Houston Personal Injury Law Blog

What is Invokana and what are the risks of taking it?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

Every prescription medication comes with possible side effects. Researchers and doctors take these possibilities into account and weigh the benefits against the potential risks when deciding to approve the drug for use or prescribe it to patients. If you are a type 2 diabetic in Texas, your doctor may have prescribed or recommended Invokana as a treatment to lower your blood sugar. However, you may find that the potential risks of taking Invokana outweigh the benefits.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, Invokana is the brand name of a drug called canagliflozin. For patients' convenience, doctors sometimes prescribe a combination drug containing both Invokana and metformin, also used to treat type 2 diabetes. The two drugs combined together may go by the names Invokamet or Invokamet XR.

How does the wake-sleep cycle affect a truck driver?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates on Monday, February 11, 2019.

Have you ever experienced a lull around 3:00 in the afternoon when you feel like taking a nap? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration keeps track of issues that can adversely affect truck drivers, and one of those is the lull caused by the body's wake-sleep cycle.

What studies reveal

Car accidents during a polar vortex

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, February 1, 2019.

Extremely cold temperatures in many parts of the U.S. have recently made headlines, and this cold weather can be so dangerous that it has even resulted in the loss of life. If you live in the Midwest or the Northeast and temperatures have dipped dangerously low due to a polar vortex, or if you ever find yourself driving during in extremely cold weather, it is important to be prepared for some of the challenges you may face. Often, it is smart to stay off the road altogether and wait until the weather improves. Unfortunately, some people decide to drive, and they may be in a very dangerous position if an accident occurs.

During a polar vortex, sub-zero temperatures can threaten one’s life in the event that someone becomes stranded in a rural area that sees little traffic. Aside from the inherent risks associated with being outside during these weather conditions, the weather may even cause a car accident. For example, these temperatures can cause ice to form on the road, causing a driver to lose control. Moreover, a storm may impact visibility due to strong winds and blowing snow and there may also be snow drifts that cause certain parts of the road to become buried in deep snow.

Are older vehicles more dangerous?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, January 25, 2019.

There are many different factors to examine when it comes to assessing the risk of an auto accident and the likelihood that those involved will lose their lives. Speed, road conditions and alcohol consumption are frequently examined. However, it is vital to take other potential risk factors into consideration, such as the age of a vehicle. People drive older vehicles for many reasons, whether they have a passion for classic cars, or they have to drive an older vehicle because they are living on a budget. Either way, it is important for drivers to be aware of the potential risks.

Data presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that the age of a vehicle may have an impact on the likelihood of its driver passing away in the event of a motor vehicle collision. The NHTSA found that fatal traffic accident injuries increased along with older vehicle models and a vehicle’s age. However, even though accidents involving newer vehicles were found to have a lower likelihood of fatal injuries, these benefits disappear when a driver is unrestrained and fails to use their seat belt.

Drugs may interact with other drugs, and with foods

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in dangerous drugs on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the number of deaths caused by drug overdoses in Texas is experiencing a sharp increase. In fact, the article in question reports that in the last 18 years, drug overdoses have tripled. The news agency came to this conclusion after studying new federal statistics showcasing the opioid crisis in America.

While this is certainly alarming, it may sometimes mask smaller but equally important risks of overdose and drug incompatibility. This is because often times when people become ill due to drug use or overdose, this is not always because of drug abuse or addiction. Some patients who are legitimately ill may simply be prescribed medication that is incompatible with other medication they are already taking.

Nursing home patients and traffic crashes

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, January 18, 2019.

For those living in nursing homes, there are many different hazards that can result in a worsened health condition, an injury or even the loss of a patient’s life. Outside of negligence that takes place within a facility, there are a number of other ways in which nursing home patients are hurt. For example, they may be involved in a traffic accident while they are being transported in one of the facility’s vans. Or, they may be hit by a vehicle while walking around outside. Sadly, these accidents can be especially devastating for nursing home patients and their loved ones.

If you reside in a nursing home, it is pivotal to be cautious and aware of any potential risks you face. In the event that you are involved in a traffic accident, you should immediately assess your circumstances and try to figure out which options you have. For example, was a driver going too fast, or were they under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash? These are important questions that need to be answered and these details could have a significant impact on the outcome of a case.

Do you need uninsured motorist coverage in Texas?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates on Monday, January 14, 2019.

When an automobile accident takes place in the state of Texas, state law requires personal liability for the crash. This being the case, it is of critical importance that drivers follow the state law's requirement of having auto insurance.

In fact, you cannot legally register your vehicle to drive in Texas unless you show proof of insurance. However, the state has specific minimum coverage requirements that do not mandate drivers to take out additional coverage for uninsured motorists. If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, you may face a significant risk on Texas roadways.

Truck accidents and neck injuries

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in truck accidents on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Some truck crashes involve small or mid-sized pickup trucks, while others involve semi-trucks and other types of large trucks. The consequences of these accidents will vary from one crash to the next, some resulting in the loss of life and others leaving nobody harmed. In this blog post, we will examine some of the challenges associated with neck injuries, a serious problem that has shattered the lives of many truck crash victims.

Neck injuries can be especially devastating for various reasons. Unlike a broken arm, for example, someone with an injured neck may be unable to move around due to the seriousness of their injury. Some victims may experience neck pain after an accident, thinking that they are okay but not knowing that their neck was injured. Others may be immobilized due to a neck injury and unable to work because of their condition. This can give way to a series of challenges, such as emotional pain (missing work and activities that one enjoys) or financial problems (losing wages, struggling with medical costs).

Common causes of truck accidents

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in truck accidents on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Truck drivers in Texas go through special driving courses and, overall, are safe and competent vehicle operators. However, their size and weight can result in serious accidents, so it is important to avoid them as much as possible. Common causes of crashes involving large trucks are errors by both commercial drivers and passenger vehicle drivers.

According to FindLaw, the truck companies themselves are often to blame for truck accidents. Schedules that call for extended time on the road can result in fatigued drivers and/or speeds that are over the limit or not safe for weather or road conditions. Some companies may often skimp on driver training as well.

Motion sickness and car crashes

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, December 21, 2018.

Sometimes, people experience motion sickness while they are behind the wheel. This can be especially problematic for those who spend a long amount of time in the car, or those who find themselves making many turns or driving around sharp corners. When some people are not feeling well, their driving abilities may be affected in various ways. Aside from feeling nauseous and even vomiting, some drivers may be more likely to cause a motor vehicle collision. On the road, you should be mindful of these issues if you experience motion sickness, feel dizzy or have any other problem that could impact your ability to operate your vehicle.

However, some drivers disregard these concerns and drive anyway. Whether someone has to get to work at a certain time or they simply do not want to take the time to pull off the road, some people push through and drive even though they are not feeling well. If you were struck by someone who may have had motion sickness, this can be difficult to determine. But if another driver causes a crash and they say that they were not feeling well at the time of the accident, you should take note of this as it may be important to bring up in court.