Dashcams are becoming increasingly popular in Texas vehicles. While drivers install them hoping to never need the footage, dashcams can provide crucial evidence if you are ever unfortunate enough to be involved in a car accident. Quality dashcam footage can significantly strengthen your ability to prove liability and recover maximum damages. This footage can help you and your Texas lawyer build a stronger case.

Capturing Accidents in Real Time

A dashcam provides an unbiased, objective record of the accident as it occurs. This can help establish crucial facts like lighting conditions, traffic flow, vehicle speeds prior to impact, and more. Unlike eyewitnesses, a dashcam never forgets critical details. The footage also refreshes the memories of the parties involved.

Corroborating Your Account of Events

In disputed accident claims, dashcam video backing up your version of events can undermine the at-fault driver’s claims. The defendant will have a harder time denying culpability or minimizing your injuries when concrete footage counters their statements.

Certain driving technology advancements have unquestionably helped keep motorists safer on U.S. roads. For example, backup cameras have helped to minimize the number of children and pets who are hit by vehicles every year in backover accident scenarios. Lane drifting alerts prevent an untold number of crashes as well, now that this technology is used widely. Yet, it is important to remain vigilant about driving safety as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) do not prevent all car accidents.

The Benefits of ADAS

ADAS systems help to prevent collisions by employing either warnings or automatic corrective action in the event that a motorist encounters certain hazards when traveling. For example, if a driver starts to drift out of their lane into an adjacent lane in which another vehicle is traveling in the motorist’s blind spot, an ADAS system may flash a light in the driver’s side mirror and sound an auditory alarm.

ADAS systems have the potential to do so much good that they are becoming widespread, and some are even mandated in new vehicles per federal regulations. The respected AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that these systems could – over the span of the next 30 years – prevent roughly 37 million crashes.  

If you are like most American adults, there is a “too much to do, too little time” energy that impacts how your life tends to unfold. As a result, it can be frustrating to learn that there is yet another effort that you should be making in order to keep yourself and others safer. Yet if you travel by car or truck  with any kind of regularity, it is important to take a few minutes once a month or so to scroll news related to auto recalls. The five minutes you take each month when making this effort may help you to prevent auto accidents and may just save your life or the lives of others.

Why Auto Recalls Matter

When an auto manufacturer unintentionally allows a defective part or product to enter the stream of commerce, consumers unknowingly place themselves and others in harm’s way by using that defective item. As cars are already dangerous machines, adding defective auto parts into the mix can result in injurious or deadly consequences.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the government agency most directly tasked with ensuring that defective auto parts are identified and either fixed or eliminated as a risk to travelers. By initiating mandatory recalls and supporting voluntary recall efforts, the NHTSA helps to save lives.

The act of driving involves a seemingly endless checklist of decision-making. Speed up, slow down, or maintain one’s speed? Change lanes or stay put? Continue straight, turn right, turn left, or make a U-turn and go back? Every decision that a driver makes can potentially affect their safety and the safety of those around them. This is why it is both critical to pay attention when driving and to be informed about which actions are most likely to result in a car crash.

Turning Right

A motorist’s decision to turn is a perfect example of a decision that can impact their safety – and the safety of those around them – to different degrees, depending on how the turn itself is executed. Turning right is a relatively safe endeavor. When turning right, a motorist can almost always see what is happening around them and travels a very short distance to complete their maneuver.

Turning Left

By contrast, turning left is such a risky business that many delivery businesses now equip their fleets with technology designed to help their drivers avoid left turns whenever possible. To make a left turn, a vehicle operator must almost always cross at least one oncoming lane of traffic. Thus, if either they or an oncoming motorist is not paying attention, a T-bone crash can happen in the blink of an eye.

If you are like most American adults, you log on to at least one social media platform with some regularity. As one of the primary purposes of social media is to share one’s views and experiences with loved ones, colleagues, and the wider world, you may be tempted to discuss your recent car accident on social media. Yet, it is important to understand that car accident victims can unintentionally compromise their ability to pursue rightful compensation simply by posting on social media before their insurance and legal cases are resolved. As a result, you can safeguard your interests by foregoing social media activity at this time. At minimum, you will want to take great care when posting anything at all.

Why Social Media Activity Can Be So Consequential in Civil Cases 

It is not simply discussions of injuries and accident-related details on social media that can land a motor vehicle crash victim in trouble. Even seemingly innocuous content can be misinterpreted or twisted by insurance claims adjusters, opposing counsel, and other interested parties.

For example, say that you have achieved a new goal in physical therapy, which you started as a result of your injuries. To celebrate, you post a picture in which you are raising your arms above your head. Although it still hurts too much to keep them there for more than 10 seconds, you want to celebrate this achievement. That simple act could be used by any party that owes you compensation as evidence that you are not hurt at all.

Each state has enacted negligence laws that have the potential to affect how much compensation a car crash injury victim is entitled to be awarded, in the event that they file legal action in civil court. A few states do not allow injury victims to pursue compensation from other responsible parties if they, themselves, contributed to the harm they have suffered to any degree whatsoever. Some other states allow victims to pursue compensation from other responsible parties regardless of the degree to which everyone involved – including the victim – was to blame for what happened.

Texas Law

Texas honors a legal standard that is commonly referred to as a modified approach to comparative negligence. What this means is that a car crash injury victim remains entitled to seek damages from other parties that contributed to the cause(s) of their harm, provided that the victim was not more than 50% responsible for their own harm. Their damages award is then, proportionately, reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the victim.

For example, say that a crash victim’s total economic and non-economic harm has been valued at $500,000. It has been determined that a manufacturer of a defective auto part was 60% to blame for what happened. Both the victim and another motorist involved in the accident are each considered to be 20% at fault. This means that the victim can pursue up to $300,000 from the manufacturer and $100,000 from the other motorist. The remaining $100,000 in damages is the victim’s burden to absorb due to their partial fault for their own harm.

Crating pets or strapping them into some sort of safety apparatus when preparing for a journey in a car or truck can be inconvenient, to say the least. Especially if an animal cries or is prone to chewing or digging when restrained, it can be far easier to simply let them roam loose in a vehicle. Unfortunately, the convenience of allowing a pet to travel unrestrained can lead to motor vehicle accidents. As a result, it is important to find creative solutions when an animal resists travel-related restraints.

Pets Are Distracting

It surprises many parents to learn that there are two primary distractions that are most likely to lead to collisions when their teenage children take the wheel. The first is, obviously, electronic-related distractions. By now, the vast majority of Americans understand that texting while driving and otherwise utilizing electronic technology when operating a vehicle causes preventable crashes. However, the second distraction that is most likely to cause an accident is neither so obvious nor so easily avoided: Passengers.

Pets are, in effect, passengers. Like human passengers, the noise that pets make, their movements, and their reactions to the world around them can be truly distracting. Additionally, like human passengers, if a pet experiences an emergency – such as choking – that reality can cause a particularly acute distraction for vehicle operators.

One of the most pressing questions everyone has after a commercial truck accident is, “Why?” Victims and their families want to understand why the truck accident occurred and who is to blame. The causes of commercial truck accidents are as varied and complex as the individuals harmed in those accidents. However, understanding the cause of the accident is one of the first steps in pursuing compensation for damages.

Many commercial truck accidents are caused by the truck driver. Distracted driving, fatigued driving, speeding, and inattention can all lead to catastrophic truck accidents. However, legal responsibility for a commercial truck accident often falls to the truck company. In this blog, we will discuss some of the ways that negligent hiring practices can lead to avoidable truck crash injuries.

Trucking Companies Need to Vet Applicants Carefully

Operating a large commercial truck is a massive responsibility. Only individuals who are properly trained and qualified should ever be behind the wheel of a semi-truck, flatbed, or other large commercial truck.

Multiple studies show that distracted driving is worse now than ever. Smartphones and other devices have become an integral part of our everyday lives, and many people cannot bear to part with their devices for even the few minutes it takes to drive across town.

Unfortunately, these factors have led to an increase in the number of fatal accidents involving distracted driving. If your loved one passed away in an accident that was caused by a driver who was using a cell phone or otherwise too distracted to drive safely, it is important to understand your legal rights. You may be able to take legal action against the negligent driver in the form of a wrongful death claim.

Texas Wrongful Death Claims

Texas law defines wrongful death as a death caused by another party’s “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.” Sending and receiving text messages, direct messaging on social media, or other electronic communications while driving are illegal in Texas.

Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies provide a valuable service to Texans. Whether you catch an Uber because you have had a few cocktails, your car is in the shop, or you do not own a personal vehicle, ride-sharing can be a convenient and cost-effective means of transportation. Unfortunately, taking an Uber does not eliminate the risk of being in an accident.

If you or a loved one were involved in a crash while riding in an Uber vehicle, you may have many questions about your legal rights. Does Uber pay for your medical bills? Do you need to file a claim with the driver’s car insurance company? What happens if you are denied reimbursement for your emergency room expenses or other costs related to the accident?

Rideshare accidents are often especially complicated from a legal perspective. This is why it is so important for anybody who has been seriously hurt in an Uber accident to consult with an attorney experienced in rideshare injury claims. Your lawyer can evaluate the situation and help you pursue compensation for all of your damages.

Drunk driving is one of the primary causes of serious collisions in Texas and throughout the United States. When a driver is intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, he or she is much more likely to cause a crash. Alcohol-related accidents can lead to severe injuries including brain and spine injuries, internal organ damage, broken bones, and more.

Drunk driving car accident victims may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income from missed work, pain and suffering, and other damages. However, many injured accident victims are unaware of these rights or the benefits of filing a personal injury claim after a car accident.

Financial Restitution for Car Accident Damages

Being involved in a car crash is not only frightening, it often has long-term financial implications. If you are a loved one was hurt in a crash, you may be dealing with massive medical bills, huge repair costs, and financial difficulty caused by missed work. A personal injury claim may allow for the recovery of compensation for these and other damages.

Factories are packed with dangerous equipment, powerful machinery, and hazardous chemicals. Unsurprisingly, workers in the manufacturing industry face an increased risk of injury or death in a work accident. If you or a loved one were injured while working in a factory, it is important to understand your rights under Texas Law.

Unlike some states, Texas does not require employers to get workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. However, even if an employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, there are still legal avenues available for injured workers to recover compensation.

Financial Compensation after an Industrial Accident

Although government agencies like OSHA require that certain safety standards are met in factories, this does not completely eliminate the risk of a serious or even deadly accident. Falling objects, electrical accidents, heavy machinery accidents, equipment malfunctions, and explosions are just some of the dangers factory workers may be exposed to.

Texas law prohibits drivers from sending or typing electronic messages while driving. However, some drivers ignore this important rule. If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone who was texting and driving, you have the legal right to seek compensation for damages. Unfortunately, distracted drivers are responsible for thousands of avoidable auto accidents every year, so it is important that victims of these crashes know their rights.

Texas Law Regarding Insurance Claims and Personal Injury Claims

Texting and driving accidents often lead to painful injuries and significant financial losses. The first option for someone who is injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver is to pursue payment through the at-fault party's insurance company. Auto insurance companies are supposed to reimburse accident victims for their losses. However, getting adequate compensation from an insurance company can be difficult.

If the insurance company denies your claim or offers an unreasonably low payment, you may have to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is often necessary to ensure that victims are properly compensated for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Texas personal injury law allows injured parties to file a claim for damages if another party's negligence or wrongdoing causes them harm. Texting and driving is not only negligent, it is also against Texas law.

For motorcycle enthusiasts, there are few things that compare to riding a motorcycle through the winding roads of Dallas. Unfortunately, riding a motorcycle comes with significant dangers. Motorcycles make up just three percent of the registered motor vehicles in the U.S., but they account for 14 percent of traffic fatalities. Tragically, many motorcycle fatalities are preventable. If other drivers simply paid more attention to their surroundings and drove with caution, thousands of motorcyclists’ lives could be saved.

If your spouse passed away in a motorcycle crash, you may be able to take legal action against the at-fault party and seek justice for your deceased loved one. You may also be able to recover compensation for expenses such as medical bills and funeral costs.

Who is Legally Responsible for a Fatal Motorcycle Wreck?

Motorcycle accidents are most frequently caused by negligent driving. Other drivers who are distracted by cell phones or GPS systems may not notice a motorcyclist in the lane beside them. Drunk drivers may not be able to see or respond to a motorcycle at all. Speeding, failure to yield, failure to stop at a red light, and other traffic violations are also common causes of motorcycle crashes. 

Large commercial trucks are one of the primary ways of transporting goods across the Lonestar state. Many semi-trucks carry everyday items such as produce, clothing, furniture, or electronics. However, there are also trucks on the road carrying extremely dangerous materials.

Hazardous materials such as explosives, toxic gases, flammable liquids, and corrosive substances can be incredibly dangerous. In the event of an accident involving a truck carrying hazardous materials, these dangerous chemicals may be released into the air or onto the road. The materials may catch fire, exponentially increasing the severity of the situation.

If you or someone you care about was involved in an accident involving a hazmat truck, reach out to a truck accident injury attorney for help. You will likely face life-changing consequences because of the accident, including substantial financial losses. Your attorney can help you file a claim to pursue compensation for these losses.

For many people involved in serious car crashes, their bodies never fully recover from the trauma of the accident. The forces placed on the human body in a collision are powerful, and medical professionals may not always be able to help individuals get back to their pre-accident state. They may experience some improvement but still deal with lingering symptoms for months or years after the crash. Some people are left permanently disabled after a wreck.

To help those who have suffered from injuries in a car accident, Texas law allows injured parties to seek financial compensation for the losses they have incurred. In some injury claims, damages include compensation for lost earning capacity. Testimony from a vocational rehabilitation expert is often crucial in proving the impact of a person's injuries on their ability to work.

What is a Vocational Rehabilitation Expert?

Vocational rehabilitation experts are professionals who specialize in helping people with physical or mental impairments find gainful employment. They may assess an individual’s skills, abilities and interests as well as their disability and how it affects their employability. They are also experienced in providing guidance and support when it comes to job searches, resume writing, and interview preparation.

Speed limits exist to keep motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe. However, traveling faster than the posted speed limit is common. One study found that approximately half of all drivers admit to speeding from time to time.

If you were hurt in a car crash caused by another driver and you were speeding, you may have questions about your right to recover compensation for vehicle repairs, medical bills, and other expenses. You may wonder whether you have the same entitlement to compensation as someone who was obeying the speed limit.

As with many legal matters, the answer to this question depends on several factors. In this blog, we will explore Texas laws regarding comparative negligence in a car accident case as well as what you can do if you were injured in a crash while speeding.

Many dogs are sweet, lovable companions. However, not every dog lives up to their reputation as "man's best friend." Dog attacks can lead to horrific injuries, including puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve and tendon damage, and broken bones. These injuries are also at a high risk of infection due to the bacteria and other pathogens found in a dog's mouth. Scarring and disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and other conditions are also possible consequences of a dog attack.

Sadly, young children are at an especially high risk of injuries from dog bites and dog attacks. If your child was injured by a dog, it is important to know your rights under Texas law.

Texas Strict Liability for Dog-Related Injuries

State law varies when it comes to dog-related injuries and deaths. In Texas, dog owners are generally liable for dog bite injuries if:

Texas law allows individuals who are injured in car accidents to seek monetary compensation for damages. Expenses like vehicle repair or replacement, medical bills, and lost income caused by missed work may be recoverable through a personal injury claim. Compensation for non-financial damages like pain and suffering may also be available.

However, bringing a successful car accident injury claim is much easier said than done. The at-fault party's insurance company will do everything it can to avoid large payouts. Accident reconstruction is one tool a personal injury attorney may use to demonstrate the elements of a personal injury claim and recover compensation.

What is Accident Reconstruction?

Many car crashes turn into a "he said - she said" situation. Each party may claim that the other party is at fault for the crash. Accident reconstruction is a process of analyzing the evidence from a motor vehicle crash to determine what happened and which driver was at fault. It involves many different methods, including examining skid marks, measuring debris fields, taking photographs or videos of the scene, interviewing witnesses, and investigating damages. A trained accident reconstruction specialist will analyze this evidence to develop an opinion about how the crash occurred.

Being struck by a vehicle while walking is one of the most traumatizing experiences a person can go through. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident with a car, you may be wondering if you can sue for your injuries. The answer is yes - in most circumstances, you do have the right to take legal action against the driver who hit you or the owner of the vehicle.

Filing a Claim After a Pedestrian Accident

When filing a claim, there are several factors that must be considered, including the circumstances of the crash, proof of the driver's liability, and the at-fault driver's insurance. It is important to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident, so that your rights can be protected and all of the necessary steps can be taken to seek justice. Your attorney can help you gather evidence like medical records, witness statements, and forensic evidence at the accident scene.

Compensation for Injuries Caused by a Car Crash

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for financial damages as well as non-financial damages. You could be reimbursed for: