Daily life is full of its own perils. From the time we leave the house and turn onto the Inner Loop on-ramp, to the time we get back home, the chances of getting into some sort of accident is not miniscule. According to the Texas Department of Transport, there were reported car crashes every 58 seconds of every day in 2018, a large chunk of those happening in Harris County alone. Aside from that, the bustling city, due to its massive and diverse industries sees countless personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. Unfortunately, the nature of accidents, vehicular or otherwise, is that we cannot anticipate them. But what we can do is prepare. In order to protect our families and livelihood, we must ensure that no matter what situation we may find ourselves in, we’re secured on all fronts. This is how.
Medical Malpractice
Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. Just between Highway 288 and Rice Village, it has its own skyline that rivals any downtown city center. Within it, the best doctors from all over the world work together to diagnose, treat, and innovate in an attempt to rid the community of sickness and disease. But just because these doctors and facilities are the best in the world doesn’t mean they are infallible. Medical malpractice is the ugly reality of the sheer volume of patients and complexity of disease that these doctors have to handle. Oftentimes, they don’t mean to injure or maim their patients. They are bound by the Hippocratic Oath. But in the event that they do, there has to be some sort of compensation for the families and the patients themselves.
Obstetrics/Gynecology is the number one source of medical malpractice. The numerous possible injuries caused during childbirth can leave babies with varying degrees of damage. One of the most common is Erb’s Palsy, and injury to the nerves in charge of moving the arm. In a family’s most vulnerable time, it is important to have a strong and capable legal team to handle your case with absolute certainty while you take care of what matters most.
Vehicular Accidents
Houston, along with being America’s most diverse city, is home to one of the most aggressive driving cultures in the country. Transplants often stand shocked at the giant, Texas-sized trucks, blitz-like speed, and confusingly massive one way downtown roads. Interspersed between these conditions are a plethora of train tracks on the South and East sides, heading towards Port Arthur. Personal injury lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law explain that train accidents happen far more often in America than people realize, and can be devastating to their victims. When driving in Houston, one must be acquainted with the roads. The city’s loop system isn’t one that’s present in most American cities and it takes some getting used to. Also, the speed limit may change depending on the road. Keeping an eye out for drivers who may have not taken a glance at the new speed sign may be key to avoiding a sudden stop accident. And making absolutely sure you make full stops at train tracks is a simple yet overlooked safety precaution. Either way, always have a plan in case anything goes wrong.
Taking Action After A Car Accident: First Steps
There’s a whole lot that can happen in the first few minutes after a motor vehicle accident. They’re completely disorienting despite its relative frequency. It’s no surprise that accidents are the number 4 leading cause of premature death in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you find yourself in this situation and are not seriously injured, the first thing you have to do is assess the safety of the situation. Is the other party injured? Do you see fire? How bad is the damage to both vehicles? After you do so, immediately call the police. Calling the police after an accident, no matter how small you think it is, ensures that there’s legal documentation given by an officer of the law. This police report will be looked for by insurance companies, lawyers, and any other person or agency that is involved thereafter. While waiting for the police, that’s when you take pictures, gather witness accounts, and exchange insurance information with the other party. Once that’s done, go see a doctor. If you are able to drive yourself, legally park your car call a taxi or a ride share anyway. There’s no sense in risking any further injury or embolism after the adrenaline wears off. While you’re en route to the hospital, make that call to your accident and personal injury attorney. Remember, insurance companies are not in the business of paying out what you’re owed. They’re in the business of getting you to agree to lower numbers.
Workers’ Compensation
Every job has its potential dangers. The aforementioned medical field has a high risk of exposure to a host of infectious diseases (they store Ebola in UTMB). Construction and heavy machine operations are constant hotbeds for potential accidents. If you’re working in medicine, machines, oil, or any high-risk industry, you need to be prepared to face workers’ compensation disputes in the unfortunate event of something happening. In Texas, you cannot sue an employer if they have an established workers’ compensation insurance policy. If not, this falls under Non-subscriber Law. In the event that you are injured on the job, employers will try anything to not pay out a premium, or lowball you in any way they can. Many insurers will call for an Independent Medical Examination or IME to determine whether you are fit to work or not. The doctors conducting the exams are hand-picked by insurance companies and often work in their favor. If your IME is in direct conflict with what your personal doctor says, you may need to consult an attorney to settle the claim. Even then, you should have an experienced legal consultant in your corner to answer all your questions and determine whether or not you’re being rightfully compensated.
Accidents and injuries are no joke. They keep us from fulfilling our duties to our families and completely halt the everyday flow of our life. They come unexpectedly and always come with a hefty price tag. To make sure you’re always protected, choose a strong and experienced legal counsel. They’re here to help keep things fair and negotiable in situations where insurance companies and large corporations would rather see to it that they win. Be prepared. And with that peace of mind, you can be confident that you can handle anything that comes your way.
