Author: Alexandria Zant

Even if you are a careful driver, car accidents can happen due to a number of factors. Furthermore, they can occur anywhere and at any time. When we drive on highways or expressways, the speeds at which we travel are higher, and this can result in even more severe consequences during a collision.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 37,000 people are killed in traffic accidents each year in the United States, and these same accidents result in about 2.7 million people being injured.

Common Causes of Car Accidents on Highways

We will see the most common causes that cause this type of accident on the highways below. 

1. Distracted driving. One of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents is distracted driving. The brain cannot perform two tasks at the same time and pay one hundred percent attention to both. When you’re driving and texting, talking on the phone, eating, playing with car controls, or even talking to other passengers, you take your full attention off the road, increasing your chance of being involved in an accident. 

2. Driving under the influence of alcohol. We all know that the combination of alcohol and driving is not a good idea. By drinking alcohol, your reflexes, and your ability to react are diminished, and if you find yourself driving at higher speeds, you will hardly be able to react in time. Take care of your safety, your family’s, and that of other drivers, avoiding drinking alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel. 

3. Speeding. Another major cause of car accidents. No matter how rushed you are, how important it is to be on time for work, a meeting, or a commitment, remember that it is better to be late than never. Speed limits exist for a reason, and are set based on road conditions, highway curves and layout, and the different types of terrain and gradients you may encounter, among other things. Respect speed limits and take care of your safety. 

4. Reckless driving. Driving recklessly changing lanes left and right, not keeping your distance from other cars, and not respecting traffic signs, is to completely ignore the welfare and safety of others. 

Drive carefully on highways and expressways, and if you are still involved in an accident, contact us immediately. We can help you!

We know that when we are behind the wheel we must pay all our attention to what we are doing. And much has been said about how distracted driving is one of the main causes of car accidents.

Eating, talking on the phone, texting, putting on makeup, etc., are just some of the activities we know to avoid while driving. In addition, of course, not to consume alcoholic beverages, drugs, or prescription medications before driving.

But did you know that driving while experiencing an altered emotional state can also put our safety at risk? Strong emotions can even cloud our ability to reason, putting myself, my passengers, and other drivers at risk.

How do intense emotions affect us when we drive?

Whether you’re feeling extremely sad, scared, angry, crying, or even extremely elated, our ability to react quickly can be drastically diminished. Also our concentration and our ability to make decisions.

An angry driver will be more likely to drive aggressively and lose patience with people on the road. Crying can block your vision, causing you to have “tunnel” vision where you may not be able to identify other hazards or obstacles around you; and shaking can make it difficult to control your vehicle, stay in your lane, and even judge distances correctly.

The most common causes that can cause our emotional state to change include arguments with our loved ones, bosses, or co-workers; stress due to family or work situations, love breakups, illnesses or death of people close to us, receiving bad news, among others.

Try to calm down before driving

If you find yourself in a situation that triggers your emotions intensely, it is best to avoid driving at those times. Ask a taxi, a ride-sharing service, or a friend or family member to take you where you need to go. If you are already driving, pull off the road safely, do breathing exercises, and call for help. Don’t put your safety at risk.

Getting involved in a legal situation can not only be difficult, but also quite confusing for those who normally have nothing to do with this area. For this reason, it is crucial to have a lawyer who can guide you throughout the process, help you make the best decisions and take care of your interests.

However, to find a good lawyer you need to not only make sure that they have the necessary experience to handle your case, but also that they are someone you can feel comfortable with and trust to represent you.

People often don’t know what to expect or what to look for in an attorney and they could end up hiring someone that they aren’t happy with.

Here are some of the most common reasons why clients may feel unhappy with the attorney they have chosen:

· Lack of communication. From answering your calls, or calling you back when they are busy, to keeping you informed at every step of the process. This doesn’t mean that you can keep calling them all the time, but your attorney should maintain an open communication with you and keep you on top of the situation.

· Unrealistic expectations. Either because the client believes in expectations that are not real, and which the lawyer does not clarify for them; or that the lawyer is the one who gives the client unrealistic expectations regarding the outcome of their situation. This could be due to a lack of experience on the part of the attorney, or a lack of time to review and analyse the client’s circumstances.

· Personal differences. Personalities can sometimes clash or have no chemistry to establish a relationship of any kind. That is why it is important to meet with an attorney and discuss your case before hiring one. You can often rely on your intuition to guide you as to the person that you feel most comfortable with before hiring them.

If you want to file a personal injury claim, or if you want to change attorneys, contact us as soon as possible. We will provide you with personalized and high-quality attention so that you can obtain the justice you deserve.

In 2020, approximately 4,014 people were killed in traffic accidents involving a commercial truck. According to collected statistics, 15% of these deaths were the occupants of the trucks themselves, 85% were motorists, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

Getting into a traffic accident with a commercial truck can have devastating consequences for those involved. The weight of these huge machines can reach up to 32 tons, and that’s without counting the load they carry. Therefore, manoeuvring or braking requires time in advance, and can be extremely difficult.

There are several factors that can cause commercial trucking accidents. However, today we will mention those that occur due to drivers who drive beyond the number of hours allowed during their shift, so fatigue and tiredness become the greatest danger, both for them and for other drivers.

The agency responsible for overseeing the safety of trucking companies is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This agency establishes the safety regulations that companies must follow in the operation of their vehicles, including the hours of service that an operator can drive.

These regulations are intended to ensure that the drivers of these trucks are sufficiently rested to operate them. A driver who hasn’t had enough sleep can have the same reflexes and functionality problems as a person under the influence of alcohol.

Here are some of these work regulations for these drivers:

• A driver who has a 14-hour shift can only drive for 11 hours.
• Within this 14-hour shift, drivers must take 30-minute breaks to take naps, eat or use the bathroom. Especially if they have been driving for eight hours straight.
• The driver can start a new shift of 14 hours, only after having been off duty for at least 10 consecutive hours.

If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, call us for advice. We will review your case and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve for your recovery.

The National Motor Vehicle and Traffic Safety Act gives NHTSA the authority to issue vehicle safety standards. These standards must be followed by all car manufacturers.

However, there are times when manufacturers detect a safety defect in vehicles that are already on the market, and that were purchased by some drivers. In these cases, manufacturers notify NHTSA, as well as dealers, distributors and vehicle owners, and initiate a procedure known as a “vehicle recall.”

Through this procedure, all parties involved are notified that a manufacturing defect has been found that may put the safety of drivers at risk, although there are times when the defect has nothing to do with safety problems. Afterwards, the manufacturers initiate these recalls, requesting that the cars be taken to a local dealer, where they will have to solve the problem at no extra cost to the owner.

Predictably, research has found that 72% of Americans ignore these notifications, which may not be a good decision.

If you receive one of these notifications, it is important that you make getting your car to a dealership a priority. It may or may not be a safety defect, or you may not have had any issues so far, but why take the risk when you’ve already paid for your vehicle? It is better to take all possible precautions than to risk having an accident.

Before you ignore one of these notices or notices, it’s a good idea to use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall tool at www.nhtsa.gov/recalls or your car manufacturer’s website. By entering your vehicle identification number, make and model, you can ensure if it is included in the vehicle recall and take appropriate action.

Remember that the safety and that of your family are the most important thing, and that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Not all accidents can be so easy to determine the responsibility of who caused it, and this is a crucial point in a personal injury claim.

When the circumstances surrounding the accident are difficult, confusing, and more than two people were involved, it can be very helpful to hire subject matter experts to help determine how the accident happened.

An expert in the field can benefit your case

Personal injury attorneys can help you determine if the involvement of an expert may be necessary. In addition to deciding what type of expert would be appropriate according to your accident.

Experts, through an inspection, can quickly determine the causes and detail the extent of the damage, not only to your property, but also to present and future medical expenses and changes in your lifestyle.

Types of expert witnesses

Regarding car accidents, the experts most commonly called to testify include:

– Experts in accident reconstruction. Accident reconstruction experts have degrees in engineering, science, and law. They can help determine how the accident occurred through a reconstruction of the events, knowing how fast the vehicles were going, what the force of the impact was, and who was the responsible party. These experts take into account all the circumstances involved, including weather conditions, car conditions, and whether violations were committed.

– Expert economists. These experts can calculate all aspects of the victim’s financial losses. Material damage, present and future lost wages, and economic consequences in terms of the person’s lifestyle.

– Expert in medical care. Medical care experts will be able to determine the medical expenses that the victim will incur, both now and in the future. You will be able to determine what type of medical care you will need, future surgeries, rehabilitation therapies, nurses, wheelchairs, adaptations that the family will have to make at home, etc.

Contact Zant Law Firm

If you find yourself in a similar situation and you think that an expert could help in your case, contact our lawyers. We will schedule a consultation to discuss the details with you. We will wait for you!

When a person is involved in an accident in which they were injured, and the accident was the result of the negligence of another party, they may be entitled to file a personal injury claim.

This is a situation that, fortunately, not many people experience frequently. Therefore, they are not familiar with how this type of process works. Hiring an experienced attorney who can advise you, and who will be by your side every step of the way, is critically important so that you can obtain the compensation for damages that you deserve.

The Five Stages of a Personal Injury Process

The more informed you are, the more you’ll know what to expect and what steps you need to take to have a better chance of getting a positive result. Here are the five stages of a personal injury legal process.

1. Get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. Lawyers specialized in this area will help you review all the circumstances surrounding the accident. In addition to all the consequences and expenses that were derived from this situation. A personal injury attorney can help you determine the strength of your case, and whether it’s worth pursuing a lawsuit.

2. Research stage. Your lawyer will conduct an investigation that will allow him to know every detail of your accident. He will need to gather information such as witness statements, videos from nearby security cameras, talk to accident reconstruction experts and medical experts, etc. He will also need all the evidence regarding your injuries, treatments, economic losses, among others.

3. File a lawsuit. Once have all the necessary information and evidence, it is time to file a lawsuit against the responsible party and their insurance company. Your attorney’s expertise will be crucial at this stage in determining the amount of compensation you deserve, and in starting negotiations.

4. Negotiation. Often the insurance companies, or the responsible person, will make you an offer so that you can settle before going to court. Your lawyer, taking care of your interests, will review this amount and decide if it is a good offer or if he must continue negotiating, or take the case to trial.

5. Litigation stage. In the case that the parties involved cannot reach an agreement between them, then the litigation stage will begin. That is, the case will be brought before a judge so that they can decide the result.

If you have any doubts, or find yourself in such a situation, please contact us. We will help you evaluate your case and will do everything in our power to get you the justice you deserve.

Fortunately, fires during car accidents are not very common. However, when fires do occur, the injuries to the victims can be dire and even fatal. According to an article published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 2020, approximately 212,500 vehicle fires were the cause of 560 deaths, 1,500 injuries, and $1.9 billion in direct damages to property in the United States during the year 2018.

The main causes of these fires in vehicle accidents were mechanical failures, breakdowns, and electrical faults, a situation that gives even greater importance to the timely maintenance of vehicles. As for deaths resulting from these fires, collisions were the leading cause. Commercial trucks have a higher chance of catching fire during a traffic accident and a higher fatality rate. 

A car accident can be quite an overwhelming experience, and the body goes into a state of shock that can prevent a person from realizing the severity of their injuries. Different factors can cause burn injuries in car accidents; some of them include:

• Burns from deploying airbags
• Burns from explosions inside the car or nearby vehicles
• Burns from contact with sources of electrical current
• Burns from contact with dangerous chemical substances

Body tissues are damaged by burns resulting from heat, overexposure to the sun or other radiation, contact with chemicals, fuel, etc. The severity of burns can range from minor injuries to life-threatening emergencies, and their treatment depends on the location on the body and the severity of the damage. Some complications that can occur in this type of injury are:

• Fluid loss, including blood loss
• Low body temperature or hypothermia
• Bacterial infections
• Sepsis
• Respiratory problems

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident in which you were injured by burns, contact us. You could file a personal injury claim, and we will help you get the justice you deserve. Call us today!

In the United States, it is mandatory for people who own a motor vehicle to purchase minimum insurance coverage. This can vary from state to state and depending on the type of vehicle; however, it is crucial that you review the different types of coverage and the costs and choose one that suits your needs and provides maximum support in case of an emergency.

When choosing insurance for a motorcycle, it is crucial to consider some situations that may be different from a car—for example, passenger coverage. Perhaps when traveling by motorcycle, carrying passengers is not very common for you, and you probably want to get the insurance that covers a little beyond the minimum for different things. Like car insurance, there are different types of coverage for motorcycles.

Some of the things you might want to include that might be important to consider are:

Liability Insurance – Liability insurance covers costs for property damage and/or injury to another person in the event of an accident. Damage to the other car or vehicle, injuries to the driver and/or passengers, damage to public property, etc.

Personal Injury Protection – It is highly recommended to get more comprehensive coverage in this part that may cover not only your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, surgeries, and related damages in the event of an accident but also those of third parties. An accident can be devastating for motorcyclists because they do not have the same protection as if they suffered an accident while driving a car.

Accessory or Additional Equipment Coverage – Accessory or additional equipment coverage can help you if any of these parts are damaged during the accident. Some insurances can even cover the helmet and your safety equipment; ask the insurer for all the extra they can offer you.

Collision Coverage – The coverage we have most in mind, of course, is coverage that protects us if we collide with property or another vehicle, regardless of whether I or someone else was responsible for the accident.

Uninsured or Underinsured Other Motorist Coverage – This coverage is very important to consider for all types of vehicles. Some drivers may not have insurance or have insufficient insurance that does not cover all your expenses. With this coverage, you can be calm even in these situations.

Coverage for original parts – This coverage will guarantee that your motorcycle is repaired only with original parts from the manufacturer in the event of an accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, call us today. We will schedule a free consultation and talk with you about all the details of your case.

Most car accidents involve two vehicles that are in motion. However, there are also situations where a driver can collide with a parked or unattended car. When the car is legally parked in a designated parking area, the driver who hit the parked vehicle will be held liable. And even if the damage is relatively minor, the person responsible is expected to do everything possible to locate the owner and call the police to report the incident.

But what happens when someone collides with a vehicle that was parked illegally? Many people may think that, in these situations, the culprit will be the owner of the car parked incorrectly. Unfortunately, although it may seem unfair, this is not the case.

The fact that a car is badly or illegally parked is not an excuse or justification for another driver to collide with it. In this type of situation, the responsibility will be divided between both parties. The percentage of blame assigned to each party will depend on the investigation that will be carried out or, if the situation escalates to a lawsuit, on the decision of a judge. In shared liability, you may still have a chance to recover compensation for damages, although not 100 percent.

In Texas, what is known as comparative negligence is used, where if both parties were 50% at fault for the accident, it would still be possible for them to file a claim for partial recovery of damages. However, if you were more than fifty percent at fault for the accident, the possibility of obtaining compensation would disappear.

Within the Texas Transportation Code, it is established that if you collide with an unattended car, you must stop immediately, locate the owner, and exchange contact information. This applies even if the vehicle is illegally parked since the driver is expected to act in good faith. What you should never do is run away after hitting a parked vehicle, as this will be used against you and will aggravate your case.

Zant Law Firm has over two decades of experience in a variety of personal injury accidents, and among the most common are car accidents. We will do everything we can to ensure you receive the outcome you deserve.