Did a Broken Barrier Contribute to the Recent Fatal Accident on Research?

A California family was devastated in November after a car accident on Research Boulevard took the lives of the father, mother and young son. The mother and son died at the scene, while the father was hospitalized and died after being taken off life support. The only survivor, a young girl, survived with non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation found that the driver of the Jeep that crossed the cable median and struck the family’s Fiat had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .203, more than double the legal limit.

A recent report shows that the cable barrier, which failed to stop the Jeep from crossing over, had been damaged earlier in the day. Around 8 a.m., TxDOT received a report of a crash into the barrier in the same area as the fatal crash later in the day. Crews responded to the scene of the first crash and placed reflective cones in front of the barrier as well as signs to warn drivers that the barrier was damaged. This did not stop the allegedly drunk driver from plowing through the damaged barrier and into the family’s Fiat. Though the barrier was damaged, that does not necessarily mean that the crash would have been prevented if it had not been.

What Do I Do If I Lose a Loved One to a Drunk Driver in Austin?

Losing a loved one is never easy. This is especially true when the death occurs due to a senseless, negligent act like drunk driving. Our law firm has decades of experience representing the loved ones of drunk driving accident victims. The death of a loved one, in addition to the grief and mourning, can leave a family unable to take care of necessary expenses. Our law firm can help you fight for damages you are owed, including lost wages, pain and suffering, medical and funeral expenses, loss of consortium and more so that you can focus your time and effort into what is really important – taking care of your family.