Steven Little, of Clovis, California, Died In Wheeler County Semi-Truck Accident On Interstate 40 East of Shamrock
WHEELER COUNTY, TEXAS (September 6, 2022) – A man from Clovis, California identified as Steven Little died in a Wheeler County, Texas head-on semi-truck accident on I-40.
Wheeler County officials are saying that the crash took place around 6:45 a.m. on Monday. The driver of an 18-wheeler truck crossed the center median and entered into opposing lanes of traffic before hitting a Toyota Tundra pickup truck driven by Steven Little.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Sadly, Steven Little was pronounced dead at the scene.
It remains unclear if the 35-year-old semi-truck driver involved in the head-on collision will face any citations. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Wheeler County Semi-Truck Accidents
Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of accidents that a person can be involved in. They account for only around 2% of all accidents but over 11% of all traffic fatalities. Semi-trucks can be particularly dangerous for numerous reasons. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs and are therefore much more difficult to stop than passenger vehicles. They are also much more top heavy and inherently less stable than smaller vehicles. There are a number of steps that truck drivers should take in order to avoid collisions.
- All truck drivers should be well rested before the start of their shift.
- Truck drivers will need to undergo periodic medical exams to ensure that they are fit to drive.
- Truck drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
Fatigue, in particular, is one of the most common contributing factors in semi-truck accidents. Truck drivers are often asked to work long hours at all times of the day. This can lead to interruptions in a truck driver’s circadian rhythm. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that staying awake for only 18 hours reduces a person’s ability to drive safely equal to driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. For perspective, truck drivers are considered intoxicated if they have a BAC of 0.04% or higher.
All truck drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid collisions. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that crosses into opposing lanes of traffic prior to a collision. Moreover, if a truck driver was working at the time of the collision, their employer could 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.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a truck accident could extend beyond a truck driver. Around 10% of all collisions are caused by vehicle maintenance issues or failures with a truck’s component parts. For example, a truck may have veered into opposing lanes due to a catastrophic tire failure. Truck companies have a legal obligation to maintain their vehicles in a reasonably safe condition. Failure to upkeep trucks could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- The truck driver’s logbook should be examined.
- Maintenance records should be reviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
When a truck driver is negligent and causes an accident, they can be held to account through a civil claim. Family members of any person killed in a truck accident can file a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a loved one. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and get to the bottom of what caused an accident.
Investigating A Wheeler County Semi-Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Steven Little. 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. There are so many questions that need to be answered. Was this truck driver properly licensed? Was the truck involve din this crash adequately maintained? What was going on in the moments leading up to the crash?
Do you need more information about a Wheeler 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.
