Personal Injury and Personal Liability Legal Issues

Keeping Control While Using Your Cruise Control

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:22:00 +0000

On extended trips or extra long interstate highway commutes, a driver’s foot can very easily fall asleep or become fatigued by continuously applying pressure to an automobile’s accelerator pedal. As well as fatigue, achieving a continuous and steadily maintained cruising speed is extremely beneficial in fuel management and conservation. Modern cruise control as we know it was invented by blind inventor and mechanical engineer Ralph Teetor in 1945, who had grown tired and frustrated by the way his lawyer would apply and release acceleration when engaged in conversation. Today, automobilists worldwide have come to rely on Teetor’s innovative invention, yet many are not fully aware of how to take best advantage of cruise control while maintaining optimal safety and hazard-free cruising.

It is essential to check your local laws, especially when travelling abroad, as many countries have outlawed use of cruise control within city limits. Nearly impossible to be caught breaking this law, but assuredly, local lawmakers have put the law into effect because of unseen hazards that have a history of causing accidents. Cruise control should be employed on long stretches of sparsely populated highway cruising; it is just not so helpful or safe in that jam-packed morning commute. Because of cruise-control’s often “set it and forget it” application, driver attentiveness is paramount, especially as driving conditions change. Certain terrain is not advantageous to cruise control application, such as ascending and descending through rolling hills or mountain passes. An automobile’s engine will find itself in a state of constant flux as it accelerates and decelerates as the grade changes, wrecking havoc on fuel efficiency efforts, and perhaps even becoming hazardous, causing on occasion uncontrolled descents. Cruise control can most definitely become disadvantageous, even hazardous when inclement weather arises. Concerns have risen recently involving the use of cruise control in slick conditions especially, with many discussing the perils of hydroplaning and cruise control particularly. When in a skid or hydroplaning, a driver’s first instinct could be to apply too much pressure to the brake pedal, increasing the skid and loss of control. With cruise employed, this hazard is neither heightened nor lessened, however, driving with it engaged in inclement weather is inadvisable nonetheless simply because of the lack of manual control by the operator.

Cruise control is an excellent tool for keeping speeding under control, increasing fuel efficiency in optimal situations, and for making that long journey a little more comfortable for the driver. As with any tool that could promote driver inattention, it can cause accidents when drivers are distracted, or even hypnotized by the sameness of the approaching asphalt. If involved in an accident with a distracted driver, it is necessary that you and your loved ones are protected by an accident attorney that has experience, education, and intelligence, and that will insure you are dealt with fairly after safety has been assured.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law.

Buying the Most Important Piece of Equipment for Motorcycling: Your Helmet

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:16:00 +0000

More Americans than ever before are turning to two wheels for transportation as an answer and solution to the rising gas prices across the country. But before throwing a leg over the “horse” of choice, all riders should consider carefully their choices and options when choosing the most important piece of safety equipment should an accident occur. Studies have shown that a rider who wears an appropriate helmet is less likely to be involved in an accident in the first place, but when he or she is, is less likely to incur neck or head injuries than a rider without a helmet. Protecting your head is a necessity, and nothing does it better than a carefully selected helmet.

The first thing that is essential (and the law) that your prospective helmet possess is its certification from the U. S. Department of Transportation. D.O.T. certification is proven by a sticker affixed to the rear of the helmet, and guarantees the helmet has been shown through rigorous testing to significantly reduce the energy felt by the skull on impact, protect against puncture, and maintain the ability to be securely fastened to the rider’s head. Other certification testing may also be done through the Snell foundation which subjects helmets to other safety standards as well as those imposed by the D.O.T. You must try on the helmet for retention (that it will stay on), size, and fit. A motorcycle helmet should fit snugly to protect best. Roll the helmet on, from front to back. It should not go on too easily. Once on your head, you should be able to feel the skin of your skull move when the helmet is moved. The interior padding should hold your chin, cheeks, and jaw firmly (if it is a full-face model) and always make sure you cannot remove the helmet when the chinstrap is fastened. Attempt to take it off with force, to ensure this. While some riders may assert that no helmet is comfortable, this is an untruth. With many styles and brands on the market, all riders should be able to find a helmet that fits, protects, is comfortable, and suits their aesthetics when it comes to styling and color. More coverage by a helmet is better, as a full-face helmet protects the chin, jaw, and teeth as well, but some riders enjoy the freedom that open-face and half helmets provide.

Wearing a proper helmet should be first on every rider’s checklist before mounting their bike and riding. Truthfully, any helmet is immediately better than no helmet at all, but in the event of an accident involving an automobile, the motorcyclist is definitely vulnerable and put at risk. Even the best helmet cannot prevent all injury when one occurs. Protecting yourself after the accident by hiring a personal injury lawyer that is well equipped to argue for your rights and ensure your due compensation is essential.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com.

Sleepy Drivers Pull Over!

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:45:00 +0000

As the holidays approach, many American and Canadian families (as well as others globally) are preparing for trips to see far-away relatives and experience good eats and yuletide. For some, distances are greater than others, and often on holidays, a large amount of driving occurs late night, visiting friends and relatives throughout hometowns across the nation, and though fatigued and distracted, many drivers continue to pilot their trucks and automobiles through the night. The statistics involving drowsy drivers are staggering and should definitely be a warning to those sleepyheads who amazingly believe they are immune to late night accidents.

According to United States government records, at least 1500 people die in automobile crashes caused by drowsy or fatigued drivers each and every year. This number is likely conservative as it takes an eyewitness report testifying that the driver involved was nodding his or her head, but nonetheless, a high number indeed. These telling government records also show that at least 40,000 people are injured in crashes caused by sleepy drivers, but further research has shown that close to 100,000 accidents are caused by fatigue-ridden drivers each year. The categorical response from many drivers when asked if they are too tired to drive is strikingly similar to the ignorant response to a posed “too buzzed to drive” question, often eliciting an “I feel fine”. In fact, when surveyed, only 12% of respondents believed that sleeplessness affected their driving whatsoever. Denial, in this case can be hazardous, even deadly.

Because reports and numbers are spotty, at best, the number of fatigued drivers on the road at any given time is most probably much higher than recorded, and around the holidays, this number probably soars in the same way as buzzed driving does. Drowsy feelings for fatigued drivers are exacerbated in the evening by the hypnotic effect of headlights, ahead and behind, but drowsy driving, of course is not only limited to evening time. If a driver is feeling the least bit tired or drowsy from his or her holiday dinner, exciting holiday engagements, or just good, old-fashioned socializing, piloting an automobile should be furthest from the mind. A nap is in order, and driving should not be attempted until freshness of mind and body returns. Driving is a responsibility, and putting others in harms way, selfishly, should never be an option.

If caught in an accident situation due to another driver’s inattention or drowsiness, it is necessary to have your rights protected by a personal injury attorney that will represent you and your family to the best of their ability. Make sure to be fresh and attentive while driving, but always be protected after an accident by contacting an excellent attorney.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law.

Motorcycle Safety Training Decreases Accidents and Fatalities

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:51:00 +0000

As gasoline prices continue to climb, a rising number of American motorists are considering purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles like scooters and motorcycles. Even the most fuel frugal automobiles can only hope to gain efficient use into the high 30s and low 40s per gallon, while motorcycles can attain nearly 60 mg and scooters often hover around 100mpg. Granted, two-wheeled transport does not have the load bearing and carrying ability of a sedan or SUV, yet for commuting and efficiency, it can’t be beaten. As more and more riders hit the streets, many state and local governments are doing their part to make sure less and less riders actually “hit the streets” by increasing education opportunities and enforcing existing laws concerning motorcycling and scooting.

In the Pacific Northwest, Washington State governor, Christine Gregoire, along with the Legislature are helping to make sure that rider education is available to all citizens desiring training. Rider education can be seen as essential simply by looking at the statistics of motorcycle fatalities in Washington State as recently as 2007. Forty percent of all motorcyclists involved in a fatal accident did not have their motorcycle endorsement (essentially driving without a license) and ninety-three percent of the riders involved in deadly crashes had not been recipients of motorcycle safety training. Gregoire and her legislature has put into place a program, referred to as “Endorse Your Sport” helping provide subsidized classes to riders at the affordable price of $125 compared to the non-subsidized $250 fee. The balance of monies for these cheaper classes is provided by motorcyclists across the state when they pay the extra $25 at the Department of Transportation to receive their motorcycle endorsement and driver’s licenses. A portion of this goes to pay for subsidized classes for an additional 1,000 students a year. Also a part of this program, new education sites are sprouting up all over the state, increasing the opportunities for new riders to be educated. In connection with “Endorse Your Sport”, police across the state are aggressively enforcing motorcycle laws as part of the effort to keeping accidents and deaths down. If a rider is found to be without an endorsement, the rider’s motorcycle is impounded and hefty fines are levied. Education pays, or it could be said that being uneducated makes you pay in this instance.

No matter how much rider education or advanced skill a rider may possess, accidents can and do happen. In order to protect you after an accident occurs, a personal injury lawyer should be contacted that will vigorously work to make sure you are fairly compensated due to injury.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law.

Keeping the Gadgets Away While Driving

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:36:00 +0000

You’ve seen them on the byways and highways, drivers of all ages, their eyes glossy as they look down to the object in their hand or mounted on their dash. They think they’re only looking away for a second, and that it doesn’t matter. The fact is, seconds, fractions of a second matter when piloting an automobile. Driving is a task that should demand one’s entire attention, making sure to avoid potential hazards as well as avoiding becoming a hazard to other drivers as well. Technology can be so distracting, but drivers need to have the willpower to put off their interactivity so that they can remain safely engaged and interactive with the pressing, dangerous responsibility they’ve taken on, driving an automobile.

Many states and municipalities have passed or are considering laws discouraging drivers of automobiles from using their interactive technologies while driving their automobiles. Accident reports tell a startling tale of teenagers texting while driving and business men and women distractingly taking blind turns hitting pedestrians, bicyclists, and others while enthralled in “important” conversations. In fact, so many accidents could be avoided if drivers could just wait until their destinations or pull over and disengage themselves from driving until their attention is available. In many states, laws encourage police officers to pull over drivers on cellular telephones if they are driving erratically, assigning them an extra ticket for telephone use as well as an erratic driving offense. Few municipalities are allowing officers to pull drivers over simply for cellular use alone, though this is being considered as well to deter offenders. These laws are designed to encourage hands-free use of cellular technology, when necessary, though it should be advocated that no interactive technology should be used when driving, period. Even with new advances in hands-free technologies, a distraction is a distraction, especially when the safety of others who are not making the choice to be distracted is involved.

Complete attention should be afforded the important task of driving as the consequences involved are enormous and far-reaching. Though you can control your own actions and distractions as a driver, you can never control, assume, or predict those of others who share the road with you. It is necessary to be watchful, assessing all situations, immediately as they arise. Accidents do occur, of course , no matter how vigilant you might be. In the event of an accident, it is necessary to contact a personal injury attorney who will work to protect your rights. Don’t let a distracted driver put you or your family at undue risk and then leave you to deal with the aftermath.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law.

Keeping Your Car’s Windshield Clean of Dirt and Debris to Avoid Accidents

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:46:00 +0000

You might think it is a given that it is necessary to keep an auto’s windshield clean to help ensure optimal visibility, but you would be surprised how many motorists never think twice about their windshield’s importance. The windshield is the driver and passenger’s window on the world that is fast approaching. Its importance should never be underestimated, and proper maintenance and care will help your windshield perform its duty better, namely making sure your view of the roadway is never compromised.

Many drivers never realize their vision is jeopardized until a situation arises where its failing nearly causes an accident. Inordinately sunny days when the sun’s rays strike your windshield unexpectedly can be extremely dangerous when your windshield is covered with grease or grime. The sun’s light on your windshield can highlight this grime, and a driver’s eyes can be unfortunately and unconsciously drawn to the visual imperfections of their windshield, if only for an instant, and in that instant, safety can be compromised. It is paramount that every driver routinely inspect their wiper blades and their washer solvent reservoir for just these sorts of occasions as well as others. The reservoir should never be filled with pure water as its ability to remain liquid in the winter months is obviously at risk. Specifically designed windshield washing fluid has anti-freeze as well as water and dirt repellent properties that pure water does not. Many auto parts supply stores also offer liquids that can be applied to an automobile’s windshield that coat the glass with an invisible film offering extra protection against grimy offenses. Concerning your windshield wipers specifically, it is best to replace their blades twice a year, preferably at spring and fall. Worn or damaged wipers not only do a poor job of clearing debris from your windshield, they can damage the surface of your windshield as well, causing scratches or other imperfections to form. Also, in winter driving situations, remember that your wipers were not designed to clear ice formations from your windshield. Always use an ice scraper to perform this job, because ice has the ability to cause damage to not only your wiper blades, the stress can damage your entire wiper system (motor, transmission, etc) as well.

Keeping your automobile’s windshield crystal clear is an essential part of preparation for safe driving, as important as checking your signals and mirror settings. Accidents can always occur, but ensuring your vision is never impaired can go a long way towards accident prevention. As always, should an accident occur, remain calm, contact Emergency Services, and be prepared to contact a personal injury to protect you and your families’ rights should that need arise.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law.

Making Your Tires Last Their Longest and Perform Their Best on the Road

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:56:00 +0000

Driving safely is and should be an important concern of all drivers and passengers present on today’s highways. Many automobilists take for granted four of the most important parts of their car, however, thought they rely on these parts each and every day to safely carry them from point A to point B, from here to there, or to Grandma’s house and back. Of course, the four parts referred to are your car’s tires, and with proper care and maintenance, they can last several years and many thousands of miles.

As with any new equipment to which you entrust your life, limb, and safety, you should drive carefully and attentively on your new tires until you get the feel and nuances of their handling performance. Special attention should be shown in situations when you demand more performance from your tire such as when braking, accelerating, or driving in inclement weather. All tires are made differently and react in different ways in driving situations. Because of this, it is recommended that all tires on your automobile be of the same size, construction, and speed rating, if not from the same manufacturer. If this cannot be achieved for all four tires, it is essential that the speed rating and construction (radial or bias-ply) be the same for tires sharing the same axle. If you are ever at a loss as to which types of tires are best for your particular car, it is always recommended to look at your car’s manual and use it as a resource.

It is not only for safety that your tires should be properly inflated at all times, but also to ensure that they perform at their peak rate. Properly inflated tires allow for better handling, safe acceleration and braking, and will also help your auto achieve the best miles per gallon average possible, a large concern of many drivers as the price of fuel rises. Tires should be inflated per manufacturer’s specifications and always balanced routinely. Unbalanced tires can create undue vibration, a large contributor to driver fatigue. Unbalanced tires also wear unevenly and more quickly while affecting your car’s suspension negatively as well.

Routine maintenance and care for all your car’s integral parts helps ensure you and your family are provided the best safety possible. A well cared-for automobile will perform best, allowing you to avoid accident situations, should they arise. Even the best tires however will not protect you after an accident, of course; it is essential that a personal injury lawyer or firm be contacted that will protect your rights.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law.

Tips For Safe Nighttime Driving

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:07:00 +0000

Driving a motor vehicle can be a daunting task on today’s highways. With so many more distractions than ever before, satellite radio, in dash dvd players and video games, navigation systems, and not to mention cell-phones, drivers are having a harder and harder time keeping their minds and eyes on the road. Though daytime travel can be dangerous, the stakes rise as the sun goes down. Visibility diminishes and often times, it is possible you are sharing the road with drowsy or heaven forbid, drunk drivers. There are precautions to make your nighttime driving safer for you and your family and should be adopted in order to remain your safest on the road at night.

One piece of good advice, as given by the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council, is to turn on your headlights an hour before sunset and keep your headlights engaged for an hour after sunrise. This helps ensure that other drivers see you at twilight and at sunrise, two times of day where it is not actually night but just dark enough to fool some drivers’ visions. It is also essential to make sure that all exterior lights are in good working order at intervals during the year. Properly working taillights at night are the only way to let a following driver see that you are there. To avoid the blinding effects of glare, never stare into the headlights of oncoming traffic, but instead look to the right side of the road away from the oncoming beams. If your rear view mirror has the option, it is a nice feature to use the “night” setting to let you dim the reflection of following vehicles’ beams. Something that is often overlooked, yet very important, is the need for a clean, smudge-free windshield and windows, especially at night, when every smudge is lit up by oncoming and passing headlights. Obstructions of vision at speed and at night can be dangerous and deadly. Following distance should be extended for safety’s sake, giving you more time to react to what is happening on the road ahead. It is essential that your speed never over-reaches your headlights, always making sure your reaction time is ample and speed is adjusted accordingly.

By following these and adhering to normally safe procedures that apply to safe daytime driving as well, you can minimize your chances of being in a nighttime automobile accident. If at anytime of the day, you feel drowsy, it is always best to pull over and rest, for your sake and the sake of others on the road. If a drowsy or otherwise impaired driver strikes your vehicle, you must be ready to protect you and your family’s rights and assets by securing an excellent personal injury lawyer that will fight for you.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

The Mechanics of a Correctly Working Seatbelt

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:09:00 +0000

Research has shown for decades that the use of a lap and shoulder belt greatly increase the rate of survival in an automobile accident and minimize the risk of serious injury to drivers and passengers. Seatbelt technology has not changed much over the years, but they continue to do the job they were designed for, protecting riders in automobiles in accidents, front, side and rear. How seatbelts work, and how to wear them correctly is the aim of this article. Seatbelts must be worn correctly in order to protect fully.

Seatbelts are made of a slightly stretchy and flexible, webbed nylon that is designed to flew minutely upon impact. A typical belt assembly consists of a lap and shoulder belt that are each tightly attached to the automobile’s frame, assuring their steadfastness in an accident. The lap belt is designed to be worn snugly across the pelvis, one of the sturdiest parts of the anatomy. The shoulder belt extends across the chest and ribcage, also a centrally located sturdy part of the body. Upon impact, the slight flexing of the webbed material combined with their ability to clinch and hold tightly, allow the wearer to shift slightly forward with inertia yet stop before hitting the unforgiving surfaces of the steering wheel or dashboard. Innovative design allows for seatbelts’ ability to allow wearers to lean forward in regular situations yet perform when accident situations arrive. The webbed material of the belt is wrapped around a spool located beneath the seat for the lap belt and usually in the door housing for the shoulder belt. The retractor mechanism allows the spool to spin and wind, keeping the excess material in place. Upon impact or when a jolting affect is applied to the belt, a locking mechanism restricts the spool from unwinding, holding fast and restricting the wearer’s forward movement. The two types of locking mechanisms present in today’s vehicle are triggered either by the movement of the belt and wearer, or by the movement of the vehicle itself.

In case of an accident, seatbelt technology, combined with airbags, and the automobile crumple zones work to protect drivers and passengers from injury and death. After an accident, it is necessary to further protect yourself and loved ones, especially when injured due to another driver’s inattention or hazardous driving. A personal injury lawyer should be contacted quickly to preserve your rights and make sure you are compensated for injuries and damages.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

Gas Prices Motivate Dangerous Gas Saving Techniques

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:08:00 +0000

Americans are up in arms about the ever-increasing prices to fill up at the pump in today’s economy. There seems to be no end in sight, and this has American drivers fuming and looking to find new ways to get more mileage from their buck. Sales of economy cars are rising and sales of gas-guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks are seeing a decline like not experienced before. It is difficult to drive anywhere without noticing a large dual-axle or other gas hungry pickup on the side of the road with a “for sale” in the window, placed there by another owner fed up with filling the large tank. Sales of motorcycles and scooters are seeing a rise across the nation as well, and many are skipping road-tripping vacations this summer due to filling station expenses. A disturbing trend that some motorists are turning to is the use of dangerous driving techniques known as “hypermiling” in efforts to save gasoline.

Not all “hypermiling” techniques are dangerous. Simply leaving the air conditioner off or employing cruise control can help with fuel economy and are perfectly legal and safe activities. Dangerous Hypermiling involves techniques such as drafting behind larger vehicles such as tractor-trailer trucks. Drafting is often used in automobile racing to save on power (and gas) before “slingshotting” around an opponent. In this application, it is used to reduce drag caused by the wind, allowing for more miles per gallon to be achieved. This sort of tailgating is inadvisable to say the least, as driving closely behind a semi makes it difficult for its driver to see you and for you to see what lies on the road ahead, until it is often too late. Avoiding braking whenever possible is also a popular way to shave miles, yet taking curves faster than advised is quite foolhardy. More experienced drivers in autos with manual transmissions find they can travel in neutral in many situations, allowing the engine to rest and conserve fuel consumption.

With many drivers employing negligible techniques such as those described above, it is more essential than ever before to pay attention to fellow drivers on the road. Another driver could put you or your family in harm’s way due to their hazardous preoccupation with saving gas. If involved in an accident with one of these drivers, a personal injury lawyer will be necessary to help ensure you and your family is protected. Extra legal penalty may be due a driver employing these techniques, but your health, safety, and financial retribution is important as well.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in car accident law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

Are Side Air Bags Worth the Extra Cash?

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:19:00 +0000

Air bag technology has been a present safety feature in new cars since it was introduced in the early nineteen seventies, and its use has certainly become more prevalent as research has shown how positively airbag installation affects the survival rate of accident victims. Consistently voted one of the world’s safest automobiles, Volvo introduced the first line of production autos providing side airbags in 1995. Since their introduction, research results and real world data has influenced the expansion of side airbag installation, so that they are now standard in a select number of vehicles by certain manufacturers and are available worldwide as an added option in over one hundred currently produced vehicles.

Side air bags, especially those that protect passenger and drivers’ heads, have been shown to lower fatality risks for all age groups, reducing driver deaths when struck on the driver’s side by nearly 37 percent. Head-protecting side air bags are especially effective in automobile accidents involving cars and the much taller, highly popular SUVs that have flooded the market in the last couple of decades. When higher riding vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs strike an auto, often the heads of driver and passengers in the auto are especially vulnerable because they are often times at the height of the taller SUV or pickups bumpers due to the height difference that is present. Side air bags that include head protection are more effective in preventing fatal injury than the use of airbags that provide cushion for the torso alone and are being installed at higher rates each year in automobiles and SUVs. One type of vehicle that is not seeing higher installation rates of side air bags for reasons unknown is the common utility pickup truck. Currently, over 80 percent of new automobile and SUVs offer head protecting side impact airbags as either standard or optional, yet fewer than half of production pickups offer them as even an optional safety feature. Overwhelming findings from ongoing research should influence pickup truck manufacturers to more avidly install them in the next few years.

As safety standards increase for American auto manufacturers, accident victims will continue to benefit from more adequate protection from their cars and trucks. In order to keep drivers and families safe, ongoing research and development of this and other precautionary technologies is essential. Often times, even the most up to date safety features can fail to protect adequately in an accident situation, and injuries still occur. Protecting drivers and passengers after an accident is the responsibility of an excellent accident lawyer, and it is always in a victim’s best interest to contact one should an injury occur.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

Avoiding Auto-Pedestrian Accidents

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:33:00 +0000

Though automobile accidents involving other autos or trucks are dangerous and frightening, an accident involving an automobile and a pedestrian is often more injurious, often fatal, with the pedestrian coming up a loser every time. In an ongoing effort to be a safer driver, acute attention to surroundings, including sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways, is of utmost importance. The consequences of inattention when pedestrians are present can be horrible, even deadly.

Drivers must always keep in mind the responsibility that goes along with the privilege and ability to pilot an automobile or truck. Behind the wheel of a vehicle, it can be easy to feel invulnerable, and compared to a pedestrian, you definitely are. No matter if a pedestrian is not observing the “rules of the road” and is putting him or herself in harm’s way, drivers must remember that the overwhelming advantage in an accident falls with the automobile, and use all skill and ability to avoid contact with a pedestrian, no matter who is in the “right”.

Crosswalks are essential exchanges for pedestrians to safely cross roadways. Drivers must pay careful attention to crosswalks at all times of day, because within their confines, pedestrians have every right to feel safe and protected. Many cities have taken pedestrian safety to a higher attention level by issuing tickets to drivers who ignore crosswalks by barreling through, putting citizens’ lives at risk. Whether in order to avoid a ticket or not, stopping at a crosswalk and allowing a pedestrian safe access is the right thing to do.

Intersections are where most automobile accidents occur because of the extra options regarding ways to proceed. Drivers need to be aware of not only traffic signals pertaining to themselves, but also of “walk” signals that assure pedestrians they are safe to cross the street. When taking a right after stopping at a “red”, a driver must make sure there is not a pedestrian taking the opportunity to cross the street at that same moment. Peripheral vision and attention is crucial in this situation.

Perhaps all drivers are still not aware that passing a stopped school bus with its red “stop” sign extended is against the law. The fine is extreme, and the danger of striking a child crossing the street is undeniably high and completely avoidable. No matter what pressing situation needs a driver’s attention immediately, passing a school bus can never be an option. Wait until the bus continues, and then proceed around if possible.

Adhering to these simple guidelines can help avoid an automobile-pedestrian accident. Of course, a driver should refrain from drinking alcohol when driving as judgment as well as reaction times are impaired. It is essential to keep the road safe for vehicles and pedestrians alike. Should an accident occur, after emergency agencies are notified, it is advisable to contact insurance and legal representation as well, to keep all parties involved protected.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

After an Auto Accident

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:15:00 +0000

One of the most frightening moments in a person’s life is the moment of impact during an automobile accident. Sometimes even scarier are the minutes immediately following the accident; that eerie silence and deafening sound of blood pounding inside your own head, though chaos and noise may surround the scene; a flood of emotions can render many accident victims motionless and impaired, even if not physically impaired by injury. It can be extremely helpful to have an outlined plan, of what to do when and how, should an accident occur.

The first thing, though it sounds and is extremely difficult, is to try and remain calm. Panic can only lead to more panic from driver and passenger, and panic is not helpful. An assessment of all accident victims in the vehicle should be made. Is everyone conscious? Are any visible injuries present? Hopefully a witness has already alerted police, and emergency vehicles are in transit, soon to arrive at the scene. If not, and you can reach it, it is always an excellent idea to use your cellular phone and contact 911. Calmly let them know the situation within the vehicle, any noticeable injuries, and of course the whereabouts of the accident. If at all possible, driver and passenger should safely exit their damaged vehicle, after, if able, moving the vehicle to a less precarious position in the roadway; if fuel is issuing from the tank, exit and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in case of fire until safety crews are on the scene.

It is essential to file an accident report with the police officer once he or she arrives. Remember to use restraint and only discuss the details of the accident with the police officer and your insurance agent. Officers will try and solicit more information and reliable eyewitness testimony from bystanders. This is not your concern. Limit conversations, make sure you and your loved ones are safe, and admit no fault in the accident. It is the responsibility of the police investigation to find fault and issue violations; let them do their job.

Make sure and gather information about all individuals involved in the accident (if physically able). Names, addresses, telephone numbers, license plate numbers, makes and models of automobiles, as well as insurance company and VIN information should be retrieved. At this time, or earlier, you should contact your insurance company. Depending on the provider, they may send out an agent immediately to talk to police and determine damages. As soon as possible, in order to protect yourself and loved ones, you should contact a lawyer. Just as a police officer’s job is to gather facts in order to protect accident victims, similarly, your lawyer will investigate and insure your rights are protected.

Driving with skill and safety is not always enough; preparedness for accident situations, should they occur, is essential.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

Following a Semi Truck Safely

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:07:00 +0000

When sharing the road with much larger vehicles, namely semi trucks, motorists must remember that these eighteen-wheelers cannot and do not handle like automobiles, SUVs, or pickups. They take much longer time in stopping, involve much more care when changing lanes or negotiating turns, and accelerate much slower than automobiles. Because of added length, these commercial trucks have a hard time seeing every angle that surrounds them, and great care needs to be taken by every motorist to stay out of the “blind spots” of these large trucks. Knowing the disadvantages in handling truck drivers face can help motorists share the road in a much safer way.

The struggle with maneuverability large trucks have makes them prone to accidents. In accident situations, they have trouble with avoidance, often being unable to stop or swerve in time to escape contact. This is why it is of utmost importance to maintain a safe following distance behind a semi truck. Because of its large size, an automobilist cannot see around and view what hazards might lie on the road ahead. Following too closely puts a motorist in danger of anything that might arrive in an instant. Because of the added height and power of a semi truck, it is able to run right over many things an automobile cannot. Construction materials such as two by fours, traffic cones, chains, and other debris are no danger for a high-riding truck. An automobile, however, can lose control when striking many of these unexpected objects. A good distance to maintain behind a semi truck can be gauged by the ability to see the driver’s mirrors. If you can see the driver’s mirrors you are much safer, because this means he or she can see you as well. Remember, a rear ender with a high-riding truck is much more dangerous because your front bumper and its rear will not match up. A car is most likely to run up under a large semi, leaving the auto driver vulnerable to a caved-in windshield due to the force of impact. A good rule of thumb for a safe following distance behind a tractor-trailer is at least six seconds. This gives you as an automobile driver an ample amount of time to swerve and avoid accident situations should they arise.

Knowing how to follow safely behind an eighteen-wheeler can help protect you in an accident situation. Should an accident occur, every motorist needs to protect their rights, and acquiring a lawyer who will make sure you receive due compensation is very important. Safe driving protects you before an accident; a personal injury lawyer’s job is to protect your rights after one.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

Avoiding a Skid in Accident Situations

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:06:00 +0000

There’s nothing scarier in an impending accident than feeling a loss of control of steering and maneuverability due to a loss of traction or skidding of tires and wheels. Skilled brake application is a learnable skill that should be practiced, and this skill’s importance should never be underestimated for accident avoidance is paramount. Excellent braking allows for more precise swerving and (hopefully) missing that other driver that has spontaneously made his or her way into your intended path.

A skid occurs when an automobile or truck’s tires lose traction on a road’s surface, causing the driver to experience a loss of control, often leading to an accident. A skidding situation can be created when a driver applies excessive pressure to the brake pedal, causing the wheels to lock up and slide. Over-steering into a turn, followed by over-compensation in the opposite direction can often result in a skid, and significant acceleration while inside the arc of a turn often results in a skid as well. Anytime a motorist is driving outside their skill level or too aggressively for current weather situations, they are putting themselves at risk for a skid as well as an accident. Avoiding a skid is often as easy as simply slowing down and taking greater care when environmental conditions dictate slower progress. Be aware of your particular skill set when it comes to adverse weather situations. If your experience in snow is minimal, increase your following distance accordingly. If a deluge of rain has decreased your vision of what’s happening ahead of you, slow your progress, or by all means, don’t hesitate to pull over until your comfort level increases. There is nothing worse than proceeding hesitantly when adverse conditions demand precise control and split-second decision-making.

A skidding situation will inevitably occur for all drivers, good and bad, and knowing what to do when this occurs is of extreme importance. If your brakes lock up, make sure not to accelerate, but concentrate on carefully steering until braking returns to normal, making sure to slowly apply pressure to the brake pedal, never stomping. When approaching a corner in adverse conditions, attempt all braking before entering the curve as traction lessens as weight is distributed differently in a turn. If a skid happens in a turn, make sure to turn your wheel with the skid, not in the opposite direction, allowing your tires a chance to regain their grip; turning the opposite way would only increase skidding and loss of control.

Practicing in an empty parking lot is an excellent way to hone fine driving skills, no matter the age of the driver. Continuous learning allows for continuous enhancement of skills and years of safer driving. In an accident situation, a driver must be prepared to react quickly and precisely to avoid a collision. When avoidance is impossible, safety belts and airbags will do their best to protect the inhabitants of the automobile. After an accident, it is sometimes necessary to employ legal representation, especially when an injury occurs. A personal injury attorney can be as invaluable after an accident as excellent driving skills are prior to one.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

Rollover Accidents in America

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:38:00 +0000

Millions of automobiles travel across American highways each and every day, and the numbers spike around holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. An increasing number of Americans have come to enjoy driving larger vehicles, even as gasoline prices seem to be driven higher and higher each week. The attraction to a large van or sport utility vehicle (SUV) is easy to see. SUVs and vans sit higher, allowing shorter (and all) drivers to have a better view of the road ahead. These larger vehicles allow drivers and passengers to carry large amounts of gear, groceries, etc., without the need to make second or third trips. The biggest reason many Americans are choosing SUVs is that their larger size allows drivers and passengers enjoy a sense of security that they will be better protected in an accident than in a sedan or economy-sized automobile. Are SUVs safer or does their height and weight actually make them more likely to be involved in an accident?

Fender benders are most definitely the most common automobile accident and in small accidents like these, a beefier bumper, a larger front, and a stronger braced exterior can be most helpful; SUVs and large vans win one here. Unfortunately however, the height and higher center of gravity exhibited by many of these SUVs make them very vulnerable to the most dangerous of all automobile accidents: the rollover. Over ten thousand Americans are killed each and every year as a result of rollover accidents. These often fatal accidents occur when a driver loses control of their vehicle, overcompensates, and then the inertia created by their forward momentum causes their vehicle to roll. As thick and beefy as an automobile might be on the underside, roofs are on the whole a very light and thin covering that is extremely vulnerable to puncture and collapse in a rollover accident. Researchers have developed mathematical equations to better predict the risk of particular vehicles to experience a rollover when an accident occurs. Mathematical calculations are helpful, but simulated, real-world driving situation testing allow for better predictions of what will happen to motorists in the event of an accident. It is the responsibility of automobile manufacturers to subject their latest models to test after test in order to better protect and inform consumers. If involved in a rollover accident, motorists will hopefully have taken the easiest step in order to better protect themselves by having their safety belts securely fastened. In a rollover situation, an unfastened belt can allow a passenger to be tossed around within the auto’s cabin or even worse, ejected from the automobile altogether. In the aftermath of an automobile accident, after health and safety is insured, it is inevitable that fault will be attributed to one or more parties involved. Whether liability lies with manufacturer or motorists, legal representation is always advantageous. Responsible motorists much see that they are protected before and after the accident.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

Most Common Auto Accident and Injury

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:33:00 +0000

Driving an automobile, motorcycle, or pickup truck, on the highways and byways of the United States can be precarious and daunting at times. Absent-minded and preoccupied drivers seem to be the norm currently with so many new technological advances (cell phones, PDAs), and millions of Americans lacking the willpower to wait until their vehicle is stopped moving to reply to that all-important text message or phone call. When eyes are not on the road or on steady moving traffic, more accidents inevitably occur. The most common automobile accident occurs when negligent drivers take their attention off of the vehicle immediately preceding them, if only for a second, and then make impact with another driver’s rear bumper. Rear-end collisions occur at the alarming rate of nearly 3 million in the U.S. each year, and though injuries that occur are most often minor, the pain can be extreme and debilitating to say the least.

As a driver, one can avoid causing a rear end collision by always making sure to keep a safe distance between your automobile and the one in front of you. This distance should be modified according to weather, speed, and current traffic conditions. In fair weather conditions and steady moving traffic situations, it is always good to maintain at least 3 seconds of distance between your car and a preceding auto. This ensures your ability to stop quickly when necessary, or swerve to avoid collision. Tailgating should of course be avoided; the closer you are to another driver seriously hampers your ability to react and stop safely. Observing the driver immediately preceding you is important, but it is also helpful to continuously scan a few more vehicles ahead in order to be well aware of situations that may occur. Approaching intersections should be of special consideration, as intersections are where many traffic accidents occur due to negligent or impatient driving practices.

To help avoid being injured when being struck from behind, it is always necessary to be sure that your lap and shoulder belt are securely fastened and snugly adjusted to limit movement. Neck injuries are often sustained by victims of a rear-end collision, so it is paramount to have your headrest at an optimum preventative position. The top of a driver’s headrest should be at the same level of his or her eyes in order to perform adequately in an accident. A headrest should move the accident victim’s head forward with the seat instead of allowing his or her neck to be thrown over the back of the headrest (when positioned too low).

By following these simple guidelines, a driver can feel protected and hopefully prevent causing a rear-end collision and being injured from another driver should one occur. As always, when injured in an accident, it may be necessary to seek a physician’s advice or aid. These costs can and should be compensated by the driver at fault. Make sure your rights are protected in an accident by contacting a personal injury attorney when necessary. Safe driving practices only provide protection before an accident; an attorney will help protect an injured driver after the accident occurs.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

When an Auto and a Semi Collide

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:14:00 +0000

Arterial highways throughout the mainland United States are home to the semi, the eighteen-wheeler, the big rig. They carry the goods and transport the necessities American families rely on, week to week and day to day. The deadlines most of these drivers are accustomed to meeting are strenuous, to say the least, and the skill necessary to captain these behemoths from state to state is extreme. Just think, a fully loaded commercial cab and trailer can weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds. The responsibility of piloting this much weight among automobiles of much smaller size is enormous; it takes a steady hand, a keen eye, and quick-acting reflexes. Many truckers need to make good time in order to receive the highest compensation for their efforts, and this pressure can make some drive when they might should be resting or sleeping.

Automobile drivers are and should feel wary sharing the road with these large commercial trucks. Weighing nearly 40 tons, these big rigs severely outweigh the average one to two ton family vehicles on the road. An accident involving a passenger vehicle and a semi truck is often severely injurious to those in the smaller vehicle and often fatal. In the United States alone, tractor-trailer and semi trucks were involved in 219,000 rollover accidents in 2004. These accidents proved fatal to nearly 4,000 Americans that year, and another 47,000 were seriously hurt and injured. The reality is that when one of these large vehicles makes impact with a passenger automobile, the result is always horrific; because of their immense size, big rigs drive over and through any and everything that gets in their way.

Trucking companies are responsible for their drivers. They must test them on a regular basis for drug and alcohol abuse and encourage their drivers to continuously hone their skills to help better ensure the public’s safety. Even with all their efforts however, large commercial fleet companies are still responsible for any injuries that occur because of their drivers’ errors. Because these errors have monumental results, trucking companies must carry large insurance policies and employ their own lawyers to protect their interests in the unavoidable eventuality that an accident occurs. With so many hours and so many miles on the highways, accidents are inevitable for even the best and most attentive of drivers. In the occasion of an accident, motorists must be prepared to protect themselves and their loved ones. Trucking companies have their lawyers fighting to protect themselves and their drivers, personal injury lawyers like Robles and Associates pride themselves on protecting the rights of injured motorists and will fight to ensure those harmed in accidents with these commercial vehicles receive the compensation they deserve.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

Accident Prevention for Motorcyclists

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:15:00 +0000

Motorcycling can be one of the most enjoyable ways to see the country, make commuting more efficient, and save money with rising gas prices. With straddling an engine and two wheels comes added joys and added risks; becoming aware and prepared for those risks can help save motorcyclists lives and keep the road safer and more enjoyable for all.

The most important piece of protective equipment for all motorcyclists is mental preparedness through education. Nearly all motorcycle only accidents (where only the motorcyclist is involved) are because of rider error. Every rider should be aware of his or her own abilities and not push these boundaries unless in a safe environment (a closed track or parking lot for practicing skills are fine examples). An excellent way of becoming more proficient in riding skills is by taking a rider education course. Some states require these classes in an effort to cut down on motorcycle accidents, and at the successful completion of a motorcycle education course, a motorcycle license is issued. Motorcycle safety courses provide a relaxed and safe atmosphere that promotes learning and allow riders opportunity to practice skills in order to become better prepared riders when they are ultimately afforded the privilege of solo riding on highways, freeways, and backroads.

One of the first lessons in all motorcycle safety courses cover the need to purchase specially made riding protective gear. A Department of Transportation approved helmet is a motorcyclist’s first line of defense, protecting his or her head in a collision. Research shows that a motorcycle helmet is essential in preventing brain injury and death in the event of an accident. Helmets that have been D.O.T. approved have successfully passed vigorous testing and are best prepared for keeping riders’ heads safe and protected. Helmets may also be subjected to further testing and become Snell approved as well. The Snell Memorial Foundation has been an independent tester and developer of helmets since 1957, with more rigorous guidelines that helmets must pass in order to become Snell certified. A motorcyclist’s body needs to be protected as well, and many specially designed suits are available in natural (leather) and synthetic materials. In the event of an accident, protective clothing can act as an extra skin that will take the shredding asphalt delivers instead of the motorcyclist’s own, allowing him or her to slide out of the way of traffic to safety.

Motorcyclists must always be aware of their surroundings and the risks involved with traveling amongst automobiles. Continuous evaluation of risk and prevention of controllable risks through knowledge and proper riding gear can help protect motorcyclists in traffic accident situations, helping to ensure there will be many more enjoyable miles and rides in the future. Even the most prepared and knowledgeable motorcyclist can be part of an unfortunate accident, and it is good to know that legal associates such as Austin’s Robles and Associates are available to help in the aftermath of a collision.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in personal injury law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com

Preventing Airbag Injury

noreply@blogger.com (Lloyd Robles) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:17:00 +0000

Driving is a privilege many Americans take for granted. Drivers also take for granted that their automobile is a safe and secure way to get themselves and their family members or other passengers from point A to point B. Today’s cars remind all who enter with flashing lights and often little bells, encouraging them to use their safety belts before putting the car into “drive”. Most later model automobiles have the added safety feature of airbag devices, allowing for cushions of air to deploy upon impact (side and front) in minor and major traffic accident situations. However, can the new addition of rapidly deployed airbags be more harmful than helpful in many auto accidents?

Research performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission (NHTSA) has shown that since 1990, more than 270 motorists and their passengers have been fatally injured due to airbag deployment in low-speed crash situations. Ninety percent of these deaths have been children who were improperly restrained or placed with their heads far too close to the airbag deployment source, causing fatal head trauma. Since most automobiles have airbags for the passengers in the front seats of the car, it is of dire importance that children do not ride up front. Research has shown that airbag deployment is extremely likely to cause injury to children riding in the front seat yet only 14 states currently have laws that prevent children from riding there. Kids in the back, adults up front!

Adult riders’ injuries and deaths are mostly due to rider error or neglect. In many of these cases, passengers and drivers have neglected to wear their lapbelts properly, feeling that airbags are enough to protect them in a serious accident. This could not be further from the truth. Airbags are designed to work in tandem with existing safety belts, not in an “either or” situation. Safety belts should always be secure and snug about the waist, an important measure in hampering forward movement in a crash situation. Airbags were introduced as an additional measure to help protect driver and passenger from harm due to impact of chest and or face to the dashboard or driving console. In order to allow airbags to do their job properly, drivers and passengers must be sure to be positioned out of the airbag deployment zone. Keeping at least 10 inches from the steering wheel or dashboard can help ensure that airbag deployment has less of a chance of causing eye or facial injury.

Airbags are certainly a welcome addition for motorists and passengers alike, providing valuable protection in harmful situations when proper safety guidelines are adhered to. In an accident situation, drivers must do all they can to ensure their passengers are protected. However safe or preventative a driver may be, other drivers might not be so cautious. Legal representatives like those at Robles Associates are able to help motorists seek help in the horrible eventuality of an auto accident. It is important to make sure drivers and passengers are protected before and after an accident; an excellent accident lawyer is necessary to help protect family safety in the aftermath of a collision.

Lloyd Robles heads Robles & Associates, an Austin, Texas based firm, specializing in car accident law. Please visit www.roblesassociates.com