Six People Killed in South Texas Head-On Collision
A tragic car accident on I-37 near Mathis claimed the lives of six people, two of whom were from the San Antonio area, all between the ages of 18 and 24. The crash was a head-on collision between two vehicles carrying multiple passengers, and one of the vehicles was traveling in the wrong direction on the highway. In addition to those who lost their lives, three more people involved in the crash were hospitalized with injuries.
This accident is especially severe in its impact on the victims and their families, and it is a reminder that life can be fragile for anyone on the road, and that unsafe driving needs to be addressed. Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits cannot erase death, but they can provide compensation to help ease the victims’ suffering.
Head-On Collisions Are Often Fatal
Head-on crashes represent a relatively small portion of all car accidents—less than 10 percent according to most recent estimates. However, the National Safety Council estimates that head-on collisions were responsible for almost 30 percent of fatalities resulting from multi-vehicle accidents in 2018. These crashes tend to happen at high speed, and the force of the direct, head-to-head impact often causes severe injuries to the brain, spinal cord, extremities, and internal organs.
As in the recent case, many head-on collisions happen because a driver is traveling in the wrong direction. This could be due to intentional recklessness, confusion related to alcohol intoxication, or some other cause. A head-on collision can also happen when a driver drifts across the center line on a two-lane road, perhaps because they are distracted or they temporarily fall asleep at the wheel.
Who Can Pursue Compensation From a Negligent Driver?
In an accident such as the one described above with multiple injuries and fatalities, several people may have a valid claim for compensation against a negligent party. This includes a driver who is injured due to another driver’s negligence. It also includes a passenger who is injured due to the negligence of a driver, whether it is the driver of the vehicle in which they are traveling or the driver of another vehicle. These claims can pursue damages related to medical bills and other adverse effects of the injuries on the victim’s life.
The families of those who lose their lives in a crash can also pursue compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims often include damages for funeral and burial expenses, grief, and loss of companionship, in addition to damages related to the victim’s injuries.
Contact a New Braunfels Personal Injury Attorney
At The Bettersworth Law Firm, we have great compassion for the pain of victims and families whose lives have been impacted or cut short by a car accident, and we strive to do our part to help them achieve a fair legal outcome. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our experienced New Braunfels car accident lawyer today at 830-443-9193 for a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/se-texas-crash/273-3d79bf03-ba0a-4c21-bd7b-cc4d5aedc1cb
https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/local/dps-5-people-dead-4-hospitalized-after-fatal-car-crash-near-mathis/503-b6f5ca7f-c00a-4158-bfc6-21d4f1708ba3
