Boat Accidents on the rise in Austin

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of boat accidents in the Austin, Texas area. As a result, there has been a significant rise in the number of people injured in boating accidents during that same time period. The following are some important steps that can be taken to reduce the possibility of a boat accident:

Eliminate Alcohol
Alcohol is a common denominator in a considerable number of boat accidents. The primary key to reducing the possibility of a boat accident is to eliminate drinking when on the water. The operator of the boat should never drink.
Moderate Speed
Another frequent underlying reason for a boat accident is speed in excess of what water conditions permit. Reducing speed and paying closer attention to water conditions is another step that can be taken to avoid a boat accident.
Proper Maintenance
A recurring cause of boat accidents is the failure to properly maintain a craft. Time needs to be set aside to properly maintain a watercraft. This not only includes appropriate regular maintenance but also safety inspections, including maintenance and safety inspections undertaken by a professional.
Retain Legal Counsel
If a person is injured in a boat accident in the Austin, he or she needs to seek out a qualified Austin boating accident attorney, like a member of the legal team at Terry Kerry PLLC. An initial consultation can be scheduled with an Austin boating accident attorney at our firm and there is no charge for an initial consultation to discuss a boat accident case.
During an initial consultation, an attorney will evaluate your specific case and answer any questions you may have. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating-related accident, call us today.

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Boating Safety A Must When Enjoying Texas Lakes

According to Texas.gov, the most common citations given to boaters are for not having enough life jackets on board or children under 13 not wearing life jackets. Nearly 85 percent of people who drown are not wearing a life jacket.

A typical boating fatality happens on a weekend between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. More often than not, the victim falls overboard and drowns before making it back into the boat. The real determining factor? Fifty percent of all boating accidents involved alcohol consumption.
Any Austin boating accident attorney will state that alcohol and water don’t mix.
Recreational boaters may think they are having fun on the water – in the sun, cruising, skiing and consuming alcohol. However, the effects of alcohol on the body can be magnified by sun and heat, causing individuals to become more intoxicated than they realize.

Coast Guard statistics indicate that most alcohol-related boating accidents involve the inattention of the operator plus excessive speed, drugs, alcohol or both. Usually, the boat operator is 35 or older.
A BUI (Boating Under the Influence) can be just as devastating as a DUI, and more likely to happen. Why? Open containers of alcohol are legal while boating, because boating is recognized as recreational. However, driving a boat will intoxicated is illegal and can lead to the driver receiving a BUI (Boating Under the Influence charge). Such drivers could wind up with a criminal record for drinking and driving a boat. More importantly, they can cause serious injury or death of other individuals.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of the negligent operation of a boat – including BUI – you should contact a boat accident lawyer immediately to protect your interests. Our Austin boating accident attorneys are always available to discuss your case and help you receive the justice you deserve. If you need assistance, please contact Terry & Kelly PLLC today for a free consultation.

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Viral Video Takes Austin On A Trip Down Memory Lane

The changes that can come to a city over the course of two decades can be dramatic as a recent online video showed with respect to how Austin has rapidly expanded. Back on June 9, 1996, a then-law student from Scotland decided to document what life looked like in the city, helping to create a time capsule for that distant era.

Traveling down some of the main city streets brought glimpses of buildings and businesses that are no longer there, gas prices in the range of $1.40 a gallon and traffic on a Sunday afternoon that saw minimal activity. Due to the absence of any heavy influx of traffic, there seems to have been little or no use for the services of an Austin car accident attorney.

Fast forward to the present day and things have drastically changed for Austin, the vast majority of differences being on the positive side. A surge in tech-related businesses and other startups has made the city a magnet for growth, resulting in an economic explosion that continues to offer many benefits.

Accordingly, Austin’s population has surged from approximately 560,000 at the time the video was shot to more than two million as of December 2015. That’s meant more cars on the road, which has increased the potential dangers for all drivers as well as pedestrians. Unfortunately, that’s also made the need for an Austin car accident attorney much more important.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of someone’s irresponsible behavior behind the wheel, it makes sense to get in touch with an Austin car accident attorney like those at Terry & Kelly PLLC. They fight passionately for their clients in the courtroom and have won large verdicts to help those victims achieve justice. Contact them today!

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Overgrown Shrubs Blocking 40% of Sidewalks in Austin

With months of above average rainfall, it’s no surprise that overgrown shrubbery is taking over Austin’s sidewalks. In fact, the city of Austin states that addressing overgrown shrubs is necessary to clear up more than 40% of the city’s sidewalks – making them safer and more accessible to all.

City code requires property owners to maintain trees and vegetation above or near sidewalks within the right-of-way, and for good reason. Shrubs, weeds, and other plants can become a hindrance to those using sidewalks, blocking visibility and creating hazards on the cement path. For those with disabilities who may have difficulty traveling as it is, this becomes even more true. In fact, failure to properly maintain areas around sidewalks can be considered a violation of the Americans with Disability Act.

Once the city finds that a sidewalk is overgrown with shrubbery, they will mail a letter notifying the homeowner who then has 10 days to address the issue. A follow-up inspection is then performed by the city and, if the work has not been completed, the city will again notify the homeowner, this time by certified letter. The homeowner is given an additional 10 days to take care of the issue. If the sidewalk is still not clear after that 10-day period, the city has the right to remove the obstructing growth and bill the property owner for costs. If the overgrown shrubbery is the responsibility of the city of Austin, the homeowner will be notified of the work that will be performed, which will be completed at no cost to the property owner.

Overgrown vegetation can block visibility of motorists and create hazards for pedestrians, vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles. If you have been injured due to obstructed sidewalks or visibility, contact an Austin Premises Liability Attorney immediately in order to preserve certain legal rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Contact Terry and Kelly, PLLC at 512-900-9000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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Uber, Lyft Stop Austin Service After May 7th Election

The popular ridesharing services Uber and Lyft have ceased operations within the city limits after the failure of Proposition 1 on the May 7th ballot. The failed proposition would have softened some city regulations, including mandatory fingerprint background checks for drivers.

Both Lyft and Uber say that they will continue to fight for ridesharing in Austin, but talks between either company and the city seem to be futile. A representative for Uber would not state whether the company is in talks with city leaders, but said they look forward to future conversations with the city and “are open to working with elected officials who are interested in modernizing the city’s regulations for ridesharing.”

Although Uber and Lyft are no longer operating in Austin, those outside the city can still take advantage of the ridesharing services. As long as the ride did not originate within the city limits, drivers can take passengers through the city and into the downtown area. There are also a few other ridesharing companies looking to fill the void, such as Dallas-based GetMe and Phoenix-based Fare. Both apps are currently operating within the city and require fingerprint background checks for all of their drivers. Another ridesharing service called Fasten, out of Boston, is also expected to launch this month.

So while Uber and Lyft are no longer operating in Austin, there are quite a few options for those looking to get home safely. Safety on the road, whether behind the wheel or as a passenger, is our top concern at Terry & Kelly, PLLC. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s extremely important to contact Austin Car Accident Attorney immediately in order to preserve certain legal rights. Call us today at 512-900-9000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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Austin Still In The Running To Win Smart City Challenge

Motivated by a desire to tackle Austin’s problems with traffic congestion, Mayor Steve Adler has submitted a proposal that could mean a total of $50 million for the city to improve its transportation options. The Smart City Challenge is offering up to $40 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation and up to $10 million from Paul Allen’s Vulcan Philanthropy to the city that will most effectively integrate innovative technologies such as self-driving cars, connected vehicles and smart sensors into its transportation network.

A total of 78 cities submitted proposals. Austin is one of the seven finalists that received $100,000 to refine its proposal. Initially, the 30-page proposal included using drones for package delivery to reduce traffic congestion and use of self-driving cars. According to the Department of Transportation, the winning city will be one with a plan that is both ambitious and detailed. The other finalists are Columbus, OH, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Pittsburgh, PA, Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA.

“No city needs this more, and no city is better situated to take advantage of all the Smart City Challenge offers on mobility. You don’t get opportunities like this all the time, and we are going all out to win it,” Mayor Steve Adler said. “Simply put, mobility is a life or death issue for our city.”

Self-driving cars and other technological innovations are expected to make roads throughout the country considerably safer. Unfortunately, it will be several years before technology and regulations for self-driving vehicles are developed enough to allow them on the road. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s extremely important to contact Austin Car Accident Attorney immediately in order to preserve certain legal rights. Call us today at 512-900-9000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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Austin Continues to Struggle With I-35 Rock Throwing

The Austin Police Department and local residents are becoming increasingly frustrated as the number of rock-throwing incidents in the downtown area continue to escalate without any information on who may be responsible or what is being done to keep drivers safe. There were a total of 13 separate incidents reported during the weekend of May 20th alone – leaving 5 people injured and bringing the total number of cases since July 2014 to 83.

The Austin Police Department has determined that the rocks are being thrown deliberately, but stop short of offering any specifics for fear of endangering the investigation. However, many suspect the rocks are being thrown from the upper deck of I-35, off of overpasses or even from a vehicle moving in the opposite direction of the motorists who were hit.

Now the Austin Police Department is looking to create a task force to address the problem. Police have considered placing warning signs along the highway and even closing the lower deck at night, which is when most of the incidents occur. Police hope that the signs will alert out-of-town travelers of the risk and provide drivers with instructions in the event that they are hit by a rock.

If you become a victim of rock throwing along I-35, pull over as quickly and safely as possible, call 911 immediately and do not touch the area of impact or the rock. It’s important for police to know the exact time and location of the incident to help catch who’s responsible. The Austin Police Department also recommends that drivers use the outside lanes from 10PM to 6AM, take the upper deck as opposed to the lower deck, and remain aware of their surroundings. Look ahead and use your mirrors constantly.

Victims of rock throwing incidents should also contact an Austin Car Accident Attorney immediately in order to determine their legal rights. An attorney may be able to help you obtain the financial compensation needed to deal with the physical and emotional trauma you may have experienced. If you have been the victim of a rock attack on I-35, contact Terry and Kelly, PLLC at 512-900-9000 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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