Houston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

In an era of higher gas prices, there are many common sense ways that can reduce your cost of gas. Here are some tips to reducing your gas bill.

1. Look for apps that keep track of gas prices and check them when you need to fill up. Gasbuddy and mapquest are two such online sources.

2. Be aware of discounts that your grocery store may offer for loyalty and factor that into your gas buying equation.

3. Reduce your speed and you can save significantly by increasing your miles per gallon. Additionally, you will save not only money but stress if you "drive friendly".

4. Check your tire pressure. Not only can you save gasoline but you can increase your tires useful life and the much safer as well.

5. Combine trips when possible and plan your route in advance. Running errands? Is there a grocery store close to the cleaners you use? You can reduce the miles you travel simply by planning your travel and making fewer trips to the store.

6. Can you do it online? Today shopping online is almost easier than driving to a corner store to obtain the same things. Look for specials and free shipping and you may save a trip or two.

7. Carpool-by carpooling with other families when shuttling the kids to and from school and activities you can save a lot of time and money.

Continue reading "Ways to Save on Gas" »

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" »

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.

We often discuss the number of vehicle fatalities and their many causes in this blog. Let us take a more positive tone and offer some advice compiled by experts that will increase your chances of surviving an accident.

The most important proactive measure a person can take to help them walk away from an accident intact is to wear your seatbelt. While for many of this it is simply a habit - a recent survey found conflicting evidence of regular seatbelt wear. While some researchers claim that over 90% of people always buckle up others state that perhaps one in seven do not.

Speaking of seat belts - when you make a new (or used) car purchase make sure it has the greatest number of recent safety devices available in your price range. Older cars do not have neck supports, anti-lock brakes and other safety technology. Remember that when you are buying a car your goal is also to ensure the safety of you and your passengers.

Secure items in the car so that in case of an accident no one will be hit by objects flying from the impact. This is true of pets as well. There are a number of safety seats and securing devices for dogs and animals.

Make sure your car is in good working order BEFORE you set out on a trip. This includes ensuring that you have enough fuel, the tires are in good shape and that all the fuels are topped off.

Finally, follow all traffic and road signs. Stay alert and drive safely.

Continue reading "Surviving an Automobile Accident" »