Archive for August, 2011

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30
Aug

Austin City Council Settles Wrongful Death Suit

August 30, 2011

Two lawsuits filed against the City of Austin, Texas, were closed last Wednesday after members of City Council voted on a settlement amount for victims of a police shooting. According to MYFOX-Austin, the city decided to pay the family members of one of the victims $750,000 so that the case would not go before a jury. The other man was paid $175,000 for the gunshot he sustained that night.

The incident occurred in 2009 when an officer with the Austin Police Department shot and killed the victim as the two struggled to gain control of a gun. The officer then shot the other man as well. A grand jury cleared the officer of any wrong doing, but an independent report found he had used excessive force during the incident.

Council members voted last week after realizing it would cost close to $100,000 just in attorney fees to take the case to court. Council member, Sheryl Cole, reiterated the uncertainty of trials by saying, “Everybody knows attorneys cost a lot of money and a trial doesn’t guarantee anything it’s a roll of the dice at best.”

Council members said after the vote that they hope the decision will bring the community closer and lay to rest hostility that has built amongst factions on both sides of the argument.

The Texas Wrongful Death Attorneys with Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers encourage you to contact them if you have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence. Complete a free online consultation form today if you need legal help.

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23
Aug

Austin Crash Kills Two And Injures Two Children

August 23, 2011

A crash on Austin’s MoPac Expressway cost two people their lives, and injured an infant and another child Sunday afternoon. KVUE News reported the accident happened just after 6:00 PM in the northbound lanes, just south of Steck Avenue.

The single car accident happened when the driver lost control of the vehicle and drifted onto the inside shoulder of the road, where it struck a guardrail and rolled into the southbound lanes. The two adult passengers were killed in the crash and declared dead at the scene, while the children occupying the vehicle were taken to Dell Children’s Hospital to be treated for the injuries they sustained. Investigators say they believe speed was a contributing factor in the incident. It took authorities several hours to reopen the road and for traffic to return to normal.

Speed often plays a contributing part in fatal crashes because of the greater impact caused the point of collision. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) says speed is one of the top three contributing factors in fatal highway crashes, just behind alcohol and distracted driving.

If you have been injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligent speeding, contact the Texas Auto Accident Lawyers with Daniel Stark Injury Law. They work to help victims of car crashes get through the difficult times after crashes and collect the compensation they need to move on with their lives. Their lawyers are always available to discuss your case confidentially with you for free.

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16
Aug

Arlington Billboard Worker Falls to His Death

August 16, 2011

A man hanging a billboard in Arlington, Texas, fell to his death on Monday afternoon. According to a report by News Channel 25, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as a 40-year-old man from Boyd, Texas.

The man was on the billboard near Cowboys Stadium midday Monday when he suddenly lost his footing and slipped, falling approximately 30 feet before hitting the ground. Witnesses immediately called 911, and rescue workers transported the man to Arlington Hospital; however, it was too late for the man by the time they arrived and he was declared dead.

Investigators with several agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), are looking into the incident to determine whether the worker was wearing a safety harness at the time of the accident, and if he was, whether it was properly attached.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an all time high for fatalities resulting from falls while on the job in 2007, with a total of 847 deaths. The US Department of Labor named falls as one of the leading causes of traumatic death on the job, accounting for 8% of all reported worker deaths.

The Texas Wrongful Death Attorneys with Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers may be able to help you with your case if you have lost a loved one to a job site accident.  They have years of experience fighting against insurance companies that may hold up your settlement or deny you compensation altogether for your loss. Contact them for a free consultation of your case.

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9
Aug

Two Injured When Pickup Truck Crashes Through Wall of Waco Home

August 9, 2011

A family in Waco, Texas is thankful that no one was killed when a pickup truck crashed through their house. News Channel 25 reported that the accident occurred around 4:00 AM last Friday morning as the family was sleeping, on the 1600 block of Wood Street.

Authorities said the Chevy Silverado pickup truck was speeding down Wood Street when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The truck flipped into the yard of the home, hit a telephone pole, and crashed through the wall of the home, barely missing a sleeping young woman’s head. The vehicle came to rest after striking a tree in the yard. The young woman who narrowly escaped with her life was taken to the hospital to be treated for cuts and bruises from debris thrown in the crash. The driver of the pickup truck was also taken to the hospital and treated for multiple injuries.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists speed as one of the top three causes of fatal crashes in the United States. It is also a cause that’s completely preventable by drivers.

The Texas Auto Accident Attorneys with Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers have experience handling cases for victims who were hurt in car crashes caused by another driver’s negligent and careless speeding. Contact them immediately for a free consultation about your rights to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs.

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2
Aug

Texas Auto Accidents Down at Intersections with Cameras

August 2, 2011

New research by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) shows that Texas auto accidents are down at intersections where red light cameras are installed. The report, which was released Monday, used data from 275 red light camera intersections and 11,000 crash records to determine crash frequencies one, two, and three years after the camera was installed.

Findings were astounding: an 11% decrease in Texas auto accidents was determined by a crash decrease of 633 crashes at the sites after cameras were installed. These reductions were seen on all types of roadways, from primary business roads to the U.S. highway system. Also, analysis of accident figures at intersections a year before cameras were installed to a year after cameras were installed shows a 23% decrease in the number of auto accidents. Studies on the effects after two and three years showed declines of nearly 27 and 21 percent.

The author of the report believes the cameras play a vital role in reducing Texas auto accidents, stating, “These findings show clearly that red light cameras offer significant safety benefits. Most important, they help prevent the most severe and deadly type of intersection crashes.”

The Texas Auto Accident Attorneys with Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers understand the needs Texas auto accident victims may have and can fight the insurance companies for the compensation victims deserves. Contact them immediately for a free consultation of your case.

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