With the Holidays Coming Up, Do You Know About Texas Drunk Driving Liability?

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. With major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve coming up, work parties and celebrations with friends and family are prevalent. 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 their injuries and damages were caused by the drunk driver.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 who 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 the age of 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.

Five Auto Insurance Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

Come armed with knowledge, and you will get the best deal on auto insurance for you and your vehicle. However, go into it with only the slightest grasp of what you should be looking for, and it could cost you. Therefore, you need to know what to look out for.

How to Avoid Making Five Common Auto Insurance Mistakes

Some of the most common mistakes that people make when it comes to auto insurance include:

• Not understanding the coverage you need or have already purchased.

As the owner of a vehicle, you should know what coverage you are looking for and what you could have. You should feel free to shop around for auto insurance. Just be cautious. Insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. Remember, these companies are first and foremost concerned with making money.

• Mistakenly believing that you are covered for everything.

Not all auto insurance policies are the same. Despite what you might be paying in deductibles and premiums, different policies will cover different things. Make sure you know what is in your policy. For instance, do you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP)? Although it is required in Texas, you can be tricked into signing out of this common protection policy. The same is true of coverage for underinsured or uninsured motorists (UM/UIM coverage).

• Taking the minimum coverage that your state asks for.

The minimum coverage will not cover all the potential hazards out there on the roadways. A decent policy can help provide adequate coverage for medical bills, funeral costs and other expenses associated with a motor vehicle accident. For this reason, it is imperative that you avoid taking a policy with minimum coverage.

• Choosing Med Pay instead of PIP.

You should ensure that you have PIP coverage on your policy. PIP coverage can help pay for many expenses that occur after a motor vehicle accident involving injuries. On the other hand, Med Pay covers hospital bills, but not lost income. Med Pay is also subject to subrogation. This means that you will have to pay back Med Pay benefits if you obtain a settlement. PIP coverage is not subject to subrogation in Texas.

• Focusing only on price.

Do not just go for the lowest deductible. Find the policy that best suits you, even if you have to pay a little more. It will be worth it in the end if something happens.Contact Mike Love & Associates, LLC TodayThe Texas auto accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC are dedicated to the community. If you have questions about your insurance policy, we may be able to help you find answers. You may also contact us for a free consultation if you or a loved one were harmed in a car accident.

What Are Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents in Texas?

“Supernatural” TV star and Austin native Jensen Ackles recently spoke about the dangers of distracted driving in a PSA for the Texas Department of Transportation, or TxDOT. The ad is part of a new “Heads up, Texas” campaign that TxDOT launched in response to recent distracted driving accidents in Texas involving mobile phone use. Ackles raised awareness about the dangers of texting while driving, and how your phone can cause serious accidents. It’s also now against Texas state law.

Why Distracted Driving Is Dangerous

A texting-while-driving ban passed the Texas Senate last year. House Bill 62 was passed as a statewide ban on reading and sending electronic messages from a cell phone while operating a vehicle. This ban is in response to alarming statistics relating to distracted driving in Texas.Roughly 100,000 of reported car accidents in Texas last year, or 19 percent, involved some sort of distracted driving. These distracted driving accidents resulted in 452 deaths statewide.Keep in mind that certain cities in Texas have different levels of restrictions on phone use while driving. For example, Austin has a stricter ordinance that completely prohibits cell phone use while driving in city limits.If you have been involved in a car accident due to someone else’s distracted driving, you could potentially seek compensation for your injuries. Contact Mike Love & Associates, LLC to speak with a car accident attorney about your situation.

Do Texas Drivers Rank Among the Worst for Aggressive Driving?

A new study claims that Texas drivers are among the angriest in the country. According to GasBuddy, which conducted a national survey on aggressive driving, Texas motorists are the 4^th most aggressive in the country.GasBuddy, a company that operates apps for finding fuel prices, conducted its research by compiling data from its Trips feature. The feature provides motorists with assessments of their driving habits. Trips allows users to assess their aggressive driving habits, such as hard braking, speeding and rapid acceleration. Hard braking was the most common aggressive driving habit reported by Trips users.The survey’s findings indicate that aggressive driving occurs most often in densely populated cities with lots of congestion. While this means you are more likely to encounter aggressive drivers in nearby Houston, it does not mean Angelina County is immune to road rage. There are steps that you can take to reduce your chances of being in an accident or other confrontation with an aggressive driver.

Warning Signs You Are Dealing with an Angry Driver

Angry drivers can put you and others at an increased risk of suffering harm in a car accident. You should never escalate the situation if you are confronted by an angry driver. In some cases, it may be necessary to drive to a safe (populated) area to contact the police. Some road rage incidents involve violence or firearms.Be aware of warning signs of aggressive driving that include but are not limited to:

• Speeding. Drivers who are angry are more likely to speed. Unfortunately, speeding is a major cause of car accidents in the US each year.
• Tailgating. If another driver is upset with you, then they may drive very close to the rear of your vehicle. Tailgating could lead to a rear-end accident.
• Unsafe lane changes. Angry drivers may conduct quick and aggressive lane changes. Some drivers may shift to the shoulder lane to pass other motorists.
• Failing to follow traffic signals or signs. Aggressive drivers who are short on patience may run red lights or stop signs.

Of course, there are other warnings signs of angry driving that most of you are familiar with. Angry drivers may use honking or hand gestures.The Texas car accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC encourage safe driving. For future updates on our blog, continue to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have questions about your rights after a car accident, call us at (936) 632-2000 or use our online contact form.