Corpus Christi Personal Injury Lawyer

Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney Discusses Tragedy near Beeville

Reynaldo Pena — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:29:34 GMT

There has recently been another horrible tragedy on our Texas highways. This time, a beautiful 4 year old boy named Luca Moya was killed, and his mother, Emika Moya, was seriously injured. Emika, a school teacher in Goliad, Texas, was driving through dense fog when her car was hit head-on by an 18 wheeler that had crossed over into her lane. Emika never had a chance, and neither did little Luca.

It is clear that when commercial vehicles are driving in low visibility conditions such as fog that they must take extra precautions and make sure they do not endanger the lives of innocent people driving on our highways. There is no excuse for an 18 wheeler to cross over into on-coming traffic in low-visibility situations. This is unacceptable, and a family is now having to deal with an enormous tragedy that could have easily been avoided. My heart and prayers go out to the Moya family and all others that are affected.

The point is that commercial drivers need to realize that they are driving steel and metal monsters that need to be driven responsibly. Passenger vehicles are no match for these metal monsters when they collide. In fact, not even a properly used car-seat could save little Luca, but the driver of the 18 wheeler only sustained minor injuries. When driving it is very important to drive defensively, and pay close attention to comercial vehicles driving near you - clearly commercial vehicle drivers are not always driving responsibly. I hope the Moya family's story, and the many stories like his, will perpetuate change for the better. It is the mission of our lawfirm, and me personally, to perpetuate changes in the law to make our roads safer, and to hold commercial vehicle companies and their drivers accountable for the lives that are destroyed in their wake. Our mission continues.

Reynaldo A. Pena

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Reynaldo Pena

Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney Discusses Killer Profits

Reynaldo Pena — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:28:23 GMT

Our firm represents several victims of commercial vehicle accidents at any one time. These victims have suffered immeasurably due to the actions and decisions of commercial vehicle drivers and companies throughout the United States, and most of the time PROFIT is the real cause of the incidents. While there is nothing wrong with a business making a profit (that is the point of business!), businesses must conduct themselves in a responsible manner - especially when their business activities can seriously injure or kill innocent people.

Sadly, many commercial vehicles are improperly maintained, and corners are cut, for the sole purpose of saving a buck. This August, the American Association for Justice released a report on commercial vehicle accidents, and the findings are frightening. The most common problem with these enormous, super-heavy metal machines traveling at highway speeds along side much smaller passenger vehicles is brake failure! Other common violations are commercial vehicles driving on bad tires, and trucks being over-loaded. These problems, especially when combined, are a recipe for disaster, and the sad thing is that many truckers and trucking companies know about these problems and choose to ignore them. It is much cheaper for them to ignore the problems, save money on maintenance and repair, and roll the dice - on your life! Talk about killer profits. Our firm sees firsthand the devastation brought on by these problems, and it is inexcusable.

Please always be aware of your surroundings when you are driving, and pay close attention to commercial vehicles whether they are trash trucks or 18 wheelers. Drive defensively and do not take for granted that the "professional" driver next to you on the highway is a safe driver driving a safe vehicle.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Reynaldo Pena

Halloween Themed Flashlights Recalled By Target Due To Burn Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:15:00 GMT

Target stores, in cooperation with the CPSC, announced a voluntary recall of Halloween Flashlights because they can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

To this date, Target has received eight reports of the flashlights overheating and melting, including one report of burns to the hand.

Two types of Halloween-themed flashlights are included in the recall: mini flashlights and flashlights sold with stencils. More details and product examples can be found on the CPSC Web site.

The flashlights were sold at Target stores nationwide from August 2009 through September 2009.

Consumers should stop using the recalled items and return them to any Target store for a refund.

Consumer Information: Contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site at www.target.com

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Man Dies In Fall At CPS Power Plant

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:45:00 GMT

A man fell to his death while working at a CPS Energy power plant on Monday, according to officials from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and San Antonio Police Department.

The man, 27, who is yet to be identified, died from the serious injuries he sustained when he fell approximately 35 to 40 feet at the unit on Calaveras Lake.

According to CPS Energy officials, the worker, employed by Calaveras Power Partners was installing a new piece of catwalk at the construction site, when the worker stepped on an unsecured portion of the catwalk, which caused it to tip. The worker then lost his balance and fell nearly 30 feet to the ground.

The job site will remain closed while an investigation is conducted, said a company spokesman.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Baby Unharmed When Car Crashes Through Home

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:01:00 GMT

A baby, sitting in his stroller, was nearly hit when a vehicle crashed through his house on Sunday night.

The baby, appeared unharmed, but was taken to the hospital as a precaution. He was less than a year old, police said.

The accident, which occurred near Sarita Street and Baldwin Avenue, is under investigation. Police intend to charge the driver with driving while intoxicated, according to Lt. Nicholas Kless.

It appears the driver lost control of his vehicle while turning onto Baldwin Boulevard and slid, said Kless. His car struck a utility pole and then a parked vehicle causing the parked car to catapult into the home.

The home sustained extensive damages. But thankfully baby is OK!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Texas Safety Lawyer Jesse E. Guerra Jr. Receives Prestigious Award from Texas Lawyer

Bob Hilliard — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:59:56 GMT

Jesse E. Guerra Jr., Partner, at Hilliard Munoz Guerra Law Firm was recently chosen as one of twenty-five extraordinary minority lawyers in Texas Law by Texas Lawyer Magazine www.law.com/jsp/tx/PubArticleTX.jsp. This prestigious award is only given every five years.

Jesse's passion for aquatic safety litigation is second to none and in less than two years he has made himself and the firm the go to people for swimming pool drowning cases. He has represented over a dozen families who have lost children in unsafe pools nationwide.

The award further demonstrates his commitment to creating pool safety awareness for all companies and people who own or manage pools acroos Texas. Through his efforts pools have been made safer and changes have been made that will no doubt save future lives. He is currently working to get the Texas Department of Health to make availble pool guidelines in spanish so that spanish only speaking people can comply with the guidelines they are required to abide by.

"Jesse is currently litigating numerous pool cases and keeps himself abreast of pool codes and regulations. In my twenty six years of practicing law, I have never met a lawyer so enthused and passionate about what they do. Jesse has truly set the bar on aquatic litigation in Texas and I have no doubt that his reputation as an aggressive, but fair litigator and trial lawyer will rapidly spread nationwide." -Bob Hilliard, founding partner, of Hilliard Munoz Guerra LLP.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bob Hilliard

Report Outlines 10 Most Dangerous Corpus Christi Intersections

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Members of Corpus Christi’s Traffic Department and city officials released updated information on the city’s most dangerous intersections.

The monthly report is a collection of data gathered from police reports on all accidents from minor automobile accidents to fatalities and more.

Four of the ten worst listed intersections include Everhart, S.P.I.D, Staples and Saratoga.

Adjusting light timing, adding additional street lights and installing red light cameras are some of the new improvements the Traffic Department is considering implementing. A timeframe to make the proposed changes has yet to be announced.

View the complete chart of the 10 most dangerous Corpus Christi intersections. Also read, Disturbing Trends Revealed In Teen Survey.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer Jesse Guerra Discusses Indianapolis Apartment Complex Drowning

Jesse E. Guerra Jr. — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:54:09 GMT

According to several news stories, a three year old boy drowned Tuesday afternoon after gaining access to the complex pool. Little is known how the boy got into the fenced area www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/Mother_of_drowned_toddler_speaks_out_20090924.

However, a news video clearly shows the pools defects that may have allowed easy access to this innocent toddler found floating in the pool by his mother.

State laws that regulate pools in the state require fences. While a fence did exist at the pool. The question that remains is was this enclosure secure? Investigation will surely follow. Our firm handles pool cases every day and many of which have involved fence enclosures. We have a national reputation for representing victims in situations such as this one.

It should also be noted that state apartment associations generally provide guidance for property owners to prevent accidents such as the one at issue here. If anyone would like more information about what can be done in these situations or about pool safety we can be reached at www.injuryboard.com or feel free to visit our website at www.swimmingpoolaccidentlawyer.com

It has also been determined that some changes have been made to the enclosure to ensure this does not happen again. However, the change comes too little too late.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse E. Guerra Jr.

Federal Jury Now set to Hear Closing Arguments in Trailer Cases in New Orleans

Jesse Guerra — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:52:25 GMT

Robert "Bob" Hilliard, of Hilliard, Munoz Guerra Law Firm based out of Corpus Christi, Texas has just returned from New Orleans where he was one of the trial lawyers in the Nation’s first FEMA toxic trailer trial. The trial, Alexander vs. Gulfstream and Fluor which began September 14, 2009 in Federal Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana is now set to hear closing arguments.

The federal jury will decide whether or not the Gulfstream trailer manufacturer and Fluor Corporation are responsible for the plaintiffs exposure to the cancer-causing gas: formaldehyde. This is the first of many trials yet to be heard to determine if in fact dangerous levels of formaldehyde effected the displaced residents of the Gulf Coast who were provided with FEMA travel trailers after Hurricane Katrina.

The jury’s verdict is expected late today or tomorrow.

Hilliard will hold a press conference at his office immediately after the verdict to discuss the trial and its implications for other similar cases that are pending as part of a class action suits filed in New Orleans.

"This case is just another example of the aftermath left by Hurricane Katrina and the innocent victims who were clearly at the mercy of big business and politics as usual."-Bob Hilliard

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra

Bicyclist Struck By Drunk Driver

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:22:00 GMT

A pedestrian on a bicycle was struck by a drunk driver this evening, according to police.

The truck, carrying a boat behind it, struck Glenn "Scott" Westfall, 34, on his bicycle. He was transported to the hospital and is currently listed in critical condition with serious injuries, Breedlove said. He's expected to require multiple surgeries.

The victim’s wife was riding her bicycle beside him and witnessed the accident. He was dragged about 300 feet.

“The driver of the truck failed his sobriety test and was arrested for driving while drunk.” said Captain Bill Breedlove with the Corpus Christi Police Department.

The driver of the truck was heading north on Roddfield near South Padre Island Drive when the accident occurred.

KII TV News reports that according to court records, that driver, 57 year old Robert Clement has had six prior run-ins with police including three previous DWI arrests.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole