Author: Zreyna Law

We have all seen it – a person driving while looking at their cell phone, eating a cheeseburger, or turned fully around trying to calm down their child. Distracted driving is everywhere and is causing more car accidents every year. Texas Department of Transportation statistics show that 17.4% of motor vehicle crashes on Texas roads in 2019 involved distracted drivers. Out of the total number of distracted driving accidents (97,853), there were 2,500 serious injuries and 378 fatalities. In an effort to reduce distracted driving accidents, Texas recently passed a law that prohibits driving while reading, writing, or sending electronic messages on a mobile device.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Engaging in any activity that takes your attention away from the road while you are driving is considered distracted driving. There are always many different types of distractions in the car with you – all of which reduce your reaction time when things change on the road in front and to the sides of you. The most common types of distractions that lead to distracted driving are:

Visual Distractions

Visual distractions are the most common type of distraction. When you are visually distracted, you are no longer physically looking at the road ahead. Drivers should always be looking about five to six car lengths ahead while driving to be able to react to other cars, pedestrians, bicycles, etc. Visual distractions take a driver’s attention away from the road for an average of five seconds. Five seconds may not seem like a long time, but a car going 55 mph can travel the distance of an entire football field in just five seconds.

Visual distractions while driving include:

• Looking at a phone while reading or responding to a message
• Looking at a car’s GPS screen or entertainment system
• Reading a billboard advertisement
• Looking at a car accident as it drives by
• Turning around to check on children
• Checking makeup in the mirror

Noise Distractions

There are many sounds inside and outside of a car that can easily distract a driver. While noise distractions may not seem like a big deal, anything that makes a driver react or turn their head can take their mind off the road. Louder sounds can even prevent a driver from hearing an emergency siren and they could miss seeing an oncoming ambulance or police vehicle. Maybe their car is making a strange mechanical noise or there is a baby crying in the backseat.

Noise distractions can include:

• The car making a strange mechanical noise
• Children screaming or crying
• Excessively loud music
• Speaking on the phone via hands-free methods

Physical Distractions

When a driver’s hands are taken off the wheel to do something, it is considered a physical distraction. There are many types of physical distractions that can cause a driver to take one or both hands off the steering wheel. These distractions are especially dangerous because most physical distractions are accompanied by visual distractions. With the driver’s hands off the wheel and eyes potentially off the road, they will find it almost impossible to react in time when a sudden change happens in front of them. They can easily lose control of the car and cause a serious car accident.

Physical distracted driving can include:

• Eating or drinking in the car
• Interacting with the car’s entertainment or GPS system
• Reaching behind or across a seat to grab an item
• Adjusting the air conditioning system

Driving while distracted has severe consequences. Many of the above distractions usually happen in a combination of one or more types at the same time, which significantly reduces a driver’s ability to focus completely on driving. Car crashes caused by distracted drivers can cause serious injuries and even death.

South Texas Car Accident Attorneys

Texans have the right to feel safe driving in their state. Being in a distracted driving accident can be complicated and stressful. By selecting quality legal representation, you won’t have to worry about your next steps because you 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 car accident in Texas, so don’t delay.

It is an important milestone that teens look forward to and parents dread – learning how to drive. When teaching teens to drive, parents have the responsibility of emphasizing and teaching the importance of vehicle safety. This includes talking to their teen about not texting and driving. Car accidents, sadly, are the leading cause of death for teens. Distracted driving is a major cause of those car accidents. While some parents may think their teen won’t listen to them or will just ignore the information they are giving their children, there are many ways to teach their young driver about not driving while distracted.

Here are 7 ways you can approach your teen about driving safely:

1. Emphasize the responsibility of having a driver’s license: Talking to your teen about just how many people they will be responsible for while driving may give them a new perspective to think about. Explaining that they are now responsible for their own safety, as well as the safety of their passengers, other drivers on the road, cyclists, and pedestrians may make your teen step back and think about keeping others, as well as themselves, safe. There is also the responsibility of keeping their, or the family’s, vehicle in good physical condition. Expanding their worldview may help emphasize how important being safe is while driving.
2. Explain the dangers of driving to your teen: Being honest and direct is important when teaching your teen about the dangers of driving. Each time they drive a vehicle, they are taking lives into their hands. While driving can be fun, and you can admit that to them, it is still serious business. Let your teen know that distracted driving kills. Explain what driving while distracted is, including talking and texting, wearing headphones, eating food, or talking on the phone, and then let them know the hard facts about how many car accidents distracted driving causes. In 2018 alone, there were over 400,000 injuries in car crashes caused by distracted drivers as well as 2,800 deaths. Explain that reading a text message is not worth dying for.
3. Be their role model and set a good example: The best way to show your teen that distracted driving is not acceptable is avoid doing it yourself. Wear your seatbelt, keep your hands on the wheel, and keep your eyes on the road every time you drive. Your teen will follow your lead, especially when learning such an important new skill. Your actions will show them what is safe. Do not use your cell phone while driving. If you do, your teen may see it and, even after having a talk about not texting and driving, might do it anyway because they saw you using your phone in the car.
4. Driving is a privilege – teach your teen it can be taken away: Explain to your teen that driving is not a right – it is a privilege. A driver’s license can be revoked at any time. Sit down and learn the laws and expectations of driving in Texas – then hold your teenage driver to these expectations.
5. Gently offer safe driving tips: By teaching your teen how to use the basic functions of the car, including the lights, windshield wipers, turn signals, seatbelts, etc., you can help them feel comfortable in using these important functions while on the road. Talk to them about driving defensively and looking for potential threats, including erratic drivers or unexpected debris on the road. These tips can help a new driver learn how to be comfortable but alert while driving.
6. Practice, practice, practice: When your teen first gets their license, set limits on solo-driving. While your teen may want to take the car out for a spin right away to see their friends, having them drive with you for a while is a very good way to safely practice driving. This will allow you to coach them a bit more and learn how to be comfortable in all driving situations. Help them park in a parking lot, get onto the highway, drive at night, and in any other situations that may come up that can be scary the first time.
7. Talk to your teen about what to do in a car accident: If your teen does get into a car accident, they need to know what to do and who to call. They may be very scared or hurt and need to be able to get help and all the necessary information they can. Let them know to call emergency services right away, even if they are scared, to get medical attention. Let them know you will not be mad at them and that it is very important to call you after calling 911.

With these tips, you can approach your teen in a way that can help teach them how to be a safe driver.

South Texas Car Accident Lawyers

Being in an accident as a teenager can be incredibly scary and stressful, but your family doesn’t have to handle it all on your 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 car accident in Texas, so don’t delay.

For many years, people have decided to move out to the country to escape the dangers of living in a big city; but research has now shown that driving in rural areas is not as safe for children riding in cars. Go Safe Labs has released a new national traffic study which concluded that children are more likely to be involved in a car accident in rural areas versus urban areas. The study also revealed the top ten least safe states for car accidents involving children, which included Texas.

By using publicly available data from government resources, Go Safe Labs was able to look at over 300,000 fatal car accidents and found that the top 10 states with the highest numbers of child injuries or fatalities were Texas, California, Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, Alabama, Illinois, Arizona, and Ohio. The data also showed that more children were injured or killed in rural car accidents (57%) when compared to urban car accidents (43%). Rural car accidents involving children also had more severe injuries across the nation when compared to urban accidents. Sadly, nearly two-thirds of children involved in a car accident in a rural area were severely injured.

This data should remind parents to always take appropriate precautions and use properly fitted car seats for their children each and every time they put their children in the car.  Families in rural areas have decreased access to in-person child seat safety checks. While virtual child seat checks are becoming more available during COVID-19, parents must take the initiative to get their car seats properly checked for safety before using them.

Causes of Texas Rural Car Accidents

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the top causes of car accidents in rural areas include:

• Driver Inattention
• Failure to Control Speed
• Speeding
• Failed to Drive in a Single Lane
• Driving Under the Influence
• An Animal On the Road

Keeping Children in Cars Safe in Rural Areas

Keeping children safe while driving is a priority for all parents. To ensure that every child is safe in both rural and urban areas, parents should do the following:

• Make sure to have an age and size appropriate car seat for each child in the car.
• Have each car seat checked for appropriate installation and fit for each child.
• Buckle each child into their car seat every time they are in the car, even if the ride is very short.
• Drive without distractions. Staying focused on the road will make it easier to react to any sudden changes that could cause a collision.
• Drive the speed limit – even on an empty, country road. Many rural car accidents happen at high speeds, which means the crash damage can be much more severe.
• Never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Watch out for animals when on the road. Wild animals are commonly seen in rural areas and a deer or raccoon running across the road can easily cause a car accident when driving with your children.

South Texas Car Accident Lawyers

Being in an accident with your child in the car can be very scary and stressful, but you don’t have to handle it all on your 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 car accident in Texas, so don’t delay.

Increasing development of energy resources in Texas significantly contributes to the economies of many of our local communities and to our state as a whole. Energy companies provide employment to thousands of Texans and are vital sources of jobs in areas that may be economically disadvantaged. There are specific counties in Texas known as the Texas Energy Sector, where energy companies tend to group and work alongside each other. These counties include large parts of West Texas, South Texas, and even extend into cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and El Paso. There are challenges, though, in these areas where oil and gas drilling activities occur, as there are increased numbers of workers and travelers driving through these areas of Texas along roads not always designed or equipped to support them.

In 2019, there were more than 205,000 car accidents in the Texas Energy Sector. These car accidents, which increased by 3% from 2018, sadly involved 1,638 crash fatalities in the state’s Barnett Shale, Eagle Ford Shale, Granite Wash, Haynesville/Bossier Shale, and Permian Basin. The roads in the Energy Sector can be long, lonely, and have long stretches with high speed limits. It may be tempting to speed along a dark highway or get distracted by messaging someone with your cell phone. Unfortunately, speeding and driver inattention contributed to an increase in Energy Sector car crashes in 2019. “Heavy trucks and work crews on state and county roads continue to create a challenging driving environment. That’s why we’re urging every motorist to slow down, drive smart and obey traffic laws to prevent crashes,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. Drivers speeding by or not paying attention while driving are dangerous in general, but with the added dangers of slow-moving construction vehicles, work caravans, and/or large cargo trucks on the road, it can be deadly.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is doing its best to make drivers more aware of the dangers of speeding and driving while distracted. Texas drivers can expect to see a variety of safety reminders on billboards, social media, TV, and even at gas pumps. TxDOT’s campaign “Be Safe. Drive Smart” is specifically targeting the state’s energy-producing counties to help decrease the number of accidents each year. The campaign specifically asks drivers to:

• Drive a safe speed and take into account all traffic, road conditions, and weather ahead.
• Focus on driving 100% of the time. Put the phone away and do not talk or text while behind the wheel.
• Give large trucks and construction vehicles a good amount of space. Be patient with these vehicles and only pass when it is safe and legal to do so.
• Obey all traffic signals, stop signs, and traffic laws.
• Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Always buckle up, including the driver and all passengers, day and night. It is Texas law.

The production of energy from oil, natural gas, and wind has had a significant impact on the transportation infrastructure in the Energy Sector. Many roads were not designed for the amount of larger vehicles and construction machinery that are traveling across the state. Over time, this increased volume of heavy truck traffic has caused damage to the roads and bridges in the area. Drivers must drive at a safe speed, remain alert and attentive, and be able to spot any issues in the road ahead to avoid getting into a dangerous car crash.

Energy Sector Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents caused by speeding or driver inattention can be absolutely devastating, 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 crash, 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.

Whether working long hours or staying out late with friends, getting enough sleep does not seem to be a high priority for many adult drivers in Texas. Driving while drowsy has become a serious problem in Texas, as we lead the country in the number of drowsy drivers nationwide. When looking at almost a decade of nationwide data, from 2010 – 2018, Texas is responsible for almost 24% of the deaths involving a driver who was drowsy. These deaths were completely preventable if the drivers had just gotten a few more hours of sleep.

Drowsy driving has claimed lives in every state over the past 10 years, with more of these crashes happening on state highways. Certain professions are more susceptible to driving drowsy, including commercial drivers, long-distance drivers, those who have diagnosed sleeping disorders, night shift workers, and senior drivers.

Warning signs that indicate a driver is too tired to drive include:

• Difficulty Focusing – If you find that your mind can’t focus on driving and that it is difficult to tell what is happening on the road ahead of you, you are likely too tired to drive.
• Daydreaming – When your mind wanders, you may not be able to pay attention to the road. If you find that you are daydreaming while driving, you may want to find a good place to stop and take a nap.
• Increased Frequency of Blinking – If you find you are blinking more often while driving, your body may be too tired to focus and drive. It only takes one blink lasting too long for a driver to fall asleep at the wheel.
• Repeated Yawning – Yawning is one of the most obvious signs of fatigue. If you are frequently yawning, it may be time to find a safe place to pull over and take a break from driving.
• Swerving on the Road – If you find that you are unable to control your vehicle, and you are swerving in and out of your lane on the road, you may be too tired to drive and should pull over.

Once you notice yourself displaying any of these signs, it is time to pull over and take a nap until you have enough energy to drive safely to your destination. If driving overnight and you need to stop, there are many roadside hotels and motels available to book so that you have a bed to sleep in for the night. Risking your life and the lives of other drivers just to arrive at a destination by a certain time is not worth it.

There are many ways to help prevent drowsy driving and to stay active while driving. Getting enough sleep, consistently, is the best way to start. Keep a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up around the same time each day. If your schedule or responsibilities do not allow for this, attempt to sleep for the same amount of time each night. A good rule of thumb is to get about eight hours of sleep each night to be well rested for the next day. When driving long distances, either for work or on a road trip, it is a great idea to have others drive with you. They can keep you awake by having a conversation, helping keep an eye on the road, and taking turns while driving. Another great idea is to listen to energetic music or an exciting podcast or audiobook while driving long distances.

Weslaco Car Accident Attorneys

If you sustain an injury in an accident that was caused by a drowsy driver, know that you are not alone. By selecting knowledgeable legal representation, you won’t have to worry as much about your next steps. 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.

Distracted driving has been proven to be unsafe, but more and more drivers are driving distracted each year. Whether you are answering a text message while on the road or eating a cheeseburger in the car from your favorite fast food drive-through, you cannot drive safely without keeping your attention fully focused on the road ahead.

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is considered to be any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from driving, including talking on the phone, eating and drinking, turning to talk to people in the car, interacting with the entertainment system on the dash, or anything else that divides your attention between driving and something else.

Distracted driving is divided into three categories:

• Visual, when the driver takes their eyes off the road.
• Manual, when the driver takes their hands off the wheel.
• Cognitive, when the driver takes their mind off of driving.

The scariest part of driving while distracted is just how significantly it diminishes the amount of time you have to react to changes on the road. Just sending or reading a text message can take your eyes off the road ahead for five seconds or more. If on the highway driving 60 mph, in those five seconds your car will cover the length of an entire football field all with your eyes on the phone. No one can drive safely unless they are driving without distractions. All types of distracted driving increase the risk of a serious car crash.

Current Distracted Driving Statistics

• According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, in 2018 alone there were 2,841 deaths directly correlated to distracted driving. This means that every day approximately eight people die from car crashes involving a distracted driver.
• Approximately 400,000 people nationwide are injured each year in distracted driving accidents.
• According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2019 there were 103,312 car crashes involving distracted driving, with 356 Texans losing their lives.
• 21% of teens involved a car accident are distracted by cell phones while driving.
• Parents with young children are more likely to be distracted while driving when compared to adults driving without children in the car.
• The majority of fatal crashes caused by distracted driving were caused by drivers under 30 years old using a cell phone at the time of the incident.
• In a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, data indicated that drivers ages 19 to 24 were more likely to write a text while driving.
• In that same study, 88% of young millennials admit to participating in some form of risky behavior (texting and driving, not stopping at a red light, speeding, etc.) while driving within the 30 days before the study was conducted.
• The most common reasons that drivers engage in distracting driving by responding to a text message or e-mail include: the message being “important,” the message being work-related, the message being personal or social, or the driver needing directions.
• Texting and driving doubles the chances of getting into any kind of accident. It triples the chances of being involved in a car accident where a vehicle leaves the road and crashes into a tree, hits a sign, or strikes another object off the road. Lastly, a driver who is texting while driving is seven times more likely to rear-end the car in front of them.

Weslaco Car Accident Attorneys

Car accidents caused by a distracted driver can be very frustrating, confusing, and stressful, but victims don’t have to handle it 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 caused by a distracted driver, 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.

When driving in Texas, seeing cars go 10, 15, or 20 mph over the speed limit is a very common sight. When it comes to being a safe driver, speeding is a serious cause for concern. As a driver goes faster, they significantly reduce the amount of time they have to react to changes on the road ahead. Speed limits are put into place for a reason – each road has a different limit based on what area the road is in, the width of the road, how dense the traffic will be, etc. It has been proven that one of the main factors in fatal road accidents is speeding.

Speeding is so much more than just breaking the law – drivers who are speeding have greater potential to lose control of their vehicles. Drivers will also have significantly less time to react to perceived dangers in the road while speeding. These consequences, in turn, will increase the likelihood of that driver getting into a car accident. The severity of a car accident increases if one or more of the drivers was speeding before the crash occurred. Not to mention, speeding increases fuel consumption and cost.

Texas has two different types of speeding laws: a “basic speeding law” and “prima facie” speed limits. The basic speeding law prohibits drivers from driving faster than “reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing.” This means that drivers must maintain a safe speed the entire time they are on the road. That “safe speed” will depend on what road the driver is on and what the weather conditions are. For example, the speed limit on a Texas highway may be 60 miles per hour, which is totally appropriate on a bright, sunny day. If the road is wet or icy and it is very dark outside, driving 60 miles per hour may be dangerous and a violation of the basic speeding law.

Texas also has what are called “prima facie” speed limits. If you drive faster than the prima facie speed limit, that doesn’t necessarily mean you are guilty of breaking the law. You will still have the opportunity to prove in court that your speed was safe when driving. The judge or jury will determine if your speed was safe. Remember, though, that this does not mean you are allowed to speed down Texas roads because you will still get pulled over for going above the speed limit.

If you are pulled over for speeding and convicted in court, you will have to pay a fine and court costs. These vary by location in Texas but range from $130 to $300 depending on the speed by which the driver exceeded the speed limit. That is not the only fine a speeding driver may receive, however, as Texas does recognize speeding as potentially reckless driving. Reckless driving in Texas is a crime. If the driver of the vehicle drives with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or property, they are considered to be driving recklessly. These drivers do not care about the safety of those around them. If convicted, reckless drivers can face up to 30 days in jail and/or fines of up to $200.

Speeding goes hand in hand with serious car accidents; and, drivers who speed have the potential to be convicted of vehicular manslaughter or homicide if their speeding leads to the death of another person. A conviction this serious can carry significant prison time and thousands of dollars in fines, not to mention a lifetime of guilt from taking someone away from their family.

South Texas Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents caused by a reckless, speeding driver can be absolutely devastating, 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 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.