While more than half of car accident incidents over the New Year are alcohol-related, it still is only the third most dangerous holiday for driving in the United States.

The holiday season is known for being a time that families gather and people refocus themselves on their goals through resolutions about their health habits or other aspects of life. However, it is not just a time of celebration and hope but a time of pain and loss. We know that about the New Year holiday, that the roads get dangerous as night falls. But Christmas is dangerous too.

While these holidays are challenging, there are other holidays, days, and months that carry higher driving risk too. Before we look at those days that are problematic throughout the country, it is worth first looking at our area. Unfortunately, we assume heightened risk than others throughout the country when we hit the Houston roads.

Houston the #1 metro area for traffic deaths

First, it is important to consider the issue of driving safety locally. The specific issues with Houston roadways suggest that drivers should be more vigilant than is typical throughout the year – simply accounting for the perils that are, sadly, unique to our city.

The Houston Chronicle studied sixteen years of data on accident deaths. The newspaper found that the Houston roads were deadlier than those of any other metro area. The federal highway data studied by the Chronicle came from 2001 through 2016. The reporters found that the Houston metro logs 2850 major car crash injuries annually, along with 640 deaths. Houston is the deadliest for car drivers and passengers, as well as pedestrians, found the study.

In this environment, it is critically important to drive defensively and otherwise exercise caution.

Fridays

While more car accidents occur at certain times (such as New Year’s) because of people’s intoxication, the chance of a car accident also rises when people are finishing up a typical week. Assumedly overeager for the weekend, the greatest time for aggressive driving — in which there are greater instances of rapid acceleration and hard braking — is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, per an analysis by Nationwide. 

August

Some holidays are particularly dangerous, but the most unsafe driving month is actually August, according to the same study. The insurer found that there were more people killed in August crashes from 2012 through 2016 than in any other month during that period. August 2016 was the worst month of all for total crashes, with 60,976 of them reported.

Memorial Day

To start looking at the holidays, the one that is associated with the  sixth-highest traffic fatalities is Memorial Day which makes sense since it is thought of by many as the end of a three-day party that kicks off the summer. Memorial Day itself is the day that involves the most drinking as well as travel home, so it is unsurprising that a study of holiday roadway deaths (Arnold and Cerrelli) found there were 32% more car accident deaths on Monday than the prior three days.

Labor Day

The fifth-highest number of roadway deaths occur on Labor Day. This holiday has much in common with Memorial Day – serving as a cap to the end of summer with three-day trips. The roads can get congested, and people can end up becoming frustrated and making bad decisions.

Christmas

Many people are off work Christmas Day, and many do not work all of Christmas Eve. People rush around to make final gift purchases and head to the homes of family. In this climate, traffic accidents increase from the afternoon of December 24th to the evening of December 25th.

Plus, alcohol is often involved. According to 2001-2005 data from the NHTSA, 36% of car accidents on a typical day involved drunk driving. However, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the percentage rose to 45 percent. This alcohol use is a primary reason Christmas is the fourth-most-dangerous holiday.

Note that when Christmas falls on a weekend, it is a safer time to drive than when it falls during the week.

New Year’s

Many adults go out and celebrate on this holiday. Some drink excessively, leading to more danger from drunk driving – particularly late at night (i.e., from midnight forward). The leadup to the turn of the year on New Year’s Eve involves binge drinking for many; and that means a higher incidence of drunk driving. According to the 2001-2005 NHTSA cited above, more than half of car accidents (54%) over New Year’s Eve and Day involved alcohol impairment. Again, alcohol is a major influence in why this holiday is the third-deadliest for traffic crashes.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday that many families consider important, so they head out on the road to grandparents and elsewhere. People often do not have the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving off. That lack of preparation time for the big meal results in unsafe roads. Drivers heading to and from Thanksgiving get-togethers in 2019 may be suffering from drowsiness. They may be on their phones or otherwise distracted. They may be hurrying to their destinations. There were more than 500 Thanksgiving traffic deaths from 2001 to 2006. The good news is that number has dropped, nationwide, in the past few years; nonetheless, this holiday is still ranked second among holidays for roadway fatalities.

Independence Day

Actually the deadliest holiday of 2019, based on past years, will likely be the 4th of July, aka Independence Day. Over that four-day holiday in 2012, per National Safety Council data, there were about 540 car accident deaths. Over that same span, there were 58,000 major injuries arising from these incidents.

Help when you are a victim on the road

You can get in a car crash any time, whether it is one of the peak danger periods to be on the road or not. Have you recently been involved in a car accident? At Farrah Martinez Law Firm, we proactively and effectively represent clients in their personal injury cases. Learn about founding attorney Farrah Martinez.

Man Gets 50 Years For Killing 3 While Driving Drunk

Man Gets 50 Years For Killing 3 While Driving Drunk ( A Tomball man was sentenced to 50 years in prison for driving drunk and killing 3 people. The victims were a mother, father, and their son who had just picked up his cap and gown for his high school graduation. Jeremy Paul Valdez, 27, was driving a pick-up truck 106 mph when he ran a red light and smashed into the family’s car. All 3 family members died at the scene. After the crash, Valdez climbed out of the window of the truck and tried to escape on foot, but good samaritans caught him. Valdez had had 3 prior convictions for drunk driving, and served 2 years in prison for a 2013 drunk driving accident. Sean Teare, Chief of the Vehicular Crimes Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, said, _”This sentence ensures that this family can begin the healing process without fear of an appeal and that the community will be safe from this habitual offender for at least 25 years. It also shows that this administration will not let these types of crimes to go unpunished.” While DUI crimes are often punished by law enforcement, that doesn’t mean that the family left behind is left with anything at the end of the day. Hiring a lawyer can’t bring loved ones back, but it can ensure that the burden of loss doesn’t need to accompany a financial burden as well. If you have lost a loved one due to the fault of a drunk driver, contact Farrah Martinez Law Firm today: #Houston #HoustonTX #CarAccident #DUIVictims #AccidentLawyer

Know What to Do in the Event of a Motorcycle Accident

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 9,859 injuries and fatalities to motorcycle drivers and passengers in 2016. That’s a significant number and an increase over previous years. It’s also a sign that motorcycle drivers and passengers are less safe than ever before. The drivers of other automobiles typically cause motorcycle crashes.

 

A Lack of Awareness: Motorcycle Drivers Are at an Increased Risk

 

One of the most significant contributing factors in the rise of motorcycle accidents across Texas is negligence on the part of other drivers. With an estimated 500,000 registered motorcycles on Texas roadways now, it’s more important than ever for car, truck, van and 18-wheeler drivers to be observant. That’s the force behind the state’s 2017 DoT campaign – “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles.”

Drivers of other vehicles are urged to be vigilant concerning motorcycles. An accident involving a motorcycle is five times more likely to result in an injury than a car-to-car crash, and 29 times more likely to result in a fatality. Of course, motorcycle drivers and passengers also need to be vigilant. However, you need to know what to do if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident.

 

When You Are Involved in a Motorcycle Accident, Know What to do.

Houston Car Accident Lawyer Answers Questions

Car Accident Lawyer helps Motorcycle Victims

Assess the Damage – First of all, you need to assess the damage, and that includes physical injuries to you and a passenger on your motorcycle. What injuries have you sustained? Are you able to sit up, or stand?

Chances are good that if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident involving a car, truck, van or an 18-wheeler, you have sustained serious injuries. If possible, use your cell phone to call 911 to ensure that help is on its way immediately. If you are able, check the condition of any passengers, and the driver/passenger of the other vehicle.

Move Off the Road – If possible, move your motorcycle off the road. The other driver will also need to move their vehicle out of the flow of traffic. If necessary, move any injured individuals off the road (assuming you’re physically able to do so).   Most of all, do not cause more harm by trying to help.

Gather Evidence

Exchange Insurance Information – If you’re capable, exchange insurance information with the other driver. You should also get their name, phone number, and address. All of this information will be necessary to file a claim.

Take Pictures – If you are physically able, use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene before moving the vehicles out of the road. You’ll need proof of who hit whom, the position of the vehicles, and more. If you’re not able to take photographs, try to memorize every detail of the scene possible.

Talk to Witnesses – While not always the case, witnesses are sometimes present. Get the contact information from these individuals.

Don’t Talk about Fault – Whether the motorcycle accident was the fault of the other driver, or you think it was your own, don’t talk about it except with the police. Avoid discussing the accident with the other driver.

Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

While you may not need a car accident lawyer in all instances, it’s wise to have an experienced professional on your side if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident. Why? Insurance companies are in business to make money.  Consequently, they don’t do that by paying out a lot of cash to those injured in accidents. An experienced car accident lawyer like Farrah Martinez can help ensure that you receive the compensation you need to pay for medical bills, missed time from work and your pain and suffering.

For a free consultation, contact Car Accident Lawyer Farrah Martinez at (713) 853-9296.

Source:

http://www.avrek.com/blog/what-to-do-after-motorcycle-accident/

https://rideapart.com/articles/crash-motorcycle

http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2016/01.pdf

http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2016/09.pdf

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/04/28/txdot-drivers-motorcycles/

 

Injured by a Drunk Driver; Drunk Driving Lawsuit

If you have been injured by a drunk driver or a drunk driver damaged your property, you can seek monetary compensation.

1. It is Negligent
Most of us know driving drunk is illegal, but it is also negligent. People who drink and then decide to drive are more likely to be involved in an accident because their physical and mental abilities are impaired.

2. How to Recovery
A drunk driver that causes a car accident or crashes into a property is charged criminally for driving while intoxicated and face jail time, license revocation and hefty fines. You have to file a civil claim in order to recover compensation for the damages you have personally suffered.

3. Types of Damages Recoverable
You can seek compensation for a number of damages including:
a. Bodily injury
b. Damage to Property (car, house, fences, etc….)
c. Loss wages
d. Medical bills
e. Funeral expenses
g. Counseling

4. Bars, restaurants and liquor stores
The drunk driver may not be only party responsible for the impaired driver’s negligent acts.  In Texas, drunk driving accident victims may pursue a legal claim against the bar, restaurant or liquor store that sold alcohol to the drunk driver.  It is called the dram shop law which holds a Texas business responsible for injuries or wrongful deaths caused by a drunk driver if the establishment continued to serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or it served alcohol to a minor.

Farrah Martinez is a personal injury and accident lawyer seeking maximum compensation for clients who have been injured by the negligent acts of another. She is experienced, aggressive and tough. For more information visit www.InjuryLawyerHOU.com or call (713) 853-9296.

Disclaimer: The information and materials provided here are for general informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. Nothing on this blog is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney. If you need legal advice on a drunk driving lawsuit, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

Accidents and injuries occur in a variety of ways. It is not alway a car accident; sometimes it is a slip and fall at a grocery store, a fall from poorly maintained stairs at an apartment complex, an injury while at work, an animal bite by a neighbor’s dog, a serious chemical burn at a hair salon, or injuries from a recalled products. No matter the injury, these steps will help protect your rights.

1. Report. Always stop and report your injury at the place where the injury occurred. Speak with whoever is in charge. Ask for a manager or the owner.

2. Request a copy. Often companies have their own injury incident report forms. If the person in charge is completing a form detailing the facts of the injury, request a copy.

3. It’s not too late. If you discovered your injury later, call the establishment and make a report with someone in charge. If the injury occurred at work, report it immediately.

4. Get medical attention. If you have been injured, seek medical attention. Most of the time injuries from accidents do not disappear. In fact, as injuries mature, they can become more noticeable. If your injuries are serious, seek emergency care, then follow up with your family doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor how you were injured.

5. Contact a Lawyer. Yes, if you have serious injuries you need to seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer that handles all injury and accident cases. Do not try to do it yourself.

6. Do NOT sign anything. If you are asked to sign a release, waiver or authorization of medical records, say no. Request a copy for review, then take it to your experienced personal injury lawyer, Farrah Martinez.

I am Farrah Martinez a Houston, Texas personal injury and accident lawyer and I hold insurance companies accountable to ensure victims get the compensation they deserve through experienced, aggressive and smart representation. For a free consultation contact me at (713) 853-9296 or visit us online at www.InjuryLawyerHOU.com. Find us on Facebook, follow us on Google+ and twitter.

Disclaimer: The information and materials provided here are for general informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. Nothing on this blog is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney. If you need legal advice on injury and accident checklist, please consult with a competent personal injury lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

Have you or a loved one been involved in an accident with a commercial truck or an 18-wheeler?  Here are three keys to handling an 18-wheeler accident claim.

Commercial truck drivers are held to a higher standard than those who drive regular passenger vehicles.  Why?  Well, commercial truck drivers tend to operate very large vehicles that sometimes carry hazardous or even flammable materials.  Commercial vehicles are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) whose mission is to prevent commercial vehicle related accidents and injuries.

Here are three things keys to protecting your claim against a commercial vehicle.

1. Act Quickly

Accidents involving commercial vehicles, require you to act quickly to preserve information that is vital to your claim.  For example, federal regulations only require truck drivers to maintain driving logs for six months.  The fact the driver is involved in an accident does not automatically trigger a longer maintenance time.   Information contained within the log might be key to proving the driver did not follow federal and state regulations.

2. Just Say NO!

Often times, the insurance company of the commercial vehicle will contact the injured party in an effort to “help” resolve the claim. The claims adjuster will ask you to provide a recorded statement. In general, I advise my clients not to provide a record statement.  This is never a good idea if you have not consult an attorney.  These statement can and will be used against you at a later time.  Keep in mind that the insurance company is actively working to protect their interest and will even hire an investigator to collect evidence to fight your claim in an attempt to reduce the amount of compensation you receive.

3. Seek Medical Attention

As soon as possible, you should seek medical attention.  If you have sustained serious injuries, you should seek emergency care.  Follow any advice given to you by healthcare professionals and listen to your body.  Additionally, it is always a good idea to follow up with your primary care physician.  Your family doctor knows you, he or she is familiar with your body, and can refer you to other doctors if your injuries are beyond his or her expertise.

Farrah Martinez is a personal injury and 18-wheeler accident lawyer seeking maximum compensation for clients who have been injured in car accidents on the road or at work.

Disclaimer: The information and materials provided here are for general informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. Nothing on this blog is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney.  If you need legal advice, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

After an accident, many car injury victims often wonder what type of lawyer handles car accident cases. It is a very common question. If you were in a car wreck and the accident was not your fault, most likely you will want to seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer. The majority of personal injury lawyers offer free consultations to car accident victims; so, it will not cost you anything to have a lawyer review your case.

Here are three questions car accident victims ask about personal injury lawyers:

What is a personal injury lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer is a licensed attorney that represents victims that have been injured physically and possibly mentally by the negligent or reckless behavior of another individual, company, or government agency.

A personal injury lawyer also know as an injury lawyer or an accident lawyer, usually handles car accidents cases, boating accidents, motorcycle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, slip and falls cases, products liability cases, construction accident cases and
accidents that occur while at work.

How do I find a good personal injury lawyer?

Ask for a referral. Before I hire anyone, I ask my friends, neighbors or my relatives if they have an auto accident lawyer they can recommend. For example, my orthodontist was referred to me by a friend in law school. She has worked out great. I trust her and now I feel comfortable recommending her to other people.

Visit the State Bar of Texas at www.texasbar.com. It is better to be safe, rather than sorry, later down the road. There you can perform a search to make sure the person you plan to hire is licensed to practice law. Their attorney profile will also include the number of years the lawyer has been licensed and if the attorney is in good standing.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

Generally, there is no out of pocket costs to the client.  Personal injury lawyers usually agree to take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.  In a nutshell, they do not get paid unless your case results in a favorable outcome.  To learn more about contingency fee agreements see a blog post-https://www.injurylawyerhou.com/personal-injury/only-pay-attorney-fees-if-you-win/

Disclaimer: The information and materials provided here are for general informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. Nothing on this blog is intended to substitute for the advice of a car accident lawyer.  If you need legal advice, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

 

  1. Stop.  As soon as it is safe, stop at the scene of the accident.
  2. Stay at the Scene.  Do not leave the scene.  Leaving the scene prematurely could have criminal consequences.
  3. Call the Police.  Dial 911 and a police office will be dispatched to the scene of the car accident.  The officer will prepare an accident report (also referred to as an incident report).  If you did not report the accident at the scene, you can still make a report with the Houston Police Department . Call (713) 884-3131. You can also visit their website for more information
  4. Keep Calm.  Car accidents can be stressful and emotions tend to run high at the scene of an accident.  No matter who is at fault or how serious the injuries you or your passengers have suffered, keep a level head and do not become confrontational.  Nothing you say is going to change the accident that has already occurred.
  5. Exchange Information.  Gather and exchange insurance information with the other driver or drivers involved in the car wreck.
  6. Take pictures.  Once it is safe, take pictures of the scene of the accident.
  7. Keep a record.  Write down any important information.
  8. Do not make a deal.  It’s not a game show.  Car accidents are serious and making deals at the scene usually turnout to be a major headache.
  9. Choose your words wisely.  Yes, your words may come back to haunt you later so choose them wisely.

Disclaimer: The information and materials provided here are for general informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. Nothing on this blog is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney.  If you need legal advice, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.