Texas Accident & Injury News

Defective Vehicle Accident West Side

Published on: January 5, 2022 | by Carabin Shaw

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A man tragically lost his life early on Friday morning. He was on the city’s far West Side when this single-vehicle accident occurred. According to initial reports, the fatal incident occurred at roughly 1:30 a.m. in the 1200 block of SW Loop 410 on the access road headed southbound, nearby Loop 410 and Marbach Road. After driving over a puddle on the street, the driver lost control, and the 2004 Mustang crashed into a utility pole, a fire hydrant, a tree, and a drainage culverts metal railing. The Mustang flew over the metal railing and landed on its roof. The driver, unfortunately, did not come out unscathed from this accident. He received fatal injuries, and officials declared him dead at the scene. Reports say a passenger in the Mustang suffered minor injuries.

In accidents such as this one, the manufacturer of the car may be held liable. The reason is that in the car’s production process, the parts used can sometimes be dangerously poor in quality. At Carabin Shaw, we’ve seen time and time again defective product lawsuits overlooked in an auto accident due to ignorance of knowing how to determine a potential claim or potential defect in the product. It’s often the case that unless an experienced injury attorney, qualified investigators, and product experts are involved early on in the process after a car accident, those claims go unnoticed. Instead, driver error is commonly determined to be the cause of the incident. Product liability claims are, in some cases, never even investigated. In our experience, a highway collision involving death or severe injury needs investigating and reviewing as a potential crashworthiness claim or product defect claim.

There are a vast number of product liability cases involving automobiles. In instances where the possibility of a product defect in an accident could be, an investigation into the matter should go underway. Here are some instances:

Drunk Driver Injured on UTSA Boulevard

Published on: January 5, 2022 | by Carabin Shaw

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In San Antonio, a woman was hospitalized overnight after crashing on UTSA Boulevard. Police stated she was intoxicated and driving at high speeds. The crash occurred on Friday at roughly 1:45 a.m. in the 6500 block of UTSA Boulevard, between Valero Way and Babcock Road. Police stated the 20-year-old woman was driving a green 2006 Ford Focus westbound at high speeds and unsuccessfully attempted a turn.

The woman rolled her car over several times when she overcorrected and collided with a utility pole. Police stated that the car spun around the utility pole and landed on its roof. She had to get taken out of the car because she was stuck inside. Her injuries were considered not critical after being taken to University Hospital. Police stated that after evaluating her, she was intoxicated. The accident is currently under investigation.

An individual in Texas is considered legally intoxicated and can be arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) with a BAC (blood or breath alcohol concentration) of .08. However, an individual is also intoxicated if impaired because of alcohol or other drugs regardless of BAC.

Coppertone Recalls Spray Sunscreen

Published on: January 5, 2022 | by Carabin Shaw

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An additional spray sunscreen has been recalled following just three months after widely purchased Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens were pulled from the shelves. Five products from Coppertone were affected by this recall, all being spray-on SPF’s.

Voluntarily, Coppertone decided to recall twelve different batches of product this week, and among these 12, 5 of them were spray-on sunscreen. Retailers throughout the United States received the products between January 1 and June 15, 2021. (2021) Sarah Jacoby at MSN News States, “Here are the specific sunscreens and lot numbers included in the recall:

Coppertone Pure & Simple Kids SPF 50 Spray (lots TN00854, TN00855, TN00857, TN00CJV)

Tragic Accident Involving a Drunk Driver on Northwest Side

Published on: January 5, 2022 | by Carabin Shaw

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On Saturday night, an individual driving a Dodge Ram was drinking and driving on the road. This individual’s actions led to an accident on the Northwest side that ended in the tragic loss of a woman’s life and severely injured four individuals. This event happened at around 6 p.m. on Saturday at the intersection of Culebra Road and Zarzamora Street. The individual driving a Dodge Ram was heading east on Culebra when he ran a red light and collided with a Chevrolet Silverado heading south through the intersection. The force of the collision sent the Chevrolet Silverado through the intersection and into a Jeep Patriot that was stopped in the right northbound lane of Zarazomora. The drunk driver was charged with manslaughter and intoxication assault.

The 53-year-old woman who tragically lost her life was seated in the rear of the Chevrolet Silverado. The police stated that she was not wearing a seatbelt. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the San Antonio Fire Department. There were three other passengers in the Chevrolet Silverado that were transported to University Hospital because they sustained severe injuries. In addition, an occupant in the Jeep was taken to Brooke Amy Medical Center due to severe injuries.

Police stated, the individual driving the Dodge Ram was transported to University Hospital after sustaining minor injuries. The police determined that the Dodge Ram driver, who was not identified, was intoxicated.

Man Sentenced to 110 Years After Trucking Accident Kills Four

Published on: January 2, 2022 | by Carabin Shaw

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December 17, 2021 – A Colorado truck driver was sentenced to 110 years in prison for a crash that occurred on I-10 in April of 2019 which left 4 people dead. 26-year-old Texas native Rogel Aguilera Mederos pleaded for leniency and the Colorado judge refused, claiming the law prevent such an action. However, as of today, more than three million have signed a petition asking for clemency or commutation for time served from Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

In April 2019, Rogel was driving down I-10 at 85mph during rush hour when his brakes failed, and he collided with dozens of stopped vehicles. The collision sparked a massive fire that shut I-10 down for roughly 24 hours, killing 4 people trapped by the flames. Among the victims was a 24-year-old named Miguel Angel. Rogel had previously failed to utilize one of the state’s runway truck ramps, which the prosecution focused heavily on during his trial. When asked why, he said that he was unaware that his brakes were out, and that he made efforts to prevent the accident.

Auto Accidents happen every day, but when an 18-wheeler is involved the injuries and damage that occurs can be so much greater. It is important to be aware of your rights if you or someone you love is affected by an auto accident involving an 18-wheeler.

Man Dies in Fatal Motorcycle Accident

Published on: January 2, 2022 | by Carabin Shaw

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The miles of beautiful rolling hill country in Texas makes it a very popular state for motorcycles. However, motorcycles come with a number of unique dangers as many people are aware. It is more difficult for a driver to see a motorcycle, especially at night. Additionally, motorcycles offer comparatively little protection against a strike from a motor vehicle, increasing the risk of serious injury or death in the event of an accident. This is especially true when not wearing the appropriate safety gear. According to a recent news report from KTSA News, “A 31-year-old

is dead after crashing his motorcycle on the Northside. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office reports the man lost control of his bike and fell off as he rode near TPC Parkway and Viejas. The man was not wearing a helmet and suffered several serious injuries resulting in his death.” (December 2021) This follows a recent trend of a rise in motorcycle accidents in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 408 persons were seriously injured or killed in motorcycle accidents in 2020. Additionally, forty-nine percent of persons injured or killed were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash (TDT, 2020). However, it is important to note that a motorcyclist over the age of 21 are not required to wear a helmet if they have completed a motorcycle safety course or have a health insurance plan that covers motorcycle accidents according to Texas law. However, it is true that motorcycle accidents can happen even if the motorist takes every precaution.

Do you need a Texas Personal Injury Attorney?

Major Packaged Salad Product Recall Following Three Deaths and 22 Hospitalizations

Published on: January 2, 2022 | by Carabin Shaw

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When a consumer makes a purchase in the United States, they trust that the companies they are purchasing from offer safe and effective products. However, even with the strict testing and high federal standards, a few dangerous products make their way on the shelves and cause harm to the consumers. This week, Dole and Fresh Express recalled several of their packaged salad products after two separate listeria outbreaks hospitalized 22 and killed three across 18 States, including Texas. Fresh Express is recalling all products with codes Z324-Z350. Dole issued a voluntary recall on all products beginning with lot code “N” or “Y” and have a Best if Used By date between November 30, 2021, and January 8, 2022. Companies may try to avoid liability for their defective products by issuing such recalls. However, a warning may be too broad to void liability, as they must prove that the notice reached the specific customer. If you or a loved one has been hospitalized or killed due to a defective product, it is imperative that you contact the Carabin Shaw law firm right away. 

What is listeria?

           Listeriosis is an illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. According to the CDC, an estimated 260 people die from Listeriosis every year (2021). It is more dangerous for those who are immunocompromised, pregnant or the elderly over 65 years of age. Symptoms for pregnant women are flu-like, such as running a low-grade fever and experiencing fatigue or muscle aches. Listeriosis can also cause birth complications or the death of infants. For others, symptoms include muscle aches, headaches, loss of balance, stiff neck, or confusion (CDC, 2021). If you think you may have contracted Listeriosis, contact your doctor immediately. 

ACCIDENT INJURY REPORT – DRIVER OF 18-WHEELER DIES IN FATAL TRAIN CRASH AT HARRIS COUNTY RAILROAD CROSSING

Published on: September 16, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Sept. 16, 2021: HUFFMAN, Texas (KTRK) — The driver of an 18-wheeler died Wednesday, Sept. 8 in the morning when a Kanas City Southern train crashed into the big rig at a busy northeast Harris County railroad crossing. The crash happened just after 7 a.m. at FM 2100 and FM 1960. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed that the driver of the semi-truck was killed in the incident.

Video from the crash showed the train stopped on the tracks. Harris County sheriff’s deputies said the cab of the semi-truck was on the tracks when it was hit by the train, which then pushed it about 30 feet down the tracks. Deputies said the truck was headed northbound on FM 2100 and the train was headed east on the tracks before the crash.

A man who works at a nearby gas station said he heard the collision and saw a fire ignite. “I saw a big fire and heard a big noise. That’s it,” the witness said. “I saw the train go through the big fire. That’s all I saw.”

Fatal 18-Wheeler Accident Claims One Life in Smith County, Texas

Published on: September 14, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Recently, one person was killed in a Texas truck accident in Smith County. While details about the accident are still sparse, according to a local news report, the accident occurred on FM 346. The driver of the truck survived the accident with serious injuries. However, an unidentified person was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is still under investigation, and there is no indication whether criminal charges will be pursued.

Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of preventable injury in Texas. In fact, according to the most recent data from the Texas Department of Transportation, there are more than 15,800 people injured and another 3,600 killed in Texas car accidents each year. Truck accidents are responsible for a significant portion of these collisions.

Although Texas does not have the highest population of all U.S. states, it does see the highest number of trucking accidents. In part, this is because of the large number of interstate highways spanning the state. However, there also seems to be a certain disregard of the state’s traffic laws and regulations among many Texas truck drivers. For example, the majority of Texas truck accidents are the result of entirely preventable driving behavior, such as distracted driving, drunk driving, and aggressive driving. There is also a portion of truck accidents caused by vehicle and equipment defects.

Texas Multi-Vehicle Accident Claims at Least One Life in Rockwall

Published on: August 25, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Recently, a Texas car accident claimed at least one person’s life and injured several others. According to a recent news report, the accident occurred in the westbound Interstate 30 lanes over Lake Ray Hubbard at around 7 p.m. While details about the accident are sparse, authorities noted that the accident involved multiple vehicles.

Initially, law enforcement indicated that no one died in the accident, but several people sustained serious injuries. However, later, they issued a follow-up press release stating that at least one person died in the accident. It is unclear at this point what caused the accident or how many people were involved.

The Challenges of Multi-Vehicle Accidents