Fatal Accident in Refugio County Takes Houston Man’s Life on Highway 77

A fatal crash in Refugio County early in the morning on November 19 took the life of a 31-year-old Houston man on U.S. Highway 77 near Henderson Lane. The Texas Department of Public Safety said the victim, Michael Ngo, lost control and collided with a truck tractor semi-trailer that had stopped in the inside lane around 2:24 a.m.

Despite there having been four drivers in this collision, only Ngo succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

This collision caused extreme congestion on U.S. Highway 77 as southbound traffic was shut down for many hours. It was not until 7 a.m. that the highway reopened as investigators and cleanup crews worked the scene.

Legal Consequences of the Refugio County Fatal Crash

A person who was speeding may be more likely to be held liable for an accident like if the failure to control vehicle speed caused the collision. Furthermore, a number of legal issues could arise from this accident for the parties. The family of a deceased victim could investigate and file a wrongful death claim against any negligent contributing factors, such as vehicle defects or road conditions, that could have made him unable to stop.

The driver of a stalled semi-truck might not be held liable since his truck was stopped at the time of the impact. However, a deeper investigation will uncover if further negligence exists in other parties or entities concerned with ensuring safe roadway conditions.

The Concept of Proximate Cause

A motorist in a situation like this could be held liable for injuries sustained by other parties due to the truck veering off into different lanes. This situation falls under the legal concept of proximate cause, which refers to an initial act that sets off a chain reaction leading to further damages or injuries.

Here, the motorist’s loss of control of his vehicle could mark him as the proximate cause of other accidents caused by the truck’s further movements.

Analyzing Defective Parts

If there had been a defective part that caused the accident, liability would not lie with the motorist but with the manufacturer of either the truck or its parts.

Police investigations into the incident are still incomplete. Full liability details will emerge after the police complete their investigations and consider all factors in this unfortunate accident.

Legal Guidance Plays an Important Role in Accident Cases

In the aftermath of a serious accident like this, working with seasoned lawyers is crucial. A local attorney knows state laws and subtle nuances that can drastically affect your case.

Law firms like Schechter, Shaffer & Harris have successfully handled personal injury and wrongful death claims in Texas for years and have the experience you need to get the best possible outcomes. Familiarity with the local courts and extensive working knowledge is the combo you need to be in a winning position.