factors in motor vehicle crashes overall. Although their presence does not always result in a crash, these three factors, as well as other driver, vehicle, and environmental factors, can increase the risk that a crash will occur.” There are a number of reasons that semi-trucks can be particularly dangerous to passenger vehicles.
- Semi-trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles.
- Semi-trucks can weigh 80,000 lbs and can take the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop.
- Semi-Trucks have a high center of gravity and can be much more difficult to steer.
Semi-truck drivers will need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. A serious traffic infraction can jeopardize a truck driver’s ability to maintain their CDL. Many truck accidents are due to truck drivers that make unsafe lane changes. Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code 545.060, a driver shall not move their vehicle from one lane to another unless such a movement can be made with reasonable safety. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that crosses into opposing lanes of traffic prior to a collision.
Depending on the facts of any case, the company that at truck driver worked for could potentially be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a truck driver may have been delivering goods when they were involved in a crash. However, many truck companies will try to evade liability for crashes by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.”
Trucks are very complex machines. They need to be periodically inspected and well maintained in order to function safely. The entity responsible for maintaining a truck could potentially be held liable for a crash if a collision was due to improper maintenance with the truck or its component parts. Many trucks veer off of the road due to tire blowouts or problems with a truck’s steering system. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Maintenance records for the semi-truck should be reviewed.
- The semi-truck driver’s logbook should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that is killed in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Any person that is injured may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that can come with a serious accident. Sadly, truck companies will often do everything in their power to deny liability for any collision. This is why it is so important that evidence is properly preserved after any crash.
Investigating A Potter County Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Sonny Reynolds. It is our sincere hope that Crystal Taylor-Williams is able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.
Do you need more information about a Potter County semi-truck accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
