Dallas Civil Litigation Blog

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.

Unfair competition in internet advertising

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Business Litigation on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

Businesses in Texas are constantly trying to figure out new and up-to-date advertising methods to draw in more customers. The internet has become a major medium for advertising and marketing, and companies need to understand the rules surrounding this type of advertising so they do not break any laws.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the laws regarding unfair competition in advertising apply to all online marketing as well. In the general sense, this means companies must be truthful in their advertising claims, the claims must be substantiated and the customer must not be misled. Online advertising is considered to be a deceptive act when a misleading claim is substantial, it cannot be avoided reasonably and there are no other benefits to balance it. When it comes to online marketing, companies should also keep in mind the following:

Demonstrations - they must demonstrate performance under normal use
Disclosures - this can help remedy a false claim, but it must be clear and easy to read
Refunds - if offered, they must be honored
Advertising to kids - there are specific guidelines for companies whose message is directed towards young children

Haw dangerous is eating while driving?

On behalf of Cortez Law Firm, PLLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Seeing all of the recent awareness campaigns aimed at stopping people from texting or using their cell phones while driving may have you feeling much more comfortable about the likelihood of you encountering a distracted driver on Dallas' roads. The trouble is that there is another form of driving distraction that may be even more prevalent than texting while driving, yet just as dangerous: eating while driving. This may seem shocking given that few (if any) people probably do not view such an action as being distracting. Statistics show, however, that it indeed is.

A joint effort between The Auto Alliance and The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has produced some alarming information regarding the dangers of eating while driving. Research shows that those who eat behind the wheel are 3.6 times more likely than other drivers to be involved in an accident. You (like most people) may view eating as being such a natural action that it hardly takes any attention at all. Yet to eat while drive, you must take at least one hand off the wheel, and you must divert your vision and attention away from the road (even if only for a moment) to focus on your food. The same distractions are present if you try to send a text while driving (an action that is almost universally accepted as being distracting).

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.