Houston Personal Injury Law Blog

How can I avoid road rage?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in car accidents on Sunday, May 19, 2019.

Driving angry is never a good thing. Not only can it distract you from the task at hand, it can also result in dangerous altercations with you and other motorists. Knowing how to avoid road rage behaviors, both in yourself and when other drivers display them, will help keep you safe on the road. That's why Geico offers the following tips to Houston motorists.

First, acquaint yourself with all that road rage involves. Maybe you've honked at another driver or made aggressive hand gestures. You might have also yelled, tailgated, stopped another vehicle from merging, or cut off another car. These are all examples of road rage and they can prove deadly in some situations. You may be stressed by rush hour traffic or under pressure because you're late for an appointment. In any case, you must keep your emotions in check when behind the wheel.

Allergies and large truck collisions

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in truck accidents on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

Large truck crashes happen for countless reasons, but there are a number of risks associated with certain seasons. For example, inclement weather during the winter (such as ice and snow) can lead to a crash. However, even when weather conditions improve in the spring, there may be other seasonal issues to take into consideration, such as allergies. Many people struggle with seasonal allergies and this can be especially problematic for those who drive large trucks. In this post, we will examine some of these concerns.

Large truck drivers often travel through various parts of the country. As a result, they may find themselves in a rural area or a state with a higher pollen count, which could lead to worsened allergy symptoms. These symptoms, such as sneezing, headaches, a runny nose and difficulty sleeping, can get in the way of driving. Large truck drivers (as well as any driver who suffers from allergies) may be distracted by these symptoms while driving and struggle to concentrate on the road.

What to say to your insurance adjuster after a car accident

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.

First and foremost, after sustaining injuries in a car accident, you need to go to a hospital immediately. Three Texans, including an infant, went to nearby hospitals after a recent rollover crash. You need to do the same even if you feel all right after a collision.

After you see a doctor, you need to get in touch with your auto insurance provider. You need to do this within 24 hours of the car crash. With this phone call, you need to be mindful of what you tell your insurance adjuster. Saying the wrong thing can seriously compromise your claim.

What risks do antidepressants carry?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in dangerous drugs on Sunday, May 12, 2019.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a common treatment for depression and other mental health disorders. While these drugs have helped many people lead happy and fulfilling lives, they're not without their risks. Harvard Health Publishing explains some of the most common risks so you can make the best decisions when it comes to your mental health and wellness.

One of the most troubling risks of SSRIs is these drugs may actually increase suicidal thoughts and self-harm. This led to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to include black box labels on certain drugs in 2004. This risk is most prevalent for young people, including kids and teens, which naturally causes concern for parents. While treatment responses are different for every patient, doctors must clearly communicate these risks to patients. They must also monitor patient health closely, especially when first taking the drug.

Big fines for distracted big rig drivers

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in truck accidents on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Tractor trailer trucks line Texas highways as they deliver goods ranging from produce to cars. Even when unloaded, big rigs can weigh more than 20 times as much as your passenger vehicle. Devastating injuries often result when 18-wheelers and cars collide. At Charles J. Argento, we understand that big truck accidents are different from regular car crashes and fight to get clients the compensation needed to pay for medical bills and long-term expenses.

Trucking Truth reports that distracted drivers are more than 23 percent more likely to become involved in an accident than if they remain focused on the road. The FMCSA prohibits reaching for, holding, dialing texting and reading mobile devices while driving. Hands-free use means that dialing must not require more than a single button press. Although truck drivers must keep in touch with their employers, texting on dispatch devices is not distinguished from other texting devices, which makes it prohibited.

How does opiate addiction happen?

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in dangerous drugs on Sunday, April 28, 2019.

In Houston and all over the U.S., numerous families are experiencing the ravages of opiate addiction. Opiates can be prescribed legally or bought on the street, and even using opiates in the short-term can develop into a full-blown addiction that requires professional treatment. The Mayo Clinic explains how opiate addiction occurs and how to tell if your loved one is in need of help.

Tolerance is at the heart of opioid addiction. A dose that brings about a pleasurable feeling in the beginning will no longer be sufficient, which means the person will need to increase their dosage. This happens because the tolerance for the drug has increased. As tolerance continues to increase, a person will need to continue upping the dosage just to feel normal. Additionally, many people are afraid of experiencing severe withdrawal effects, which prevents them from taking steps to stop their addiction.

Explaining the elements of negligent entrustment

On behalf of Charles J. Argento of Charles J. Argento posted in car accidents on Monday, April 22, 2019.

Most say that any time you can walk away from a car accident in Houston you should count yourself lucky, yet those who subscribe to this notion may never have been involved in such an incident themselves. A common element you may often feel following an accident is frustration, whether that be for having to deal with medical, needing to take time away from work to recover, or being left without the use of your vehicle. Those frustrations may be compounded even further if you discover that the person who hit you has a history of poor driving. In such cases, many come to our team here at Charles J. Argento asking if there might be a way to hold however allowed such drivers access to vehicles responsible.

The legal principle of negligent entrustment does indeed allow you to assign vicarious liability to third parties in a car accident. This is due to the notion that those who entrust their vehicles to others should only do so if they are confident in that person's driving skills. If they are not, then letting them use the vehicle anyway may be viewed as negligence.

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.