How Can Social Media Affect My Personal Injury Claim?

Thursday, June 30, 2022

During a personal injury claim in Dallas, the insurance company responsible for assessing your eligibility for benefits will not want to maximize your payout. Diminishing your injury claim is the insurance company’s main mission. One thing an insurance company may use to investigate your claim is your social media accounts. Be careful what you post, as it could be used as evidence against you.

Social Media Is Admissible Evidence

Your social media profiles are not off-limits during a personal injury claim. Even if you have your account set to private, everything you post is accessible to an investigator. This includes private messages and posts you have deleted. If an insurance company finds evidence on your social media accounts that is relevant to your case, it can submit it to the courts. Social media accounts are a form of electronic records that are considered written documents under Texas law. This makes anything you post on social media admissible as evidence in court.

How Can Posting On Social Media Hurt Your Claim?

Posting things on social media after an accident may seem harmless. After all, it is not on official record and it is used for personal reasons. Since an insurance company can use social media content as evidence against you, however, it is important to recognize the power of what you post. Many accident victims make the mistake of posting things on social media that diminish the values of their injury claims.

Information about the case. It is natural to want to talk about your recent accident or injury on social media. Try to avoid posting any information about your case until it is over, however. An insurance company can compare what you post to the facts reported on your claim. Even a minor contradiction could ruin your reliability and hurt your chances of recovering damages.
Photographs of you out with friends. Posting pictures out and about with your friends on Facebook or Instagram could show an insurance company that your injury is not very serious. Pictures of you enjoying normal life, such as on vacation or at a bar, will contradict your story if you are pursuing compensation for pain and suffering.
Location check-ins. During your personal injury claim, your goal should be to show an insurance company that the accident interfered with your enjoyment of daily life. Checking in at different locations could go against your injury claim. If you claim you broke your leg, for example, checking in at the gym could show an insurance company that you are physically able to continue your daily tasks.

Insurance companies and defense lawyers will almost always check a claimant’s social media accounts for information or evidence. They will look at sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat for things to use against a client to diminish his or her payout. The best way to protect yourself during an injury claim is not to post anything on social media at all.

Social Media Dos and Don’ts During an Injury Claim

Although it may be difficult to stay off of social media while a personal injury claim is pending, this could be critical for your case. Posting or doing the wrong thing on a social media account could hurt your injury claim.

Do: change all of your social media settings to private.
Do not: post anything about your accident or injury.
Do: screen your friend requests and avoid interacting with people you do not know.
Do not: respond to any questions or comments about the accident.
Do: warn friends not to post any photos of you.
Do not: post new photographs or videos of yourself after your accident.

When in doubt, stay off of social media completely until your case concludes. This is the most effective way to protect your rights. For more assistance protecting yourself during a personal injury claim, hire an attorney to represent you.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 12:39 pm

Can You Be Sued for Texting a Driver?

Thursday, June 30, 2022

The age of technology has brought about some interesting questions regarding liability. Although people may not have a physical influence at the scene of a crime or accident, their electronic presence could impact one party’s ability to perform certain duties. Although it is not yet a criminal act to text someone who is driving, more people are beginning to question the liability of texters due to recent law suits.

The Case of the New Jersey Texter

In 2009, a New Jersey couple was badly injured by a driver whose truck drifted into their lane. After settling with the driver, the couple decided to go after his girlfriend as well because she texted him before the crash and was said to be the cause of his distracted driving. The court could not prove the driver’s girlfriend knew he was driving when she sent the text, and, therefore, she was not liable. However, this case led to many questions about the liability of those who text a driver.

What Does the Law Say?

The driver of a vehicle is responsible for operating under a “duty of reasonable care.” This means drivers must take an ordinary amount of care to ensure the safety of passengers and others on the road. If the prosecution proves a driver breached the duty of care, and that breach resulted in harm or injury to others, the driver is guilty of negligence. IT’s extremely important to work with a car accident lawyer to fully understand the laws and your rights. Can You Be Sued for Texting a Driver? 3

In some states, the passenger of a vehicle must also act with reasonable care. If the passenger doesn’t take reasonable care, he or she could bear the guilt in an accident. It usually takes a great deal of investigation to prove liability in such a case. If a non-driver’s text directly affected the driver’s ability to act with reasonable care, the texter could be found guilty if a prosecutor proves he or she was aware the driver was operating a vehicle at the time. Because the texter is not physically in the vehicle, liability is even more difficult to prove, but it’s not impossible.

Elements of Negligence

For the courts to find someone guilty of negligence, the prosecution must prove all elements of negligence. First, the prosecution must establish a duty of care based on the relationship between the defendant and plaintiff. All drivers assume a duty of care when they operate a vehicle, and it extends to those with direct impact over the driver’s behavior. Once the prosecutor establishes the texter has a duty of care, he or she must prove the texter broke that duty by sending the text. If the prosecutor can prove a breach of duty, there also needs to be evidence that the breach caused the harm or injury. The law calls this a “cause in fact” or “but-for” causation. If the defendant could have reasonably foreseen the resulting harm, even if the actions did not directly impact the damages (such as texting from a different location), his or her actions fall under proximate cause, and the courts can still apply liability. Lastly, the law must legally recognize the harm, known as damages, resulting from the defendant’s actions to prove liability in a negligence case.

How to Avoid Liability

Even though it can be difficult to prove liability of a texter in a text-related accident, all involved parties should be careful. If you suspect the person you are texting might be on the road, don’t send the text. It is better to be overly cautious than to unwittingly cause an accident. Additionally, if you are the driver of a vehicle, don’t let new messages distract you from your responsibility to drive with care. As tempting as it may be, checking your phone while driving could cause harm to you, those around you and possibly your message sender.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 10:39 am

How Common Are Truck Accidents and Crashes?

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Truck accidents are often catastrophic for the victims involved. They are some of the most dangerous types of collisions on the road, involving trucks that can weigh more than 80,000 pounds – about 20 times more than the average passenger car. Truck accidents, injuries, and deaths are almost always preventable. Yet every year, thousands of people lose their lives and suffer life-changing injuries in accidents with commercial trucks. Talk to a Dallas truck accident lawyer if you have been injured in a semi truck-related accident.

How Often Do Truck Accidents Occur?

Truck accident facts from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration state that close to 4,700 large trucks had involvement in fatal accidents in 2017. This was a 10% increase from 4,251 trucks in 2016. In addition, 107,000 injury crashes and 363,000 property-damage-only accidents involved big rigs in 2017. Most fatal truck accidents occurred in rural areas (57%) and interstate highways (27%). Thirty-five percent (35%) occurred at night.

Truck accidents involved hazardous materials in 3% of fatal large truck crashes and 2% of nonfatal crashes in 2017. The first harmful event in the majority of fatal truck accidents (74%) in 2017 was the collision with a vehicle in transport. Rollover was the first event in 4% of fatal truck accidents. About 5% of truck drivers involved in fatal accidents (252 total drivers) tested positive for drugs.

Statistics for 2018 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety state that 4,136 victims lost their lives in collisions with large trucks. The majority (67%) of these deaths were passenger vehicle occupants, while 16% were truck occupants and 15% were motorcyclists, bicyclists or pedestrians. Sixty-two percent (62%) of accidents that killed large truck occupants involved other large trucks, in multiple-vehicle crashes. In 2018, 11% of all traffic fatalities involved large trucks.

Why They Happen

Truck accidents occur more often than most drivers realize. It is a common assumption that large trucks are safe due to federal regulations. In reality, however, many trucking companies cut corners to save time and money on transports. People die every day in preventable commercial trucking accidents, including rollovers, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions, underride accidents, and head-on collisions. Most of these accidents stem from the same few causes.

Speeding is the most common driver-related cause of fatal truck accidents. Speeding can refer to driving faster than the speed limit or too fast for conditions. If it is raining or snowing, for example, a truck driver may need to slow down to below the speed limit.
Distraction/inattention. Driver distraction or inattention was the second most common driver-related crash cause. Driver distractions often include cellphones, food and drink, the radio, passengers, personal grooming, and things happening outside the cab.
Drug and alcohol involvement was the third leading cause of fatal truck accidents in 2017. Impaired truck drivers may be unable to safely control their rigs, leading to catastrophic collisions.
Truck defects. A truck defect can refer to manufacturing mistakes – such as bad brakes – maintenance errors or cargo loading issues. It is a trucking company’s responsibility to properly load and maintain its trucks. Failure to do so can contribute to tire blowouts, lost cargo loads, rollover accidents and other problems.
Dangerous roads. Some fatal truck accidents start with a roadway hazard or defect, such as a pothole, uneven shoulder, dangerously designed road, malfunctioning traffic light or obscured stop sign. It is the city’s responsibility to adequately maintain its roads and highways.

Recognizing why truck accidents and crashes happen can help drivers avoid the most common risks and potentially prevent collisions. Trucking companies and their drivers cause many collisions, while others stem from mistakes on the passenger vehicle driver’s part. Either way, most truck accidents are preventable. After a serious truck accident that causes injuries or deaths, the at-fault party may be liable for victims’ damages.

Posted by mockingbird at 12:47 pm

If a Jaywalker Is Hit by a Car, Who’s at Fault?

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

When we think of accidents involving pedestrians and fault, we often assume that the motorist is at fault. In driver’s education courses, we’re often taught that pedestrians have the right of way. In certain situations, however, pedestrians can be liable for accidents, either partially or wholly.

How Do We Determine Fault?

Imagine witnessing a car hit a pedestrian. When telling a friend about the accident, you maintain that it was the pedestrian’s fault because he or she ran out in front of the vehicle before the driver could react. In some cases, assigning fault is this simple. There’s little a motorist can do when a pedestrian runs out in front of traffic. In these situations, witness testimony like yours may help an insurance adjuster arrive at that decision. Insurers may also look at police reports, traffic cameras, and whether or not the driver was following all applicable laws. It’s important to discuss your situation with a car accident lawyer to understand your rights and possible compensation. If a Jaywalker Is Hit by a Car, Who’s at Fault? 5

If a Jaywalker Is Hit by a Car, Who’s at Fault? 5

In the case that the driver is wholly at fault, the pedestrian will easily recover damages from the driver’s insurance policy for economic and general damages. The main hassle in these circumstances is fighting with an insurance company to raise its lowball offers. In the event that a pedestrian shoulders all the blame for an accident, he or she likely won’t get compensation for subsequent injuries. In fact, the driver may be able to file a personal injury claim if he or she was injured in the process of swerving, or if the insurance company won’t cover the full cost of property damage. Instances in which a pedestrian may be fully at fault include jaywalking (crossing in the middle of the street), crossing against a traffic signal, walking along a highway, or walking while intoxicated.

What About Shared Fault?

Even in these scenarios, a driver may shoulder at least part of the blame for an accident. For example, a motorist may be partially at fault for a jaywalking accident if he or she was speeding even just a few miles over the limit. Distracted driving is another common reason for shared fault in jaywalking cases. When both the pedestrian and driver are a fault, the courts turn to one of two different legal concepts to guide their decisions in personal injury claims: contributory negligence or comparative negligence.

What Is Comparative Negligence?

Most states, including Texas, use the principle of comparative negligence to determine the proportion of fault in personal injury cases. A handful use an all-or-nothing system called contributory negligence to settle personal injury claims, stating that a guilty party must be 100% at fault for an injured person to collect a personal injury settlement. While these cut down on the number of personal injury cases the courts see, they’re rarely fair. San Antonio and surrounding areas use a comparative negligence rule when an injured person, like a jaywalking pedestrian, shares some of the blame for an accident. Under this rule, the victim can collect damages from another at-fault party, but the settlement will be reduced by his or her fair share of fault. For instance, imagine a driver was texting a friend when a jaywalker stepped out in front of him or her. The vehicle strikes the pedestrian, causing extensive injuries. The pedestrian sues the driver for damages, and a jury determines that the driver was 60% at fault for the accident. The pedestrian is entitled to damages minus his or her proportion of fault. Texas follows what’s known as the 51% rule, meaning an injured party can recover damages if he or she is 50% at fault or less.

Have You Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?

If you’ve been injured by a vehicle, you may be eligible for compensation—even if you were jaywalking. Contact our office for a free case evaluation to see if you qualify.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 12:03 pm

San Antonio Pedestrian Accidents – Child Pedestrian Injuries

Saturday, June 18, 2022

San Antonio Child Pedestrian Injury Attorney

Child pedestrian injuries and deaths due to motor vehicle related incidents nationwide average 20,000 incidents each year. The majority of child pedestrian injuries and deaths occur at non-intersection locations.

When a child suffers an injury or is killed in an auto accident, parents and other family members are often left with many unanswered questions. It is understandable to feel overwhelmed, but help is available to get you through this. If the crash was the result of negligence, such as a distracted driver, a dangerous roadway, or a faulty vehicle part, the injured child or the family members of the deceased child have a legitimate claim for damages.

The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert’s personal injury attorneys and staff are sympathetic to and resourceful for those affected by a serious car collision involving a child. For years, we have fought to protect the rights of our clients, assisting them in their pursuit of justice for compensation. We offer a free, no obligation consultation with a board certified personal injury attorney. We will listen to what happened, we will explain all of your legal rights and we will fight to protect those rights. There is no fee or case expenses unless we recover in your case.

While these accidents are tragic and most often the fault of careless drivers and not the fault of the child or child’s parents, the following are tips can at least help reduce the risk of being hit by a careless driver.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TIPS

Teach Kids How to Walk Safely

Teach kids at an early age to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Then remind them to continue looking until safely across.
It’s always best to walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
Children under 10 need to cross the street with an adult. Every child is different, but developmentally, most kids are unable to judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars until age 10.
Encourage kids to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up.
Teach kids not to run or dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
If kids are walking when it’s dark out, teach them to be especially alert and make sure they are visible to drivers. Have them wear light- or brightly-colored clothing and reflective gear.

Take Action Against Distraction

Teach kids to put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street. It is particularly important to reinforce the message with teenagers.
Pull headphones down or turn off the volume before crossing the street.
Be aware of others who may be distracted and speak up when you see someone who is in danger.
If kids need to use a cell phone, teach them to stop walking and find a safe area to talk.

Types of Injuries in accidents involving pedestrians

Pedestrians have no protection from injury in a collision with a motor vehicle, and the injuries they suffer are often serious, catastrophic or even fatal. Common injuries include:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Spinal cord injury.
Limb loss and traumatic amputation.
Internal injuries.
Disfigurement.
Fractures, such as a broken leg, arm, rib or pelvis.
Neck and back injuries.
Sprained or torn ligaments.
Contusions, lacerations and abrasions.

In the unfortunate event of an accident between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle, pedestrians will suffer severe bodily injury or even death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in San Antonio or other Texas city, Board Certified Attorney Aaron A. Herbert can help. The personal injury accident lawyers at the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert have helped injured pedestrians or surviving family members hold negligent parties accountable for recklessness or wrongdoing. Please do not wait to contact us if you or someone you care about has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Texas. There is a specific amount of time in which you can take legal action and you do not want to forfeit your rights by waiting too long to speak with a lawyer. /contact/”>Contact Us today for a free, confidential consultation.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 12:37 am

San Antonio Construction Crane Accident Attorneys

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Crane collapses and other construction accidents involving cranes can be devastating for workers on a construction project as well as for pedestrians and bystanders. When crane accidents occur due to negligence, board certified personal injury attorney Aaron A. Herbert and the team of experienced San Antonio construction crane accident attorneys at our firm will step in to hold negligent workers, contractors and property owners responsible and obtain compensation for injured workers and their families.

Improper Construction Crane Use Causes Serious Accidents On San Antonio Construction Site

Nearly twenty-five percent of construction fatalities are attributable to crane accidents. Advances in technology in the last twenty years has made construction cranes capable of moving faster, extending farther and carrying greater loads, so concerns regarding construction crane safety are more serious than ever before. All workers at a construction site and others in the vicinity are at risk of serious injury or death while a crane is in operation, particularly if a load becomes unbalanced while it is being lifted, or in the event of a crane collapse.

Causes Of Construction Crane Accidents

Crane accidents occur when careful attention is not paid by the crane operator, other workers on the site, or those in charge of planning and executing the operation in question. Crane accidents are often attributed to the following circumstances:

Crane is not set up properly
Planning and coordination of the construction operation is inadequate for safety
The crane is operated outside the safety parameters set out by the manufacturer
Improper maintenance, modification or negligent repair Improper maintenance, modification or negligent repair
The area surrounding the crane operation is congested
Clearances are insufficient to complete the lift
Pinch points are left unguarded
Outriggers are improperly extended
The crane selected for the job is inadequate considering conditions at the jobsite
The crane selected is inadequate for the load requirements of the jobsite
Power lines, fixed objects and other overhead hazards are not properly considered
Crane operator, site supervisor or superintendent is inexperienced or unknowledgeable about safe crane operation

Common Construction Crane Accident Injuries

There are both physical and psychological scars after a construction crane accident. Some of the most common injuries associated with construction crane accident injuries are as follows:

- - Facial Scarring and disfigurement
  - Nerve damage – paralysis and in severe cases spinal cord injury and paraplegia
  - Amputation
  - Brain injury due to trauma sustained to the head
  - Broken bones and knee ligament injuries
  - Emotional trauma – post traumatic stress (PTSD), depression, and anxiety

San Antonio Construction Attorney Board Certified In Personal Injury Trial Law

Texas board certified personal injury attorney Aaron A. Herbert and our team of highly accomplished and experienced San Antonio Construction Crane Accident Attorneys have extensive experience and a proven record of results in cases involving life-changing personal injury. We can sit down with you and discuss your options for seeking maximum compensation for the harm you or your loved one has suffered due to an the negligent operation of a construction crane or other construction accidents. Call us now for a no-cost consultation. We will fight to protect your rights, and we give you the personal attention your construction accident case deserves. Time to file is limited, so contact us now.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 11:15 am

Is It Worth It to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Thursday, June 9, 2022

If you have been injured in an accident in Texas, you may wonder whether you need to hire a personal injury lawyer. An injury lawyer is a licensed professional who is trained to represent accident victims during insurance claims and lawsuits. You may need a lawyer’s assistance in certain circumstances, such as if an accident gave you serious or catastrophic injuries. Knowing when it is worth it to hire a personal injury lawyer could allow you to properly protect your rights.

When You Need and Do Not Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

Not all cases require personal injury lawyers. You may be able to represent yourself during an injury claim, or handle it pro se, if it is simple and only involves minor injuries. If this is the case, your insurance company or that of the at-fault party may offer a fair settlement award, allowing you to resolve your case without further litigation. You may need an attorney, however, if your case involves complicating factors.

Serious injuries
Injuries that will impact you for the foreseeable future
A permanent disability or debilitation
Significant scarring or disfigurement
Thousands of dollars in medical expenses
Loss of a limb
Wrongful death
Multiple defendants
Liability dispute
Comparative negligence or assumption of risk defense

If you run into any issues or complications after filing an insurance claim in Texas, contact an attorney to find out if you need legal assistance. Hiring a lawyer may be necessary to work through complex legal processes or problems. It is especially important to contact an attorney if an accident gave you life-altering injuries. A lawyer will give you advice you can trust, including an accurate calculation of the value of your claim.
If your accident was minor and the damages amount to no more than a few thousand dollars, you can most likely handle an insurance settlement on your own. With a minor injury case, the damages are generally not high enough to be worth the costs of hiring a lawyer or bringing a lawsuit. Instead, you should be able to handle the case yourself with the insurance company or in the Small Claims Court. Managing a minor injury case pro se could save you time and money.

How Much Does an Injury Lawyer Cost?

If you do have serious injuries that require expensive medical treatments, hiring a personal injury lawyer can be well worth the costs. A qualified injury attorney can help you estimate your losses, go up against the correct defendant(s) and fight for maximum compensation. Without an attorney representing you, you may not appreciate the full value of your injury claim. You may take an insurance company at its word when it says a settlement is fair when in reality, the insurance company is lowballing your offer to save money. After hiring a lawyer, you can rest assured of the accuracy of your case estimate.
One of the main obstacles that prevent injured accident victims from hiring lawyers is the cost. Most attorneys, however, have flexible financing options for injured claimants. Lawyers know that the average injured party is dealing with expensive medical bills, lost wages and property damage. To make legal representation more affordable, most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means the lawyer will only charge legal fees if and when he or she wins the case for the client.
If you hire a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, expect to only pay legal fees if your attorney wins a financial award for your case. If not, you generally will not owe any attorney’s fees at the end of your case. If your lawyer does win the case, he or she will subtract legal fees directly from your settlement or jury verdict. This prevents you from ever having to afford a personal injury lawyer out of pocket. Discuss your personal injury case in more detail with an attorney in Texas to ask about the cost of representation.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 12:16 pm

How Much Is My San Antonio Personal Injury Claim Worth?

Monday, June 6, 2022

You may not have to pay for your medical bills and other losses out of pocket if you did not cause your accident or injury. In San Antonio, you have the right to pursue financial compensation from the person who did cause your accident using a personal injury claim. One of the most frequently asked questions in personal injury law is, “How much is my claim worth in San Antonio?” The only way to get an accurate answer to this question is by asking an attorney. However, you can get an idea of the value of your claim by understanding how the Texas courts calculate damage awards.

What Damages Are Available?

How Much Is My San Antonio Personal Injury Claim Worth? 11 — Antonio Car Accident Lawyers

The word damages in personal injury law refers to the financial compensation available for an injured victim’s losses. The point of a personal injury lawsuit is to make the victim whole again through financial compensation. When discussing damages with your lawyer, you will be referring to the money you may be able to receive from the at-fault party (defendant) through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. In Texas, you could recover compensation for several types of economic and noneconomic losses.

Medical expenses
Disability-related costs
Lost wages
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Legal fees
Travel costs
Out-of-pocket expenses
Punitive damages

These are some examples of damages that could be available to you as an injured accident victim in San Antonio. This does not, however, mean that you will be eligible for all of these categories of losses; you will only receive compensation for the actual losses you suffered in the accident. It will be up to you to prove the losses you experienced due to a defendant’s negligence. You or your lawyer will need to show an insurance company, judge or jury that you suffered these losses using evidence such as medical bills, receipts, pay stubs and medical expert testimony. Without evidence of your losses, you may not receive fair financial compensation.

How Do the Courts Calculate Damage Awards?

Once you have a comprehensive list of the losses for which you are seeking compensation, you can gain an idea of how much your claim might be worth by calculating an award using the same techniques that will be used by the courts. A lawyer can help you with your calculation to make sure you ask for enough money in your insurance demand letter.

Economic damages. The courts calculate economic damages by adding up the actual expenses related to your accident, such as health care costs and lost wages. They will also take into account any future economic damages connected to a long-term injury.
Noneconomic damages. The value of noneconomic damages is entirely up to a jury. However, the jury may use a common calculation method, such as multiplying the total amount of economic damages by a number that represents the severity of your injuries.

It is impossible to accurately predict how much you will receive for a claim in Texas, as a lot of it is up to a jury’s discretion. Every client is unique, and awards are given on a case-by-case basis. The best way to obtain an accurate estimate is by asking an attorney for an estimate.

What Factors Can Affect Your Settlement?

An attorney in San Antonio can help you understand the potential value of your personal injury claim by analyzing common factors that affect payouts, such as:

Injury severity and extent
The length of time it will take you to recover
Whether your injury interferes with your ability to work
Your income before the accident
Your age and overall health
Physical pain and emotional distress
Liability for your injuries
The amount of insurance coverage available
Your comparative fault for the accident

With these facts in mind, your lawyer can give you a case estimate that comes close to the amount you actually receive, if any. An attorney will have the legal experience necessary to make this analysis. Consult with an attorney today for more information.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 12:24 pm

Steps to Be Safer on the Road

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Americans are more health-conscious than ever. Thanks to this new attitude and advances in medical technology, we are living longer, more productive lives. As we age, however, we begin to lose our sharp vision and some fine motor control. As a result, older Americans are more likely to get into accidents on the road. In 2012, motor vehicle crashes killed more than 5,500 adults and injured 214,000 more. Adults ages 85 and older are most vulnerable, though your risk of being in an accident increases exponentially after 70. Physical changes, vision changes, and a decline in cognitive functions are risk factors for age-related car accidents. Driving is an important aspect of maintaining our independence as we age. Luckily, older Americans can take some simple steps to protect themselves when behind the wheel.

Wear Your Seatbelt

This is one of the simplest things anyone can do to decrease the risk of being injured in a car accident. Older Americans already participate in higher rates of seatbelt use than younger groups. Of those involved in fatal crashes, 75% were wearing seatbelts—compared with 66% of those ages 18 to 64. Buckling up is easy to remember and greatly decreases the risk of injury or fatality. In Texas, we wear our seatbelts more than the national average (at a rate of 94%, compared to 86% nationally). Keep up the good work, and buckle up for safety.

Drive When Conditions Are Optimal

Whenever you can, avoid inclement weather conditions. Older adults are already more likely to limit their driving during bad weather and at night. Overall, they tend to drive fewer miles than their younger counterparts. Driving during times of optimum visibility can decrease the likelihood of an accident. If you must drive after dark or in the rain, ask someone for help.

Do Not Drink and Drive

Older drivers are less likely to get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. Only 7% of drivers who were involved in fatal accidents had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of .08. For comparison, nearly a quarter of drivers aged 18 to 64 involved in fatal accidents had a BAC of over .08. Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances is never worth the risk. If you anticipate drinking some alcoholic beverages, arrange for alternate transportation. Designate a driver or call a cab.

Other Protective Measures

Older drivers can take other steps to ensure their safety on the road. Try some of these preventive measures to lessen your risk of injury in a car accident: • Participate in regular low-impact exercise, such as walking or water aerobics, to keep your muscles strong. Muscle tone and flexibility are important aspects of driving—even if we do not necessarily think about it. • Schedule an eye exam once per year. Our vision is one of the first things to diminish as we age, so regular exams are essential. • Plan your route before getting into your car, avoiding highways and other busy roads whenever possible. Opt for back streets and well-lit areas if driving at night. • Use alternatives if you find your ability to drive waning. Options include public transit and carpooling with a friend. Safety is your utmost priority on the road. But if you have been involved in an accident, you need the services of an attorney. If you think you have the grounds for a personal injury claim due to an auto accident, contact a member at our experienced law firm for a free initial consultation. We will help you decide on an appropriate course of action, risk-free. Contact us today.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 12:40 pm

How to File a Wrongful Death Claim

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Wrongful death is a tragedy that can befall a family after a fatal motor vehicle accident, workplace accident, fall, criminal assault or many other types of deadly accidents. The civil justice system in Texas provides a way for surviving family members to seek financial compensation for the wrongful deaths of loved ones. Although a lawsuit is not the perfect solution, it could lead to important compensation for you and your family during this difficult time. Find out how to file a wrongful death claim in your county with a Dallas personal injury attorney.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Texas Wrongful Death Statue of Limitations

First, determine if you have the ability to bring a wrongful death claim in Texas. A wrongful death claim is a civil cause of action that seeks to hold someone responsible for the fatal injury of a plaintiff’s family member. You may have grounds for a lawsuit if the recent death of someone close to you fulfills the definition of wrongful death according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 71.002.
State law defines wrongful death as an injury related to someone’s wrongful act, neglect, default, unskillfulness or carelessness, that causes death. In most cases, if the deceased person would have been able to file a personal injury claim had the injury not been fatal, survivors can file wrongful death claims for compensation. You might be able to file after any preventable accident that takes the life of your loved one in Texas.

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Suit in Texas?

Next, find out if you are one of the parties permitted to demand compensation for wrongful death in Texas. Laws in many different states are strict when it comes to who may and may not bring wrongful death suits. In Texas, these parties are the deceased individual’s surviving spouse, child or parents. These parties may file separately or together as a group. If these parties do not exist or do not file within three months of the date of death, a personal representative of the decedent’s estate can file instead. The only exception is if a family member expressly forbids the representative to bring a claim.

What Is the Time Limit to File?

Act fast to hire a lawyer and take the first steps toward obtaining compensation after the death of someone close to you. Waiting too long could hurt your chances of recovering financially. If you miss the deadline to bring a claim, you will be permanently unable to hold the defendant accountable. In Texas, the deadline (statute of limitations) is two years from the date your loved one died, with limited exceptions. Contact an attorney before the end of your window to make sure you retain the right to file.

How Do You File a Claim?

Once you have confirmed you have all the elements of a wrongful death lawsuit and the legal right to bring a claim, file the paperwork to initiate the process. Start by hiring a wrongful death lawyer in Texas to help you with your case. A lawyer can handle paperwork and legal red tape for you while you spend time with your family during this hard time. A lawyer can also make sure your family does not settle for less than the claim is worth with an insurance company.
You or your attorney will draft a demand letter to send to the insurance company of the allegedly at-fault party. The demand letter will explain why you believe the defendant named is responsible for causing your loved one’s death and how much money your family is seeking to resolve the claim. A lawyer can make sure you get the wording correct in your demand letter. Submit the letter to the insurer and wait for a response. Acceptance will lead to settlement negotiations, while denial will give you the ability to take your wrongful death claim to court in Dallas County. An attorney can help you regardless of which path your claim takes.

Posted by Aaron Herbert at 3:29 pm