A motorist died tragically Thursday morning when the trailer of a flatbed truck came loose and set off a deadly crash along the North Freeway in Houston.
27-Year-Old Man Died at Scene, 2nd Motorist Hospitalized
The August 11th accident occurred shortly after 4:30 a.m., as a white Mack flatbed truck was headed outbound on the North Freeway at Greens Road. After separating from the truck, the trailer stopped in the middle of the four-lane highway and was struck by a northbound Ford Mustang.
A Ford Ranger veered right to avoid the accident and collided with the rear of the trailer. Sadly, the 27-year-old male at the wheel of that vehicle died at the scene. His identity is being withheld pending family notification.
The driver of the Mustang was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.
The flatbed truck driver was not injured and showed no signs of intoxication.
No charges have been filed so far. The investigation into yesterday’s deadly crash is ongoing.
What to Know about Flatbed Truck Accidents
Flatbed trucks pose many of the same dangers as 18-wheelers and other large, commercial trucks. However, their open design and the presence of oversized cargo also create some unique hazards that increase the potential for a deadly wreck, especially when the trucking company or its driver fail to take appropriate precautions or ignore vital safety regulations.
Unfortunately, as in the North Freeway crash, the occupants of smaller passenger vehicles are more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a collision with a flatbed truck.
Trucking-related crashes caused by trailer separation are rare, and just 1 in 1000 fatal accidents result from an issue involving a coupling, hitch, or chains.
Federal trucking regulations require truck drivers to inspect the locking mechanism and perform a “tug” or “pull” test after a coupling. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s medical handbook also warns doctors to check truck drivers for musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis that can affect the necessary “muscle strength and agility” required to perform coupling and other “non-driving” tasks.
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If you were hurt or lost a loved one to the North Freeway flatbed truck accident on August 11, 2022, our attorneys can help. Please call 1-888-603-3636, use the form on the right, or click here to send us a confidential email.
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