Every summer, some parents go through the harrowing experience of taking their kids to the emergency room due to a bicycle accident. The causes of these accidents can be as simple as a child failing to wear a helmet. In other cases, they might have been hit by a car or a motorcycle.

Before your kid hops on that bike this summer, the following are safety rules you should implement:

Bicycle Safety Rules

Wear a helmet

Head injuries from bicycle accidents shouldn’t be overlooked since they can lead to serious brain injuries or even death. Find a fitting bicycle helmet for your child that fits perfectly. It’s important to ensure that the chosen helmet also meets the set safety standards.

Be visible

Ensure your child is visible enough when out riding a bike. Bright-coloured clothes or reflective clothing should be prioritized.

Get age-appropriate bike

Pick the right bike size for your child. Your kid is in better control when riding a lightweight bike. An ideal size will lower the risk of falls and poor control injuries.

Regular bike maintenance

Regular bike maintenance is essential. Always inspect your kid’s bicycle by checking the tire pressure, brakes, and chain. If possible, check the seat height from time to time. Sometimes you might be too busy to notice your kids are growing too fast.

Encourage biking away from traffic

Always encourage your child to ride away from car traffic. This is particularly important when training them. Cars turning onto streets or pulling out of driveways could lead to bicycle accidents. It’s best to advise your kids to ride on bike paths.

Hand signals

Don’t forget to teach your child hand signals. Knowing appropriate hand signals will help them make turns while using the road.

Rules of the road

A bicycle is not like any other toy. It’s crucial to teach your child the rules of the road. Teaching them simple basic rules can make a huge difference, for instance, looking around for cars, obeying traffic lights or street signs, and stopping at intersections.

At Shaw Cowart LLP, we’re always at the frontline to provide you with legal assistance if faced with accidents involving your kids riding bicycles. With our Austin personal injury lawyers, you can be sure you’re in good hands. Talk to us today. We promise to deliver!

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It’s spring! Now is the best time to hit-the-trail. Most motorcyclists will be up and about now that the season favors them to enjoy the ride and bask in the warm weather. With this in mind, May is often considered the National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. So, what happens during this month?

The main goal of the safety awareness month is to remind drivers and riders to be more careful on the road. With the sudden rise in the number of riders during spring, there is no better time to call to attention the potential risks and vulnerabilities motorcyclists face.

Throughout the month of May, The National Safety Council (NSC) urges motorists to be more careful when sharing the road with motorcycles. Some of the tips that NSC provides to help improve safety include:

NSC’s Safety Tips

• Passenger car drivers should always maintain a safe following distance.
• Drivers must be extra careful at intersections.
• Drivers should never share lanes with motorcyclists. A motorcycle should be given a full lane width.
• Motorcyclists should try and avoid riding in bad weather conditions.
• Riders should position themselves well to be more visible to other riders and drivers on the road.
• Motorcyclists are always advised to use turn signals when making lane changes or taking turns.

While these safety tips might help remind riders and drivers about their safety concerns on the road, accidents do happen. This is why you need a reliable counsel to help you in the event you’re involved in a motorcycle accident.

At Shaw Cowart LLP, we have a proven track record of dealing with such cases. By relying on our legal services, we can ensure you don’t feel the hassle of navigating through this legal field on your own. Our goal is geared toward making sure that you’re well compensated for any injuries or losses that may have been caused because of an accident. Call us today for professional legal services you can trust. We would love to hear from you.

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One key reason you should hire a car accident attorney is that they will work to ensure you get compensated accordingly. But that’s not the sole reason you should find yourself an accident lawyer.

The following are other reasons why working with an accident lawyer is crucial:

Legal Expertise

A car accident attorney has legal expertise in personal injury law. Besides, they are also well versed in traffic laws. Hiring an expert will ensure you know the best course of action to take once you’re involved in an accident. Without one, you might fumble around and fail to get the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Negotiate With the Insurance Company

Insurance companies often look for small mistakes that could disqualify you from being eligible for compensation. However, an accident lawyer can bring their experience to the negotiation table and help you win a case in your favor.

Getting the settlement you deserve is crucial. The last thing you need is to cover your hospital bills and other expenses from your own pocket. This can be costly, particularly when involved in a serious accident. So, it’s always a good idea to work with a car accident lawyer to negotiate fair compensation.

Support System

Let’s be honest, it’s frustrating to deal with cases, especially when you’re involved in an accident. An professional in this field can help you navigate the corridors of justice as you focus on getting back on your feet.

At Shaw Cowart LLP, we take every case seriously. Our core objective to offer our clients with nothing but the best legal services. Let us worry about fighting for your well-deserved settlement as you focus on recovering. That’s the strong support system you get when you choose to work with us.

Whether you or your loved ones are involved in a car accident, you can always reach out to us for legal expertise you can trust. Our team of experienced attorneys can take the stress out of your case. Call us today to know the legal options at your disposal.

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Tens of thousands of people are killed in traffic accidents in the United States every year. It is a major cause of death in our country and often preventable with more attentive driving. If your loved one was killed in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you have a right to feel angry and frustrated. A claim handled by our lawyers provides the opportunity to seek justice and compensation.

Many families experiencing a wrongful death wonder about filing a claim with an attorney. After all, no amount of money or litigation can bring your loved one back and undo the wrong that has been done to you. Nonetheless, for many families there are benefits. In the event of successfully recovering compensation through a verdict or settlement, damages are awarded for:

• Medical bills
• Burial or cremation costs
• Funeral costs
• Loss of financial benefits
• Loss of savings and retirement
• Loss of future financial contributions
• Loss of guidance
• Loss of companionship

The grounds for a wrongful death claim are present if it was someone else’s negligence that caused the crash that led to a fatality. Examples of negligent motorist behavior include:

• Drunk driving
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving drowsy
• Running red lights and stop signs

These behaviors can and do cause accidents every day. Some of the accidents result in the tragic and irreversible fatality of other motorists. Our attorneys know just how difficult these circumstances are and we are here to support you through this process.

Your consultation is risk free because it involves no obligation to move forward with our services. The consultation is an opportunity to tell us about the conditions that led to the crash so that we can provide guidance and options.

Find Out How We Can Help

If your loved one was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Austin or elsewhere in Texas, please call the experienced attorneys at Shaw Cowart at 512-499-8900. We will listen to your side of the story and then we can describe your options going forward. Pursuing compensation may be a good choice for your goals, and we will help you make that decision.

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This month marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in America. The attorneys at Shaw Cowart would like to take the opportunity to revisit some of the major sources of distraction and encourage all our readers to take steps to eliminate distractions behind the wheel.

Distracted Driving Remains a Problem

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a few thousand people are killed as a result of distracted driving accidents every year. Hundreds of thousands more people are injured because of distraction. Some of the most common causes of these wrecks include:

• Sending, reading, or typing a text message
• Talking on a phone, dialing a phone, or looking at the screen to hang up or put someone on speaker
• Using or looking at the phone for any reason
• Using a vehicle’s navigation system or other screens and controls built into the dashboard

Electronic devices are so much a part of modern life that it’s almost not worth mentioning. Nonetheless, their constant presence does not negate the fact that they are dangerous when a motorist uses them behind the wheel. According to AAA, taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles your crash risk. Even if you think you can sneak a quick peek at your phone, doing so puts yourself and other road users at risk.

Sources of Distraction That May Surprise You

It’s impossible to overstate the hazards posed by electronic device use while driving, but that does not diminish the fact that other things can be equally distracting:

• Thinking about an approaching deadline, a meeting, an exchange with a coworker, or work projects
• Thinking about things you need to do, appointments, and errands
• Breaking up a fight between children in the backseat
• Reaching for something that has fallen to the floor
• Gazing out the side window
• Becoming preoccupied with what you see in the rearview or side mirrors
• Daydreaming
• Getting lost in something you’re listening to on the radio
• Staring at pedestrians or at something happening off the roadway

Avoid all forms of distraction and encourage friends and loved ones to do the same.

Help From Experienced Law Advocates

In Austin, Texas, the experienced lawyers at Shaw Cowart are here to help you decide what to do next. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a distracted and careless driver, we may be able to help. To learn more, please call our team at 512-499-8900.

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Using three points of contact, seat belts prevent the ejection of vehicle occupants in the event of a collision, rollover, or other type of motor vehicle crash. By restraining the person during an impact, seat belts also reduce the severity of injuries in many circumstances (source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Seat belts are a relatively recent invention, and some people still wonder whether they are as essential as they’re cracked up to be. The first federal law mandating that new vehicles come equipped with seat belts wasn’t passed until 1968. Most states have seat belt laws at this point (except New Hampshire). And with good reason: The data backs up the efficacy of restraint use:

• For people in the front seat, seat belts reduce the risk of fatality by 45 percent and reduce the risk of severe injury by 50 percent (CDC)
• 3 out of 4 people ejected during a crash do not survive their injuries (CDC)
• Unrestrained motorists are 30 times more likely to be ejected in a crash (CDC)
• 47 percent of occupants killed in 2019 were unrestrained (NHTSA)
• Seat belt use could have saved another 2,549 lives in 2017 (NHTSA)

You must wear a seat belt and insist your passengers do as well, no matter how long or short the trip is. According to the NHTSA, airbags alone do not provide enough protection and can in fact lead to severe injuries themselves if the car occupant is not belted in. It’s also important to note that seat belts are effective when worn properly. Putting the shoulder strap behind your back or under your arm will not offer the same protection. Remember, always buckle up to prevent fatal injury in a crash.

Serious Injuries After an Accident

If you or a loved one is left with a life-altering physical injury following a car accident in our region, please call the experienced attorneys at Shaw Cowart, at 512-499-8900. We have many years of experience helping families like yours. We serve as trusted and skilled advocates who will help you get the full picture of your options for rebuilding your life following a crash.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this month released preliminary data regarding 2020 motor vehicle crashes. That year, motor vehicle accidents overall decreased as did injuries, but motor vehicle deaths rose. If you or a loved one has been injured in a wreck caused by someone else in Austin or the surrounding areas, our experienced accident attorneys are here to help. Please contact Shaw Cowart for a case review.

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A collision involving a large tractor-trailer or semi-truck easily demolishes other vehicles. The occupants inside these smaller vehicles may be catastrophically injured in ways that change their lives forever. Tragically, many people die in crashes caused by large trucks.

If you were injured in this type of crash and are fairly certain it was caused by the truck driver, then you should contact the attorneys at Shaw Cowart. We have a lot of experience with trucking companies and the insurance companies that represent them, and we will describe all of your options for pursuing the compensation you deserve.

How Truck Drivers Can Cause Collisions

Here are some of the ways a truck driver can be the cause of a crash:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Violating the hours of service rules (how many continuous hours a driver can be on duty without a break)
• Reckless driving
• Distracted driving
• Failing to use the runaway truck ramp when necessary
• Unsafe lane change
• Driving in unsafe or hazardous conditions

Sometimes the fallout of such an accident involves only damage to the truck. In many other cases, smaller vehicles on the road are swept up in the crash.

Legitimate trucking operations carry commercial liability insurance. If the driver or trucking company is found to be at fault, compensation for those injured is typically drawn from the insurance coverage, not the individual driver themselves.

Recovering this injury compensation is rarely straightforward. The insurance company is paid to protect the trucking company and their interests. Oftentimes this means an injured victim’s claim is denied, delayed, or valued incorrectly. Our experienced attorneys know how to review the details of your case and your injury to determine what would constitute a fair amount for your medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Pursuing Justice on Your Behalf

If you or a family member were injured in an accident caused by a truck driver in Austin or elsewhere in Texas, we hope you will contact the law firm of Shaw Cowart for a case review at 512-499-8900. We know just how life-altering these injuries can be, and we are here to help you decide what to do next.

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A truck accident is a catastrophic event. These crashes can easily cause severe injury and death. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence, then you deserve a passionate advocate on your side. To discuss the situation with us and to find out if our attorneys can help you, please call Shaw Cowart in Austin at 512-499-8900.

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A severe car accident affects your life in numerous ways. Our experienced attorneys have witnessed this firsthand because we work with injury victims every day. The accidents can truly turn a life upside down. Fortunately, there are passionate advocates like the lawyers at Shaw Cowart who are ready to stand at your side.

There are commonalities when it comes to how a car accident can affect an accident victim:

Physically.

Catastrophic injuries can be painful, debilitating, and life-altering. Some of the most common types of car crash trauma includes:

• Brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Whiplash
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Torn ligaments
• Amputation

Of course these physical injuries have a ripple effect on almost every other aspect of your life.

Financially.

Physical injury leads to financial ramifications:

• Medical expenses, both current and future
• The costs of any equipment you can benefit from, such as a wheelchair, assistive technology, or modifications to your home or vehicle
• Loss of income from being unable to work
• Diminished earning capacity

It’s often staggering how expensive a catastrophic injury can become. And this expense often extends into your future, because these injuries have a way of causing lifelong difficulties.

It can affect your family.

Even if your family members were not injured in the crash, your injuries may affect them. For example, you may be unable to engage with them as you did previously, whether that’s playing with your children in the same way or having stable emotional health. You may be unable to support them in the same way you did previously, if you are unable to return to your job.

It can affect your mental health.

Your injuries may cause you to experience mood swings, depression, anxiety, and other mental and emotional health effects. You may deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and find that you generally have a diminished quality of life.

While all of the consequences are serious, we want you to know that there is hope. In a car accident case handled by our lawyers, we will help you pursue maximum compensation so that you can begin to rebuild your life and move forward.

Pursue Compensation for Your Injuries

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, then you deserve justice and maximum compensation. For a consultation with the experienced Austin, TX, car accident lawyers at Shaw Cowart, please call our law firm at 512-499-8900.

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