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Why We Sued Tejano Singer Emilio Navaira

"... Emilio did not have the insurance that the law required a tour bus to carry."

Some of you may have seen the news stories about the trial we had in January against Tejano star Emilio Navaira.  Unfortunately, some in the media made it sound like our client was being greedy, and trying to take advantage of the situation.  Nothing could be further from the truth. 
The real reason that we went to trial is that Emilio did not have the insurance that the law required a tour bus to carry.  Buses are supposed to have at least $5 million in liability insurance.  Emilio’s bus only had a $100,000.00 policy.  So when he got drunk and crashed his tour bus, there was not enough money to even cover the medical bills of the people he injured.
Our client, Ricky Vega, had over $40,000.00 in medical bills.  Plus, he was out of work for some time as he recovered from the broken bones in his neck and shoulder, as well as a lacerated liver.  In fact, he never even got paid for performing the night of the crash.
Of course, we felt sorry for Emilio, who suffered a brain injury in the wreck.  But it made my blood boil to see all of the fund raisers and benefits people held for Emilio—who hurt himself by driving drunk—while ignoring the plight of the injured band members.
Before trial, Emilio’s insurance company would only offer $22,000.00, which was not enough to pay Ricky’s medical bills.  Emilio was unwilling to offer any more money, so we had no choice but to bring him to trial. The jury awarded a fair verdict, giving compensation for Ricky’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain.  The jury also awarded an additional $20,000.00 to punish Emilio for driving drunk.  Hopefully we will be able to collect this money and let Ricky move on with his life.

New Study: Rates of Drunk and Drugged Driving Are Dropping in Texas

A new government survey has found that the number of Americans who have driven drunk or drugged is declining. Despite the drop, every year, 30 million people drive drunk and another 10 million drive while under the influence of drug. Nearly one-third of all traffic deaths involve drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Cowen Law Group works to protect the rights of victims of drunk driving. If you have lost a loved on to a Texas highway accident caused by a drunk driver, you are entitled to monetary compensation for your loss. This won’t replace your loved one, but it can help you get accountability. To learn more, contact the Brownsville car accident attorneys at The Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282.

Are Texas Highways Becoming More Dangerous?

A recent survey by the Texas Transportation Institute has found that more than one-third of Texas drivers believe that roads are less safe than they were five years ago. Drivers believe that both aggressive driving and distracted are making roads more dangerous. However, highway deaths are down about 17 percent over the last five years — from 3,699 in 2004 to 3,089 in 2009. Despite the decrease both aggressive driving and distracted driving are major contributors to highway deaths. If you have lost someone you love to a Brownsville traffic accident caused by a distracted or aggressive driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact the Brownsville accident attorneys at Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.

Edinburg Teens Learn About the Risks of Texting and Driving

Four seniors from Edinburg North High School are creating a documentary on texting and driving and how it affects people. The students hope their school project will alert other teens to the dangers of texting while driving. The Brownsville Car Crash attorneys at The Cowen Law Group see the results of distracted driving first hand. We help accident victims get the insurance compensation they need to move on with their lives. If you have been injured in a South Texas car wreck and need help, contact The Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282.

Equipment Malfunction Causes San Antonio Truck Fire, Closes U.S. 181

A tanker truck hauling fuel caught on fire at about 5:30 a.m. on Monday, November 1 on U.S. 181 east of Loop 1604 between the Bexar and Wilson county lines. In Texas, tanker trucks often haul flammable cargo such as oil or fuel. Like any commercial truck, these heavy vehicles can cause serious damage in a crash. But, there is an additional risk of deadly fires. Cowen Law Group helps victims of trucking accidents in South Texas. If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident and need more information, contact our Texas 18-wheeler crash attorneys at 877-385-1282.

Brownsville Attorney Michael Cowen Named Super Lawyer

Brownsville trucking and car accident attorney Michael Cowen was named Super Lawyer for 2010. Cowen was honored for the exceptional results on behalf of his clients in cases against trucking companies.

Texas car seats recalled! Is your child at risk?

At The Cowen Law Group, we strongly believe that car seats are the best way to protect your child in a car crash. This is why we employ a certified child seat professional who can make sure that you have the proper car seat and that is it correctly installed. We also keep you informed about car seat recalls that may compromise your childs safety. If your child has been injure in a Texas car accident, the Cowen Law Group would like to help. Call our Brownsville car crash attorneys at 877-385-1282 to learn more.

Two Killed in Flaming Lytle Tractor-Trailer Crash

Two men were killed in a fiery 18-wheeler wreck, and a section of Interstate 35 south of San Antonio was closed for nearly three hours after the crash while emergency workers put out the fire and cleaned up the scene. The Texas personal injury lawyers at The Cowen Law Group represent victims of Bexar County 18-wheeler crashes and motor vehicle accidents throughout South Texas. To schedule a free consultation contact our San Antonio law office at 877-385-1282. Accident victims have rights! Download our free guide, “The Insider’s Guide to Texas Car Accident Cases” to learn more.

Cowen Cares about child safety: Is your child's booster seat safe?

Every year the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests car seats and booster seats. This year, 21 booster seats were named best bets and seven were named good bets based on correct belt position. Eight were given the lowest ranking, “Not Recommended” because these seats may compromise a child's safety in a San Antonio car crash. The South Texas car crash attorneys at Cowen Law Group care about your child’s safety. We offer free child safety seat inspections. Cowen Law Group represents victims of car crashes in Brownsville, San Antonio and Laredo. To learn more, contact our Brownsville personal injury attorneys at 1-877-385-1282.

Stuck in traffic? The top ten most congested roads in Bexar County

A new study from the Texas Department of Transportation shows that Bexar County roads are relatively uncongested. Congestion is only one contributing cause to traffic accidents. No matter how busy the road, it is important that drivers avoid distractions and watch for other vehicles. The San Antonio car crash attorneys at Cowen Law Group represent victims of car accidents in Bexar County and throughout South Texas. To learn more, download our free book, "The Insider’s Guide to Texas Car Accident Cases" or call our car crash lawyers at 1-877-385-1282.

Texas man sentenced to life in prison after 9th DWI

A Williamson County, Texas judge has sentenced a 53-year-old drunk driver to life in prison. This was his ninth drunk driving arrest. Nearly half of the 150,000 people arrested for drunk driving each year are repeat drunk drivers. The Cowen Law Group represents victims of drunk driving accidents in Brownsville, San Antonio and throughout South Texas. If someone you love was killed by a drunk driver in Texas, contact the Brownsville car accident attorneys at The Cowen Law Group.

Police to crack down on drunk driving in San Antonio

In San Antonio, the number of intoxicated drivers is increasing. In the second half of 2009, the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) averaged 385 DWI arrests per month. This year, the average is 464 arrests per month. The Cowen Law Group represents victims of drunk driving accidents in san Antonio and throughout South Texas. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, call our office at 877-385-1282.

Heart attack may be to blame for deadly accident in Corpus Christi

A deadly accident in Corpus Christi may have been caused when the driver suffered a heart attack. If you have been involved in a car accident in Corpus Christi, Laredo or Zapata call the South Texas car crash attorneys at The Cowen Law Group. Our accident attorneys have written a free guide that is available to all Texas accident victims. Request your copy of The Insider’s guide to Texas Car Accident Cases at 877-385-1282. However, every accident is unique, so if you have questions about your own case, call our attorneys at schedule a free, no-risk legal consultation.

San Antonio car crash attorneys wish you a safe and happy Fourth!

Driving while impaired causes almost 1,500 deaths a year in Texas and alcohol is a major factor in holiday weekend accidents. If you have lost a loved one to a DWI crash in the San Antonio or Brownsville area, call Cowen Law Group. Our attorneys can’t undo what happened, but we can help you get monetary compensation for your losses. This doesn’t bring back your loved one, but it is a step to getting the accountability you deserve. Call 877-385-1282.

Sleepy truck drivers are a danger on South Texas highways

Ninety percent of drowsiness-related crashes involve a commercial truck. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a San Antonio trucking accident that you suspect was caused by a drowsy driver, you may want to consider hiring a Brownsville 18-wheeler accident attorney. An attorney with experience in big rig accidents will be able to gather the information necessary to support your case. To learn more, contact The Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282.

Distracted adults may cause more Texas texting accidents than teens

A new report shows that adults may be just as likely, or even more likely, as teens to text while behind the wheel. Every year, approximately 6,000 American drivers are killed in car accidents caused by distracted drivers.If you have lost a loved one in a Brownsville distracted driving accident, contact The Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282 to learn about your family’s rights.

San Antonio considers texting, cell phone ban. Is this a good idea?

The city of San Antonio is considering a ban on texting and cell phone use for all drivers within city limits. In the past two years, distracted driving has been responsible for 65,000 crashes and sixty-nine fatalities in Texas. To learn more about your rights if you were injured by a distracted driver, contact The Cowen Law Group.

Children seriously injured when thrown from car during Progresso car crash

Two young children were hospitalized after they were thrown from the car in which they were riding. The children were not restrained in car seats. Car accidents are the leading cause of death, disability and injury to young children. The safest place for a child is in an appropriate car seat in the back seat. There is nothing sadder than a child death that could have been have been prevented if the child was properly buckled up.If your child has been seriously injured in an accident, or if you want to know more about car seat safety, call The Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282.

DWI driver crashes into Laredo home. Does the family have rights?

A family in North Laredo woke up to a large crash. They were surprised to see an SUV in their dining room. In this accident, the driver caused significant damage and losses without causing injury. The homeowners are still eligible to receive insurance compensation for the property damage, for their housing costs while the home repaired, for psychological trauma, and other losses. They should speak to an experienced car crash attorney who can evaluate their claim and give a fair estimate of the damages. The Cowen Law Group represents accident victims throughout South Texas. If you have been injured in a car crash, call our office at 877-385-1282.

Drunken drivers risk lives during San Antonio’s Fiesta

San Antonio’s Fiesta is one of the largest festivals in Texas and the nation. Unfortunately, Fiesta is not only fun it can be deadly. Last April, San Antonio police made 422 DWI arrests and saw 239 alcohol-related car crashes. If you are hurt in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, or if you a loved one in an alcohol-related car wreck, contact the car accident attorneys at the Cowen Law Group. We represent victims of DWI accidents throughout South Texas and we will work hard to get you fair compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, lost income and other damages. Call us at 1-877-385-1282 to learn more. Enjoy Fiesta; drink responsibly.

Brownsville pedestrian killed in hit-and-run car DWI crash

It seems that every week I post a news article about an alcohol-related traffic fatality in Brownsville, San Antonio, McAllen or Rio Grande City. Indeed, the sad fact is Texas leads the nation in alcohol-related fatalities. Behind each fatality is a family that is experiencing an unthinkable tragedy. At the Cowen Law Group, our hearts go out to those families. There is nothing we can do to bring your loved one back, but we can help you get accountability. If you have lost a loved one in a DUI accident, give us a call at 877-385-1282 and find out how we can help.

Teenager critically injured in San Antonio racing crash

A car race near the San Antonio International Airport ended abruptly when one of the vehicles crashed injuring both its teenage passengers. In San Antonio, street racing is considered a felony. If someone dies because of a street racing accident, drivers may be charged with felony street racing and vehicular manslaughter. Drivers who cause accidents may also be liable for the property damage, injuries and wrongful death of accident victims. If you have lost a loved one or have been injured because of illegal street racing, you have rights. Contact the Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282 to learn more.

Determining blame in multi-car Harlingen wreck may be tricky

Eight people were sent to the hospital after a multi-car crash outside the Harlingen Olive Garden that occurred just before 6pm on Sunday, February 7. Before an insurance company will provide a settlement, an investigation of the crash will take place. The Cowen Law Group has helped thousands of real people, people just like you, recover from car accidents. We will investigate your accident, protect your rights and make sure that the insurance companies treat you fairly. Call us at 877-385-1282.

Many McAllen pick-up trucks are high risk for rollover accidents

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has just released the first ever rollover protection tests for small pick-up trucks. Pick-up trucks and SUV’s are especially prone to rollover accidents because of their high center of gravity. Rollovers account for 45% of pick-up truck deaths, but only 22% of car deaths. If a loved one has been injured in a rollover accident, contact the Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282. We can deal with the insurance companies and get you a fair settlement for your losses.

2 Wrecks 1 Case

Texas car accident lawyers at The Cowen Law Group have developed techniques for winning cases in which a person is the victim of two different car wrecks. The insurance companies in those cases try to avoid responsibility by each blaming the other wreck. With these techniques, we have earned fair compensation for our clients.