Car Accidents

How many accidents are caused by drowsy driving each year?

Time Saved Means Lives Lost When It Comes to Drowsy Driving With nearly 328,000 drowsy driving related car accidents each year, the facts speak for themselves. When you look at the loss of life and the nearly 109,000 injuries that come from these accidents, the cost of drowsy driving is too high. Making the change to save lives means knowing what happens to the brain when fatigued, taking action when driving, and committing to better sleep. A Slow Brain Means Poor Driving The body is hardwired to get what it needs whether that means food, water, or rest. Sleep deprivation…

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Victims of bicycle-car collisions are more susceptible to catastrophic injuries

Victims of bicycle-car collisions are more susceptible to catastrophic injuries Being the victim of a collision between a bicycle and car can be a harrowing experience. Whether you’re on a steel or aluminum bicycle, or (especially) an ultra-light carbon bike, does not matter. The car always wins in a collision between and bicycle and a car or truck. For this reason alone, it’s important to always be particularly alert when riding on an open roadway. Whether you are (1) clipped while riding on the shoulder, (2) t-boned while crossing an intersection with the right-of-way, or (3) hit head on by…

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Frequently Asked Questions After a Car Accident

Should I get an attorney after my car accident? In some cases, an attorney is absolutely necessary. In other cases, your claim may be resolved quicker and with fewer steps by not getting an attorney involved. Many attorneys—including the Joe Lopez Law PC, where I practice personal injury litigation in Austin, TX—do offer free consultations to evaluate the prospects of your case with you. This blog post serves to give a general understanding of how to evaluate your options. I only feel like I sustained minor injuries along with the damage to my vehicle. Should I get an attorney? Whether…

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Dash Cams in Cars gaining popularity

Dash Cams in Cars Are dash cams in cars gaining popularity with American drivers? Do they serve a good purpose for civilians? Last year, a new client at our law firm brought in the footage of his collision the car next to him captured. To say it’s compelling evidence is an understatement. So the question remains, why are dash cams gaining popularity in the United States? A few weeks, a serious crash involving a runaway dump truck was captured on video in Austin, Texas.   As seen within the link below, this footage is absolutely profound and can definitely provide concrete…

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Causes and Solutions to Wrong-Way Crashes in Texas

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…

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Distracted Driving Laws in Austin and Texas

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,…

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Increase of Wrong Way Drivers in Austin Texas

Wrong Way Drivers in Austin Texas According to NHTSA, more than 1,500 crashes involving wrong way drivers occur each year taking nearly 260 lives.  As we all know, 2015 was the deadliest year on the roads in Austin’s history. It seems 2016 is tracking 2015. This week alone there were three separate fatal collisions. Most recently four people were killed on Interstate 35 at the Kyle Parkway exit after a wrong-way driver crashed into their minivan. This preventable crash happened around 1 a.m. Friday morning and authorities believe alcohol could have played a role. The scene was horrific according to…

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Will Austin’s New Rideshare Ordinance Affect Drunk Driving?

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…

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Texas – A “Fault” Insurance State

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…

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The Five Most Dangerous Intersections in Austin

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…

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