A passenger vehicle carrying four teenagers collided with an 18-wheeler semi truck on US Highway 59 in Rosenberg last week killing one 17-year-old and injuring three others, two seriously. A 58-year-old Houston man was driving the 18-wheeler northbound when an 18-year-old Richmond teen looking to cross at Cottonwood Church Road entered the northbound lanes of the highway. The truck accident occurred when the semi truck broadsided the passenger vehicle.

The driver and a 16-year-old female passenger were seriously injured in the crash and had to be airlifted to a local hospital. A second passenger, also 16-years-old suffered minor injuries and was taken to a different hospital for treatment. The third 17-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.

Car accidents involving serious injuries or death are always intensely investigated by police to determine the cause. Although car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in this country, especially for young people, they are also one of the main causes for personal injury claims. If someone is hurt in a car accident they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries by filing a personal injury claim with the help of an attorney.

In this particular case the surviving family members of the teen killed in the accident may have a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death suit can be brought by family members if their loss is the result of a reckless or negligent act of another, such as a drunk driver causes a fatal accident. The other passengers injured in the crash may also have a personal injury claim and may be able to file a personal injury claim to recoup current and future medical expenses as well as lost wages and income that are result from their injuries.

Although this fatal car accident is under investigation, if one party is deemed negligent and thereby responsible for causing the accident, that driver could be held liable for damages.

Sources: Click2Houston.com, "Teen killed in Rosenberg crash," April, 21, 2012