In August, a 2009 ford pickup heading south on Texas Highway 36 drifted over the center line and into the path of a north-bound Exxon mobile tanker. The tanker driver was not injured but the pickup driver died on site. Though 18-wheeler accidents are notorious for causing severe personal injury and wrongful death, this particular accident is one example which proves that truck drivers are not always the ones at fault.

Naturally, in states like Texas where the roads are highly populated with 18-wheeler traffic, safe driving is of the utmost importance for everyone sharing the roads. The pickup driver is suspected of falling asleep at the wheel or paying attention to his cell phone instead of the road but the accident could just as easily have been caused by a mechanical defect or poor road maintenance.

When an 80,000 lb metal-mass collides with a 5,000 lb metal-mass while both are traveling at high speeds, the results are anything but pretty. Rather, the outcome usually involves an assortment of serious injuries and possible fatalities. Truck drivers are trained and licensed especially for the special class of vehicles they operate, just as all drivers are trained and licensed for the standard class of vehicles we operate. Even though safety is a responsibility shared by everyone behind the wheel, tragic accidents are still too common.

The victims of severe auto accidents and 18-wheeler accidents deserve to be compensated for their losses. Since fault and liability must be proven before compensation can be granted, these victims should seek a skilled Texas truck accident lawyer to protect their rights. Call Shaw Cowart LLP  today for a consultation with an experienced Austin 18-wheeler accidents attorney.

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According to a state audit of the Texas Department of Transportation, the average number of auto accident fatalities in Texas has fallen every year between 2006 and 2012. In 2006 the death rate was 1.5 deaths per 100 million miles driven and in 2010 the death rate had dropped about 15 percent to 1.29 deaths per million miles driven.  National fatality rates decreased by about 22 percent in the same amount of time – from 1.42 in 2006 to  1.11 in 2012. A state-by-state comparison of 2009 data showed that Texas was the 16th most-dangerous state for drivers that year.

While decreased fatality rates are a blessing, one cannot deny that traffic-related deaths are higher than they should be. Airbags, increased awareness of safe driving, and strengthened traffic-law enforcement have all helped to make the roads safer and keep those death rates on the decline. However, traffic fatalities are still too common and are often associated with correctable driver behavior, such as driving under the influence, texting while driving, speeding, and disregarding traffic signals.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign dramatically increased seat-belt usage in Texas, rising from 74 percent in 2001 to 94 percent in 2011. In regard to Texas’ higher fatality rates, the Texas Department of Transportation mentions the lack of more rigid laws for distracted driving, as are enforced in some states with lower fatality rates. In areas like Austin, Texas where an abundance of 18-wheeler and Semi Truck traffic only serves to increase the potential risk for severe auto accidents, it is even more important for motor vehicle drivers to practice top-notch safety standards.

If you or a loved one suffered severe auto accident injuries, you deserve a Texas accident lawyer who understands your suffering and knows how to help you receive the justice you deserve. Let us help you fight for a brighter future. Call Shaw Cowart LLP today for a consultation with our Austin severe auto accident attorneys.

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On Saturday, August 25^th, Venezuela’s largest oil refinery suffered a devastating explosion when a natural gas leak ignited shortly after 1:00 a.m. in Caracas. The oil refinery accident’s blast caused severe damages to nearby homes, businesses, and an adjacent National Guard post. Almost 90 people were injured while 26 people were killed. Of those killed by the explosion, 17 were National Guardsmen and one was a 10-year-old boy. Surviving inhabitants of surrounding neighborhoods either fled or were evacuated.

Although an investigation is underway and the cause of the tragedy is still unknown, some have speculated that the seemingly-increasing frequency of these incidents suggests worrisome issues within the state-run company (i.e. insufficient maintenance and/or inadequate management). Sadly, the international oil industry has grown accustomed to regular accidents and shutdowns. While the market usually experiences little to no impact, devastating refinery accidents continue to endanger the lives of oil industry workers across the globe.

Given the inherently dangerous nature of refinery work, related accidents can understandably result in severe personal injury. Victims may be subject to burns, paralysis, brain damage, or death. The employers, property owners, co-workers, or manufacturers responsible for refinery worksite accidents deserve to be held responsible for their liability.  Far too often, oil refinery accidents are traced back to the negligence of employers or co-workers to follow standardized training and operational safety procedures. Negligent behavior, which leads to catastrophic worksite accidents, should not go unpunished in any part of the world.

If you or a loved one suffered personal injury or death caused by a Texas oil refinery accident, you need an experienced Austin worksite accident lawyer to help you obtain just compensation. Our skilled Austin accident attorneys fight to protect the rights of personal injury and wrongful death victims. Contact Shaw Cowart LLP today for the premium legal representation you deserve.

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