Dog Bite Claims Against Texas Homeowners
A dog bite or attack at a private home can lead to serious injuries, medical bills, scarring, lost income, and lasting emotional effects. In Texas, the dog’s owner—or in some situations the homeowner—may be responsible when the attack could have been prevented through reasonable care. Texas does not have one broad civil dog-bite statute that […]
Injuries Caused by Dangerous Conditions at a Private Home
A visitor who is injured at someone else’s home may have a premises-liability claim when a dangerous property condition caused the injury and the homeowner failed to take legally required steps to address the danger. Common hazards include broken stairs, loose railings, uneven walkways, deteriorated decks, poor lighting, and slippery surfaces. However, a homeowner is […]
Injured in a Fall on Government Property? The Rules Can Be Very Different
A fall at a city hall, courthouse, public library, public park, transit facility, recreation center, or other government-owned property can look similar to an ordinary premises-liability case. Legally, however, the rules may be very different. Texas governmental entities are generally protected by sovereign or governmental immunity unless the Legislature has waived that protection. The Texas […]
Slip & Fall at an Apartment: Is the Landlord Responsible?
A landlord or apartment operator in Texas may be responsible when a tenant, guest, or other lawful visitor is injured by a dangerous condition in an area the landlord controls. Common apartment hazards include broken stairs, leaking breezeways, loose handrails, poor lighting, cracked sidewalks, and uneven pavement. However, the fact that someone fell on apartment […]
How Texas’s 51% Fault Rule Affects DUI Accident Compensation
A drunk driver may appear to be entirely responsible for a serious Texas collision. However, evidence of intoxication does not automatically prevent the driver’s insurance company from arguing that the injured person also contributed to the crash. Texas follows a modified comparative-fault system known as proportionate responsibility. It is often called the 51% rule because […]
DWI vs. DUI in Texas: What Accident Victims Should Know
People often use “DUI” and “DWI” to describe the same conduct: driving after consuming alcohol or drugs. Texas law, however, gives the terms different meanings. For most adult drivers, the primary criminal offense is driving while intoxicated, or DWI. Texas generally uses driving under the influence, or DUI, for a separate alcohol-related offense involving drivers […]
Can Bars and Restaurants Be Liable for DUI Accidents?
A person injured by an intoxicated driver will usually have a claim against the driver. Depending on where the alcohol was served, the injured person may also be able to pursue compensation from the bar, restaurant, nightclub, or other business that provided it. These claims are governed by laws commonly called dram shop laws. A […]
Can You Sue a Hospital for Medical Negligence?
A hospital may be sued for medical negligence when a patient’s injury results from negligent staff members, unsafe hospital practices, inadequate staffing, or another preventable failure within the facility. Hospitals are not automatically responsible whenever treatment goes badly. Medical procedures carry risks, and patients may suffer complications even when everyone involved provides reasonable care. A […]
What Qualifies as Medical Malpractice?
When medical treatment leads to an unexpected injury or a patient’s condition gets worse, it is natural to wonder whether a health care provider did something wrong. However, a poor medical result does not automatically qualify as medical malpractice. Medicine involves uncertainty. Doctors cannot guarantee that a treatment will work, a surgery will succeed, or […]
Is Lane Splitting Legal for Motorcyclists in Texas?
Lane splitting is not legal for motorcyclists in Texas. State law prohibits a motorcycle operator from riding between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction or passing a vehicle while occupying the same lane as the vehicle being passed. This prohibition applies even when traffic is stopped or moving slowly. A rider cannot legally […]