Ford Recalls 1.5 Million Trucks for Transmission Fault

Recently, Ford Motor Company recalled nearly 1.5 million F-150 pickup trucks in North America. According to reports, there is a risk that the transmission could downshift into first gear without user input. This error could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash.

This recall affects F-150 models between 2011 and 2013. At least five vehicle accidents have been connected to the defective transmission.

Is My Vehicle Affected by a Recall?

If your vehicle is affected by a recall, your vehicle’s manufacturer will send you a notice with further instructions in the mail. They will use the mailing address on your vehicle registration, so it is important to keep it up to date.

You can easily check your vehicle for recalls or open investigations using your vehicle identification number (VIN). Your VIN will be 17 characters and can usually be found on the lower left of your vehicle’s windshield, your vehicle registration card or your vehicle insurance card.

After you have found your VIN, you can use it on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to check for recalls. You may also be able to enter your VIN on your automaker’s website to check for recalls. If you own a Ford F-150 and think you may be affected by the recall, enter your VIN on their website.

You can also sign up for e-mail alerts from NHTSA. If a recall is issued for your vehicle, you will receive an alert.

Need a Texas Product Liability Attorney?

If you have been injured due to a defective product, contact our Lufkin product liability lawyers today to discuss your situation. At Mike Love & Associates, LLC, our attorneys have years of experience defending victims of defective products against large corporations. Please call us at (936) 632-2000 for a free consultation! For future updates on vehicle recalls, follow our Facebook page!

Can I Sue After an Accident Involving Uber?

Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing services are widely available across Texas and the United States. In fact, Uber first came to Angelina County in late 2017. While these services are useful for getting around after a night of drinking, or if you don’t have your own car, they can also be dangerous. Uber has attracted criticism for hiring dangerous or unqualified drivers.

There are reports of recent accidents involving Uber drivers. The press has widely documented accidents involving this company and other ridesharing companies over the past several years.

If you or a loved one suffers harm as an Uber passenger, then your ability to recover compensation for your injuries will depend on the circumstances. Liability can be tricky with ridesharing companies because of the way they classify their drivers. Drivers are classified as independent contractors, not employees.

Uber has a primary insurance policy with James River Insurance Company, but it only applies under certain circumstances. For this policy to be active, the Uber driver has to be available and transporting passengers at the time of the accident. The policy is also active in cases involving an uninsured driver. Coverage may also extend to third parties, such as cyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists, under certain circumstances.

Uber drivers may also have coverage options if they are carrying passengers at the time of the accident. The driver may receive some coverage if he or she has the Uber app set to accept passengers, but is not carrying passengers at the time of the accident.

Injured passengers and drivers may also file a claim against the motorist responsible for the accident. In some cases, an at-fault driver may be an employee, meaning the employer could also be liable for damages.

Contact our Texas Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation.

As you can see, car accident compensation is not always easy to understand. This is especially true in cases that involve ridesharing companies. We have a page on our website that discusses why car accident compensation can be challenging to determine. This is why most accident victims will run into problems trying to handle insurance companies on their own.

Fortunately, the Texas car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC have extensive experience handling auto accident cases. We also have resources on our website to help you avoid mistakes with insurance companies after an accident. You can reach us for a free consultation by calling (936) 632-2000 or by using our online case review form.

Is It Time for Hyundai and Kia to Issue a Recall?

The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is urging Kia and Hyundai to issue recalls for vehicles that may pose an increased risk of fire. CAS is the nonprofit group credited with pushing for a recall of Firestone tires almost 20 years ago. Now, the organization is calling on Hyundai and Kia to issue a recall before people are hurt —or worse, killed — by an issue that could be affecting engines in certain vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reportedly received more than 350 complaints involving the alleged defect. According to consumers affected by the issue, their vehicles caught fire without being involved in a collision.

Complaints involve the following Hyundai and Kia vehicles:

• 2011-2014 model-year Kia Optima

• 2011-2014 model-year Kia Sorento

• 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata

• 2011-2014 Hyundai Santa Fe

• 2010-2015 Kia Soul

According to a lawsuit filed against the automakers, the issue may be caused by a defect that restricts the flow of oil to engine parts. The lawsuit claims that as a result of the blockage, the engines in these vehicles may eventually catch fire.

Understanding Product Liability Claims for Defective Auto Parts

Victims of defective auto parts may be able to file product liability claims against vehicle manufacturers. Claims may be filed for design or manufacturing defects. Compensation from an auto defect claim can be immeasurably helpful for accident victims and their family members. For instance, compensation from an injury or wrongful death claim can help survivors pay for expenses associated with an injury or loss (medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, and more).

We have written about auto defects extensively on our blog. To learn more about auto defect cases and compensation for injuries caused by auto defects, we encourage you to continue reading our website. You can schedule a free consultation with one of our Texas auto defect lawyers by calling (936) 632-2000 or by using our online case review form.

Understand Drunk Driving Liability Before the Holidays Begin

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. With major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve approaching, work parties and celebrations with friends and family are common. Unfortunately, drunk driving is also a prevalent safety concern around the holidays.

Who Is Responsible for a Texas Drunk Driving Accident?

A drunk driver could face criminal charges for impaired driving and causing injuries to someone else, but that would not recover compensation for the victim. The victim of the accident could have a viable claim to recover compensation if he or she can prove that the drunk driver caused their injuries and damages. Texas also has dram shop laws that hold businesses liable for accidents caused by intoxicated customers. For example, if a person who has been drinking at a restaurant for their work holiday party drives home and gets into an accident with another vehicle, then the restaurant that provided the alcohol could share responsibility for the car accident. Not only could the other driver potentially have a claim against the drunk driver, but they could also have a claim against the restaurant. A business could be held liable for a drunk driving accident caused by a customer if:

• The customer was a minor under 18.

• The customer was visibly intoxicated enough to be a danger to himself or other people.

• The customer’s intoxication was an immediate cause of the accident.

Need a Lufkin Car Accident Lawyer?

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, contact the car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. An experienced car accident attorney could help you determine fault after a car crash by using tangible evidence and advise you about your best legal options. Call our office at (936) 632-2000 today to discuss your situation.

Three Common Soft Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident

A soft tissue injury is any injury that affects your body’s soft tissues. Soft tissues include muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Three common soft tissue injuries that could be sustained in a car accident include:

Injury #1: Whiplash. Whiplash occurs when a sudden force, like a car collision, causes the head and neck to jerk backward or forward. It affects the neck and back, but it could also cause a head concussion. Effects could include pain and stiffness, nerve damage, headaches, and cognitive issues.

Injury #2: Contusions. A contusion is a bruise that occurs from blunt force or impact. It affects the underlying muscle and tissue. Contusions can cause inflammation, swelling, and mobility issues. Depending on the severity of the accident and without medical attention, contusions could cause permanent damage to the body’s soft tissue.

Injury #3: Herniated Disc Injuries. Some accident survivors experience back pain. The back is full of soft tissue that is especially vulnerable in the event of a collision. Herniated disc injuries could occur when force is placed on the back and moves a spinal disc out of place. The spinal disc could put pressure on surrounding nerve tissue, causing sharp pain in the back and other limbs.

Should I Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident?

Yes. First, soft-tissue injuries are not visible. Soft tissue injuries can have delayed symptoms for up to a few days, making it challenging to identify the source of your pain. Unlike a broken bone, soft tissue injuries cannot be seen using X-rays. Since soft-tissue injuries are not visible like other car accident injuries, speaking with a doctor is even more critical when you want to file a claim with your insurance company or against another driver. Proof that you have received medical attention is essential because insurance companies use medical history to assess the validity of your injury. You should continue seeking medical attention if your injury symptoms persist.

Need a Lufkin Car Accident Attorney?

If you have been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver or entity, contact the car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC. We advocate for victims of car accidents in Lufkin and the surrounding East Texas areas. You could have a viable case to recover compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (936) 632-2000 to discuss your situation.