Dallas Civil Litigation Blog

Hydroplaning to blame in Fort Worth accident

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, December 14, 2018.

Many in Dallas may believe that the safe operation of vehicles on the road is solely on the law. What this notion may fail to take into account is that not every driving scenario is the same. Indeed, elements such as weather, driving conditions or even the current operational state of a vehicle may mandate that the way that a should drive on the same stretch of road can differ from one day to the next. Thus, simple common sense and good judgment should dictate one's driving habits; the laws simply support that idea.

One who does not exercise such concern while driving could end up impacting both their own lives as well as those of others. A recent crash that occurred in Fort Worth verifies this fact. The driver of a pickup truck lost control of his vehicle when he hydroplaned on a slick road. The truck then struck a sedan and pushed it through the guardrail and on to service road. Traveling in the sedan were a mother and her two young children. Sadly, both children died in the collision. The condition of the mother and the truck driver was not reported.

What is tortious interference?

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Business Litigation on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

If you own a business in Texas, you understand the importance of staying competitive in the market. While competition is welcome, there are certain practices that can improperly interfere with a business and its ability to make money. When this occurs, the business can sue for tortious interference.

According to FindLaw, interference can occur in a number of ways that result in economic harm, but a broken contract with a third party is the most common. This includes persuading someone to violate the contract and offering prices that are below market. In order for tortious interference to be valid, there must be motivation by the perpetrator to intentionally cause harm as opposed to causing issues negligently. In this type of interference, the plaintiff bringing forth the lawsuit may be the business owner him/herself or the party of whom the defendant persuaded to violate the contract.

Devices, passengers and other distractions

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, November 23, 2018.

Sometimes, people forget about the dangers of distracted driving. There are many different things that can distract a driver while they should be paying attention to the road, some of which are less noticeable. Many people understand that trying to use a phone while driving is not only dangerous but can be illegal. However, there are all sorts of distractions that can increase the chances of a wreck even though they are not against the law, such as trying to drink coffee or talk to someone in the car while driving.

Aside from phones, many other devices can distract drivers. Some may watch a show on their tablet or try to play a game on a handheld device while they are behind the wheel. Other passengers can get in the way of a driver’s ability to focus on the road, especially if they are loud, overly excited or unusually bothersome. Kids, pets and many different behaviors can distract a driver, such as using a GPS or adjusting the volume while listening to music.

How do crashes impact your life?

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, November 16, 2018.

Texan residents like you who have gotten into serious, life-altering accidents deserve all the help you can get to set your life right again. Cortez Law Firm, PLLC, is here to help you get back on your feet after your world has been turned upside down.

Many people, perhaps including yourself, may not take everything into consideration when looking at how a big crash can impact them. For example, you're likely to think of the short-term costs like any potential hospital stays, surgery, or even having to replace parts or the entirety of your car, depending on damage. While these can be a great financial burden, the money problems unfortunately don't stop there.

Driving with poor eyesight

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, November 16, 2018.

Most drivers know that getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is a terrible and dangerous decision, along with speeding and other risk factors that are often mentioned when car accidents are discussed. However, some forget that it can be incredibly dangerous to drive with poor eyesight. Moreover, some drivers know that they should not be on the road as a result of their vision, but they continue to drive out of stubbornness or necessity. However, no excuse can be made for endangering lives and causing a car accident that was completely avoidable.

A number of factors may result in poor eyesight, from health problems to age-related issues. Drivers are required to have their vision tested before receiving a license, but eyesight can deteriorate afterward. In fact, some people may not even realize how their eyesight affects their ability to drive. Aside from poor eyesight, it is also important to watch out for any risks that could affect your ability to see the road well, including fog and heavy rain.

The importance of the nondisclosure agreement

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Contract Disputes on Saturday, November 10, 2018.

Business owners and managers in Texas frequently must engage in conversations with others in which sensitive business information may need to be shared. Before doing this, it is wise to draft up a special contract designed to keep such information from getting into the wrong hands or in any way being used against their business. This is called a nondisclosure agreement or a confidentiality agreement.

As explained by Entrepreneur magazine, there are several situations which may necessitate the use of this type of contract. Discussions with other parties interested in buying a business, being a distributor for a company or licensing a company's technology or products should only take place with a valid NDA in place. A company owner who is pursuing a potential partnership, merger or acquisition should also use this type of contract.

A look at international business litigation

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Business Litigation on Saturday, October 27, 2018.

Business lawsuits surface for multiple reasons, such as disgruntled workers and angry customers. Sometimes, these cases can be particularly complex, such as those which involve companies and business partners that are located in other countries. If you are a business owner and are struggling with international litigation, it is essential to not only go over the details of the case closely but have a solid understanding of how the international nature of the dispute could impact the outcome of the case and your business.

International business litigation may involve another company or it may only involve individuals who live overseas. These cases can present various challenges, from difficulty enforcing a judgment to acquire evidence in another country and the way in which cases are handled. For example, a ruling in an American court may not be recognized in another country, which can be particularly frustrating for business owners who have decided to take legal action against a business or individual located in another part of the world. To make things more complex, there may be language barriers, which can be problematic when it comes to witnesses and other aspects of a case.

Rambunctious kids and the risk of an accident

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, October 19, 2018.

Motor vehicle accidents can happen for many reasons and there are various distractions that can make it hard for someone to focus on the road. Aside from cell phones and adjusting the radio station, some drivers become distracted because there are loud, rowdy kids in the car. This can be especially problematic when a child has one of his or her friends riding along in the car. For example, a driver may be distracted by their behavior while taking them to school in the morning.

Sadly, when kids cause a driver to divert their attention from the road, even for a very short period of time, they may cause an accident. From crossing into another lane to hitting a car head-on or driving off of the road, distracted driving can be extremely dangerous and has claimed an upsetting number of lives over the years.

Rain, wind and motorcycle wrecks

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, October 12, 2018.

Some motorcyclists decide to put their motorcycles away after summer comes to an end, while others continue to take to the road throughout the fall. Some of the best motorcycle rides can take place during this time of year, with sweltering temperatures a thing of the past in many areas. With that said, there are many other risks that motorcyclists may face during this season, some of which are extremely dangerous. For example, fall weather can bring heavy winds, fog and rain. Sadly, these factors can result in a motorcycle crash in Dallas and across all of Texas.

As a motorcyclist, it is pivotal for you to watch out for inclement weather and stay off of the road when necessary. Rainfall could cause you to lose control of your motorcycle around a turn, while strong winds could also impact your ability to ride safely. Fog and other problems related to visibility (such as driving in the early morning or at night) are other concerns to be aware of. Moreover, the behavior of drivers is another concern.

Risks associated with driving in the morning

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Many people realize how dangerous it can be to drive at night, between drunk drivers, reduced visibility and other areas of concern. However, there are other times when it can be especially dangerous on the road. For example, a number of concerns arise during the morning hours, while people are trying to get to work on time and many are very tired. Whether you drive in the morning on a regular basis or every once in a while, it is pivotal to be mindful of these risks.

Driver fatigue is a major concern and there are often many sleep-deprived people behind the wheel in the morning hours. For example, someone may be groggy after a poor night of sleep, waking up early to make it to work. Some people may also be less coherent in the morning, even if they slept well. Fatigued drivers pose a major risk to the safety of everyone on the road and they may be more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel, veer into another vehicle’s path or exhibit other examples of dangerous behavior.