Bret McGee, Hunter Thibodaux Injured In Sabine County Peterbilt Truck Accident On Highway 21 Near The Entrance of Lost Frontier RV Park
SABINE COUNTY, TEXAS (January 13, 2022) – Two people identified as Bret McGee and Hunter Thibodaux were injured in a Sabine County semi-truck accident on Highway 21.
Sabine County officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Bret McGee and Hunter Thibodaux were in a 2018 Dodge pickup truck about to turn into the Lost Frontier RV Park.
The driver of a 2007 Peterbilt truck failed to slow down and rear-ended the pickup truck. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision near the Lost Frontier RV Park in order to help both of the victims.
Both Bret McGee and Hunter Thibodaux were taken to local area hospital so that they could receive treatment. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Sabine County Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks can be particularly dangerous for those in passenger vehicles. According to the FMCSA, “There were 13.49 fatal large truck crashes per million people in the United States in 2020, a 27-percent increase from 10.6 in 2010. In 2020, on average, there were 1.12 fatalities in fatal crashes involving large trucks. In 90 percent of those crashes, there was only one fatality.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a semi-truck accident.
- Semi-truck drivers are often asked to work long hours and may naturally become fatigued.
- Semi-trucks can weigh 80,000 lbs and can take the length of two football fields to come to a stop.
- Semi-trucks have a high utilization rate and may malfunction if they are not properly maintained.
Semi-truck drivers will need to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code § 70.077, the driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than would be reasonable and prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another vehicle in their own lane.
If a truck driver was working at the time of a crash, their employer could potentially be held at fault. In general, 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 packages when they crashed. Victims of truck accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- PTSD
A serious truck accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences that most people will ever go through. Any person that is injured due to the negligence of a truck driver may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that come with a serious injury. A truck accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Sabine County Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to Bret McGee and Hunter Thibodaux as they continue to recover. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victims.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured due to the negligence of a truck driver? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. 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 any type of help after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
