Who’s responsible for an accident when a car breaks down?
Vehicle Stopped in the Road Struck by Semi-truck, Woman Hospitalized in Critical Condition
According to a KSAT News report, a woman was hospitalized after a major accident on the East Side last week.
Police reported the accident happened at around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18th, on Loop 410 near the East Houston Street exit. Police say that an unidentified car was stopped in the middle of the highway before it was rear-ended by a semi-truck. A woman believed to be in her 20s was inside the vehicle and was unresponsive when extracted by EMS. The truck driver remained at the scene, cooperated with police, and was later taken to the hospital. The highway was closed for several hours due to a fuel spill as a result of the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
Did You Know?
There have been 12,231 crashes involving large trucks in Texas so far in 2024.
Who’s Responsible When a Broken Down Car Causes an Accident in Texas?
Very few experiences are as dangerous and nerve-racking as being stranded on the side of the road (or in the middle of the highway).
When a broken-down car is involved in a crash, who is to blame can be confusing. There are many factors that determine who is responsible for a broken-down vehicle accident — if you were injured in a broken-down vehicle, you should talk to an attorney about your case.
What Causes Broken-down Vehicle Accidents?
There are many scenarios that can disable a vehicle, such as:
- Flat Tires,
- Bad Gas/Incorrect Gas,
- Electrical Issues,
- And Engines Overheating.
If they are able to, drivers should pull over to the right or left shoulder and turn on their hazard lights to warn other drivers. If unable to pull over, drivers should turn on their hazard lights and call for help.
Determining Liability
You always have a responsibility to keep other drivers safe. When your vehicle breaks down, this entails pulling over and properly alerting other drivers to the danger. Failure to do this, and other factors like:
- Knowing your vehicle was at risk of breaking down but driving it anyway,
- Failing to fully move your vehicle to the shoulder if you had the ability to,
- Failing to properly warn other drivers with hazard lights and hand signals if you had the opportunity,
can potentially make you liable for the accident.
However, if you took all the necessary precautions and were struck by a careless, distracted, or drunk driver, you will likely not be held responsible for the accident. Additionally, if your car became disabled because of construction debris on the roadway or a bad repair job, other third parties may also bear responsibility for your accident.
Every accident is unique. If you want to know for sure about liability in your accident, you can talk to an experienced car accident attorney about your case for free by calling Shaw today.
Injured in a Broken-down Vehicle Accident in Texas? Call Shaw.
If you were hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Property Damage,
- Medical Bills,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Missed Work,
- Loss of Earning Capacity,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw for your accident at 800-862-1260 to talk to an experienced car accident attorney about your case. No fees, no obligations, just expert legal advice. We put our clients first because we care. We look forward to serving you.