Tennessee driver negligence may have caused fatal crash

Numerous instances of serious injuries or death are a result of driver negligence. Generally, driver negligence in Tennessee is even more catastrophic when a vehicle is hit by a semi-truck. In an unusual but deadly incident, four people lost their lives after the driver of a semi-truck hit a cow and lost control over the vehicle.

Upon a preliminary investigation, authorities indicate that the crash occurred as the semi-truck was traveling on the interstate and a stray cow appeared in the roadway. Unable to avoid a collision, the semi-truck driver hit the cow before skidding into the opposite lane of traffic. An SUV and another semi were also struck by the semi-truck.

Tragically, a 41-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man in the SUV were killed. A 22-year-old woman in the SUV sustained injuries, but the exact details of her condition have not been released. A 49-year-old man and a 45-year-old man in the semi-truck were also killed. The 61-year-old driver of the other semi did not sustain any injuries and was reportedly wearing a seat belt.

Apparently, one of the fatalities in the semi-truck was the driver. Despite the fact that the driver is deceased in this case, the families of the victims could still have legal recourse. The surviving family members of the deceased victims in the SUV and the passenger in the semi-truck maintain the right to file wrongful death claims against the estate of the deceased party based upon evidence that driver negligence was a cause or contributed in some way to the fatal crash. As far as any victims who sustained injuries, they maintain the right to seek compensation through filing personal injury claims in Tennessee.

Source: newschannel5.com, “Four Killed After Semi Strikes Cow On I-40 In West Tennessee,” July 24, 2013