Car Accidents

Texas leads the nation in wrong-way crashes, which are one of the most serious collisions a person can experience. Sadly, they are also frighteningly common in the US. From 2004-2009, 2,139 fatal wrong-way crashes were reported. Wrong-Way Crashes and What Causes Them Wrong-way crashes are collisions involving cars traveling the wrong way on any road. They are especially common on highways and access ramps. Accidents in these areas are dangerous in general, but when a vehicle travels over 70 mph in the incorrect direction, a lot can go wrong. There are a few basic causes behind these horrific collisions. The…

Law enforcement is starting to crack down on distracted driving around the country. While texting is the poster child of distracted driving campaigns, many police officers will pull people over for any activity that may impair driving. Eating/drinking, using a GPS system, watching a video, or adjusting the radio are all viable types of distracted driving. Texas Cell Phone Laws The state of Texas has not enacted comprehensive cellphone laws yet. If you are an adult driving in the countryside, you can still use your cellphone while driving. While there aren’t any specific laws for adults over the age of 18,…

On February 1, Austin’s new rideshare ordinance goes into effect. The statute was approved this past December in a 9-2 vote and will require rideshare service drivers, such as Uber and Lyft, to undergo fingerprint background checks before they can chauffer passengers. Companies will have 12 months from the effective start date to bring their company policies into compliance with the local ordinance. The popular rideshare companies are less than thrilled with the new requirement, and both Lyft and Uber have publicly stated that the ordinance will drive their services out of the city. The companies believe the rules are…

So you’ve turned your attention away from the road for a moment while switching radio stations, and before you can slam on the brakes, you’ve rear-ended the car in front of you. Aside from exchanging both personal and car insurance information with the other driver, you need to know where your state stands in terms of responsibility for the accident. States like Texas uses a “fault” system when it comes to auto insurance. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, this means that you are responsible for covering any damage in an accident that you cause. Conversely, “no-fault” states require…

Traffic deaths in Austin are moving towards a record high in 2015. Currently, 1986 holds the record as the year with the highest number of deaths at 81. There have already been 81 deaths recorded this year, with months still remaining. In an attempt to lessen the mortality risk, Austin is spending $3.8 million to improve five of the city’s most dangerous intersections. These intersections were responsible for 250 accidents and one death between 2012 and 2014. While these improvements are aimed at enhancing safety, it is always important to be cautious. Below is a list of the five most…

Last year, there were over 13,500 serious injury crashes in Texas. Any car accident involving serious injury is often traumatizing, and remembering what to do afterwards can be very difficult. However, recording the correct information will help with any insurance claims or litigation. Having a set checklist of what needs to be done can be a useful tool to prevent you from any headache down the road. After the Accident If you have been in a collision, note your surroundings to make sure you are safe. If you can, move your car to a secure location, such as the shoulder,…