Houston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

There were a number of fatal accidents in the Houston area over a recent 24 hour period, according to reports:

One occurred on the East Freeway in the early hours of Monday morning. According to witnesses a man on foot could be seen fleeing across a parking lot when a pickup truck struck him. The driver of the pickup did not stop and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Only a few hours before another pedestrian accident resulted in death. In this case a woman walking in the early evening hours when she stepped in front of a vehicle traveling at a normal rate of speed for the area. The woman was struck and transported to the hospital where she later died from her injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

In another - what could be termed bizarre - incident a young man was actually standing in a moving traffic lane when he was struck by a large SUV and then struck a second time. Shockingly, neither driver stopped to check on the condition of the pedestrian - both fled and the pedestrian died at the scene. The police are asking for witnesses or anyone who knows anything about the case to come forward with their information.

In the span of a single day - three people on foot were struck and killed in our city and in three of the cases the drivers are now considered hit and run suspects. They stand to face severe criminal penalties if they are caught and successfully prosecuted.

Meanwhile, pedestrians must take more caution when walking in Houston area traffic.

Continue reading "3 Fatal Houston Accidents in One Day" »

Recent vehicle collisions on Houston roads have proved deadly for some drivers. Consider the following news stories.

As recently as last evening a woman was killed in a car crash on the Loop. It began when an individual - whom witnesses have stated was driving erratically - slammed into the back of another vehicle causing the gas tank to erupt into flames.

While the driver of this second vehicle was able to escape his passenger could not and she died in the car. The perpetrator of the accident fled the scene after attempting to secure a ride from one of the witnesses. He is still being sought.

In another case a vehicle with four persons inside led police on a chase across the city when police attempted to pull the vehicle over. The car finally came to a stop when it got a flat tire - but the suspects jumped out and attempted to flee before being caught and arrested.

Finally, two vehicles and seven persons also led police on a chase that ended in a cemetery - but fortunately there were no fatalities or even serious injuries. The occupants of the vehicles were suspected of burglary - and all were arrested.

Perhaps the most troubling part of this story is that a young child - unsecured by a seat belt or child car seat - was in the vehicle as the cars traveled at high speeds on city streets.

In all three cases either (or both) drinking and outstanding warrants were suspected to be a reason for the suspects fleeing the scene.

Continue reading "Houston Car Accidents" »

There is such a variety of circumstances that surround an automobile crash I felt it was time to offer readers a simple question and answer blog. If you have other concerns or queries that require a response - feel free to contact us at your convenience.

*What should I do if I am witness to a car collision?

First, ensure your own safety and immediately dial 911 to enlist the services of emergency personnel. If it is safe to do so approach the car to determine if there is any way in which you can provide help, however, do not take it upon yourself to move a victim as you may unknowingly inflict further damage.

Remain on the scene when police arrive to provide your personal information as well as your eyewitness account of the accident. If the accident appears to be a hit-and-run get the license plate number of the driver but do not engage the person if they stop but then show signs of driving away. This advice is for your own safety.

Continue reading "Frequently Asked Questions About Car Wrecks" »

Hit and run car accidents are an all-too-common occurrence in Houston - our state and the country at large.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offered that in a recent year approximately eleven percent of all traffic accidents were hit and run. That means that one of the drivers in an accident either failed to stop altogether after an accident or stopped and left before police could arrive.

It is not unheard of for a driver to fail to stop because he or she is unaware that they have 'hit' another vehicle or person - but for the most part this is an unlikely scenario.
Instead, hit and run drivers often flee the scene of an accident because they are driving while intoxicated, driving on a suspended license, are driving without insurance coverage to their vehicle, have warrants out for their arrest for other unrelated (or related) charges or simply are too frightened to stay and 'face the music'.

No matter what the reason - it is important to know that it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident - and if the person is caught they will face additional legal challenges that could include jail time as well as steeper fines.

In the Houston headlines this week it was announced that a woman was struck and killed by a hit and run driver. The victim was walking along the shoulder of a major thoroughfare at two in the morning which is always very dangerous - and although no details have as yet been released - if the woman was not wearing reflective clothing she may simply have been 'invisible' to the driver who struck her.

The driver left behind a portion of the car though which should make him or her easier to track down.

Never leave the scene of an accident.

Continue reading "Houston Hit and Run Car Accident" »

Most drivers know that in the state of Texas that leaving the scene of accident regardless if someone else is involved or not is against Texas state law.

Hit and run accidents involving a pedestrian, or even if the person is in a parked car could be injured and dying. Without immediate aid by contacting 911 an accident could turn in a manslaughter charge, and civilly a wrongful death case.

Simple human decency would dictate that a person not flee the scene of a accident if they were involved, but many panic and try to evade the police from fear of going to prison.

If a pedestrian is hit in the street, and the driver just keeps going, they could spend time in the TDCJ prison system. On the other hand if the driver stops, and tries to help in anyway they can this could lessen or nullify charges completely depending on the severity of the injuries, and the variables surrounding the accident.

Many times persons who flee the scene have no legal responsibility for causing the accident as the accident was the other persons fault.

This also includes stopping and trying to find the owner of a parked car that is hit by another motor vehicle operator, and at least put a note with all contact information under the driver's side windshield wiper.

The State does not take kindly to having their highway equipment damaged by a motorist, and leaving the scene without calling the police, or the Department of Public Safety at least.

Responsibility is the key in this situation, and one must show that they were not intentionally trying to hit a person, auto, or roadside sign. Sure there may get probation, and fines to go along with these occurrences, but the alternative is long jail sentences, and hefty court fines.

Today there are more and more cameras being installed in public areas, just for this reason, and a person never knows if their collision with a human or an object is being recorded.

Having full video evidence of a hit and run accident will surely make it harder on the accused when it goes to criminal court, and doing the right thing while big brother is watching will be the key to leniency.

Contact an attorney immediately after the accident happens and let him or her guide you in what to do next. Houston has a record number of hit and run accidents and many of them fatal.

Continue reading "Texas Hit And Run Accidents Can Cost You More Than Money" »

It seems like almost every day Houston is faced with another report of a hit and run accident involving serious injury or wrongful death. Reported today was an accident leaving one man with a severely mangled leg and another victim with a badly broken leg.

According to reports, a man was pushing a Honda down the far right lane of US 59 Frontage Rd. when it was struck from behind by a white Mitsubishi leaving the victims severely injured. It was reported that the driver of the white Mitsubishi abandoned the car and fled on foot.

Fortunately, a woman and a baby who were passengers in the Honda were not hurt in the car accident. Officers indicated that if they catch the Mitsubishi driver charges will be filed in the case.

Houston has been plagued by hit and run accidents recently. Other news sources have done specials on the runaway hit and run problem that Houstonians face.

If you have any knowledge of this hit and run accident or any other Houston hit and run accident please contact the Houston Police Department hit and run division.

Continue reading "Another Houston Hit and Run Accident " »

It has been reported that at least one person died in a car accident in northwest Harris County Saturday night. The car accident happened about 9:20 PM at the intersection of Cypresswood and Kuykendahl.

Reportedly, deputies seek a driver who may have fled the scene. If you have information which may aide the investigation you can call Houston Police Department -Hit and Run Division at 713-247-4065.

Houston has suffered numerous hit and runs recently and this weekend was an example of why we need to give our law enforcement agencies additional personnel and technology.

On Friday, in a separate hit and run accident, a driver was charged for hit and run after he allegedly left the scene after dragging a passenger who was trying to enter the car.

According to reports, the passenger exited the vehicle and tried to get in the driver's door when the driver took off resulting in a man being dragged for about a block. Unfortunately, the passenger died from injuries sustained in the accident.

Reports indicate that the driver left the scene but returned later.

Houston has been plagued by hit and run accidents and it's time we took steps as a community to help law enforcement solve hit-and-run crimes.

Continue reading "Two More Houston Hit And Run Fatalities" »

A Houston woman was killed Sunday June 20, 2010 near her driveway when she was run over by a hit and run driver who left the scene.

The woman, was 57 years old and was sweeping the walkway in front of her home when she was hit. The vehicle has been described as a light colored car possibly a gray Honda or Nissan according to police.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and unfortunately witnesses did not get a license plate number of the hit and run driver. Witnesses described the driver as a man in his 50s white or possibly Hispanic.

The hit and run accident happened at the 400 block of Crosstimbers.

If you have information regarding this fatal hit and run accident please contact HPD at 713- 247- 4072.

This is another tragedy involving hit and run accidents in Houston. As the year progresses we find more and more hit and run auto accidents in our community.

If you have information regarding hit and run accidents please contact the Houston Police Department with your information.

Continue reading "Another hit and run fatality in Houston" »

Police are looking for help in finding information about a hit and run accident that injured a Houston teenager. A 16-year-old Houston boy was hit when he had car trouble and got out of his vehicle to direct traffic around his car.

A black truck that was eastbound on FM 1960 East ran over the young man and fled the scene.

The driver of the black truck did not stop or leave information at the scene. Police indicate that the young man sustained serious injuries that are ongoing.

The accident happened on April 29, 2010.

If you have any information regarding the driver of the black truck or were a witness to this accident please contact Houston Police Department at 713 -- 222 -- 8477 that is the crime stoppers Hotline.

Alternatively, if you want to help you can text message your tip to TIP610.

Crime stoppers will keep all tipsters confidential or anonymous and sometimes will pay up to $5000 for information submitted at the hotline.

If you have any information please help this young victim.

Continue reading "Houston hit and run suspect sought" »