Box Truck Driver Killed in Crash with 18-Wheeler on I-40 in Fayette County, TN
Fayette County, TN -- November 23, 2021, one person was killed in a collision between a tractor-trailer and a box truck on Interstate 40 in Fayette County.
Authorities say the incident happened Tuesday morning on I-40 near mile marker 32 and Airline Road. The circumstances of the crash aren't yet clear, but reports indicate it involved a tractor-trailer and a box truck.
The box truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The 18-wheeler driver was reportedly unhurt.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Fayette County Truck Accident on I-40
While I maintain that thorough investigation is always important after any wreck, that's even truer here because the collision was apparently between commercial trucks. It's highly unlikely that both drivers work for the same company, so liability for the crash may turn into a game of "hot potato" between their employers. Many transportation companies have years of practice defending themselves against allegations of wrongdoing and are not shy about passing the blame back and forth. Meanwhile, the victim's loved ones could get stuck waiting to see who will help them get back on their feet after their loss.
As things stand the cause and circumstances of the collision are pretty unclear, and investigators will have to look into numerous potential factors when trying to learn what happened: Driver-related issues like distraction or speeding, yes, but also problems with the vehicles themselves, road conditions and design, visibility, lighting and sightlines, inclement weather, any other traffic in the area, and many other elements that could have influenced or even caused the crash. Without considering all these variables no one can be certain the whole truth is found.
Some may not see the need to run such a fine-toothed comb over the scene since "workers' comp will handle it." The victim's loved ones may receive some assistance from that program, but it's still critical to find out exactly what happened and why. Here's a couple of reasons for that:
- It’s a matter of principle. It stands to reason that after an accident, the responsible party should bear the costs of the damages.
- Workers' compensation is not a magic cure-all. People don't always realize that it essentially forces employees to subsidize their own injuries. Beyond that, its benefits never approach what victims earned before their accidents, creating a net loss that can be problematic as they and their loved ones struggle to recover. It's certainly better than no help at all, but countless people have been frustrated by its limitations.
There are plenty of other reasons to ensure thorough investigations are conducted after wrecks like this. The best way to ensure the truth is found and not disputed forever between companies is to learn the story as told only by objective facts. It's hard to say whether law enforcement is up to the necessary level of scrutiny to find them, though, which is why I generally advocate for independent investigations to make sure the accident is best understood. Those affected deserve to know every effort was made to bring them the whole truth and that the right parties will be held accountable without enduring years of courtroom back-and-forth.
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