Travel Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

⚠️🦃Being injured in a distracted driving accident is never a fun way to spend the holidays. Please stay focused and be aware of all the other turkeys on the road around you. Here are some additional tips for those long holiday drives:

1. Get Enough Sleep: Drunk and drowsy driving are similar; a lack of sleep is one of the greatest dangers for motorists taking long road trips. Drowsiness can significantly raise your chances of being involved in an accident.

2. Inspect Your Vehicle: Your vehicle cannot protect you if certain parts are not in working condition. Before setting out on a trip, it is wise to receive a tune-up. A qualified mechanic can check your brakes and pads, head and tail lights, car battery, tires, and fluids.

3. Always Remember to Drive Safely During Your Trip: Long-distance driving requires extra attentiveness to road etiquette and safety. Use extra caution while traveling through work zones.

4. Do Not Speed: You should pay careful attention to speed limits during your travels.

5. Always Avoid Distractions: Drivers should never use mobile phones, eat, or apply makeup.

6. Be Nice: Never tailgate other drivers, and do not drive in the left-hand passing lane.

Happy Holidays!! ❤️💛💚

The best way to avoid an accident is to take preventive action and plan. If you are injured in an accident this holiday season, contact the Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC. We wish everyone a happy holiday season. Please stay safe!

Mike Love & Associates Supports the East Texas Food Bank

Lufkin personal injury law firm Mike Love & Associates, LLC, is partnering with the Deep East Texas Resource Center - East Texas Food Bank to provide food assistance at the annual Holiday Food Distribution Event on December 1, 2025. The event will be held at the Angelina County Exposition Center from 11 am to 2 pm. Last year’s event helped feed over 1,200 families, and this year the East Texas Food Bank expects a larger turnout. On Tuesday, Mike Love, founding partner of Mike Love & Associates, and Tim Butler, Chief Development Officer of the East Texas Food Bank, spoke with KTRE News about the need for donations from local businesses and families in the Lufkin area. With SNAP benefits and federal aid decreasing, there’s an increased need for support this year compared to recent years. Visit the Deep East Texas Resource Center website to learn more and donate: https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/lufkin/ Many neighbors have already contributed generously, but we still need your help to reach our goal. Please join us in fighting hunger TODAY. The mission of the East Texas Food Bank is to fight hunger and feed hope throughout East Texas. The Deep East Texas Resource Center, a program of ETFB based in North Lufkin, connects community members to resources, offers a food pantry, benefits assistance, and other support services. Last year, they served over 1.4 million meals. Our donations to the Deep East Texas Resource Center - East Texas Food Bank directly support families right here in Angelina County.

What is Considered Reckless Driving in Texas?

Vehicle accidents occur all the time in Texas, and there are many different causes of these accidents. In many cases, a simple driver error can lead to a crash. However, there are times when drivers are considered reckless. Texas law has actually defined “reckless driving.” We want to take some time here to discuss how reckless driving is defined as well as the dangers, propensity to increase car accidents and penalties associated with this type of driving behavior.

Defining Reckless Driving in Texas

Texas law provides a vague definition of what is considered to be reckless driving in the state. When we turn to Texas Transportation Code § 545.401, we can see that the law specifically says that “A person commits an offense if the person drives a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”When we look at this definition, we can see how it can be broadly applied by law enforcement officials when they seek to cite someone for a driving offense. There are various types of driving behavior that are often considered “reckless,” and this can include the following:

• Speeding

• Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs

• Texting while driving (or other distracted driving behaviors)

• Passing a stopped school bus

• Running stop signs or red lights

• Failing to yield the right of way

• Racing with other vehicles

• Evading law enforcement

What Penalties Are Associated with a Reckless Driver?

When a person violates the reckless driving laws in Texas, this will be considered a misdemeanor offense. Those convicted of reckless driving may face the following punishments:

• A fine of up to $200

• Up to 30 days in county jail

• Or both penalties

Additionally, a person convicted of a misdemeanor offense in Texas will have a permanent record of the conviction. This could impact their ability to secure employment, find suitable housing, and attend school. A misdemeanor driving offense will particularly impact any job that requires a person to operate a vehicle regularly.

How Can Reckless Driving Impact a Personal Injury or Auto Accident Case?

A reckless driving offense could have a significant impact on a personal injury lawsuit. In general, any person injured in an auto accident will need to prove the liability of the other party to recover compensation. Determining liability can be difficult, but that is not necessarily the case if the other driver is cited for reckless driving.  If a person sustains an injury in an accident caused by someone cited for reckless driving, this could be used against the at-fault driver to prove liability. In these cases, negligence per se will apply to cases where a person’s violation of the law caused the injury. Negligence per se applies to reckless driving cases, so an injury victim will not have to worry about proving every single element of negligence. In these cases, they will only need to prove the following to recover compensation:

• That the defendant violated the law (reckless driving citation)

• The intent of the law question prevents injuries that would have occurred anyway

• The injury victim is within a class of people that the law was intended to protect

Those injured due to the actions of a reckless driver may be entitled to various types of compensation. This can include coverage of their medical bills, lost income, property damage expenses, pain and suffering damages, general out-of-pocket expenses, and more.

Is It Legal For Motorcycles to Lane Split in Texas?

Lane splitting may not be a term many non-motorcyclists are familiar with, but it is a widespread practice in some areas across the country and here in Texas. If you have ever seen a motorcycle ride between two lanes of traffic when they are heading in the same direction, then you have seen a motorcyclist lane-splitting. However, we want to discuss whether or not lane splitting is legal in Texas. Here, we will further define lane splitting, its dangers, and the legalities behind these actions.

What is Lane Splitting?

Lane splitting is a controversial practice among motorcyclists traveling between lanes of moving vehicles traveling in the same direction. When lane splitting, the motorcyclist will travel between the cars while riding on the center dotted line. In many cases, motorcyclists do this when traffic is moving very slowly or stopped at a stoplight. There have long been advocates for motorcyclist lane splitting, and a study from U.C. Berkeley indicates that lane splitting increases motorcyclist safety and can reduce motorcycle accidents by decreasing the chance that the cyclist will be rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic. The research shows that lane splitting is generally safe when it occurs in traffic moving slower than 50 mph, provided the motorcyclist does not exceed the surrounding traffic by 15 mph. However, lane splitting is not legal in Texas. The only state in the United States where lane splitting by motorcyclists is permitted is California.

What Are the Penalties for Splitting Lanes in Texas?

Motorcyclists can be pulled over and ticketed for lane splitting in Texas. Motorcyclists who law enforcement officials stop could face a citation and a fine of up to $175.Additionally, it is crucial to understand that motorcyclists face risks beyond possible citations and penalties. Some of the potential hazards that motorcyclists face when they participate in lane splitting include:

• Car doors opening

• Hands or objects coming out of car windows

• Vehicles turning unexpectedly

• Vehicles changing lanes unexpectedly

Can Motorcyclists Ride Side by Side?

Yes, Texas law does allow two motorcyclists to share a lane when they are moving in the same direction. You will often hear this referred to as motorcyclists riding “two abreast.” In group rides, it is not uncommon to see many motorcyclists riding side by side in the same lane.

Motorcycle Accidents Affect Texans

Motorcyclists face significant risks on the roadways in and around Texas. Motorcyclists do not have the same level of protection as those inside vehicles, and even a seemingly minor crash can result in severe injuries. Lane-splitting accidents could result in severe injuries for a motorcyclist as well. It is not uncommon for a motorcycle crash in Texas to result in the following injuries for victims:

• Broken and dislocated bones

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Concussions

• Open head wounds

• Spinal cord trauma with paralysis

• Other severe back and neck injury

• Internal organ damage

• Internal bleeding

• Lacerations and road rash

• Significant scarring and disfigurement

• Emotional and psychological trauma

Injured motorcyclists may be entitled to various types of compensation in the event they are injured due to the careless actions of another driver on the roadway. This can include compensation for medical bills, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

Do Most Car Accident Cases Settle Before Trial?

If you or somebody you care about gets injured or sustains property damage in a car accident, there is a chance you may incur significant expenses. This can include costly medical bills, lost income, property damage expenses, and other related expenses. Injury victims must be able to secure compensation if someone else causes their accident, but ensuring this compensation is not always easy. Here, we will discuss whether most car accident cases are resolved between insurance carriers or if they ultimately go to trial.

Most Cases Are Resolved With Insurance

Despite what TV shows and movies may show you, the vast majority of personal injury cases are resolved before they go to trial. This includes car accident cases in the state of Texas. In general, car accident claims are resolved through insurance carrier settlements before a personal injury lawsuit is even filed. Yes, there may be some conflict and back-and-forth negotiations between an injury victim and the insurance carrier, but these claims are usually resolved relatively amicably. However, there are times when an insurance carrier denies a claim or refuses to offer a fair settlement to an injury victim. In such cases, the injury victim and their attorney may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation. That said, just because a personal injury lawsuit has been filed, it does not mean that the case will ultimately go to trial. In fact, most personal injury civil lawsuits still do not end up going to trial. There will be an extensive period of investigation, discovery, and negotiations between the two parties before a trial date is set. Most claims are settled during this lengthy process and before trial.

What Are the Pros & Cons of Settling Before Trial?

If the two sides cannot reach an agreement after a lawsuit has been filed, it may be necessary to take a case to trial. There are benefits to settling before a trial occurs, but there are also some drawbacks.

The Pros of Settling Before a Trial

Many people settle before their case goes to trial, and the advantages of settling include the following:

• The victim will receive compensation faster

• Higher attorney fees can be avoided

• Settling can avoid multiple court proceedings (hearings, depositions, and the trial)

• Settling avoids an unpredictable jury decision (risk of receiving no compensation at all)

The Cons of Settling Before a Trial

There are several reasons why it may not be a good idea to settle before trial, and an attorney can help an injured party make informed decisions. Some of the drawbacks of settling a case before trial include not being able to secure the total amount of compensation the victim is entitled to receive. Trials can help ensure that an injury victim receives justice and their rightful compensation. Settling before a trial could significantly curtail the amount of compensation the victim receives.

Work With an Attorney

It is highly recommended that all injury victims work with a skilled personal injury lawyer to help with their case. These claims can be unpredictable and complicated. However, a skilled attorney will understand every aspect of the claim and will know whether or not moving forward to trial is a good idea or whether their client should settle.