Homestead Man Killed In Single-Vehicle Tractor-Trailer Crash

In late April 2025, a Homestead man lost his life in a single-vehicle crash in Talladega County, Alabama, when his tractor-trailer “left the road and overturned” on I-20. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, while his passenger was transported to a nearby hospital after sustaining injuries. Single-vehicle accidents are common, especially in larger trucks and commercial vehicles, but just because no other vehicle or driver plays a role in a crash does not mean no one else bears liability.

What Causes Single Vehicle Accidents?

There are many different potential causes for a single-vehicle accident, and they tend to fall into one of two categories: driver error, or factors beyond a driver’s control. One of the most common precipitating factors that will cause a single-vehicle accident is speed – either going too fast in general, or going too fast for the road conditions (for example, driving fast on wet roads). Another common cause is fatigue – not taking required breaks for sleep.

It is not uncommon for a driver to cause their own vehicle to crash, through speed, distraction, substance abuse or any other factor. However, other common causes for this type of accident may be entirely out of the driver’s control. Examples may include mechanical failure, bad road conditions, or events like lightning strikes or animals in the road that are sometimes classed under the concept of “force majeure.” Sometimes, a person can be held liable for a single-vehicle accident’s damages even if their vehicle was not involved in the crash.

Who Is Liable?

A single-vehicle accident involving a commercial vehicle is somewhat unusual, but many of the questions will be the same as in any vehicle accident. As one might imagine, if a person causes damages to their own vehicle – as appears to have been the case in Talladega County – they are liable for any damages they incur. However, if it can be shown that another person or entity had a duty of care toward the tractor-trailer’s driver, they may bear a share of liability for the tractor-trailer driver’s injuries.

For example, in the Talladega County accident, no information has been released as to why the deceased driver’s tractor-trailer “left the roadway.” If it did because the driver was, say, trying to avoid an obvious drunk driver in the next lane, that drunk driver might bear a share of the liability for the commercial driver’s passing. While every case is different, single-vehicle crashes require intense investigation to ensure that the right cause is determined and liability is apportioned correctly.

Contact A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney

While no charges of any kind appear to be coming out of the Alabama accident, things might turn out differently in your case. A Tampa tractor-trailer accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help you determine your best legal options if you have been in this type of crash – call our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

abc3340.com/news/local/tractor-trailer-crash-on-i-20-claims-life-of-florida-man-injures-passenger