Auto Accidents
Austin Car Wrecks: If Traffic Is Down, Why Are 2020 Traffic Fatalities Up?
When the pandemic started this year, one of the only good byproducts was reduced traffic. And there was a big reduction. But with the reduction in traffic, most people expected a reduction in car wrecks and traffic fatalities. In fact, early on, several auto insurance companies were giving their customers small refunds on premiums because…
Read MoreHuge New Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Case
In 2006, the Texas Supreme Court handed down a trilogy of court decisions that affected every uninsured/underinsured motorist claim presented. Before the cases, when you presented an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim to your own insurance company, if the insurance company didn’t act fairly, they were subject to payment of your attorneys’ fees incurred in presenting the…
Read MoreBrain Injuries: The Invisible Rain Cloud Video
We’ve always lamented that when you have a brain injury it’s hard to explain to others how the injury is affecting you. I belong to a nationwide group of lawyers who represent victims of brain injuries. Recently, my colleagues at De Caro and Kaplen in New York created a video that helps describe what you’re…
Read MoreSwoop and Settle – Insurance Companies Strike Again
I have frequently written about the awful insurance company tactic of swoop and settle. Far too often, insurance companies contact a car wreck or trucking wreck victim before the victim is represented by an attorney to try and settle the case immediately. This typically results in a victim giving up the claim before the victim…
Read MoreDeposition Preparation: Your memory
When I’m getting clients prepared for their deposition, I typically have a meeting with them where I describe the deposition process, answer their questions about depositions, and then go over some deposition rules to help them get through the deposition. The first rule is always “Tell the truth”. And I explain that for the vast…
Read MorePersonal Injury Law: A Nightmare Fight Over Hospital Bills
A recent NPR story uses a local teacher to tell of a hospital bill situation that we hear often. Drew Calvert, a teacher at Austin High School (where my son goes to school), had a heart attack while at home. Fortunately, a neighbor was able to get Mr. Calvert to St. David’s Hospital, where Mr.…
Read MoreAustin and Texas Brain Injury Claims
We have had the pleasure of representing a number of clients who have sustained brain injuries. We have represented professionals (including at least one lawyer and one nurse) whose lives were completely thrown upside by their injury and inability to perform their jobs. And at the other end of the spectrum, we’ve represented retired persons…
Read MoreI’ve Been In A Wreck. Why Am I Getting Letters From Lawyers About A Lien?
I’ve heard from a number of clients recently who were in car wrecks and received scary letters from lawyers about various hospitals filing liens on the clients’ property. Sometimes the lawyers’ letters tell the clients that the clients’ bills have gone to collections or that the hospital will be included on a settlement check. Naturally,…
Read MoreAustin and Texas Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims
One focus of my practice has become representing victims in uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. I literally speak to groups of lawyers throughout Texas trying to educate lawyers about the nuances of these claims. They are much more complicated than many people think. Most of my speeches are in bigger cities. I’ve spoken in Houston,…
Read MoreAnother Reason To Buy Uninsured Motorist Coverage – Hit-And-Run Wrecks Are On The Rise
Earlier this week, AAA released a study finding that hit-and-run wrecks are an increasing problem. Among the study’s findings: A hit-and-run wreck occurs every minute on US roads Hit-and-run wrecks are increasing, with hit-and-run deaths increasing particularly fast One in eight wrecks involves a hit-and-run driver In 2016, there were 2,049 hit-and-run deaths, a record…
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