There may be a number of reasons why a single vehicle truck accident occurs. While driver error is a common explanation, there are also other factors at play that may contribute to, or otherwise cause a collision. It is always advisable to consult with a lawyer following an incident to determine the best course of action.
A fatal accident occurred in Shawnee, Kansas in a residential area just south of Kansas City.
Driver dies during a single vehicle truck crash
Emergency calls were received at midday in the area of Kansas 7 Highway and Johnson Drive. The accident occurred at the intersection of 55th Street and Meadowsweet Lane in Shawnee.
When police responded to the area, they found that a truck had come to a rest after crashing through a fence outside of a home and colliding with several other objects nearby.
A teenager who was in the area and witnessed the incident said he initially heard a loud booming noise when the truck hit a light pole at a high rate of speed. The truck then proceeded to hit an electric box and cross the street before it went through the fence on the other side. After the truck continued through the back yard behind the downed fence, it also struck the house next door.
The aftermath of the accident included the shattered light pole lying on the street, several downed trees, and a large piece of the fence that was open and missing. One person, the driver of the truck, died during the course of the collision. Local police were still in the process of investigating the incident when the news report was published.
What will an accident investigation attempt to determine?
In a case like this, the driver will most likely be at fault, but an investigation will also look into several other issues. There may have been mechanical problems with the truck, or unsafe conditions on the road from weather, construction, and other obstacles. If someone other than the driver is found to be responsible, they may be named as a defendant in a civil wrongful death lawsuit brought by the victim’s family. Various entities such as car manufacturers and construction crews do often get sued for creating road hazards.
What is the value of a lawsuit related to the driver’s death?
A special type of civil lawsuit called a wrongful death action will help the victim’s family recover their losses. This can include things like the person’s future lost earnings and wages, along with costs for hospitalization and burial and funeral services. Kansas has its own laws for these kinds of cases just like every other state. Normally, a spouse, children, or others who were financially dependent on the deceased person can recover their losses and expenses caused by the person at fault for their family member’s death. They can also recover costs related to the administration of the estate and legal fees. However, wrongful death cases have a short statute of limitations, which means that an attorney should be contacted as soon as possible after the accident to obtain the best chances of winning.
Speak with a lawyer in your city today
To learn more about how to respond to a truck accident in the Kansas City, Kansas area, contact a local attorney. There are listings available on USAttorneys.com to help make finding a lawyer easy.
