Transportation Negligence
Every Day You, or Your Family, May be at Risk of Serious Harm or Death – Just In Getting From One Place to Another by Car, Van, Truck, Train, Bus, or Plane
Each day, people are injured and killed in transportation accidents. Whether traveling by car, bus, minivan, truck, train, or plane, crashes occur due to the mistakes and negligence of other drivers -- or from flaws and defects within the particular mode of transportation (be it car, van, truck, train, bus, or plane).
When accidents occur, victims are often victimized a second time by the sophisticated and well-orchestrated insurance company defense team. Most folks are not aware of how insurance companies, working together with their adjusters, attorneys, agents, and clients, prepare in advance for accidents that statistically will happen. For example, trucking companies and their insurance carriers train commercial truck drivers on steps to be taken whenever they are involved in a big rig crash. Often, defense team representatives will be on the scene of a semi truck accident before law enforcement and medical emergency personnel – the trucking industry is that prepared.
Why does time matter when a serious truck accident or car crash happens?
Evidence may be lost if it is not collected and preserved quickly. Witness statements are best obtained when memories are fresh. Photos need to be taken before conditions change.
Additionally, more and more vehicles are equipped with “black boxes” – computers within the vehicle that have stored vital information regarding exactly what happened on the roadway – which must be protected. These can be critical to revealing the cause of the crash or wreck. Most commercial trucks are equipped with this technology. Furthermore, in the summer of 2010, Congress had begun working on its first auto reform legislation in a decade - with one of it key elements being the requirement that all American vehicles carry these “black box” data recorder evidence collectors.
Car Wrecks
Auto accidents, from minor fender benders to fatal car pile-ups, have reached crisis proportions in our country today. It is a grim reality that car crashes are the main cause of death for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19. Consider this sobering fact: in 2008, nine teenagers ranging in age from sixteen to nineteen (16-19) died every single day in this country from motor vehicle injuries.
Big Rig Crashes
Semi-truck drivers and big rig trucking companies have a duty to operate their vehicles in a responsible manner. Unsafe driving, oversized loads and various other treacherous practices are associated with deaths and serious injuries each year.
Today, throughout Texas and the rest of the United States, most loaded semis and commercial big-rig trucks driving the roadways weigh more than 80,000 pounds, and these 18-wheelers cruise the traffic lanes with family vehicles (cars, minivans, SUVs, pickups) that weigh between 3000 and 3500 pounds. Just the difference in weight alone gives a partial explanation for why trucking industry accidents usually result in very, very serious injuries (TBI, spinal cord injury) and most often, death, for those involved in the crash.
Plane Crashes
Air travel must also be safe. There is no acceptable excuse for a plane crash. Aviation disasters demand immediate investigation.
Texas aviation law divides personal injury aviation accidents into three categories: commercial airline plane crashes; international airline crashes; and personal airplane accidents (non-commercial). The first two accidents usually involve a large number of claimants and a great many fatalities, and the parties tend to pursue their damage claims together.
When a crash involves a personal plane crash, a smaller aircraft is usually involved and there may be a smaller number of people involved. Here, plane crash victims and their families tend to file lawsuits in Texas state courts against a variety of defendants, which can include the owner/operator of aircraft; the company responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the aircraft; and the plane’s manufacturer.
Railroad Crossing Accidents – Train Wrecks
Railroad crossing collisions kill and seriously injure hundreds of people each year. To prevent these tragedies, railroads have a duty to exercise care in making crossings safe.
The Federal Railroad Administration estimates 1000 Americans die each year as a result of train wrecks. Most of these fatalities involve accidents where a train collides with another train or with a motor vehicle, often at a railroad crossing.
What Happens After a Crash or Accident? What about the Damages and Harm?
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, crash, or wreck involving a car, truck, minivan, commercial truck, big rig, plane, train, or motorcycle, the law provides for the recovery of damages from the wrongdoer, including:
- reimbursement for medical expenses (e.g., long term care, doctor bills, physical therapy, prescription drugs, wheelchairs, braces, hospital expense)
- lost wages
- pain and suffering
- mental anguish
- physical impairment
- permanent disfigurement .
Even if your physical injuries are relatively minor, damages may still be available to you including recouping your property (car) losses.
For more information:
Advocates for Auto and Highway Safety
American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials
National Transportation Safety Board
Federal Railroad Administration – Office of Safety Analysis
If you or a loved one has been injured or harmed by the wrongful actions of another person, company, or governmental entity, then please feel free to call for a free initial consultation. Se habla espanol.
Knowledge, Persistence, Integrity: Wigington Rumley Dunn & Ritch, L.L.P
Email at legalinfo@Wigrum.com – Toll free at (866) 494-4786