Articles Posted in Personal Injury

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A man was killed in a horrific three-car accident early Monday morning on the southwest side of San Antonio. The driver was allegedly heading southbound and lost control of his vehicle, causing him to collide with a passenger vehicle and the rig of an 18-wheeler heading northbound. The driver was immediately rushed to the hospital with significant injuries, including several broken bones and internal injuries but was pronounced dead hours later. The drivers of the other two vehicles were not seriously injured. Detectives are unclear what caused the driver to lose control. However, the crash happened right around the same time it began to rain, and they suspect that may have contributed. The accident occurred around 5 am on Monday, January 31, just off New Laredo Highway near Briggs Avenue. 

Roughly 3,000 people die on Texas roadways every year. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 4.9 billion total costs of motor vehicle fatalities in Texas every year, with 2.9 billion or 46% being young adults ages 20-34. Fatalities on Texas roadways are a severe problem that affects thousands of families every year. At our firm, we understand that these are people, not just another statistic. They were brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, and children whose families were left to mourn and grieve. Fortunately, the Law office of Carabin Shaw has the tools and resources needed to help.

Have you been injured, or has someone you love died in a motor vehicle accident in San Antonio?

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On December 23, 2021, the day before Christmas Eve and the day before her 22nd birthday, Jaqueline Durand was viciously mauled by two dogs. As reported by Today News, the Texas college student was scheduled to walk these dogs and had been given the key to the front door by the owners. She had previously met the dogs and the owners without incident. However, the owners had failed to mention that the animals in question had violent reactions to anyone who approached the front door. NBC News reported that the owners had a sign indicating their awareness of the danger, “The lawsuit cited a sign by the Bishops’ home entrance that read: “Crazy Dogs. Please Don’t Knock or Ring the Bell. Call or Text Instead.” The sign also urged visitors to leave packages by the door, according to the lawsuit” (2022). According to the lawsuit filed by Durand’s attorney she was attacked immediately upon opening the front door. The mauling was so violent that Jaqueline lost both of her ears and her lips, as well as most of her face below her eyes. The neighbor who rescued Jaqueline and called 911 was also bitten twice as detailed by the Lawsuit. Jaqueline was rushed to the hospital and was immediately placed in an induced coma which she did not come out of until January 5th. She has undergone eight surgeries since then, with a ninth scheduled to replace her lower eyelids. In an interview with Jaqueline’s father conducted by Today News, he said she was unable to speak to them at first due to the extent of her injuries, requiring her to communicate with sign language which she had previously learned while working with disabled and deaf children. 

A study conducted by the CDC found that roughly 4.5 million people are bitten every year in the United States. The Census Bureau reported roughly 330 million people are currently living in the United States, meaning that approximately 1 in 72 people is bitten by dogs every year. If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog attack in Texas, you may be wondering whether or not you have a case. An appellate court in Texas in 2013, determined that in order to claim negligence, the plaintiff would need to prove two things: First, that the defendant owned an animal with dangerous propensities abnormal to its class, and second those propensities caused his injuries. In order to know for sure whether or not you have a claim, you would need to speak to a legal expert.

Have you been Injured or Hospitalized by a dog attack? 

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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: 

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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.

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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.  

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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?  

https://www.carabinshaw.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-25-at-6.25.40-PM.pngRecently, 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

pexels-kampus-production-6300862-300x200San 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 19-25th).  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.”

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Earlier this month, a Texas car accident involving a van carrying an estimated 30 people crashed, killing ten and injuring twenty others. According to a local news , the accident occurred in South Texas, about 80 miles north of the Mexico border. Evidently, the driver of the van was attempting to make a right-hand turn when they lost control and crashed into a utility pole.

All passengers aboard the van are believed to be undocumented immigrants. The crash occurred less than a week after the Texas Governor issued an executive order preventing private transportation companies from providing transit to migrants. Some believe the Governor’s orders may have limited safer forms of transportation, resulting in the accident victims cramming into the overcrowded van.

Recovering After a Texas Single Vehicle Accident

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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.

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