Dallas Civil Litigation Blog

Accidents caused by flashing high beams

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

There are many examples of reckless behavior on the road, but some are especially upsetting. For example, some drivers may flash their high beam headlights, for whatever reason, while approaching a vehicle. This can not only startle a driver, but it may leave them unable to see the road and may actually cause a head-on collision with the person who flashed them. Aside from this, some drivers fail to dim their high beam headlights, which are also known as brights, when approaching another vehicle. Drivers who act like this should be held accountable for any suffering that results from an accident they cause.

Sometimes, people flash their high beam headlights because they believe that another vehicle’s headlights are too bright (whether or not this is valid). Or, a driver may flash their high beams in an attempt to be aggressive, for whatever reason. Some drivers may also forget that they have their high beam headlights on and they may accidentally drive by many vehicles without dimming their headlights.

Insomnia and motor vehicle wrecks

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, September 7, 2018.

We have discussed a lot of the reasons why crashes take place, but there are many other important points to keep in mind. Some people may not realize that certain challenges in life, such as insomnia, can also increase the chances of a crash in various ways. If you have a hard time sleeping at night, it is vital to be aware of the potential risks associated with sleeplessness and prevent your insomnia from causing a collision and making your life harder. Some people are surprised to find out just how dangerous fatigued driving actually is, and you should never get behind the wheel when too tired to drive safe.

First, insomnia can result in chronic fatigue due to poor sleep on a regular basis. Drivers who always feel tired may pose a threat to the safety of other people and themselves while on the road. For example, they may swerve into another lane suddenly, colliding with a car. Or, a driver may fall asleep at the wheel or fail to respond to a sudden situation on the road.

How often are employees hurt while working?

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Personal Injury on Friday, August 31, 2018.

Workers who are employed across various sectors face numerous hazards on the job. Some jobs may be more dangerous than others but working in any industry can lead to an injury. From repetitive strain that results from doing the same movements for years to accidents involving machinery or falling objects, there are many different risks that workers should be aware of. Unfortunately, things sometimes go wrong regardless of how prepared and cautious an employee is, and the consequences can be devastating.

Data that was released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that during 2016, roughly 2.9 million nonfatal work-related illnesses and injuries were reported by employers in the private sector. It is important to note that based on estimates, the number of injuries which were reported over the course of 2016 shows that there were roughly 48,500 fewer nonfatal work-related injuries in comparison to 2015. However, many of the millions of employees who were hurt at work during 2016 and more recently have had to work through an array of hardships.

Do more pedestrian deaths occur during the day or night?

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Personal Injury on Friday, August 24, 2018.

Fatal pedestrian accidents can occur at any time and there are various factors which may increase the probability of a pedestrian accident. For example, certain areas may see an increase in the number of pedestrians during the day, when people may be more likely to take to the road. However, pedestrian safety may decrease during the night, when visibility is reduced, and other problems become more prevalent (such as drunk driving).

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a majority of the fatal pedestrian accidents that took place between 2010 and 2015 occurred while pedestrians were out at night. During these years, 72 percent of pedestrian fatalities happened during the nighttime hours, 24 percent occurred during the daytime, 1.6 percent occurred at dawn and 2 percent took place during dusk.

Intoxicated driving and large truck crashes

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Truck Accidents on Friday, August 17, 2018.

In a recent post, we examined some of the dangers of truck driver fatigue. Unfortunately, there are many other reasons why large truck wrecks happen in Dallas, and across Texas. Moreover, some may be linked to fatigue. For example, a driver who is extremely tired may turn to unlawful substances in an attempt to stay alert behind the wheel and push themselves too far, resulted in intoxicated driving. Large truck drivers may also become inebriated while driving due to alcohol and even the consumption of medication that has been prescribed by their doctor. At Cortez Law Firm, we believe truck drivers (and all other drivers) who endanger innocent lives by driving while impaired should be held accountable.

A great deal of attention has focused on the dangers of drunk driving, but there are many other reasons why drivers become intoxicated. For example, some may think that it is okay to consume medical marijuana prior to driving or while on the road, which can be extremely dangerous. Some may struggle with an addiction to prescription painkillers or another type of prescription medication, while others may not be aware that they took too much of a drug that was prescribed to them.

Depression and other challenges following a crash

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, August 10, 2018.

When it comes to the consequences that car accident victims struggle with, serious injuries and fatalities are often focal points. However, it is essential to keep in mind that motor vehicle wreck victims may struggle with a variety of problems, some of which may be unrecognizable to others. For example, the emotional toll of a collision can be very painful, and it can also have an adverse impact on a victim’s life in other ways. For example, their relationships with loved ones may be affected by their emotional state and their performance at work could suffer. In some cases, people may leave their position altogether.

Car accident victims may become depressed in the wake of a wreck. Perhaps the accident has left them with a lifelong disability or derailed their plans. For example, someone who was training for a competition for months or years may be devastated to find out that injuries sustained in a collision will leave them unable to compete. People may also have extremely high levels of stress due to financial concerns, which arise for all sorts of reasons, and other adversities brought on by a wreck. Some may even be angry at a reckless driver who caused so much pain.

Can glare from headlights cause a crash?

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Personal Injury on Friday, August 3, 2018.

Drivers use headlights to maintain solid visibility during the nighttime hours, making sure that they stay on the road and are able to see potential hazards such as a deer crossing the street. Unfortunately, the use of headlights can be problematic in some ways. For example, it may interfere with another driver’s vision and ability to drive safely. It is crucial for drivers to be aware of these different risks and do all they can to drive responsibly, especially during the night.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the glare from headlights can lead to a motor vehicle collision. Glare from headlamps can be especially likely to cause an accident on a two-lane road, where one driver’s vision is adversely impacted by bright headlights in oncoming traffic. Moreover, the NHTSA points out that older drivers’ vision may be particularly affected by glare. Even though headlights offer a number of benefits and are an important part of safe driving at night, it is also crucial to be aware of potential risks.

Distracted drivers and motorcyclist fatalities

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Saturday, July 28, 2018.

Motorcyclists face all sorts of hazards when they take to the road, and our blog has covered many. However, distracted driving is a major area of concern and distracted drivers have claimed the lives of many motorcyclists over the years. Unfortunately, there are all sorts of distractions that can get in the way of a person's ability to drive properly and these distractions will lead to more fatalities and serious injuries in the months ahead. If your loved one was hit by a driver who was not paying attention to the road, you should know what your legal options are.

From the use of a GPS system to eating, socializing with other passengers, using a smartphone and turning the radio station, drivers lose their focus for a plethora of reasons. Even if a driver takes their attention from the road for a matter of seconds, they could swerve into oncoming traffic or collide with a vehicle in front of them. This is especially problematic for motorcyclists, who are less visible than those driving larger vehicles. Sadly, distracted drivers may not see a motorcyclist until it is too late and they have collided at a high rate of speed.

Heavy rain and the risk of a motorcycle crash

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, July 20, 2018.

A motorcycle collision can occur at any time, but there are certain instances when a crash may be more likely. For example, if a motorcyclist or the driver of another vehicle are under the influence of alcohol, the chances of a crash may be far more likely. There are other hazards to watch out for as well, such as poor weather conditions. Even in the summer months, heavy rain, fog and strong winds can pose a threat, especially for those who ride a motorcycle.

Heavy rain can increase the chances of a crash in multiple ways. For starters, it can result in decreased visibility, making it harder for motorcyclists and all drivers to see other vehicles on the road. Rain can also affect traction and this is especially concerning for those who ride motorcycles.

Drunk driving and motorcycle wrecks

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, July 13, 2018.

There are many threats that motorcyclists face on the roads each day, but some are especially concerning. Although hazards such as poor road conditions due to ice or heavy rain can lead to a tragic motorcycle crash, it is especially upsetting when someone's recklessness leads to a collision. Sadly, many drivers choose to get behind the wheel even though they are over the legal limit or are impaired as a result of drug use. Drunk drivers pose a threat to everyone on the road, but motorcyclists are especially at risk.

If you ride a motorcycle every day or from time to time, it is important to keep an eye out for drunk drivers who may be driving erratically. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol may struggle to follow traffic safety laws and notice motorcyclists. Unfortunately, many motorcyclists have found themselves in fatal accidents and crashes that cause them to suffer from injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives.