Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

A quick perusal of the morning news reveals the normal mayhem on Houston roadways. A story that originally appeared several days ago revealed that not one person - but an entire family was struck by a vehicle upon exiting one of Texas's favorite pastimes - the rodeo.

As they were walking to their car a drunk driver exiting the parking lot at a high rate of speed traveled up onto the barricaded walkway and struck the family. The driver fled but was captured a short distance away.

The family only received minor injuries - but when a drunk driver is involved in an accident the potential is always there for severe injuries and fatalities. Research shows that intoxicated drivers are less cautious, more cavalier, more likely to take risks and less able to control the vehicle. All of these seem to be at play in this incident. Drunk driving accidents claim hundreds of Texans each year.

In another accident story a flatbed trailer parked and unmoving was struck by a subcompact car. The driver was taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries. While there are no other facts available concerning this incident several questions immediately come to mind.

First, where was the flatbed parked - in a lot or along the side of a public roadway? Was it in the middle of a designated traffic way or out of the way where a driver would not be likely to strike it unless he or she was intoxicated, impaired, drowsy or distracted?

Did the truck driver follow the safety regulations in parking his truck? Or did the trucker improperly park the big rig?

Of course the answers to these queries will be revealed in the days to come but both stories serve as a reminder that you must always take your own safety (and that of your family) into consideration as you go about your daily business.

Continue reading "Safety is our Responsibility " »

With more drivers and their trucks and cars taking to the roads it should come as no surprise that the number of multi-vehicle collisions are beginning to occur at record rates. However, it is not simply this increase for which we can attribute the phenomenon - certainly there are other factors at play as well. In fact, the same reasons for single car accidents are often the impetus for multi-vehicle collisions as well. Consider the following accidents.

Several nights ago in a neighboring state, police responded to a fifteen car pile-up on a city freeway. The cause should come as no surprise - wet roads iced over and spots of black ice dotted the roads catching drivers unaware. Fortunately there were no severe injuries but lots of damage. The weather is often the culprit of single and multi-vehicle collisions.

A man headed the wrong way on the interstate took out four cars and killed two people last year. You don't have to be genius to figure out that the guy was intoxicated. Drunk drivers cause single and multi-vehicle collisions and wrongful death accidents every day.

The same is true for distracted drivers. A woman was applying her make-up in an effort to make up for lost time (having left for work late that morning). She failed to notice traffic stopped in front of her and plowed into the back of a vehicle with such force that vehicle was shoved into several others. All told, six vehicles were involved and catastrophic injuries occurred.

As you can see - the reasons for single and multi-vehicle collisions are very similar.

Continue reading "Multiple Vehicle Accidents" »

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" »

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.

While we all may have our suspicions about what is the leading cause of automobile and truck accidents - I decided to search for and share reliable statistics on the topic. When one considers the fact that there are upwards of fifty thousand deaths annually in the United States attributable to vehicle collisions - and 1.2 million (yes, I said MILLION) vehicle fatalities across the world's roadways - let me say, simply, that the information should have some relevance to all of us.

The NUMBER 1 reason for deaths caused by car and 18 wheeler accidents is something that has gained the attention of the national conscious more and more in recent years - distracted driving. This takes many forms but - amazingly - texting and rubbernecking (slowing down to observe another car crash) are the leading causes. When queried - one policeman noted that often there are multiple vehicle collisions in one area because people stop to look - and stop looking at the road in front of them.

The second most common culprit of vehicle fatalities is driver fatigue - a more common occurrence between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8. a.m. Unfortunately, people are often unable to gauge the extent of their fatigue until they have fallen asleep at the wheel and lost control of the car or 18 wheeler.

The third most common cause of driver deaths is driving while intoxicated - a ranking I would have thought was too low at first. In all, there is an average of one drunk driving death every 30 minutes across America, day in and day out.

Finally, speeding is fourth, aggressive driving is fifth and poor weather conditions are the sixth reason for highway deaths - in the order given.

Continue reading "Top 6 Reasons for Car and Truck Accidents" »

Conroe is a microcosm of the greater Texas area - and the U.S.A. at large. By that I mean that accidents happen on a regular basis, and they are no different in nature, cause and result than those across the country. Let us consider some of the accidents that occurred in Conroe over the last month.

At the beginning of September reports indicate a 56-year-old man left the scene of an accident and was later apprehended. It turned out he was alleged to have been driving while intoxicated. Charges are pending.

Several days later, it was reported that on September 12th at 1 a.m. an Explorer carrying middle aged couple left the roadway and struck 2 trees before coming to a stop. It took an hour and a half to cut them out of the vehicle. They were transported in critical condition to a nearby hospital.

Meanwhile two days later, the tractor of a 77-year-old farmer who was plowing stopped midfield. The farmer used jumper cables attached to a second vehicle to restart the tractor, however, he had apparently forgotten to put the tractor in park when it died so as the engine came to life it rolled over him. Despite the best efforts of emergency medical personnel, he expired.

Meanwhile, more accidents occurred over the next couple days.

One from a 26 year old female who was suspected of a DUI and the gentlemen involved in the Sept. 12th accident sadly died as a result of his injuries.

The citizens of Conroe rounded out the month with another DUI arrest of a 65 year old man who had passed out behind the wheel while sitting in a traffic jam.

Continue reading "Conroe Accidents" »

A horrifying accident between a truck and a car has been reported recently in Houston. The tragic incident took place in early morning when the entire nation was sleeping safely in their houses. It was reported by the investigating team that there were two persons in the truck who were carrying packets of cocaine and heroine along with them.

Large amounts of these drugs were found in their blood samples as well which clearly shows that they were driving fast without being in their senses. The person sitting next to the driver was killed on the spot along with other two members who were in passenger car.

Due to high speed of 100mph and lack of full senses, it became really impossible for the driver to control the vehicle. Both individuals who were traveling in the passenger car were the only sons in the family. Their family is under a very traumatic situation and my heart goes out to them. The investigation is ongoing as to the facts of the truck wreck.
An increase in number of such truck wrecks is mainly due to increase in number of drugged drivers and drunk drivers in the nation.

It is required under the FMCSR to give proper driving training to these commercial drivers in addition to the motor carrier monitoring the drivers. Moreover, a proper investigation of manufacturing, maintenance and repair department must also be done to keep a check on any malfunctioning in the vehicle.

Drunk and drugged commercial drivers are giving rise to serious criminal offenses and with 18-wheelers accidents or airplane crashes the public has zero tolerance.

Alcohol addicts often fail to realize that drinking and driving can substantially reduce driving skills in any driver. Skills necessary for driving the car perfectly will desert the alcoholic just as snow melts away in scorching sun. Fact remains that driving the car requires that blood alcohol levels remain at par or below the normal standards. Otherwise there would be every possibility of drunk driving accidents.

Normal Blood Alcohol Level
It is essential understanding what the normal blood alcohol level should be. For instance: -
• Blood alcohol levels should be lower than 0.03%.
• With each 1% increase in the blood alcohol levels, the risks of driving go up considerably resulting in multiple drunk driving accidents.
• Alcohol levels of 0.08% or above are illegal in most of the states as the risk of car accidents skyrocket with each hundredth of a percent increase.

Drunk Driving is Bad Idea
Whatever the situation might be, drunk driving is bad idea. While many consider a couple of drinks in a party not harmful, they can spell disaster while driving a vehicle home. In any case, the body should never go beyond the legal permissible levels of intoxication.

If it happens and the driver gets involved in a drunk driving accident DUI or DWI conviction and all that goes with it would be the first consequence. Other negative consequences include, being a defendant in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, losing your auto insurance, not being able to drive as a result of losing your license.

Continue reading "Drunk Driving Accidents Have Consequences" »

Besides various legal and physical consequences involved in drunk driving, there are also multiple emotional consequences of such drinking and driving.

Major Emotional Consequences
When a driver under the influence of alcohol is arrested for drunk driving or injures someone in a drunk driving accident. It is not only the esteem of the person that will hit the lowest levels, but such person also may lose the confidence, respect and trust of near and dear ones.

Shocking Facts
If one takes a look as the statistics relating to drinking and driving, the statistics are quite shocking. Data that is available at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that around 13,000 people in United States lose their lives each year in wrongful death drunk driving cases. Such adverse emotional affects are even more pronounced and visible in the teenager drivers who constitute the majority of the people responsible for accidents. Also the fact that over 30% of serious injury or wrongful death accidents involve drinking accents the seriousness of the problem.

Preventive Steps
The best preventative step is to educate young drivers about the seriousness of drinking and driving. Explain clearly and in detail how just poor choice can ruin or take a young persons life. The consequences to the drinking driver who causes a car accident can be sever, most recently, is the 60-year sentence given in Houston to a drunk driver who killed 2 people. Additionally, if you know someone with a drinking problem, consider intervention, there are many places to turn for help including AA and spirtiratualriver.com.

Continue reading "Emotional Consequences of Drinking and Driving" »

Drunk driving runs the gamut of motorcyclists, motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. Examples of injuries and fatalities when drinking and motoring in any way are mixed. But the most likely to be deadly is the trucker who consumes alcohol before climbing behind the wheel of his or her rig to hit the open road.

One may wonder at the frequency of just such an event. Let us consider the statistics.
According to studies done by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety semi truck drivers are the least likely among all types of drivers to drink and drive.

In a recent year they found that only 4% of all 18-wheeler truck driver deaths had a blood alcohol content level that registered high enough to be considered legally intoxicated.

In statistics compiled by police forces around the country - random stops of drivers over the course of a year revealed that only 0.2% of semi truck drivers tested positive for alcohol (not necessarily to the point of intoxication) while 5% tested positive for illicit drugs including (but not limited to) marijuana and cocaine.

Undoubtedly, strict federal regulations regarding alcohol consumption and semi truck driving play a role in minimizing the problem. For instance, federal law calls for drug testing of drivers before an offer of employment.

It is mandatory to get a blood alcohol content level of any semi truck driver who is involved in a crash as well as random testing in general. Drivers found with ANY alcohol content in their blood systems are taken out of service immediately. A BAC of 0.4 or higher causes the driver to be disqualified from applying for a CDL.

Occasionally it's heartening to see our federal tax dollars at work.

Continue reading "Drinking Truck Drivers- a Small but Deadly Number" »

Houston has some of the deadliest roadways in the country. Unfortunately, many are alcohol-related and, therefore, easily preventable.

For instance, just this past week a man in his late twenties was driving at a high rate of speed on the Gulf Freeway when he clipped a Toyota truck causing that driver to lose control and wreck. To be exact, according to reports, the vehicle rolled several times before coming to land on the shoulder of the highway. The Toyota's passenger was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the truck. He died en route to the hospital. The driver expired on the scene.

The drunk driver is being held on a $60,000 bond and faces two counts of vehicular manslaughter. In legal terms the young man is being charged with the killing of another human - less culpable than actual murder. Unintended or not - legally known as malice aforethought - there is no cure for death and the driver is accountable both criminally and civilly.

The lives of all family members will be changed forever. Loved ones who died will be mourned and missed. The driver will most probably face jail time and financial damage from the criminal process from which he (and a spouse, children or other family members) may never recover - all of this in the name of drowning one's sorrows in a glass of alcohol and then opting to drive while under the influence.

The families of drunk driver victims often suffer a double whammy, they lose a loved one and the drunk driver have very little insurance, and it is also devastating to the family financially.

The another thing about drunk driving is that often the drunk driver doesn't die in an accident but takes the innocent lives of others. This has nothing to do with providence and more to do with the human body's ability to go limp in an accident when intoxicated thereby minimizing injuries.

Don't drink and drive.

Continue reading "Houston Alcohol Related Accidents" »

Just like drinking and driving, driving under the influence of drugs puts you at risk.

In the press we read about celebrities who get arrested for driving impaired, Nichole Ritchie, George Michaels just to name a few, and many more for allegations of drinking and driving.

Recently Lindsay Lohan's ongoing legal problems seem to be getting a lot of press coverage.

As we all know the problem with drinking and driving, impaired motor skills and judgment are also the problem with drugged driving. However, the impairment from drug use differs depending on the drug being used or abused.

While studies show the adverse effects of marijuana on driving increase with the level of THC (the active agent in marijuana) it is clear that attentiveness and perception of time and speed is most affected.

Prescription abuse also has been in the press recently with doctors operating pain clinics being charged for distributing narcotic like pain medication in large quantities. Each of those users may very well drive a car on Houston highways and put you or your family at risk.

Dangerous driving under drug influence can also occur by accident, in that a person on legitimate prescription medication gets in their car and drives because they did not read the warning on the prescription label or they didn't heed such warning.

If you are taking medication which indicates do not operate machinery- do not drive. If you are a passenger be very careful who you ride with- there are very few second chances when it comes to serious car accidents.

Continue reading "Driving While Drugged- Part 2" »

A much under reported driving hazard is "driving while under the influence of illicit substances".

Regular readers of this blog are aware of my penchant for statistics to support premises and it will be no different as we delve further into the topic of "drugged driving".

According to the National Highway and Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 2007 National Roadside Survey, "more than 16 percent of weekend, nighttime drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter medication.

More than 11% tested positive for illicit drugs--a sign that continued substance abuse education, prevention, and law enforcement efforts are critical to public health and safety."

Further a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed an estimated 10 million people age 12 and older reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during the year prior to being surveyed.

This corresponds to 4 percent of the population age 12 and older, similar to the rate in 2007 (4.2 percent), but lower than the rate in 2002 (4.7 percent). In 2008, the rate was highest among young adults age 18 to 25 (12.3 percent).

Couple these numbers with statistics of the number of drivers who are intoxicated on a weekend night and it becomes apparent that over a quarter of drivers on the road place you and your family at risk for an auto accident with injuries or worse.

The number of arrests for DWI on any given weekend in Houston, Conroe and The Woodlands are alarming and on a holiday weekend arrests for drunken or impaired driving are off the charts.

Drugs act on the body in much the same way as alcohol. They alter perception, cognition, balance, coordination and reaction times. As with alcohol - the more consumed the greater its impact on the body.

A wealth of studies performed by reputable universities and other organizations confirms that drugged driving places us all at danger in the same way as a drunk driver.

Fortunately, many companies are advancing methods to test for illegal drugs in the system that can be performed quickly and on site. As the methods for detecting impaired drivers become reliable and more accepted, expect to see our police officers with portable kits for checking for impaired drivers.

Continue reading "Driving While Drugged" »

With truck drivers it is critical that they are in control of their vehicles at all times. Sometimes truck accidents are caused by inattention of the truck driver or other causes beyond the truck driver's control.

There are times however when the truck driver himself is impaired. Driving a 20,000-pound vehicle requires certain height and responsibilities upon the truck driver end the trucking company.

Sometimes a truck driver will drink when off-duty and then go on duty while still under the influence of alcohol or with little sleep. In that case, like any other person the truck driver may very well have difficulty safely operating his rig.

The Federal motor carrier safety regulations have very specific rules with regard to truck drivers, alcohol and drugs. Having the regulations is not enough. Enforcement and drug test by trucking companies and state officials is critical to protect the public.

It does not matter to the family who has lost a loved one that the truck driver gets a lengthy jail sentence. The key to truck safety is prevention.

Trucking companies can implement policies, which reduce the number of drinking drivers operating semi-trucks.

Like most drunk driving accidents, a drivers reaction time, judgment and physical impairment all create a situation that is a prescription for disaster.

Continue reading "Drinking truck drivers" »

The statistics of children and car accidents are alarming. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), nearly 250,000 (that's right - a quarter million) children are injured every year in car accidents!

This means that every day of the year approximately 700 children are harmed in accidents on our roadways. That number translates to about 10 children per state.

Worse yet, however, is the fact that of the 250,000 kids injured each year, nearly 2,000 die from their injuries. More grim data finds that children make up about 5% of total fatalities due to car accidents.

In fact, for children between the ages of 2 and 14, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death.

Although painful to relate, the aforementioned information is not the only ghastly information about children and auto collisions.

Car accidents are the leading cause of acquired disability (e.g., brain injury, paralysis, etc.) for children nationwide.

And around 20% of the children who die in a car accident each year are killed in accidents involving a driver who is legally intoxicated.

Nearly half of these children were killed while riding as passengers in an automobile driven by an intoxicated driver.

This information is chilling yet we cannot simply turn our backs on the facts.

Continue reading "Injury to children from car or truck accidents" »