Bicyclist & 18-Wheeler Accident in Austin
Bicyclist & 18-Wheeler Accident in Austin by Austin Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer Justin A. Hill
One important, and often overlooked, part of highway safety is the presence of pedestrians, bicyclists, and others not driving vehicles. For example, a lot of coverage has been given to the blind spots of vehicles that are reversing. Technologies, such as back up cameras and sensors, have been introduced to address this potentially deadly condition. The fact remains that size disparities, blind spots, speed differences and other variables cause extreme disparities by those using the roadways. An accident between one of the largest objects on the road, an 18-wheeler, and one of the smallest, a bicycles, accentuates this point. From News8 Austin:
An woman riding a bicycle was critically injured Monday morning. According to Emergency Medical Services, she was pinned under an 18 wheeler. The accident occurred on FM 620 and US Highway 183. Paramedics rescued her from under the vehicle and transported her to Round Rock Hospital. News 8 crews are on the way to the scene. Stay with News 8 Austin for more on this developing story.
The Blotter, from the Austin American Statesman reports:
A bicyclist was critically injured Monday morning in a crash on FM 620 at El Salido Parkway that left her pinned under an 18-wheeler, according to Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services spokesman Warren Hassinger. The female cyclist has a critical leg injury and was being transported to a hospital in Round Rock, EMS said. The crash, in Williamson County, also resulted in a traffic mess in both directions on FM 620, Hassinger said.
Every year, Texas experiences a large number of dangerous, and potentially deadly, accidents involving large combination tractor-trailers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, truck-related highway fatalities totaled 4,229 in 2008. If someone you know was injured or killed as the result of an 18-wheeler accident, big rig accident or tractor-trailer accident, encourage them to immediately contact a competent attorney for advice. It is extremely important to do this quickly to ensure that evidence is preserved, statements are taken, and the rights of all claimants are protected.
