Heavier 18 Wheelers Could Be Coming to Texas

As road fatalities decrease across the country, they continue to increase here in Texas. Texas currently leads the nation in accidents involving large trucks due to the increase in gas drilling throughout the state. Large trucks and commercial vehicles have crowded our roadways and things could be getting worse. Thanks to proposed national legislation, 18 wheelers could be getting bigger and heavier. The new law would allow these huge trucks to operate with twin 33-foot trailers, which is up from the current federal limit of two 28-foot trailers and adds another 10 feet per truck.

Those who favor the proposal contend that larger trucks would mean fewer trucks on the roads overall, which would mean fewer accidents and a more environmentally friendly atmosphere since fewer trucks would discharge fewer harmful emissions. Those who disagree say that the bigger trucks will be harder to handle and harder to stop, which will lead to more accidents and more severe injuries. In addition, those heavier trucks on the road will mean more wear and tear on highways, which will result in worse roads and more tax dollars being spent on highway repairs.

The number of deaths involving huge truck accidents in Texas by far outnumbers all other states. Whether or not there is new legislation concerning the size of the 18-wheelers, there is a heavy risk of accidents on the Texas highways. If you have been involved in a collision with an 18 wheeler or commercial vehicle, you need the services of an experienced truck accident lawyer. Call the Austin truck accident attorneys at Terry & Kelly, PLLC at 512-900-9000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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A Closer Look At Red Light Accidents

The running of red traffic lights is a serious problem across the United States. A yellow light is intended to signal to drivers that they should slow down and come to a complete stop. Instead, many drivers speed up upon seeing a yellow light to try to miss the red light and end up running it instead. According to statistics, collisions occurring as a result of a run red light often result in serious injuries and, in some cases, even death.

In 2013, 697 people were killed and an estimated 127,000 were injured in accidents that involved a driver running a red light. Statistics also show that drivers most frequently run red lights in the afternoon, with about 30% of all red light violations occurring between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

A report from the National Coalition for Safer Roads found that Houston, Texas is the most dangerous city in the United States for red light running, with 181 red light fatalities between 2004 and 2013. The study also found that red light running peaks during summer months and that 36% of drivers regularly run red lights or have run red lights previously.

If you’ve been injured in a red light accident, contact an Austin car accident attorney immediately. Drivers who run red lights often try to deny liability for a collision or shift some of the blame to another driver by claiming that they had a green light and the right of way when they did not. An experienced attorney will know how and where to gather the evidence necessary to defeat this type of defense – ensuring that you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

For more information, contact Terry & Kelly, PLLC at 512-900-9000 or through our website.

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Dog Bites Increasing in Austin

So far this year, there have been more than 1,000 dog bites reported in Austin. If this trend continues at the same rate, Austin will see the highest number of reported dog bites ever in 2015. According to city data, the number of dog bites has been increasing every year since 2007. With all of Austin’s dog friendly patios and parks it’s important to know your legal options if you or your furry friend suffers a vicious bite from another dog.

If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of a dog bite, you should contact an Austin personal injury attorney immediately to learn what actions may be taken against the dog owner. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Terry & Kelly can help you pursue reimbursement for the cost of any medical treatment incurred, as well as work with you to identify all of the potential damages you may have suffered – such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical disfigurement and future medical expenses – so that you receive the compensation you deserve.

The process of pursuing damages against a dog owner is complex and can become overwhelming if you try to handle the case yourself. At Terry & Kelly, we are adept at handling the nuances of a dog bite case and can help you avoid the many pitfalls that you may encounter.

We have the experience and knowledge necessary to assist victims of dog bites in Austin. If you have suffered a dog bite, contact Terry & Kelly, PLLC at 512-900-9000 as soon as possible to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.

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Austin Moves to Decriminalize Public Intoxication

With our large entertainment district and flourishing craft beer scene, it is not surprising that about 10% of all arrests in Austin are for public intoxication. The process of jailing intoxicated people, fingerprinting them, and having court hearings is lengthy and frustrating. The city also faces unsettling accusations of racism and homophobia, since some people feel that they are targeted for being a minority. So in order to save the county both time and money, Austin is creating a plan to decriminalize public drunkenness and keep people out of the criminal justice system.

The Travis County Commissioners Court is making efforts to change the laws and open a sobriety center downtown. The proposed plan would allow police to detain intoxicated people and take them to the sobriety center until they are sober. Intoxicated people would not face any criminal charges, and they would be free to leave without any consequences after they are no longer drunk. Supporters of this plan feel strongly that it would prevent the court system and county jail from being overburdened.

Other cities have put similar plans into effect and Houston reports that it has saved $1.8 million by opening a sobriety center and decriminalizing public intoxication. The City of Austin hopes this new plan will support and help people who abuse alcohol, instead of jailing and punishing them. Once this plan goes into effect officials will be able to focus on more serious crimes.

Though there are moves to change Austin’s laws about public intoxication, it is still currently a crime. Fatal accidents are on the rise here in Austin and we urge everyone to drink responsibly and to never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. If you’ve been involved in a serious car accident, especially one caused by an intoxicated driver, contact Terry & Kelly PLLC online or call them today at 512-900-9000 to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.

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