To help you find the right motorcycle accident attorney for you, I have developed the following 5 tips.  These tips are just a few things to ask an attorney before you hire her, but may be the most helpful.

1. Choose an attorney who is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law.  Attorneys who are Board Certified in personal injury trial law have extensive and relevant experience in personal injury law. These attorneys have also demonstrated and been tested for special competence in personal injury law.  Board Certified lawyers earn the right to publicly represent themselves as specialists in a select area of law, which shows they highest public commitment to excellence in personal injury law.  Board certification requires that an attorney take continuing legal education courses annually.  Out of the more than 70,000 attorneys licensed to practice in Texas, only 10 percent are Board Certified.

Board certification is not available in all states, but Texas does offer it. If board certification is not available in your state, Super Lawyers is another reliable source to verify a motorcycle accident attorney’s qualifications.  Super Lawyers candidates are evaluated by their peers and are chosen based upon professional achievement.  Of the all the attorneys in Texas, only five percent are named Super Lawyers.

2. Ask the attorney about her experience in handling motorcycle accident claims.  Motorcycle accidents can cause painful, debilitating injuries, and sometimes even death.  Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful for the victim and his or her loved ones, so it’s important that you retain an attorney who has experience dealing with insurance companies and who knows the tricks these companies play.  Finally, if your case goes to trial, you will want an attorney who knows how to try a motorcycle accident case.

3. Know the lawyer’s ratings.  Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell have developed rating systems to help consumers choose and compare lawyers.  Avvo ratings take into consideration the number of years the attorney has been in practice, whether the attorney has been disciplined by a bar association, and the attorney’s achievements.  Avvo ratings are based on a 10 point scale on which a 10 is the highest rating.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings are made by fellow lawyers rating each other for ability and ethics.  The rankings include A, B, C, or none for abilities and a high rating of V for ethics.  An AV rating is the highest a lawyer can achieve.

4. Make sure you know who you are going to be dealing with. You need to know the lawyer who will actually be handling your case, so that you know who you will be working with and what you can expect.  When meeting with an attorney, you should ask her whether your case will be handled by claims handlers or by attorneys.  While legal assistants are perfectly able to assist the attorney with your case, you deserve to know the attorney who will be representing you.

Be sure to meet the attorney and make sure the two of you “click.”  In other words, does the attorney spend the entire meeting talking about himself, or does he really seem to care about what is going on with you?  Do your personalities work well together?

Do not let the attorney pressure you into signing a retainer contract.  If the attorney seems pushy to get you to sign, tell him or her that you want to take the contract home and look it over before signing. You should also get a second opinion from another qualified attorney. But remember, you don’t have to choose the first attorney that you meet.

5. Choose a lawyer who understands the different injuries motorcycle accident victims can suffer.  Motorcycle accidents can often leave riders and passengers with painful, long-term injuries like traumatic brain injuries and multiple fractures.  An attorney who understands the long-term ramifications of debilitating injuries and how those injuries affect careers, family, and day-to-day living is a must. In some cases, you may need an attorney who has many years of experience handling wrongful death claims and who understands the devastation of tragically losing a loved one.

If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident because of the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  Call the experienced Texas motorcycle accident attorneys at Van Wey Law today at (214) 329-1350 or (800) 489-5082 for a free initial consultation.

In the study, more than three-fourths of parents with children between the ages of four and eight said they use a booster seat for their own child.  But only slightly more than half (55 percent) of parents use the booster seats when driving other children.

The study involved 700 parents and was conducted on a national, web-based platform.

Dr. Michelle Macy, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, led the study. She says that parents often do not use booster seats because of the limited vehicle space, peer pressure, and logistical difficulties of swapping booster seats.

Why Texas Parents Should Use Booster Seats

Booster seats, much like seat belts, save lives.  The most common cause of death for children ages three to 14 is a car wreck.  Using the correct booster seat for your child reduces the risk that your child will be injured in a Texas car wreck by 50 percent, compared to using a seat belt.

Children who have outgrown car seats benefit from booster seats because they ensure that the seat belt secures the child in the correct place.  For adults, seat belts should be worn low and tight across your hips, with the shoulder belt snug across your chest, away from your neck.  The same principles apply to children, but putting children under 4’9” in a booster seat will help ensure these are met.

In comparison, children who wear just seat belts are more likely to suffer serious abdominal injuries, broken bones, and may even be paralyzed if not properly secured in an accident.  Often, children who are not tall enough to use a seat belts place the belts behind their backs or under their arms, causing more injuries in a car wreck.

What to do if Your Child Rides in Carpool

If your child rides in a carpool, you should speak with the other parents about using booster seats.  Buying a spare booster seat for your child’s carpool will help keep your child safe, should he or she be in a car wreck.

Alternatively, if you are the parent driving a carpool, you should stow a spare booster seat in the trunk of your car or ask the other parents to bring booster seats for their children.  If space is an issue, inflatable booster seats are available for about $40 and can be easily deflated to fit in compact areas.

To get the latest updates on child seat safety, subscribe to my blog www.texascarwreckattorneys.com.

Authorities say the cars, 18 wheelers, and recreational vehicle involved in the crash collided when smoke from a nearby fire mixed with fog, reducing visibility.  Paramedics and firefighters had a difficult time finding victims because they could barely see.

Survivors of the crash were lucky to make it out before the explosions and resulting fire.  Shells of 18 wheelers and burned out cars were all that remained on the highway when the smoke and fog cleared.  The fire burned so hot that part of the interstate had melted away.  Victims said the scene looked like “the end of the world.”

Just four years ago, a similar wreck occurred on the same interstate, killing four and injuring 38 others.

Investigators are still trying to determine the exact cause of the multi-vehicle wreck.

Tips for Driving in Fog & Fire

Here in Texas, a prolonged drought has been to blame for hundreds of fires across the state in the past year.  And conditions permitting, sometimes fog rolls in with little notice to drivers.  An accident similar to the one in Florida occurred just a few weeks ago in Port Arthur, Texas.

Driving in fog, especially when it has mixed with smoke, is one of the most deadly driving conditions.  State highway transportation officials across the country recommend that drivers postpone their travel until the fog has lifted.

However, if you have to drive, here are some tips for staying safe while on the road:

• Use your low-beam headlights. Using high-beam headlights reflects off the fog, making visibility worse.
• Make sure all of your lights work.  Other drivers will be better able to see you if all of your lights are working properly.
• Slow down.  Reducing your speed will give you more time to react and slow down if someone ahead of you is stopped.
• Drive with your window partially down and radio off to hear potential wrecks in front of you.  Doing this is particularly important in dense fog.
• Use the right edge of the road as your marker.
• If you are on an interstate or highway, safely exit the roadway and pull over in a safe place.  Keep your lights on so that other drivers can see you.

Unfortunately, not all motor vehicle accidents are preventable. If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle accident, call the experienced Texas car wreck attorneys at Van Wey Law today at (214) 329-1350 or (800) 489-5082.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released a list of the top reasons why Texas teens are more prone to be in dangerous, potentially fatal car wrecks.  Read below to help identify the key risk factors your teen may be exposed to while driving.

1. Teen drivers are inexperienced.  Most teens who get into Texas car accidents do so within their first year of driving.  Spending time in the car with your teen, helping him to practice driving is a key to reducing the likelihood that he will be involved in a car accident.  The CDC recommends that teens have a minimum of 30 hours of supervised driving behind the wheel.  Also, practicing in different weather and traffic conditions can help your teen be prepared when he begins to drive by himself.
2. Teen drivers are distracted by other teens in the car.  Many states have restrictions on who can ride in a car with a teen driver.  Keeping this rule during your teen’s first six months of driving can help prevent a dangerous car accident caused by distracted driving.
3. Driving at night is risky for teens.  Fatal car wrecks are more likely to occur during nighttime hours.  To prevent your inexperienced teen driver from being in a fatal car wreck, make sure he is off the road by at least 10 p.m. for the first few months of driving.
4. Not using a seat belt increases a teen’s risk of dying in a car wreck.  Remind your teen that wearing a seat belt saves lives and can reduce his risk of injury if he is in a crash.
5. Teens are more prone to drive distracted.  Distracted driving kills an estimated 5,000 Americans each year. Remind your teen not to talk on his cell phone, text, eat, play with the radio, or let any other distractions take his mind and eyes off the road.  Taking the Just Put It Down Pledge with your teen can help remind him not to give into distractions and can remind you to set a good example when driving with your teen.
6.  Teens who are drowsy are more prone to being in a car wreck. Teens need a lot of sleep, and are most tired in the early morning hours and late at night.  Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as texting while driving and as drunk driving.  Before allowing your teen to drive, make sure he is well-rested.
7. Teens are more prone to drive recklessly. Talk with your teen about unsafe driving behaviors including speeding and tailgating.  Remind him that driving is a privilege, not a right, and that these dangerous driving behaviors will be grounds for not letting him drive.
8. Teens are at risk for being impaired while driving.  Reinforce with your teen the message that even one drink can seriously impair his driving abilities.  Besides, it’s illegal for anyone under 21 to drink, and illegal for everyone to drink and drive.

Unfortunately not all accidents can be prevented.  If you were injured in a Texas car wreck by an unsafe driver, call the experienced Texas car wreck attorneys at Van Wey Law today at (214) 329-1350 or (800) 489-5082.

Another 32 passengers on board were injured when the bus rolled on its side and slid down the highway, breaking out windows as it slid.  Several passengers were ejected from the bus and three people became pinned underneath it.

The bus was on its way from Billings to Missoula when the crash happened.  Conditions on the interstate were hazardous because of a winter storm moving through the area.  Officials say ice and slick conditions may have contributed to the crash.

Just before the crash, passengers reported they thought the bus driver was driving too fast for the wintry weather conditions.  The posted speed limit on the interstate is 75mph, but Montana law requires that drivers assess the conditions and reduce their speed if conditions are hazardous.  State highway officials estimate that the driver of the bus was going anywhere between 65 and 70mph.

According to data on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) website, Rimrock Trailways has had a total of 25 inspections by U.S. regulators.  Of 22 vehicle inspections, three buses have been put out of service for safety issues.  Four of the company’s drivers who have been inspected have passed requirements.

This most recent crash is not yet reflected on the FMCSA’s data log for Rimrock Trailways, but two previous injuries from two different crashes have been reported for the company.

The deadly bus crash reminds passengers that buses are not always the safest form of transportation.  Despite efforts by governmental agencies, bus drivers are still working long hours, buses in ill repair are still being put on the roads, and seat belts are still not being required.

If you or a loved one were injured in a bus accident, call the experienced bus accident attorneys at Van Wey Law today at (214) 329-1350 or (800) 489-5082.

The repetition of the highway can easily lull drivers to sleep, especially if they’re already drowsy. According to recent statistics, drowsy drivers cause approximately 100,000 accidents every year, and some studies indicate that driving drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.

But new technologies are beginning to emerge that may make a big difference in helping to alert drivers who might be too drowsy to drive safely.

Mercedes’ version of this technology gathers data on your normal driving habits and alerts you with a polite message on the dashboard when you begin to deviate from those habits. Another technology, offered by Saab, utilizes cameras to monitor movements in the eyes, eyelids and head to catch drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

In addition to built-in technologies, it’s expected that there soon will be an influx in several aftermarket products intended to keep drivers awake and alert. One such technology, called Anti-Sleep Pilot, not only measures 26 different sleep factors, but also requires the driver to tap a button every 15 minutes. This technology will be released in the U.S. soon.

To learn more about drowsy driving, visit www.vanweylaw.com.

Blizzard Causes a Deadly Accident in West Texas

A winter storm that closed Interstate 40 from eastern New Mexico into West Texas has claimed four lives and left hundreds stranded in the Texas panhandle.

As the storm moved in, visibility was reduced and snow coated the roads making conditions dangerous for drivers.

In West Texas on U.S. Highway 60/84, a pickup truck collided with a passenger vehicle because of the inclement weather conditions. The driver and passenger in the pickup truck were taken to a local hospital in serious condition.  All four of the people in the passenger vehicle died in the crash.

Tips for Driving in a Winter Storm

Driving in snow, ice, and blizzard conditions is hazardous for even the most seasoned driver. If you can, put off your travels until the storm has passed and the roads are clear and safe.  But if you must travel, here are a few tips to make your drive safer:

• Before you leave, take your car to a mechanic and have him/her check your battery, fluid levels, ignition, lights, exhaust system, heater, defroster, brakes, and wipers.
• Be sure you have plenty of gas before leaving.
• Dress warmly and pack blankets in your car in case you break down on the road.
• You should keep an emergency care kit in your car, complete with flashlights and batteries, a first aid kit, necessary medications, food and water, and matches.
• Slow down and leave room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Brake gently to avoid sliding.
• Do not use cruise control.
• Keep your lights on so that other drivers can see you.
• Do not pass snow plows or sanding trucks.

If you become trapped in a blizzard:

• Stay in the car
• Turn on your hazard lights and hang a cloth from the antennae or window to let emergency crews know you need help
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, which include a loss of feeling in the extremities, uncontrollable shivering, drowsiness, slow speech, and memory lapse.

For more travel tips and tips on what to do after a Texas car accident, visit www.vanweylaw.com.

(Image: EA / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

With the holidays comes an increase in traffic.  As we rush hurriedly to find those last minute gifts or to pick up that missing ingredient for a holiday dinner, we must be mindful of our driving.

Throughout Texas, there were several fatal car accidents over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend alone.

In Laredo, Texas, emergency responders saw an increase of 15-20% in the number of accidents from Thanksgiving weekend last year.

Several accidents occurred over the weekend in Dallas, including two truck accidents, a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run accident, a fatal high speed accident, and a fatal wrong-way driver accident.

One of the Dallas truck wrecks involved an 18-wheeler that lost control on a rain-slickened highway. The truck skidded off the overpass, hanging precariously onto the highway below it. Both Dallas truck wrecks snarled traffic. Another truck caught fire on Highway 287.

A teenager was killed when the car she was in sped off the rain-slickened road and crashed into a house.  Three other teens in the car were injured, as was a woman inside the house.

Late Friday, a 25 year-old Arlington woman drove the wrong way on Interstate 35W.  She is accused of driving while intoxicated and causing a fatal car wreck, all while her six month-old daughter was in the back of her car. She is now facing murder and endangerment of a child charges.

In southeast Texas, a volunteer firefighter was injured as she was assisting the victims of an accident in which the driver of an 18-wheeler carrying crude oil fell asleep and ran off the road, crashing and erupting into flames.  The firefighter was struck by another 18-wheeler and had to have part of her arm amputated.

Several other car wrecks were reported throughout Texas this past weekend. These wrecks serve as a reminder that during this busy holiday season, we need to slow down, just put it down, and not drink and drive.

Of the more than 331,000 trucks inspected in Texas, more than 66,000 were found unsafe and were taken off of Texas roads.  Additionally, more than 12,000 commercial drivers were cited for committing safety violations.

All of this is being done to prevent dangerous Texas truck wrecks.

“Commercial vehicles are responsible for approximately 15 percent of the fatalities in Texas crashes,” says DPS Director Steven McCraw.

Mexican Trucks Pose a Danger to Texas Drivers

While DPS has stepped up its enforcement efforts, officers simply cannot inspect every truck that travels on Texas roadways. This is especially true of trucks that are now entering from Mexico.

Under a cross-border trucking pilot program spearheaded by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), trucks from Mexico are allowed to travel farther into Texas than they were before. Opponents of the program say that Mexican trucks lack certain safety features and are not maintained as well as U.S. trucks.

U.S. agencies have vowed to step up inspections of these trucks, but with Texas being on the border with Mexico, Texas drivers will be more at risk for a Texas truck accident.

Tips to Avoid a Texas Truck Wreck:

• Maintain distance between you and the vehicle in front of you
• Be aware of a truck driver’s blind spots, which include 20 feet in front and 200 feet behind the truck, as well as the sides of the truck
• After passing a truck, move over only when it is safe, and you can see the truck’s headlights in your rear-view mirror.

If you were injured in a Texas truck accident, the experienced accident attorneys at Van Wey Law may be able to help you. Give them a call today at (214)329-1350 or (800)489-5082.

(Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Schools have now been back in session for a couple of months, and students are getting back into their normal routines.  But with routine comes the reminder that children must be kept safe when boarding and departing a school bus.

Most children who die in school transportation-related crashes involving pedestrians are between the ages of five and seven.  According to the most recent data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 130 school-age pedestrians have died in school transportation-related crashes since the year 2000. More than a quarter of these pedestrians were struck by other vehicles.

NHTSA estimates that at least six child pedestrians will die this year. Dallas County Schools are taking extra steps to protect the more than 60,000 children in its districts.  Digital cameras are being installed in and on the school buses in an attempt to catch drivers who violate the law by passing a school bus with its STOP sign active.

Unfortunately, proof of a violation will not necessarily lead to a ticket.  Texas lawmakers have yet to pass legislation that would allow drivers to be cited for the violation without a police officer present.

This is a major set-back for the school system, which catches up to 5,000 violations on its cameras each day.  And because state lawmakers have twice failed to vote for issuing citations based on the digital camera footage, Dallas County School Board President, Larry Duncan, is now asking the City of Dallas to pass an ordinance that would make it a violation.

Currently, a violation for passing a school bus that is stopped with an activated STOP sign can cost up to $1,000, but a police officer is required to be present for a citation to be issued.

Violation or no violation, drivers need to realize the dangers they pose and prevent children from becoming the victims of a dangerous pedestrian accident.