According to a report from ABC 13, a woman was killed after a stolen tractor trailer crashed into her house. The 18-wheeler accident occurred near 11500 McKinley Street, in the Northwest corner of Harris County. In this article, our Houston truck accident attorneys provide an overview of what we know about this tragic story and explain the key things to know about liability in stolen vehicle crashes.
Commercial Truck Was Stolen 10 Miles Away from the Site of the 18-Wheeler Accident
Shortly before 11:00 PM on the evening of October 25th, a local trucking company reported that one of its tractor trailers had just been stolen. As the large commercial truck was equipped with a tracking device, officers from the Houston Police Department were quickly able to find its location. Unfortunately, they soon learned that the truck crashed into the home of a Harris County woman.
A witness reported that the suspect, a 39-year-old Houston man, actually jumped out of the truck right before the accident. He was immediately apprehended by Houston police. The husband of the victim was also in the home at the time of the truck accident. He sustained significant injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
What to Know About Stolen Vehicle Accidents and Legal Liability in Texas
Stolen vehicle accidents are among the most frustrating, challenging types of legal cases for injured victims. Typically, those who steal vehicles drive them in a reckless manner—thereby dramatically increasing the risk of accident. Injured victims and their families need compensation. A number of different parties can potentially be held liable, including:
- The Thief: A person who steals a vehicle can be held both criminally and civilly liable. The challenge is that, in most cases, a vehicle thief lacks the resources to cover a personal injury claim. Though, it is possible that their insurance policy may be implicated.
- A Negligent Commercial Company: In some cases, the party who owns the vehicle may bear liability for a stolen vehicle. This is more likely in commercial vehicle accident cases—particularly if a large truck was stolen because a company failed to take proper safety precautions to protect it.
- Your Own Insurance Coverage: If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM coverage), you may be able to recover financial compensation for a stolen vehicle accident through a claim against your own insurance policy. A Texas personal injury lawyer can help you navigate a UM/UIM claim.
Call Our Houston Truck Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
At the Kolodny Law Firm, our Houston truck accident lawyers will put forward the time, energy, and focus to maximize your financial compensation after a serious crash. If you or your loved one was hurt in a tractor trailer accident, we can help. Call us now or use our online contact form to set up a free appointment with an attorney. We represent truck accident victims throughout Southeast Texas, including in Harris County, Galveston County, Jefferson County, and Brazoria County.
Alan Kolodny is committed to representing injured clients in Texas and throughout the United States. Alan earned his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University.
He focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases involving the following matters: maritime and offshore accidents, including those under the Jones Act; automobile and 18-wheeler truck accidents; and industrial site accidents, work-related accidents, and claims for injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
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