Monthly Archives: January 2018

When worn or defective tires cause your crash

If you were hurt in an accident caused by a tire blowout, or if your loved one was killed in such a crash, we can help you. We determine the reason for the tire failure and assist you in obtaining fair and necessary compensation for your injuries, related medical costs, property repairs or replacement, lost wages and emotional damages. For nearly 30 years, we have advocated for clients with many types of injuries, and we are well aware of the known risks of different tire brands, such as BFGoodrich, Cooper, Dunlop, Firestone, Goodyear, Hankook and Michelin.

What causes tire blowouts?

Personal injury attorneys know that tires might fail for a number of reasons, but the most common contributors to tire blowout accidents are product defects and tire wear. We can determine at which of the following production stages the defect occurred:

Design — The tire was designed in a way that rendered it ineffective, even when manufactured properly.

Manufacturing — The tire was not manufactured according to the design, or shoddy materials were used.

Directions — The directions for using the tire included inaccurate rotation or replacement guidelines or other misinformation.

Tire defects can cause the tires to malfunction unexpectedly, whether by exploding, separating from the tread or creating a blowout. When these types of events occur, drivers are likely to lose control of their vehicles and cause serious, even fatal accidents. Manufacturers are liable for the resulting damages.

When tire wear is the cause of the accident, it may be the fault of an entity, such as a trucking company, or a person, such as the car or truck driver. If a trucking company fails to perform regular maintenance checks for tire wear, clear signs could be missed that a tire needs to be replaced. And if an individual driving a car or other vehicle for personal use fails to take the vehicle in for regular inspections or to replace tires as often as recommended, that person could be found negligent if a tire blowout accident occurs. Additionally, retailers and resellers who purvey tires that are too old — essentially expired — or too worn to be safe could also be found liable.

A fierce advocate when a drunk driver is responsible for your injury

Drunk driving, also known as driving under the influence or DUI, is a serious offense leading to motor vehicle accidents and subsequent injuries every day. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA), Texas had the highest number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2016 (1,438 fatalities).  We’ve represented injury victims, including those whose accidents resulted from drunk driving, for nearly 30 years. We know how to fight aggressively to help our clients obtain rightful compensation after an act of gross negligence leaves them or their loved ones seriously injured, and we’re well-prepared to advocate for you.

Drunk driving as a criminal offense and how it affects your case

Even a first-time drunk driving conviction carries misdemeanor penalties, including fines, possible jail time, community service, probation, license suspension and a court-ordered drug or alcohol-abuse class. In second and third offenses or in cases of vehicular homicide due to drunk driving, the penalties become much more severe. But criminal court charges have little to do with the compensation you might receive from the injuries you sustain.

When accidents caused by drunk driving cause injuries, the victims have the right to file civil court claims for medical care, property damage, lost wages, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. With help from a trusted auto accident lawyer, you can seek compensation from the drunk driver and the insurance company. In fact, because a drunk driver can be found not guilty in a criminal court but still negligent due to speeding or other recklessness, the insurance company is often left bearing the brunt of the personal injury costs. Insurers are notorious for trying to get out of paying what they owe, even if it means using bad faith practices. Therefore, it is crucial that the lawyer you choose to represent you understands how to provide protection from insurance tactics that would otherwise leave you with less than you deserve after sustaining an injury in a drunk driving accident.

Common accidents that cause injuries

Every day, individuals suffer personal injuries in motor vehicle accidents that could have been prevented. Automobile accidents can result in a range of injuries, many of which are serious and could lead to death. If your accident was caused by negligence, a lawyer from our firm can help you seek compensation for any injuries you endured.

When you suffer a personal injury in an auto accident

If negligence was a factor in your motor vehicle accident, the negligent driver can be held accountable for head and back injuries and any other harm you suffered. A car accident lawyer can help you file a claim and determine how the driver was responsible. The driver of a car, truck or other vehicle might be found negligent for any of the following:

Becoming distracted

Becoming fatigued

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Failing to obey the speed limit or other traffic regulation

Aggressive driving

When negligence is the cause, any crash can be a fatal car accident. The most common types of collisions resulting from negligence, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are as follows:

Rear-impact­ — The NHTSA reports rear-ending and other rear-impact accidents as the most common type of collision — 29.6 percent of all crashes are rear-impact. Often, these types of collisions have to do with misuse of brakes, malfunctioning brakes or following too closely.

Side-impact — Side-impact accidents account for 28.9 percent of all crashes, according to the NHTSA. These often occur when drivers change lanes without checking their mirrors or run a red light or stop sign.

Run-off — Run-offs are also common, accounting for 16.1 percent of all automobile accidents. They usually involve only one car. The driver becomes distracted, falls asleep at the wheel, or intentionally swerves to avoid hitting an animal or other vehicle on the road.

Rollovers — Rollovers are less common, only accounting for 2.3 percent of all accidents, according to the NHTSA. They often occur due to sharp turns and particularly with tall vehicles like trucks and SUVs that have higher centers of gravity. Rollovers can also happen as a result of high-impact rear, side or head-on collisions.

Head-on collisions — Even though head-on collisions only account for 2 percent of all crashes, they often cause the most serious injuries and property damage. They often occur when a driver goes down a one-way street in the wrong direction, boards the wrong entrance on a highway or crosses a double line while asleep at the wheel or intoxicated.