Houston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

In Texas we have the rule of yielding the right-of-way to others in certain circumstances. And there are certain circumstances in which giving the right-of-way is required. All drivers in Texas should know and understand the rules, which determine the right-of-way.

The first right-of-way requirement is for intersections controlled by signs and signals and the rule is very simple if there are signs or signals follow them.

The second situation involves driving on a single or 2 Lane Rd. you must yield to vehicles traveling on a divided street or highway or vehicles driving on the roadway with 3 or more lanes. In effect smaller roads yield larger roads.

The third situation is if you're coming off an unpaved road that intersects with the paved road you should yield to the paved road traffic.

The next situation is where there are intersections that are not controlled by signs or signals and generally you should yield to the right.

Another situation is turning left -if you are turning left you should yield to vehicles coming straight through from the other direction.

When entering or crossing the road from a private roadway or driveway you shall yield the right-of-way to all approaching vehicles and pedestrians.

There are many other situations where right-of-way rules apply in Texas and it is imperative that each license driver knows the rules of the road in order to protect themselves, their families and the other drivers around them.

Much of the material taken for this post came from the Texas drivers handbook which is readily available from the Texas Department Of Public Safety or you can visit the state of Texas DPS website at www.txdps.state.tx.us.

Continue reading "Right Of Way Rules In Texas" »

Although we have written about advances in vehicle safety in previous electronic journal entries - it is a topic of such relevance that it requires that we occasionally revisit it.

Recently, there has been a lot of interest and activity in safety systems dubbed 'vehicle-driver assistance'. These are passive devices designed to 'think' independently for the driver - even, in some cases, anticipating potential obstacles. What follows are some examples of these types of safety devices.

*Lane-departure warning systems. If you haven't seen the latest commercials in which drivers proclaim their relief at having this safety device included in their new car purchase - then you're probably not watching television. This is one of the most touted new tools in the vehicle safety 'arsenal' with good reason.

If an individual drifts out of their lane (as we are all apt to do at some time or another - sometimes with catastrophic results) the vehicle buzzes a warning to the driver - hopefully drawing their attention back to the task at hand.

*Automatic braking systems. Although this is not an entirely new invention - ABS can be credited with saving thousands of lives. Gone are the days when people slammed on the brakes - locking them up and losing control of the vehicle. ABS pumps the brakes even if your first inclination is to slam them.

*Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control. These systems intervene to prevent a loss of control on behalf of the driver while restoring traction if wheels begin to spin uncontrollably.

Today's vehicles are safer than ever before - but this does not negate the need for the driver to remain alert and focused. As always, drive safely.

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?" »

Safe driving tips are always a timely topic for readers. Consider the following advice the next time you get into your vehicle. They are precautions that usually fall to the bottom of most safe driving lists.

*When driving by parked cars remember that there may be people inside who are preparing to exit the vehicle - and they could open the door right into your path.

*Even when you have the right of way at an intersection - perhaps the light is green and it appears the other cars are stopped - be somewhat cautious - particularly when the light is just changing. There have been hundreds of injury and fatality accidents caused by drivers who run a light that they believe had just turned red - or they were simply not paying attention.

*Follow the simplest rules of the road to stay safe. When driving at night don't drive through unlit and unfamiliar areas. Don't pick up strangers or even slow down to answer a question. If someone appears to be in need of help and you are wary then dial emergency services instead but keep your doors locked and stay inside of your car.

*Never drive through standing water - it may cause your engine to stall and your vehicle and you could be swept away.

*Be alert for erratic drivers - they can come at you from all directions. If someone appears to be driving drunk or distracted and is endangering others around them then pull off the road and out of their way - and dial 911.

Continue reading "Drive Save in 2011" »

As we all know in Houston, rain can come in buckets and at any time. For most Houstonians driving on wet streets is uneventful and the safety tips can help keep it that way.

The national safety Council issues the following recommendation for driving in the rain:

Drive carefully and drive slowly, particularly when approaching a turn.

In the event of the skid, lightly pump the brakes-avoid slamming on the brakes.

Proper tire inflation is very important-check your tire pressure.

Make sure your tires have adequate tread and replace worn tires promptly.

Try and drive on the high side of the roadway and avoid driving in puddles.

Continue reading "Driving on Wet Roads" »

It wasn't long ago that most American cars had lap belts and seatbelt use was limited at best. Over the years, countless studies have shown that seat belts do in fact help prevent injury.

Originally, seat belts were designed to keep the user in the vehicle. Now they serve a much more active role in injury reduction.

With the advent of faster cars we also have advanced in technology. Once lap belt only was the rule, today we have sophisticated seatbelt systems, which are all three points and those have been extensively tested for optimum performance and injury reduction.

Not only do we have seatbelts of the best technology available but now we have airbags which in many cars include not only the front but also for side impacts.

One factor that airbags bring is that many times a driver or passenger will not buckle up expecting the airbag to protect him or her. That is a mistake.

It is the combination of airbag and seat belt that work best to prevent serious injury. In rollover accidents and other serious crashes the seatbelt serves to keep the passengers in the vehicle, which prevents a lot of deaths. Over the years I cannot tell you how many times it is the person who was ejected that dies.

If you are a parent of a teenage son or daughter, please teach them to buckle up every time. Developing a habit of safety comes your families best chances.

Continue reading "Why Using a Seatbelt is so Important " »

On more than one occasion the national news media hits on a topic that is of relevance to truck or auto accident attorneys. Such is the case with the series in a national paper concerning the age at which elderly adults should no longer drive - a sensitive subject to be sure.

Perhaps the most surprising point of the entire discussion is that baby boomers - whose ages run the gamut of early 50s to late 60s - are being asked to decide when their elderly parents should give up their licenses. (Never mind that even the baby boomers themselves are victims of slowed reflexes and eyesight impairment that may negatively affect their driving abilities!!).

More than one study has shown that there is a growing number of drivers aged seventy and older - a fact that shows no signs of abating anytime in the near future. At the same time, the number of accidents caused by or involving this population segment has increased as well.

No one wants to be in a situation where they - the child (no matter the age) must limit their parents' rights and responsibilities. At the same time, though, even less desirable is the thought of losing a parent in a vehicle collision - or the parent taking the life of an innocent person because we were unwilling to confront the realities of elder driving.

For those of you who are faced with this dilemma I suggest you contact the state bureau that handles driving concerns. They should have excellent advice on how to discuss the driving issue with your parents...and hopefully you do this sooner rather than later.

Continue reading "Elder Driving " »

Some fatality accidents are more difficult to write about than others. The most painful involves the loss of young life - as was the case last week with a car driven by a recently licensed teenager carrying several passengers. According to eyewitness accounts, the car was filled with a driver and three passengers.

One was a 13-year-old passenger seated in the back that had not used his seat belt and strapped himself in. It seems maybe the other back seat passenger, a 15-year-old girl, had not belted herself either. Instead, she allegedly leaned forward to change the radio station and in so doing bumped the driver's arm - causing him to lose control of the SUV.

The 13 year old was thrown from the vehicle and died as a result.

Now several charges are pending against the young driver. First, he ultimately held the responsibility for ensuring that all of his passengers were securely fastened in and remained that way throughout the course of their excursion. Of course, he is charged with a failure to maintain control of the motor vehicle.

But it is another charge that may come as a surprise to parents of new drivers. Recent restrictions placed on new drivers in Texas require that they may have no more than one passenger (who is not a family member) under the age of 21 in their vehicle for the first year after their driver's license has been issued.

In this case the young man had three. Time and again studies have shown that passengers they consider to be their peers easily distract young drivers - and the combination is often deadly.

This is a very tragic accident, and my heart goes out to the family of the 13 year old and also to the young driver and other passenger who will carry this accident with them forever.

Parents - know where your child is heading and with whom, and please spend time when you drive asking all passengers every time "are you belted" and help you child establish safety as a routine. Young drivers need all the help we can give them.

Continue reading "New Drivers are at Risk" »

Have you heard of the latest craze to separate Americans from their hard earned money? It's called 'gas savers' - and they come in the form of everything from pills that you pop in your tank to products that 'polarize gas molecules'!

To date, in my opinion, none have proven reasonably effective - but that doesn't stop companies from continuing to make outrageous claims of increased gas mileage and people from buying their products. Let us consider some of these facetious products - as a way to forewarn vehicle owners.

In a search of the internet numerous websites can be found that offer 'sophisticated' devices for improving gas mileage - with equally complex explanations about how they work. For instance, there are a variety of intake systems and throttle spacers that will use 'dyno-proven techniques and innovative engineering to accelerate efficiency'.

For you do-it-yourselfers there is an electronic ionizer that can be installed in minutes. You may be put-off somewhat because of their claims - after all, even the company that sells them states that they are 'technically complex' and use 'corona chemistry' to operate effectively.

And what about those biopills that mix with gas to increase mileage? Forget about it!
That is not to say that there are not great ways to save on gas - it's just not something you'll buy and put in your tank.

One of the easiest tips for saving gas is to insure your tires are properly inflated as under inflation can account for a 10% decrease in miles per gallon. Other fuel savings tips include, don't drive aggressively (the biggest gas user), drive slower, and use your cruise control on the highway.

Yesterday several people tested a new electric car and the reviews were fairly favorable, in the next few years expect to see prices of electric cars drop and use more accepted.

Also try driving less, carpooling, combining trips and taking the first parking spot you see instead of driving around for ten minutes to locate one close to the entrance.

Continue reading "Gas Saving Gimmicks- and Other Tips" »

Tornadoes struck the Dallas area and did damage to several schools in addition to flipping several cars. Tornadoes while dangerous are not an everyday occurrence in Texas, and sometimes folks just don't know what to do when they are confronted with a tornado.

FEMA offers the following recommendations for what to do during a tornado.

If you are in a structure (home, small building, school or hospital):

Then:
Go to a predesigned shelter such as a safe room or basement or the lowest level of the building. If there is no lower level go to the center of an interior room away from corners, doors windows and walls. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible, get under a desk or table to protect yourself.

If you are in a car trailer or motor home:

Then:

Get out of the vehicle immediately and go to the lowest floor of the study were near by building. Mobile homes offer little if any protection from tornadoes.

If you are outside with no shelter:

Then:

Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head but be careful for flooding.
Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer and a low flat location.
Never tried to outrun a tornado in an urban or congested area in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.

Watch out for flying debris. As flying debris from tornadoes causes the most fatal injuries.

Continue reading "Tornadoes Flip Cars Near Dallas" »