Owners of livestock have a responsibility to keep their cows, sheep and chickens in check. Should one of their animals escape and make its way into the middle of a major highway, an accident could result. Many truck accidents have been caused this way on Tennessee highways resulting in serious injury and death to the drivers involved.
Recently, an accident claimed the life of four people after a cow made its way onto Interstate 40 on the night of July 23. First, a semi truck allegedly hit the animal and flew out of control, driving over the median and into oncoming traffic. The 49-year-old driver of the semi truck along with his 49-year-old passenger died in the accident.
After crossing into oncoming traffic, the semi truck hit another semi and an SUV. The two people riding in the SUV were also killed. A third person inside the SUV was hurt. The driver of the semi that was struck did not suffer any reported injury. The accident was so severe that Interstate 40 was closed until later Wednesday morning.
The owner of the cow remains unidentified. However, should the owner be found, police say they may press criminal charges against him for failing to properly keep track of his animals. The victims of Tennessee truck accidents caused by livestock in the road may be able to file wrongful death personal injury claims against the owner of the livestock. In this case, should police charge the cow owner in the accident, any conviction gained may serve to bolster any personal injury and/or wrongful death claims of the victims and their families.
Source: carrollnews.com, "Woodlawn man among four killed in Tenn. accident," July 25, 2013
