Another day, another car accident in Austin. Although there are many things to love about our city, traffic safety is unfortunately not one of them. A recent collision in Southwest Austin is another reminder that motorists must be as careful as possible when out on the road, otherwise they could end up in a wreck.
According to KXAN, a woman died in a collision that took place at the 6000 block of West William Cannon Drive. The accident also injured a man in his 50s and another woman whose injuries were fortunately not life threatening. The man and woman were transferred to the hospital for continuing treatment.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
The motorist’s death is tragic and probably preventable. Although we don’t know the reasons for the collision in West William Cannon Drive, far too many accidents stem from negligent or reckless driving. When accidents like these occur, innocent people are left behind to mourn their family members.
Fortunately, you might be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. This is a type of civil lawsuit for monetary compensation that a surviving spouse, child, or parent can bring in court. The crux of the claim is that the defendant’s carelessness or other wrongful act caused the death, so the defendant should be legally liable.
If successful, you can receive compensation for many different losses, such as:
- Loss of support
- Loss of care
- Lost earnings capacity
- Loss of love, comfort, society, and companionship
- Lost inheritance
The amount of compensation will depend on a case by case basis, so meet with a lawyer to go over the specifics of your claim.
Please Practice Safe Driving
We all owe a duty to each other to drive as safely as we can to reduce the number of tragic accidents on our roads. To that end, you should make safe driving a priority every time you get behind the wheel of a car:
- Follow all traffic signals. You should never run a red light.
- Remember to yield the right of way to other vehicles trying to merge or to pedestrians that are already in the crosswalk. Failure to yield leads to many accidents each year, which can be deadly.
- Drive safely depending on the conditions. The speed limit is not a suggested minimum. Instead, it represents the fastest you should go when conditions are perfect. If there is rain or sleet, then slow down.
- Get enough sleep before driving. Driving while drowsy is about as bad as driving while intoxicated. If you feel you are falling asleep, pull off the road.
- Don’t text and drive. Texting also impairs a driver and makes it harder for you to see vehicles and pedestrians.
If necessary, you should take a defensive driving course so you can brush up on your skills. The more confident you are handling your vehicle, the more skilled you will be at avoiding collisions.
Injured in a Wreck? Contact Us
DJC Law represents injured drivers and passengers involved in car accidents. If you have been injured, or if you lost a loved one in a car accident, give us a call. We can talk with you about your legal rights and file any necessary lawsuit.
Call us today, 512-888-9999, or send us an online message.
