Posted on February 09, 2017 in Uncategorized

Four individuals in their New Braunfels home were surprised when an ultra-light aircraft crashed into their roof. The pilot of the plane was trying to land in a nearby field after losing power when he hit an electrical line. The crash led to a small fuel leak that the New Braunfels Fire Department quickly contained and a power outage that was swiftly restored. While none of the five individuals involved were injured, plane crashes lead to serious injuries and deaths every year. Those injured in plane accidents, whether a passenger in a large commercial plane or in a small personal craft, need to work with experienced personal injury lawyers to determine how to recover compensation for their injuries.

Airplane Accidents in the U.S.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 1,290 civil aviation accidents occurred in 2014, causing 444 fatalities and hundreds of additional injuries. The general aviation category, which likely covers the ultra-light aircraft involved in the recent New Braunfels crash, witnessed the most accidents and fatalities in 2014, at 1,223 accidents involving 424 deaths. Of general aviation accidents that year, more than 80 occurred within Texas. There were also two non-scheduled commuter/on-demand carrier accidents and four scheduled air carrier accidents in Texas in 2014.

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 Posted on February 07, 2017 in Uncategorized

In late December, a 60-year-old man driving a motorcycle failed to navigate a turn near FM 1626 and Katy Lane in South Travis County. The resident of Buda, Texas, was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead when authorities arrived on the scene around 5:30 in the morning.

Motorcycles are common vehicles in Texas, and due to the climate in most of the state, can be taken out for a significant portion of the year. However, riders should take motorcycle safety seriously, including going through driver training, obeying the law, and following safety precautions like taking turns at a moderate speed and wearing a helmet. Without these steps, motorcycle riders are likely to cause accidents, leading to their own and other individuals’ injuries and deaths.

Texas Motorcycle Laws

Texas law requires prospective motorcycle riders complete a basic safety and riding program in addition to the requirements for a regular driver’s license and take a motorcycle driving test to receive a Class M driver’s license. However, it may be better to take more than the basic course. Riders who want to learn more than fundamentals of riding can take advanced courses that teach additional maneuvering and how to ride in wet conditions.

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 Posted on February 02, 2017 in Uncategorized

A concussion is a common injury following car accidents. Drivers and passengers can hit their heads on the windows, dashboard, wheel, or airbag. While an airbag is meant to cushion someone’s movements, it can still be a significant enough blow to harm the individual’s brain. The major issue with a concussion from a collision is that it is not always noticeable immediately following the accident. Emergency medical personnel may miss the signs and send a person a home. However, victims of crashes should know the signs of concussions so that they can seek medical attention as soon as they know something may be wrong. If you suffered a concussion in a car accident and now have medical expenses or a long-term condition to deal with, contact an attorney immediately.

What Is a Concussion?

Do not let the simple title fool you; a concussion is a traumatic brain injury. When there is a major blow to the head, the brain, which is normally cushioned by fluid within the skull, can crash against the skull. The extreme force upon the brain alters the way this organ functions. A concussion can also occur if someone is violently shaken, whipped from one direction to another, or has an object penetrate his or her skull. In recent years, scientists and physicians and found concussions are much more serious than previously thought. One or more concussions can lead to long-term or permanent issues.

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 Posted on February 01, 2017 in Uncategorized

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.

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 Posted on January 27, 2017 in Uncategorized

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:

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 Posted on January 25, 2017 in Uncategorized

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.

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 Posted on January 19, 2017 in Uncategorized

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:

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 Posted on January 17, 2017 in Uncategorized

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.

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 Posted on January 12, 2017 in Uncategorized

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

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 Posted on January 10, 2017 in Uncategorized

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.

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