Houston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

An interesting story ran on the news recently about a young child who took the family minivan and went off to buy food because he was hungry. As one might expect - the child crashed the vehicle in an accident that involved another driver whom, herself, only sustained minor injuries while the child was basically unscratched.

This news item turned viral over the weekend and while some people may have found it 'cute' anyone with small children probably ran to hide the keys - and I shudder to think what parents with push-button start cars are thinking.

As a parent we are charged with keeping our children safe in the vehicle when we are driving - how many of us stop to think of any of the other scenarios that may occur between a child and a car.

And while certainly this story seems far-fetched - the child has demonstrated that it is not out of the realm of possibility for them to reason out the manner in which to attempt to drive all by themselves (they even get the opportunity to 'drive' on many video games which further emboldens and distorts their understanding of the process).

The real problem with this story is that it is not the first time that a child has taken the keys to the family car and attempted to drive. One thing is for sure - this action ends negatively for everyone involved.

Parents - take the time to talk to your children about who may and may not drive the car. Then keep the car locked and any device related to driving put safely out of little one's hands.

Continue reading "Children Driving Cars" »

Over the years I've seen literally thousands of car accident victims and watched their recovery. Many have what is known as "whiplash" or as I prefer to call it soft tissue injuries that are adequately treated by rest, medication (including muscle relaxers and pain medication) and physical therapy.

Sometimes however, the injury is more severe and involves what is known as a ruptured or herniated disc.

People sometimes mistakenly assume that once they are released from the emergency room they will be okay without further issues. Most emergency room visits after car accident does not include what is called an MRI and only involve x-rays. X-rays are wonderful for showing fractures and dislocations but they do not show problems with your discs.

If you have had recent trauma such as from a car accident or a truck wreck and have tingling in your arms or legs there is a good chance you may have a disc injury. Disc injuries include not only a herniated disc but also bulging or protruded discs. Each of these conditions can be extremely painful and ongoing for some time.

If surgery is called for the cost can add up quickly sometimes entering the six-figure range depending on the type of procedure necessary for treatment.

If you have been in a car accident and your symptoms are not resolving or are getting worse you may want to talk to your physician about obtaining an MRI to rule out a serious disc injury.

Continue reading "Herniated Discs from Car Accidents" »

Proactive auto care is one sure way to avoid problems with your vehicle in the middle of a traffic jam or while traveling on America's highways. A recent article on a major news site suggested readers need only use their senses to remain apprised of impending concerns with a car or truck.

In other words - if you see, hear or smell something out of the ordinary with your vehicle do not avoid addressing the issue because it is bound to get worse and could put you, your family and other unsuspecting drivers on the road in danger.

For instance, if you see a leak developing under the car and then detect a burning odor emanating from your engine when driving - this is a signal that you need to have your car examined for low fluids and/or cracked hoses.

It is certainly an indication that your car needs to be attended to by a professional mechanic - unless you are qualified to deal with auto problems yourself. Too, if you hear the sound of squeaking beneath you it could be an indication of the need to have your brakes replaced or even something more serious.

Finally, be sensitive to how the car feels when you're driving - or rely on your sense of touch. If your steering wheel begins to shake it could mean you've blown a tire.

Taking your car into an auto shop for regular maintenance can be a lifesaving move for all involved. After all, what is the cost of a tire or other auto repair in comparison to the fallout of an auto accident - that could have been avoided altogether with proper planning?

Continue reading "Proper Auto Maintenance Essential " »

As if our roadways aren't dangerous enough with cars and trucks making unexpected moves that endanger drivers - imagine driving down one of the busiest highways in the Houston area and a guy appears in front of you running full-tilt on the roadway with a cop in close pursuit. It is a recipe for disaster not unlike high speed police chases that also put innocent lives in jeopardy.

According to reports the pursuit began when police attempted to pull a vehicle over and the passengers began tossing what appeared to be narcotics out the window. That was it - the chase was on and it went through some of the most heavily traversed areas in the city.

Before the incident ended the suspect jumped from behind the wheel of his moving vehicle - let it continue on the roadway without a driver - and ran off into traffic on the Loop. He was apprehended by the police - but not before some harrowing close calls occurred.

Now, far be it from me to second guess the police but let us say - for instance - that the event had resulted in a catastrophic accident (not unlikely in the least) that caused grave injury or death to a loved one. Would the pursuit have been worth it? Certainly I am against crime and drugs - but I am FOR common sense decision making that does not further (needlessly?) endanger the public.

I always look at it from the point of view of - what if it were your child?

PROTECT and serve, fellas, PROTECT and serve.

Continue reading "Houston Police Chase" »

What happens when we choose to ignore or otherwise overlook a situation in which another person's life is in danger. Any regular consumer of local and national news has seen incident after incident in which a victim falls prey to criminal behavior while those around him or her ignore it.

There was the recent video of an elderly man who was beaten and robbed in broad daylight and lay between two cars for some time without an offer of help by those who stepped over him or looked away during the perpetration of the crime. A similar incident can be seen in a subway station. Either those who see the incident choose to look away and scurry off or simply do not offer the least bit of assistance even in the form of a phone call to 911.

As these types of crimes have impinged on the American consciousness - if injury or catastrophic death has occurred then the victim's families are beginning to wonder what happened to the ideals that made of country great. Helping those who need it! It seems our consciousness has been hardened in the last decade and it is painful to witness.

To bolster the empathetic bystander into action many legislators are either considering or have passed 'Good Samaritan Laws' requiring action if you witness a crime - to the extent that you do not endanger yourself.

If we cannot be counted on to do the 'right' thing as a matter of principle - it seems some are poised to impose appropriate decision-making.

Continue reading "Should We Legislate a Duty to Help?" »

With the cost of gas skyrocketing we can likely expect to see more motorcyclists on the road than ever before. Motorcycles are a fast and efficient way to get around - however, the riders and other motorists should be aware of some of the more common safety tips that can make the experience better for everyone on the road and avoid a motorcycle accident.

So consider the following hints before setting out on the open road.

*MOTORcyclists should always do a thorough lane check before moving from one lane to another.

*MOTORcyclists should always slow down when taking a corner on a city street or highway. It is very easy to lose control of the motorcycle if you take the corner too fast.

*MOTORcyclists should avoid slamming on their brakes. This, too, is a maneuver than tends to destabilize the bike and cause the driver to lose control.

*MOTORcyclists should drive with greater caution on unstable surfaces such as gravel and dirt. It is harder for a bike to maintain traction on these types of roadways and easier to end up in an accident.

*MOTORcyclists should watch for potholes or other road obstructions. These are much more dangerous to a cyclist than a car or truck driver.

*MOTORcyclists should wear protective gear. This includes helmets, gloves, boots and long pants. In an accident this will lessen the extent and types of possible injuries one might otherwise sustain.

Continue reading " Motorcycle Safety" »

If you are in the market for a new car and safety ranks as your most important consideration over price or even over gas mileage then the following blog is dedicated to your search.

Even as gas prices soar the temptation to purchase a smaller vehicle in order to stretch an already squealing budget should be given a second or third look. Though there have been advances in vehicle construction and safety, small cars in general are more likely to provide the driver and passengers less overall protection in a catastrophic collision.

No matter how safe your own driving record is - you simply cannot account for the driving behaviors of everyone else on the road and that is usually the cause of most accidents - the other driver.

The fact is that smaller cars weigh less and it is this factor that often leads to more severe injuries in an accident - even if the other vehicle is a car of similar size and weight.

However, when a larger car or truck collides with yours injury results rise markedly. In a survey done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the number of deaths that occur in small car collisions is 33% higher than in a mid-size car accident. Furthermore, the number of deaths in car and truck accidents drops significantly as the size and weight of the vehicle increases.

Finally, I myself am not an advocate of one car company or vehicle design over another. Rather I am an advocate of anything that keeps Americans safe on the roads.

Continue reading "Buying a Small Car for Mileage or Larger One for Safety?" »

The Texas House has apparently tentatively approved a new bill which would allow for an 85 mph speed limit on some of our Texas highways. The bill would give the TXDOT the authority to raise the speed limit on some highways to be the highest in the country. Reports indicate that similar legislation is pending approval by the Senate. If enacted into law, Texas would have the highest speed limit potential in the country.

Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between speed and fatal car accidents. Simply the slower people drive the less chance that they will be seriously hurt or killed in a car accident. The higher the speed travelled, the higher the probability of an accident leading to serious injury or death.

Additionally, one of the factors that contribute to many car accidents is a disparity between speeds of vehicles going the same direction on the same highway. If one vehicle is traveling at a speed much greater or lesser than another on the roadway, the potential for accidents increases.

Perhaps there are some compelling reasons for this proposed legislation, however I have yet to think of any. One wonders what the costs of implementing the change will be to the state of Texas should this pass. Changing speed limit signs, the studies and engineering work required of the Texas Department of Transportation and other costs associated with the proposed law.

On the flip side, clearly should 85 mph speed limit be utilized on numerous highways across the state of Texas, our accident statistics are bound to increase. Given the high price of gasoline, our miles per gallon will decline at a significant cost with the increased speed.

Nevertheless, Texans will, should this law pass, be able to say that our state has the highest speed limit in the country. So I guess we may have that going for us.

Lets hope that the law does not pass and if it does that it is utilized only on very open stretches of highway without much traffic.

Continue reading "85 mph Speed Limit in Texas?" »

Drinking and driving has deadly consequences - and more often than not it is the innocent and unsuspecting driver who loses his or her life - not the drunk driver.

Take a reported story of fellow just into his early twenties and add ten beers to his blood stream. Put him behind the wheel of his pick-up and hold your breath as he attempts to navigate on the open highway. ONLY he heads off in the wrong direction driving on the wrong side of the highway. WRONG WAY drivers often are the cause of catastrophic accidents and this case was no exception.

The young man's truck slammed into a tanker on a highway and the result was an explosion and fireball that lit up the sky for miles. The truck driver was killed in this horrific collision.

The drunk driver is behind bars having miraculously escaping with HIS life.
The news report quotes the driver who caused the accident as being 'real sorry'. He was further quoted as saying he knew he'd caused 'a real bad accident'.

The tanker driver had spoken to his wife on the phone only moments before the accident that claimed his life. He'd told her he had a couple more deliveries and would then be on his way home.

Even in the retelling of this incident it is difficult to decide whether it is more gut-wrenching or heart-wrenching. The man leaves behind 3 children as well. It is difficult to imagine losing your loved one at all - let alone in a conflagration caused by negligence and ignorance.

A driver who is intoxicated and causes a wrongful death of another can be assured that the world as they know it is about to change drastically.

Don't, don't, don't drink and drive.

Continue reading "DWI- Dont Do It" »

Anyone can access the Texas Department of Transportation to access specific information regarding automobile and truck accidents in our state. Unfortunately, the statistics are grim. Recent reports find that there were nearly 3500 deaths in a recent year across the state.

That works out to be one person killed every two and a half hours and an injury every couple minutes. The accidents themselves run the gamut of one car to multi-vehicle caused by everything from distracted driving, drunk driving accidents and more.

Fortunately ownership of cell phones is nearly universal which ensures that emergency services can be quickly summoned to the site of a wreck - a move that could be life-saving for many.

Too, GPS helps police and first responders arrive in less time because this technology provides the most accurate route to the scene. Finally, the average citizen has access to life saving information simply by querying their mobile phone for appropriate first aid suggestions - a more common and level headed approach to help injured persons than most realize.

So, now we know the statistics on injury accidents in the state and also what might be the expected response. The question of how to avoid an accident is equally as important. If you cant avoid the accident and get injured call a Texas personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Keep the following advice in mind when you head out on the roads.

Don't tailgate. Don't speed. Don't change lanes without using your signals. Don't drive aggressively. Don't drive inappropriately for the weather conditions. Don't talk on your cell phone or text. Don't drive drowsy. Don't drive drunk. Don't drive distracted.