Texas Accident & Injury News
Even low-speed accidents can have devastating consequences for pedestrians.
52-Year-Old Man Dead After Falling and Becoming Pinned Between Two Vehicles on the East Side
According to a News4SanAntonio report, a man is dead after a tragic accident Tuesday morning on the East Side.¹
Police reported the accident happened at around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 11th, in the 3600 block of East Houston Street near East Commerce.
A 52-year-old man was standing on top of a truck when it shifted, causing him to fall and become pinned between two vehicles. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
His identity has not yet been released. No further details were immediately available.
Did You Know?
According to CDC data, 47,026 people died from falls in 2023, making falls one of the leading causes of accidental death in the United States.²
Non-Traffic Accidents: How Serious Injuries Can Happen Off the Road
When we hear that someone was seriously injured or killed in an accident involving a vehicle, most of us picture a crash on the highway.
But vehicles can cause devastating injuries even when they aren’t being driven in normal traffic.
Someone may be struck by a vehicle backing through a parking lot, pinned between two cars, injured while loading a truck, or hurt when a parked vehicle unexpectedly rolls or shifts.
These incidents are often referred to as non-traffic motor vehicle accidents, and they can be every bit as serious as collisions on public roads.
What Is a Non-Traffic Vehicle Accident?
Generally, a non-traffic accident involves a motor vehicle outside ordinary roadway traffic.
That can include incidents in:
- Parking lots and garages
- Driveways
- Construction sites
- Warehouses and loading areas
- Private property
- Farms and ranches
- Work yards and commercial properties
Some involve a vehicle that is actively moving. Others happen while a vehicle is parked, being repaired, loaded, unloaded, or used as part of a job.
That unpredictability is part of what makes them dangerous. Someone standing beside a parked truck may not think of themselves as being in the path of a serious vehicle accident.
A Parked Vehicle Isn’t Always a Stationary Vehicle
One of the biggest hazards around trucks and cars is unexpected movement.
A vehicle may appear secure but begin rolling if the parking brake isn’t properly engaged, the transmission isn’t fully in park, or the vehicle is sitting on an incline.
Larger trucks can also shift when weight is added, removed, or redistributed during loading or unloading.
Before climbing onto or working around a vehicle, make sure it is properly secured. Depending on the situation, wheel chocks or other safety equipment may also be necessary.
And whenever possible, avoid standing between vehicles or between a vehicle and another fixed object. If something moves unexpectedly, there may be no safe way out.
Short Falls Can Still Cause Severe Injuries
You don’t have to fall from a roof or tall ladder to suffer a life-threatening injury.
A fall from the bed, cab, or top of a truck can result in a person striking pavement, metal equipment, or another vehicle with significant force.
Possible injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Chest and abdominal trauma
The danger increases when the fall is followed by a second impact, such as becoming trapped or crushed between heavy objects.
Whenever elevated work is necessary, it’s safer to use equipment designed for climbing and standing rather than relying on bumpers, tires, truck beds, or other unstable surfaces.
Why Crush and Caught-Between Accidents Are So Dangerous
Some of the most severe non-traffic vehicle injuries happen when a person becomes trapped between a vehicle and another object.
These are sometimes called crush or caught-between accidents.
They can happen when a vehicle unexpectedly:
- Rolls forward or backward
- Shifts during loading or unloading
- Backs into someone outside the driver’s view
- Moves while a person is working underneath or beside it
Because vehicles weigh thousands of pounds, even a very small amount of movement can create tremendous force.
Clear communication is especially important whenever people are working around vehicles. Drivers should confirm that everyone is accounted for before moving, while workers on foot should never assume a driver can see them simply because they’re nearby.
Who May Be Responsible After a Non-Traffic Vehicle Accident?
Liability depends on exactly how the accident occurred.
Some incidents are simply tragic accidents. Others may involve negligence, defective equipment, unsafe work procedures, inadequate training, or a vehicle that was not properly secured.
An investigation may need to determine:
- Who controlled or moved the vehicle
- Whether the vehicle was properly parked and secured
- Whether defective equipment contributed
- Whether workplace safety procedures were followed
- Whether another company or contractor played a role
When the accident happens at work, the legal issues can become even more complicated. Workers’ compensation may apply in some cases, while a separate claim may be possible if a third party contributed to the injury.
Because these accidents don’t fit neatly into the usual idea of a car crash, identifying the correct insurance coverage and responsible parties may take a closer investigation.
Injured in a Non-Traffic Vehicle Accident? Call Shaw.
Serious accidents involving parked, loading, or work vehicles can raise complicated questions about how the incident happened and who may be responsible. Important evidence can include surveillance footage, maintenance records, workplace policies, witness statements, and the condition of the vehicle itself.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a non-traffic vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Future Medical Care
- Permanent Disability
- Funeral and Burial Expenses
- Wrongful Death Damages
- And More
We’ll help you find out for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to learn more about your legal options. There are no fees, no obligations, and no pressure—just straightforward legal guidance when you need it most.
We look forward to serving you.