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Month: August 2020

Common Threats to Oil and Gas Worker Safety

Posted on by Zreyna Law

Working in the oil and gas industry is no easy feat, especially for oilfield and rig workers. In addition to the work being physically demanding, the environment surrounding oilfield work is full of potential hazards that could inflict serious, life altering injuries and death to workers. Oil and gas workers trust their lives to the safety measures implemented by their employers. When safety regulations are blatantly ignored and heavy machinery and other workplace materials go without proper service and inspection, the odds of an oil and gas worker suffering a catastrophic accident greatly increase. Being able to identify potential hazards and understand the common causes of oilfield accidents, workers can better mind their surroundings and to call out unsafe jobsite practices.

Sadly, many issues of oil and gas worker safety are either overlooked or simply not taken seriously enough considering the nature of the industry. Like construction, energy industry work comes with a notorious reputation for occupational injury and accidents. While fatal workplace accident statistics clearly paint a picture of occupational dangers, there’s still no excuse for the lack of responsibility oil and gas companies take for = worker safety. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in just four short years – from 2013 to 2017 – a reported 489 oil and gas extraction workers were killed on the job.

Common Threats to Oil and Gas Worker Safety

Ongoing oil and gas worker injuries and deaths signify much needed and critical room for safety improvements. Oil and gas companies can directly affect workers’ safety and improve conditions by following both state law and federal OSHA guidelines. The following are some of the most common threats to oil and gas worker safety:

Vehicle Collisions. Oil and gas extraction and refining requires the use of vehicles to transport cargo, materials, and workers across Texas and beyond. Not only are vehicles heavily relied on for day-to-day operations, but workers must also often be transported between jobsites and travel accommodations. Because of their frequent use, work vehicles require routine maintenance and inspection, especially when hauling cargo loads. Vehicles with mechanical issues present dangers unknown to drivers until it is too late, causing roadway accidents. Additionally, frequent use of work vehicles should prompt oil and gas companies to rigorously train drivers in safety courses, as well as enforce rules requiring fatigued drivers resting and prohibit the operation of vehicle while intoxicated.

Faulty Equipment and Machinery. Just as heavily utilized motor vehicles require routine maintenance and inspection, so do equipment and heavy machinery. When equipment and machinery malfunctions, the consequences can be catastrophic. Workers rely on equipment and machines properly functioning so they can do their jobs safely. Additionally, machines should be outfitted with proper safeguards that provide a barrier between moving parts and workers.

Fires and Explosions. Due to the sensitive materials and hazardous chemicals frequently used in the various phases of oil and gas extraction and refinement, fires and explosions pose a great danger not only to oilfields, oil rigs, and refineries, but also to the surrounding areas. Chemicals and sensitive materials must be properly stored so they do not interact with each other or with other substances that could cause a powerful reaction.

Lack of Training. While mistakes and human error do happen, employees are not responsible for adequately training themselves for complicated energy industry work. Oil and gas companies should provide employees with quality training specific to not only in the scope of their jobs but also in safety. Training should be provided in a language that all employees understand; and, proper safety and warning signage must be placed throughout the workplace.

Rio Grande Valley Oilfield Injury Attorneys

Oil and gas worksite threats are responsible for hundreds of senseless and preventable worker deaths annually. Just because a person’s occupation is potentially dangerous does not mean they should suffer injury. If you or a loved one has been injured while working in the oil and gas industry, contact the Rio Grande Valley workplace accident attorneys of Ezequiel Reyna Law Office today to discuss your case at no cost. There is limited time to act following a work accident in Texas, so don’t delay.

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

Posted on by Zreyna Law

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a jarring experience that leaves victims suffering from serious injuries and mental turmoil. When a crash occurs and a driver flees the scene, it’s important to know whether that crash constitutes a hit and run accident and what to do afterward.

A hit and run accident occurs when a motor vehicle strikes an object, person, or vehicle, and the driver knowingly flees the scene of the accident. Under the Texas Transportation Code,  drivers are required to undertake the following actions after being involved in a car accident; failure to do is a direct violation of the law:

  • Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to the accident as possible (without obstructing traffic more than necessary)
  • Immediately return to the scene of the accident if the vehicle is unable to stop or does not stop at the scene of the accident
  • Remain at the scene of the accident

When a driver fails to take these actions, a collision could be deemed a hit and run accident, and the driver who fled the scene could be charged with a crime.

Steps to Take After a Hit and Run Accident

The most important first step to take after a car accident is to seek medical treatment. Motor vehicle accidents often leave victims with a surge of adrenaline that can easily mask pain – for this reason, hit and run accident victims should seek timely medical care. Since the responsible party fled the scene, it’s crucial that victims document information about the event, including a description of the vehicle and/or driver.

Record important details – such as the year, make, and model of the vehicle, as well as specific details like vehicle color and any unique indicators like bumper stickers or body damage. Victims should also note where the accident occurred, the time of day and the date, and any nearby retail stores or businesses that could potentially have security footage of the event. Take photos of the vehicle damage sustained in the hit and run accident. If the crash involved a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist, it is crucial to take photos of the injuries sustained including cuts and bruises.

A hit and run accident is a serious offense that often brings about both criminal and civil actions. As such, victims are best served utilizing the knowledge of an experienced car accident lawyer. Sadly, auto insurance providers are not always on their own policyholders’ side – even in a serious collision. Hiring an experienced Texas personal injury lawyer helps ensure victims are justly compensated for their damages.

Weslaco Hit and Run Accidents Lawyers

After the physical pain, mental turmoil, and stress caused by a hit and run accident, the last thing a victim should have to deal with is the pressure of financial repercussions. Drivers who cause hit and run accidents need to be held accountable for their destructive and dangerous actions. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a hit and run accident, contact the Rio Grande Valley trial lawyers of Ezequiel Reyna Law Office today to discuss your case. There is limited time to act following a Texas car accident, so don’t delay.

Why Semi-Truck Accidents Happen More Frequently Than You Think

Posted on by Zreyna Law

The transportation industry is a massive force that quite literally drives commerce in our country. According to Bureau of Transportation Statistics for June 2018, the transportation industry was powered mostly by large semi-trucks, which were responsible for the transportation of $66.6 billion of freight in June 2018, an increase of 5.3% over the previous year, showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.  Considering 62.7% of the country’s freight depends on semi-truck transportation in order to survive, the volume of large trucks seen on roads and highways across the country can be put into perspective. Texas is unique in that it is one of the largest states in the country and is home to five major metropolitan cities. Texas’ major cities are crucial to the supply and demand of goods not only for our state but for the entire country as well. Because of this, a large amount of cargo is transported along Texas roads and highways at any given moment. For Texans, this means learning to share the road with semi-trucks – and their potential for accidents – is a part of daily life.

How Likely Is an Accident?

The likelihood of being involved in a semi-truck accident depends on a variety of factors, and there is no way to predict or guarantee the occurrence of such an event. Drivers can only be prepared and educated on safe driving practices – as well as driving conditions that could increase the potential for an accident such as time of day and weather. The fact is that while driving is routine for many, operating a vehicle should still be taken seriously, regardless of a driver’s age or experience. Understanding the causes of semi-truck accidents gives drivers and passengers greater insight to semi-truck vulnerabilities and how to avoid them.

Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

Although semi-trucks are large, high-powered vehicles, they remain sensitive to their environment. As the demand for goods increases, so does the need for semi-trucks to transport them. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large truck-related accidents led to 4,102 deaths in 2017 – a 52% increase since 2009. These accidents occurred for various reasons, but the following were reported as most common factors.

Defective tires were cited as a cause of 30% of semi-truck accidents. Although semi-trucks have far more wheels than most vehicles, a defect in a single tire is enough to cause a catastrophic truck crash. When a truck has a blowout or tire mishap, its cabin and cargo load will be disrupted, potentially causing a chain reaction of events that can lead to a semi-truck accident.

Driver fatigue is a major cause of accidents in the transportation industry. Truck drivers are often required to make long hauls on short deadlines, often leaving them without the adequate amount of sleep necessary to safely focus and maneuver a vehicle of that size. Fatigued drivers can function as poorly as impaired drivers when it comes to controlling a vehicle and reaction timing.

Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol causes unnecessary and preventable semi-truck accidents annually. Unfortunately, many truck drivers attempt to combat driver fatigue with illegal substances, which is illegal and highly dangerous.

Regular maintenance and inspection help prevent semi-truck accidents. These big rigs should be subject to regular and routine inspection and maintenance, before and after trips. This ensures a truck is properly functioning and equipped to handle the distance and load it will haul. Although this is a simple step, many transportation companies fail to undertake it, as it requires additional time and cost if repairs are needed. This means hundreds or thousands of unfit trucks hauling cargo are sent out on roads every day.

Rio Grande Valley Semi-Truck Accident Attorneys

The Rio Grande Valley sees its fair share of semi-trucks hauling goods across the Texas, but this should not mean that South Texas drivers have to live in fear of semi-truck accidents. The transportation industry must ensure all vehicles and drivers are fit to safely travel the roads with others, regardless of the cost of driver training and vehicle maintenance. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a semi truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Rio Grande Valley semi-truck accident attorneys of Ezequiel Reyna Law Office today to discuss your case. There is limited time to act following an accident in Texas, so don’t delay.

Common Car Accident Mistakes

Posted on by Zreyna Law

A motor vehicle accident can be a frazzling experience. Regardless of whether it is your first car accident or you have been involved in a wreck before, each incident is unique and can cause drivers to panic and make costly mistakes that could be used against them later. While we cannot control the actions of others, drivers can take safety into their own hands by following traffic laws and otherwise practicing safe driving. When unfortunate events do occur – and they will – it’s in the best interest of the driver to avoid making car accident mistakes following a collision.

What Not To Do

Car accidents result in a multi-step process that must take place before a claim can be resolved. After the standard exchange of information immediately following an accident, most drivers are unaware of what they should or should not do next. Below we list actions drivers should never take following an accident; and, it is recommended that car accident victims hire experienced local legal counsel to oversee their accident claim to ensure proper handling. Weslaco car accident lawyers work to ensure victims receive the full amount of potential compensation for their damages.

Don’t Flee the Scene

Fleeing the scene of a motor vehicle accident is not just irresponsible, it is illegal. Hit and runs are devastating; and, depending on the accident, they can result in a fatality if the offending driver fails to stop and render aid. Drivers who flee the scene only add to the destruction they caused in the crash and make legal matters worse for themselves.

Don’t Admit Fault

This may sound like a no-brainer; however, drivers involved in car accidents may admit fault without realizing they have done so. It’s recommended that drivers do not admit fault at the scene of the accident or to insurance providers – even their own – as this could impact who is ultimately held responsible for causing the crash. This also goes for speaking to the other party’s insurance provider and/or signing any documents without contacting a lawyer first. Remember, it is not up to the driver to determine fault, lawyers are better equipped to handle such matters.

Be Sure to Contact Police

Drivers of either car may be resistant to call police following an accident; however, a law enforcement investigation is crucial to the insurance claims process. Police reports provide a detailed description of the car accident, including drivers, location, and – if it can be determined at the scene – who is at fault. Insurance providers will request copies of any such reports, so it is always a good rule of thumb to contact the police or other emergency responders following an accident.

Be Sure to Document the Accident

In addition to police reports, individual documentation of the accident and related events is also important to the outcome of a claim. Drivers should document vehicle damage at the accident scene, save all documents related to police reports, towing, and storage, and most importantly, document the personal and insurance information of the drivers and other persons involved.

Timely Seek Medical Attention

Another common mistake that can lead to future problems for car accident victims is if a driver or passenger denies any injuries or pain at the scene and/or to insurance providers before seeking medical attention – or fails to seek medical attention at all. It is common for accident victims to be in shock following a wreck, and adrenaline can mask the pain of sustained injuries.

South Texas Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents can be confusing, complex, and stressful, but victims don’t have to handle it all on their own. By selecting quality legal representation, the injured won’t have to worry as much about their next steps because they will have the guidance and support of an experienced personal injury attorney. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact Weslaco car accident lawyers at Ezequiel Reyna, Jr. Law Office today to discuss your case. There is limited time to act following your accident in Texas, so don’t delay.