2010 December Archive

A collision with a Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport shuttle bus claimed the life of a Houston-area man recently, according to an article published in The Dallas Morning News. The crash occurred on December 8 at about 4:30 a.m.

The 47-year-old man, who was a resident of The Woodlands near Houston, was driving across the flyover bridge connecting Terminal E to the rest of the airport when his car crashed into the rear end of an airport shuttle bus. The driver suffered critical injuries in the accident and was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal.

The shuttle bus was carrying airport employees at the time. No one on the shuttle bus was injured, according to an airport spokesperson. The flyover bridge was shut down and traffic to Terminal E was rerouted while rescue workers removed the injured man and cleaned up after the crash.

The shuttle bus crash is not the first accident to occur at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport this year. In June of this year, a driver struck the protective barrier near one of the toll booths at a high rate of speed, launching her car over the toll booth. Thankfully, that driver survived the accident with only minor injuries.

Texas bus accidents may result from any combination of factors. Often, no matter how carefully we drive, a bus crash can occur because not all motorists on the road are taking the same amount of caution and care when they drive. Texas law provides certain legal rights and options for the victims of bus accidents and their families. An experienced Dallas bus accident lawyer can help you learn about your legal rights and options and choose the next step as you begin the process of recovery.

Winter weather can drastically change driving conditions, surprising motorists and increasing the rate of car accidents. The Texas Department of Transportation recently released a list of safe winter driving tips to help Texas motorists avoid collisions this winter. You can decrease your risk of a winter car accident by practicing the following safety measures:

• Before you go out, check the local road conditions on the news or online to see what conditions you will encounter.
• Clean any snow or ice off your car before you drive. Make sure all your lights are cleared of ice or snow so that other motorists can clearly see you.
• Leave extra room between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
• Accelerate and brake slowly, paying attention to how much traction you have.
• Bridges, shaded spots, and overpasses may have ice even if the roadway is clear, so approach these areas with care.
• Use non-freezing windshield wiper fluid, as well as snow tires or chains if needed.

If you find yourself stranded during the winter, the Texas Department of Public Safety has a toll-free hotline you can call for roadside assistance. The number is 800-525-5555.

Driving safely in winter weather can add an extra measure of protection when you’re traveling with your family. Unfortunately, other motorists may not take the same precautions, or you may be surprised by unexpected road conditions. When a car accident occurs, Texas law gives you certain legal rights and options, particularly if you or a loved one was injured in the crash. If you are involved in a car collision in Texas this winter, consider talking to an experienced Texas car accident lawyer who can help you decide which steps to take.

The holidays are a prime time for fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Christmas trees, wrapping paper, cozy fires and candles, and other holiday trimmings can increase your risk of a fire in your home or business. Every year, approximately 430 homes are burned by fires started by holiday decorations, including Christmas trees and strings of lights.

To avoid the tragedy of a fire ruining your holiday season, follow these safety tips:

• Water your Christmas tree. If you choose a real tree, keeping it well-watered helps prevent fire, because the moisture-saturated branches are resistant to catching fire. A dry tree will catch fire easily.
• Inspect holiday lights. The lights you use should not have any frayed wires, bare spots, broken or cracked sockets, or gaps in the insulation, and they should not be tangled or kinked. If your lights have any of these faults, it’s time to buy new ones.
• Check holiday decorations to ensure they are nonflammable or fire-retardant, meaning they will not catch fire easily. Double-check an artificial Christmas tree to ensure it is made of flame-retardant material.
• Never put wrapping paper in the fireplace. It can create large flames, as well as sparks or embers that may burn people or objects sitting close to the fire. Wrapping paper may also start a chimney fire.
• Use candles sparingly and never leave a candle unattended. Never put candles on a Christmas tree or wreath.
• Make sure you have working smoke alarms and fire extinguishers handy in case a fire starts.

Fires started by a defective product or someone’s negligence or carelessness can quickly ruin your holiday season and cause serious burn injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured by the negligence of another or by a defective product, an experienced Texas personal injury lawyer can fight for the compensation you deserve while you heal and enjoy your holidays.

Lowe’s, a national home improvement store chain, and the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued a recall of more than 6 million individual Roman shades and 5 million individual roll-up blinds, reports Bloomberg Businessweek. Lowe’s had sold the blinds and shades for nearly ten years. The blinds were sold between 1999 and 2010 and cost anywhere from $10 to $1,800 apiece. Although Lowe’s is not the only store that has sold or recalled these Roman shades and blinds, it is one of the largest retailers of the recalled products.

The recall was announced after the CPSC received many reports of children becoming tangled in the blinds, which resulted in the child choking. At least two children have been severely injured by the blinds, according to the article. The cords on the blinds are easy for children to reach and leave gaps that a child can poke his or her head into, resulting in injury.

Parents who have these blinds should stop using them immediately in order to prevent any future risk of injury to children. They may also remove the hazard by taking the cords off the blinds or shades, or by securing the cords where children cannot reach them. Parents can also obtain a free safety repair kit for the blinds by calling the Window Covering Safety Council at (800) 506-4636 or by contacting Lowe’s.

It is very scary for a child to suffer a serious personal injury, for both the child as well as their parents, particularly by a household product that was believed to have been safe. During this frightening and confusing time, it helps to have someone on your side. An experienced Texas personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options, as well as help you fight for the compensation your family deserves, allowing you and your child to focus on healing.