Posted on February 28, 2017 in Uncategorized

A four-year-old girl was killed in a crash involving four vehicles on I-35W on January 24th. The collision occurred around 7:45 a.m. and Burleson, Texas, police and fire responded. The accident is under investigation but it is believed that a Ford SUV struck the rear end of the Honda sedan carrying two toddlers. The Honda then collided with a Chevy truck, which in turn hit a Chevy SUV. The driver of the Honda was injured and taken to the hospital. There were no other reported fatalities or injuries. The death of the young girl raises the issue of a potential wrongful death claim. In Texas, parents can sue the at-fault driver for compensation for their daughter’s death. For more information on wrongful death claims, contact a personal injury attorney at our firm right away.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit seeking compensation for the death of an individual caused by another person or entity’s negligence, carelessness, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing. This type of claim does not always exist after a death. It is only available if the individual who died would have had a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.

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 Posted on February 23, 2017 in Uncategorized

Recently, Texas has witnessed a number of dump truck accidents. On January 4, the lower levels of Interstate 10 were closed after an 18-wheel dump truck accidentally released the trailer mechanism, causing the trailer to rise and hit an overhead sign. No injuries occurred, but the highway was closed for nearly six hours to ensure it was safe for motorists. Another dump truck accident that occurred in late December was far more traumatic. A dump truck apparently rolled away from where it was being loaded and ran into a home in Hillsborough, striking a five-year-old boy. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital.

While dump trucks are necessary vehicles, negligent operation and driving of these trucks can lead to serious and deadly incidents. Individuals who are hurt or lose a loved one in an accident with a dump truck should speak with an experienced Texas personal injury and wrongful death attorney for help filing a claim.

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 Posted on February 21, 2017 in Uncategorized

Last month, a vehicle carrying the driver and one passenger crashed into a utility pole and gas line in New Braunfels. The accident caused a serious gas leak resulting in a road closure and two home evacuations. Crews worked hours to repair the damage. The driver and passenger both fled the scene of the accident and were later arrested and charged. While property damage may have been minimal outside of the gas leak, the crash is an example of the unexpected damages that can occur from collisions. Negligent drivers can be held liable not only for damage to other individual’s cars during collisions, but also for damage to personal and government property.

Property Damage to a Vehicle

After an auto accident, you are entitled to recover compensation for your damaged vehicle. Most insurance providers will pay out the difference between what your car was worth before the accident versus what it is now worth after the accident. This may simply lead to the insurer paying out the cost of repairing your vehicle or if it is totaled, compensating you for the value of your vehicle.

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 Posted on February 16, 2017 in Uncategorized

Unfortunately, vehicle-pedestrian accidents are all too common across Texas. For example, in late December, a Honda Accord ran a red light and was struck by a delivery van on San Jacinto Boulevard in Austin. This impact caused the Accord to collide with a pedestrian within the crosswalk on 15th street. The man was taken to UMC Brackenridge where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

None of the vehicle drivers were charged with a crime the day of the crash, but local authorities are investigating what happened and who may be responsible for the man’s death. Like all collisions, vehicle-pedestrian accidents range in severity. While some men and women are able to walk away from a crash with minimal harm, others lose their lives. When someone loses their life in a vehicle-pedestrian accident, the family may be able to bring a wrongful death suit in order to recover compensation.

Like all collisions, vehicle-pedestrian accidents range in severity. While some victims are able to walk away from a crash with minimal harm, others lose their lives. When someone loses their life in a vehicle-pedestrian accident, the family may be able to bring a wrongful death suit in order to recover compensation.

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 Posted on February 14, 2017 in Uncategorized

After a car accident, you are probably in shock and in pain. Even a relatively minor crash can lead to you slamming forward into the seat belt or the airbag deploying. The pain from the collision can make it difficult to tell if you have broken bones and other serious injuries or whether you are heavily bruised. And unless you have a medical degree, you do not know the signs of hidden trauma like traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding. You should not simply assume the pain will go away and you will be fine.

Following an auto accident, you should go to the emergency room to get checked out. If you feel well enough and are worried about costs, you can decline the ambulance and have a friend or family member drive you. Just remember to get there as soon as you can. Once you have been checked out, your next best step is to call a New Braunfels personal injury attorney at our law firm. We can handle the insurance claims process and determine whether a personal injury suit is necessary for you to recover compensation.

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 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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