Horrific Head-on Collision Accident Leaves 8 People Dead

According to a KSAT News report, a suspected human smuggler caused a head-on collision near Batesville that killed 8 people early yesterday morning.

Police reported the incident occurred at around 6:35 a.m. on U.S. 57 near Batesville. The driver, a suspected human smuggler, was attempting to evade deputies by passing an 18-wheeler in a no-passing zone when he collided head-on with a Chevy SUV. The impact caused the SUV to erupt into flames, and both the driver and his passenger were killed. Everyone in the Honda also died, including the man believed to be involved in human smuggling. The other five passenger’s names have not been released as the next of kin have not yet been notified, but they were identified as being from Honduras.

Did You Know?

Head-on collisions cause roughly 14% of all traffic fatalities nationwide.

Wrongful Death Claims After Head-on Collisions in San Antonio

Head-on collisions are almost always fatal or include life-long complications for the victims. When a family member dies in an auto accident that wasn’t their fault, Texas law allows a close family member to bring a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver.

Common Causes of Head-on Collisions in San Antonio

A head-on collision should never happen. When they do happen, it is almost always because of some negligent behavior from one or more drivers, like:

• Drunk Driving — Drunk drivers frequently enter highways and side streets the wrong way, causing head-on collisions.
• Distracted Driving — It’s easy to drift over the line when texting, watching a video, or checking your Instagram. Even though it’s illegal, people text and drive and cause head-on collisions as a result.
• Reckless Passing — Passing in a no-passing zone or when visibility is low causes head-on collisions.
• Fatigued Drivers — People who are over-tired while driving can have similar confusion and poor reaction times to drunk drivers. This can make it easier for them to drive the wrong way or drift, leading to a head-on collision.

How Much Will My Family Get from a Wrongful Death Claim?

A common question for wrongful death cases is how much you’re likely to get after you lose a family member in an auto accident. The impact of a person’s death on those closest to them is as unique as they are. Because of this, there is no “average payout” for a wrongful death claim.

There are factors that are used to determine the monetary impact of a person’s sudden passing. Those include:

• Age — An older person is more likely to be worth more if they had a stable job, retirement saved up, etc.
• Occupation — How much the person made is factored into the settlement amount.
• Family Members — If the person were supporting a wife and four children, their case would be worth more than if they only had one child, etc.

Other factors like funeral expenses and any hospital treatment are also included in a wrongful death claim.

Lose a Family Member in an Auto Accident in San Antonio? Call Carabin Shaw

Suddenly losing a close family member in an accident because of someone’s stupid mistake is devastating. Don’t go through it alone. Carabin Shaw’s wrongful death attorneys can help you with your claim and your recovery. We’ve represented wrongful death claims in San Antonio for 30 years, and we put our clients first. Call the team who cares today at 800-862-1260 and start getting the help you need and the justice you deserve.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm. 

¹KSAT News report