Posted on December 09, 2020 in Uncategorized

A Texas driver is facing intoxication manslaughter charges after a car wreck last month that killed three passengers and seriously injured another driver. Since the crash, prosecutors have become aware of a live video posted to social media in the minutes before the accident in which the defendant appears to be drinking a beer while behind the wheel. Evidence such as this can be valuable not only in a criminal proceeding but also in a personal injury case seeking compensation from an at-fault driver.

Gathering Evidence For Your Personal Injury Claim

Certainly, not every negligent driver will record video evidence that would seem to point directly to the negligent behavior in question. However, if you have been injured due to the actions of another driver, a personal injury attorney may be able to use evidence from the driver’s social media to contribute to your case for compensation. Other important forms of evidence your lawyer can help you gather and present may include:

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 Posted on November 27, 2020 in Uncategorized

While some rear-end collisions are minor fender benders, others can result in severe injuries for the people involved, as a recent case in San Antonio demonstrates. This month, a woman was killed on Highway 281 after her car was rear-ended by a speeding driver, with the force of the impact pushing her 300 feet. The driver in question is now facing charges of intoxication manslaughter. If you or a loved one is injured in a rear-end collision, it is important to know how you can hold a negligent driver accountable.

Common Contributing Factors in Rear-End Crashes

Speeding is a common factor in many rear-end accidents, as it makes it more difficult for the driver to slow down or change course in time to avoid the crash. The intoxicating effects of alcohol are also a factor in many cases, impairing the driver’s physical and mental abilities and making it harder for the driver to notice or react to a sudden need to stop. However, these are far from the only examples of negligent behavior that may be involved in a rear-end crash. Others include:

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 Posted on November 25, 2020 in Uncategorized

This Thanksgiving may look different from past years, with many people taking extra precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, those who choose to travel to spend time with their families will likely still be contending with the increased risk of car accidents that holiday weekend traffic tends to bring. As you prepare to travel, you should take care to drive safely, and know what you can do if you are injured in an accident.

Car Crash Statistics on Thanksgiving Weekend

Multiple sources report that Thanksgiving weekend comes with an increased risk of fatal accidents, with hundreds of fatalities occurring each year nationwide. Part of the reason for this is the higher number of people traveling longer distances to spend time with family. Alcohol is also a contributing factor when people take to the road after a Thanksgiving celebration, and depending on the year and the location, inclement weather can also lead to dangerous driving conditions.

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 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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