Recent Blog Posts
Alcohol and Speed a Deadly Combination in San Marcos Car Wreck
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.
Police Searching for Austin Driver Who Crashed Into Home
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.
San Antonio Man Thrown from Car After Hit-and-Run Accident
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.
Brake Failure Contributes to I-35 Truck Accident
In September, one person died and another was injured after a semi-truck failed to stop at a red light after exiting I-35 in San Antonio. Police have reported that the truck’s brake failure was a factor in the accident. Unfortunately, accidents due to failing or malfunctioning truck equipment are not uncommon, and liability can be complex in these cases. If you have been injured in a truck accident caused by brake failure or improper maintenance, an experienced attorney can help you build the case you need for compensation.
Dangers of Failing Brakes in Texas Truck Accidents
Because of their large size and weight, big-rig trucks often require a longer stopping time and distance even with properly working brakes. At a highway speed of 65 miles per hour, a fully loaded truck can take up to 600 feet to come to a complete stop, and without working brakes, this distance can increase significantly. This can be a major problem on I-35 exit ramps, which often require trucks to decelerate in a short amount of time.
Fatal Accident in Austin Demonstrates Danger to Pedestrians
In Austin, a woman was recently killed when she was struck by a pickup truck while crossing the road at a crosswalk. This unfortunate incident serves as an example of the fact that despite Texas traffic laws aimed at protecting pedestrians, accidents still occur and leave victims and their families struggling to recover.
What Does Texas Traffic Law Say About Pedestrians?
In Texas, drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are crossing at a crosswalk with a walk signal, or at a crosswalk for which no signal is in place if the pedestrian is on or closely approaching the side of the road on which the driver is traveling. In general, drivers are also required to exercise due care to avoid striking a pedestrian. Failure to follow these traffic laws may justify a claim of negligence if it results in injury to a pedestrian.
Contributing Factors in Pedestrian Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nationwide, more pedestrians died in car accidents in 2018 than in any year since 1990. Some of the factors associated with pedestrian accidents include:
Two Hospitalized After San Marcos Plane Crash
In late September, a fiery crash at Bexar County regional airport sent two men to the hospital, after two small planes collided while trying to land. The collision caused one of the planes to flip, while the other caught on fire and “became engulfed.” Thankfully, neither man appeared to have sustained life-threatening injuries – but depending on the nature of the situation, a civil lawsuit might be in the offing, if an injured person believes that the harm they suffered occurred as a result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness. If you have been injured in a plane crash, it is worth consulting an attorney so as to understand your options.
Common Causes and Effects
Civil aviation injuries and fatalities are rare, but statistics show them rising in recent years, including one fatality on a commercial airliner in 2018, where a woman was partially sucked out of a plane in flight. The majority of the injuries and deaths in plane crashes happen on small planes, like the ones trying to land in Bexar County, but the injuries themselves tend to be the same types regardless of the nature of the crash. Burns are some of the most common injuries, whether from direct heat or from other sources like electrical implements; others include broken bones, brain injuries, and spinal injuries.
Hundreds of Drivers in San Antonio Shut Down Highway
Recently, drivers on several highways in San Antonio had their commute interrupted by hundreds of drivers who shut down the road to engage in risky behavior like doing donuts, shooting off fireworks, or racing each other in the main lanes. These stoppages affected Highway 90 on the West Side, Highway 281 at Hildebrand Ave, and I-10 near Vance Jackson Road, though as of this writing only one person has been arrested and charged with racing on a highway. If you or a loved one has been injured by a street racer or someone engaged in other types of reckless behavior, be aware that you may have a civil claim for compensation even if they are not arrested for the offense.
Both a Crime and a Civil Tort
Texas law on racing on highways explicitly bans participating in a race, a “vehicle speed [or] acceleration contest,” or any type of drag race or “physical endurance” test as the operator of a vehicle. Because this definition clearly includes more than simple drag racing, it is sometimes used as a catch-all charge for disorderly or reckless behavior on a highway, such as that seen on San Antonio’s highways recently.
Salvation Army Canteen Truck Totaled on Way to Help Hurricane Victims
Hurricane Laura struck Louisiana in late August, causing 17 deaths (as of this writing) and causing significant damage to the state’s power grid. Power companies serving the region estimate months of weeks with no power, despite oppressive humidity and heat. Several charities have mobilized to help with food and water, including the Salvation Army, but in early September, a canteen truck en route from New Braunfels to Lake Charles was totaled in a rollover accident on I-10. While no one was harmed, rollover accidents are among the most deadly crashes on the road, and if you have been in one, your injuries may be severe.
“Particularly Violent in Nature”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) characterizes rollover crashes as “complex” and “particularly violent in nature” because of the sheer amount of weight being transferred and the sheer mass involved as a vehicle rolls. Data shows that on average, only around 2 percent of all vehicle crashes are rollovers – but they include as many as 35 percent of all traffic deaths. While this is augmented by a lack of seatbelt use among many rollover victims, the statistics are still quite sobering.
Heavy Rains Cause Traffic Problems in Central Texas
Early September has seen a significant amount of rain across central and southern Texas, which has led to accidents and potential dangers that are not always seen on state roads. Low-water crossings have closed several roads in the Austin area and out in Travis, Hays, and Williamson Counties, but perhaps the most shocking incident came on 360 Capital of Texas Highway on September 9, when rocks fell near Courtyard Drive southbound onto the highway itself. If you are involved in an accident due to weather-related issues, know that sometimes you may be able to recover for your injuries, but sometimes, the accident will be seen as so unforeseeable that no one can be held liable.
Each Case Is Different
On the whole, weather-related vehicle crashes play a role in more deaths in the U.S. than major disasters like hurricanes or tornadoes. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) estimate approximately 5.9 million vehicle accidents every year, with about one-fifth having a weather-related component. Roughly 16 percent of all vehicle deaths in the country each year result from weather-related accidents, while the average for natural disasters (floods, lightning storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and heat) is only about 380.
Labor Day Weekend Is a Dangerous Time on Texas Roads
Labor Day is traditionally a time for people to be out on the roads, having one last hurrah before autumn begins. However, because so many people are usually on vacation or trying to get to their vacations, it does mean that Texas roads can become somewhat dangerous. While traffic may be less than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still worth taking particular care on Labor Day weekend, lest you wind up in an accident that could have been avoided.
DUI Accidents Are Common
Last year, Texas troopers handed out over 102,000 citations and warnings, with roughly 1,200 arrests, in the three day period, and an untold number of civil lawsuits stemming from the same incidents. The most common types of civil lawsuits that occur as a result of Labor Day accidents are those involving driving under the influence and those where a passenger is injured. While it is often fairly simple to establish liability in cases involving drunk or high drivers, it is difficult for many injured passengers to determine just who might be liable for the harm they suffered.
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