A personal injury lawsuit has been filed in Harris County, Texas, after a serious collision involving a commercial truck allegedly left a driver with significant injuries. The petition alleges that the crash occurred on October 20, 2021, when the Plaintiff was traveling westbound on Interstate 20 with a trailer attached to his vehicle.
According to the petition, the truck driver was operating a truck and trailer owned or controlled by Blue Lighting Enterprises, LLC and traveling behind the Plaintiff on the same roadway. As traffic slowed while approaching a construction zone, the lawsuit claims the driver failed to control his speed and violently collided with the rear of the Plaintiff’s trailer.
The investigating officer allegedly determined that the truck driver was solely responsible for the crash, citing failure to control speed as the only contributing factor. The petition further alleges that the Plaintiff’s injuries were caused by the negligence and gross negligence of the Defendants.
The Plaintiff is represented by Marcus Spagnoletti and Eric Rhine of the Spagnoletti Law Firm.
Allegations Against Blue Lighting Enterprises and the Truck Driver
The lawsuit claims Blue Lighting Enterprises failed to properly train and supervise the driver operating the commercial vehicle and failed to implement and enforce safe trucking practices. The petition alleges the company also failed to take reasonable precautions to protect motorists sharing the roadway and failed to ensure compliance with regulations governing driver qualifications.
As to the driver, the petition alleges Cowart failed to exercise ordinary care while operating the commercial truck. The lawsuit claims the driver failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to obey traffic laws, drove at an excessive speed, failed to apply brakes in a timely manner, failed to safely maneuver the vehicle, and operated the truck while distracted.
The Dangers of Rear-End Truck Collisions
A rear-end collision involving a commercial truck can produce catastrophic consequences. Tractor-trailers weigh significantly more than passenger vehicles, meaning that even a momentary failure to control speed can result in devastating impact forces.
These types of crashes frequently occur when a truck driver fails to recognize slowing traffic ahead, particularly in construction zones or congested highways. When a large truck strikes a smaller vehicle from behind, the occupants of the passenger vehicle often absorb the majority of the impact.
Evidence That May Be Critical in Truck Accident Lawsuits
Truck crash cases often require a detailed investigation into how the collision occurred. Key evidence may include the official accident report, driver statements, witness testimony, roadway photographs, and inspection records.
Attorneys may also use crash reconstruction to evaluate vehicle speeds, braking distances, and driver reaction times. In some situations, nearby cameras or businesses may have captured surveillance video showing how the collision unfolded.
Because important materials can be lost over time, attorneys may issue a preservation letter requesting that trucking companies preserve driver logs, vehicle records, electronic black box data, and other documentation related to the incident.
Damages Claimed in the Lawsuit
The petition seeks compensation for a range of injuries and losses allegedly caused by the crash, including past and future physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, physical impairment, medical expenses, and disfigurement.
In serious trucking collision cases, compensation may include both economic damages, such as medical bills and lost income, and non-economic damages, which may include pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.
Speak With a Truck Accident Attorney
Crashes involving commercial trucks can raise complex questions about driver conduct, company safety practices, and regulatory compliance. Spagnoletti Law Firm represents individuals injured in serious trucking collisions, including cases involving an 18-wheeler accident.
Our injury attorneys handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
If you have questions about your legal rights after a commercial truck crash, contact Spagnoletti Law Firm for a confidential consultation at 713-804-9306. You can also contact us online to learn more about potential legal options.