• a lack of awareness;
• slowed reaction times;
• a lack of judgment;
• reduced attention;
• mood changes; and
• memory lapses.

• take time off for 34 consecutive hours after working 70 hours and this must include 2 nights between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.;
• breaks at least every 8 hours, if not sooner, and each break must last at least 30 minutes; and
• drive a maximum 70 hours per week.

• Always wear a high-quality helmet that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, American National Standards Institute or Snell Foundation to protect your head and brain in the event of an impact.
• Wear knee and elbow pads, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and non-slip gloves to protect your skin from road rash.
• Wear reflective clothing to ensure you are seen by motorists at night.
• Always ride with your headlights on, both day and night.
• Obey speed limits and traffic signals.
• Use caution at driveways, parking lot entrances and intersections.

• police report;
• photographs of the accident scene;
• statements from witnesses;
• cell phone records;
• truck’s maintenance records;
• driver’s employment history;
• dispatch records;
• GPS;
• logbook (paper or electronic); and
• computer simulation reconstructing the accident. 

• grooming;
• using a GPS;
• adjusting dials;
• eating and drinking;
• texting while driving;
• reaching for an object;
• talking on a cell phone;
• talking with other passengers;
• reading a map; and
• watching a video.  

• driving too fast for weather conditions;
• distracted driving;
• running a stop sign;
• speeding;
• following a vehicle too closely;
• not checking a blind spot; and
• making a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming vehicle. 

• poor communication on the part of the client, the attorney, or between client and attorney;
• the client has unreasonable expectations or ambitions about the case;
• the attorney doesn’t adequately educate the client on the advantages and disadvantages of the case at the outset; and
• the case itself isn’t very strong, but the client wants his or her day in court even when a settlement offer is preferable and strategically more viable.  

• Out of the 1,398 under-21 DWI fatalities that occurred in the U.S., 185 occurred in Texas.
• Texas’ DWI accident death rate per 100,000 population was 5.0, compared to the national average of 3.5 per 100,000 population. 
• 93,856 were arrested in 2009 in Texas for driving under the influence, 993 of which were under the age of 18. 

• they lack adequate medians and road dividers;
• they aren’t as well designed or maintained as city roads; and
• there are fewer DWI and seatbelt crackdowns. 

• drive on the wrong side of the road;
• make incredibly wide turns;
• straddle the center line on the road;
• weave and swerve;
• act aggressively toward other drivers;
• drive much slower than moving traffic or brake unnecessarily; and
• have delayed reactions to street signs or other drivers’ sudden maneuvers. 

• “guarantees” a certain recovery amount;
• refers you to a specific doctor that he or she has a “friendly arrangement” with;
• makes pressing recommendations to do something else even after you’ve made your wishes clear; and
• is unable or unwilling to clearly explain the payment system. 

• what services the attorney is responsible for;
• what the expenses are and how legal fees will be dealt with; and
• the process for dissolving the relationship, should it become clear that the arrangement is not working out to the mutual benefit of both parties. 

• apologizing to the other driver, as this will be interpreted as fault;
• acting irrationally, accusing the other driver, or being uncooperative with police or emergency respondents;
• failing or refusing to get medical treatment;
• failing to notify your insurance company of your accident altogether;
• going forward with a case without a Houston personal injury lawyer in your corner; and
• posting about your accident or injuries on social media sites, which will inevitably be monitored to some extent. 

• Network – if your employer has elected to use a network for workers’ comp, you’ll have to select a doctor that’s part of your employer’s network. Your supervisor can provide you with a list of treating physicians from which you may choose. 
• Out-of-Network – if your employer uses a network, but you need a particular specialist that isn’t listed in the network, you have the right to request approval for an out-of-network referral.  
• Non-Network – if your employer has elected not to use a network, you may choose a physician on the Division of Workers' Compensation’s (DWC) Approved Doctor List. 

• a list of questions you want the attorney to answer about the strengths and weaknesses of your case, as well as his or her experience and background;
• necessary documentation, such as the police report and your medical records; and
• photographs, if relevant, of your accident damage and injuries you sustained.

• providing educational resources to help employees become familiar with the Workers’ Compensation system in Texas;
• offering ombudsman services should a dispute arise; and
• giving employees referral information to local resources and appropriate agencies when they need assistance or have a complaint. 

• information about employee rights and responsibilities;
• links to file your workers’ comp claim online, or download copies of the DWC-41;
• brochures and flyers;
• workers’ comp fact sheets; and
• help on filing a complaint. 

Currently thirty states have banned texting completely as well as the District of Columbia.  In Texas, only young drivers are banned.  As of September 2009, Texas teens under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving.

Knowing the dangers and risks, why do so many people still choose to text while driving?  Dontdriveandtext.org reports that cell phone use accounts for 2,600 vehicle fatalities and 300,000 collisions annually. 

There are multiple advertisements and campaigns against using cell phones while driving such as "Focus Driven", created by families of victims killed in cell phone related accidents.  "No Phone Zone", created and promoted by Oprah may be more famous. Oprah has asked guests on her show to sign pledges agreeing not use their cell phones while driving, specifically texting.  

The word is getting out there, and people know the dangers but are they really taking it to heart?  Thousands of innocent lives have been lost.  Set an example by waiting to read and reply to that message, or by pulling over to take that call.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a Houston car accident caused by a distracted driver, you should call our office today at (713) 921-4171 or (800) 232-3711.