What Are Common Mistakes People Make After a Car Accident?

Car accidents can cause severe emotional and financial disruption to your life or the lives of loved ones. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes after a car accident that can worsen their situation. Our blog will help you identify some common mistakes. Some of the most common car accident mistakes include:

1. Not understanding your auto insurance policy. The first common mistake occurs before an accident. Nonetheless, it is a mistake that must be covered. You should understand who and what is covered on your auto insurance policy. Do you have PIP and UM/UIM coverage? These are essential factors to determine before you are ever involved in an accident.

2. Failing to seek medical attention. We recently published a blog that discussed delayed injuries after a wreck. Some life-threatening or disabling injuries may not show symptoms right away. You should seek medical attention after an accident to protect your health, but also to establish a record of any injuries you or other passengers sustained.

3. Talking about your case. You should avoid discussing your case on social media or with insurance adjusters working for the other parties involved in the wreck. In fact, you may seriously limit your options for compensation if you make this mistake.

4. Not taking photographs or collecting other evidence. We understand that there are cases where you will be unable to take photos of an accident scene. If you are able and it is safe to do so, photographs could help your case. You could also help your case by writing down the names and contact information of any witnesses.

5. Settling right away. Taking the first settlement offer can be a significant mistake. Remember, insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. They are in this business to make a profit, not to ensure that you are well compensated.

6. Admitting fault. Saying “I’m sorry” after an accident could cost you in the long run. Admitting fault after a car accident could jeopardize your ability to recover adequate compensation.

7. Failing to retain an attorney. It is very easy to make mistakes while seeking compensation from a car accident claim. An attorney could recognize these mistakes and help protect your ability to recover compensation for your injuries or loss.

Call Our Texas Car Accident Lawyers with Questions About Insurance

The Texas car accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC want to protect your rights. If you have questions about your insurance policy or what to do after an accident, then we are here to help. It costs nothing to speak with one of our attorneys.

What Are Common Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents?

Warm weather has finally arrived. During this time of year, many of us in Angelina County will take time to enjoy public swimming pools or recreation centers. However, there are common dangers in public swimming pools that can lead to serious accidents. We want you to be aware of these dangers so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Be mindful of swimming pool accident risks that include:

1. Slip and fall hazards. Swimming pools may be surrounded by wet surfaces that can easily cause a slip-and-fall accident. In addition, poorly maintained ladders or diving boards can cause accidents. Slip and fall accidents may lead to broken bones, spinal cord injuries or brain injuries.

2. Lack of supervision. Lifeguards play a crucial role in preventing and responding to swimming pool accidents. If lifeguards lack proper training or are distracted, it could put swimmers at serious risk of injury or death.

3. Electrocution. Broken lights or plugged-in electronics near a swimming pool can create an electrocution hazard. Proper maintenance on lights and strict rules on electronics may prevent these types of accidents.

4. Lack of entrapment devices. Federal law requires drains to use entrapment devices to prevent hair or clothing from becoming stuck. Swimming pools without these devices pose a drowning risk.

5. Lack of signage. Public pools should include signs warning of specific hazards, such as diving. Diving into shallow water could lead to death or a spinal cord injury.

6. Poor security. Public pools should contain working doors and gates that can prevent unauthorized access.

Who is Liable for a Swimming Pool Accident?

The consequences of a swimming pool accident can be devastating. Drowning, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and disembowelment are all possible outcomes of a swimming pool accident. Owners of public pools may be liable for injuries or deaths. Manufacturers of pool equipment or maintenance companies may also be responsible. This is also something to keep in mind. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to recover compensation for an injury or loss. You can speak to a Texas premises liability attorney at Mike Love & Associates, LLC if you have questions about what to do after a swimming pool accident.

Six Types of Truck Accidents That Occur in Texas

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) statistics show that truck accidents cause more than 3,000 deaths on US roads each year. Various types of truck accidents are responsible for deaths and injuries. This is true for truck accidents in Texas and across the US. Possible causes of truck accidents include:

1. Underride accidents: Underride accidents occur when smaller passenger vehicles are forced beneath the rear or sides of tractor-trailers. Vehicles can be sheared in half and their occupants may be decapitated.

2. Rollover accidents: Trucks can tip over and slam into other vehicles. Rollover accidents involving commercial trucks can occur for several reasons. For instance, cargo shifts can cause a truck to roll over while making a sharp turn. Taking sharp turns at high speeds could also cause this type of accident. Rollover accidents may happen during severe weather or when trucks slam into other objects.

3. Jackknifing accidents: These accidents may occur when truckers hit the brakes and their trailers shift outwards into an “L” or “V” shape. Slippery road conditions may cause jackknifing accidents.

4. Lost-load accidents: Motorists could be struck by objects while following trucks. There are a couple of reasons why lost load accidents can happen. One reason is that cargo may not be properly tied down. However, poor maintenance practices could also cause a lost load accident. Equipment from a truck could come loose and hit other drivers.

5. Tire blowouts: Poor maintenance practices or debris on the road can cause truck tires to blow out. Truckers may lose control and crash into other vehicles.

6. Head-on collisions: Truck drivers can slam head-on into smaller vehicles. The results are almost always devastating. Drowsy driving can cause this type of accident. Truckers may crash into other cars if they are impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Questions About Truck Accidents? Call Our Texas Truck Accident Lawyers

You should speak to an attorney right away if you or a loved one were harmed in one of the types of accidents described above. In some cases, truck accidents are caused by the negligent actions of commercial drivers, their employers, or auto parts manufacturers. You could speak with one of the Texas truck accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates LLC to determine whether you would be able to pursue compensation against one or more of these parties.

Should There Be a U.S. Ford Explorer Recall?

Do you own a Ford Explorer that was manufactured between 2011 and 2017? You should continue reading this blog. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received almost 1,400 reports of these vehicles leaking exhaust fumes into passenger cabins. Complaints suggest that vehicle owners are being exposed to carbon monoxide. There are also reports of crashes and injuries caused by this possible defect.NHTSA is investigating Ford Explorers affected by the issue, and a recall may be issued.

The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) has called on Ford to recall these vehicles before anyone is killed. Vehicle owners have reported experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning while driving. Symptoms reported by vehicle owners include drowsiness, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. CAS said it has received reports of children suffering these symptoms and requiring emergency treatment.

In one case, a 70-year-old Explorer owner said he had to pull over and call an ambulance after becoming deathly ill while driving. In another incident, a Lafayette, Louisiana, family became very sick while making a trip to Dallas in their 2015 Ford Explorer. Complaints about the issue began with police utility vehicles, which are a modified version of the Ford Explorer. Police officers have reported crashing or almost crashing their cars due to symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Last year, seven officers with the Austin Police Department (APD) were reportedly exposed to carbon monoxide while using these vehicles. One APD officer became drowsy while driving and almost crashed into a bus. Another filed a lawsuit after suffering possible nerve damage due to carbon monoxide exposure.

What Do You Think About Ford Explorer Carbon Monoxide Leaks?

Ford claims its vehicles are safe. However, the recent increase in near-misses or accidents involving these vehicles suggests they may contain a deadly safety defect. Will Ford issue a recall before it’s too late? If you have read our prior blogs on auto recalls, then you may already realize that auto manufacturers sometimes conceal dangerous defects. If you have been injured due to a defective product, contact Mike Love & Associates, LLC today. We can help!

Most Notorious Auto Defects, Part 2: GM’s Ignition Switch

There have been many auto defect scandals over the past few decades. We published a prior blog on our website that discusses how the Ford Pinto severely damaged the reputation of one of the world’s largest automakers. The Ford Pinto is only the tip of the iceberg. Other automakers have also knowingly released dangerous products onto the market. General Motors (GM) released faulty ignition switches that are thought to be responsible for 124 deaths and 274 injuries. Ignition switches in these vehicles could be inadvertently moved to the accessory position in many cases while people were driving.

Several outcomes would be possible if you were driving a GM vehicle when this happened. Your vehicle’s engine and power steering would lose power. The airbags and anti-lock braking system would also be rendered useless. You would have little control over your vehicle if you were travelling at high speeds. The airbags in your vehicle would not deploy if you were involved in a collision. Many of the people injured or killed by GM’s ignition switch likely experienced similar scenarios. During the early morning hours of July 29, 2005, then 16-year-old Amber Marie Rose was headed home from a party when she lost control of her vehicle and slammed into a tree. Investigators initially determined that alcohol and speeding were factors in the crash. However, it was also discovered that the 2005 Chevy Cobalt’s airbags never deployed. A private investigator hired by Amber’s family found that the ignition switch had moved into the accessory position.

Why Do Automakers Conceal Dangerous Defects?

There are similarities between the Ford Pinto and GM ignition switch recalls. Ford and GM knew their products would pose a danger to consumers. In fact, GM first discovered problems with its ignition switch while it was testing the Saturn Ion in 2001. Additional ignition-switch issues were reported in 2003 and 2004. By 2005, GM declined to fix the problem due to concerns over costs. GM warned dealerships about the defect, but did not issue a recall until almost ten years later. Automakers feel compelled to cut costs and to protect the reputation of their products. Unfortunately, they pursue these goals at the expense of public safety. If a defective automobile or auto product injured you, then you should speak with one of the auto defect attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC. Automakers are not necessarily absolved of liability for issuing recalls. Our attorneys could help you determine legal options for seeking justice against the parties who have caused you harm.