Common Causes of an Austin Semi-Truck Accident

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Austin, Texas 78701

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Horrendous Austin semi-truck accidents upend the lives of men, women, and children, each and every year. Fatalities and serious injuries are the sad order of the day in nearly any accident involving a big rig and a passenger automobile. And, in the vast majority of collisions, the people in the passenger car are the ones who suffer life-shattering consequences.

An Austin semi-truck accident that occurred in May 2018 illustrates how horrific, devastating, and complicated a collision of this nature can be. The day undoubtedly started off like any other for the people involved in the catastrophic collision. The same cannot be said about how the day would end.

A 54-year old big rig operator was behind the wheel of his semi, going east on U.S. 290. Behind the semi-truck were two women in their 20s. For reasons not initially reported by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the truck driver lost control over his rig and crossed into the westbound lanes of traffic. The semi-truck ended up careening across both eastbound and westbound lanes of traffic.

As the cab of the semi crossed into the oncoming lanes of traffic, it struck a passenger car driven by a 27-year old man. After being struck by the semi, the car drove off the road, coming to rest in a grassy area nearby. The driver of that vehicle sustained minimal injuries

The two women traveling behind the semi-truck were unable to stop their vehicle in time to prevent smashing into the trailer portion of the big rig that was completely blocking the eastbound lanes. Investigators reported that the women were traveling at a safe distance from the semi before the big rig operator lost control of the huge truck. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Austin Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Hotline

When a traumatic accident of this nature occurs, injured individuals and family members of people who are killed undoubtedly have tough, challenging questions about their legal rights. The Doan Law Firm, a nationwide law firm headquartered right here in Texas, maintains a 24-hour Austin Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Hotline at (512) 806-0000. The Hotline is staffed 365 days a year to ensure that people dealing with the aftermath of a shattering collision with a commercial truck have ready access to the information and support they need.

There are a myriad of questions and concerns people have following this or any type of accident that results in personal injury or a fatality. For example, understanding the common causes of an Austin semi-truck accident is necessary.

Common Causes of Austin Truck Accidents

As noted a moment ago, the Texas Department of Public Safety could not immediately ascertain why the big rig operator lost control of his truck.

The reality is that there are some common underlying causes for Texas semi accidents that include:

• Distracted semi operator
• Intoxicated or impaired semi-truck driver
• Fatigued commercial truck driver
• Mechanical malfunction
• Speeding
• Improper lane change or turn

In many semi-truck accidents, more than one underlying cause might exist. Using the fatal collision discussed a moment ago, a number of factors underpin the accident. There may have been a mechanical issue with the semi. In addition, the driver of the rig may have been distracted at the time of the accident. Distracted driving remains a major cause of thousands of semi accidents across the United States each year.

Common examples of distractions include:

• Texting
• Talking on phone
• Consulting a GPS device
• Eating
• Drinking
• Talking to a passenger
• Adjusting a radio

Protect Your Important Legal Interests with a Fighter at Your Side

A skilled, tenacious Austin semi-truck accident lawyer from our firm can provide you the assistance required to ascertain how and why and accident occurred. Appropriate parties can only be held responsible when the underlying cause or causes of an accident are identified.

In addition to scheduling an appointment at our offices, we can also arrange to meet with you at your home or even at the hospital, depending on your needs.

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