A fatal accident such as the one described above may cause emotional suffering, but the loss of a loved one may also bring serious financial hardship that might be relieved by legally rendered compensation.
]]> With Texas' varied terrain, accidental death may come in a large number of situations. Texas individuals may have lost someone in a variety of circumstances, including fatal workplace accidents, medical malpractice, truck accidents or boating accidents. Those who have lost someone in an accidental death case may very well need the help of experienced wrongful death attorneys in Bexar County to guide them through the legal system.Bexar County is growing, and with growth comes construction, increased traffic, and an increased population with medical problems. As this fast growth in south Texas continues, the number of accidental deaths may also rise. When the caseload of wrongful deaths increases, the amount of legal proceedings surrounding the factors of each accidental or wrongful death may also increase.
Skilled Bexar County attorneys specializing in wrongful death are familiar with the laws surrounding such cases and are conditioned to deal with the sometimes labyrinthine-seeming legal system.
Specialized attorneys may take a number of actions to win an accidental or wrongful death case, including investigating cause of action. Specialized wrongful death attorneys in Bexar County can use their experience and specialized knowledge to win a suit for wrongful death.
Source: mywesttexas.com, "Man killed in Wednesday morning crash in Midland County Read more: Man killed in Wednesday morning crash in Midland County - Mywesttexas.com: Top Stories http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_b3f2fdf2-b817-11e2-850d-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz2TBwRnk", May 08, 2013
]]>A 74-year-old father from Baxar County, Texas, is constantly reminded of the impacts of drunk driving. Twenty years ago, the Baxar County man's son was killed by a drunk driver. Unfortunately, this 74-year-old cabinet maker isn't the only one who is reminded of how drunk driving can kill.
]]> When compared to the national average, the amount of drunk driving accidents in Texas is higher than anywhere else. While there may not be an explanation as to why, statistics show that it's a proven fact and that Baxar County has the second highest number of DWI deaths in the state. In 2011, there were 79 drunk driving-related deaths in Baxar County. While steps are being taken to help get drunk drivers off the road, such as the "no refusal" policy that requires drivers to take a blood or breathalyzer test if suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, the amount of accidents involving alcohol is still very high.A DWI attorney can help assist individuals or family members individuals who have been involved in a drunk driving accident. In some cases, those involved may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering and or medical costs associated with being involved in a drunk driving accident.
Source: KHOU.com - Houston, "It's families losing the most as Texas leads nation in DWI deaths", Freddy Hunt / Kens5.com, May 03, 2013
]]>Here, the chances are also very good that your care will be managed by a medical resident, a young physician who works under the supervision of an older, more experienced, and fully licensed physician.
Interestingly, the number of hours that these medical residents are allowed to work each shift without taking a break were shortened from 30 hours to 16 hours as recently as 2011 by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the organization that oversees these matters. One of the primary reasons for the shorter shifts was that it would lead to fewer medical mistakes attributable to fatigue and/or stress.
]]> Twin studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week, however, indicate that this is not what has happened and even go so far as to call on ACGME to revaluate this move to shorter shifts.Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School, authors of one of the studies, distributed surveys to medical students entering residency programs from 2009-2011, asking about everything from their work habits to self-reported medical errors. Based on the 2,323 responses they received, the researchers determined that the number of medical errors resulting in patient harm were 15-20 percent higher among medical residents who worked the shorter shifts versus those who worked the longer shifts.
Some of the ideas advanced by the authors of the twin studies for this discrepancy include the fact that medical residents are required to do the same amount of work in a shorter amount of time, shorter shifts lead to more frequent changes in patient handoffs, and the stress caused by shorter shifts is causing medical residents to sleep even less. Still another theory is that the residents are spending less time in the hospital and therefore missing out on valuable training time.
Always remember that if you or a family member has been injured by any type of medical malpractice, you can seek the justice you need and deserve.
Source: USA Today, "Studies: Residents make more errors on shorter shifts," Janice Lloyd, March 25, 2013
]]>Should those involved be fortunate enough to be able to walk away from their accident, a trip to the hospital afterward could lead to one of the most fearful words an accident victim can hear: whiplash. Both here in Texas, across the nation, and indeed all around the world motorists are too often forced to not only deal with the financial obstacles a car accident engenders, but also overcome lasting physical pain and limited mobility on account of their collisions' trauma.
]]> Miranda Kerr, who has seen her stardom rise rapidly in recent years thanks to a successful modeling career, was involved in just such a situation last week. Reportedly "rammed" by another vehicle while driving, the Australian was taken in for MRI scans, diagnosed with whiplash and back injuries, and forced to wear a neck brace upon leaving the hospital.A spokesperson for Kerr noted that the young starlet was in a lot of pain, and that charges including reckless driving may be doled out upon the motorist who struck her. The same spokesperson remarked how fortunate it was that Kerr's two-year-old son was not in the car at the time of the accident.
Whiplash is often considered a "minor" injury following a car or truck accident, but the implications of such a diagnosis can have a real, lasting impact on the finances, health, and personal life of accident victims. Those who have been struck and injured in an auto accident should contact a personal injury attorney and explore the options for recourse available to them in litigation.
Source: Daily Mail, "'She's in a lot of pain':Miranda Kerr pictured wearing a neck brace after suffering whiplash and back injuries in car crash," Sarah Bull, Mar. 13, 2013
]]>This sort of tragically fatal auto accident has become all too common in recent years for young drivers both on Texas roads on streets and highways across the entire nation. The wreck comes hot on the heels of new data recently released that outlines the elevated risk that teen drivers pose, both to other motorists and themselves.
]]> Thanks to improved automobile design, safety laws, and education the rate of American traffic fatalities has been in a steady decline over recent years. However, incidents involving young drivers, particularly those between the ages of 16 and 19, have gone in the other direction. In 2010 roughly 2,700 teens were killed in auto accidents-more than seven each day-and over 282,000 injuries were recorded in similar collisions.The figures, released by the National Center for Health Statistics, note that 16-19-year-old drivers are three times more likely to be caught up in a fatal crash than older, more experienced motorists. Here in Texas, 187 teens were tied to a fatal crash in 2010.
Experts in the field of roadway safety have recommended stricter texting behind-the-wheel laws, as well as an overhaul of many states' graduated licensing programs. However, until these and other safety measures are improved, it appears inevitable that teen drivers will continue to pose a serious threat to all those on the road-themselves included. Such a collision may be rightful grounds for a personal injury suit or wrongful death case. Working with a personal injury attorney in these times of tragic upheaval can help open the road to restitution and closure.
Source: CNN, "Fatal wrecks underscore risks for young drivers," Tom Watkins, Mar. 13, 2013
]]>This seems to be the case regarding a fatal auto accident that took place in Texas earlier this month. The collision took place in the early morning hours on Highway 290 near Waller and involved both an SUV with multiple passengers and a Ford Mustang being driven by a solitary 21-year-old woman.
]]> The crash occurred after the mustang traveled in the wrong direction on 290, ultimately crashing head-on into the SUV and causing it to burst into flames. Harris County Sheriff representatives reported that the SUV had been carrying three cadets from Texas A&M, two of which died on account of the violent accident. The woman who had been behind the wheel of the Mustang was pronounced dead at the scene.One of the struck SUV's passenger's survived the collision and was helped out of the vehicle by a passing motorist; the young man is expected to survive. While no official ruling or test results have yet been made public, authorities have announced that they suspect alcohol to be involved with the deadly accident.
Even though the woman at fault in this accident also lost her life in the collision, victims of such a fatal car crash may have other options for recouping financial losses they've sustained on account of medical bills, lost work income, or funeral expenses. A wrongful death case against a motorist's family, car manufacturer, or even an overserving bar could indeed be quite viable. Working closely with a personal injury attorney is the best means of exploring possible legal action.
Source: CBS Houston, "Three Killed, Including Texas A&M Cadets After Accident," Cicely Mitchell, Mar. 3, 2013
•Our firm can help those who have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident secure financial compensation and restitution. For more information, contact our Bexar County personal injury page.
]]>Now, for drivers in one Texas city, an additional cost of getting in a car accident must be considered after each and every collision. Spurned by the rising municipal cost of dispatching first responders to auto accidents of varying severity, Missouri City will begin charging a "crash tax" to those involved in a collision starting March 1.
]]> Fees for drivers who have an accident can reach as high as $2,000 and will be charged by Missouri City's Fire Department beginning next week. Individual taxations will vary based on the seriousness of each accident that the city must respond to, and it may be possible that even those motorists not responsible for causing a crash will have to pay out as well.When asked, Missouri City's Fire Chief remarked that the fee will help cover some of the city's budget deficit, noting that bills will be sent to insurance companies rather than drivers themselves. Early estimates forecast that the city should accrue an additional $50,000 a year thanks to the crash tax.
Almost immediately in the wake of a car, truck, or pedestrian accident a tabulation of costs begins. Regardless of whether they are in terms of material property, physical health, or a more complicated combination of the two, it appears some Texans will have to deal with yet another cost during a collision's aftermath. Recourse for these sorts of losses is indeed available, however; working with a personal injury attorney can alleviate an accident victim's costs.
Source: NBC Bay Area, "Texas City to Impose 'Crash Tax' for Car Accident Help," Justin Ray, Feb. 20, 2013
]]>One manufacturer is going out of its way to combat these dangers in a time when more and more car owners are doing more of their driving at slower speeds along pedestrian-packed city streets. Swedish automaker Volvo announced earlier this month that it will include exterior, pedestrian-protecting airbags in its new V40 models, along with a multifaceted internal system designed to decrease the likelihood of a collision between car and walker.
]]> Already known for its models' prominent safety features, Volvo's new safety system involves integrated front-facing cameras, grill-mounted radar, and automatic brakes that can stop a car even if a driver ignores an imminent collision. If a crash with a pedestrian does in fact occur, airbags installed in the car's exterior body will deploy, softening much of a person's impact.The system is designed to function best at slow speeds, particularly between 12 and 30 miles per hour, which is the velocity at which most pedestrian accidents happen.
Currently Volvo does not plan to include the pedestrian airbag features on an of its American models, but it seems likely that success in other markets will only encourage the automaker and its competitors to step up their pedestrian safety measures.
With the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently releasing the information that over 32,000 traffic fatalities occurred in America in 2012-16 percent of which befell those outside of the vehicle-it seems both hopeful and prudent that improved pedestrian safety features will become increasingly standard on new cars and trucks.
Despite manufacturers' waking up to the problem of pedestrian accidents, these collisions still occur every day across the nation and right here in Texas. For those who have been seriously hurt, or have lost a loved one as a result of an auto accident, getting in touch with a skilled personal injury attorney can help to illuminate the legal avenues to extracting both financial compensation and justice.
Source: Popsci, "Volvo's New Exterior Airbags Protect Pedestrians," Shaunacy Ferro, Feb. 20, 2013
•· Our firm can help accident victims of any and all circumstances. For more information, contact our Bexar County injury law page.
]]>The recent surge in healthcare app development has not been without its problems, however. A new breed of skin cancer-detection apps designed to analyze a photo of a user's mole or skin blemish and return a diagnosis on its possible malignancy, recently received scathing criticism from a group of board-certified dermatologists in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
]]> The majority of these apps, which feature names such as Skin Vision and SpotCheck, are relatively inexpensive and rely on a mathematical algorithm (not an actual doctor's expertise) to provide a cancer "diagnosis" of a person's skin. Advertising as being less expensive than an insurance copay and capable of saving a person's life, the apps have grown rapidly in their popularity in recent months.The problem, it appears, is that the smartphone programs work very unreliably, if at all. In the aforementioned JAMA study, a group of University of Pittsburgh dermatologists found that even the most accurate melanoma-detection app misidentified a malignant mole or lesion 30 percent of the time; the misdiagnosis rate for most of the apps was incredibly high.
As misdiagnosis, or an outright failure to diagnose at all a person's serious condition, continues to cost everyday people not just untold sums of medical treatment, but in some cases their lives, the news of these applications' low accuracy and misleading advertising is disconcerting to say the least. Those who have suffered from a medical misdiagnosis should quickly contact an attorney and explore the legal options for recourse and compensation available to them.
Source: Salon.com, "iPhones make lousy dermatologists," Kevin Charles Redmon, Feb. 4, 2013
• Medical mistakes such as a misdiagnosis or outright failure to diagnose a serious condition may not always come on account of a doctor's opinion. For more information on how to seek justice in the wake of a medically erroneous opinion, contact our Bexar County malpractice law page.
]]>Unfortunately, a new study has made it clear that work in such fields entails a number of hidden dangers-risks that have the potential to cut an employee's life tragically short. That study, drawn from bureau of labor statistics and published by Accident Analysis and Prevention, reveals that oil and gas industry workers are at a drastically elevated risk of being involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident.
]]> Given that Texas still serves as home to the highest number of oil and gas rigs in the nation, local residents may be especially moved to learn that workers in the industry are 8.5 times more likely to die in an automobile accident while on the job than those working in other fields. Workers at smaller companies, especially well-service employees, were found to be most at risk.In an industry that is predominantly comprised of young male workers logging long hours in pickup trucks on rural roads, motor vehicle accidents accounted for 28 percent of all work-related deaths.
The Texas Department of Transportation, in acknowledgment of the disproportionate danger that oil workers face, has reportedly begun preparing a campaign to address driver safety.
A fatal motor vehicle accident not only immediately turns a family's world upside-down, but can prove to be an incredible strain on the finances of a victim's survivors. Medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of a spouse and/or parent's income are only some of the ways a deadly truck or car accident can create a permanent financial bind. In order to secure the damages rightfully owed to a victim's family, contacting an attorney specializing in wrongful death is essential.
Source: Fuel Fix, "Oilfield workers at higher risk of fatal motor vehicle accidents," Jeannie Kever, Jan. 18, 2013
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