Plano Injury Lawyer Blog

As reported by the Dallas Morning News at a meeting of the National Transportation Safety board, it was noted that Texas is ranked as one of the top 10 states that have done the least to prevent alcohol-related traffic fatalities. The state has only implemented 4 out of 11 of the federal agency's recommendations to terminate "hard core" drunken driving. Texas is known for having one of the highest proportions of drunken driving deaths in the country
In the year 2009, there were a total of 3,071 deaths just alone from alcohol related accidents in the Plano/Dallas area, which involved drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.15 or greater. Over 40 percent of all crashes in the state involved a drunk driver, the fifth highest rate in the country. "The number of deaths associated with drunk driving is far too high, completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated," said NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) member Mark Rosekind.
Some advocates have suggested that they lower the limit for legal blood-alcohol levels when driving. There has also been discussion on taking the driver's licenses away for the first DWI offense. Out of the 11 recommendations, Texas is currently acting on 4 recommendations. The NTSB considers adoption of 8 to be an acceptable response.

Continue reading "Federal Agency Says Texas Among Worst States At Preventing Drunken Driving Fatalities" »

According to the Washington Post, the government is finally issuing a consumer advisory for motorists using 15-passenger vans following fatal crashes in Georgia and New York.

In 2001, in Wichita Falls, 4 people were killed when a 15-passenger van full of women from a nearby church, crashed and rolled.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says users of the vans need to ensure that the tires are properly inflated before every trip, and the vans are maintained and not overloaded.

In Blakely, Ga., four people were killed and 15 passengers were injured on Oct. 4 when an aging church van blew a tire and overturned. Last month, a church van blew a tire and rolled over along the New York State Thruway, killing six people and injuring eight others.

The federal auto safety agency is directing its advisory to church groups, nonprofit organizations and colleges that may keep older 15-passenger vans in service.

Continue reading "Texas Van Crash Tragedy: Any lessons learned?" »

As Reported By Fox 4 News, three victim's bodies have been recovered from a fatal car wreck that took place Wednesday morning between 2:30 am and 4:30 am. The bodies of attorney Ron Eddins, and Kaat Debeuckelaer were recovered on Wednesday, and Kenny Lark (Debeuckelaer's boyfriend) was recovered on Thursday morning.

The vehicle went unrecognized for nearly 12 hours until a city maintenance worker spotted the car and immediately called for help. Police say speed played a major role in the crash.Questions still remain as to what happened that night and if alcohol was involved. "Just on face value, I don't see any open containers in there, but I'm not saying that couldn't be a contributing factor, because we don't know if they were coming from some type of establishment, or if they had been drinking at all. It'll be up to the medical examiner to determine that," said Officer Steve Burres with the Irving Police Department.
The three victims were last seen in the Copeland Bar at the Hilton Hotel in Southlake.

Continue reading "Three Victims Identified in Fatal Car Wreck" »

As reported by The Dallas Morning News, a local intoxicated man was headed the wrong way on North Central Expressway near Royal Lane severely injuring a 21 year old woman on August 12, 2011. Both the drunk driver and the victim went to Baylor hospital for injuries sustained from the accident in which both cars were completely destroyed. The drunk driver almost hit the woman head on while exceeding 80 miles an hour. It is a miracle that both drivers survived the accident.

Many laws have been enacted to ensure that people drive safely. If people would simply choose to follow the rules and regulations that have been set in place for the roads, so many injuries and deaths could be avoided altogether. As the intoxicated man stated "He told investigators that he didn't know where he had been before the accident and that he wasn't sure how much alcohol he consumed, according to police documents."

"The crash came only days after Dallas police and other law enforcement agencies launched their biggest anti-DWI campaign of the year, ahead of the Labor Day weekend." Lt. Scott Bratcher, head of the vehicle crimes unit, said the collision was another unfortunate reminder of the consequences of driving while intoxicated.

Continue reading "Man Charged With Intoxication Assault In Wrong-Way Wreck In Dallas" »

Texas Lawyer reports that after a party at the home owned by Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Philips, 17 year-old Audrey King was killed. She was a passenger in a car, driven by fellow party-goer, who was allegedly intoxicated. The girls were furnished alcohol while at the Philips home, which included drinking games and beer bongs. When the noise got out of hand--usually a sign people are getting intoxicated--all of the attendees were kicked out by the Philips, and ordered to leave. The intoxicated teenagers left, and Audry King was killed.

An investigation ensued. Strangely, The Philips were not questioned. The owners of the home where the alcohol was served--the same alcohol that led to the death of Audrey King. Surely it has nothing to do with the fact that Tom Philips sat on the Texas Supreme Court. Surely it has nothing to do with the fact that he is now a Partner at one of the most affluent "Big Firms" in Texas, Baker & Botts. Surely, justice is blind to wealth and power. One would hope so.

Continue reading "Texas Drunk Driving Accident Kills Teen, Former Chief Justice Sued" »

Every day, Americans are seriously injured or killed because of the negligence of other drivers, and owners of unsafe properties. Injuries can range from minor scratches and bruising to more serious such as permanent spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries, and even death. Drivers and property owners who commit negligent acts, may be held liable for the injuries they caused. When someone is killed or seriously and permanently injured at the hands of another's negligence, the loss can be very painful to those left in its wake, not only changing the life of the individuals directly impacted, but the lives of loved ones forever.

Recently and sadly, an 87 year old man was killed during a collision at the Texas Motor Speedway, an arguably dangerous track, which was the source of much debate after its initial construction. In this case, the victim was no race car driver. He was a fan, who won a ride around the track after donating blood to the Carter Blood Donor Center. Immediately following his death, agents for the TMS distanced itself from the tragedy, citing that it had rented the dangerous track out to another organization, quickly washing its hands of it. Clearly, something went wrong. An investigation is pending to see where the blame shall lie in this tragic set of circumstances that cut short this innocent fan's life. Perhaps the most tragic aspect of this story is that it all could have been avoided had it not been for negligent, irresponsible behavior.

Many laws have been enacted to ensure people drive safely, and keep their properties safe. If people would simply choose to follow the rules and regulations that have been set in place, so many injuries and deaths could be avoided altogether. When a serious injury or death has occurred, one obvious solution is to ensure the victim, and the victim's family is compensated--i.e. made whole. Although no amount of money can literally "make" someone whole, many injuries and deaths deserve compensation to cover medical costs, therapy, long-term care, and many other costs that the family will now have to endure due to the temporary or permanent loss of the victim.

One of the best ways to get organizations, companies, whomever to stand up and take notice and actually change negligent behavior is through the legal system and the subsequent scrutiny that comes with it: negative public relations, heavy fines from regulation violations and payouts to victims and their families who were wronged by the negligent behavior in the first place. We have to remember that the reason a lot of companies follow safety regulations is because there are consequences. So, when a company falls short, they should be held accountable.