Brake failure can cause devastating car or truck crashes. Frequently, brakes fail with no notice, leaving the helpless driver trying to crash in the least harmful way possible. However, in some cases, the driver may have had enough notice that her brakes were faulty that she should have gotten them fixed and avoided the wreck. The liability for a brake failure accident depends largely on which of those scenarios occurred. If you were injured when the brakes on a vehicle failed, you will want to speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible to get you on the path to recovering compensation. 

What Are the Two Types of Liability After a Brake Failure Crash? 

Depending on the facts of your case, there are a handful of parties who could ultimately be responsible for the crash - and liable for damages. After your attorney investigates and has a better understanding of what caused the brakes to fail, he or she may bring your claim under either a products liability theory, negligence theory, or both. It is also possible to file a claim against - and recover compensation from - more than one party, if some combination of a defective product and a person’s negligence contributed to the crash. 

Driver negligence can contribute to or cause brake failure if the driver knew that her brakes were faulty, but failed to make repairs. If there was no defect with the brakes and they were simply worn down and overdue for replacement, the driver might be completely responsible under negligence law. A mechanic could also be liable under a negligence theory if they carelessly installed or repaired the brakes, and that caused them to fail 

Working in the oil or gas industry is dangerous no matter what, but appropriate safety precautions can prevent accidental injuries and deaths in the oil fields or on oil rigs. When you are working in an already dangerous career, it is doubly important that your employer takes all the necessary safety measures to protect the lives and health of everyone on the job site. When they do not, fires and explosions can result and workers can be seriously injured or killed. If you were hurt by a fire or explosion in an oil field, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to find out if you may be entitled to compensation. 

What Are the Common Causes of Fires and Explosions in the Oil and Gas Industries? 

Fires and explosions are two of the biggest dangers in the oil and gas industries. They can happen very suddenly and be devastating. Common causes include: 

• Low Ventilation - When people are working with flammable gases, a job site must have adequate ventilation in good working order to prevent that gas from building up and potentially combusting. 

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If you were in a car accident caused by a mechanical failure or unsafe vehicle, you may be wondering whether a mechanic or auto shop could be responsible. In Texas, if a mechanic’s negligence made a vehicle unsafe to drive, which resulted in an accident, the mechanic may be liable for injuries resulting from that crash. If you were hurt in a car accident that you believe was a result of a mechanical defect, contact an attorney as soon as you can after the accident. Crashes that involve a mechanical failure require prompt investigation to preserve evidence. 

What Types of Negligence by a Mechanic Can Result in a Car Accident? 

Mechanics and auto shops have a duty to either make sure your vehicle is safe to drive before they return it to you, or warn you that it is not safe to drive. Auto shop customers can reasonably expect that their mechanic has safely repaired their vehicle before returning it. Unfortunately, sometimes mechanics or their staff members make mistakes or even act in a manner that shows disregard for the safety of their customers. 

Here are some situations where negligence on the part of a mechanic or auto body shop could cause a car accident: 

Most of the time, car accidents take place because one or more drivers act negligently, such as by committing traffic violations, behaving aggressively, or failing to follow the correct safety precautions while behind the wheel. Victims of car wrecks, who may suffer serious injuries and extensive property damage, may take steps to pursue financial compensation from a negligent driver who caused a collision. Distracted driving is one of the most common forms of driver negligence, and it can significantly increase the chances that a driver will collide with other vehicles or strike a pedestrian or bicyclist.

Dangers of Distracted Driving

There are many different distractions that can affect drivers. Some of these distractions are well-known, and many states have passed laws meant to prevent these types of behaviors. For example, Texas law states that texting or sending electronic messages while driving is illegal. A person who uses a cell phone or another device to read or send messages may be charged with a misdemeanor offense, and they may face fines or other penalties.

There are multiple other issues that can cause distractions for a driver, and anything that causes a person to look away from the road or divert their attention from driving can be very dangerous. These distractions may include eating and drinking, looking in a mirror to adjust makeup or hair, shaving, making adjustments to a vehicle’s radio or other controls, talking with passengers, reaching for objects on a car’s seats or floor, turning around to deal with children in the vehicle, or even talking on the phone while using a hands-free device.

Anyone who suffered the sudden death of a close relative knows just how devastating it can be. Losing a loved one is exceptionally tragic when the death was preventable. If your spouse, parent, child, or other family member died in a truck collision, you may be shocked and unsure of what to do.

Texas law allows immediate family members to sue when another party’s negligent or wrongful actions causes the death of their loved one. A truck crash wrongful death lawsuit cannot bring back your loved one, but it may provide the financial compensation you need while holding the at-fault party accountable for the terrible tragedy.

Truck Accident Wrongful Death Cases in Texas

The term “wrongful death” refers to a death caused by reckless conduct, neglect, unlawful actions, or negligent failure to act. Wrongful death lawsuits are similar to personal injury lawsuits, but they are brought on the deceased person’s behalf by another individual. In Texas, a surviving spouse, parent, or child may bring a wrongful death claim. If there are no immediate family members, the executor of the deceased person’s estate may file a wrongful death claim.