When Texas pedestrians get hit by motor vehicles, the outcome is often severe. People out walking or jogging do not have the structure of a vehicle or the protection of safety restraints to reduce their injury risk. Even low-speed crashes can lead to broken bones and brain injuries. Pedestrians may die in collisions caused by people texting in a parking lot or pulling out of a driveway without checking nearby sidewalks first. In recent years, the number of deadly pedestrian crashes has been on the rise both in Texas and across the United States. Factors including increased risky driving behavi ..read more

Those in motor vehicles have to share the road with numerous other parties. Larger vehicles are more of a safety issue than vehicles that are close in size in the event of vehicle collisions. The greater the discrepancy between the vehicles involved in a collision, the more likely the crashes to cause massive property damage or to result in significant injuries. When a passenger vehicle collides with a semi-truck, the resulting collision could prove far worse than a crash at similar speeds involving a smaller vehicle. Austin truck drivers sometimes make mistakes that cause car wrecks. What do ..read more

Technically, motorcycles are motor vehicles, but they are vastly different than four-wheeled vehicles. Texas motorcyclists typically need special licensing to legally operate a motorcycle. They also have different safety concerns when compared with those in larger vehicles. The average driver around Austin, Texas may not treat motorcycles with the respect that they deserve. There is an assumption that smaller vehicles should yield the right of way in traffic, but misconceptions about the law could potentially lead to preventable collisions. Do motorcycle riders ever have the right of way in tr ..read more

Winter weather in Austin, Texas, may be a rare occurrence, but when it hits, it can catch drivers off guard. Snow and ice can transform familiar roads into hazardous landscapes, demanding extra caution from motorists. To ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road, here is a comprehensive guide on how to drive safely in snow and ice in Austin. Increase following distance In icy conditions, the normal following distance might not be enough. Increase your following distance to at least 5 to 6 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This extended gap provides ample time to react t ..read more

A crash between a semi-truck and a smaller vehicle will often be devastating for those in the passenger vehicle. The vehicle itself will likely become unsafe to drive, and the occupants could very easily suffer major injuries. Although semi-trucks typically have more sizable insurance policies covering them when compared with passenger vehicles, that insurance coverage might still fall short of what the people affected by the crash require to compensate them for their losses. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit is a way to close the gap between the actual costs generated by a wreck and availabl ..read more

Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to indemnify a plaintiff for their losses, punitive damages are meant to penalize the wrongdoer and help prevent future misconduct. Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, according to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §40.001(5), are additional monetary awards granted by the court in personal injury cases as a form of punishment for the defendant’s willful or reckless behavior. When and how are punitive damages awarded? The criteria for awarding punitive damages are stringent; the injured party must demonstrate that the defendant’s ac ..read more

Every time a pedestrian in Texas crosses the street, they run the risk of a collision with a motor vehicle. Sometimes, pedestrians get killed in crashes caused by someone driving a car. Even when they use a marked crosswalk and check the street carefully before crossing, a pedestrian is largely at the mercy of the behavior of those who are driving motor vehicles. Even cautious pedestrians can end up hurt by unsafe drivers who don’t pay attention to their surroundings, drive too fast or get behind the wheel after drinking. Pedestrians can end up in the hospital and unable to work because of som ..read more

Motorcycle riders in Texas have thousands of miles of open road to enjoy and beautiful natural vistas to tour. Whether someone goes for weekend relaxation rides with friends or commutes to work every day on their motorcycle when the weather is good, they typically need to know about their risks and rights while riding on a motorcycle. After all, those navigating two-wheel transportation face catastrophic consequences if they get hurt in a crash. All too often, the person on a motorcycle that gets hurt isn’t to blame. Instead, they suffer consequences because of the bad choices of someone else ..read more

One of the options for justice available to those who lose a loved one in a car crash is a wrongful death lawsuit. Texas State statutes include a rule specifically allowing for civil claims to be filed against parties that cause someone’s death via negligence, omissions, unskillfulness or default. While the knowledge that they can potentially take legal action can be of comfort to many surviving loved ones, the process of achieving this end often remains confusing. For example, who typically has the right to initiate a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas? Multiple parties could pursue a wrongful d ..read more

Bouncers working at bars and clubs in the Austin area often have very difficult jobs. They have to scrutinize the identification presented by younger patrons to check for fake Ids. They need to spot known troublemakers at the door and keep them from entering. They have to intervene if two attendees at a concert get into a physical altercation. When the staff inside refuses to serve someone who is visibly intoxicated, a bouncer may need to physically remove someone from the premises because they are angry about the staff’s decision to refuse them additional drinks. The job often involves making ..read more