At Springer & Lyle, we are aware of the danger lurking around the six days following the day we “spring forward” an hour. Numerous studies have shown that this is a time that car accidents increase when 48 out of the 50 states go on daylight savings time. Effect of Losing One Hour of Sleep Moving the clock ahead in the spring deprives folks of one hour of sleep. This does not seem like much, but according to researchers, this loss “causes a significant disruption in sleep cycles.” When sleep cycles are interrupted, then people are drowsy. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as … [Read more...]
Getting Medical Treatment Right Away After An Accident
If Injured in an Accident, Seek Medical Treatment Right Away! If it’s a car accident, get treated by paramedics at the scene, and insist that they transport you to the nearest emergency room if you believe you may be injured. It it’s another type of accident, make sure that paramedics are called immediately. Insist on treatment at the scene and have them take you to an emergency room if necessary. Documentation is Critical to Your Case For legal purposes, injuries are documented by medical records. Aside from liability issues, they’re the most important aspect of a case. Lawyers and … [Read more...]
Don’t Talk To The Other Side’s Insurance Company If You Have Been In An Accident
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...]
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 … [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 … [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...]
