Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What is Vicarious Liability and Why Does it Matter?
Vicarious liability, or third-party liability, creates an additional recovery source in a car crash claim. That extra source is very important, especially in catastrophic (life-threatening) claims. Texas has one of the lowest auto insurance minimum requirements in the country, and most people only buy minimum coverage. If Joe’s damages are $100,000 and Tom only… Read More »
What on Earth is a SMIDSY Crash?
SMIDSY is an informal acronym for a left-turn motorcycle crash. It stands for “sorry, mate, I didn’t see you.” This line says a lot. The tortfeasor (negligent driver) subtly shifts blame to the victim. Indeed, most tortfeasors say things like “You came out of nowhere” in these situations. Furthermore, many tortfeasors brush off serious… Read More »
Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Houston
Few details were available after a motorist fatally struck a pedestrian in the 4900 block of the I-610 North Loop East, just before Lockwood Drive. The 38-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family told investigators she had been drinking before she was struck. They said she frequents the area on foot… Read More »
The Comparative Fault Defense in Truck Wreck Claims
Large trucks haul much more freight than ever before. The number of vehicle miles traveled has more than tripled since the 1980s. Shipping and transportation companies don’t just expect truck drivers to travel more miles. These companies also expect their drivers to reach their destinations faster. The tight deadline could mean a missed on-time… Read More »
What to Expect in a Burn Injury Case
Most serious burn injury victims spend almost two months in a hospital. Regional burn centers are much more expensive than the average hospital. So, the average hospital bill in a burn case usually exceeds $100,000. Other out-of-pocket expenses, such as prescription drugs, medical devices, and physical therapy, are still to come. Serious burns are… Read More »
Authorities Make Arrest in West Houston Hit-and-Run
Police took a 24-year-old man into custody after he allegedly confessed to driving the car in a serious injury hit-and-run crash. The incident occurred at an apartment complex located in the 9000 block of South Dairy Ashford Road. According to investigators, Martinez was driving a silver Honda Accord southbound at a high rate of… Read More »
What Are the Most Common Private Swimming Pool Injuries?
Swimming pool ownership is no longer just for the rich and famous. Over 800,000 Texas homes have backyard swimming pools. Swimmers hoping to take a break from the hot summer sun often sustain serious injuries, some of which are outlined below. Usually, the swimming pool’s owner is financially responsible for damages in these cases,… Read More »
Top Five Nursing Home Slip-and-Fall Injuries
Generally, falls send people to nursing homes and keep them there longer than expected. Falls are one of the leading causes of nursing home admissions. Furthermore, almost two-thirds of nursing home residents fall at these facilities. A prior fall magnifies the physical and emotional injuries in a subsequent fall. As a result, many of… Read More »
Ridesharing Operators and Distracted Driving Wrecks in Texas
Demand for ridesharing services has skyrocketed since coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020. But the number of ridesharing operators hasn’t skyrocketed. As a result, the remaining drivers often operate in unknown areas and over-rely on GPS navigation devices. This dependence probably explains why the number of distracted driving crashes has also skyrocketed in recent years…. Read More »
Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Ridesharing Operator
As she was changing a tire on eastbound Interstate 10, a hit-and-run driver struck and killed a 57-year-old woman. Few details were available about the wreck, but many details are available about the victim. According to the family, the woman was changing a flat tire at the time of the wreck. “My wife called… Read More »
