Texas A&M engineers began tests on new barriers for the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in mid-December 2014. Their testing included creating a replica of a 150-foot section of the Causeway barrier, which will allow them to conduct live vehicle testing in College Station. The tests are the result of efforts to make the Causeway safer after recent accidents in which motorists have gone overboard. Two such accidents occurred in November alone.
It is thought that while the testing can help with the Causeway safety, the result may be useful for drivers all over the world. If these tests are successful, they could result in all highway bridges built in the 20th Century being retrofitted with new barriers to make them safer.
Facts About 18-Wheelers
Accidents involving 18-wheelers cause much of the serious injury and death on Texas roads. In part, this is because of higher trucking traffic on roads near oil fields. Trucking accidents also cause more than 10 percent of the deaths on highways nationwide. The majority of these accidents occur on roads in rural areas. These vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and may take the length of a football field to achieve a complete stop. Given these facts, anyone who has been injured in a Texas trucking accident will need legal representation. The right legal representative will be a personal injury lawyer who is familiar with truck accidents as well as the laws that govern them. The right attorney can ensure that the victim gets a fair settlement for their injuries.
Texas Statute of Limitations
As in every other state, an individual who has been injured in a car accident in Texas will have a limited time in which to file suit. This limited period varies from state to state and in Texas, it is two years. The two years starts on the date of the accident, which means that it is a good idea for victims to file suit as soon as possible. The accident investigation process can be time-consuming and two years can elapse quickly.
Injuries from Truck Accidents
There is a significant weight difference between an 18-wheeler and a car, SUV or motorcycle. This means that when an accident occurs, serious injury or death will occur in the majority of cases. The cost of medical treatment in cases where an accident victim has suffered spinal trauma or brain injuries is typically very high. Victims will need compensation that will help them to recover and to move on with their lives.
While steps like installing new barriers on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway are important to improving driver safety, truck accidents do happen. When they do, it is important that those who have been injured quickly take steps to seek compensation.
