Taking Legal Action After a Wrong-Way Crash
A woman died in Houston recently after she drove the wrong way and crashed head-on into another vehicle on Interstate 610 (I-610) North. A deputy with the Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office saw the woman going the wrong way on Hardy Toll Road at about 2:30 a.m., but could not get her attention.
When the woman made it to I-610, she collided head-on with another man who was transported to a hospital in critical condition while the woman died at the scene. Investigators did not indicate whether the woman was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
How Wrong-Way Crash Cases Work
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), wrong-way crashes only account for 2 percent of all motor vehicle accidents but they account for 10 percent of traffic fatalities. Wrong-way crashes often occur because people are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but other common reasons can include distracted driving, confusion with traffic signs, or entering highways from off-ramps.
A wrong-way collision often has the potential to cause severe injuries for all people involved in a crash, with many victims suffering injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, or paralysis. It can take people many years or entire lifetimes to fully recover from these types of injuries.
Individuals injured in wrong-way accidents may be entitled to financial compensation for damages. If you were hurt or a loved one was killed, you could recover economic damages for actual losses such as medical bills, lost wages,funeral expenses, and property damage as well as noneconomic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of consortium.
The insurance company representing a negligent driver in a wrong-way driving case will not have much of a defense against people trying to obtain payments for their injuries, but that does not mean insurers will not try to do everything they can to limit what they pay. You should avoid speaking to any insurance company for another driver until you have legal counsel.
Many insurance companies will quickly offer people lump sum settlements to try and close cases quickly, but you need to know that what you are being offered may not cover all of your damages. This is why it is important to work with an attorney who can advocate on your behalf.
Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you suffered injuries or your loved one was killed in a wrong-way crash in the greater Houston area, you deserve answers about what you can recover. Make sure to work with a Harris County car accident attorney at Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec so you can give yourself the best chance of holding the negligent party accountable.
Our firm knows how frightening these experiences can be for people and we work closely with all of your clients to help them get through all of the most challenging times. Call 281-643-2000 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://abc13.com/wrong-way-crash-woman-killed-in-610-fatal-hardy-toll-road-driver/12496591/
https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SIR1201.pdf
Weather Issues and Car Accidents
KTRK-TV reported that at least two people were killed in motor vehicle accidents around Houston during a weekend of rainy weather last month. One fatal two-vehicle crash occurred on the North Freeway at North Main and another person was killed in a wreck on the East Loop at Clinton Drive.
As we enter the winter months in Texas, snow is not particularly common in Houston, but rain, wind, and other adverse weather conditions will likely still be an issue.
Car accidents almost always involve more than one causal factor. Often, a combination of negligent driving, poor weather, poor road conditions, and other issues lead to a serious car crash.
Collisions Involving Adverse Weather
Texas law allows individuals to seek financial restitution for medical bills and other damages when another party’s negligence causes them harm. If someone is injured in a car crash caused by another driver’s negligence, the injured person may be able to file a claim for damages like medical bills and lost income. Distracted driving, intoxicated driving, speeding, failure to yield, and unsafe lane changes are just some of the ways a driver may act negligently behind the wheel.
However, when the weather is poor, an at-fault driver may try to avoid legal and financial culpability by blaming the weather conditions. If a car crash involves both negligence and inclement weather conditions, the injured person may have a difficult time recovering compensation.
Liability in weather-related crashes can be especially complicated. Injured car crash victims should work with a car accident injury attorney with ample experience in complex personal injury cases. The attorney will have the tools and resources to investigate the crash thoroughly. Drivers are expected to modify their driving behavior to account for poor weather. For example, if it is raining heavily, drivers should keep extra space between their vehicles and the vehicle in front of them. This will reduce the chances of a rear-end collision caused by hydroplaning.
A skilled attorney will be able to assess factors like these and use evidence to build a compelling case for damages.
Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Did you suffer severe injuries or was your loved one killed in a bad weather car accident in the Houston area? You will want to seek the help of a Harris County car accident attorney at Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec in pursuing all of the financial compensation you are entitled to.
Our firm can immediately commence an independent investigation into your crash and do everything we can to help you seek the compensation you need and deserve. You can call 281-643-2000 or contact us online today to arrange a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/five-tips-for-winter-driving.html
Getting Legal Help After a Truck Accident
A major truck crash on northbound Interstate 45 (I-45) at Memorial Drive involved multiple mainlanes being blocked for seven hours in Houston recently. There was no word on possible injuries in the wreck, but the truck accident occurred just after 5:30 that morning and was finally cleared before 1 p.m. that afternoon.
Commercial trucks are some of the largest vehicles on most roads, so any accident involving one of these trucks has the potential to relate to serious injuries. While commercial trucks often have strong insurance coverage, insurance companies are still ready to fight to avoid having to pay injured people anything for their damages.
Commercial Truck Wrecks in Texas
It is always important for people to get legal representation as soon as possible after a truck accident because there are multiple issues concerning liability that a person is going to want to understand. In a truck accident case, it is possible that a truck driver, truck owner, leasing company, and any number of other parties could all be partially liable for damages.
The possible damages in a truck accident case can also vary, with some people seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, while others may be seeking awards for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement. All of these damages may be recoverable in a truck accident case.
Insurance companies for most commercial trucks will be very quick to contact people involved in accidents and offer them lump-sum settlements. These offers are almost always lowball proposals that people should decline, but many people are initially reluctant to turn down what they consider to be sizable offers.
Injured people must ask whether accepting the first settlement offer will truly cover their lifetime of costs, because chances are that it will not. Worse yet, signing a settlement agreement will mean that you cannot pursue any additional damages.
When you hire a skilled attorney to handle your case, they will know how to pursue a settlement that truly accounts for all costs you will have to pay because of your accident. If an insurance company is unwilling to pay you what is fair and right, your lawyer can file a lawsuit.
Contact a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a truck accident in Texas, you should not wait another moment to begin seeking legal help. A Harris County truck accident attorney at Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec. Call 281-643-2000 or contact us online today to take advantage of a free consultation.
Source:
https://abc13.com/houston-traffic-i-45-crash-morning-commute-lanes-blocked-on-freeway/12477959/
Accidents Involving Amazon Trucks
There is no shortage of stories about accidents involving Amazon trucks. When somone driving an Amazon truck or other delivery truck causes an accident, the results are often catastrophic. These vehicles are typically larger than other vehicles on the road and can cause major injuries and proprety damage. If you or a loved one were hurt in a crash involving an Amazon truck, make sure to secure legal representation right away. Your lawyer can help you take the steps needed to pursue financial compensation for vehicle damage, medical expenses, and more.
Determining Liability for an Amazon Truck Accident
One particularly challenging area for most people who suffer injuries in Amazon truck accidents can be figuring out exactly who is responsible for covering injury costs. In Amazon truck accident cases, possible liable parties may include the truck driver, Amazon or a third-party delivery contractor, a motor vehicle manufacturer, a mechanic servicing a vehicle, or a government entity responsible for roadways. Your lawyer can help you determine who is liable for the crash, collect evidence, and build a strong case for damges.
Steps to Take After a Crash With an Amazon Truck
Always contact the police after an accident resulting in injuries or property damage. Call 911 to report your accident and wait for police to arrive.
It is also important to seek medical attention. This is true even when you do not think you were hurt as you may have sustained an injury that does not involve immediate symptoms.
Try to gather evidence at the scene of the crash yourself or ask somebody to do it for you if you need medical attention. Evidence can include photographs of your accident scene from varying angles and distances, eyewitness contact information, and your own medical records after a hospital visit.
Do not contact the other party’s insurance company but report your accident to your own insurer. Then contact a Houston Amazon truck accident attorney so you can get help dealing with all of the insurance companies and other requirements involved in recovering financial compensation.
Contact a Houston Amazon Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Did you recently suffer injuries or was your loved one killed in an Amazon truck accident in Texas? You will want to be sure that you find a Harris County Amazon truck accident attorney at Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec for help navigating the legal process.
Our firm will immediately commence our own independent investigation into your crash and work to gather and preserve the evidence needed to build a robust case. You can call 281-643-2000 or contact us online today to receive a free consultation.
Source:
Safe Winter Driving in Texas
While many residents of Texas do not mind the lack of snow the state gets compared to the rest of the country, winter conditions can pose all kinds of driving hazards. Rainfall late one evening can easily turn into ice the following morning, and people can be skidding all over the roads.
As we head into another winter season, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) both offer some good tips people should keep in mind. Begin taking steps now to prepare yourself in case you happen to be involved in an emergency situation.
How You Can Drive Safely This Winter
Here are some basic tips that all drivers should keep in mind this winter:
- Prepare Early — Make sure your motor vehicle is ready before the road conditions change. Check your battery, antifreeze, and headlights, make sure your tires and treads are in good shape, and also get a review of your brakes.
- Slow Down — Remember that most of the speed limits posted in Texas are assuming regular road conditions. When roads are wet or icy, you need to drive less than the speed limit to ensure safety and reduce the risk of a rear-end accident.
- More Following Distance — Keeping in mind the dangers of rear-end collisions, you want to be sure that you are giving yourself adequate time to stop if the driver in front of you stops suddenly. Try to use a three-second following distance in inclement weather instead of the standard two.
- Have Emergency Kit Ready — You will want to have some kind of kit containing items such as jumper cables, phone chargers, blankets, and other goods ready.
- Know How to Handle Slides — If you feel your vehicle skidding, take your foot off the gas and brakes. Steer into the direction you are skidding from until you can regain traction and then straighten the vehicle.
Contact a Houston, TX Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you happen to suffer injuries or your loved one is killed in an automobile accident caused by inclement weather in the Houston area, you will want to make sure you are working with a Harris County car accident attorney at Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec. Our firm understands how to conduct independent investigations in these cases to prove negligence and help people recover as much financial compensation as possible.
We understand how confusing every aspect of recovery can be for people in these circumstances, and our firm works closely with every client we serve so they are able to get answers to all of their questions and the best guidance about moving forward. Call 281-643-2000 or contact us online today to set up a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.txdot.gov/safety/severe-weather/snow-and-ice.html
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/five-tips-for-winter-driving.html
Many people who have been involved in car accidents wonder whether they really need to go to the hospital when they do not feel like they sustained any injuries. Immediate symptoms people may experience after an automobile accident can include headaches, neck or back pain, dizziness or lightheadedness, tinnitus (ringing ears), blurred vision, and sensitivity to light, and delayed symptoms could include soreness, pain, stiffness, redness, difficulty sleeping, painful bruising, irritability, personality changes, and challenges concentrating. These symptoms can be indicative of serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.
Anyone involved in a car crash in the Houston area will want to be sure they get prompt medical attention afterthe accident, regardless of how they feel immediately afterwards.
Why Medical Attention is Important
One of the biggest mistakes people involved in car accidents can make is a delay in obtaining necessary medical care. Every single person involved in a car accident in Texas needs to seek medical attention as soon as possible following an accident.
Your first reason for doing this is to ensure you did not suffer an injury with delayed symotoms. Many internal organ injuries and brain injuries do not result in immediate symptoms, so sufferers are unaware of how seriously they were hurt.When people do not treat these injuries promptly after they happen, it can cause complications in recovery later on.
Furthermore, if you are preparing to file a personal injury claim, getting medical attention several weeks or months after an accident happened will be viewed very suspiciously. Insurance companies will be more likely to argue that the issues you are now dealing with were not connected to your motor vehicle accident.
Seeing a doctor right away after an accident will only help your personal injury claim. You will be able to have a medical professional diagnose your condition and immediately note any complications you are experiencing right away after the accident, so there is a clear connection.
Damages in many personal injury cases are dependent on proving that a person’s harm was the clear result of an accident caused by another party’s negligence, so you cannot ignore the obligation you have to make sure that you did not suffer serious injuries. The defendant’s insurance company is likely to argue that your accident was not severe enough to cause your alleged injuries, and they will be seeking any kind of reason to doubt medical records, especially when dates of treatment occur long after the dates of the accidents.
Contact a Houston, TX Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
When you are having issues with your medical care coverage following a car accident in the Houston area, be sure to speak to a Harris County car accident attorney at Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec. Our firm has helped people recover substantial compensation in these cases.
We can assist you if you are having any difficulty obtaining the medical care you need, including possibly setting up a medical lien with your hospital or another facility so your bills can be paid through whatever settlement or judgment you receive. You can call 281-643-2000 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.rebellionresearch.com/how-long-after-a-car-accident-can-symptoms-appear
https://aica.com/be-aware-of-these-6-delayed-injuries-after-a-car-accident/
Despite improvements in technology, car crashes remain one of the primary causes of death and serious injury in the United States. In Texas, where many residents work in the oil and gas extraction industry, car crashes cause more than half of all work-related deaths.
Car accidents are often complex incidents that are the result of many different factors. For example, a person’s failure to use their blinker before transitioning into another lane could result in another person attempting to pass, hitting the car trying to change lanes. But if the person attempting to pass was speeding so quickly that the car changing lanes could not have seen the speeding car, both drivers may be found responsible for the outcome of the crash that resulted from both of the drivers’ behavior.
In cases like this, especially those involving serious injury or death, apportioning fault (or responsibility) for a car accident is a complex process. However, when it comes to recovering compensation for injuries sustained by either party, it is essential to determine how much of an accident each party is at fault for so those who deserve compensation for their injuries or losses can get it.
How is Fault Determined in a Multi-Car Accident?
If there is any question about how much each party is at fault, a Texas judge or jury will need to examine the available evidence and allocate a percentage of total fault to each party. Some of the evidence a court or jury could look at includes:
- Reconstructions of the crash scene
- Damages to vehicles and other property
- Eyewitness testimony
- Driver testimony
- Dashcam or other camera footage of the scene
- Police reports
- Injuries
- Weather reports
- Expert testimony
Texas uses the comparative negligence doctrine, which means that if someone brings a personal injury lawsuit for a car accident for which they were partly at fault, the compensation they will be awarded will be reduced by the same percentage as their share of the fault. For example, if a person was 30 percent responsible for causing a car accident, they will take home 70 percent of the damages they are awarded.
It is important to note that if someone is more than 50 percent at fault for a car crash, that person cannot recover any damages at all, even if their injuries or losses are severe.
Contact a Houston, TX Car Accident Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Regardless of the circumstances of your accident, consider contacting a Harris County car accident injury attorney. You may not realize that you can take action against another driver, company, individual, or manufacturer who contributed to your injuries. Call 281-643-2000 today to schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/motorvehicle/resources/crashdata/facts.html
While Texas rarely has winter weather to match the northern American states, rain, snow, and ice in the Lone Star State can still cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and cause serious car and truck accidents. Careful driving can prevent many of these accidents, which means that when a serious car accident does occur because of bad weather, the thoughtless actions of another driver are often to blame. As winter weather approaches Texas this year, remember that if you experience a serious car accident, you have options. Contact a personal injury attorney to learn more.
How Does Winter Weather Contribute to Car Crashes?
Just last year, a massive 133-car pileup in Texas happened after an unexpected ice storm caused road conditions to rapidly deteriorate. Six people died in the accident and many more were injured when cars and trucks slammed together at high speeds.
Although Texas rarely sees snow, its lack of winter weather means many drivers are unprepared to drive safely when it does happen. Often, the most serious winter weather in Texas appears as ice or heavy flooding on the road. These conditions can contribute to car crashes in many ways, including:
- Making it more difficult for cars and trucks to stop
- Making it more likely that cars will swerve into adjacent lanes or oncoming traffic
- Making it more difficult to see other cars, pedestrians, or objects in the road, especially at night
- Causing oil on the road to make the road surface unexpectedly slippery, especially after the first time it rains in a while
Winter weather conditions actually make fatal accidents less likely than good weather because drivers are often moving more slowly. However, drivers and passengers can still be seriously harmed and even killed. Common injuries sustained in winter weather accidents include:
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Back and spinal cord injuries
Property damage is also a common problem in winter weather when cars slide or hydroplane off the road onto private property. Whether the damages after an accident are fatal loss of life, serious injuries, or destructive property damage, having an experienced personal injury attorney to help you negotiate with or litigate against insurance companies can make all the difference in whether you obtain compensation commensurate with your suffering.
Call a Harris County Personal Injury Attorney
The consequences of careless driving during winter months can be fatal. If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed by a reckless driver, you can take action with the help of a Houston, TX car crash attorney. Call the offices of Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec today to learn more about how our experienced, assertive team can put our commitment to client service and outstanding results to work for you. Call 281-643-2000 today.
Source:
https://www.fox4news.com/news/fort-worth-marks-anniversary-of-deadly-133-car-pileup-on-icy-i-35w
Road Rage Can Lead to Dangerous Car Crashes
Driving in bad traffic is something everybody finds irritating. Some people, however, take their irritation to the next level and become downright aggressive. From the quiet and safety of the inside of the car, drivers who have road rage experience the illusion that they are safe and well-justified in their anger, no matter how trivial the trigger may be. Busy roads, a stressful life, and drug and alcohol use can all fuel high-anger drivers, who then take out their rage on the people around them.
This behavior can have tragic consequences. Aggressive driving contributes to approximately half of fatal car crashes, many of which are directly attributable to road rage incidents. If you or a close family member has been seriously injured or killed in a Texas road rage car accident that was not your fault, it is important to know that you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Hallmarks of Road Rage
While most of us are content to pound the steering wheel or make a rude hand gesture, people who experience true road rage have a tendency to engage in the same dangerous driving behaviors again and again. These include:
- Passing illegally
- Not signaling
- Driving too fast
- Rushing around someone to make an illegal turn
- Tailgating
- Swerving in and out of lanes
- Driving on the shoulder or between cars
- Ignoring red lights, stop signs, and other traffic laws
- Using headlights or brake lights to harass or intimidate other drivers
- Forcing another car off the road
Any one of these behaviors increases the chance of a serious accident happening, putting both drivers and passengers at risk of injury and death.
What Should I Do if I Was in a Road Rage Accident?
The first thing you need to do is seek medical treatment for yourself and everyone else in your vehicle, even if you do not think you were seriously hurt. Some types of injuries take time to appear, and if you hope to bring a lawsuit against the person responsible for causing the accident, you need proof of injury.
Keep careful records of damage to your car and property, including photos and detailed notes of your memories from the accident. Ask anyone in the car with you to write down their eyewitness account as well.
Then, contact a personal injury attorney with experience in litigating and negotiating car crash settlements. You will likely need to gather further evidence from the crash to prove the other driver was at fault, which can be a time-consuming endeavor. An attorney can help you with this and every other part of your lawsuit so you can focus on recovering.
Contact a Houston, TX Car Crash Injury Lawyer for a No-Pressure Consultation
Our priority is making sure that you get the compensation to which you are entitled. If you need help understanding your legal options after being seriously injured in a car accident, schedule a free consultation with Shane R. Kadlec, our Harris County personal injury attorney. Attorney Kadlec will offer friendly, customized advice that is focused on realistic solutions for your circumstances. Call us today at 281-643-2000.
Sources:
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-aggressive-driving
While reckless, negligent, or intoxicated drivers are often responsible for accidents involving pedestrian injuries and deaths, the act of a pedestrian can also cause serious car crashes. In fact, one study in Florida found that pedestrians were responsible for a full 80 percent of pedestrian-vehicle crashes. Careful drivers may swerve in an effort to protect a pedestrian who is wrongfully in the roadway, causing a chain reaction involving other drivers and ending in serious injuries. If you were hurt in a car accident caused by a pedestrian’s careless actions, contact a Houston personal injury attorney to find out your options.
How Do Pedestrians Cause Car Accidents?
Most pedestrian-auto accidents happen between three and six p.m., when people are leaving work or going out to run errands after work or school. However, most pedestrian accidents involving fatalities happen later in the day, when it is dark and harder to see pedestrians in the roadway. While pedestrians are often struck as they try to cross legally at intersections, the vast majority (nearly 70 percent) occur at places other than intersections.
This is because pedestrians often engage in unsafe behavior when they try to cross the road outside of traffic control areas, especially at night. These include, but are not limited to:
- Jaywalking
- Drunkenly stumbling into the road
- Failing to see a car coming
- Walking while distracted by a phone or other device
- Losing control of a cart or baby stroller and chasing it into the road
- Chasing an animal into the road
- Misunderstanding traffic laws
- Jogging or walking in the road
Drivers trying to avoid pedestrians illegally in the road may reflexively try to avoid the pedestrian, causing further dangers. These include:
- Running off the road and into a stationary object
- Swerving, losing control, and rolling over
- Swerving into another lane and side-swiping another car
- Swerving into oncoming traffic
These behaviors, which occur through no fault of the driver, can put the driver, their passengers, and other drivers on the road at risk of serious injury or death. As with any other injury that occurs because of someone else’s reckless, negligent, or illegal behavior, those injured because of a pedestrian’s actions may be able to take legal action against the pedestrian.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Harris County Car Accident Attorney
Even if the pedestrian who caused the accident was seriously injured, you still deserve compensation for injuries you suffered through no fault of your own. To learn more about what action you can take following a car accident caused by a pedestrian’s carelessness, contact an experienced Houston, TX car accident injury lawyer with Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec at 281-643-2000.
Source:
https://popcenter.asu.edu/content/pedestrian-injuries-fatalities-0
Connect with us
