One man died and another was injured in a domino-effect accident involving three vehicles on U.S. Highway 69 near Colmesneil in Tyler County on July 16. A third person involved in the crash was not injured. Authorities say all three drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the incident.
The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that the accident happened in the early afternoon when a northbound Dodge Ram slowed to make a left turn into a private driveway and was rear-ended by a Chevrolet Silverado. This initial impact pushed the Dodge Ram into southbound traffic where it was hit by a Chevrolet pickup truck.
The driver of the Dodge, a 76-year-old man from Woodville, died at the accident scene, and the driver of the Chevrolet pickup, a 42-year-old man from Nacogdoches, was transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. The 25-year-old driver of the Silverado was not hurt in the crash.
Traumatic injuries suffered by a person who become involved in a serious car accident are often just the beginning of a journey of challenges and adjustments likely to change their life forever. The blunt force and sudden nature of such a crash often produces disabling mental and bodily injuries, which can affect an accident survivor’s cognitive and ambulatory abilities. The life adjustments can be the most extreme when the injuries suffered result in permanent physical or mental disabilities that can prevent a return to a productive lifestyle.
Under Texas civil law, reimbursement of the funds expended and compensation for future losses directly related to the accident may be sought from those liable for the crash. When a loss claim cannot be resolved through negotiations with the responsible party or parties, injured accident survivors may benefit from pursuing a personal injury claim in civil court.
Source: KTRE, “1 person killed, 1 injured in 3-vehicle accident south of Colmesneil“, Gary Bass, July 17, 2014
