Posted on January 22, 2015 in Uncategorized

The start of the New Year brings with it a new state legislative session, where bills will be introduced and new laws passed. Many of those bills will possibly involve proposals to enact laws which are aimed at reducing the number of traffic accidents with the goal of keeping drivers and passengers safer on the roads.

One Texas citizen advocacy group recently announced the issues they are asking lawmakers to make a priority this year. Texas Watch is a non-profit, non-partisan organization which keeps watch over the actions of insurance companies and corporations act responsibly for their customers. The organization has been advocating for Texas citizens since 1998.

The group has put together the Safe Texas Agenda, which its director says, outlines the “common sense steps to put the safety of Texas families and small business owners first” that lawmakers should make a number one priority to follow.

The issues on the agenda include:

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 Posted on January 20, 2015 in Uncategorized

Motorcyclists face their own risks separate from drivers who operate four-wheel vehicles. Due to several factors, including the difference in size and speed between a car and motorcycle, both types of licensed drivers need to be fully aware of each other on the road to prevent accidents from occurring. Motorcycles are less visible to other drivers and pedestrians and are more vulnerable to hazardous weather and road conditions, which may lead to an increase in safety concerns.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, when it comes to crashes involving motorcycles, statistics revealed:

• 4,668 fatalities in 2013;
• 88,000 injuries in 2013;
• An accident fatality was 26 times more likely to involve a motorcyclist than a passenger car occupant; and
• Accident injuries were five times more likely to involve a motorcyclist than a passenger car occupant.

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 Posted on January 16, 2015 in Uncategorized

The statistics from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are frightening. Every day, 300,000 people drive drunk, yet only 4,000 are arrested. Every day, 28 people are killed in car accidents caused by drunk drivers. Why do so many people get behind the wheel of a car when they have been drinking? In surveys conducted in 2012, over 29 million people admitted to driving after they had been drinking. That number is more than the entire population of the state of Texas. The problem is many people who have had a few drinks do not always realize that they may be impaired. Alcohol impairment has nothing to do with the kind of alcohol you have consumed, but instead it is determined by the amount of alcohol you drink and the period of time you drink it in. In an effort to combat drunken driving accidents, there have been many apps developed that people can download on their smartphones, which will help them determine if they have had too much to drink and should not get behind the wheel of a car. One example is the BreathalEyes app, which uses the phone camera to record a user’s Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN). This is what law enforcement checks during a sobriety field test. HGN is when a person’s eye twitches or jerks when they look to the left or to the right. This commonly occurs when a person has been drinking alcohol. Some states have developed their own apps to help stop drunk drivers. Maryland has recently launched the ENDUI app, which estimates users’ blood-alcohol level. The app also has two games which can test users’ cognitive abilities. Wisconsin developed the Drive Sober app, which offers several options. The app estimates what the user’s blood alcohol content is and gives either a red or green light to drive. The app also offers Find A Ride and Designated Driver Selector features. Whether a person uses an app or not, the responsibility of not getting behind the wheel of a vehicle unless a person is sober lies with the person themselves. If you have been injured in an accident caused by drunk driver, contact an experienced New Braunfels personal injury attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have against the negligent driver.

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 Posted on January 13, 2015 in Uncategorized

A new study puts the state of Texas as the number three state in the country with the worst drivers. This ranking comes from a company which compares car insurance companies for consumers, CarInsuranceComparison.com, according to a USA Today article. The data was compiled utilizing statistics from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The statistics for each state the company used was based on the following criteria:

• The fatality rate for every 100 million vehicle miles which were traveled;
• The percentage of crashes which were caused by a driver’s failure to obey traffic laws. (These laws included not wearing seat belts, driving with an invalid license, and not following traffic signals.);
• The percentage of crashes which involved drunk drivers;

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 Posted on January 09, 2015 in Uncategorized

The statistics tell the story – drivers who use cell phone while driving cause unnecessary dangers on the road. Yet despite all the research, statistics, and attempts to educate, people still use their cell phones while driving. More than 10 percent of all traffic fatalities in this country each year are caused by a distracted driver on a cell phone.

Now, comes even more disturbing news from a study conducted by researchers from the University of Southern Maine. According to the study, just having a cell phone in a vehicle can cause enough distraction to cause an accident. The study, titled The Mere Presence of a Cell Phone May Be Distracting: Implications for Attention and Task Performance was recently published in the journal Social Psychology.

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 Posted on January 07, 2015 in Uncategorized

Manufacturers in almost every industry recall products on a regular basis. Companies generally announce recalls on TV networks, radio broadcasts, and popular websites. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers pay for the advertisement of a product recall, according to Kidsindanger.org. Some companies issue a press release that only reaches a very limited number of consumers, and for those who purchase defective products, this lack of communication often translates into injuries and even fatalities.

One way to stay aware of product recalls is to sign up for regular emails at Recalls.gov. In particular, parents should use this resource to double-check the safety of various toys and games for children.

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 Posted on January 05, 2015 in Uncategorized

Bicycles can be excellent forms of transportation for those with daily commutes. Particularly in urban areas, bikes promote a healthier lifestyle and are better for the environment.

As with any form of transit, however, safety is always a concern. Traffic accidents involving bicycles almost always cause injuries.

When an accident does occur, drivers and cyclists might wonder who is at fault. They also might question if the incident could lead to a lawsuit. The truth is that every case is unique, which is why it is often helpful to speak with an attorney.

Under Texas law, bicycles are considered to be vehicles. According to Bike Texas, this implies that a cyclist must obey all stop signs, traffic lights, and conventional traffic laws as other motorists. Bikes generally have the right-of-way, which may be something other drivers may not take into consideration when sharing the road.

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 Posted on December 29, 2014 in Uncategorized

Graco Corporation, one of the largest manufacturers of baby and child products, has issued a recall for 11 different models of baby strollers because of reports the products may cause a fingertip amputation hazard. According to an announcement on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website, the folding hinge, which is located on the side of the stroller, can pinch a baby or small child’s finger, which may result in a laceration or amputation of the child’s finger.

Graco has received at least 11 different complaints from consumers where children were injured. Six of those victims had their full fingertip amputated in the incidents, four children received a partial-fingertip amputation injury, and one child received a serious fingertip laceration. The company warns parents and other caregivers, when opening a stroller, to make sure the side hinge has completely locked in place before placing the child in it.

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 Posted on December 26, 2014 in Uncategorized

Americans are reliant on the use of mobile devices to keep connected throughout the day. The improvement in technology and increase of people with smartphones will have led to a reported total of 1.75 billion smartphone users worldwide by the end of 2014. With information so readily available at our fingertips, the number of motor vehicle accidents due to inattentive driving have continued to increase, leading to a larger number of personal injuries and fatalities. According to the National Safety Council, over 18,000 collisions occurred in Texas last year due to inattentive driving, 1,000 of which involved cell phone use as a contributing factor. To help address the problem, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) convened in June for an educational summit for employers to encourage implementation of driving policies in the workplace. KXAN News in Austin reported that TxDOT also implemented its “Talk, Text, Crash” distracted driving awareness campaign during the summer. They hosted events throughout the state with guest speakers discussing personal situations involving loved ones lost as a result of talking or texting while driving. Drivers can be proactive in their prevention of accidents caused by inattentive driving. Avoid using smartphones while driving by following basic safety tips, including:

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 Posted on December 23, 2014 in Uncategorized

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released the latest statistics regarding the cost each year from non-fatal traffic accidents. That information released by the CDC was compiled using data from the year 2012.

Many people realize the cost of fatal crashes – both emotionally and economically. In 2012, there were almost 23,000 people killed in car crashes, at a financial cost of $226 million. The CDC also puts the potential life in years lost at 265,000.

Non-fatal car accidents, although not as emotionally devastating as fatal ones, can be financially devastating. According to the report, the medical costs of non-fatal accidents in 2012 were $18.4 billion. In total for the year, victims visited emergency rooms 2.5 million times because of injuries they sustained in car crashes. Almost 10 percent of these emergency room visits resulted in the patient being admitted to the hospital for treatment, with the total amount of days lost to hospitalization at 1,057,465.

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