Texas roadways can be dangerous places, and every traveler, either by motor vehicle or on foot, is at risk for personal injury, especially if there are distracted, intoxicated drivers in the vicinity. When a spouse, a phone call brings news of a loved one’s sudden death in a motor vehicle collision, it not only sends a ripple of grief throughout a community but also often leads to litigation as well when there is evidence that another person’s negligence caused the death. A roadway in Austin became the scene of a tragedy on a recent Wednesday evening.
A collision occurred when a motorist reportedly struck a pedestrian in the roadway. Medics who were dispatched to the scene immediately began to render aid to the accident victim, including administering CPR. Sadly, their efforts were not successful; the pedestrian did not survive the incident.
As is typical following a motor vehicle collision, investigators responded to the scene and began gathering evidence as to what or who may have caused the fatal accident. The road was temporarily closed to traffic while investigators worked, and debris was cleared. It is not uncommon for such investigations to take weeks, even months to conclude.
If an immediate family member of a deceased Texas accident victim believes another person’s negligence caused a loved one’s death, a wrongful death claim filed against the party or parties deemed responsible may be appropriate. This type of litigation is often complex and stressful. The plaintiff in such cases is tasked with providing evidence to the court that the named defendant was negligent and that his or her negligence was the proximate cause of the fatal injuries suffered. An experienced personal injury law attorney can provide strong support to a grieving family member at every stage of the claims process.