Miguel Morales (Full Name: Miguel Alejandro Morales), of Laredo, Died In La Salle County Semi-Truck Accident Involving Loose Truck Tire North of Encinal
ENCINAL, TEXAS (August 2, 2022) – A man from Laredo identified as Miguel Morales died in a La Salle County semi-truck accident along Interstate 35.
La Salle County officials are saying that the collision took place around 8:14 a.m. on Thursday. Miguel Morales was driving a Ford Expedition when his windshield was struck by a tire that came off of a 1995 International Truck Tractor.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Sadly, Miguel Morales died at the scene of the collision.
It remains unclear why the tire came off of the semi-truck prior to the collision. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In La Salle County Tire Accidents
Accidents involving loose tires may seem like freak occurrences, but they are unfortunately quite common. According to Automotive Fleet, “Some 11,000 accidents occur every year due to bad tires, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Moreover, dangerous driving conditions from winter weather and driving on worn tires are two of the most common causes for vehicle collisions.” There are a number of reasons that a tire may come off of a vehicle in the middle of the road.
- The lug nuts on the tire may have been put on too tight.
- The lug nuts on the tire may have been too loose.
- The ball joints on the tire may have failed.
Trucks are complex vehicles with a high utilization rate. They must be periodically inspected and maintained in order to run safely. If a truck company failed to maintain vehicles and a tire came off, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Many tires come off because a mechanic tightened the lug nut down too hard. This can strip the threads of the lug nut thereby causing it to loosen and eventually come off over time. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any accident involving a loose tire.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Maintenance records of the truck should be examined.
- A full investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person killed in a truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. Sadly, though, truck companies will do everything in their power to deny responsibility for a collision. A truck accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A La Salle County Tire Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Miguel Morales. 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. When was the last time this truck’s tires were serviced? Did the tires show signs of wear before the crash? How old were the tires on the truck?
Do you need more information about a La Salle County semi-truck accident? Our team of tire 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 those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
