Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

With winter weather upon us a review of safe driving habits is both germane and timely. Certainly one of the advantages of living in the southern United States is that we are less inclined to suffer through several months of snow and ice storms and treacherous driving conditions. However, that does not mean that we are never treated to poor weather.

Those of us who reside in Houston generally enjoy what might be termed 'balmy' weather in January while the rest o f the country is shivering in subfreezing temperatures. But we are not immune to bad weather.

Late fall and winter can bring with them occasional cold and freezing rain and fog - usually lasting only through the month of January.

So how does one drive safely in the bad weather conditions of Houston? First, turn your headlights on - even in the daytime. Study after study shows this simple act helps prevent accidents because it makes your vehicle more visible to the other drivers around you. Next, slow down.

Driving on wet roads can cause the driver to lose control and hydroplane - or careen across the highway.

Also, the colder weather can cause windows to fog up and need defrosting - it is important to make sure this equipment is in good working order before it is needed. The same holds true for the windshield wipers - nothing is more frustrating than trying to see the road ahead through the driving rain without the support of wipers.

Finally, don't allow distractions to take your attention away from the job at hand. Driving is a full time job no matter what the weather's like.

Continue reading "Winter Driving Tips for Houston Drivers" »

Highway 59 outside a Houston was completely shut down today by a truck fire near Cleveland. The incident started initially by a fire in the cab of a tanker truck authorities believe. How the fire spread to the tanker is unknown at this time.

The tanker truck was carrying acrylic acid which was a huge impediment to battling the flames by local area firefighters. Because of the acrylic acid, firefighters were unable to initially approach the truck.

Traffic was completely stopped for hours in both directions while hazmat officials battled the flames and the cleanup.

Houston has been plagued recently by incidents such as this where a truck accident causes are already congested highways to be completely shut down and local crews utilized for cleanup. Not only has this been terrible for Houstonians commuting but also for our local infrastructure that in some instances has been damaged by the truck accidents.

There are no reports of injuries from this truck fire. If injuries that result authorities typically look to a cause and origin fire expert to determine what caused the fire and where it started.

Truck drivers and trucking companies who transport hazardous materials are subject to additional scrutiny under the trucking regulations. Such additional scrutiny or safety precautions are designed to protect the public from serious accidents from the material being transported such as this.

Let us hope that the Houston area Hazmat teams get a break from truck accidents next year.

Continue reading "Houston Highway Closed by Truck Fire" »

A topic that does not receive enough attention is 'wrong way accidents'. These collisions occur more often on interstate highways - but can also happen on city and rural roads as well. Wrong way accidents occur when driver enter onto a thoroughfare motoring in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic.

According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) an average of 350 fatalities can be attributed to wrong way accidents each year. It is not uncommon to find that alcohol may have played a role in the accident - however, that is certainly not always the case. Sometimes it is simply a matter of driver confusion.

Consider the following incidents that have been reported on Houston roadways over the past few months.

In late July a female driver and her companion were reported traveling the wrong way in a Jeep on Highway 59 outside of Houston. Although the State Highway Patrol were notified they were unable to intervene in time to prevent a head on collision that killed both the occupants of the wrong-way car as well as the driver of the vehicle with which they collided. An empty container of alcohol was found in the Jeep.

In early March a mother and her four children were returning home from an all night church event when a man in a pick-up truck was seen to be headed straight for them at a high rate of speed. Although the mother swerved the truck struck the back of the vehicle and one child died as a result. It was later determined the driver was intoxicated.

Even though the Texas Department of Transportation continues to make improvements meant to prevent wrong way accidents - there is no substitute for vigilant driving.

Continue reading "Houston Wrong Way Car Wrecks" »

A report placed in the financial section of a new source states that there is expected to be 400,000 truck driving jobs that will need to be filled in the next year and upwards of a million in the next fifteen years.

The reasons for this are now what you might expect. At first glance one might jump to the conclusion that this is indicative of an emerging robust economy in the next year and into the future. However, instead, we find that the need for these truckers is only to replace aging drivers who will be retiring soon as well as those who are being squeezed out because they have such horrific driving records.

However, the third and final more hopeful reason is that companies do expect to see a slight uptick in goods shipped over land...and who better to fill the need than the thousands of workers who have been displaced from their original line of work?

The good news for future truck drivers is that when there is a shortage in supply and an increase in demand - it leads to a prediction of markedly improved wages and benefits for drivers. Couple that with new regulations requiring better mileage for big rigs and the future looks pretty good for owner-operators and small and large trucking companies alike.

Make no mistake the trucking industry is a vital part of our economy and without it we would all suffer higher prices. It is the balance between safety, preventing truck accidents and helping the industry prosper that the Department of Transportation must weigh.

Continue reading "Huge Growth Predicted for Trucking Industry" »

If you have a young man or woman who is about to turn 16 years of age and get his or her driver's license - be prepared for a hefty added expense.

The cost to insure your child as a driver continues to spiral with some estimates placing the number as high as a 44% increase in your annual insurance bill if you have one car. For two vehicles the cost skyrockets as much as 58% and 3 cars - well be prepared to add up to 62% of the original payment every 30 days or so!!

However, there are several steps that can be taken that will help to reduce the amount of the monthly premium. Consider the following advice.

1. Press your child to make good grades in school. Most insurance companies now offer discounts to students that keep a grade point average above a certain level. If your current insurance company does not offer this type of cost advantage then I suggest it's time to start shopping around for another one.

2. A number of electronic devices are now available to parents that will allow you to monitor the behavior of your young adult when he or she is behind the wheel of the family vehicle. While some parents may think keeping track of your child in a car goes beyond the acceptable level of trust - others are thrilled to be able to have the opportunity for continued oversight.

3. Model safe driving habits for your children so that they may naturally become a part of your child's driving 'repertoire'. This includes such things as making sure everyone is safely belted in before turning the car on and driving defensively. Talk your driving decisions through out loud so your child understands the decisions you are making behind the wheel.

Continue reading "Insurance Costs for Teens" »

In what seems like an everyday occurrence in Houston, another accident was reported today in which a truck crashed into a light pole and sent three people to the hospital.

A the driver apparently lost control and after the crash at least one of the persons were trapped inside the vehicle and rescued by first responders.

While the investigation is ongoing, reports indicate that police suspect that speed and perhaps alcohol may be a cause of the wreck.

Houston leads the nation in fatal drunk driver accidents. We also have numerous serious injury car accidents each and every day in Houston.

One issue that arises in one car accidents like this is what about the passengers injury?

Typically, a passenger who has been injured through the negligence of the driver will have a claim against the driver which may be covered by the drivers insurance policy.

Additionally, sometimes the passenger can be covered under the drivers policy for such things as medical pay or personal injury protection.

If you have been injured in a car accident and have questions contact a reputable personal injury attorney before you deal with an adverse insurance company.

Public transportation is a wonderful and alternative form of transportation utilized by tens of thousands across the country each day. Occasionally, though, they have been the cause of injury and fatality accidents. Frankly, when buses are involved in an accident it is usually big news. Consider the following reports of stories.

A public bus in Atlantic City was rear-ended by a car. Twenty four people were injured - two critically.

A Metro bus accident in Kansas City, Missouri, left several people injured. Several were transported to the hospital. No deaths were reported and the accident remains under investigation.

In another major metropolitan area a Metro bus hit a slick spot on the road some time ago causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into an apartment building. Several people on the bus were injured and had to be transported to a nearby hospital. No one in or near the apartment was hurt - but the corner of the building was completely sheared off.

In Houston a bus crashed in to a light rail train and 19 people were reported injured, some assert the accident was caused by running a red light.

Statistics show that there were nearly 13,000 accidents last year on all types of buses - a phenomenally high number indeed. The fact that most buses do not offer passengers the simplest of safety devices in the form of seat belts only compounds the problem.

If you take city buses be sure and use the hand hold available to passengers to keep your balance and be careful entering and exiting the vehicle - this is where most accidents take place.

Continue reading "Houston Bus Accidents" »

If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in an automobile or truck accident there are a number of first aid steps you can follow that may help save the lives of your passengers or other persons in the other vehicles involved in the collision. Consider the following information.

First, keep a first aid kit in your car. It should include band-aids of many sizes and several ace wraps, gauze, adhesive tape, water, goggles, cotton balls, cold packs, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, petroleum jelly and a first aid manual, scissors, needle, save a tooth storage device, soap and/or hand sanitizer.

Medications to have on hand include such things as benedryl, anti-diarrhea, calamine lotion and aspirin. Also a flashlight, candles, blanket, flares and sunscreen will round out the kit.

If you are alert immediately after the collision carefully determine if you have any broken bones or other injuries that would require you to remain still. If not then begin checking the condition of the other passengers. Do not move them if they appear to be in a great amount of stress.

Instead, place a blanket over them and try to keep them calm. It is likely that any witnesses to the accident have already contacted emergency services - however, this does not preclude you making the call a second time.

Now, if you are in a collision and it appears the car is in jeopardy of catching on fire - for instance, if you smell anything burning - then try to get yourself and other passengers as far away from the vehicle as possible. Otherwise it is not a good idea to move a person. Trained medical personnel will be able to determine the extent of an accident victim's injuries better than a layman.

If a person is moved incorrectly then they risk further injury to their spine and other internal organs.

Finally, stem any free-flowing blood by adding pressure to the area...and wait calmly for help to arrive.

Continue reading "First Aid Tips After an Accident" »

Statistics show that semi truck accidents both in the Houston area and the country at large are a common occurrence.

In fact, there is a semi truck accident somewhere in this country every 20 minutes or so - and although some of them are minor resulting in little or no property damage, injuries or death - there are others that have devastating results.

Consider the following news stories about semi truck accidents within the boundaries of Houston alone.

In the past several months reports indicate a semi truck carrying 9000 gallons of fuel was traveling on a service drive when a small automobile allegedly ran a red light causing the driver of the rig to swerve into an oncoming passenger van. The 18 wheeler rolled onto its side spilling the fuel and causing a fiery explosion.

Under the circumstances it is nothing short of a miracle that only 2 people received minor injuries as a result of the accident. Hazmat was called in to deal with the fuel spillage - which eventually seeped into the surrounding sewage system.

More recently are reports of a semi truck carrying waste water was struck by flying debris from another 18 wheeler causing the driver to lose control and run into a second semi carrying fuel. Both vehicles went careening across the highway and the fuel laden truck ended up on its side and aflame on the opposite side of the highway. Oncoming cars scrambled to avoid the burning truck and fortunately no other cars or trucks became entangled in the truck accident.

Semi truck accidents can happen in the blink of an eye - sometimes through the fault of the rig driver and other times due to the careless actions of another driver. Stay alert and drive defensively.

One fact that has come about from "tort reform" has been the explosion of frivolous litigation defenses. In a nutshell, tort reform has given legs to the conduct by many insurance carriers and the representatives they employ calculated to do nothing but delay and raise the cost of a victim bringing a legitimate claim.

Frivolous defenses are seen each and every day in Houston and all across Texas. Insurance companies have been given free reign to delay, deny and run up the cost of litigation without consequences.

Additionally, and more importantly, frivolous defenses have served to radically run up the number of lawsuits that must be filed for a victim to get any kind of justice.

In effect, frivolous defenses have increased lawsuit filings by over 50% in Harris County. At least twice as many lawsuits get filed now by legitimate victims because of frivolous defenses and strategic choices to run up the cost of making a claim on the victim.

It is time that Texans said "no more".

It is time that Texas put families first and big insurance companies treat people fairly or face real consequences.

Do not let drunk drivers, criminals and irresponsible parties leave victims holding the bag and becoming victims all over again.

If defendants mount frivolous defenses and lose, Texas families need amendments to the tort reform act requiring defendants to pay for their frivolous lawsuit conduct and forcing victims to bring lawsuits just to be treated fairly.

Continue reading "Frivolous Lawsuit Defenses" »

Injury and fatality accidents on Houston roadways literally keep the news in business on a daily basis. Consider the following stories of collisions that occurred in the area over a 7 day period.

Sadly, a driver suspected of legal intoxication is alleged as being responsible for the death a passenger in the early morning hours of last Sunday. In another incident a suspected hit and run driver was then himself involved in an accident when his car rolled over on the freeway.

Earlier in the week a Houston woman was injured and transported to the hospital after a 2-car accident. Finally, in perhaps one of the sadder stories of all, a teenage boy died and five others were injured in a multi-vehicle accident outside a Houston high school.

What could possibly be the reason that I present this series of heart wrenching tales ?
The simple reason is this - injury and fatality accidents are not something that happens only to someone else - or something that happens on a rare occasion.

Traffic fatalities and serious injury accidents - be they motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, automobile, truck and semi truck accidents in Houston happen nearly every hour by the hour.

If you don't care to be part of the news then consider the following advice. If you're a pedestrian cross at the crosswalks, walk against the traffic and make sure to wear clothes with reflective strips - even in the day time.

If you are a bike or motorcycle rider wear a helmet and remember that it's the very freedom you experience when you are unencumbered by a vehicle that will be your demise in an accident so drive defensively.

Automobile drivers - don't speed, follow all posted signs, and pay attention to the road. This should help keep you from making headlines.

Continue reading " Accidents Happen Every Hour in Houston" »

Although semi truck accidents account for only as little as 3% and as much as 8% of the total number of collisions in a single year - the fatality rate that results from 18 wheeler smash-ups is not insignificant.

Approximately 5,000 people are killed each year in accidents that involve big rigs.

Moreover, and equally as horrific, nearly 130,000 persons suffer injuries - most of them life altering and irreversible. Consider some of the following semi truck accident accounts.

My goal is to remind you to redouble your efforts to drive both safely and defensively around semi trucks - their ability to react to you safely is naturally slowed by their sheer size and mass.

In early morning fog on a mountainous road a semi truck rolled three times over a guardrail before coming to rest in a ravine below. Miraculously, the driver walked away...a fact that is credited to his use of a seatbelt. Truck drivers are required to use extreme caution when driving in fog Section 392.14 FMCSR.

In a case of road rage between 2 automobiles on the highway in Pennsylvania captured a semi truck in their 'cross-fire' as both cars came to a complete stop in the passing lane - and then one pulled in front of the truck. The driver traversed across three lanes of the thoroughfare before slamming into the cement of the underpass. Frankly, it is nothing short of a miracle that there were no fatalities - but certainly plenty of injuries to go around.

Finally, a massive truck accident occurred on icy roads in Michigan. Even though traffic was bumper to bumper and no vehicle was able to travel more than ten miles an hour the roadway was literally littered with the skeletons of semi truck after semi truck in the median and along the sides of the roads. There were no less than 25 separate big rig accidents over the course of a short distance. In this situation, under the FMCSR a driver is to discontinue driving until conditions permit.

18 wheeler truck accidents are arguably the worst type of collision a person will experience - and more likely than not you're not going to walk away unscathed. Drive defensively.

Greg Baumgartner is a Houston personal injury attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a Houston injury lawyer call the Baumgartner firm.

A 19-year-old young man was killed in an accident on Interstate 10 this weekend.

According to reports, investigators indicated that the accident happened about midnight Friday.

A driver of a pickup truck was westbound on interstate when he apparently lost control of his truck and crashed into a parked vehicle on the side of the highway.

Police indicate that the 19-year-old driver of the car park to the side of the road was pronounced dead. The driver of the pickup truck that struck the car on the side of the road was critically injured and taken to the hospital.

Authorities are withholding the name of the victim pending notification of immediate family. Further investigation into this tragic accident is being conducted by authorities, and will include autopsy and also toxicology reports.

No charges have been filed at this time pending the outcome of the investigation according to reports.

Continue reading "Interstate 10 Accident Kills Teen" »