Many people underestimate the true dangers of slip and fall accidents and the injuries they can incur. Some estimates indicate that more than 15,000 individuals are fatally injured in slip and fall accidents every year. Other incidents result in severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), broken bones, and spinal fractures that require intense medical help to realize a full recovery. Elderly people are especially susceptible to slip and fall injuries with more than 40% resulting in a fatal TBI.

Reasons for Premises Liability Claims in Austin

Once people realize the intensity of the injuries incurred from a slip and fall accident, they better understand the reason people need to file a premises liability claim to recuperate damages from the accident if it occurred in a commercial or public location due to the negligence of another person or entity. When proper precautions are not taken by owners or property managers to maintain safeguards for customers or visitors, catastrophic accidents can occur. The premises liability lawyers at Shaw Cowart in Austin, TX recognize your need to recover monies you are owed to not only recover physically, but also financially when you fall prey to the dangers of a slip and fall accident.

Insurance Settlements for Premises Liability in Slip & Fall Accidents

Property owners, city and state entities and retail owners carry insurance to cover damages if injuries occur on their premises. Often, insurance companies will attempt to offer far too little to cover the damages you have suffered. A premises liability lawyer has the expertise you need on your side to aggressively negotiate and protect your interests. The attorneys at Shaw Cowart in Austin have earned the respect of major insurers who recognize that we will not accept anything less than what our clients are owed.

Austin Premises Liability Lawyer

If you or someone you love has suffered severe or catastrophic injuries in a slip and fall accident in Austin or surrounding communities, you need to contact the premises liability lawyers at Shaw Cowart today for a free consultation. We will help you understand your rights and the best plan of recourse.

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Texans are usually proud of their state. Unfortunately, Houston has been ranked #1 in drunk driving accidents. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) found that in 2011, there were 2,751 fatal drunk driving auto accidents in our great state. Almost 58,000 other drunk driving accidents resulted in severe injury to their victims. 40% of all automobile deaths are a result of intoxicated drives. These statistics are appalling and create an obvious need for stronger ramifications for drunk drivers.

Advocacy from Auto Accident Attorneys in Texas

The law firm of Shaw Cowart takes auto accidents caused by drunk driving seriously. Our attorneys want to seek the damages you are owed if you have been injured by this senseless act. Our firm desires to do our part to remove this negative ranking from our state and the city of Houston. If more drunk drivers are held accountable for their negligent actions, maybe other intoxicated individuals will consider different options of transportation.

Legal Recourse for Victims of Drunk Driving Auto Accidents

If you or a family member has suffered serious injury or even death due to a Houston drunk driving accident, you can seek legal recourse to assist in the financial recovery of your losses. While no amount of money can make up for permanent disability or the loss of a loved one, maintaining your financial stability can help you live as well as possible.

Contact our firm for a free consultation today.

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In August of this year, the furniture giant, IKEA, voluntarily recalled over 200,000 children’s beds after it was determined that a metal piece of the frame could break and expose sharp edges. IKEA has retail stores throughout the country, including Austin. No injuries have been reported due to this defect. IKEA is sending a repair kit at no cost to consumers who request the kit.

IKEA has taken proactive action in investigating its products to alleviate dangers. However, many manufacturers and retailers never put any effort into investigating dangerous products. Children’s products, along with other faulty products, are often the cause of injury and may result in defective product liability claim.

Burden of Proof in a Defective Products Claim

In a defective products case, the victim may not be required to prove the defendant was negligent because the law recognizes the prohibitive costs of investigating a company and determining the cause of the dangerous product. An individual would not be able to afford this great of an expense. An expert attorney can help you establish the cause of the injury and develop a case to recover the damages you are owed.

Consumers who suffer severe or catastrophic injuries from a defective product should be compensated for their injuries. If the victim is a child, the remainder of their life could be affected by the trauma. Some injuries will result in permanent disability or a decreased enjoyment of life. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a dangerous product in Austin, the attorneys at Shaw Cowart want to help advocate for you, and relieve you of the financial burdens your injuries have incurred.

Contact an Austin Defective Products Attorney

No one wants to face the long-lasting problems that a major injuring can incur. If your injury was caused by a dangerous or defective product, you need to contact the product liability attorneys at Shaw Cowart for a free consultation. We will determine if you have a valid claim and guide you through the process so you can recover the compensation you deserve.

Source: Huffington Post, “IKEA Recalls 2 Models Of Children’s Beds,” Aug. 15, 2013

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A recent report published by Focus Driven and the National Coalition for Safer Roads shows that more than one out of ten accidents that occur in an intersection are caused by a distracted driver. Researchers studied almost 120 intersections in twenty different cities over a three-month time frame. Results indicated that drivers were running red lights because they were distracted by cell phone use or some other type of distraction. It is estimated that approximately 7.5 million drivers run stop lights due to distracted driving every year.

The Austin, Texas lawyers at Shaw Cowart recognize that intersection accidents can lead to devastating results of catastrophic injuries that would have been avoided had the driver focused on driving. Distracted driving from use of a cell phone is blamed for more than twenty percent of all accidents across the country.

Campaign to End Distracted Driving

With such high numbers and such severe consequences, a campaign called “Stop Distraction on Red” has been launched by the two organizations that completed the study. This campaign focuses on the dangerous events that occur due to distracted driving and running red lights. Many injuries could be avoided and many lives saved if drivers would simply put down their cell phones and drive in a safe manner.

Austin Accidents and Recovering Damages

If you or someone you loved has suffered injuries that are caused by a distracted driver in Austin, Texas, enlist the advocacy of the lawyers at Shaw Cowart. We will guide you through this legal process and ensure you receive the money you are owed. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Personal injury claims, including car accident claims, in Austin, Texas are validated or opposed every day by social media posts such as those found on Facebook. With increasing popularity, social media users are beginning to recognize that what they post and say online can impact their real life as well.

Effects of Facebook and Car Accident Litigation

If you have suffered injuries due to a car accident, your litigation attorney may turn to Facebook or other social media in search of proof of your claim. On the flip side, insurance companies are beginning to try to discredit injury claims by showing plaintiffs who have posted pictures of themselves enjoying life, not suffering from severe or catastrophic injuries.

The litigation attorneys at Shaw Cowart want to ensure you receive the damages you are owed. Prior to posting any pictures following a car accident, you should consult with an attorney to determine how the photos may be used to support your claim or deny your claim. In addition, if you are aware that the defendant has posted incriminating photos on social media, you should notify your attorney. The pictures may help prove your case.

Enlist Representation of an Austin, Texas Litigation Attorney

After seeking medical care for injuries as a result of a car accident in Austin, your next step should be to enlist representation from an expert litigation attorney at Shaw Cowart. We make it a priority to stay informed of current rulings regarding Facebook evidence and other social media evidence. We will take all necessary steps to ensure you receive the damages you are owed. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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There are many conflicting opinions on whether seat belts are safe for expecting moms. Studies have indicated that more harm can result from a pregnant woman not wearing a seat belt than wearing one. Anyone is subject to serious injuries following a car accident; however, the stakes are higher for an expecting mom. Moms throughout Austin, Houston and across the country should buckle up.

Duke University Research

Recently, a study was conducted by Duke University’s research department. The researchers looked at emergency room records for pregnant women who were in their second or third trimester and had been involved in a car accident. The study indicated that only 3.5 percent of the unborn babies were injured or killed when the expecting mom was buckled, but the statistics raised to almost 25 percent of the fetuses did not survive for moms who did not buckle their seat belts.

Expecting Moms Need to Buckle Seat Belts for Protection

Most everyone already understands that seat belts help save lives every day. Expecting moms are no exception. Seat belts will help the mom to remain safe and the unborn baby to remain safe. Use defensive driving skills to avoid wrecks and injuries. Never drive while distracted or under the influence of drugs and alcohol. We can never plan for the unexpected, but we can take measures to stay safe.

Austin & Houston Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one is injured due to the negligence of another, you should contact the injury lawyers at Shaw Cowart. We have a substantial track record of successfully recovering damages for injuries, and we take great pride in helping injured victims in Austin and Houston receive the financial award they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Three people were injured in a multiple vehicle car accident that occurred on a Texas highway in July, 2013. A male driver of an SUV noticed too late that the traffic in front of him had stopped, and in an effort to avoid a wreck, he swerved and hit a truck in another lane. A third vehicle then collided with the SUV and truck. At the time of the report, the severity of the injuries was not indicated.

Multiple vehicle car accidents occur daily in Austin and throughout Texas. Many of the accidents result in injuries to the drivers and passengers of the cars. In trying to avoid one accident, often times drivers swerve into other lanes of traffic and create an accident with other vehicles in those lanes. The magnitude of the accident can be greater than if the original car did not swerve in the first place.

Texas Injury Claims Assistance

This multiple vehicle car accident did not cause life-threatening injuries to its victims, but the effects of the more severe injuries can be long-lasting and financially devastating. The injured parties may want to enlist the assistance of a Texas injury attorney to file a personal injury claim to recover damages.

Austin Car Accident Lawyer

The car accident lawyers at Shaw Cowart in Austin, Texas have the expertise you need to successfully file an injury claim. If you or someone you love has been injured by another driver’s negligent driving, our firm will compile the best personal injury claim for you in order to retrieve the damages you need to recover from your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Source: kten.com, “3 Vehicle Accident Holds up Traffic in Sherman,” July 17, 2013

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Each year, millions of people are injured or killed in car accidents. There are many misconceptions and interesting facts concerning car accidents, including:

• 40% of car accidents that involve fatalities involve driving under the influence of alcohol. If the accident occurs between midnight and 3am, the percentage increases to almost 75%.
• Statistics indicate that male drivers cause two times the number of car accidents as their counter-part female drivers.
• The highest rate of car accidents that involve one or more fatalities involve a rollover of the vehicle.
• Teenagers and young adults aged 16-20 are more likely to be injured or killed in a car crash than any other age group.
• In the United States, approximately fourteen teens die each day in car accidents. That totals nearly 5,000 teenagers a year.
• Car accidents cause more deaths and personal injuries than any other accident in the world.
• Talking on a cellphone increases your risk of getting into an auto crash by 400%.
• School buses hit and kill an average of 15 school-aged pedestrians each year.
• Most accidents happen within three miles of your home. It is a common misconception that car accidents happen on long trips.

Austin Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffers a personal injury or a wrongful death due to a car accident in Austin, you need to contact the personal injury lawyers at Shaw Cowart. We have the expertise and determination to get you the financial compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Even if you are one of the most cautious drivers in Austin, you can suffer a rear end collision through no fault of your own. Rush-hour traffic and sudden stops can create havoc along highways and major thorough fares. Multi-vehicle pile ups can shut down highways and result in severe or catastrophic injuries.

Personal Injuries or Wrongful Death from Rear End Collisions

A rear end collision can cause personal injury or even a wrongful death if the vehicle that collides with a car in front is traveling at a high speed. Common and deadly injuries include:

• Whiplash – some insurance companies resist paying for whiplash injuries even though it is one of the most common injuries suffered from a rear end collision. Often, whiplash injuries are not evident at the time of the car accident and may surface within the next 24-48 hours. It is imperative to seek a medical evaluation immediately, even if you do not exhibit symptoms.
• Closed head injuries or traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – closed head injuries include minor and major concussions. Undetected concussions can have serious and deadly side effects if they are not treated properly. TBIs can have long-lasting, permanent or fatal effects for their victims. TBIs occur when your head crushes into another object. Immediate medical treatment is imperative.
• Spinal cord damage – at the very least, spinal cord injuries can result in a life lived with continuous back pain. The most severe spinal cord injuries can result in permanent paralysis. Nerve damage can be irreversible.

How an Austin Car Accident & Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help

An Austin car accident lawyer is your best assurance in receiving a settlement that will compensate for all damages incurred by a rear end collision. Insurance companies are for-profit entities and want to offer the least amount of compensation possible. The Shaw Cowart lawyers have the best experience in negotiating with insurance representatives for car accidents and wrongful death claims. Do not agree to less than you deserve. Contact our experts today for a free consultation.

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Studies estimate that approximately 200,000 patients die every year due to dangerous medical mistakes. Three of the most common include:

1. Missed cancer diagnosis – often, doctors fail to listen to their patients and only rely on medical test results; therefore, they miss potentially serious problems such as cancer. Many types of cancer are difficult to detect until they have developed into a critical illness. Studies indicate that one in four mammograms read as a false negative, especially in younger patients. Make sure your doctor does not dismiss your symptoms, and be persistent to find a problem and a remedy.
2. Surgical errors – doctors are human, and unfortunately; they make mistakes. Surgical errors can cause internal bleeding or infections that can be deadly. If you exhibit unusual side-effects following a surgery, seek medical help immediately.
3. Unnecessary surgeries – in some cases, medical answers are not 100% clear. Doctors have to make assumptions and base their diagnosis on past experience. Some physicians perform surgeries that are not necessary that have long-lasting side effects.

Austin Malpractice Attorney

Medical mistakes happen every day in Austin. Some of these mistakes result in life-altering personal injuries or even death. You may be due malpractice compensation for:

• medical bills
• lost wages
• loss of lifestyle
• loss of ability to earn an income
• pain and suffering
• loss of companionship
• necessary medical equipment
• physical therapy
• psychiatric therapy

Consult with a malpractice attorney at Shaw Cowart to determine if you should file a claim. We will not mislead you, and we will advocate for you and your family.

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