In the very early stages of an accident case, you might consent to giving a statement to the adverse insurer before you ever retain counsel. Those statements are either written or recorded. The adjuster from the adverse insurer tells you that they just merely want to get some information about the accident, your injuries and damages, but the actual purpose of the statement is to obtain admissions from you which may be used against you in trying to avoid responsibility. Unfortunately, many people talk to the adverse party's insurance adjuster before they ever talk to their own attorney. Don't … [Read more...]
I Have Been In An Accident, Now What?
Being involved in a car accident or truck accident can be a very traumatic experience especially if the accident was not your fault. If you have been involved in an accident and you been injured, it is common to have questions regarding the legal course of action. Springer & Lyle is available to answer your questions, such as who pays for the damages and who will be responsible for the medical bills. It is a good idea to understand some of your basic rights in case an accident happens. Here are some helpful tips: What is Personal Injury? If … [Read more...]
Identifying the Parties at Fault in a Truck Accident Case
Learning how an accident occurred and who caused the wreck is the first step in deciding who to include in a personal injury lawsuit. This is a complicated process that requires an experienced attorney where a truck accident is concerned. The companies and firms involved in the transport of goods via 18-wheeler can be numerous, and often, more than one party may have been negligent in causing or contributing to an 18-wheeler accident. Potentially liable parties can include: Truck Drivers: We have handled cases in which drivers have operated 18 wheeler trucks for long hours and were … [Read more...]
I Have Been In An Accident – Now What?
Being involved in a car accident or truck accident can be a very traumatic experience especially if the accident was not your fault. If you have been involved in an accident and you been injured, it is common to have questions regarding the legal course of action. Springer & Lyle is available to answer your questions, such as who pays for the damages and who will be responsible for the medical bills. It is a good idea to understand some of your basic rights in case an accident happens. Here are some helpful tips: What is Personal Injury? if the injury was caused by the negligence, … [Read more...]
What To Do If You Are Hit By a Drunk Driver
Each time you get on the road, you take care to follow the traffic rules and regulations. Unfortunately, there are others who do not abide by the same rules as you, so there is always a risk of being involved in a car accident.All too often there are people who endanger all of those who cross their path by drinking and driving. When a drunk driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their car, they are putting themselves and the lives of all those they come in contact with at risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drunk driving kills one person every 48 … [Read more...]
Texas Supreme Court Ends Bad Faith Claims for Workers
Texas Workers Compensation claimants took a big hit Friday when the Texas Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision in Texas Mutual Insurance Co. v. Timothy J. Ruttiger. The Court held that Workers Comp claimants cannot seek damages for bad faith denials of claims outside the administrative Workers Comp regulatory framework. Justice Willett's concurring opinion writes: "The continued existence of bad-faith claims will subvert the Legislature's meticulous soup-to-nuts system, one augmented by an immense regulatory and adjudicatory framework that, taken together, now regulates virtually … [Read more...]
Greyhound Bus Drivers say Company Opposes Safety Reform
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1700, which represents Greyhound bus drivers, has been speaking out against the company's safety record. "Members of the National Association of Bus Crash Families said they recently learned that Greyhound did not support HR7, a bill introduced by Georgia Democrat John Lewis and Texas Republican Ted Poe. The Lewis-Poe Amendment, as it is known, is identical to language in the MESA Bill, and replaces earlier provisions in the House version with a “Greyhound Compromise.” “We negotiated with Greyhound in good faith and gave up important safety priorities … [Read more...]
1/5 of Commercial Vehicles were Found Unsafe
The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that one-fifth of commercial vehicles they inspected in in 2011 were unsafe: "Since the first of the year, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement personnel and specially-trained Highway Patrol troopers have inspected 331,505 commercial vehicles. As a result of these inspections, DPS removed 66,189 unsafe commercial vehicles and 12,301 unsafe commercial vehicle drivers from Texas roads for a variety of safety violations. “Commercial vehicles are responsible for approximately 15 percent of the fatalities in Texas crashes,” said McCraw. “Most … [Read more...]
American Trucking Associations Support Congressional Mandate for Electronic Logging Devices in 18-Wheelers
Many 18-wheeler accidents become more difficult to investigate due to missing or incomplete information concerning hours-of-service compliance. Electronic Logging Devices could assist in safety and compliance with federal laws by more closely tracking hours 0f service and other important metrics. The American Trucking Associations, along with other law enforcement and advocacy groups, recently signaled support for such a measure by sending a letter to members of the House and Senate who are currently negotiating safety regulations. “The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has … [Read more...]
Tort Reform has not Increased the Number of Doctors in Texas
Anew study by David A. Hyman, Charles Silver, and Bernard Black shows that Texas Tort Reform measures have not increased the number of doctors in Texas since 2003. "Does state tort reform affect physician supply? Tort reformers certainly believe so. Before Texas adopted tort reform in 2003, proponents claimed that physicians were deserting Texas in droves. After tort reform was enacted, proponents claimed there had been a dramatic increase in physicians moving to Texas due to the improved liability climate. We find no evidence to support either claim. Physician supply was not measurably … [Read more...]