Houston Personal Injury Law Blog

Do lawsuits prevail when prescription drugs fail?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento on Friday, April 12, 2019.

When a drug is defective and causes wide-spread damage, courts prefer a class-action lawsuit trial rather than trying the cases individually. Class action lawsuits are very effective and can represent millions of consumers. Big drug company lawsuits are a common feature in today's media.

The pharmaceutical industry is developing new drugs and putting them on the market at a rapid pace. Some people feel that, instead of testing the drugs over a long period, drug companies want their profits now and medical patients become human beta-testers.

For many patients, Methadone can decrease the quality of life

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in dangerous drugs on Saturday, April 6, 2019.

If you are a Texas resident involved in a severe car crash, construction site incident or any of a wide range of other accidents, you may experience debilitating pain. Health care professionals often prescribe powerful medicines to relieve patients’ pain, with devastating results. The team at Charles J. Argento & Associates often represent clients injured by dangerous drugs.

JourneyPure Bowling Green reports that Methadone is one of the most addictive opiates prescribed by doctors. At one time, this synthetic narcotic was the only method available to help soldiers recover from heroin addiction. The central nervous system depressant also prevents pain. Doctors typically prescribe it to increase the quality of life for patients experiencing severe levels of chronic pain. However, only very small doses of this controlled substance are safe.

How many distracted driving deaths occur?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in car accidents on Friday, April 5, 2019.

There are countless ways in which drivers become distracted on the road. Common distractions include using a phone or a GPS while behind the wheel, but there are many other things that can divert someone’s attention when they should be focusing on the road. For example, a driver may talk with other people in the car, reach for food, adjust the radio or become distracted for some other reason. Sadly, this behavior has cost many lives over the years, and even more people have been seriously hurt in these wrecks.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,450 lives were lost as a result of distracted driving during 2016. The NHTSA draws attention to some of the behaviors that cause drivers to lose focus and also points out that distracted driving was responsible for 391,000 people becoming injured in 2015.

Why might a truck driver speed?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in truck accidents on Monday, April 1, 2019.

You can understand the pressure put on working professionals to perform well at their jobs in Houston. Thus, if and when you are involved in a truck accident caused by the actions of a truck driver, a good question to ask may be why were they driving the way that they were? Could a decision to have driven above the speed limit (or at a speed that most would consider safe to drive a large semi-truck) have been prompted by pressure to perform applied by their employers?

Many might argue that the decision to drive recklessly is a personal one, and therefore truck companies should not be held liable if their drivers choose to speed. Citing pressure from an employer to meet a certain expectation may appear to be justification for one's one poor decision. Yet that the same time, it is not unreasonable to believe that truck companies and motor carriers want to please their customers and guaranteeing on-time deliveries can go a long way towards accomplishing that goal.

How can pedestrian accidents involving kids be prevented?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in car accidents on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

Young children are especially likely to find themselves involved in pedestrian accidents, and there are a number of reasons why kids walk on a daily basis. Some walk to school, while others may find themselves alongside the road to visit a friend, get exercise or play. There are a number of important tips to keep in mind if you are the parent of a young pedestrian, and you should make sure that they know how to stay safe.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published an informative document which highlights some of the different ways that pedestrians can prevent an accident. For example, young children who enjoy playing sports should do so in areas that are not near traffic, since many pedestrian accidents have been caused by a child chasing a ball onto the road, for example. You should also make sure that your child stays on the crosswalk at all times and only attempts to cross the road in designated areas and at appropriate times.

How much car insurance do you need in Texas?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento on Friday, March 15, 2019.

As you shop around for car insurance, you may be wondering how much you actually need. Agents will throw around terms you do not understand or may not think apply to you. All you are trying to do is get the best deal possible without sacrificing coverage.

The answer to the question depends on how you interpret it. The state of Texas mandates a minimum amount you must purchase in order to drive legally. However, this amount is usually not enough to cover what you need in an accident.

Houston crash injures six, kills one

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in car accidents on Monday, March 11, 2019.

Many in Houston may wonder where does a driver's responsibility to see to the safety of their passengers end. It is likely understood that a driver is to avoid any dangerous or reckless behavior behind the wheel, yet what about ensuring that their passengers are wearing seatbelts or other safety restraints? While it may be easy to understand why a driver is expected to make sure that any children traveling in their vehicles are safely secured, some might argue that the same responsibility should not be extended to adults. After all, adults should be able to understand the risks associated with not wearing a seatbelt, yet still, drivers can be held liable for not insisting that all of their passengers are restrained.

The results of failing to do so can be catastrophic. That was clearly confirmed in an accident that recently took place in Northeast Houston. A car reportedly veered off the road and struck a concrete wall. The driver of the vehicle died in the crash, while another adult passenger as well as the five children in the car sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities reported that none of the occupants of the car were wearing seatbelts.

Are hands-free devices safe to use while driving?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in car accidents on Friday, March 8, 2019.

Many drivers realize the dangers associated with texting while operating a vehicle and other behaviors that are against the law in many states. However, some may wonder whether it is safe to use a hands-free device while driving. After all, if someone can hold a conversation with another person over the phone without using their hands, they will be able to keep their hands on the wheel and should be less distracted than if they were holding a phone with one of their hands. However, hands-free devices can also be very distracting, regardless of whether they are legal to use or not.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial motor vehicle operators are prohibited from using handheld devices while driving. However, they are allowed to use hand-free devices, so long as they follow certain guidelines. For example, a driver cannot use a hands-free device if they have to reach for their phone in a dangerous way, and they must be able to start or end the call by pressing only one button.

Car accident injuries and marital problems

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in car accidents on Saturday, February 23, 2019.

Auto accident victims may face numerous challenges as they try to move forward from the accident, especially if they are struggling with a debilitating injury such as a broken back or brain trauma as a result of hitting their head in the collision. However, the consequences of a car collision can extend far beyond physical injuries and they may also include financial problems, emotional challenges and difficulties in personal relationships. For example, some people who are injured in a car wreck may face hurdles in their marriage.

There are a number of ways in which a motor vehicle collision could adversely impact a marriage. For example, a couple may experience financial strain as a result of medical bills and lost wages, which could carry over into their relationship. Or, someone who is hurt in a crash may find that their personality has changed due to a brain injury, depression over their injuries or taking pain medication. Furthermore, some people may no longer be able to live life as they wish due to auto accident injuries, whether they cannot participate in activities that are physically demanding or are unable to live a fulfilling life with their marital partner in other ways.

Should I assume truck cameras can see me?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in truck accidents on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

With more and more trucking companies opting to equip their commercial trucks with the latest surveillance technology, you might breathe a little easier as you approach a large truck on a Texas highway. However, you should not let down your guard. You do not know if that truck has the necessary tech to spot you if you end up in the truck’s blind spot, plus a truck’s surveillance system might contain blind spots of its own.

Truckinginfo.com explains that many trucking surveillance systems are designed to take in specific input and if necessary, perform corrective actions. However, these systems are not comprehensive. You will have cameras intended to monitor the performance of the truck driver, but not necessarily the outside of the truck. Some systems will alert the driver if the truck is weaving out of a lane. Others may go a step further and intervene to keep the truck steady.