Waco Personal Injury Law Blog

Researchers argue security guards don't make schools any safer

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. posted in Child Injury on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

Researchers at Ball State University and the University of Toledo published a study in the Violence and Gender journal just this week. They concluded that school security efforts have little to no impact on deterring gun violence at educational institutions. In fact, they argue that security guards give students and teachers a false sense of safety.

The study's authors combed through school security data across 18 years to see how effective different measures are. They found that none of the approaches utilized have worked very well.

Distracted driving is a serious concern for Waco residents

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Monday, April 22, 2019.

Each April, different organizations commemorate distracted driving awareness month.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), there's a good reason for these groups to draw attention to distracted driving. Just last year, over 95,000 crashes occurred in Texas. At least 394 people died.

Did unsafe playground equipment injure your child?

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. on Sunday, April 21, 2019.

For most kids in elementary school, recess is the highlight of the day. Getting a chance to burn off some of that energy from sitting in class, playing with friends and enjoying the fresh air can make it easier to sit through the afternoon lessons.

Unfortunately, for a few individuals, recess can be a very unfortunate experience. Some children have to deal with bullies that make their lives miserable as soon as they are out of earshot of the teachers. Bullying can have long-term social and mental consequences for the victims. Others wind up hurt due to inadequate supervision or poorly maintained playground equipment.

Inexperienced truck drivers just as dangerous as distracted ones

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. posted in Truck Accidents on Thursday, April 18, 2019.

There are a host of reasons why a truck driver might get into an accident in Waco, Texas. Some of those reasons include impairment, distraction, drowsiness, medication and faulty parts. Another reason is the inexperience of the driver. It's possible for truck drivers to be inexperienced. Think about it; they have to earn their experience somehow. An inexperienced truck driver can be just as dangerous as a distracted truck driver.

Some ways in which a truck driver could be considered inexperienced include the following:

A driving record littered with offenses
A sketchy employment history with lengthy gaps
Failure to graduate from a truck driving school
Fails to meet guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Horrific crash kills 3 storm chasers; lawsuit filed

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Monday, April 8, 2019.

We see their videos going viral online, those intrepid storm chasers who get up close and personal with some monstrous tornadoes ripping across the Great Plains and down Tornado Alley. But at what price, as capturing these deadly storms can be incredibly dangerous.

According to the litigation filed by the survivors of one storm-chaser, that price tag might be $125 million. At least that is the amount of damages the plaintiffs are seeking in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against defendants that include The Weather Channel.

What are the top reasons workers become disabled?

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. posted in Premises Liability on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

A major workplace injury that leaves you with disabling injuries can change the course of your entire life. You may never work again. It can alter your day-to-day routine, your personal relationships, what hobbies you pursue, and much more. In short, that one fateful event on the job can have a lasting impact that you never fully overcome.

To that end, it's important to know what risks you face. New studies have come out looking at the top reasons for these injuries in 2018, as the stats get compiled, and the results are below:

No. 10: Repetitive motion
No. 9: Striking an object
No. 8: Caught in equipment
No. 7: Tripping or slipping without falling
No. 6: Car accidents and vehicle incidents
No. 5: Exertions and reactions
No. 4: Getting hit by an object
No. 3: Falling to a lower level
No. 2: Falling on the same level
No. 1: Overexertion

Tips to keep you safe when driving on the highway

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

When driving on the highway in Texas, it won't take long to realize that there are safety risks all around. While you can't control other drivers, you can make personal decisions that enhance your safety and reduce the risk of being involved in an accident.

Here are five tips that can help keep you safe when driving on the highway:

Follow the speed limit: This starts with knowing the speed limit on the portion of the highway you're traveling. From there, keep a close eye on your speedometer to ensure that you're driving at a safe speed.
Share the road with others: It's easier said than done, especially when other drivers are being aggressive, but you should always do your best to share the road. For example, if a person wants to change lanes in front of you, don't speed up to stop them from doing so.
Maintain a safe following distance: This is difficult to do, especially when the flow of traffic is constantly changing, but it's a good habit to get into. Following someone too closely at a high speed greatly increases the risk of a rear-end collision. As a general rule of thumb, leave a minimum of three seconds stopping time between you and the vehicle in front of yours.
Eliminate distractions: One-hundred percent of your focus should be on the road ahead. Don't get caught up in too many conversations with passengers. Don't text or talk on the phone. Don't eat or drink. When you eliminate distractions, you'll feel better about your ability to remain safe.
Watch for dangerous drivers: Your eyes should always be scanning the road, watching for anyone who isn't taking caution. You could see everything from a person who is texting and driving to a trucker who is talking on a cellphone.

An anonymous letter leads Waco police to a hit-and-run driver

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

On Oct. 16, 2016, a 19-year-old Baylor University marching band member was struck and killed by a hit-and-run motorist. Waco Police Department struggled to identify the driver believed to have been responsible for his death until September of last year when they received an anonymous letter in the mail. She was taken into custody on March 5.

According to police, the victim was riding his bike near 3200 Franklin Avenue that fateful evening. Witnesses to the crash had identified the car who struck him as a sports utility vehicle (SUV). They told police that the driver failed to stop after hitting him.

How do side impact car accidents affect the human body?

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. on Sunday, March 10, 2019.

Side impact car crashes can have a devastating effect on drivers and passengers in a car. In general, they have the highest potential to cause serious injury to those involved in comparison to any other type of car accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a side impact car accident, it is important that you understand the typical crash characteristics and that you look into how you can legally respond to the event.

How is liability determined if I get hurt on another's property?

On behalf of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C. posted in Premises Liability on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

One of the reasons that Texas business owners take out liability insurance is in case a slip-and-fall, dog bite or some other type of injury or incident occurs on their premises. If they didn't have such coverage in place, a settlement awarded in a victim's favor could easily bankrupt them.

If you've been hurt on someone else's property in Waco, it's likely that you wonder if you can hold them accountable for the injuries that you received. While most every property owner has a responsibility to keep their premises safe so that no one gets hurt, whether you can hold them liable if you get hurt depends on what you were doing there in the first place.