Last Friday, a nursing student was killed in an auto accident when an intoxicated driver crashed into her vehicle. On Sunday, an intoxicated driver struck a motorcyclist and then fled the scene of the accident. When police found the truck a few blocks away, the motorcycle was still wedged underneath the front end. The motorcyclist is recovering from injuries.

Texas leads the U.S. in fatalities related to driving under the influence. According to data available from the Texas Department of Transportation, there were over 1500 DUI crashes in Houston in 2008. The city was second to San Antonio, which had close to 2000 DUI-related accidents.

Victims of DUI-related accidents are entitled to compensation. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, contact Houston accident attorney, Brian Jensen.

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Large trucks were involved in over 10% of traffic accident fatalities in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Traffic Safety Facts. Of the 380,000 large trucks, classified as vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds, involved in accidents, 4,066 led to the deaths of 4,229 individuals. Almost three-quarters of the fatalities were occupants of other vehicles such as cars, light trucks and motorcycles involved in collisions with the big rigs and another 10% were pedestrians, cyclists or other bystanders.

A total of 380,000 large trucks were involved in traffic accidents in 2008 with 90,000 people injured in the accidents. Almost three-quarters of those injured by the accidents were occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians, cyclists or other bystanders. Approximately one-quarter of the large truck drivers had a previous speeding citation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle, contact Houston 18-wheeler attorney, Brian Jensen.

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The possibility of vehicular accidents caused by rolling over has led to a Consumer Report “Don’t Buy” warning for the 2010 Lexus GX 460. During the test, which simulated approaching a turn too quickly, the electronic stability control took too long to respond and the rear of the vehicle slid outward. The concern is that if the rear tires struck an obstacle the vehicle would then roll. The warning has prompted Toyota to halt sales and issue a recall while the manufacturer performs its own tests. However, 6000 units have already been sold; though no accidents have been reported.

This casts yet more pall over Toyota’s reputation, which has suffered due to questions concerning its actions over a recent recall involving millions of vehicles for sticky brake pads. Added to the vehicle defects are the results of a recent investigation by the Associated Press, which concludes that the company has withheld crucial information in previous legal cases involving their vehicles. Recent lawsuits filed in federal court have accused the company of fraud in past legal cases.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective product, call Texas product liability attorney , Brian Jensen.

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An 18-wheeler accident and a fire truck accident made Monday morning a busy one for Houston Police Truck Enforcement. An 18-wheeler travelling on I-10 East near Studemont jack-knifed and struck the median barrier before catching fire. The driver made it to safety before the blaze engulfed the cab, which was hanging over the shoulder of the westbound side of the freeway.

In a separate incident, a fire truck responding to a multi-vehicle accident involving a school bus and a car on 290 ran off 290 near the 610 interchange and onto the shoulder before striking a concrete pillar. Three firefighters were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Both scenes are being investigated.

Road conditions were hazardous given recent rain. Drivers of large vehicles on wet roads must exercise extra caution since the time required to stop their vehicles increases. Following too closely, driving too fast or allowing distractions under any circumstance, much less one involving more dangerous driving conditions, often major contributing factors to vehicular accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call Houston auto accident lawyer, Brian Jensen.

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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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