Austin Construction Truck Accident Attorney
If you were involved in an accident with a construction truck, contact the Austin personal injury attorneys of Loewy Law Firm right now to discuss the next steps. You might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and we could help you hold the negligent party accountable for their actions. If you don’t share any fault for the crash, you should not be financially responsible for your hospitalization, prescription medications, vehicle damage, and other expenses.
Construction is a necessity no matter where you live. New buildings go up to accommodate a growing population, roadways need repairs, and workers need a convenient way to transport materials. Construction trucks deliver equipment and carry away debris safely and efficiently. Unfortunately, these vehicles are often much larger than passenger cars and can cause massive destruction in accidents.
An Austin construction truck accident attorney from Loewy Law Firm can meet you for a free consultation to inform you of your rights and what we can do to help. Call us at (512) 280-0800 today.
Types of Construction Trucks
A collision between a construction truck and a small car can be catastrophic. People in smaller vehicles are at a greater risk of severe injury and death. According to statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 4,119 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks in 2019. A whopping 67 percent were the occupants of passenger cars, while only 16 percent were the driver or passengers in a truck.
You could pass a range of different construction trucks on any road in Austin. The most common types include:
- Dump trucks
- Flatbeds
- Compactors
- Water tankers
- Bucket trucks
- Cement mixers
- Bulldozers
- Backhoes
- Trenchers
Drivers operating a construction truck must have special licensing and experience. The driver should know state and federal laws, what to do in an emergency, and how to react when encountering road defects, poor weather, and other hazardous conditions. Inattention and errors can result in collisions that can harm anyone involved.
Types and Causes of Construction Truck Accidents
The most common types of accidents involving construction trucks are:
- Lost loads – Federal regulations require cargo securement devices to prevent items from falling off the truck or shifting during transport. Unsecured cargo can throw the entire vehicle off balance, which can cause the driver to lose control. Another result is lost loads, which create hazards for other drivers.
- Wide-turn accidents – Many construction trucks are long and wide. The driver needs to swing the truck out wide before making a turn to avoid oncoming traffic in the roadway they’re turning onto. Under-calculating the amount of space they need can put them on a collision course with other vehicles.
- Rollover accidents – Any vehicle with a high center of gravity, such as a construction truck, can roll over easily after crashing into another vehicle or stationary object. Sudden maneuvering or braking can also lead to a rollover accident.
- Rear-end collisions – A truck driver following another vehicle too closely can cause a catastrophic rear-end accident. There isn’t enough space for them to come to a complete stop in a hurry. Large trucks need around 200 yards to stop if they’re traveling at 65 miles per hour.
- T-bone accidents – A T-bone collision happens when the front bumper of a vehicle crashes into the side of another. Without much of a barrier to cushion the impact, drivers and passengers of small cars often suffer debilitating injuries when they’re hit in the side by a truck.
- Head-on collisions – A large truck barreling into the front of a car can lead to fatalities. In 2019, 618 passenger vehicle occupants died in head-on accidents involving a commercial truck.
Any of these collisions can occur when construction trucks and other vehicles share the road. They’re often the result of the truck driver or trucking company’s negligence. The most common causes of construction truck accidents are:
- Speeding
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Failure to check blind spots
- Tailgating
- Negligent hiring of drivers
- Distracted driving
- Improperly loaded or secured cargo
- Driving under the influence
- Taking turns too fast
Any accident with a construction truck can result in injuries, property damage, or death. If you believe that the truck driver or another negligent party caused the crash, you should reach out to Loewy Law Firm so we can review the circumstances and determine who should be held liable.
Who Is Liable?
Many people jump to the conclusion that the truck driver was at fault for a collision since they were driving. However, other parties could be to blame. Common parties involved in construction truck accidents include:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Cargo loading company
- Freight owners
- Owner of the vehicle
- Parts manufacturer
- Non-commercial driver
- Contractor or subcontractor
- Owner of the construction site property
The person responsible for your injuries should provide the compensation you need to heal. If they were entirely at fault, you should not be forced to pay out of pocket for your expenses.
Compensation
All motor carriers must carry insurance that has the minimum liability limits set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. That includes construction trucks. The employer should purchase coverage for their drivers in case an accident occurs that injures others. The required limits depend on the type of cargo and the weight of the truck. For example, a vehicle transporting non-hazardous materials and weighing under 10,001 pounds must carry at least $300,000 in coverage.
When you file an insurance claim, you could pursue compensation for the losses you suffered. They might include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of household services
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Property damage
If you choose to file a lawsuit, you could potentially also seek exemplary damages. This award is intended as a punishment against the at-fault party instead of compensation for your losses. A jury will provide this financial award if there’s clear and convincing evidence of the at-fault party’s malice, gross negligence, or fraud.
How Loewy Law Could Help
At Loewy Law Firm, we understand the long-term consequences of a construction truck accident. You face an uphill battle to recover from your injuries and pay for the various costs you incurred. We can help you get through this challenging time in your life and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
If you sustained injuries in an accident with a construction truck, call Loewy Law Firm today. An Austin construction truck accident attorney can discuss your case during a free consultation and advise you about the available legal options. Call (512) 280-0800 for help today.