Houston Personal Injury Law Blog

Recovering from a crash as a garbage truck driver

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in truck accidents on Friday, April 20, 2018.

There are many different examples of truck accidents, such as semi truck drivers who suffer from fatigue or people who are involved in a crash while driving a delivery truck. However, there are additional concerns related to this facet of traffic collisions, such as garbage truck accidents. If you drive a garbage truck, or someone you love drives one of these vehicles, it is important to be aware of the different hazards on the road. Unfortunately, accidents keep happening for countless reasons and it is essential for victims to focus on recovering when they are involved in one firsthand.

As a garbage truck driver, an accident could shatter your life in different ways. You may not be able to work for a lengthy time period, which can bring on financial troubles that you never saw coming. Moreover, the physical pain may be significant, and you may have to miss out on key events in your life due to the injuries. Hospital bills, costs associated with rehabilitation, and other financial demands can make the situation even more challenging.

Understanding insurance protection following a vehicle crash

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in blog on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

In the state of Texas, drivers must pay for vehicle accidents if they are at fault, and most have liability insurance for this purpose. To meet the financial responsibility requirements under Texas law, a motorist must carry the minimum liability coverage: $30,000 per injured person, but only up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This basic, minimum coverage is known as 30/60/25.

However, some drivers have no auto insurance and no way to provide financial compensation. Therefore, if you are the victim of a crash caused by an uninsured motorist, how will your medical bills and the damage to your car be paid for?

Opioid use can lead to more car accidents

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Monday, April 16, 2018.

Drivers in Texas who are taking a type of opioid for pain or other health condition need to be aware that driving while under their influence can result in an increase in motor vehicle accidents. Opioids include prescription drugs, such as codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl and morphine, as well as heroin.

According to the American College of Surgeons, using opioids can result in impaired driving. In fact, years of research has concluded that there is a direct association between opioid use and crashes involving cars and other vehicles. Because many patients are not aware of the damaging effect these drugs have on driving and other activities, the ACS is focused on promoting legislation and educating patients about the risks involved when taking these controlled substances.

How can skateboarders stay safe on the road?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, April 6, 2018.

From bicycle accidents to injured motorcyclists and head-on car collisions, there are many types of traffic accidents that take place. However, it is essential for parents, drivers, those who are near traffic to realize that there are other ways things can go wrong on the road. For example, someone may be hit by a car while riding a skateboard. Sometimes, a skateboarder may veer off of the road an into traffic, but it is also essential to keep in mind that skateboarders may be hit by negligent drivers, such as someone who is drunk and veers onto a sidewalk. Moreover, there are a number of ways skateboarders can protect themselves on the road.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, skateboarding can be dangerous, and some riders have been seriously hurt or have even lost their lives in an accident. The CPSC points out that skateboarders should avoid riding when lighting is poor, such as dawn or dusk hours, since this can increase the likelihood of being struck by a vehicle due to poor visibility. Instead, skateboarders should try to ride during daylight and avoid moving vehicles. For example, skateboarders should never try to hitch a ride on a vehicle. Those riding a skateboard should watch out for rocks, bumps, and other problems on the surface that may cause them to fall down.

Are pedestrian deaths more common in rural or urban areas?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, March 30, 2018.

When some people think about fatal pedestrian accidents, they might picture a pedestrian being struck while trying to use a crosswalk in a suburban area, or someone being hit while walking on an interstate highway. However, it is essential to keep in mind that pedestrian accidents happen in various areas. If you regularly walk for any reason or drive a vehicle, it may be useful to go over statistics regarding fatal pedestrian accidents to better understand the problem.

Pedestrian accidents occur in many ways, from poor lighting to drivers reaching excessive speeds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more pedestrian lives were claimed in urban areas during 2013 as opposed to rural areas. Throughout 2013, 73 percent of pedestrian fatalities took place in an urban setting, while 27 percent happened in a rural area. It is also important to point out that the majority of fatal pedestrian accidents took place outside of an intersection in 2013 (69 percent), while 20 percent occurred within an intersection. Furthermore, the majority of pedestrian lives were claimed during nighttime hours (72 percent).

Do passenger car crashes cause more injuries and deaths?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, March 23, 2018.

When it comes to accidents, there are so many different factors to consider, from motorcyclist helmet use to the prevalence of collisions that take place during inclement weather. However, looking at collisions from a unique perspective may also offer insight into wrecks, and this can be helpful for those who worry about finding themselves in a collision. For example, do accidents involving light trucks result in more fatalities and injuries in comparison to crashes involving other vehicles?

Data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that during 2010, more deadly accidents involving a passenger car occurred than any other type of vehicle (17,718, or 39.6 of all fatal wrecks). However, light truck accidents were a close second, claiming 17,428 lives over the course of the year. In comparison, 4,633 fatal motorcycle accidents and 3,484 deadly large truck wrecks took place. Moreover, passenger car accidents were also responsible for most of the crashes which resulted in an injury. Throughout 2010, 1.5 million collisions which caused an injury involved a passenger car, accounting for 56 percent of all accidents resulting in an injury.

Important facts about gap insurance

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in blog on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

Accidents occur on a daily basis, and whether they are minor or catastrophic, it can be beneficial for drivers to have insurance plans in place. In fact, for some people, the assistance they receive through an insurance claim may be essential for them to stay afloat.

Along with regular insurance, some supplemental products can be very beneficial. A gap insurance plan is one of those products, and for those considering it, there are a few important facts to know.

Are SUVs more prone to rollover accidents?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, March 16, 2018.

When it comes to traffic wrecks, people should be aware of the different types of dangers that they face and different factors that may increase the likelihood of a particular type of accident. For example, driving can be particularly dangerous during nighttime hours or when it is raining heavily. Moreover, those who drive certain types of vehicles, such as SUVs, may have an increased chance of finding themselves in a rollover crash, for example. If you drive an SUV, you should be aware of these risks and focus on prevention.

Material that was published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out that SUVs and other vehicles which are narrow and tall, such as vans and pickup trucks, are especially prone to rollover accidents. There are other statistics related to rollovers that you should watch out for if you operate a vehicle that has a higher likelihood of leading to a rollover crash. For example, a majority of fatal rollovers take place in rural areas with speed limits at 55 miles per hour or greater. Moreover, high speeds and alcohol use are also associated with many of the rollover crashes that occur.

How many motor vehicle accidents are caused by snow and rain?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, March 9, 2018.

Speeding, intoxicated driving, and cell phone use behind the wheel are all widespread problems on roads across the country. However, poor weather, such as snowfall and heavy rain, is another major concern that should not be overlooked. Precipitation and other weather-related events can lead to an accident in different ways in Houston and other Texas cities, from interfering with a driver’s visibility to affecting traction and causing people to lose control of their car. Moreover, snow and rain cause many of the traffic collisions that occur each year.

The Federal Highway Administration published statistics which reveal the prevalence of weather-related crashes between 2005 and 2014. During this period, rain caused more than 573,000 traffic collisions each year, on average. Moreover, an average year in this period saw over 174,000 collisions due to snow.

A closer look at drugged driving

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates posted in car accidents on Friday, March 2, 2018.

Many people recognize the dangers associated with driving after having one too many drinks, however some people fail to understand the consequences associated with drugged driving and the different substances that can impact a person’s ability to drive. Many people understand that hard street drugs can leave a user heavily intoxicated and unable to drive safely, but some people do not realize that other substances, such as medical marijuana and prescription medication, can also increase the likelihood of a crash significantly.

In recent years, many people across the country have been prescribed medication by their physician for one health problem or another. However, these medications can interfere with driving abilities, even if a person does not exceed the dosage that their doctor recommended. Moreover, many people have turned to medical marijuana with the legalization of this substance in certain states and increasing popularity with regard to the use of this substance. However, drivers should recognize that it may interfere with their ability to operate a vehicle safely.