1 killed after 5-vehicle crash on Texas highway

Sources indicate that an 18-wheel FedEx truck was rear-ended by another car. The impact forced the truck to flip over, which caused a chain reaction that ultimately came to involve three other vehicles. One person died as a result of the incident, but the report does not specify whether anyone else was injured.

In a situation like this, investigators will often work to determine the causes and circumstances that led to the crash in order to ascertain the liability of one or more of the parties involved. For example, if some form of impairment contributed to the actions of the driver that rear-ended the FedEx truck, it may possible for him or her to be held accountable for the victim’s death and any other injuries or damages that occurred due to the wreck.

Someone who has been injured in a car accident might incur overwhelming medical expenses as a result of their hospitalization and ongoing rehabilitative care. In addition, some people are unable to continue working during the course of their treatment, and in some cases, the victim is never able to return to work at all. By filing a personal injury claim against the liable party, the victim could receive compensation to recover the costs of these damages. An attorney representing the victim may prove driver negligence using the evidence collected from a police investigation.

Read More

Share

Get Justice After An Accident

Because of the long distances between cities in Texas, residents spend a lot of time on the road. If you’ve spent any amount of time driving the state’s streets and highways, you know that this high volume of traffic produces many motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, these crashes often have serious consequences for those involved.

The Texas Department of Transportation reports that there were more than 3,000 vehicle-related deaths in 2011, or 1.28 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. Additionally, nearly 80,000 people sustained serious injuries in vehicle collisions.

If you or a family member can be counted among those harmed in an accident, you understand the pain, suffering and financial burdens that can result from a crash. While you cannot undo what’s happened, personal injury law may allow you to sue a responsible party for damages that have been sustained.

Understanding The Costs Of Car Accidents
After an accident, your first priority must be to address any health concerns. It is not long, however, before the financial impact of a crash also comes into focus. That’s because the monetary costs associated with an accident can add up fast.

Post-accident expenses you might face include:

  • Medical bills. Hospitalization and rehabilitation costs can escalate at a rapid rate, especially when serious conditions like traumatic brain injuries or spinal fractures are involved.
  • Vehicle repair or replacement. Fixing your car, or buying another one if your vehicle was totaled, will likely be an important (and expensive) priority after a crash.
  • Lost wages. If you are unable to work following an accident, you and your family may be severely hurt financially.
  • Funeral costs. In the most tragic incidences, the death of a loved can require paying for funeral expenses.

It’s important to remember that many of the damages associated with a car or truck accident could be long-term costs for you and your family. For example, serious injuries may require extensive physical therapy or other ongoing rehabilitation. Emotional trauma related to an accident could develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression or other long-term conditions, potentially requiring expensive medical treatments.

Safeguard Your Family’s Financial Future
In the event you or a family member suffer injuries in a car accident, your household is likely to go through a difficult, uncertain period. Adding to life-or-death medical concerns may be questions about how much care will cost, what expenses an insurance company will cover and whether a family provider will have to miss work for a significant period of time.

An experienced lawyer can help obtain fair compensation for injuries and property claims, negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you are treated fairly. If there is a need to go to court, an attorney can represent you. At each step of the personal injury process, a legal advocate will provide you with guidance and protect your rights.

Read More

Share

Motorcyclists Face Serious Risks

Houston’s mild climate makes it possible for residents to ride motorcycles for most of the year. This benefit, however, also comes with risk. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 429 people died in Texas as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2010, accounting for a disproportionate 14 percent of all vehicle accident deaths in the state. Thousands more motorcyclists are injured in motor vehicle accidents.

State and federal highway authorities promote annual safety campaigns advising car and truck drivers to watch out for motorcyclists. Motorists in cars and trucks are warned to “share the road,” but the rate of accidents involving motorcycles remains high. Too many still drivers fail to operate with a standard of care that could prevent collisions with motorcycles.

Common Accidents Involving Cars And Motorcycles
Motorcycles have a smaller vehicle profile than cars and trucks. As a result, other motorists routinely fail see motorcycles and often strike riders in traffic.

Motorcycle accidents commonly involve:

  • Cars making a left turn. This type of accident frequently happens when a motorcyclist is trying to pass or go through an intersection. Operators of cars and trucks, unaware of motorcyclists, turn into bikers.
  • Head-on collisions. In head-on collisions, a car or truck strikes a motorcyclist in the front of the bike. Given the lack of safety features on a motorcycle, like a car’s seat belt or air bag, these accidents typically project a biker into the air and often result in his or her death.
  • Collisions from the rear. This type of accident occurs when the driver of a car or truck fails to see a motorcycle and strikes it in the back. A motorcyclist may well be thrown from the bike and sustain serious injuries.
  • Drivers of cars and trucks are supposed to look twice for motorcycles. When passing, motorists in larger vehicles are expected to make sure that a motorcycle has an entire lane in which to operate. Unfortunately, these and other rules often go unheeded by car and truck drivers, severely endangering motorcyclists.

Recovering From A Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents can be among the most severe to happen on the road. Given that motorcycles offer very little in the way of protection during collisions, these crashes very often kill bikers. Accidents that are not deadly frequently leave riders with catastrophic medical conditions such as spinal fractures or traumatic head injuries. That’s not to mention the scratches, bruises, broken bones and other less-critical injuries that motorcyclists often sustain in collisions.

If you have been injured on a motorcycle in a car accident caused by another party, or tragically lost a loved one in a crash, you may be eligible to receive personal injury compensation. This can be a critical step in recovering from a crash. A monetary award can be used to cover current and future medical expenses as well as the lost wages of a family provider who is no longer able to work.

Read More

Share

Experiencing Back Pain From A Car Accident?

Back injuries are among the most serious that a person can face. Car accidents very often lead to these injuries because the human body is not designed to withstand the extraordinary force created by collisions at high speeds. Even accidents that take place at relatively low speeds, however, can lead you to experience back pain.

It’s important to seek immediate treatment for back injuries. What may seem only minor back pain could, in fact, be a symptom of a very serious condition. If you don’t get checked out by a doctor, it’s very possible that an underlying condition could worsen and cause you more intense pain in the future.

Seeking treatment from a physician serves another purpose: If you are in an accident in which another person is at fault, documenting your injuries can be an important step in pursuing damages in a personal injury claim.

Common Back Injuries In Car Accidents
Back pain comes in many different varieties, and its severity can vary a great deal depending upon a specific injury.

Some conditions commonly seen after car accidents include:

  • Thoracic spine injuries. The thoracic area of the spine is located in the upper back. The violent forces of a car crash can injure the thoracic vertebra and cause serious nerve damage. Severe upper back pain can also lead to neck pain.
  • Lower back pain. An injury to the lumbar portion of the spine can affect a person’s mobility and can cause severe pain and tenderness. A lumbar injury can also result in damage to ligaments, muscles or tendons that can take a long time to heal. With lower back pain, it might take a day or more before the victim is fully aware of the severity of the injury.
  • Herniated disks. Disks act as cushions that separate the segments of the spine (vertebrae) and keep them from touching. The impact of a car crash might cause the disks to rupture and allow the vertebrae to rub against each other, putting pressure on sensitive nerves.

It is important to remember that any injury to the back or spinal cord could cause a permanent disability and, for this reason, even seemingly non-serious conditions should be thoroughly checked out by a physician.

Recovering From Back Injuries
If you’re experiencing back pain, you understand just how debilitating it can be. Perhaps you’re in physical therapy to recover from injuries or are receiving anti-inflammatory injections to combat pain. Maybe a doctor has even suggested that you’ll need surgery. Whatever the case, getting better can take a long time, and a full recovery may not even be possible.

If your injuries have been caused by a negligent driver, you may be able to pursue compensation for damages for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. An experienced lawyer can help you to explore your legal options, providing guidance on personal injury law and walking you through each step of the process.

Read More

Share