Interested in working with us? Call us Toll Free at 1.877.724.7800 or fill out this quick form and we will contact you within 24 hours!




Cases We Accept

What Our Clients Say

View All

Disclaimer

We designed this website to provide information to consumers, injured people, and their families. Our goal is to level the playing field between consumers and insurance companies and expose the tricks, traps, and techniques they use to cheat injured people out of their legal rights. We also let consumers know about legal news, including verdicts and settlements and other interesting legal information.

But please understand that nothing on this website is meant to provide legal information about your specific case, create an attorney-client relationship, or imply that the results of your legal case will be the same as some other case.

Blog Category:

Car Accidents

10/27/2009
Tom Foster
Comments (0)

The federal government crackdown on distracted driving

The federal government is taking a strong stand against what some consider a national epidemic: distracted driving.  Distracted driving includes activities like using a cell phone (with or without a hands-free device), sending or receiving text messages, programming a GPS, looking for songs on a music player and much more.

 

At a national Distracted Driving Summit this month, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined others in speaking out against this growing phenomenon.  Drivers who text, email, make calls or perform other distracting activities put their own lives and the lives of other motorists at risk.

 

Secretary LaHood quoted statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) showing that distracted driving contributed to about 6,000 deaths on American roads last year and more than 500,000 were injured.

 

LaHood would like to see a permanent restriction on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by rail, truck, interstate and school bus drivers.  The Department of Transportation is expected to issue a directive calling for these permanent restrictions.

 

President Obama has taken action to reduce distracted driving among federal employees.  He signed an executive order directing federal employees not to text while driving government vehicles or while driving private vehicles on government business.



9/28/2009
Tom Foster
Comments (0)

Could you go a whole week – or a lifetime – without being distracted while driving?

Researchers have found that one in five U.S. drivers have texted while driving in the last 30 days – and that’s just the ones who have admitted to doing it.  It is likely that the actual numbers are much higher.

 

Statistics like these, combined with research studies that show how texting while driving dramatically increases a driver’s chance of causing a serious car crash, has AAA calling for change.

 

The Automobile Association of America (AAA) wants to see texting while driving banned in all 50 states by 2013.  As it stands, 18 states and the District of Columbia have laws dealing with texting while driving, but Texas does not have a law banning texting for all drivers.

 

In Texas, teen drivers are restricted from using cell phones (which can be used to send or receive text messages) under the Texas Graduated Driver License Laws.  However, some lawmakers and safety advocates contend that the skyrocketing popularity of texting has made many drivers lax about safety.  If people become too comfortable texting behind the wheel, we could see a dramatic rise in text-related auto accidents.

 

To make their point, AAA has asked motorists to drive without any distractions the week of October 5 to 11.  Their message is “try it for a week, do it for life.”  If you are interested, you can visit the AAA website to sign a pledge saying that you will drive without any distractions for the “Heads Up Driving Week” – and longer.



Maritime Injury Attorney Blog

    The government agency that regulates offshore drilling is going to investigate the cause of Thursday morning’s rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. All 13 workers were safely evacuated from the Vermillion Oil Rig 380 after it was engulfed in flames. The platform is owned by Mariner Energy Inc. of Houston. The company is under scrutiny  as it has been connected to numerous Gulf accidents in the past four years, reports the Los Angeles Times. A former division of Enron, Mariner has the attention of federal regulators and has already paid $55,000 this year for violations.

    Source: Benzinga.com
    As the energy industry still reels from the effects of the explosion onboard the Deepwater Horizon in April, it will now likely face additional pressure resulting from yet another oil rig explosion in the Gulf. An oil platform owned by Houston-based Mariner Energy Inc. exploded on September 2, 2010, sending 13 maritime workers into the water.

    Fortunately, all 13 oil workers were rescued as they bobbed in the water for approximately two hours waiting for rescue crews. One of the victims may have been injured.

    This is bad news for the energy industry as it continues to make attempts to portray BP’s disastrous accident as a fluke.

    Since the Deepwater Horizon explosion, there has been a massive outcry by environmental groups and politicians who are skeptical of offshore drilling. Energy giants are now left to consider new tactics to reassure the public that offshore drilling is safe.

    The recent explosion is also in light of the fact that the oil industry has made vast efforts to persuade President Obama to lift the government’s recent drilling moratorium. Though, Mariner Energy’s oil platform was not impacted by the moratorium, since it wasn’t operating in deep water, it may raise concerns that shallow drilling could be impacted by a similar moratorium.

    If you or a family member has been injured in an offshore accident, you need to understand your legal rights.  You also need to get straightforward answers to your questions.  Our law firm has handled many maritime injury cases and we know the concerns that workers have.  For a free case evaluation, give us a call at 877.724.7800.

    Be sure to order a free copy of my book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.

    If the Gulf of Mexico hasn’t been through enough this summer, another oil platform, which is owned by Houston-based Mariner Energy, exploded on Thursday, September 2, 2010, forcing 13 maritime workers into the water. The platform explosion occurred south of Vermilion Bay, Louisiana, resulting in the immediate investigation by the U.S. government.

    The recent maritime accident occurred in depths of approximately 340 feet, leaving 13 offshore workers floating in the waters for up to two hours. Fortunately, all the crewmembers were accounted for. However, according to reports, one of the victims was injured.

    The government’s investigative unit began its inquiry the same day. The agency conducted several interviews in an attempt to determine what caused the platform explosion. However, no details concerning the blaze have been released.

    The government has also announced that it is working with Mariner Energy concerning the circumstances surrounding the accident. The oil platform’s owner has already dispatched a crew to the site of the accident and has begun its own internal investigation.

    “We will use all available resources to ensure that we find out what happened, how it happened and what enforcement action should be taken if any laws or regulations were violated,” said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich.

    About the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom, PLLC

    Our law firm has extensive experience representing injured rig workers.  We know firsthand what lengths employers and insurers will go to avoid liability.  If you have been hurt in an offshore accident, you need to learn your options.  We will review your claim to help you determine if you have a strong case. For a free consultation, give us a call at 877.724.7800.

    Be sure to order a free copy of my book, Insider's Guide to Winning Your Maritime Injury Case.

Maritime Injury Attorney Blog

    An offshore or maritime worker may be more susceptible to neck injuries because of the rigors of the workplace.  Some workers like maintenance workers, or deckhands involved in cleaning or painting a vessel, may be at a higher risk of suffering a neck injury because of the strain on the neck muscles. A neck injury isn’t [...]
    It feels a little like April all over again. This morning, there was an explosion on an oil production platform in the Gulf of Mexico.  At this point, all 13 crewmembers on the platform are believed to be accounted for and safe.  One person is confirmed to have been injured. According to a statement by the Coast [...]
    This week, a Somali pirate pleaded guilty to charges arising from an attack earlier this year on a U.S. Navy ship off the coast of Africa. Jama Idle Ibrahim faced several criminal charges arising from the attack, and this week, he pleaded guilty as part of a deal with prosecutors.  Ibrahim had been accused of opening [...]
Share |


Private Consultation




Offices

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C
1001 Texas Avenue
Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713.224.7800
Fax: 713.224.7801

  • Blog
  • News
  • FAQs
  • Library

Car Accidents

Work Related Injuries

FELA & Railroad Injury

Serious Injuries

Toyota Recall Lawyer

Truck / 18 Wheeler Accidents

Bus Accidents

Wrongful Death Claims

Benzene Claims

Defective Products

General

Maritime Injury Attorney Blog

Maritime Injury Attorney Blog

View All

Car Accidents

Truck / 18 Wheeler Accidents

Bus Accidents

Work Related Injuries

Wrongful Death Claims

Defective Products

Benzene Claims

Toyota Recall Lawyer

Serious Injuries

FELA & Railroad Injury

General

View All

Car Accidents

Truck / 18 Wheeler Accidents

Bus Accidents

Jones Act & Maritime Law

Work Related Injuries

Wrongful Death Claims

Defective Products

Benzene Claims

Toyota Recall Lawyer

Serious Injuries

FELA & Railroad Injury

Newsletter

View All

Web Resources

more