Car Accidents

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.

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

Nearly 60 Percent of Child Car Seats Are Misused and Dangerous

Published on: August 17, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

San Antonio, Texas: It’s back to school and back on the roads in Texas, make sure your children are safely buckled up or strapped in for trips in the car.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children. While most people believe their children are properly buckled up, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) points out that 59% of all car seats are misused. The best way to keep young children safe in your vehicle is to make sure they’re properly buckled up in a car seat. That means selecting a car seat that’s appropriate for a child’s age and size and installing it correctly.

“We encourage parents to take advantage of car seat safety checks available during Passenger Safety Week (September 19-25^th). With proper car seat, car seat installment, and seat belt placement, children are far safer during a motor vehicle collision,” said Carabin Shaw Attorney Carla Dixon. “Knowing the guidelines for height and weight for your children is also extremely important to ensure your child is in the proper car seat or booster seat. Serious injuries can be greatly reduced as well if we place children rear-facing car seats until ages 2-4.”

Two Killed, Four Hurt in Texas Head-On Collision Montgomery County Texas

Published on: August 10, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Head-on collisions are some of the deadliest Texas car accidents. These collisions often involve high speeds and direct impact, increasing the chances of all occupants suffering serious injury. Head-on accidents are also almost always avoidable when motorists use common sense when behind the wheel. For example, the most common causes of head-on collisions are impaired driving, drowsy driving and distracted driving. Each of these driving behaviors involved a motorist’s decision to place their own convenience or desires over the safety of others on the road.

Recently, a tragic accident claimed the lives of two women and injured four others. According to a recent news report, the accident occurred around 1:45 am in Montgomery County, TX. The collision occurred near the Rayford/Sawdust exit in Spring.

Evidently, a woman driving a Honda was traveling the wrong way on the North Freeway when she crashed head-on with a Dodge pick-up truck. When emergency responders arrived on the scene, the wrong-way driver was immediately pronounced dead. Shortly after the collision, the pick-up truck caught fire.

Teenager Killed in Texas Construction Zone Chain-Reaction Car Accident

Published on: August 4, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Even attentive drivers can be caught off guard by an unexpected hazard on the road. One common type of unanticipated event is a car accident involving other vehicles on the road. Drivers naturally assume that everyone around them is driving safely and will not get involved in an accident. However, once an accident occurs, it puts everyone else on the road, and chain-reaction car accidents are quite common, especially on Texas highways.

A chain-reaction car accident occurs when one accident sets in motion a series of events that leads to several other collisions. Recently, a 13-year-old boy was killed in a chain-reaction car accident in Bell County, TX. According to a recent news report, the boy was a passenger in one of several cars involved in the collision.

Evidently, a driver was heading northbound on I-35, approaching Shanklin Road, when they approached a construction zone. At this portion of I-35, the highway was restricted to one lane, resulting in a significant traffic back-up. The driver failed to notice that traffic was stopped due to the construction and crashed full-speed into the rear-most vehicle.

Young Child Killed in Texas Wrong-Way Accident Houston

Published on: July 29, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous motor vehicle accidents. These accidents typically involve direct impact at high speeds, often leading to deadly consequences. At the same time, most head-on accidents are entirely avoidable if motorists use sound judgment when behind the wheel and follow all traffic laws.

Recently, a two-year-old was killed in a Houston wrong-way accident. According to a local news report, the collision occurred on Eastex Freeway at North Loop 610 at around 3 a.m. Evidently, a family of five was traveling northbound on the highway when another driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes crashed into the family’s vehicle. It later came out that a police officer on the other side of the highway noticed the wrong-way driver but could not get to the driver in time.

As a result of the accident, the family’s two-year-old child was killed. Additionally, the wrong-way driver also lost her life in the accident. This accident is the second fatal wrong-way accident occurring in Houston within the past month.

Fatal Rear-End Accident on Highway 249 Claims One Man’s Life in Houston

Published on: July 16, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Rear-end accidents are some of the most common motor vehicle collisions on Texas roads. In part, this is because vehicles travel quickly, and an unexpected slow-down ahead may not leave motorists with enough time to stop. For this reason, it is incredibly important to leave sufficient room between vehicles, especially on crowded roads.

While it’s commonly known that the rear driver in a rear-end accident is generally the party responsible for the collisions, that isn’t always the case. In some situations, the driver that is hit may either share the responsibility or be completely at fault. For example, if the driver up front suddenly slams on their brakes for no reason or slows down to turn without signaling, a subsequent rear-end collision may be all but unavoidable for a driver behind them.

A recent example of a situation where the lead driver may share responsibility comes from an accident out of Houston. According to a recent news report, it was around 8 p.m. on Highway 249, near the Greens Road exit, when a man driving a white car pulled in front of a van before applying the brakes. The driver of the van was unable to stop in time and crashed into the back of the car. Sadly, the car’s driver was taken to the hospital and did not survive the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Texas Woman Killed in Fatal Left-Turn Accident near Tyler, Texas

Published on: July 12, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Late last month, one woman was killed and another man seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision occurring in Tyler, Texas. According to a recent news report, the driver of a 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage was traveling southbound on State Highway 110. As the driver of the Mitsubishi began making a left turn, a Toyota Sienna was traveling northbound on the same road. The driver of the Toyota was unable to avoid the collision, crashing into the passenger side of the Mitsubishi.

The driver of the Mitsubishi, a 44-year-old woman from Tyler, was taken to UT Health East Texas but ultimately succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the Toyota was taken to nearby Christus Trinity Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler. At the time of the article’s publication, he was is in stable condition.

While every traffic maneuver presents some level of risk, some are more dangerous than others. For a few reasons, left-hand turns are among the most dangerous.

Three Killed in Fatal Head-On Accident in Winters, TX

Published on: July 2, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

pexels-pixabay-263402-300x199 Driving behind a slow-moving vehicle can be a real headache, especially if you’re already running behind. However, passing another vehicle on the highway is one of the most dangerous driving maneuvers a motorist takes on a daily basis. In fact, according to the most recent data from the Texas Department of Transportation, there are dozens of fatal Texas traffic accidents each year involving passing. One of the reasons why passing is so dangerous is that these accidents often involve head-on collisions.

Recently, three people were killed in a fatal traffic accident occurring just outside Winters, Texas, on State Highway 153. According to a local news report, the accident involved a Ford Edge and a Chevy Tahoe. Evidently, the Ford Edge was traveling westbound on SH-153 about six miles outside of Winters, TX. At the same time, the Chevy Tahoe was traveling eastbound. The driver of the Tahoe attempted to pass several vehicles. As the Tahoe entered the westbound lanes, it collided head-on with the Edge.

The impact from the collision caused the Ford Edge to catch fire. The driver of the Edge, as well as the passenger and a child in the back seat, were all pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Two other minors, also in the Edge, were seriously injured and transported to Hendrick Medical Center with critical and incapacitating injuries. The driver of the Tahoe also suffered severe injuries but is expected to recover.