Why Austin Drivers Are at Risk of Being Involved in a Truck Crash
It’s no secret that Austin has some of the most dangerous roads in the country. Interstate 35, Highway 183, State Highway 71, and US 290 all rank high in traffic accidents and congestion thanks to the significant population increase in the Austin area over the past decade. The danger isn’t limited to cars, however. Let’s talk about how Austin drivers face a higher risk of getting into an accident with a large truck than some other drivers.
Why Austin Roads Are Uniquely Hazardous for Drivers
Austin’s system of roads and highways is not built to handle the area’s population because it was never designed to do so. Unlike cities like Houston and Dallas, Austin has no ring roads, and we have a major north-south Interstate highway running through the center of the city. The stretch of Interstate 35 running from Ben White Blvd to Round Rock is the most dangerous highway in the city and one of the most dangerous roads in the country.
It’s not just that this stretch carries over 200,000 vehicles daily; it’s the type of vehicles it carries. Because Austin has no ring road or alternate routes, massive trucks carrying goods north and south must use I-35 to get through the city. This means commuters trying to get home in the afternoon must share the road with long-haul trucks carrying up to 80,000 pounds in cargo.
These trucks are enormous. Some are over 70 feet long and 13 feet tall, dwarfing passenger cars and trucks and taking up a huge amount of space. They are slow to accelerate and brake, have poor visibility and pull large trailers filled with anything from consumer goods to hazardous chemicals. Their size and weight also mean that any collision, even a low-speed one, can cause severe injuries and property damage to anyone else involved.
Types of Truck Accidents in Austin
The high number of large trucks moving through central Austin means accidents are a surety. Some of the common types of truck accidents we see in Austin include:
- Sideswipe accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Underride accidents
- Override accidents
- Lane-change accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Broadside accidents
- Reversing accidents
- Blindspot accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Lost load accidents
- Wide turn accidents
Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
Injuries from truck accidents tend to be more severe than accidents involving passenger vehicles because of the size differential. A 4,000-pound passenger car is no match for an 80,000-pound truck, regardless of the speed of travel. Some injuries that commonly occur in truck accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Abrasions
- Burns
- Sprains/strains
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Head and neck injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Dismemberment
- Hip and knee injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal injuries
- Coma
- Death
Who Is Responsible If I’ve Been Injured in a Truck Crash?
Responsibility for a car accident usually falls to one of the cars’ drivers, but determining fault can be more complex in truck accidents. Liability for truck accidents can sometimes be spread across several different parties depending on the circumstances of the accident. Any one of the following may bear some responsibility in a truck accident:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Truck owner
- Freight company
- Freight loading company
- Truck manufacturer
- Truck maintenance company
For example, if you’re hit by a truck in Austin but it’s discovered that the trucking company ordered their employee to drive for longer than is allowed by federal law, the trucking company would be responsible. The company could also be held liable if the accident was caused by insufficient driver training. If poor maintenance caused the accident, such as worn brakes or tires, the maintenance company might be at fault. If it was caused by debris because the cargo on the trailer wasn’t secured properly, the freight loading company may be at fault. It all depends on the circumstances.
How Loewy Law Firm Can Help
If a negligent or careless truck driver injured you or someone you love in Austin, you may be eligible for monetary compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Loewy Law Firm can help you pursue money to cover medical bills, lost earnings, property damage, or pain and suffering after a truck accident.
We can help you determine who was ultimately responsible for your injuries and work to hold them financially accountable for their actions with a personal injury (PI) claim. A PI claim is like many other types of insurance claims. We help you demand compensation from the responsible party’s insurance company. The trick is that most truck drivers and trucking companies carry large amounts of insurance, and the insurance companies will work hard to keep from paying out claims. You need a lawyer to help you manage the workload of pursuing compensation, explain how losses and damages work, and keep the insurance companies from taking advantage of you.
Your lawyer will handle the investigation into your accident and determine who bears responsibility. We will gather accident reports, medical records, surveillance video, or photos to use as evidence in support of your claim and allow you the time you need to recover from your injuries.
We will also help you accurately determine what your losses are. You can receive compensation to cover material losses like lost wages and intangible losses like pain and suffering or mental anguish. You’ll need the help of a qualified attorney to accurately assess the value of your intangible losses.
If you’ve suffered a severe injury in Austin due to a truck crash, don’t wait any longer. Call the Austin vehicle accident attorneys at Loewy Law Firm today for a free consultation. Texas has a strict two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, so time is a factor in obtaining compensation. Don’t let a truck accident ruin your financial future. Call (512) 280-0800 today.