Houston Personal Injury Law Blog

How can pedestrian accidents involving kids be prevented?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento & Associates 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 & Associates 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 & Associates 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 & Associates 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 & Associates 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 & Associates 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.

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.