Fort Worth Legal Blog

Three people -- including two minors -- were killed and another child was seriously injured in a recent head-on collision. According to authorities, the adult victim was an employee of Texas Child Protective Services who was transporting three siblings. Deaths from unexpected auto accidents such as this are understandably devastating for surviving family members, and many choose to turn to wrongful death claims to address the wide of range of damages they must deal with.

At the time of the wreck, the CPS worker was traveling with a 12-year-old girl and her 14 and 10-year-old brothers. While northbound in a no-passing zone, their vehicle was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Police say the other driver was trying to pass another southbound vehicle despite the presence of the double yellow line.

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, many people in Tarrant County, Johnson County and other areas in Texas will have to manage their schedules carefully to accommodate all the social activities typical at this time of the year. Along with company parties, you might join social gatherings after work and plan get-togethers with family and friends on the weekends. The time leading up to Thanksgiving and all the way through to New Year's celebrations will abound with opportunities to consume alcohol.

Unfortunately, even if you arrange for a designated driver every time to avoid drunk driving, there will always be others who will make sure that alcohol causes the season's good cheer to turn into sadness. Highway safety data indicates an alarming increase in not only DUI arrests but also alcohol-related crashes during these weeks. Sadly, many of these accidents result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

You already know that workers' compensation can help you facilitate your recovery after a workplace accident, but what about when finances still fall short? Under Texas law, employers are not even necessarily required to take part in the state workers' comp system, so you need to understand your options. For instance, civil suits and third-party claims may help you get the compensation you need for your work injuries. 

Employers do not necessarily have a huge incentive to participate in Texas' workers' comp system, leaving you without a financial safety net after an injury. In most cases, bringing a lawsuit against your employer is necessary. Although it may feel uncomfortable to file a suit against a current or even former boss, failing to do so could leave your finances in a wreck and keep you from seeking the medical care you need. 

You may have experienced a time or two while driving in Texas where a tone rings out from your cell phone, letting you know that someone has just texted you. It can be quite tempting to log in, just to see who it was, but doing so is not only illegal in most states, it also places you and all others nearby at great risk for collision.

As a licensed driver, you're responsible for knowing what the laws are and obligated to adhere to all traffic and safety regulations in Texas and any other state you travel through. The bottom line is that there is no safe way to use a hand-held electronic device while driving. It is one of the most common causes of fatal car accidents. If a texting driver causes you injury, you have recourse through the legal system.