Posted on January 02, 2024 in Uncategorized

Personal choices are the underlying cause of many motor vehicle collisions. Thousands of people die every year because some people drive while drunk or flagrantly disregard the speed limit. There are laws prohibiting distracted and drunk driving, and people still make the choice to engage in these unsafe practices.

There are no laws technically prohibiting driving while fatigued or drowsy, at least for people in their own vehicles. There are federal Hours of Service rules that govern the commercial transportation industry. These rules help prevent semi-truck crashes caused by fatigued drivers. Unfortunately, no such statutes exist for those driving their own vehicles for personal purposes. People can drive for an entire day or when they haven’t slept well in days without violating the law. Their choices could endanger others.

It is incredibly widespread

Far more drivers than people realize routinely drive when they are too tired to be safe at the wheel. In a study involving self-reported driving information conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a surprising number of drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel in the last 30 days. Approximately one in 20 drivers admitted that they had fallen asleep at least once while driving in the last month. Some of them had more than one such incident. For every driver who falls asleep at the wheel and admits to doing so, there are many others who experience impairment caused by fatigue.

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 Posted on November 02, 2023 in Uncategorized

There are collisions on the roads in Texas every day that range from minor fender benders to life-altering wrecks. Many of these collisions occur at intersections. This is because, ultimately, places where vehicles have to approach and cross paths with one another are higher risk than places where they drive next to one another or have a barrier separating lanes of traffic.

Technically, collisions can and do occur at just about any intersection, but some locations are more dangerous than others. The speed of traffic, the visibility of approaching vehicles and even the number of drivers passing through can influence the degree of collision risk at any particular intersection.

What intersections in the New Braunfels area tend to experience the highest rates of collisions?

New Braunfels is one of the most dangerous areas for drivers

According to a nationwide analysis by Smart Growth America, the San Antonio/New Braunfels area is one of the most dangerous metropolitan areas in the country concerning pedestrian crashes specifically. The area also experiences a relatively high number of motor vehicle crashes, many of which take place at busy intersections.

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 Posted on October 30, 2023 in Uncategorized

What most people understand about spinal cord injuries largely stems from seeing movies and television shows where people experience an immediate and total loss of sensation and motor control after sustaining harm. That is often what happens when a traumatic injury causes a complete spinal cord injury.

Car crashes are a leading cause of spinal cord injury, with collisions causing roughly 38% of the reported spinal cord injuries incurred by the public each year. Individuals may not be able to exit their vehicles after a crash because of the loss of function and require emergency transportation to a nearby medical facility to undergo treatment as soon as possible.

However, it is also possible for people to experience a spinal cord injury and still retain both their feeling of pain and their ability to use their body below the injury site. Medical professionals refer to these as incomplete spinal cord injuries. Ruling out the possibility of an incomplete spinal cord injury is one reason why people may need to be assessed thoroughly by a medical professional after a collision that causes severe damage to their vehicles and leaves them unsure of their physical condition.

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 Posted on September 27, 2023 in Uncategorized

Those injured in collisions caused by another driver have certain rights under Texas state law. Typically, they have the option of filing an insurance claim. If someone doesn’t have insurance or if they cause a crash that leads to major losses, people can pursue personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits in civil court.

Those who are not at fault for a crash often assume that the system will work in their favor, but that is not necessarily the case. Insurance companies may aggressively negotiate to limit what they pay on claims, and the person who caused the crash could very well retain a lawyer in hopes of avoiding personal responsibility for the wreck. Ultimately, attempting to manage the process of pursuing compensation without professional support could very easily lead to someone making one of the three mistakes below.

Paperwork or deadline mistakes

There are numerous statutory rules that apply to personal injury lawsuits and insurance claims. For example, someone seeking to take another driver to civil court only has two years from the date of their initial injury to take action. After that point, the statute of limitations will largely prevent any lawsuits. Mistakes regarding the type of papers that someone files with the courts or the insurance company, as well as errors or omissions on the documents they submit, could complicate their claim or lead to significant delays.

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 Posted on September 06, 2023 in Uncategorized

Car crashes in Texas can cost people a large amount of money, particularly when they involve high speeds and/or vehicles of vastly different sizes. As a result, someone injured in a car crash may have a stack of medical bills and concerns about paying for the basic cost-of-living expenses until they can return to work.

People in such precarious financial positions typically expect that insurance will help them manage their financial obligations. They may not know what steps to take to file an insurance claim or what to expect during that process.

How can someone not at fault for a Texas crash go about securing coverage?

Document and report the collision

The proper response immediately after the wreck is of the utmost importance for those who believe they will require insurance later. Whenever possible, it is usually advisable for people to capture video footage of the scene of the crash or to take pictures to document the placement of the vehicles and the extent of the damage. Notifying local authorities will also be an important step to take, as Texas law does mandate police reports and collisions involving property damage and injury. Drivers want to effectively communicate with police officers about what they believe caused the crash without being aggressive toward the other driver.

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 Posted on August 24, 2023 in Uncategorized

Improperly secured cargo on semitrucks is a problem that extends far beyond simple rules and regulations. The consequences of unsecured loads can be devastating, leading to significant crashes, personal injuries and fatalities.

The enormity of semitrucks and the vast cargo array amplifies the risks associated with improper load securement. There are several reasons why all cargo should be secured properly, but the risk of innocent motorists suffering catastrophic or fatal injuries tops the list.

Improperly secured cargo can lead to uncontrolled shifts in weight

One of the immediate risks of wrongly secured cargo is the potential for wild shifts in weight during transportation. A semitruck’s balance and stability are carefully calculated, so even a minor shift can create a hazardous situation. Examples of this danger include:

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 Posted on July 28, 2023 in Uncategorized

Serious car crashes often result in significant injuries. Collisions are a leading cause of fractures, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Those that get hurt in a wreck can typically rely on insurance for at least some of their expenses, provided that they were not wholly to blame for the crash.

Liability coverage carried by a driver who caused the wreck can help cover costs related to medical care and also the secondary consequences of someone’s injuries. Those secondary consequences include the career impact of an individual’s injury. Insurance and personal injury lawsuits can help those hurt in a collision recover both lost wages and lost earning potential. Each of these job-related losses could add tens of thousands of dollars to a crash claim.

What is the difference?

People often confuse lost income with lost earning potential or may not recognize the idea of lost earning potential until it affects them directly. Lost wages are somewhat obvious. They are the standard income someone would have received if they had been able to work. Time spent in the hospital or at a rehabilitation facility will likely result in substantial lost wages during someone’s recovery. Some people affected by car crashes are lucky in that they have injuries that eventually fully heal. Others will have lasting side effects. Those who still have pain or functional limitations after a car crash injury could need to recoup lost earning potential.

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 Posted on July 03, 2023 in Uncategorized

The more severe a crash between two vehicles is, the harder it may be for either party involved to respond appropriately to the situation. Collisions that involve a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle are some of the worst that occur, and they can also be some of the most confusing for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

Even though people may have an idea of what to do after a standard car crash, they may feel much more confused “than usual” about steps to take following a collision with an 18-wheeler. What do people generally have to do after a commercial vehicle crash?

Preserve evidence whenever possible

Establishing what actually happened during and even right before the crash can be crucial to someone’s successful claim after a wreck. Taking video of the crash scene and capturing videos that show the placement of the vehicles in relation to each other and nearby landmarks could help with a crash recreation later.

Alert the local authorities about the wreck

Commercial drivers could lose their jobs if they are liable for a wreck, while others might no longer be eligible for a commercial driver’s license. They may try to play on the sympathies of the other people involved in the wreck and ask them to not file an official police report. Those who forgo official reporting may find themselves struggling to get compensation for their injuries and property damage losses after a wreck. It may be important for any future claim to ensure that someone not only reports the collision to the police but also advises the officers who respond to their call about their suspicions regarding the cause of the crash.

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 Posted on June 25, 2023 in Uncategorized

Car accidents can result in various types of injuries, but facial wounds are among the most devastating. Everything from broken teeth and shattered jaws to broken noses and damaged eye sockets is possible when drivers and passengers are abruptly tossed around in a crash.

Beyond the immediate pain and trauma, these injuries can have long-lasting physical, emotional and psychological consequences for the victims.

Physical disfigurement

Facial injuries sustained in car accidents can lead to severe disfigurement and permanent changes in the victim’s appearance. The visible scars and deformities resulting from these injuries can lead to a loss of self-confidence and social anxiety. It may even affect their relationship with a spouse or significant other.

Impaired facial functions

Beyond the visible damage, facial injuries can also impair essential functions, such as eating, speaking and breathing. Fractures of the jaw or nose can affect the ability to chew food or speak clearly, leading to difficulty communicating. Damage to the nasal passages or facial nerves can also impair their breathing, sense of smell and facial muscle control, significantly altering the victim’s daily life.

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 Posted on May 25, 2023 in Uncategorized

Spinal cord injuries can have a significant impact on a person’s life, including their ability to work. The spinal cord is a crucial part of the body’s nervous system, responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

When the spinal cord is damaged, it can result in a range of long-term effects that can affect a person’s ability to work. Understanding some of the more common consequences of an injury can better ensure that individuals who have these injuries can get the accommodations they need.

Physical limitations

One of the most common long-term effects of a spinal cord injury is physical limitations. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, a person may experience paralysis or weakness in their limbs, making it difficult or impossible to perform certain tasks required for their job.

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