valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | July 5, 2018 | Auto Accidents
The Fourth of a July is a wonderful time to spend time with friends and family and celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s independence. However, some people take the cause for celebration to the extreme. We routinely notice an uptick in the number of DUI-related injuries around holiday weekends such as these. What should you… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | June 12, 2018 | Auto Accidents
When examining potentially liable parties for your car accident, consider whether an employer could bear legal responsibility for damages. The other driver’s employer might not have caused your crash, but the laws of vicarious liability could mean the company has to pay for your losses anyway. In certain circumstances, you may have the right to… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | February 27, 2018 | Auto Accidents
Head-on collisions are car accidents in which the front ends of two vehicles collide while traveling in opposite directions. They are some of the most dangerous car accidents, leading to a disproportionate number of deaths per crash compared to other types of collision. In 2016, 638 Texans died in head-on crashes. If someone survives a… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | February 14, 2018 | Auto Accidents
A hit-and-run car accident is not like other accidents. There is no at-fault driver around to take responsibility and pay for your damages. The guilty driver has fled, often without leaving behind much evidence for an investigation. You’re stuck picking up the pieces, tending to physical injuries, property damage, and emotional distress. Luckily, it is… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | January 31, 2018 | Auto Accidents
A good driver always knows when to yield. Yielding to other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians is critical to preventing accidents and keeping others safe on the roadway. There are general traffic laws for who should yield the right-of-way and when. Preventable car accidents happen when drivers break these laws. In 2015, 3,453 crashes around the… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | January 24, 2018 | Auto Accidents
Like all states, Texas requires drivers to maintain minimum insurance coverage levels. All drivers must buy at least $30,000 in coverage for each injured person and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Insurance policies pay for the damage to other people and their vehicles when a driver causes an accident. When someone breaks the law… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | December 28, 2017 | Auto Accidents, Insurance Claims
When a car accident happens that results in your injury, you should file a claim with either your insurance company or the insurance company of the responsible driver. Doing this gives you access to potential compensation for damages, including physical, financial, and emotional damages. Read on to learn more about the insurance claims process, specifically… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | December 19, 2017 | Auto Accidents, safety
Many Houston drivers seem unaware of how closely they follow other drivers, especially on highways. Not maintaining a safe following distance diminishes the control you need when operating a car at high speeds. Learn more about the ideal space around your car, recommended following distances, and some tips to help you in all situations. What… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | December 12, 2017 | Auto Accidents
Drunk driving is an epidemic plaguing the nation. Every day, an average of 28 people die in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. While we can’t predict run-ins with intoxicated drivers, we can take steps to avoid them on the roads. The best way to prevent collisions with drunk drivers is to learn how to spot them,… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | November 20, 2017 | Auto Accidents
After a Texas car accident, your conversations with auto insurance companies may involve vehicle inspections, repair estimates, and coverage to repair or replace your vehicle. What you probably won’t hear your insurance agent talk about is your vehicle’s “diminished value.” Diminished value is a valid type of compensation you may be able to claim after… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | August 14, 2017 | Auto Accidents
Witnessing a car accident can be more than just traumatic – it can also come with legal responsibilities in the state of Texas. As a bystander to a crash, you have a duty to stay on the scene and make sure everyone is okay. You may need to call for help, make victims more comfortable,… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | August 14, 2017 | Auto Accidents, Pedestrian Accident, Personal Injury
It is a common misconception to assume that pedestrians always have the right of way in Texas. Motor vehicles cause much more damage to pedestrians than vice versa in an accident. This fact leads many to believe that motorists must always yield right of way to people walking on crosswalks and in the road. While… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | August 14, 2017 | Auto Accidents, Personal Injury
“Whiplash” refers to a specific type of injury to the muscles and ligaments of the neck. When the neck’s soft tissues extend beyond their typical range of motion, commonly in the back-and-forth motion of a car accident, they can sustain injuries. An individual could also get whiplash while playing sports, on an amusement park ride,… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | June 1, 2017 | Auto Accidents
There are many questions you are likely to have after a car accident – not the least of which concerns a potential settlement. If you were not at fault for the crash, the other driver’s insurance company will soon be in contact with you. During this time, it is important to practice smart negotiation tactics… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | June 1, 2017 | Auto Accidents, safety
Texas’ highways and freeways are some of the busiest in the United States. They see thousands of daily commuters, sightseers, and 18-wheelers every day. Although merging lanes and entering highways are skills drivers learn upon receiving a driver’s license, the rules and realities of this skill can be much different on hectic roadways. Learning the… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | April 21, 2017 | Auto Accidents, safety
Tailgating other drivers is a well-known act of road rage, but brake checking is another aggression-based action that deserves attention. Brake checking is the act of braking hard in front of a tailgater to dissuade the driver from following too closely. Drivers in front often think they won’t face responsibility for resulting car accidents, but… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | April 21, 2017 | Auto Accidents, safety
During the day-to-day commute, many drivers travel on autopilot. They focus more on their to-do lists and less on safe driving distances. If you’re in the middle of your daily travel schedule, headed off on a trip, or taking the kids to school, safe driving distances are more than recommendations. They represent researched guidelines designed… read more
valeria.rodriguez@lawrank.com | March 6, 2017 | Auto Accidents, Personal Injury
In Texas, current insurance laws only require drivers to maintain valid liability insurance to cover $30,000 for injured individuals up to $60,000 per accident as well as $25,000 in coverage for property damage per accident. While personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is not mandatory in the same way as liability insurance, many drivers choose to… read more