The families of a number of softball players killed in a crash are suing the bus company and North Central Texas College for the loss of their loved ones’ lives.
In 2014, a North Central Texas College women’s softball team was returning back to Texas after an event against Southern Nazarene University. When the team got back on the bus to return to Texas, several players never made it home unfortunately, when their bus was hit in a tractor-trailer accident.
Tractor-Trailer Accident in Texas Claims Multiple Lives
The tractor-trailer failed to stay on the road and instead drove over the median and into the south bound lanes on I-35. The impacts of the tractor-trailer accident were amplified because the semi-truck was allegedly traveling at around 72 miles per hour when it struck the side of the bus and caused the bus to flip.
The Department of Public Safety shared that three of the softball players were killed at the scene due to massive injuries. The operator of the vehicle was ultimately charged with four counts of manslaughter in 2015 and later committed suicide.
Although he shared with authorities that he was distracted at the time the crash occurred, authorities later discovered drugs and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.
A wrongful death tractor-trailer lawsuit was filed against the bus company when parents discovered that the bus was made of Styrofoam plywood and metal pieces that were not properly welded together.
The families are also bringing their tractor trailer lawsuit against North Central Texas College because they argue that the school failed to enforce the seatbelt rule.
Common Causes of a Tractor-Trailer Accident
Sadly, there are far too many situations in which a family must try to put the pieces of their life back together after a tractor-trailer accident. Losing a loved one is difficult on its own, but finding out that someone or multiple parties in a tractor-trailer accident were negligent can compound the grief experienced by the victim’s loved ones.
Some of the most common causes of a tractor-trailer accident are preventable and rest with the driver and the driver’s employer, including:
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Inadequate training
- Defective pieces or parts on the truck or tractor trailer.
- Lack of sleep
When the company or driver is liable for the injuries sustained or the deaths in an accident, affected parties may file a legal claim for compensation. Wrongful death cases require an attorney who has broad experience in this area of the law and a commitment to helping survivors move on.
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a tractor-trailer accident, you may have grounds to pursue a legal claim against the company. Contacting a knowledgeable lawyer sooner rather than later is strongly recommended.
The lawyers at McDonald Worley have extensive experience in commercial wrecks and assisting victims and their family members to recover compensation. Fill out the form on this page for a free case evaluation.