The post Let’s Take an In-Depth Look at Spine Injuries appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>You’ve suffered a serious spine injury because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence—you want a proven personal injury attorney to take an in-depth look at your spine injury, someone who knows the full extent of your potential losses, and has successfully helped others who have suffered a similar injury. You want the Law Offices of Michael R. De La Paz.
The Common Causes of Spine Injury
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, most spinal cord injury in the United States results from motor vehicle accidents and slips and falls. Other factors that commonly contribute to spinal cord injuries include athletic competition, industrial accidents and acts of violence. The risk of spinal cord injury is higher for individuals between the ages of 16 and 30, and for persons over the age of 65. Failure to wear a seatbelt is also linked to the potential for spinal cord injury.
An In-Depth Look at Spine Injuries—The Potential Consequences
There are many potentially adverse health conditions tied to spine injuries:
Let Us Help You Get Full and Fair Compensation after a Spine Injury
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have aggressively protected the rights of personal injury victims in Arlington, Houston, Plano, San Antonio, across Texas and nationwide for more than 26 years. We know the devastating effect a spine injury can have on almost every aspect of your life. We will work closely with you to pursue damages for all your losses. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
Handling Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma
The post Let’s Take an In-Depth Look at Spine Injuries appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>The post Taking an In-Depth Look at Brain Injuries appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>You’ve suffered a head injury in a fall or a motor vehicle accident—you want a proven attorney to take an in-depth look at your brain injury, someone who will know what types of losses you can anticipate, who has successfully protected the rights of other brain injury victims. You want the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
The Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
According to data collected by the Brain Injury Association of America, more than 5 million people nationwide live with some degree of permanent brain injury. Every year, nearly 3 million Americans seek medical care for brain trauma.
Medical professionals typically categorize traumatic brain injury as mild, moderate or severe. A mild TBI, also commonly referred to as a concussion, may involve loss of consciousness, but it’s typically for less than 30 minutes. Moderate brain injury involves loss of consciousness for up to 6 hours. An injury where there’s loss of consciousness for longer periods will generally be considered severe.
An In-Depth Look at Brain Injuries—The Consequences
A traumatic brain injury can lead to long-term or permanent changes in:
Let Us Help You Protect Your Rights after a Traumatic Brain Injury
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have more than 26 years of experience protecting the rights of personal injury victims in Harlingen, McAllen, Brownsville and Houston, across Texas and nationwide. We have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges involved in recovering full and fair compensation after a TBI, and will use our considerable experience, skill, knowledge and resources to help you get the outcome you want. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
Handling Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma
The post Taking an In-Depth Look at Brain Injuries appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>The post Understanding the Potential Impact of Social Media on Personal Injury Cases appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>Though many people don’t realize it, the impact of social media on personal injury cases can be devastating, significantly minimizing or even ruining your claim. It can take a variety of forms, from pictures posted on Instagram or Facebook to comments made on Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest or other social media sites. But pretty much anything you post online can be used as evidence against you at trial. To protect your right to full and fair compensation for all your losses, you need to be extremely careful about how you use social media.
The Widespread Use of Social Media
For many of us, social media has become a way of life. A study published by the University of Maine found that nearly 60% of all people in the world have some presence on social media. The report also found approximately 400,000 new users on social media every day.
How Can You Minimize the Impact of Social Media on a Personal Injury Case?
There are a number of things you can do to ensure that you don’t put your future in jeopardy with a picture or post on social media:
Let Us Help You Pursue Full and Fair Compensation after a Personal Injury
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we know how to protect your rights when you have been hurt because of someone else’s negligence or carelessness. We can also help ensure that you don’t compromise your rights with any activity on social media platforms. We take personal injury cases across the country and throughout Texas, including clients from the Austin, San Antonio, Harlingen and Houston metro areas. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
Handling Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma
The post Understanding the Potential Impact of Social Media on Personal Injury Cases appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>The post Construction Equipment Accidents and Fatalities Pose Significant Risk to Workers appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>Even though owners, general contractors and others are fully aware of the risks, construction equipment accidents and fatalities continue to be a persistent problem, in Texas and nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly a third of all construction laborers are required to operate motorized vehicles or heavy equipment as a part of their job. Furthermore, almost two-thirds of all construction workers do their jobs close to mechanical devices or objects that may cause harm.
The Common Types of Construction Equipment Accidents and Fatalities
Most commercial or residential construction projects have many different types of equipment that can pose significant risk of injury or death to workers:
Minimizing the Risk of Construction Equipment Accidents and Fatalities
On any construction site, safety should always be your first priority. You have the right to ask owners, general contractors and other workers to follow safety guidelines. You have the right to refuse to use construction equipment that you consider unsafe or with which you are not familiar or have not had any training. Furthermore, you have the right to refuse to work with others who lack the necessary skill or training to safely operate construction equipment.
Let Attorney Michael R. De La Paz Help You after a Construction Equipment Accident
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have protected the rights of personal injury victims throughout Texas and across the country for more than 26 years, including people from Austin to Dallas to El Paso to San Antonio. We have extensive experience handling claims involving serious injury or death caused by construction equipment accidents. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
Handling Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma
The post Construction Equipment Accidents and Fatalities Pose Significant Risk to Workers appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>The post Your Right to Full and Fair Compensation after a Bad Weather Accident appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>According to statistics, bad weather accidents account for about one of every five motor vehicle crashes in the United States every year. That’s more than a million car, truck or motorcycle accidents annually. Though natural disasters, such as floods, tornados and hurricanes, tend to get more news coverage, weather-related motor vehicle accidents tend to be far more deadly.
How Can You Minimize the Risk of a Bad Weather Accident?
There are many ways you can reduce the risk of a collision or crash in rainy, snowy or icy weather:
Protect Your Rights after a Crash in Poor Weather
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have aggressively protected the rights of injured people in the greater Arlington, Houston, Plano, and San Antonio communities, across Texas and nationwide for more than 26 years. We have a comprehensive understanding of all the factors involved in car, truck and motorcycle accidents, including crashes that occur in inclement weather. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
Handling Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma
The post Your Right to Full and Fair Compensation after a Bad Weather Accident appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>The post The Importance of Working with an Experienced Commercial Truck Accident Law Firm appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>When you’ve been injured in a collision with a big rig, semi, 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer or delivery van, you need a proven commercial truck accident law firm to fully protect your rights. According to statistics, there are nearly 200,000 commercial truck accidents every year, and about one in every three lead to some type of personal injury. The injuries commonly suffered in big truck accidents are different from many other motor vehicle wrecks, the damages tend to be far more substantial, and evidence and proof are typically complex.
What Should You Do in the Immediate Aftermath of a Commercial Truck Accident?
When you have been involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, your first concern should be your health and safety. In most instances, you’ll want to stay right where you are, unless doing so puts you in harm’s way. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, either at a hospital emergency room, an urgent care facility or in the offices of your primary care physician.
The sooner you retain experienced legal counsel, the better you’ll be served. Your attorney can ensure that all documents or pleadings are timely filed, and can be your liaison with insurance companies.
If possible, while you are still on the scene of the accident, gather as much information as you can, including names and contact information of all parties involved, as well as any witnesses. It can also be helpful to take pictures of everything, from your injuries to any vehicle damage to roadway or weather abnormalities.
How Will the Right Commercial Truck Accident Law Firm Benefit You?
A knowledgeable commercial truck accident attorney will:
Protect Your Legal Rights after a Commercial Truck Accident
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have more than 26 years of experience protecting the rights of people who have suffered any type of injury in a commercial truck accident. We aggressively advocate for clients throughout Texas and nationwide, including clients from the Harlingen, McAllen, Brownsville and Houston areas. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
Handling Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma
The post The Importance of Working with an Experienced Commercial Truck Accident Law Firm appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>The post The Most Common Causes of Fatal Truck Accidents appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>In any type of accident involving or caused by a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, big rig or tractor-trailer, the risk of a fatal injury is substantial. According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you are four times more likely to die in a truck accident than in any other type of motor vehicle accident. What are the common causes of fatal truck accidents?
Because there’s the potential for a fatality with any truck accident, almost any type of mishap can be deadly. According to an article in Forbes Magazine, here are the most common causes of fatal truck accidents:
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have considerable experience helping people who have suffered needless injury in a motor vehicle accident of any kind, including any type of commercial truck accident. We assist clients nationwide and throughout Texas, including clients from South Padre Island, Galveston and Houston areas. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
The post The Most Common Causes of Fatal Truck Accidents appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>The post Most Fatal Truck Accidents Occur Outside of Metropolitan Areas appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>You would think that there would be a greater likelihood of a fatal truck accident on congested highways and roadway in and around the nation’s large urban areas. The speed limits can still be pretty high, there’s a lot more traffic, and statistics show that a motorist is four times as likely to be killed in an accident involving a semi-truck than one involving only passenger vehicles. Surprisingly, though, the majority of fatal truck crashes nationwide happen in rural communities.
According to journalists at Forbes Magazine, who carefully combed statistics gathered by a number of federal agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), approximately 2,450 people died in truck wrecks in rural areas in 2020, and about 2,000 were killed in urban truck accidents. Officials say that a number of factors can lead to the greater incidence of fatal truck accidents out in the country:
Trucking companies and their drivers must exercise reasonable care when taking a semi, tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler or big rig out on the road. When they don’t and you are injured, we can help.
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have protected the rights of motor vehicle accident victims for more than a quarter of a century. We assist clients nationwide and throughout Texas, including clients from South Padre Island, Galveston and Houston areas. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
The post Most Fatal Truck Accidents Occur Outside of Metropolitan Areas appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>The post Statistics Show Big Increase in Truck Accidents in 2021 appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>Statistics gathered by federal agencies confirms that the increase in traffic on the nation’s highways and roadways post-pandemic has had an unfortunate, but not surprising, result—a dramatic increase in motor vehicle accidents involving commercial trucks. Because truck accidents have historically involved more fatalities, there was a corresponding increase in deaths caused by truck accidents.
According to reporters at Forbes Magazine, who looked at the stats gathered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), the number of truck accidents nationwide jumped more than 25% from 2020 to 2021, with just over 415,000 reported in 2020 and nearly 524,000 in 2021. Officials have long observed a trend in motor vehicles accidents of all kinds, based on the number miles Americans put in on the roads. In the past, when gas prices went up and people drove less, motor vehicle accidents and fatalities went down. During COVID, because there were far fewer commercial trucks on the roads, the actual number of accidents dropped.
According to data from the NHTSA, more than three of every four truck accidents, some 310,000 in 2020, do not cause any type of personal injury. Nonetheless, because of the size of most commercial trucks, a motorist involved in a semi-truck accident is approximately four times as likely to suffer a fatal injury than a motorist in a passenger vehicle accident.
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have more than 26 years of experience helping people who have suffered needless injury in a motor vehicle accident of any kind. We assist clients nationwide and throughout Texas, including clients from South Padre Island, Galveston and Houston areas. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
The post Statistics Show Big Increase in Truck Accidents in 2021 appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>The post Father, Two Children Die in Illinois Fatal Truck Wreck appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>A 34-year-old man and his two children, ages 7 and 10, were among five victims in a fatal truck-wreck accident on Highway 40 near Teutopolis, Illinois, on Friday evening, September 29, 2023.
At the time of the crash, the semi-truck was hauling approximately 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia, a potentially deadly substance used in the manufacture of certain fertilizers. The truck reportedly rolled into a ditch as a result of the accident and began leaking. Crews worked throughout the night in an effort to patch the leak, but were ultimately unsuccessful. The tanker was eventually drained and take to a secure location of further investigation. Officials say more than half of the cargo spilled onto the roadside, leading officials to evacuate approximately 500 families in the nearby residential areas. According to NBC News, while the crash remains under investigation, none of the fatalities are believed to have been caused by the spilled anhydrous ammonia. Law enforcement officers say there were no reported injuries to nearby residents due to exposure to the toxic substance.
Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board have indicated that the accident was likely caused when another motorist attempted to pass the semi-truck, causing the truck driver to lose control.
All motorists on the road have a duty to use reasonable care at all times. When they don’t, and their carelessness causes an accident, victims have a right to seek full and fair compensation. We can help.
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have considerable experience helping people who have suffered needless injury in a motor vehicle accident of any kind, including a commercial truck crash. We assist clients throughout Illinois, Texas and nationwide, including clients from Chicago, South Padre Island, Galveston and Houston areas. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
The post Father, Two Children Die in Illinois Fatal Truck Wreck appeared first on Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
]]>