THE ESTES LAW FIRM

The holiday season is the most joyous and wonderful time of the year. There is a buzz of energy everywhere, as people prepare to enjoy the festivities of the season. However, the stark reality is that it is also one of the most dangerous times of the year, when it comes to being out on the roads. According to the US Department of Transportation , an average of 300 people died each year over the past five years due to road accidents. The year 2016 had the highest rate of fatalities, with 781 people losing their lives. The Main Cause of Holiday Roadside Fatalities: Christmas and New Year come with increased activity on roads. More cars and pedestrians rush to get their shopping done for the. But while these activities contribute to the increased risk of accidents, the biggest cause is drunk driving. Most holiday festivities involve the consumption of alcoholic beverages. According to a survey , over 51% of drivers said they drink more during the holidays than the rest of t

Drunk driving  is no stranger in Texas . Between 2003 and 2012 , 13,138 people died in Texas because a drunk driver sat behind the wheel of the vehicle that hit them. If we look at data from 2017 , we find that Texas had the highest number of fatalities due to alcohol-impaired driving—1,468 deaths. Compared to the lowest fatality rate in Columbia—16—this number is astronomical. Going by these stats, it’s fairly common for a person in Texas to find themselves at the mercy of a drunk driver. According to the Texas Department of Transportation , a person gets injured or dies at the hands of a drunk driver in Texas every 20 minutes. Let that sink in. Knowing drunk driving laws and your rights in the aftermath of such an incident in Texas, therefore, becomes crucial. You Have Rights If the wreck wasn’t your fault, you deserve recompense—legally. This applies regardless of whether or not the driver who hit you was drunk. The person who hits you—whether by deliberation or

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  approximately 4.7 million cases of dog bites are reported in the United States each year, and 800,000 of those bites require professional medical care. This means that every 1 in 70 people is bitten by a dog every year. In the US, dog owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that their pets don’t injure people, otherwise, they will have to compensate the victim for medical expenses, time lost from work, and pain and suffering. It’s critical to know what steps you should take after a dog bite for your safety as well as legal action that you might take to obtain compensation for your sufferings. Let’s get started!   What to do if you’re bitten by a dog? Seek immediate medical care That goes without saying, but first and foremost, you should immediately seek medical care for your injuries, particularly for serious injuries such as puncture wounds. If the dog wasn’t vaccinated against rabies, the injur

Fire accidents are among the most significant contributors to industrial and domestic-related fatalities in the United States. Approximately 4,500 burn victims lose their lives  as a result of their injuries every year. Older people and young children are more vulnerable to burn injuries because their skin is more sensitive and delicate. Burn injuries can happen in virtually any type of setting – from portable stoves in homes, to workplace irregularities and defective products. Moreover, burn injuries can be extremely painful, and depending upon the severity of the injuries, it can take a long time for the victim to recover. If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries due to the carelessness or negligence of another person, then you’re well within your rights to claim compensation for your damages. Here are a few things you should know about burn injury claims. Who Can File a Burn Injury Claim? As we’ve already mentioned, anyone who has suffered burn injuries due to

Any type of accident can result in considerable damage and serious injuries. However, road accidents can be much worse. According to the FHA, there are a staggering 137.5 million trucks registered in the United States , with the majority being in Texas and California. This means that residents in Houston and Richmond face a higher risk of being involved in a truck accident. If you’re hurt in a truck accident, there are several things to be done immediately. Here they are: Call 911 Reporting an accident to the police immediately should be rule of thumb for everyone – if it’s a minor accident. This is what they’re there for. The police will arrive on the site and take control of the scene. This involves ensuring that any injured paramedics get the timely medical attention they require and investigating the crash thoroughly. They will take statements from both the parties involved and the witnesses. The police report can act as vital evidence if you opt to file for a personal inj

Auto accidents involving pedestrians can have devastating consequences. Unlike drivers, who’re protected by seatbelts, airbags and the metal shell of their vehicles, pedestrians don’t have any armor, which is why they often sustain severe or even fatal injuries when they’re involved in motor vehicle collisions. According to the CDC, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely  than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in a car crash.   Fortunately, there are personal injury laws that help pedestrians who have been injured, in an accident caused by the negligence of others, to receive financial compensation for the damages sustained. But what do you do when an auto accident is caused by a pedestrian? Pedestrians Can Be At Fault in an Auto Accident In the United States, the first lesson taught in driver safety classes is “the pedestrian always has the right of way”. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that just like other road users, pedestrians can also be at fault f