Recent Blog Posts
Dangers of Distracted Driving
Last month, a driver of an 18-wheel-truck died when his vehicle rolled over after swerving to avoid causing a crash. The Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the accident and believes the driver was distracted by holding a cigarette lighter. He attempted to avoid hitting a vehicle in front of him and instead collided with a barrier, which caused the truck to turn over. The loss of life due to another distracted driving accident is tragic.
Distracted and inattentive driving is incredibly dangerous for drivers of all ages, levels of experience, and types of vehicles. To avoid causing an accident, learn what distracted driving really means and how to avoid it.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Simply put, distracted driving is operating a vehicle while any other activity takes the driver’s attention away from driving responsibly and safely. Operating a vehicle takes more concentration than people like to admit, particularly after having years of experience. People need their eyes on the roads, hands on the wheel, feet on the pedals, and attention upon their task. As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put it: Drivers can be distracted visually, manually, and cognitively. Drivers can become distracted by looking at something on their phone, in the car, or on the side of the road. Drivers can become distracted by doing something else with their hands like trying to eat or text. Drivers’ minds can wander away from the task during a conversation – even one taking place on a hands-free device.
Know the Facts About Drowsy Driving
In recent years, law enforcement and safety agencies have realized the significant dangers drowsy driving poses on U.S. roads. Many Americans are not getting enough sleep each day for a variety of reasons. Some adults simply stay up too late while others work odd and long shifts. Teenagers often get too little sleep because of extracurricular activities and homework on top of the school day. Others, of all ages, suffer from sleep disorders. Whatever the reason behind drowsy driving, it puts drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk for serious and fatal car accidents. If you were a victim of a crash caused by an overly tired driver, contact our office today. We understand how devastating a collision can be, physically, emotionally, and financially. Our number one priority will be to help you receive compensation for your injuries.
The Dangers of Drowsy Driving
People might not think drowsy driving is all that bad. However, the effects of drowsy driving can be just as serious as drunk driving. In both situations, individuals are driving in an altered state and are not as alert as they should be behind the wheel. Whether they are inebriated or tired, people are less likely to notice a problem up ahead and think clearly enough to avoid a crash. Ultimately, drowsy driving puts the drivers and others at risk of an accident and injury. Some of the specific dangers of drowsy driving include:
Hit and Run Laws in Texas
Last month, an eight-year-old boy was killed in Brownwood, Texas, after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. The driver of the vehicle was later identified, arrested, and charged with intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid, both second-degree felonies. In addition to the criminal charges related to the child’s death, the hit-and-run driver may also face civil wrongful death charges from the boy’s family. He could be ordered to pay considerable damages to the boy’s parents.
If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be able to hold the at-fault driver responsible through a wrongful death lawsuit. You may have the right to bring a wrongful death suit whether or not the other driver was charged or convicted of a crime.
Texas Hit and Run Law
It is illegal in Texas to leave the scene of an accident. The Texas vehicle code requires that anyone involved in a collision that results in property damage, personal injuries, or death stop the vehicle, exchange information, and render reasonable assistance to those who are hurt, which may include calling an ambulance or taking the person to the hospital. If a driver is involved in an accident in which someone is possibly hurt and drives away from the scene before fulfilling their legal duties, then that driver can be charged with a third-degree felony. If a victim of the crash is killed, the hit and run driver will be charged with a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Sun Glare Collisions
A seven-year-old girl was killed in a car accident in Trinity County, Texas, in December. A van carrying school children was stopped on FM 1893 to pick up another child when the van was struck from behind by a Ford pickup truck driven by a 17-year-old girl. All of the children were properly buckled in, however, five children suffered some injuries and the seven-year-old passed away at the scene. She was the daughter of a Trinity County Deputy. The driver’s father told ABC 13 KTRK that his daughter was not distracted by a phone or the radio, but instead, the sun was in her eyes, blinding her right before the collision.
How Drivers Should Handle Driving into the Sun
There are times when the sun becomes a driver’s enemy instead of his or her friend. Whether sunlight is directly in a driver’s eyes or someone is trying to drive with intense sun glare on the road or snow, a driver needs to take precautions to avoid an accident like the one that took this little girl’s life. When drivers are heading into the sun or there is an intense glare, they should:
Collisions with Hazmat Carriers Can Lead to Serious Personal Injuries
In early December, a truck carrying hydrochloric acid, a hazardous material (hazmat), crashed on Highway 225 in Pasadena, Texas. The 18-wheel rig was carrying 4,300 gallons of the acid and spilled approximately 100 gallons at the scene. Multiple lanes of traffic had to be shut down while hazmat crews cleaned up the area. While no one was injured in this accident or from the subsequent spill, not all hazmat carrier incidents have such a happy ending. For instance, a hazmat truck exploded in Maverick County in August, injuring four and killing one. The truck was carrying airbag components for Takata, a company that has come under intense scrutiny in recent years for its airbags exploding without warning and hurting vehicle drivers and passengers.
If you were injured in a crash with a truck carrying hazardous materials, do not hesitate to seek legal advice. Your road to physical and financial recovery may be long and you will need a dedicated Texas personal injury attorney by your side.
Drag Racing in the Street Can Lead to Personal Injuries
Drag racing can be dangerous even in a controlled and regulated setting, which is why it is illegal to do in the street. In November, one driver was killed at the Yello Belly Drag Strip, CBS DFW reported. The driver was racing his 1980s Thunderbird when his competitor lost control of his Mustang and caused a crash. He ultimately hit a tree and was ejected from the vehicle. His competitor also struck a tree and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Drag racing is a risky sport, which is why Texas strictly prohibits unregulated street racing. Drivers who choose to race on public streets can easily lose control of their vehicles, causing accidents that lead to injuries and death. If you were in a car crash caused by someone speeding or racing, contact the personal injury attorneys at our law firm today for assistance with your case.
Texas Law Regarding Street Racing Can Support Your Negligence Claim
The Importance of Child Car Seats
Recently, a three-year-old girl, who was not in a car seat or wearing a seat belt, was left behind on the floor of a crumpled vehicle after a serious crash. The girl was riding in the back of the vehicle driven by a 28-year-old man who lost control of the vehicle due to his speed, rear-ending one car and sideswiping another. He and another passenger, a 12-year-old boy, both told responders there were no other passengers in the vehicle.
The Odessa Fire Rescue, the Ector County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety all responded to the scene and failed to notice the little girl on the floor of the vehicle. The little girl was found by a tow truck driver three hours later. She was immediately taken to the hospital, but family reports that she suffered bleeding in her brain and partial paralysis.
The injured girl’s situation is a clear reminder of the importance of children riding in the appropriate safety seat. Her injuries may have been prevented or mitigated had she been buckled into a car seat. Emergency personnel, who checked the child safety seat in the back of the vehicle, would also have found her quicker and been able to give her immediate medical attention. If your child was hurt because a babysitter or guardian did not properly buckle him or her into a car seat, you may have a personal injury claim against that adult.
Drowsy Driving in Texas Leads to a Passenger’s Death
Last November, at approximately 3 a.m., a driver fell asleep behind the wheel while driving on I10 West in El Paso, Texas. The driver’s vehicle veered off the highway, struck a metal pole, and then caught fire. He had two male passengers with him. One passenger died at the scene and the other was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver sustained minor injuries.
Drowsy driving is incredibly dangerous and can lead to accidents like this one. If you were in a car accident caused by an overly tired driver who should not have been behind the wheel, contact an Austin personal injury attorney right away. Many victims of car accidents try to rely on insurance to cover their medical expenses and pain and suffering. However, an insurance settlement is not always the answer. You may need to seek recovery in court.
The Dangers of Drowsy Driving
Few people consider how tired they are when they drive. However, that is because people may not be aware of how dangerous it is to operate a vehicle while they are drowsy. Driving while overly tired can produce the same effects as drunk driving. Individuals become less focused, less able to recognize hazards in the road, and slower to respond when they see a problem. Overall, they are less able to safely operate the vehicle. Drowsy drivers are also highly likely to fall asleep behind the wheel no matter how loud they turn up the music or whether they roll down the windows for fresh air.
Texas Pedestrian-Vehicle Accident Leads to Amputation
On Nov. 2nd, Texas actress and country artist Savannah Welch was struck by a vehicle while at a local Wimberley farmer’s market. The vehicle was attempting to leave the market when the driver may have confused the brake and gas pedals, ultimately running into a vendor area, hitting a van, and striking Welch and another individual. Due to the extent of her injuries, physicians had to amputate Welch’s right leg. Amputations following auto accidents are relatively common. In many situations, an individual’s limb may be too damaged to heal correctly and allow that individual adequate function and mobility in the future. In order to protect that person’s life and wellbeing, doctors will amputate the limb.
If you suffered a traumatic amputation because of a collision, you may have the right to bring a personal injury claim against the driver who caused the accident. For more information on filing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas, contact an attorney today.
Texas Woman Files Suit against Honda and Takata Due to Defective Airbag
In September, one Texas woman was in a minor car accident. Instead of her airbag protecting her, the defective equipment detonated, sending shrapnel into her car. Metal and plastic pieces struck the woman in the arms and chest, causing her serious injuries. The Texas woman is suing Honda and the U.S. subsidiary of Takata. Her lawsuit claims Takata knew the airbags used in her vehicle as well as many others were defective and dangerous. This is hardly the first Takata airbag-related injury. More than 150 people have sustained injuries and 11 Americans have died due to the defective safety equipment.
Takata Airbag Recalls
Honda is not the only vehicle manufacturer affected by defective Takata airbags. These airbags have been placed in a variety of models for 14 automakers. Manufacturers have recalled numerous vehicle models made between 2002 and 2015 because the airbags can explode, causing serious injuries or death to the vehicle’s occupants. The source of the issue is that these airbags use ammonium nitrate-based propellant without any drying agent. When the environment is humid or moist, the bag’s inflator, which is a metal cartridge, ruptures. That is why the explosion can include metal shrapnel that can lead to deep lacerations and eye injuries. Overall, more than 100 million vehicles around the world have been recalled, starting in late 2014.
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