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Month: September 2020

Driver Error and Car Accidents

Posted on by Zreyna Law

Car accidents occur every day and are caused by a variety of reasons, including bad weather, road hazards, or mechanical car issues. However, according to the National Safety Council, about 94% of motor vehicle accidents happen purely from driver error. This means that nearly all car accidents are preventable.

While the development and implementation of fully automated cars is on the horizon, drivers are still human and can make errors while driving their cars. Here are some of the most common driver errors that lead to car accidents:

Driving While Distracted

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention away from driving. There are so many ways for a driver to be distracted while in their vehicle. Cell phones, entertainment and infotainment systems, fast food, and more can take a driver’s eyes off the road. Drivers talking on cell phones, handheld, or Bluetooth miss recognizing up to 50% of the changing environment around their vehicles, including other cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicycles. Drivers who are texting or reading and responding to emails will recognize changes in the environment even less. Sending a text or reading an email can take your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. When driving at around 55 mph, that would mean keeping your eyes off the road for around 100 yards – or the entire length of a football field. Any non-driving activity engaged in while driving exponentially increases your risk of crashing.

Not Communicating Clearly to Other Drivers

Many drivers fail to use proper signals that are meant to communicate their intentions to other drivers. Using turn signals to indicate the intention to change lanes or make a turn is vital to showing other drivers that you are changing your pattern of driving. Also, making sure that your brake lights, headlights, and turn signal lights are all in working order is essential to driving safely. Without properly working lights, cars behind you and in front of you may not know what your vehicle is doing, and thus cannot prepare for a change you may be about to make. Clear communication through signals and lights can reduce the chance of a car accident.

Violating Traffic Laws

Traffic laws are put in place to keep drivers safe while on the roads. Drivers who do not follow traffic laws are more likely to get into a car accident. One common traffic law violation is speeding. All drivers should obey the speed limit, but many drivers fail to do so. Speeding creates dangerous situations and reduces the amount of time a driver has to react to any changes that occur on the road, including other drivers stopping suddenly, road conditions becoming wet from rain, or the road curving sharply.   Another traffic law that drivers commonly violate is not stopping at red lights or stop signs. Paying attention to and adhering to traffic signals and signs helps prevent car accidents from occurring. Drivers who do not stop at stop signs or who run red lights greatly increase their chances of causing a car wreck that serious injures themselves and others on the road.

Weslaco Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents caused by driver error are scary, confusing, and stressful, but victims don’t have to handle them by themselves. By selecting knowledgeable legal representation, the injured won’t have to worry as much about their next steps. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact the South Texas car accident lawyers at Ezequiel Reyna, Jr. Law Office today to discuss your case. There is limited time to act following a motor vehicle accident in Texas, so don’t delay.

Tailgating Can Lead to Serious Car Accidents

Posted on by Zreyna Law

Driving on Texas roads is not always a stress-free experience. You may be in a hurry to get somewhere but the driver in front of you is just not going fast enough for you. The temptation to tailgate that car might be very high, but tailgating can lead to serious car accidents and is considered aggressive driving in Texas.

Reaction Time Matters

An average size car going 60 mph requires a minimum of 240 feet to stop safely once the brakes have been pressed. Before you press the brake pedal, it can take 60 feet just for you to realize that you need to stop in the first place, then 180 feet for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. This does not factor in how heavy your vehicle may be, if the road is wet or oily, or if there is debris in the road – all of which can significantly increase the distance required for the car to be able to stop. Wet roads increase the distance to stop by as much as four times.

If you are tailgating the car in front of you and that car suddenly stops or slows down, there will not be enough time to react to that sudden change. The likelihood of crashing into that vehicle is extremely high and could cause horrible damage to your vehicle and injure yourself and those in the vehicle in front of you.  Auto collisions due to tailgating are incredibly common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 23 percent of all motor vehicle crashes are rear-end collisions, which lead to an average of 2,000 deaths and almost 1,000,000 injuries every year.

Follow Safely

No one likes to be tailgated. It can be a scary experience and can make a driver feel incredibly uncomfortable. When driving, try to keep a good amount of space between you and the driver in front of you. A safe distance would be about 10 feet per 10 mph of speed. For example, if a vehicle is going 45 mph, the driver should maintain 45 feet of distance between their car and the car in front of them. Measuring exact distance is not the easiest thing to do when driving, but there are ways to estimate it, including:

  • Observe cars around your vehicle on the highway and try to stay about five to six car lengths away from a car in front of you.
  • Observe the road markers along your drive. Choose a road marker and watch when the car in front of you passes it. Count the number of seconds it takes between their car passing and then your car passing that same road marker. That time should be at least three seconds. Double that amount of time for wet road conditions.
  • If tempted to tailgate, make the decision to safely pass the car ahead of you instead.

Drive Defensively

If you are being tailgated, stay calm and try to take a few defensive measures to avoid being rear-ended. Stay in the right-hand lanes to allow faster vehicles to pass while driving. If being tailgated in the left-hand or center lanes, safely change lanes to allow the faster vehicle to pass. Leave enough space between your car and the car in front of you so that if there is a car crash, it will not be a multi-vehicle crash. If driving on wet roads, increase that amount of space to allow for increased reaction time if a sudden stop occurs.

South Texas Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents caused by tailgating 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 the Weslaco car accident lawyers at Ezequiel Reyna, Jr. Law Office today to discuss your case. There is limited time to act following a motor vehicle accident in Texas, so don’t delay.

What to Do If You Are Hit By a Drunk Driver

Posted on by Zreyna Law

Drunk drivers are, sadly, a common sight along small town roads and big city highways. Even though drunk, or impaired, driving is illegal, just about every 20 minutes someone is injured or killed in a vehicular accident involving alcohol. In Texas, a person is legally intoxicated and can be arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) with a .08 BAC (blood/breath alcohol concentration). A person is also considered intoxicated if impaired due to alcohol regardless of their BAC. Being hit by a drunk driver is a terrifying experience that no one should have to go through, but being prepared for an unexpected accident can help expedite the legal process and even prevent potential car accidents.

Steps to Take:

The first two steps to take after being hit by a drunk driver are to seek medical attention if needed and call the police. Checking for injuries should happen immediately; and, if necessary, the injured parties should seek medical treatment. If you are unable to move, wait for emergency responders to arrive to help transport the injured to an emergency facility.

Once injuries have been evaluated, if you are able to, call the police. A witness may have already called the police, but make sure to call as soon as possible to report that an accident occurred. Give the location of the vehicles and answer any questions the emergency call operator may have.

If there are no serious injuries, attempt to collect information from the other driver, including information from their driver’s license and their insurance card. If a drunk driver caused the collision, that may make things more difficult. If they are being unsafe or are threatening, do not attempt to speak to them. Wait until the police arrive to get the information you need. Make sure to document and tell the police of any odd behavior or strange smells coming from the drunk driver. The police must be made aware that the driver that caused the accident was drunk when the car crash occurred.

If there were any witnesses, politely ask for their names and contact information, as they may be able to corroborate the details of what happened. Make sure to also take pictures and video of the vehicles involved for future reference. Document any other details from the accident, such as odd swerving by the drunk driver, as quickly as possible so as to not forget that information. If you are injured, recording a voice memo on your phone can preserve your thoughts.

If the drivers are able, all vehicles should be moved out of the flow of traffic. If the vehicles are unable to be moved, wait for tow trucks to arrive. In Texas, cars in a collision that can be moved out of the flow of traffic are legally required to be moved, even before police arrive. If a drunk driver attempts to flee the scene, try to read their license plate and remember it for the police to investigate.

Injuries sustained after an accident may not appear until a few days afterward. After the collision, adrenaline and shock may take over and mask injuries or pain caused by the crash. Seek medical attention immediately if you feel any pain that may have been caused by the auto accident.

South Texas Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents can be confusing, complex, and stressful, but victims of drunk drivers 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 caused by a drunk driver, contact the Weslaco car accident lawyers at Ezequiel Reyna, Jr. Law Office today to discuss your case. There is limited time to act following a Texas car accident, so don’t delay.

What Happens If You Are Hit By A Company Car?

Posted on by Zreyna Law

Our firm handles commercial vehicle accidents – also known as cases involving a company car. Any type of accident involving any type of vehicle – from a car to an 18-wheeler – where one vehicle is owned by a business is more complex than when a collision occurs between two passenger vehicles. A company vehicle is owned by a business and operated by employees or other agents of the company, often to transport passengers or to haul goods. Company vehicles are covered by commercial insurance policies rather than personal ones, and they are subject to specific roadway laws and legal requirements. An accident with a company car is thus different from a regular car accident, and needs to be handled differently.

If you are driving and get hit by a company car, what should you do? Many of the immediate actions to take in the aftermath of a company car accident are similar to those in passenger car crashes – such as seeking medical attention, contacting law enforcement, and noting identifying information of other drivers and witnesses. Things become more complicated, however, when the injured party needs to be compensated by the driver who caused the accident. While it’s always important to gather information if you are able at the scene of an accident, when hit by a company car, you’ll need to find out whether or not the person that hit you was on the job. If possible, find out their employer and who owns the vehicle.

Commercial Insurance For Company Vehicles

Generally speaking, companies are responsible for their employees’ actions while the employees are working or “on the clock.” This means that if the commercial vehicle driver was working at the time of the crash and is found to be at fault, the company that owns the vehicle and/or the company that employs the driver will be held at least partially responsible for the resulting damages.

Commercial insurance companies have vast resources available to protect their interests; and they use them to avoid paying out damages after a company vehicle they insure crashes. If a company car has hit you or someone you love, you must retain a knowledgeable commercial accident lawyer experienced in successfully resolving these matters and securing compensation for all damages.

Causes of Company Car Accidents

To hold an employer liable for the actions of an employee, the employee must be acting within the scope of his or her employment. This means, they must be on the road specifically for a work-related objective, even if driving a personal vehicle. Any number of factors can cause or contribute to a crash with a commercial vehicle. Some common examples of company car accident causes include:

  • Drunk driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Negligent hiring practices
  • A poorly maintained vehicle
  • An improperly trained driver
  • Unsafe road or weather conditions
  • Failure to verify proper licensing/certification

Texas Company Car Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you care about was injured in a roadway crash with a company car, the lawyers at the Ezequiel Reyna Law Office can help. We have over 40 years of experience successfully handling all types of motor vehicle accidents – whether motorcycle, car, or big rig – and we want to put our experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.

Truck Driver Safety Tips Every Driver Should Know

Posted on by Zreyna Law

Commercial truck drivers, a staple on every Texas highway, spend more time on the road than a typical Texas commuter or road trip enthusiast. Driving day and night, truck drivers adhere to strict safety protocols to ensure efficient and safe pickup and delivery of goods across the state. Staying safe is essential to their job and by following their lead, all drivers can stay safe on our roads.

6 Truck Driver Safety Tips:

Drive Defensively

Truck drivers must be constantly aware of their surroundings to be able to detect unexpected changes on the road – poor road conditions, drivers not paying attention, unexpected slow-downs ahead, and much more. Driving defensively is crucial for all drivers, as it helps them prepare for unexpected changes in driving conditions. Make sure to look ahead about a quarter mile or so – or one to two blocks while inside city limits – for any traffic issues, work zones, or other unexpected changes in the road.

Buckle Up

This truck driver safety tip is one of the easiest to follow. As required by Texas law, all drivers and passengers in vehicles must be secured by a safety belt. Truck drivers know that seat belts save lives. Seat belts are most effective when used properly, including wearing the lap belt snuggly across the hips and the shoulder belt worn over the shoulder and across the center of the chest.

Use Your Signals

Truck drivers have much larger vehicles to maneuver when on the road and should thus signal where they want to go or when they need to pass other drivers well ahead of their actions. Truck drivers must use their turn signals and brakes at appropriate times to show other vehicles their intentions. By following this truck driver safety tip, drivers will know where other vehicles want to go and can take additional precautions to ensure the lane changes or turns are made safely.

Avoid Tailgating

When traveling on the highway, commercial truck drivers should avoid tailgating, as it takes longer for a larger vehicle to stop when needing to stop quickly. A severe collision can occur if a truck rear-ends a car in front of them and vice-versa. Leaving 20-25 car lengths between a car and a commercial truck will provide enough space to brake safely if traffic stops suddenly.

Stay Away from Blind Spots

Large commercial vehicles have many blind spots and truck drivers have to be constantly aware of where smaller vehicles are in relation to those blind spots. By being mindful of avoiding the blind spots of larger commercial vehicles as well as other passenger cars, all drivers on the road will be much safer.

Never Drive Distracted

Driving a commercial truck is a licensed profession; and, while on the job truck drivers are expected to adhere to all work rules and traffic laws. This includes not texting and driving. Driving while distracted increases the odds of being involved in a crash or near crash for all types of vehicles. Distractions can include driving while texting, eating, managing children, interacting with a navigational device, or any activity that takes one’s focus off the road.

By following these truck driver safety tips, all drivers in Texas will be better prepared for the road ahead.

Rio Grande Valley Car Accident Attorneys

Those who live and work in the Rio Grande Valley share the road with passenger vehicles as well as semi-trucks. Anytime you are in an accident, whether with a passenger vehicle or a big rig, it can be confusing, complex, and stressful. Victims don’t have to handle it all on their own. By selecting knowledgeable, qualified legal representation, the injured won’t have to worry 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 or semi-truck accident, contact the Rio Grande Valley car 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.