The deaths and serious injuries on Texas roads continue to mount. According to Austin-Travis County EMS, a man riding a motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene of a terrible Texas motorcycle crash in Pflugerville at about 6 a.m. Monday morning.
How Did the Accident Occur?
The man riding the bike, who was thought to be in his 40s, was killed in a crash between his motorcycle and a tractor-trailer that morning as he was traveling on North Heatherwilde Blvd near State Highway 45. Pflugerville police are still investigating, but they are suggesting that the foggy weather present at the time may have been a factor. Witnesses said that the large truck was turning off a private driveway onto Heatherwilde Blvd and apparently did not see the motorcycle in the fog. According to some, visibility was about 150 feet. There was also construction going on in the area at the time, to widen Heatherwilde, which has been going on since February. As a result, the motorcycle ran right into the back of the truck.
Traffic Safety Tips for Bad Weather
The Pflugerville Police Department is reminding people to slow down when they encounter fog and they are encouraging them to also be extra alert in construction zones and to try to stay on roads that are well lit. Some have suggested that the area where the construction was going on was not adequately designed for traffic and that it may have been a factor as well. The city of Pflugerville has had that area of the road under review for some time, due to increased traffic volume. The road has a reputation for being dangerous at times because there is a bit of a curve and a blind spot for some drivers when they try to enter the freeway.
Texas Car Crash Statistics
With a booming population and other factors, Texas has become a dangerous place for drivers. In all, more than 3,500 people are killed on Texas roads every year, with the most common factors cited being speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and distracted driving. Statistically speaking, Texas sees a motor vehicle accident every 61 seconds, with one person injured every two minutes. Someone is killed in a car crash every 2 hours and 29 minutes in the state. The Texas fatal accident of 1.43 deaths were 100 million miles traveled is far higher than the national average of 1.28 deaths. Motorcycle accidents are also far too common, with 459 motorcycle riders and passengers killed n 2015 alone. Half of those who died were not wearing a helmet.
Call a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
In this case, the family of this motorcycle rider deserves a lot of answers, which means someone needs to conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances. It is necessary to look closely at the truck driver, the truck and the trucking company, because any or all may have been negligent. It is also necessary to examine the crash site and the construction zone, to see if that was set up properly and contained enough warnings and lights to keep everyone safe. If you or someone you love have been seriously injured in a crash involving a motorcycle and a commercial truck, please contact the Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at the Hill Law Firm as soon as possible, so that we can investigate everything. If someone was negligent, they should be held responsible. We have the knowledge and experience you need to help make things right.