More teenagers die as a result of auto accidents than due to any other type of incident, and fatal crashes involve three times the number of teenager drivers than any other driver age group. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration, driving while tired, night-time driving and reckless behavior such as speeding, drinking, drug use, distracted driving (texting, cell phone use, and other teenage passengers) mixed with inexperience leads to teen-related crashes.

To bring awareness to the dangers of teen driving, October 17^th kicks off National Teen Driver Safety Week. Two of the major campaign goals are to increase seat belt use (because 77% of teenage drivers killed in 2006 were not wearing seatbelts) and reduce teen’s access to alcohol (because 31% of teenage drivers killed in 2006 were under the influence of alcohol).

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a teenager, contact Houston vehicle accident attorney, Brian Jensen.

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A two-vehicle accident involving a motorcycle killed one person and forced the temporary closure of I-45 North in northern Harris County yesterday. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, one person dies almost every day in motorcycle accidents in Texas. Given the lack of protection motorcycles provide, it is important for motorcyclists to take extra precautions such as wearing helmets and protective gear, using headlights and driving defensively. Drivers of other vehicles should check twice for motorcycles when turning, changing lanes and entering or exiting freeways.

In 2008, almost half of motorcyclists killed in Texas had alcohol in their system with over one third legally intoxicated, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To address the number of motorcyclists driving while under the influence, the Texas Department of Transportation launched the Drink. Ride. Lose. campaign on October 1^st.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a driver under the influence, contact Houston vehicular accident attorney, Brian Jensen.

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With area schools back in session, drivers need to be aware that though Texas is not one of the states with complete bans on the use of texting or handheld cell phones, texting or speaking on a handheld cell phone in school zones is prohibited. Additionally, school bus drivers are prohibited from texting and cell phone use if the bus they are driving is carrying passengers seventeen or under. Novice drivers are also prohibited from texting and cell phone use during their first year of licensed driving.

According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Crash Contributing Factors,” driver distraction is the second leading cause of vehicular accidents in Texas. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reveals that drivers who text while driving take their eyes off the road for over 4 seconds in a 6 second period and makes them 20 times more at risk for an accident or near accident than a driver who is not using a cell phone. The risk for accidents is even higher for the drivers of large trucks and heavy vehicles.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact Houston vehicular accident lawyer, Brian Jensen.

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Over 700 bicyclists died and another 52,000 were injured in bicycle/vehicle accidents in 2008 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Bicyclist fatalities contributed to 2% of all traffic-related deaths. The accidents most often occurred between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. with the highest number of accidents during the months of June and September. According to the National Safety Council, bicycle injuries and fatalities cost $4 billion a year.

May is National Bicycle Safety Month and with the summer months fast approaching and more bicycles on the road, it’s important to keep certain safety tips in mind. Bicyclists should always wear a fitted helmet and remember to obey the rules of the road. Cyclists should also wear bright colored clothing and have appropriate lighting and reflectors to increase their visibility. Drivers of motor vehicles should leave at least three feet of clearance when passing cyclists and be vigilant when approaching intersections, opening car doors, entering traffic and making turns.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle or auto accident, contact Houston vehicular accident lawyer, Brian Jensen.

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A multi-vehicle accident on FM 1960 on the north side of Houston resulted in the hospitalization of three children and three adults. A speeding car struck an SUV carrying the children as the SUV driver attempted to pull onto the busy road. The SUV was hit so hard, it spun and crashed into a motorcycle. The motorcyclist ended up under a vehicle while the driver of the car had to be extracted. The driver of each vehicle was taken to a local hospital in serious condition. The condition of the children, who were taken to a nearby hospital, is unknown.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a car, truck or motorcycle, contact Houston auto accident attorney, Brian Jensen.

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The two main causes of vehicle accidents in Texas cities are failure to control speed and driver distraction. [1] According to a study released by Virginia Tech and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, using a wireless device such as a cell phone is the primary cause of driver inattention. And, according to a study by the University of Utah, cell phone use while driving is equivalent to driving under the influence.

Accidents involving large commercial vehicles often cause massive amounts of damage and in some cases contribute to needless deaths . No one wants to look in their rear view mirror and see an 18-wheel truck driver barreling down on them while talking on the cell phone. Nor do they want to glance over as a semi crosses into their lane only to see the driver attempting to text. A new proposal by the Transportation Secretary would turn a nationwide interim ban on texting while driving by commercial drivers into law. The ban would only apply to drivers of vehicles 5 tons and larger, but it is a step in the right direction.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to the negligence of a commercial vehicle driver, contact Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer , Brian Jensen.

[1] Texas Department of Transportation: Crash Contributing Factors

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March is brain injury awareness month. The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) has launched a new campaign: “A concussion is a brain injury: Get the facts.” The BIAA defines a concussion as “caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth.” According to the BIAA, concussions do not normally lead to a loss of consciousness and days or weeks can elapse before symptoms present. [1]

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) lists some of the symptoms as: “persistent low-grade headaches; having more trouble than usual remembering, things, concentrating or making decisions; feeling tired all the time; feeling sad, anxious, or listless; and becoming easily irritated for little or no reason.” [2] According to the NCIPC, the two most common causes of traumatic brain injury are falls and vehicular accidents . [3]

If you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury or spinal cord injury in a fall or auto accident , call Houston personal injury lawyer , Brian Jensen.

[1] Brain Injury Association of America: Media & Events

[2] National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: Facts about Concussion and Brain Injury

[3] National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: How Many People Have TBI?

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A Pasadena car accident last Saturday, February 20th, resulted in the death of a grandmother and her granddaughter. After possibly being struck by a dark-colored sedan, their truck ran off the road and rolled. The granddaughter was pronounced dead at the scene while the grandmother was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where she passed away.

Pasadena police are asking for information about the dark sedan, which may have damage on the driver side, and its driver, who police say may have been unaware of the impact. Anyone with information can contact the Pasadena Police Department at 713-477-1221.

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