Unusual Texas Cold Weather Highlights Failures in Infrastructure – Transportation

A few weeks ago, there was a horrible pileup accident in Fort Worth, Texas. The incident was associated with the extreme conditions facing the entire state. The accident occurred at about six in the morning on Thursday, February 11, 2021 on Interstate 35W. The pileup crash affected over 130 vehicles. It resulted in at least six deaths and multiple hospitalizations.

Although a main factor of the incident was the freezing weather conditions sweeping the area, many people are blaming the relevant transportation agencies for failing to keep the roads safe. The failures of the transportation agencies became apparent; other agencies have also faced the wrath of the public – but that is another topic entirely.

Some people affected by the pileup incident a few weeks ago are exploring their legal options, and some of them will be able to file claims against the city transportation agencies for their failure to keep roads safe and their contribution to the pileup.

Are you interested in learning more about your right to sue a city transportation agency for an incident associated with unsafe roads? If so, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at Lone Star Injury Law Firm as soon as possible. Our lawyers are ready to guide you every step of the way and provide you with the guidance that you need to pursue a claim and reach a positive claim outcome.

The Duty of Care Owed to Drivers

City transportation agencies have a duty to ensure that their roads remain safe for drivers. In extreme weather conditions, including snowy and frozen roads, city transportation agencies must take the appropriate preventative measures as well as follow-up measures to keep roads safe. For instance, agencies must plow snowy roads and salt or sand icy or frozen roads. In general, transportation agencies pre-treat roads to prevent hazardous conditions and then spot-treat as needed. If transportation agencies fail to keep their roads safe, they are breaching their duty of care towards drivers and can directly contribute to dangerous incidents – such as the pileup accident mentioned above.

Can You Sue?

Do you have the right to pursue a claim? If you or a member of your family suffered harm as a direct result of the negligent actions of a transportation agency (i.e., if the agency failed to keep roads safe), you could have grounds to sue. Depending on the details surrounding the incident and the harm suffered, you could pursue an injury claim or even a wrongful death claim. If you are interested in learning more about your right to sue, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our firm immediately. Our lawyers are ready to help you pursue your lawsuit.

About Your Right to Recover Compensation Based on the details surrounding your claim, you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for the harm resulting from the incident. If your claim is successful, you could recover some of the types of compensation listed below:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of consortium
  • Punitive damages
  • Attorney’s fees

Are you interested in learning more about the potential value of your claim and the type/amount of compensation that you could be eligible to receive? If so, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our firm as soon as possible. Our lawyers are ready to not only evaluate your claim to help you understand the compensation that you could receive, but also to aggressively fight for the compensation that you are owed. Contact us today.

Consider the Following Recommendations

After your incident, there are a number of things that you must do to prepare to pursue your claim. Some of the steps that victims and their families should follow include the following:

  • Photograph all visible injuries (both before and after treatment)
  • Seek medical care as soon as possible
  • Photograph the scene of the accident (the hazard that caused the incident should be clear)
  • Photograph property damage resulting from the incident
  • Gather the insurance information of all parties involved
  • File an accident report with the local authorities (request a copy of your report)
  • Speak to witnesses (collect their contact information)
  • Gather any video footage that captured the incident (footage from dashcams or surveillance cameras, for instance)
  • Gather all relevant medical records
  • Gather all relevant records of property damage
  • Gather any records of lost earnings associated with the incident
  • Contact an attorney with experience in claims against city agencies immediately

If you are ever in need of guidance, do not hesitate to contact the experts at our firm immediately. Our Texas lawyers are ready to guide you every step of the way.

The Statute of Limitations

All claims are subject to a statute of limitations which establishes the total length of time that claimants have to sue. If claimants do not file their claims on time, they could lose their right to sue. In general, personal injury claims in Texas are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. However, claims against government entities, such as a city transportation agency, are subject to much stricter deadlines. Although government claims are generally subject to a six-month deadline, this can vary significantly based on the municipality. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the deadline that applies to your claim, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with our experts immediately.

Contact Lone Star Injury Law Firm

If you are ready to pursue a claim against the negligent transportation agency that contributed to the incident that harmed you or a member of your family, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our firm immediately. At Lone Star Injury Law Firm our lawyers are ready to guide you every step of the way and help you pursue your claim. Would you like to discuss your claim with the experts at our firm? If so, do not hestiate to contact us at your earliest convenience.

You will be able to benefit from our consultations and second opinions. Regardless of whether you are interested in beginning or continuing your claim, you can trust that our lawyers are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to pursue your claim. Whether you are suing for an incident that occurred in El Paso, Texas or anywhere else in the state, you can trust our lawyers to help you win.

Contact us today to discuss your claim with the injury attorneys at Lone Star Injury Law Firm.

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