Pearland injury lawyers note that TxDOT has recommended some safety upgrades to the FM 93 – Old Highway 95 intersection where the fatal Lowes truck – Academy ISD school bus wreck occurred on January 17th. The driver of the school bus, James Johnson, died from the Lowes truck crash. One student, 14-year-old Haley Johannsen, was left paralyzed and is undergoing rehabilitation therapies. In all, 29 students and 3 adults received hospitalization after the crash.

The Lowes truck driver ran a stop sign at the FM 93 and Old Highway 95 intersection and struck the Academy ISD school bus. Authorities mention that fog was in the area at the time, but they do not know that it contributed to the crash. Since the death of the veteran bus driver, who had been with the school district for many years, the DPS is meeting with the Bell County District Attorney’s office to determine whether additional charges against the Lowes truck driver should be added to the failure to observe stop sign citation he received after the fatal crash.

TxDOT has determined that the intersection requires some modifications to ensure safety of motorists in the area. Our Pearland injury lawyers mention that TxDOT states that a traffic light is not required. TxDOT says that the sight lines to the stop signs are sufficient, but it recommends larger stop signs. TxDOT also recommends the placement of “rumble strips” across Old Highway 95 before the intersection with FM 93. Bell County would be responsible for setting the rumble strips in place. TxDOT also suggested that Bell County might consider lowering the speed limit in the area of the intersection.

Our Pearland injury lawyers point out that much of the burden for upgrading the safety precautions at the intersection would fall upon the County. But it seems clear that some safety upgrades are in order to prevent future tragedies like the Lowes truck and Academy ISD school bus wreck. And existing NCHRP data shows significant crash reductions where rumble strips are inplace.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a collision with a truck, download our free book on the necessary steps you should take after a truck wreck. It’s free to our readers, and it could get you started on the road to financial recovery for your injuries following a truck accident.

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