Who Is Responsible If a Truck Causes a Pileup on I-35?

 Posted on March 25, 2025 in Car Accidents

A stretch of I-35 between Tech Ridge Boulevard and Wells Branch Parkway in Austin has been the scene of 10 fatal crashes since 2022, resulting in a total of 14 deaths. The most recent accident there happened on March 13th, 2025, with five fatalities and 11 people injured. The I-35 pileup spread almost a tenth of a mile and included a diesel spill and debris strewn on the roadway. The at-fault driver may have been intoxicated.

A single negligent driver error can affect countless lives. While we hope you remain safe, our experienced New Braunfels, TX truck accident lawyer can help you with a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Examining a Truck-Caused Pileup and its Impacts

At least 17 vehicles were involved in the March 13th pileup. According to reports, the driver who began the chain-reaction crash was driving a tractor-trailer carrying Amazon cargo. However, the driver was not employed by Amazon; he worked for a third-party freight carrier contracted by the global giant. This other company reportedly performed a background check before hiring the driver, with no negative findings. An Amazon spokesperson added that any contractor the company utilizes must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) standards.

The driver in question has been charged with two counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle involving serious bodily injury and five counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. Three adults died in the collision, along with one infant and one child. Four adults sustained minor injuries, and four more had life-threatening injuries. Two additional children had minor injuries, and another’s injuries were potentially life-threatening.

Is a Truck’s Driver the Only One at Fault for Truck Crashes?

Commercial truck accident investigations are much more complicated than car wreck inquiries. While a semi’s driver may be at fault, other parties could share that liability, including:

• The truck’s owner or leasing company

• The trucking company

• Cargo loaders

• Manufacturers of defective parts 

• Government agencies responsible for poor road design or unrepaired road defects

Dram shop laws could also apply, potentially making the establishment that sold or served an alcoholic beverage to a drunk driver liable for the harm the driver caused. If the trucking company is a third-party contractor, the company that hired the contractor could share fault through vicarious liability.

In chain-reaction crashes, other drivers may also share fault. Although the scene may look like one huge wreck, it results from a series of individual collisions. An in-depth investigation must determine the fault for each accident. For complex wrecks, accident reconstruction could be necessary.

Determining fault is crucial for establishing liability and responsibility for paying your damages. Compensation could cover accident-related financial losses and the impact on your quality of life. Wrongful death claims may provide additional damages. Your lawyer will fight on your behalf for the highest available amount.

Call Our Skilled Comal County, TX Truck Accident Lawyer

Whether you are involved in a truck accident, multiple-vehicle pileup, or another type of crash, you need a determined New Braunfels, TX personal injury lawyer from The Bettersworth Law Firm who will fight aggressively on your behalf. Call us at 830-606-0404 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation.