When trucks collide on the interstate, the consequences can be dire, and it can be a bit of a scramble to identify who should be held responsible for damages. In the case of this Lake Charles 18-wheeler accident, it’s even more confusing, because both drivers worked for the same company. It makes for a sticky legal situation.
Lake Charles 18-Wheeler Accident Kills One, Injures Another
Two 18-wheelers were traveling together to deliver sand when tragedy struck [1].
One driver, 63-year-old Jack C. Powell of Vinton, swerved to avoid a stalled taxi and struck the truck traveling alongside him. Both trucks hit the center barricade and bounced off, sailing over the railing to the ground below. The diesel tank on Powell’s truck exploded on impact, killing him almost immediately. Miraculously, his fellow driver, 53-year-old Lolly B Comeaux, survived with moderate injuries and burns.
A local man, Eric Trahan, witnessed the accident and heroically pulled Powell from his vehicle. Comeaux had been thrown from his vehicle in the crash. “That’s a good fall,” Trahan said. “I don’t see how he survived.”
“Just both of them flew off the side of the interstate. And on the ground was just a big ball of fire. So I came over here, I pulled one guy out, he was already deceased and the other guy was laid out in the sand by one of the 18-wheelers.”
Witness
Who Sues in the Lake Charles 18-Wheeler Accident?
Sadly, the answer to this question is probably . . . just about everyone. However, the details are a little fuzzy, and we do not have all the information we need to fully assign blame. We can break down what we do know, though, and make a few guesses.
Both drivers were employed by the same company. So, one might think that either driver or their family would have a claim against the company that employed them both. However, if the company that employs the two drivers subscribed to worker’s comp, then both employees’ potential tort claims against each other and the company are barred. The only source of recovery for either driver in the Lake Charles 18-wheeler accident would be against the taxi driver and taxi company for leaving a stalled vehicle in the roadway. This, of course, does not include the people on the ground below who were put in jeopardy.
Sharon Carney was fishing underneath the bridge at the time of the accident. “I heard something go blam, like a truck hitting another truck,” she said. “Then, I heard an explosion and I started running towards the end of the wharf, to jump into the water. I was afraid they were going to land on me.”
Clearly, there are a lot of moving parts in a tragic situation like the Lake Charles 18-wheeler accident, and it takes an experienced attorney to sort it all out.
Contact Shamieh Law
If you are involved in a Lake Charles 18-wheeler accident, you need an experienced truck accident attorney who can make sure the responsible party is held accountable. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
During a tragic accident, things move quickly. You need someone who can help you sort out what’s going on. We’ll make sure you’re well taken care of, whether you are injured or have lost a loved one.
If you or a loved one has been injured, or worse, in a Lake Charles 18-wheeler accident, A contact us now for a free consultation and to protect your legal rights. Call 469-813-7332.
