Paul Mullen Died In Austin Box Truck Accident By The Intersection of South Congress Avenue and Industrial Boulevard
AUSTIN, TEXAS (October 10, 2022) – A man identified as Paul Mullen has tragically died in an Austin Penske box truck accident by South Congress Avenue and Industrial Boulevard.
Travis County officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:54 p.m. on Friday, September 30. Paul Mullen was walking when he was hit by a yellow Penske box truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Sadly, Paul Mullen was pronounced dead at the scene.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Austin Truck Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in truck accidents. According to the National Safety Council, “in 2020, 107,000 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in an injury, a 10% decrease from 2019. Since 2016, the number of trucks involved in fatal crashes has increased 5% and the involvement rate per 100 million large truck miles driven has remained steady at 35.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a truck accident.
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
Depending on the specific facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for any truck accident. All truck drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. According to Texas Transportation Code 545, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what would be reasonable and prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. When a driver fails to reduce their speed and strikes a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
In general, companies like Penske or U-Haul that rent trucks are not liable for the negligent actions of the people that they rent to due to the passage of the Grave’s Amendment. However, there are certain situations where a rental company could be liable for the accident of someone who rented their vehicle. A rental company could be liable for an accident if they negligently entrusted their vehicle to someone who was unqualified to use it. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be reviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that is killed in an Austin truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Sadly, though, truck companies will often work hard to deny liability for any accident. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating An Austin Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Paul Mullen. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about an Austin truck accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
