Roadways are often dangerous areas, especially when combined with driving at night or poor lighting conditions and car accidents are often the results. Motor vehicle crashes are caused by a range of factors with various degrees of fault, stemming from poor visibility and inadequately maintained roadways to drunk or distracted drivers. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the crash or fault of the driver, serious injuries frequently occur, as illustrated by a recent fatal car accident in Texas.
In Harris County, Texas, a car rear-ended a man on a motorized bicycle. The bike rider was traveling on the road when he was struck. The driver of the car stayed with the injured man and blocked him from traffic. However, the injured bicyclist died from the injuries he sustained at the accident scene.
Dark Roads Can Contribute to Fatal Accidents—but May Limit Driver Liability
In this case, the driver states he is unable to see the bicyclist due to glare from oncoming headlights combined with the roadway’s dark conditions. The two-lane road where the collision occurs has no streetlights, a factor investigators identify as a significant contributor to the crash. Reports from the past two years show that more than 200 motor vehicle accidents have occurred on this same roadway, with excessive speed and inadequate lighting cited as common contributing factors.
After reviewing the circumstances, local law enforcement determines that the driver is not criminally at fault for the collision. The absence of street lighting and the poor visibility conditions play a central role in that determination, and no criminal charges are filed.
However, the lack of criminal liability does not necessarily eliminate civil liability. Under the Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, drivers may still be held financially responsible for damages resulting from a motor vehicle accident, even when no criminal wrongdoing is found.
Most Texas drivers satisfy this legal obligation by carrying automobile liability insurance. Texas law requires minimum coverage limits of $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage—commonly referred to as 30/60/25 coverage.
Motor vehicle accidents frequently result in serious injuries and, in some cases, fatalities. Even when criminal charges are not pursued, injured victims or surviving family members may still have the right to pursue compensation through a civil claim.
If you or a loved one is injured in a Texas automobile or bicycle accident, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal options and determine whether compensation may be available to hold the responsible parties accountable.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
