Posted on November 20, 2020 in Uncategorized

In recent weeks, one San Antonio motorcyclist was killed in a hit-and-run accident involving erratic driving, and another died after laying his bike down in an attempt to avoid a collision. These deaths are part of a larger pattern in Texas, where over 400 motorcyclists lost their lives and over 1,800 were seriously injured in crashes in 2019. It is important for motorcyclists throughout the state to take all reasonable safety precautions to avoid injury or death and to know where to find help if they have been injured.

Reducing Risk of Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcyclists can take their safety into their own hands by taking important precautions. Some of the best ways to reduce injury risk include:

• Wearing a helmet: While helmets are not always effective at preventing injuries or saving lives, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that they saved more than 1,800 lives in 2017.

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 Posted on November 18, 2020 in Uncategorized

After a 12-hour period in late October in which there were four different car accidents involving pedestrians, San Antonio residents have voiced concerns about how common these accidents are in the area. In total, 46 pedestrians had been killed in San Antonio car accidents from the start of 2020 through October 23, according to local law enforcement. With this in mind, it is important that pedestrians and drivers alike take steps to reduce the risk of these accidents, and that they know where to turn for help if they are injured.

Causes of San Antonio Pedestrian Accidents

Of the four accidents mentioned above, in one case the victim was walking at night and wearing dark clothing, and in more than one case the victim was attempting to cross the street without a crosswalk. However, local residents suggest that drivers also contribute to the danger to pedestrians by failing to slow down even when there is a crosswalk.

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 Posted on November 13, 2020 in Uncategorized

In late October, a head-on collision in the northwest San Antonio area left at least two people dead, including the speeding driver who caused the crash and a child passenger in the vehicle that was struck. Unfortunately, serious injuries and fatalities are a frequent occurrence in head-on car crashes, leaving victims and their families struggling to respond to the damages.

The Dangers of Head-On Crashes

Head-on collisions are responsible for around 10 percent of annual accident fatalities despite the fact that they constitute a significantly smaller percentage of total accidents. Contributing factors to the severity of injuries in these accidents may include the high speeds at which they often occur and the fact that the point of impact is so close to where drivers and passengers are seated.

Head-on collisions tend to be caused by the dangerous and negligent behavior of at least one of the drivers involved. Examples of causes include:

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 Posted on November 11, 2020 in Uncategorized

After a 2018 accident in which a mother and daughter lost their lives on the way home from Austin City Limits, their surviving family members are petitioning for a law that would require 18-wheelers and other large trucks to take measures to increase their visibility. The family feels that this law could prevent similar collisions to the one that affected them, which involved a tanker truck at night. If passed, this law could give drivers injured in truck accidents another option for claiming negligence and pursuing compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.

Federal Regulations for Big-Rig Truck Drivers

Current Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations specify standards for headlights, taillights, brake lights, and reflectors depending on the type of commercial motor vehicle, and they also require that these lights be operable and unobstructed at all times. If an accident occurs because a truck does not follow these regulations, the driver and his or her employer may share responsibility for failing to install the proper equipment and inspect it to make sure it is working.

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 Posted on November 06, 2020 in Uncategorized

In early October, a man died after crashing into a tree because he swerved to avoid colliding with another vehicle. The accident, which happened in Austin near an I-35 exit, shows that crashing into another car is not the only way for serious injuries to occur. In some cases, another driver can be found at fault for your injuries even if he or she was not directly involved in your collision. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you establish liability in these often complicated cases.

When Can Another Driver Be Liable For a Single-Vehicle Crash?

In many single-car accidents, the driver of the vehicle that crashed is considered responsible, and there may not be a possibility of pursuing compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. However, this is not always the case. If the actions of another driver initiated the chain of events that led you to crash, they may be liable for your injuries. Possible situations when this could be the case include:

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 Posted on November 06, 2020 in Uncategorized

After a recent head-on car accident in San Antonio that resulted in injuries, one of the drivers involved confessed to being distracted because she was scrolling through Instagram. Reading social media while driving is one of many examples of a distraction that can lead to a serious accident, and in Texas, it can not only result in civil liability in a personal injury lawsuit, but also criminal charges.

Texas Prohibits the Use of Social Media While Driving

Under Texas law, drivers are not permitted to read, write, or send an electronic message while their vehicle is in motion. While texting may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an electronic message, the law makes it clear that any readable data transmitted through a wireless device in order to communicate with another person is considered an electronic message, which includes an email or a social media post, like those found on Instagram. A driver in violation of this law can be fined at least $25 for a first offense and can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor if the offense causes someone else’s death or serious injury.

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 Posted on October 30, 2020 in Uncategorized

Police officers often spend a significant portion of their day on the road, and as a recent Texas car crash demonstrates, this can put them at risk of injury. A Houston officer suffered a leg injury when another driver failed to yield the right of way at an intersection and collided with the officer’s vehicle. In the case of an on-the-job car accident such as this, an officer may be entitled to both workers’ compensation benefits and compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against a third party.

The Limits of Workers’ Compensation in Texas

Police officers and any other employees who are injured while driving on the job may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if their employer offers them, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, employers in Texas are not legally required to have workers’ compensation insurance, so these benefits may not always be available. Even when they are, they can only cover reasonable medical expenses and a portion of the employee’s weekly wages if he or she misses more than seven days of work due to the injury. In many cases, injury victims must look elsewhere to receive full compensation for their damages.

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 Posted on October 28, 2020 in Uncategorized

In Bexar County, a man was recently arrested for causing an accident involving six vehicles, resulting in one death and several serious injuries. At the time of the accident, the man was driving 40 miles per hour above the posted speed limit and had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.24, which is three times the legal limit. This tragic case is yet another example of how dangerous both speeding and drunk driving can be for everyone who uses Texas roadways.

The Effects of Speeding and Drunk Driving in Texas

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 3,610 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2019. Of that number, nearly 25 percent died in an accident involving alcohol, and nearly 20 percent died in an accident involving speeding. This is not to mention the thousands who were seriously injured.

In Texas, intoxication manslaughter, defined as causing the death of another person while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, is a second-degree felony that can result in a sentence of imprisonment for up to 20 years, a suspended driver’s license, and up to $10,000 in fines. However, this money is paid to the state and does little to directly help victims and their families.

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 Posted on October 23, 2020 in Uncategorized

Though you hope it never happens, you are probably aware that it is possible to get into a car accident any time you are on the road. However, most people do not expect to be the victim of a car accident while they are in the comfort of their own homes. Unfortunately, it is all too possible, as a recent accident in Austin illustrates. In late September, a driver crashed into a home near I-35 and 183 and then fled, abandoning the vehicle and leaving property damage and one person with minor injuries.

What Causes a Driver to Collide With a Home?

As unlikely as it seems, 60 drivers crash into buildings every day in the United States, and when it happens, a number of contributing factors may be involved. Some of the most common include:

• Drunk driving: An intoxicated driver whose judgment is severely impaired may lose control and swerve off of the road into a home or other building.

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 Posted on October 21, 2020 in Uncategorized

In a recent accident on Marbach Road and Harness Lane in San Antonio, a man was involved in a collision after running a red light and was thrown from his car, suffering a broken arm. The other driver left the scene without stopping and was later apprehended by the police. This accident brings up important questions related to negligence in Texas hit-and-run accidents and the ability of victims to pursue compensation.

Texas Hit-and-Run Accident Laws

Under Texas law, a driver involved in an accident is required to stop and return to the accident scene, provide contact and insurance information to the other driver, and provide reasonable assistance to anyone who needs medical attention. Failure to stop can result in misdemeanor charges for accidents resulting in only damage to the vehicle, and felony charges for accidents resulting in injuries or death. However, if you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you will need to file a civil lawsuit against the other driver in order to receive compensation from him or her.

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