Hazardous Cargo an Added Danger in Dallas Truck Accidents

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Texas Tractor-Trailer Accidents

A Dallas trucking accident closed the Dallas North Tollway and the Dallas Parkway frontage roads Sunday morning after a crash involving a propane tanker and an SUV, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Dallas personal injury lawyers understand the danger large trucks pose to other motorists on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 380,000 accidents occur each year involving large trucks. Nearly 5,000 motorists are killed and 90,000 more are injured.
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Three of every four fatality victims are occupants of other vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians. A total of 421 fatal Texas tractor-trailer accidents were reported in 2008 — more than anywhere else in the nation. California (304) was the only other state to report more than 300 fatal trucking crashes.

The dangers are always exacerbated when a truck is hauling hazardous cargo. Frisco Fire HAZMAT responded along with two engines, one truck and an ambulance. The truck was hauling about 1,500 gallons of liquid propane at the time of the crash. The tanker was too badly damaged to safely transfer the propane to another truck.

Emergency crews were forced to release the propane into the air. The fire department assisted by using a vehicle with large mounted fans to try to disperse the explosive chemicals as safely as possible.

Cause of the crash remains under investigation. The SUV driver was not hurt. The trucker was transported to the hospital for treatment.

If you or a family member is hurt in a Texas trucking accident, contact Dallas Injury Attorney Mike Goolsby for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 394-2141. Serving Dallas, Carrollton and the surrounding areas.

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Congestion a Leading Cause of Dallas Car Accidents

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Car Accidents

It could be worse.

That’s the message when it comes to congestion and its impact on the risk of Dallas car accidents, according to the Urban Mobility Report issued by the Texas Transportation Institute. 
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Dallas personal injury lawyers understand congestion brings with it an increased risk of serious and fatal accidents. Aggressive driving, road rage, distracted driving, and even speeding can all be byproducts of the frustration wrought by congested roads.

The Dallas Observer reports we fared better in this year’s report than we did in 2007. Still, Dallas-Fort-Worth-Arlington commuters wasted an average of 48 hours behind the wheel in 2009, compared to 58 hours before the economic downturn.

It was still bad enough to rate Dallas seventh on the list of 439 most-congested urban areas. Cities worse off than we are included Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Houston.

Dallas commuters also wasted an average of 38 gallons of fuel.

Highlights of this year’s report include:

-The cost of congestion in 2009 was estimated at $115 billion, compared to $24 billion in 1982 even after adjustments for inflation.

-As a nation, we wasted nearly 4 billion gallons of fuel, or about 130 days of flow through the Alaskan Pipeline.

-Cost to the average commuter was $808.

Average annual delay was 34 hours, compared to 14 hours in 1982.

If you or a family member is injured in a car accident, contact Dallas Injury Attorney Mike Goolsby for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 394-2141. Serving Dallas, Carrollton and the surrounding areas.

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Texas Companies Face Safety Violations for Work Accidents Involving Electricity, Falls

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Dallas workers' compensation lawyer, Work Accidents

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration has cited several Texas employers for safety violations that put employees at increased risk of a Texas work accident.

A Texas workers’ compensation lawyer in Dallas should always be consulted when an employee is seriously injured on the job. Failure to properly comply with the law, or failure to properly assert your rights, can have a devastating impact on your future ability to collect damages. Consulting a Dallas work accident attorney is your best option when it comes to fighting for the rights of your family and your current and future financial well-being.
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On Jan. 27, a pipe supply company in Abilene was hit with $45,600 in proposed fines for exposing employees to electrical deficiencies and possible leaks that could have led to a fire or explosion.

“This company exposed its employees to preventable workplace hazards,” said Jack Rector, OSHA’s area director in El Paso, Texas. “Employers must provide a safe and healthful working environment for their employees.”

On Jan. 25, an El Paso company that manufacturers spray foam was cited for failing to provide fall protection after the government investigated a fatal accident. The employee fell 30 feet through a roof.

“Falls are one of the most common and well-known hazards at a work site, and can injure or kill a worker in a matter of seconds,” said Rector. “OSHA is dedicated to providing a safe and healthful workplace. All three incidents could have been avoided had the employees been provided with fall protection and training.”

In a third incident, an El Paso plastering company was cited for exposing workers to fall hazards and issued proposed fines totaling almost $100,000. The same company was fined $106,000 for exposing employees to fall hazards in 2009.

“Falls can injure or kill a worker within seconds,” Rector said. “It is fortunate in this case that there were no injuries or fatalities.”

If you have been injured on the job, contact Dallas Workers’ Compensation Attorney Mike Goolsby for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 394-2141. Serving Dallas, Carrollton and the surrounding areas.

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Dallas Pedestrian Accidents a Common Danger as Fatal Accidents on Rise Nationwide

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Car Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents

Fatal pedestrian accidents are on the rise again after several years of declines, despite the continued decline in the overall number of traffic fatalities being attributed in part to the economic downturn, the Governor’s Highway Safety Association.

While Texas reported the largest decline during the first six months of 2010 — with 42 fewer pedestrian fatalities than during the first half of 2009 — it’s still a statistic that concerns Dallas personal injury lawyers; Texas reports more fatal pedestrian accidents each year than almost anywhere else in the nation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a total of 416 fatal Texas pedestrian accidents in 2008 — only California (620) and Florida (490) reported more.

The Governors Highway Safety Association reports California, Florida, Texas and New York account for 41 percent of the nation’s pedestrian accident fatalities. By comparison, the 25 states with the fewest pedestrian accidents accounted for just 12 percent of the nation’s pedestrian fatalities.

Texas reported 344 fatal pedestrian accidents in 2009 — 166 of those during the first six months. A total of 124 fatal pedestrian accidents were reported during the first half of 2010.

Nationwide, 7 more fatalities were reported in the first half of 2010 than during the same period of 2009. Safety advocates say it is statistically significant because the overall number of fatal traffic accidents has continued to decline.

“Nationally, pedestrian fatalities account for about 12 percent of overall traffic deaths, a small but significant portion,” said GHSA Chairman Vernon Betkey Jr. “Given that we have made so much progress in this area, GHSA is concerned to see this reversal. One factor may be the increased distractions for both pedestrians and drivers.”

If you or a family member is hurt in a Dallas pedestrian accident, contact Dallas Injury Attorney Mike Goolsby for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 394-2141. Serving Dallas, Carrollton and the surrounding areas.

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Program aims to get teens to wear seat belts, reduce risk of serious injuries in Dallas car accidents

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Car Accidents, Injuries to Children, Teen Drivers

Fox 14 News reports that the Texas Department of Transportation will expand its “Teen Click It or Ticket” campaign statewide after a five-county pilot program showed an increase in teen seat-belt use.

Our Carrollton personal injury lawyers know about the accident risks faced by teenagers. TheNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 20. In addition to not buckling up, teens are prone to a host of other poor driving decisions, including speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving and riding with too many passengers in the car.
 Since launching the program in May 2009, authorities have seen an increase of nearly 10 percent in teen seat-belt use in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Hidalgo and Tarrant counties. Teens and front-seat passenger buckled up nearly 5 percent more frequently in the five control cities used for comparison.

“We’re delighted to say that the teens in our pilot program heard our message and took it to heart. More young drivers and their passengers are buckling up. By expanding this program statewide, we hope teens throughout Texas will always wear their seat belts whenever they’re in a vehicle,” said Carol T. Rawson, of TxDOT. “Teens need to remember that buckling up can not only save their own lives, but also the lives of the people they love. That’s why we’re reminding them that wearing a seat belt is so necessary. Every rider. Every ride.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that 650 motorists were killed in Texas car accidents involving teenagers in 2008. More than half of teen drivers and passengers killed in accidents are not wearing seat belts.

Almost two-thirds of victims are male. TxDOT is touring a wrecked truck to cities throughout the state in an effort to warn teens about the dangers. The two teens who survived a wreck in the truck were both wearing seat belts.

“This is a very graphic and visual display of a terrible wreck-it’s hard to imagine that the two teens actually walked away from it,” Rawson said. “Both of them credit seat belts as the only reason they’re alive today.”

High schools that participate in the program will receive parking lot banners, decals, posters and lawn signs. The campaign also features a website, www.seatbeltsrock.com, where teens can sign up to win one of four iPads.

Since September 2009, Texas’ seat-belt law has required all passengers to buckle up — event those riding in the back seat. However, the federal government estimates kids ages 5 to 16 wear seat belts in the back seat less than one-third of the time.

“While we are proud of the pilot campaign results, our work is not over until all Texas teens get the message that buckling up-in the front and the back seat– will save their life,” said Tracie Mendez, Driver Behavior Program Manager at TxDOT. “We need to keep up the steady drumbeat reminder throughout the state.”

If you or a family member is hurt in a Dallas car accident, contact Dallas Injury Attorney Mike Goolsby for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 394-2141. Serving Dallas, Carrollton and the surrounding areas.

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Contest promotes teen-safe driving to reduce car accidents in Dallas, elsewhere

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Car Accidents, Injuries to Children, Teen Drivers

An anti-distracted driving campaign is encouraging teenagers to submit a radio public service announcement in an effort to reduce the risk of teen car accidents in Dallas and elsewhere.

As we reported on our Dallas Injury Lawyer Blog earlier this week, the state is also promoting an initiative to encourage teenagers to buckle up. A Carrollton personal injury lawyer understands both issues, along with speeding and drunk driving, are primary risk factors for serious and fatal car accidents involving teenagers.

The Business Journals reports the National Road Safety Foundation and the National Student Safety Program are sponsoring “JST DRV” a radio PAS contest aim at the risk of distracted driving among teenagers.

“The JST DRV Radio PSA Contest hopes to engage young people in communicating important messages about distracted driving in their own voice,” said Michelle Anderson, operations director of the National Road Safety Foundation. Teens ages 14 to 18 are invited to submit entries in 15- or 30-second lengths. Deadline is March 25.

Three runners-up will each receive a $500 scholarship and a Bluetooth device. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, a Bluetooth device and a trip to the youth safety conference this summer in Honolulu.

Those interested in more information can visit www.nrsf.org or www.adtsea.org/nssp.

“A quarter of all teens admit to texting behind the wheel and, in 2009, the highest proportion of distracted drivers in fatal crashes was under the age of 20,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We know we have to engage teens in order to put an end to distracted driving. With their help, we can educate teens and adults about making smarter choices that will save lives.”

If you or a family member is hurt in a Dallas car accident, contact Dallas Injury Attorney Mike Goolsby for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 394-2141. Serving Dallas, Carrollton and the surrounding areas.

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Teens not only victims in Dallas car accidents involving young drivers

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Car Accidents, Injuries to Children, Teen Drivers

Our conversation this week on the risk of teenage car accidents in Carrollton and the surrounding area would not be complete without a discussion of the true victims of such crashes: The passengers in a teen driver’s vehicle and other innocent motorists on the road.

Dallas personal injury lawyers are all too often called to assist a client in the wake of a serious or fatal car accident involving a young driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationreports 650 people were killed in Texas car accidents involving teenagers in 2008 — making Texas the deadliest state in the nation for traffic crashes involving young drivers.
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Of the fatality victims, about one-third (276) were teen drivers. Another 153 victims were passengers in a teen’s vehicle. Victims in other vehicles resulted in 163 deaths. Non-occupants, typically bicyclists or pedestrians, accounted for 58 of the deaths resulting from teen car accidents.

Nationwide, the Health News Digest reports more than 681,000 people are involved in car accidents with teens each year, resulting in more than 40,000 serious injuries. In about one-third of those cases, a fatality victim is not in a car driven by a teenager.

“When most people think about those affected by teen driver crashes, they think of the teens behind the wheel. We must also consider the significant impact of these crashes on other members of our communities: occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road-users,” says Dennis Durbin, a co-author of the report. “Whether or not we have a teen driver in our family, we should all care about this issue. This report provides a concrete way to measure the effectiveness of laws, education, and other programs in reducing teen crashes and their impact on communities.”

Researchers focus on four main contributing behaviors when it comes to teen car accidents: distracted driving, seat-belt use, speeding and alcohol use.

“Reducing speeding and alcohol use, increasing seat belt use, and eliminating distractions for teen drivers are the four calls-to-action we see in this report that would have great impact on reducing injuries and fatalities for all road users,” says Dr. Durbin, who is also an emergency physician. “More than half of teens who were fatally injured in crashes were speeding, 40 percent had a positive blood alcohol level, more than half were not wearing seat belts, and 16 percent of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving.”

The report found car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. Those ages 16 to 19 are four-times more likely to be in a fatal crash than an adult driver.

It was the inaugural report released by State Farm Insurance and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

If you or a family member is hurt in a car accident in Carrollton or the surrounding area, contact Dallas Injury Attorney Mike Goolsby for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 394-2141. Serving Dallas, Carrollton and the surrounding areas.

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Winter weather increases risk of Dallas car accidents

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Car Accidents

It is shaping up to be a winter for the record books in Texas and Dallas has not escaped the cold, snow and ice. Car accidents in Dallas and the surrounding area have been blamed on snow and ice. Officials are urging motorists to use caution in inclement weather, and to be aware of the possibility of ice on bridges and overpasses, especially during your morning commute.

Dallas personal injury lawyers do not handle as many winter car accident claims as our fellow attorneys do in, say, Buffalo or Maine. But the lack of consistently poor weather through the winter months can actually increase the risk of an accident during winter storms.

During Super Bowl week, the Texas Department of Transportation brought personnel from the Amarillo, Brownwood and Atlanta districts to assist in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

“TxDOT’s first priority is always safety. Icy roadway conditions are certainly frustrating to motorists, but know that TxDOT employees are out in force, working to improve conditions for travel,” said Amadeo Saenz, TxDOT executive director. “Our employees take pride in their efforts to provide a safe transportation system throughout the state, even if that means time away from family and loved ones as they respond to poor conditions in other areas of the state.”

Motorists are encouraged to avoid travel whenever possible in icy conditions. Those who must travel can check conditions at www.txdot.gov. Information about road conditions is also available by calling the Travel Information Line at 1-800-452-9292.

Dallas winter driving tips include:

-Remove snow and ice from your vehicle. Make sure headlights and taillights are visible and functioning properly.

-Accelerate slowly.

-Allow more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

-Brake slowly and gently.

-Don’t drive faster than conditions allow.

-Use caution around bridges, overpasses and shaded areas.

-Use non-freezing windshield fluid.

-Use snow tires or chains when necessary.

-Stranded motorists can call 800-525-5555.

If you or a family member is hurt in a Dallas car accident, contact Dallas Injury Attorney Mike Goolsby for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 394-2141. Serving Dallas, Carrollton and the surrounding areas.

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Dallas car accidents a danger — but rural Texas crashes top the charts

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Car Accidents

In 2008, Texas led the nation in rural fatal motor vehicle accidents with 1,745. We didn’t fare much better in urban crashes with 1,552 but managed to stay safer than California (2,110) and Florida (1,750).

The Federal Highway Administration indicates that about 40% of miles traveled occur on rural roadways but country accidents account for about 57% of the fatalities.
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Our Dallas car accident lawyers know that there are more crashes occurring in urban areas, but fewer of them result in fatal injuries.

In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms that more people are killed on lonely country roads than on congested urban roadways. Of the
37,261 traffic deaths 56% occurred on rural roads, interestingly only 23% of the population lives in rural areas.

Fatalities are decreasing in rural areas; from 1998 to 2008 they were down 17%, urban areas saw a 1% decline.

Rural versus Urban crash facts from NHTSA:

-Fatalities pre 100 million miles traveled: 2.11 rural, 0.81 urban.

-Fatal crash was speed related: 33% rural, 30% urban.

-Fatal crashes during the day: 52% rural, 43% urban.

-Fatal crashes at night: 47% rural, 57% urban.

-Alcohol related fatal crashes: 57% rural, 43% urban.

-Fatal rollover crashes: 41% rural, 27% urban.

-Drivers who died at the scene: 64% rural, 51% urban.

-Drivers who died en route to the hospital: 52% rural, 48% urban.

-Unrestrained fatalities: 56% rural, 52%urban.

Interestingly, of all urban fatal crashes, 69% occurred on roadways where the posted speed limit was 50 mph or less; 66% of all rural crashes occurred when the posted speed limit was 55 mph or higher.

In the past 10 years rural areas saw a 15% decline in alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities, urban areas showed a 6% increase. Nationally there was a 6% decrease in alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities.

If you or someone you know is injured in a Dallas car accident contact Carrollton Personal Injury Attorney Mike Goolsby for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call (972) 394-2141. (Serving Dallas, Carrollton and the surrounding areas)

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Intersections a deadly hot-spot for fatal Dallas car crashes

by admin on December 15, 2011

in Car Accidents

Intersections are frequently a deadly site for Carrollton car accidents and traffic crashes elsewhere in the Dallas area.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration considers intersections one of the most complex traffic situations a driver can face. In 2009, over 7,000 traffic fatalities occurred at intersections or intersection related incidents in this country. Over the last 25 years, fatalities from intersection crashes have not substantially decreased despite improved designs.
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Our Dallas personal injury attorneys agree that it’s a growing concern and organizations should pool money devoted to resources to reduce the risk of intersection deaths in the country.

Organizations like FHWA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), AAA, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Engineers (ITE) are doing just that.

In 2009, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System used by NHTSA reported over 4,500 fatal crashes at intersections with traffic control devices such as traffic signals or stop signs. Texas reported over 300 fatal crashes in intersections with a traffic control device.

From 2005-2009, Texas reported a minimum of 574 fatalities each year involving an intersection or intersection related crash, according to the NHTSA.

Dallas County averaged a little over 47 fatalities in intersections during this same time period. A record-high 57 people lost their lives in such accidents in 2007.

Motorists are reminded of the following safety tips when approaching or sitting at an intersection:

-Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn. They have the right of way.

-Contrary to popular belief, yellow lights mean slow down or stop as opposed to speed up and go through. Only proceed through yellow lights if it is unsafe to stop.

-Triple check for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycles before going through an intersection.

-Allow plenty of space between you and the car in front of you in case you need to stop quickly to avoid an accident.

-Never assume what the driver in front of you will do – prepare to stop no matter what.

Many cities are implementing the use of red-light cameras at intersections to help nab violators of the traffic signal. For detailed information about the red light camera safety program in Dallas visitDallas City Hall.

Motorists are reminded to drive with caution through intersections in order to avoid a serious or fatal Dallas car accident.

The Goolsby Law Firm understands that car accidents can be distressing to victims both physically and financially. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Dallas or Carrollton car accident, call 1-972-394-2141 to make an appointment for a free consultation to discuss your rights.

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