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Does Pandemic Fatigue Lead to Reckless Driving?

It is disturbing to see that there was a 7% increase in car accident fatalities in 2020. How could the statistics go up if most of the country was in quarantine for at least half of the year? We all heard about going stir crazy, but did any of us thought that being stir crazy could lead to almost 3,000 more deaths on United States roadways? Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Even though Americans drove less in 2020 due to the pandemic, early estimates of crash fatalities from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released Thursday reveal the largest projected number of deaths since 2007.According to NHSTA, an estimated 38,680 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, representing an increase of about 7.2 percent as compared to the 36,096 fatalities reported in 2019.Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2020 fell by about 430.2 billion miles—a 13.2 percent decrease.The fatality rate for 2020 was 1.37 fatalities per 100 million VMT, up from 1.11 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2019.NHTSA’s analysis shows that the main behaviors that drove this increase include: impaired driving, speeding and…

Can an Insurance Company Refuse to Pay a Claim?

Yes, insurance companies do refuse to pay claims. So, what happens when an insurance company unfairly denies your claim, or offers far less than what you truly deserve? It’s time to contact a personal injury attorney. Whether your accident was with a standard vehicle or an 18-wheeler semi-truck, working with an attorney can spare you the headache of fighting the insurance company, so you can focus on healing and getting back to your life. Here’s a quick guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wiMHLgvcDs&feature=youtu.be Do I file a claim with my own car insurance or the other driver’s? You should always file a claim with your own insurance company after an accident. But whether and how much your own insurer will have to pay will depend on your degree of fault in the accident, and whether you live in a “no fault” state or a “fault” state. In a “fault” state, like Texas, the driver judged to be less responsible for causing the accident will recover insurance money from the at-fault driver’s policy. This is why it is always vital to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver after an accident.  Can I file an insurance claim after a car accident if I’m…

Can I Get a Pro Bono DUI or DWI Lawyer?

Have you been injured in a DUI, DWI, or OVI accident? Do you think you need a pro bono lawyer because you’re concerned about the costs? Don’t worry. Many personal injury attorneys will take your case on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless your case is won. Here’s a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCmSu_WX7MU&feature=youtu.be What if I can’t afford a personal injury lawyer after a DUI, DWI, or OVI car accident? Do I need a pro bono lawyer? Generally, DWI accident victims don’t need a pro bono lawyer, because attorneys may take their case on a contingency basis -- meaning the client pays nothing unless the case is won or a settlement is mediated. If you have been injured or lost a loved one to a drunk driver, many personal injury attorneys will take your case on what’s called a contingency fee. If you win your case at trial, or your lawyer negotiates a fair settlement for you, the attorney fees will simply be deducted from the damages awarded, your medical bills are paid, and you receive the rest.  If your lawyer has taken your case on a contingency basis and you lose in court you won’t have to pay your lawyer at…

The Parent’s Guide to Child Injury Lawsuits

Child injury lawsuits are highly emotional, and nobody wants to go through the ordeal. It is profoundly frustrating for parents to feel powerless to help their son or daughter when they’ve been hurt. Sadly, many parents blame themselves, when the reality is that there’s nothing they could have done to prevent an accident, injury, or traumatic event from occurring. So how do you go about getting justice and compensation for your innocent child when they have been harmed? Read on below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaiiqKQortE&feature=youtu.be Can I sue an adult if they hurt my child? Yes, absolutely. Obviously, while your child is a minor, they lack the capacity to sue someone themselves. But you can file a civil lawsuit on your child’s behalf. Under the law, your child is entitled to the same amount of monetary damages as an adult with similar injuries. And you, as a parent, may be entitled to additional compensation for your own extraordinary expenses in caring for your child after they’ve been hurt -- physically, emotionally, or both. Even if an adult did not intentionally mean to cause harm to your son or daughter, they may be liable for monetary damages if their actions were negligent, careless, or…

What to Expect During a Car Accident Deposition

If you have been injured in a car accident and file a lawsuit, you will likely need to participate in a deposition. Many people are intimidated by the term “deposition” and have a lot of anxiety prior to being deposed, mostly because they don’t know what to expect. But a good personal injury lawyer will help you fully prepare. Here’s a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NTsXE4vU28&feature=youtu.be What is a deposition in a car accident lawsuit? A deposition is an out-of-court legal proceeding where a person gives sworn testimony under oath in the presence of a court reporter and attorneys. Basically, it’s a formal question-and-answer session that is recorded and legally official. Some depositions are recorded on video and all of them are transcribed onto paper for reference. Depositions are usually done at a law office, but sometimes they’re done at a person’s home.  In a car accident lawsuit, plaintiff drivers, defendant drivers, passengers, eyewitnesses, first responders, and/or medical professionals may all be deposed as part of the discovery phase. The purpose of a deposition is to help both sides clarify the facts of the case and assess the relative strength of their arguments prior to mediation and/or trial.   How should I prepare for…

The Victim’s Guide to Car Crash Compensation

Car crash victims are generally entitled to compensation. If you’ve been injured in a car accident -- or worse, a big rig or semi-truck accident -- you’re probably wondering how you will pay your medical bills, your injuries, missed work, and repairs. But, how much will the insurance policies pay out? What do you need to do to get the insurance company to pay? What if the other driver was drunk, high, or texting while driving? If you’re the victim in a car crash, the amount of total compensation you receive for your injuries and damages will depend on many different factors. Here’s a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLbNemS_YlM&feature=youtu.be What if the other driver says the car accident was my fault? Sometimes you have to prove the accident was not your fault.  You should always call the police to make a report, take photos of the vehicles and the other driver’s information, call your and the other driver’s insurance company, and contact a personal injury lawyer afterward to get immediate help with your legal emergency.  An experienced personal injury legal emergency lawyer can help you prove your case. Texas is a “fault” state with regard to car accidents. This means that the driver…