Laura Rivera (Full Name: Laura Yvette Rivera), 38, of Victoria Died In Cuero Tractor Trailer Truck Accident Along U.S. 183
CUERO, TEXAS (January 26, 2022) – A 38-year-old woman identified as Laura Rivera has tragically died in a Cuero head-on semi-truck accident on U.S. 183.
DeWitt County officials are saying that the collision took place around 6:35 a.m. on Saturday. Laura Rivera was traveling down the road in a 2019 Kia Sorento when she was hit head-on by a semi-truck that drifted into her lane.
The force of the impact sent the Kia and the truck off of the roadway and down an embankment. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Sadly, Laura Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene. Police interviewed the truck driver who remained at the scene. It remains unclear if the truck driver will face any citations following the crash.
Liability For Cuero Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks transport the vast majority of products that are bought and sold every year in the United States. But they can also be quite dangerous. According to the IIHS, “The number of people who died in large truck crashes was 28 percent higher in 2020 than in 2009, when it was the lowest it has been since the collection of fatal crash data began in 1975. The number of truck occupants who died was 35 percent higher than in 2009.” There are many steps that truck companies can take to prevent collisions.
- Truck companies should only hire drivers with a clean record and who are well trained.
- Truck companies can equip their vehicles with safety features such as forward collision avoidance systems.
- Truck companies should ensure that their vehicles are regularly inspected and well maintained.
Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of accidents that a person can be involved in. They are also among the most preventable. Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code § 545.051, all drivers must operate their vehicles on the right side of the roadway. If a driver fails to keep to the right and collides with another vehicle, they can be held at fault for the collision through the legal doctrine of negligence per se.
There are a number of factors that could lead a truck driver to head down the wrong side of the roadway. Truck drivers are often pushed to complete their routes as quickly as possible. They often become fatigued during their trips. The CDC estimates that staying awake for only 18 hours can reduce a truck driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely equal to them driving with a BAC of 0.05% or higher. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage of the crash should be sought.
- The truck’s event data recorder should be examined.
- The truck driver’s logbook should be reviewed.
Truck companies can be extremely difficult to deal with. They will do everything in their power to deny responsibility for any collision. The family of any person that is killed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. A civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. It is very important that all evidence is properly preserved after any collision.
Investigating A Cuero Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Laura Rivera. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There are so many questions that need to be answered. Was the truck driver involved in this crash properly licensed? Were they distracted? What were they doing prior to switching lanes?
Do you need more information about a Cuero semi-truck accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent drivers are held responsible for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need more information about any particular collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
