Albany Man Killed in Pickup Truck Crash on US 380 Near Haskell, Texas

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.351 requires drivers to operate their vehicle at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for existing conditions, including curves, weather and traffic. Drivers must reduce speed when approaching a curve or other hazardous condition that could cause a loss of control. Investigators in Haskell County are examining whether the pickup’s speed was appropriate for the curve where the truck left the roadway. Excessive speed for road conditions is a leading contributing factor in single-vehicle rollover crashes on rural Texas highways.

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.412 requires the driver and front-seat passengers of a vehicle to wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt while the vehicle is being operated. Investigators noted that the driver in this crash was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of impact, which can significantly increase the risk of death or serious injury when a vehicle rolls over or becomes airborne. Failure to wear a seatbelt is a separate traffic offense in Texas and can also affect a related injury or wrongful death claim. Comparative negligence principles under Texas law may still allow a claim to proceed even where a victim’s own conduct is a contributing factor.