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Call for a Free Case Evaluation (512) 474-0222
Were you hurt in a sudden stop truck accident in Austin, Texas? McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Contact us today or call (512) 474-0222 for a free consultation with an Austin truck accident lawyer who knows how to take on big trucking companies and get justice for injured victims.
Sudden stop truck accidents often happen because of reckless driving, whether from the trucker or a vehicle following too closely. These crashes can be severe, but you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. If the truck driver is at fault, their employer may also be responsible.
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers proudly serves accident victims in Austin, TX, with a long-standing commitment to justice and results. Here’s what sets our firm apart when you need help after a serious truck accident:
A truck accident injury can leave you facing years of medical care and physical therapy. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an Austin personal injury attorney to discuss your injury-related losses and the compensation we can pursue for them.
Sudden stop truck accidents occur when a truck stops without warning to the drivers behind it. Trucks may suddenly stop for many reasons, including the following:
For example, an aggressive truck driver might cut off other vehicles. However, if they fail to leave enough space, they might need to stop suddenly after changing lanes. Similarly, an aggressive trucker might become annoyed with other drivers and “brake check” them by slamming on their brakes unexpectedly.
Sudden stop truck accidents can have the following consequences:
The most common outcome of a sudden stop is a rear-end collision. This crash happens when the driver behind the truck does not stop in time to avoid hitting the back of the trailer.
Rear-end crashes usually will not harm the truck driver because the trailer and cargo will absorb the force of impact. However, the driver of the vehicle that hit the truck could suffer serious injuries, such as whiplash, a concussion, and chest bruises.
A truck driver who suddenly stops can cause a chain-reaction crash. These crashes happen when a driver slams into the truck, and then the vehicle behind them strikes the driver. This process may continue, involving multiple vehicles.
The risk posed by these crashes is that the vehicles in the middle of the chain are hit from both the front and back, increasing the likelihood that they will be crushed.
An underrun, or underride, accident happens when a car goes under the trailer instead of striking it. Trailers must include Mansfield bars to reduce the risk of an underrun. This frame sits below the floor level of the trailer.
The hope is that the driver will strike the bar instead of having the top of their vehicle sheared off by the trailer’s floor. However, low vehicles, such as sports cars, might still run under a trailer even with a Mansfield bar.
A sudden stop can cause the truck’s load to shift. When this happens, the truck can drop its load on the road. It can also shift positions in or on the trailer, causing the truck to become unbalanced.
The trailer can roll over, or the driver can lose control of the tractor-trailer combination. In either case, the truck may hit one or more vehicles.
The liability for sudden stop collisions will often fall on the trucking company. First, the trucking company is vicariously liable for employee negligence. This means the trucking company is liable when its drivers cut off other vehicles or its loaders fail to secure a load. When the truck suddenly stops, the trucking company may be liable for these negligent acts.
Second, the trucking company is liable for its own acts. For example, suppose a trailer has a broken Mansfield bar. If the trucking company failed to fix it or keep the trailer out of service, it may be responsible for underrun crashes that result.
Finally, the driver of the vehicle behind the truck might share the liability for a crash. If they were tailgating or speeding, they might be partially or fully liable under Texas’s modified comparative fault laws.
A sudden stop truck accident in Austin, Texas, can raise complicated legal issues involving liability. Contact McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with an Austin truck accident lawyer to discuss your crash and the arguments we can raise to pursue compensation from the trucking company.
Visit Our Truck Accident Law Office in Austin, TX
502 W 14th St,
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-0222
