When performing maintenance along Texas roads, workers can be at risk of catastrophic trucking accidents. On June 21, 2010, a Beaumont, Texas, worker was killed on Highway 73 while working for the Texas Department of Transportation when an 18-wheeler collided into the truck he was riding on.

According to reports, the 52-year-old accident victim was putting down reflective markers on Texas 73 near LaBelle Road when the driver of the tractor trailer crashed into two trucks that were following the victim and his work crew. The victim had been riding on a trailer of the first truck in the TxDOT convoy.

Following the accident, the victim's widow brought a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the semi-truck and the trucker's employer, Best Transportation Services. The jury trial in the case began Oct. 31, and recently it was reported that the Jefferson County jury awarded the plaintiffs $4.7 million in damages.

It was not reported why the driver of the 18-wheeler drove his truck into the TxDOT convoy, but it appears that the jury decided negligence was to blame. Because the driver was performing duties within the scope of his job when the accident occurred, the trucking company, too, faced liability.

Trucking accidents like this are far too common in Texas. Oftentimes, a mistake made by an inexperienced or negligent truck driver is to blame. In these cases, it may be possible for accident victims or their families to sue for damages, including medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Hopefully, the compensation awarded to this Texas family will help them through this difficult time.

Source: The Southeast Texas Record, "Jurors award $4.7M to family of TxDOT worker," Marilyn Tennissen, Nov. 4, 2011.