Can Lawmakers Make Texas Roads Less Deadly?

While traffic fatalities in Texas decreased slightly from 2016 to 2017 — from 3,794 to 3,721, a decline of 1.92% — the state still holds the disgraceful distinction of leading the nation in motor vehicle deaths.

In 2017:

  • One reportable accident happened every 59 seconds.
  • One person was injured every 2 minutes, 4 seconds.
  • One person was killed every 2 hours, 21 minutes.

Clearly, we have a long way to go in making the roads safer. If you’ve been hurt in a car wreck or you’ve lost a loved one in a collision, call the Texas car accident and wrongful death lawyers at The Evans Law Firm.

Can the Government Help Eliminate Traffic Deaths?

Lawmakers and state agencies are well aware of our dismal record when it comes to motor vehicle accidents and deaths. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) …

Car seat
Child Seat Safety Is Highly Questionable in Texas

The statistics are alarming. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14 in the United States. In 2016, 35% of kids who died in crashes were not restrained at all. Even among parents who do use car seats and other restraints for their young children, misuse is rampant. An estimated 72% to 84% of kids are not properly buckled into correctly installed seats appropriate for their age and size. This is startlingly incongruous with another stat: 96% of parents say they believe their children’s seats are installed the right way. This ignorance puts young lives in danger — across Texas and the entire country.

The good news: Texas lawmakers, led by representative Chris Turner of North Texas, are taking steps to update state law regarding child safety seats, a move that will give …

Father's rights in child custody
The Rights of the Father

Fathers have more rights today than they had years ago when mothers were almost always granted primary custody of the children, but many divorcing fathers still must struggle to obtain them.  This can happen even though in today’s world both parents often work, fathers may be the stay-at-home parent and may actively participate in their children’s lives, and the importance of children having a father’s presence has been recognized. Children who do not have a father in their lives suffer many negative effects, such as being more likely to use drugs or drop out of school.

Texas law recognizes the father’s equal right to be considered as the primary conservator, and courts are more likely to award custody to fathers than they used to; but mothers more often wind up having more benefits and control, especially when the children are …

Biker Safety Becomes Focus in May
Biker Safety Becomes Focus in May

Motorcycle safety is your responsibility. That’s true whether your ride of choice is a Harley, a Prius, an F-150, an 18-wheeler, or anything in between. Especially in Texas, which holds the distinction of having the 2nd-highest number of bikers in the country, it’s imperative that all drivers remain aware of their surroundings and keep an eye out for motorcycles, which are smaller than other vehicles and offer little protection for their riders.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 501 people on motorcycles were killed in the state in 2017. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in an accident than people in other types of vehicles. And that’s not even counting the thousands of motorcyclists who are injured every year. Because of their size, motorcycles may not be noticed by …

Prom Safety
2019 Prom Safety in Austin

The season is fast approaching. For many high school students, prom is the highlight of the school year — the gorgeous gowns and sleek tuxedos, elegant dinner, the ritual of the corsage and boutonniere, and, of course, the dance itself. As a parent, you may send off your son or daughter and marvel at just how grown-up they’ve become.

But it’s important to remember that behind the makeup and fancy clothes, your child is still … well, a child. Teenagers may look like they’re on the verge of adulthood, but their decision-making skills haven’t fully matured and they lack critical experience behind the wheel.

It’s your responsibility to talk to your kid about staying safe on the road and to make it easy for them to get out of a potentially hazardous situation without fear of punishment or judgment. That’s …

Teenage drivers are still learning the rules of the road
Why Texas is Considering Waiving Driving Tests for Teens

Texas roads are hazardous places. That’s especially true for teenagers, who may lack the critical-thinking ability and experience necessary to avoid dangerous situations and make those on-the-fly judgments so essential for safe driving.

But, as reported by Houston Public Media, Texas State Representative James White — Republican representing District 19 — wants to make it easier for young people in the state to get a driver’s license.

He has filed a bill to revoke the current requirement, which states individuals under the age of 18 must pass a test administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety in order to receive a license.

White’s bill would allow a parent to administer the test to their child — as was the case before 2009. The lawmaker says he hopes his measure will reduce wait times at Department of Public Safety offices.…

Distracted Driving Awareness
Pay Attention, Texas: Observing Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

As The Evans Law Firm and the National Safety Council observe Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, help us by doing your part to keep Texas roads safe.

Distracted driving is nothing new. People have been eating, touching up makeup, and fiddling with the radio dial while behind the wheel since long before cell phones became part of the equation.

But as much as advancements in technology have improved our lives and ability to communicate, they haven’t done many favors for our driving. In addition to all of the old-school distractions, we now have dashboard touch-screens, GPS devices, and those ever-present smartphones to tempt our eyes away from the road.

Don’t endanger yourself, your family, and your fellow citizens. Join us in taking the National Safety Council’s pledge to Just Drive.

Distracted Driving Leads

…

Pedestrian injury attorney
Grim News for Texas Pedestrians

Things are bad on Texas roads. In fact, we’re nearing the top of the list of states with the most pedestrian deaths. Our state’s increase in pedestrian fatalities is part of a bigger trend. In other words, the pedestrian safety problem is bad everywhere, but it’s particularly scary in Texas.

Just how bad is it? During the first six months of 2018, the number of pedestrian deaths in the Lone Star State increased by 32 percent from the year before, bringing the total number of pedestrian fatalities during the front end of 2018 to 298. Only Georgia saw an increase that big from 2017 to 2018.

This is a National Trend, Too

An increase in pedestrian deaths isn’t unique to Texas. Nationally, there’s been a 35 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities from 2008 to 2017. When including all types of …

Distracted Driving accident
Distraction is Increasing Among Drivers

How often are you doubling your risk for being involved in a car accident? Every time you look at your phone while driving, you’re putting yourself at a much greater risk of crashing. According to recent research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, distraction is becoming an even more serious problem on our roads.

IIHS’s report has a few unsettling findings, but the biggest takeaway is that drivers were observed manipulating their cellphones 57 percent more in 2018 than they were in 2014. It seems that, despite the countless warnings by states and safety advocates, drivers just can’t seem to break their addiction to smartphones when behind the wheel.

How did IIHS determine the prevalence of smartphone usage among drivers? Simple. They put researchers next to roads and let them watch what people were doing. Their findings showed …

Custody issues with a problematic spouse
Custody Issues with a Problematic Spouse

There is no end to the issues a problematic spouse can create when custody is disputed.  Since parents are customarily appointed to be joint managing conservators, with equal say in making important decisions for the child, disagreements may arise in major areas regarding issues such as where the child should be educated, what medical and dental care the child should receive, and what religious training should be provided. Problems frequently occur if one parent wants sole managing conservatorship and the other parent does not agree.

Issues also arise in regard to physical custody – how much time the child should spend in the home of each parent, what visitation schedules should be set up, and what relatives are allowed access to the child.

When There’s a Disagreement Between Parents

If parents do not agree, the courts will decide for them. …