Personal Injury

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.

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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.”

Single-Vehicle Accident in South Texas Claims Ten Lives

Published on: August 17, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

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

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.

Dangerous chemical leak at Houston-area Splashtown Sends Dozens to Hospitals

Published on: July 19, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

Dangerous chemical leak at Houston-area Splashtown Sends Dozens to Hospitals

July 19, 2021: Spring, Texas–A chemical leak at a Houston-area water park left dozens suffering from minor skin irritation and respiratory issues Saturday, authorities said.

Emergency personnel vehicles responded to the scene where people are being treated after a chemical leak at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown Saturday, July 17, 2021 in Spring, Texas just north of Houston.

New Danger for Swimmers This Summer Due to a Lack of Lifeguards

Published on: July 2, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

pexels-markus-spiske-97047-200x300 Friday, July 2, 2021, Texas: As Americans head back to beaches and pools this summer, there is a new warning for families: Swim at their own risk. Some parts of the country are experiencing a dire lifeguard shortage. Pool openings were actually delayed in Texas with reported that hundreds of lifeguard jobs were still available in early June.

Tom Gill, Vice President of the U.S. Lifesaving Association, said, “There’s no substitute for safety, and the lifeguards are a part of the safety chain. The pandemic is largely to blame for the shortage. Towns are not able to hire, train, and certify new lifeguards fast enough, just as more Americans are flocking to waterfront destinations for the summer.”

Some pools have closed due to staffing shortages. A few facilities have posted notices on Facebook and websites turning away eager pool-goers. In Austin, Texas, the rapidly growing city is trying to stay afloat with just 250 lifeguards registered with the city compared to 750 in a typical year. “We just don’t have the time to get the lifeguards trained and on the payroll for this summer,” said Jodi Jay of Austin Parks and Recreation.

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.

CHLORINE SHORTAGE COULD CAUSE DANGERS THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AS THE SUMMER SEASON KICKS OFF FOR POOLS, RESORTS AND WATERPARKS

Published on: May 28, 2021 | by Carabin Shaw

May 24, 2021, San Antonio, TX – Every summer families head to the beaches, lakes and pools to beat the heat and cool off. Summer fun also means a serious focus on summer safety. Texas had the deadliest rate of child pool and spa drownings in 2019 for children under age 15. Drowning can happen anywhere which makes it necessary for everyone to practice water safety.

Just last week a two-year-old toddler died after squeezing through a safety gate and falling into a swimming pool here in Texas and another drowning tragedy involving toddlers occurred in Florida at a daycare center. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowning is one of the top causes of unintentional deaths for children in the U.S. There are nearly 400 pool-related drownings per year involving children.

In the U.S. drowning takes an average of 3,500-4,000 lives per year. That is nearly 10 fatal drownings per day. The CDC reports an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings annually in the U.S. An additional 332 people die each year from drowning in boat-related incidents.