Mike Love & Associates Sponsor Alzheimer's Walk to Remember

More than 5 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer's Disease and there are more than 16 million caregivers helping them every day.  Several of the staff members of our firm have relatives fighting this horrible disease and wanted to form a team.Mike Love and Associates was the presenting sponsor for a movie night in downtown Lufkin, by renting the historic Pines Theatre and showing the movie Steel Magnolia's.  The evening including a selfie booth and opportunities to donate included a raffle, and a wine pull.  The event was well attended and raised $1,100.Our law firm put together a team of employees, family, and friends that walked the day of the event with 17 members.  This year the local walk had over 80 teams with 585 participants and the event raised a total of $55,000. This is the first year the law firm has had a team but next year we look forward to more walkers and increasing our fundraising goal.

18-Wheeler Involved in Fatal Crash on FM 1669

Image of an 18-wheeler on the highway.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is still investigating a fatality crash that occurred on May 15th on FM 1669 just north of Huntington. Initial reports state that an 18 Wheeler carrying oil field equipment lost control of an unsecured load, causing the heavy equipment to strike a pickup truck being driven by Jeremy Johnson, 38, of Mineral Wells.  Tragically, Mr. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene by Angelina County Justice of the Peace Pat Grimes Grubbs.

Sadly, this is another example of a preventable crash taking a life on Texas roadways. Contrary to what many may think, most professional trucking companies and their drivers are true professionals who follow the rules, take their work seriously, and prioritize safety. Unfortunately, when trucking companies don’t follow the rules and don’t put safety first, the results can be catastrophic.

In trucking crash litigation, this is what attorneys refer to as a “systems failure crash” because the root cause of the crash occurred long before the actual crash.  In this case, for example, multiple trucking industry safety rules must have been violated to allow the collision to occur.  There are specific rules regarding how loads must be secured before being transported on the highway, including the type and strength of straps and/or chains, as well as the manner in which they are secured.  The truck, trailer, and load must be rechecked before the car enters the highway. Depending on the type of load, the driver may be required to stop after the first 15 minutes of driving to recheck the load.  

Trucking companies are required to train their drivers on these safety rules and put procedures in place to make sure the drivers understand and follow all safety “rules of the road”.  According to initial reports, the oilfield equipment being transported was “unsecured”. When trucking companies ignore established safety rules, training, and procedures, the results can be devastating and tragic.

What Are Common Delayed Car Accident Symptoms?

Man grimaces in pain as he holds his lower back.

It is important to seek medical attention after a car accident. Even though you may not be experiencing noticeable or immediate symptoms, you should seek medical clearance from a doctor. During and after an accident, your body may experience an adrenaline rush, which can mask the sensation of injury symptoms. Delayed car accident injuries could occur in the days or weeks after an accident.

Common delayed injury symptoms could include:

• Headaches. A headache could be a sign of a concussion or whiplash.

• Localized pain and stiffness. Localized pain, such as back or neck pain, may be a symptom of a larger problem, including whiplash or a herniated disc injury. You could have a soft tissue injury.

• Emotional injuries. It is possible to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a car accident. Changes in mood or behavior could be a result of your car accident.

Do I Need to Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident?

If you are experiencing any symptoms after an accident, you should see a medical professional.  You should continue to see a doctor until your symptoms stop. Depending on the circumstances, your symptoms could be a serious health concern.

In addition, when you try to file a claim with your insurance company, they will use your medical history to assess your injury claim. If you do not have a medical history after your accident, the insurance company may try to claim that your car accident injuries were not severe enough to seek medical attention.

Contact a Lufkin Car Accident Attorney Today

When you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver or entity, we recommend that you contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
At Mike Love & Associates, LLC, our Lufkin attorneys advocate for the victims of car accidents throughout Texas. We could help you gather evidence, file your claim, and defend you against the insurance companies. Call us today at (936) 632-2000 for a free, confidential consultation.

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.