Attorney Blog

Why We Sued Tejano Singer Emilio Navaira

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

"... 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.

Two Women Killed in San Antonio T-Bone Car Crash

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Two women were killed last week when their car was T-boned by an SUV.

The San Antonio car crash occurred on the night of Tuesday, December 21. The women were in a small silver car travelling north on Callaghan Road when an SUV headed westbound on Old Highway 90 crashed into the side of their vehicle.

Two passengers were killed in the Texas car wreck. They have been identified as Brenda Bueno, 47, and Reyna Bueno, 29. The older Ms. Bueno was in the backseat of the car and sustained the brunt of the impact. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other injured woman was sitting in the front seat. She sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to University Hospital, where she later died.

Two other passengers also were taken to University Hospital. There is no word on their condition.

The SUV driver complained of chest pain and was also taken to University Hospital.

The accident is still under investigation. It is not known if drugs or alcohol contributed to the fatal Bexar County crash.

Construction Worker Injured in San Antonio Hit-and-run Accident

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

San Antonio police are searching for pick-up truck driver who hit a road construction worker and then fled the scene.

The San Antonio hit-and-run accident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. on Thursday, December 16. Forty-one-year-old Johnny Johnny Davila was working at a construction site on NE Loop 410 near the San Pedro intersection on a when he was struck be a woman driving a black pickup truck.

According to police reports, the woman was driving west on the access road when she maneuvered around a signal truck and struck Mr. Davila. The truck's side view mirror was left at the scene.

Fortunately, the worker was not seriously injured. Mr. Davila was taken to University Hospital, where he was treated and released. However, every year more than a thousand workers and drivers are not so lucky. They become victims of highway construction zone accidents. Most of these accidents are caused by distracted drivers or confused drivers.

The Cowen Law Group wishes Mr. Davila a speedy recovery.

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

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

A new government survey has found that the number of Americans who have driven drunk or drugged is declining. According to the study, 13.2 percent of all persons ages 16 or older drove under the influence of alcohol and 4.3 percent of these drivers drove under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year. Between 2002 and 2005, the drunk driving rate was 14.6%. The rate for driving drugged in the same time period was 4.8%

The survey also provides a state-by-state tally of drunk and drugged driving. WhileTexas has the largest number of drunk driving accidents, the drunk driving rate in Texas was close to average at 13.9% for 2006-2009. Wisconsin and North Dakota topped the list of drunk driving states with rates of 23.7% and 22.4%.

The rate in Texas was 15.4% for 2002-2005.

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.

67-year-old Man Dies in San Antonio Motorcycle Accident

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

A sixty-seven-year-old man died from injuries sustained in a San Antonio motorcycle accident.

The crash occurred on the afternoon of Monday, December 6. Sheldon Gedrose, who was visiting San Antonio from Garnett, Kansas, was riding his motorcycle north on U.S. 281 near Interstate 35 just north of downtown. Police believe he was cut off by a blue SUV that left the scene. This caused Gedrose to lose control of his motorcycle and crash.

Gedrose was not wearing a helmet and was seriously injured in the Texas motorcycle crash. Motorcycle helmets are not required in Texas; however, a motorcycle helmet is the best protection from serious in a motorcycle accident. To learn more about choosing a motorcycle helmet, read our library article “The South Texas Biker’s Guide to Choosing a Motorcycle Helmet.”

Gedrose was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center where he died from his injuries. He was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m on Tuesday, December 7.

Police are still investigating the accident and are searching for the driver of the blue SUV.

One Dead in Comal County Motorcycle Collision

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Comal County man was dead after his motorcycle was hit in a head-on collision on Saturday.

The Comal County motor vehicle accident occurred at about 6:40 p.m. on December 5 on FM 2673. Anthony Cortez, 57, of Canyon Lake, was riding north on a Harley Davidson. Diana Handby, 47, also from Canyon Lake, was headed south in a 2008 Honda Accord when she swerved into the northbound lane of FM 2673. She struck Cortez head-on. Cortez was wearing a helmet, but that was not enough to save his life. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the motorcycle crash.

Handby sustained injuries and was taken to University Hospital. The accident is under investigation. At this time, it is not known if alcohol or distracted driving were factors in the crash. Charges have not yet been filed.
In Texas, drivers of cars and trucks have the responsibility to watch out for motorcyclists. Motorcyclists who are injured by reckless drivers may claim damages for their injuries.

Are Texas Highways Becoming More Dangerous?

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

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.

Eighty-five percent of those surveyed said that they believe texting or talking on a cell phone while driving is worse than it was five years ago and that this behavior puts them at risk. Fifty-two percent of those surveyed would support a state law banning cell phone use while driving. Sixty percent of those surveyed believe that aggressive driving has gotten worse.

The results are based on responses from1,167 licensed Texas drivers surveyed at 10 driver license stations operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The interviews occurred in September and October. Drivers were not questioned about their own driving habits.

In fact, 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 Texas highway deaths.

Several bills to limit or ban cell phone use while driving have already been filed for the 2011 Texas legislative session.

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 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.

To learn more about Texas traffic accidents, download our free book: “The Insider's Guide to Texas Car Accident Cases.”

Former Police Officer Sentenced for San Antonio Car Crash Death

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

A former San Antonio police officer has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a 2008 car crash that killed another officer.

The fatal Bexar County accident occurred on November 28, 2008 at the intersection of Potranco Road and Hunt Lane in San Antonio. Police officer, David Seaton was driving at an estimated 100 miles per hour in response to a low-priority shoplifting call. Neither his siren nor overhead lights were on at the time of the crash.

Seaton’s police cruiser hit a car and then spun into 26-year-old Officer Robert Davis. Davis was clearing away roadway flares at the scene of another unrelated San Antonio car wreck. Davis was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Motorist Darrell Lapmkin was also was seriously injured.

Seaton was sentenced to 15 years for manslaughter and for using his car as a deadly weapon. He also received a 10 year sentence for two charges of aggravated assault by a public servant. Those sentences will be served concurrently.

Corpus Christi Drunk Driver Kills Family En Route To Memorial

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Corpus Cristi Family is grieving its second South Texas car crash loss. Forty-two-year-old Ramon Estrada died on August 15, 1987, when his car struck a utility pole. On Thanksgiving Day, 2010, two more family members were killed by a drunk driver as they were on their way to place flowers at the 1987 accident site.

Three family members: Joel Abrego, 59, Josephine Abrego, 63, and Elvira Rodriguez Estrada, 91, were headed to place a memorial at the scene of the 1987 wreck on U.S. Highway 77. They were headed south about one mile south of Robstown, Texas when a pick-up hit their Chevrolet Blazer.

Joel Abrego died at the scene. Ms. Estrada died later Thursday night at Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital. Josephine Abrego sustained severe head trauma and underwent surgery. There is no report of her condition.
The driver of the pick-up truck, 44-year-old Christopher Scott Taylor of Corpus Christi, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Because it is his third offense, this is a third-degree felony. Taylor is being held Friday in Nueces County Jail on $25,000 bail.

The Cowen Law Group would like to offer the Estrada and Abrego families our condolences for their tragic losses.

Edinburg Teens Learn About the Risks of Texting and Driving

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Four seniors from Edinburg North High School are creating a documentary on texting and driving and how it affects people.

The teens say that they’ve learned a lot. For instance, for every text message sent, the driver has his eyes off the road for about five seconds. Senior Valeria Rodriguez extrapolated, "…for every hour, that's about five minutes with your eyes closed.” She found this statistic scary. The teens also learned that driving while texting is more dangerous than driving while intoxicated.

Several of the teens admitted that had texted while driving before the project, but the experience had convinced them to stop. The students hope their school project will alert other teens to the dangers of texting while driving.

In 2009, 5,474 Americans were killed and an additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle accidents that involved distracted driving. In 2009, 995 distracted driving deaths involved a driver who was using a cell phone either for texting or conversation. Twenty-two percent of drivers in fatal crashes who are distracted by cell phones are under age 20.

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.

Firefighters Injured in San Antonio Rollover Accident

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Four San Antonio firefighters were injured when their truck rolled over as they were responding to a structure fire on the city’s West Side.

The San Antonio traffic accident occurred at 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 14. The firefighters had left Fire Station No. 35 and were responding to a call when the ladder truck rolled over as it turned left from the 7800 block of Culebra Road, underneath Loop 410 and onto the access road. The truck crashed to its side.

Dozens of San Antonio firefighters helped with the rescue. One man was trapped in the vehicle and had to be pulled out of the wreckage – a difficult procedure with such a large, complex vehicle. However, no one was seriously injured. All four firefighters were taken to University Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Three were treated and released.

It is not known if speed or road conditions were contributing factors to the crash. The San Antonio Police Department, Fire Department and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will investigate the San Antonio accident.

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

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

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. The San Antonio commercial truck accident is being blamed on an equipment malfunction. Fortunately, no one was injured.

The driver of the truck attempted to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher, but he was not successful. It took firefighters from Harmony Volunteer Fire Department and Wilson County several hours to put out the fire. U.S. 181 was closed during that time.

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. Last Saturday, a truck driver died in a Texas tanker truck accident when a big rig carrying gasoline caught fire after overturning on U.S. 183 in Austin.

It is critical that all large trucks be maintained in safe working condition, and this is especially true for tanker trucks. Trucking companies and drivers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their equipment and performing the maintenance necessary to keep the truck in working condition. Failing to do so may lead to serious personal injury and wrongful death.

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.

Man Dies in Interstate 35 18-Wheeler Crash

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

A man is dead after a collision with an 18-wheeler truck on Interstate 35 between Schertz and New Braunfels.

The deadly Comal County tractor-trailer crash occurred around 4:45 a.m. on Friday, November 5. The driver of a blue Dodge Charger was traveling in the wrong direction on Interstate 35 near FM 2252 when he slammed into a Fed Ex 18-wheeler truck. The driver of the Dodge was killed on impact. The driver of the truck sustained only minor injuries.

The victim, who was in his mid-twenties, was not from the local area. His identity has not been released.

The northbound lanes of Interstate 35 were closed for 7 hours while emergency workers cleared the wreckage.
It is unknown if alcohol is a contributing factor to the crash.

The Cowen Law Group represents victims of 18-wheeler accidents in Comal County and throughout South Texas. For more information, contact our san Antonio car crash attorneys at 877-385-1282.

We offer our condolences to the family of the victim.

Man Killed in Bexar County Trucking Accident

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

A man was killed Thursday afternoon when he lost control of his truck on U.S. 281 in far North Bexar County.

The victim of the Bexar County trucking accident has been identified as 47-year-old Dale Winters. Winters was driving a Ford pickup truck that was hauling an 18-foot trailer north on U.S. 281 around 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 4 when he lost control of his vehicle.

The truck veered into the median near Mountain Lodge and then sliced through the metal cables dividing the highway before skidding across the southbound lanes. The truck went through a barbed wire fence on the other side of the highway and continued to crash for another 150 yards before coming to a stop near Marshall Road.

The victim was taken to Methodist Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Officials are still investigating the South Texas trucking accident and do not know what caused Mr. Winters to lose control of the truck.

Teen Charged in Fatal Brownsville Motorcycle Crash

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

A teenager has been charged with manslaughter after a fatal Brownsville car-motorcycle collision that left one man dead.

The Texas car accident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 31, 2010 at the intersection of CSR Road and Paredes Line Road in Brownsville. Nineteen-year-old Gary Lee Gonzalez was driving a 97 Honda Civic on Paredes Line Road. He ran a stop sign and crashed into a motorcyclist who was making a turn from CSR Road to Paredes Line Road. The 37-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. His name has not been released.

Gary Lee Gonzales was arrested shortly after midnight on November 1. He was charged with one count of manslaughter. A municipal judge set his bail at $100,000 and sent Gonzales to the Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center.

The Texas motorcycle accident remains under investigation. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in the deadly motorcycle crash.

Brownsville Attorney Michael Cowen Named Super Lawyer

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Brownsville Herald ran a story recognizing our own Michael Cowen for being named a "Super Lawyer." Texas Monthly and Law and Politics magazine name "Super Lawyers" to recognize the most prominent lawyers in the State.

"While it's nice to be recognized," said Cowen, "the only recognition that really matters comes from our clients when we get great results in their cases."

Michael is an attorney with The Cowen Law Group, and specializes in handling cases involving truck wrecks, car accidents, and other personal injury cases.

One Cyclist Dead, One Injured in McAllen Hit-And-Run Accident

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

An unidentified driver hit two cyclists and fled the scene of a McAllen accident. One victim died at the hospital, the other is seriously injured but expected to recover.

The McAllen bicycle-car accident occurred at about 5:55 a.m. on October 21, 2010 at the intersection of North Main Street and Trenton Road. Two men were riding bicycles side-by-side when they were rear-ended by a dark-colored car that was heading west along Trenton Road.

After the crash, the driver fled the scene. One cyclists was taken to McAllen Medical Center where he died from his injuries. The second cyclist was taken to Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

It was dark at the time of the accident, but both cyclists had flashing red lights and reflectors on their bicycles.
The make or model of the car involved has not been determined, but police believe it may have front end damage and a missing driver’s side mirror. It also has a loud muffler.

Aggressive motorists are a danger to bicyclists in the Rio Grande Valley. In 2009, there were 89 car-bicycle crashes in the valley. Four bicyclists died.

Bicyclists who are injured by reckless drivers are entitled to insurance compensation for their injuries and other losses. To learn more, contact The Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282.

Texas car seats recalled! Is your child at risk?

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Is your child's car seat is properly installed and registered?

We’ve posted several articles about car seat safety. 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.

After you buy and install your child’s car seat, be sure that you register the seat. This way you will informed immediately if there are any car seat recalls that affect the safety of your child.

Brownsville parents were recently notified that their Evenflo child restraint system may be faulty. Certain Maestro child restraint systems with model numbers beginning with 310 which were built between November 24, 2009, and April 9, 2010 are being recalled because they fail to conform to the structural integrity requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213.

During a San Antonio car crash, a crack may form at the front of the seat adjacent near the harness adjuster. This can cause the child to fly from the seat and increases the risk of serious injury or death from the accident.

If you think you own this child safety seat, you can contact Evenflo toll-free at 1-800-233-5921. Evenflo is providing a reinforcement plate and repair instructions free of charge.

If your child has been injured 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

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Two men were killed in a fiery Bexar County 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 crash occurred on Friday, October 15 at about 3:10 p.m. near Lytle, about 24 miles south of San Antonio near Mile Marker 131 south of the intersection with FM 3175. A semi-truck in the northbound lane rear-ended a heavy machine truck and burst into flames.

The collision and the resulting fire forced authorities to shut down both north- and southbound lanes while firefighters put out the blaze.

The two men in the 18-wheeler were killed in the fire. The victims have not been identified.

The driver of the heavy machinery truck sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Many trucks in southeast Texas carry dangerous, flammable loads. In an accident, this combustible cargo may ignite. The heat can endanger vehicles that are not involved in the crash, and toxic fumes can affect anyone in the area.

The Texas personal injury lawyers at The Cowen Law Group represent victims of Bexar County semi-truck 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.

Reckless Driver Crashes Borrowed Car in Brownsville Accident

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

A man who was injured by a reckless driver is suing the man who lent that driver his car.

Joseph Brashear is suing Misael Conde for his part in the Brownsville car crash that left Brashear injured. The accident was caused by Robert Diaz who was driving a car belonging to Misael Conde.

The lawsuit states that Diaz was driving recklessly when he crashed into the rear of Brashear’s car causing a Brownsville traffic accident. According to the lawsuit, Diaz had a history of reckless and incompetent driving, and it accuses Conde of failing to act in a responsible and prudent manner by allowing Diaz to use his car.

Diaz is also accused of driving dangerously.

Brashear claims to have suffered physical injuries and mental from the accidents. He is seeking compensatory damages.

Every accident is unique. However, victims of reckless drivers are entitled to compensation for their injuries, property damage and other losses. To learn more, request your free copy of “The Insider's Guide to Texas Car Accident Cases”.

Bexar County Man Killed in Wrong Way ?DUI Crash

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Bexar County man was killed when by an intoxicated driver who was driving the wrong way on U.S. 281 North.

The San Antonio car accident occurred around 1:20 the morning of Thursday, October 14. Police had received calls about a wrong-way driver headed south bound in a Ford Explorer in the north-bound lane on Highway 281. According to witnesses, 37-year-old Francis Ford drove the wrong way for at least 10 minutes. She was seen on Highways 1604 and 281; drivers tried to get her attention by waving and honking horns, but she did not respond. She finally stopped when she crashed head-on into an on-coming vehicle near Basse road.

The driver of that vehicle died at the scene. No passengers were in either vehicle.

Ford was taken to University Hospital in serious condition. She appeared to be intoxicated and police smelled alcohol in her vehicle. Ford has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and a judge has set her bail at $75,000.

Ford told police she was on the phone at the time of the crash.

Wrong-way driving is not uncommon on Highway 281. Police warn drivers to be careful on the road, especially at night and to avoid driving in the left lane because wrong-way drivers think they are in their slow lane but they are really the fast lane of the opposite direction.

Distracted Driving: San Antonio Bans Texting at the Wheel

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

San Antonio City Council unanimously voted to adopt a ban on text messaging while driving within the city.

The ban will take effect on October 17, 2010. For the first three months, San Antonio police officers will issue warning citations. Starting in mid-January, motorists caught texting while driving will be fined up to $200.

San Antonio is the third major city in Texas to prohibit texting while driving. Austin and El Paso already have anti-texting laws. State Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, is leading efforts to file a bill for a statewide ban during the 2011 Legislature.

The new ordinance outlaws using a “hand-held mobile communication device to send, read or write a text message, view pictures or written text, whether transmitted by Internet or other electronic means, engage in gaming or any other use of the device, besides dialing telephone numbers or talking to another person, while operating a moving motor vehicle.”

In the past two years, distracted driving has been responsible for 65,000 Texas car crashes and sixty-nine car crash fatalities in Texas. Lawmakers hope that the ban on texting will prevent San Antonio car crashes and make the public more aware of the dangers of distracted driving.

Woman Killed in Comal County Motorcycle Crash

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

A woman who was injured in a left turn motorcycle crash in Hill Country has died.

The South Texas car-motorcycle accident occurred on Saturday, October 2 at about 11:30 a.m. Fifty-one-year-old Colleen R. Greer was headed westbound on FM 306 East near Cranes Mill Road in Comal County when a car made a left turn into her path. Greer tried to avoid a collision but could not stop in time. She braked and then skidded for about 50 feet.

Greer was flown to University Hospital for treatment of her injuries. She died on Monday, October 4. No one else was injured.

The fatal motorcycle crash remains under investigation.

Car-motorcycle accidents that occur when a motorcycle is hit by a car making a left turn are very common. These accidents occur because the driver either refuses to yield or does not see the motorcyclist and turns into motorcyclist’s path. Sometimes, left turn accidents occur because the driver is distracted or otherwise negligent. The motorcyclist is unable to stop in time to avoid a collision.

September 19 - 25 is Child Passenger Safety Week in Texas

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

This week, September 19 - 25, is Child Passenger Safety Week

Every day in the United States, an average of 4 children under age 15 are killed and 529 are injured in motor vehicle crashes. Nationwide, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 3 and 14.

However, these numbers could be much higher than they are. According to the National Highway Traffic safety Administration, an estimated 8,959 lives were saved by child safety seats between 1975 and 2008.

Safety experts say that four out of five car seats are either installed incorrectly or being used improperly. A car seat that is not installed and used as intended may not meet safety requirements in a crash.

During the 2010 Child Passenger Safety Week, parents and caregivers are urged to verify that their child safety seats are properly installed and being used correctly. The Cowen Law Group sponsors the Cowen Cares program throughout the year. We have a child safety seat professional on our staff. Click here to learn how you can schedule a free car seat inspection.

To learn more about the correct child safety seat for your child, click here.

For more information about car crashes in Brownsville, download our free book “The Insiders Guide To Texas Car Accident Cases.” If you need help after a South Texas car accident, call The Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282 to schedule a free consultation with a Brownsville car crash attorney.

Good News! NHTSA Reports Fewer Fatal Traffic Accidents in Texas.

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the traffic fatality rate for Texas has fallen to the lowest level since records were first kept 75 years ago. This drop in Texas car wreck fatalities is surprising news to law enforcement and safety officials.

NHTSA’s latest data show that in 2009 Texas had 1.34 traffic deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009; this is down 0.14 from 2008.

Which year had the highest Texas death rate? 1935. In 1935, Texas had a car crash rate of 16.6 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles driven

Authorities are crediting the reduction in car crash deaths to safer cars and safer roads, more extensive seat-belt use and public-awareness campaigns focusing on driving safely.

Other analysts believe that the recessed economy may be a factor as drivers are saving money and conserving gas by driving less.

Texas still counted 3,071 traffic fatalities for 2009. This is a decline of 12 percent from 2008 and is the lowest number of deaths recorded in 17 years. However, every Texas traffic death is one too many.

Traffic deaths are also declining nationwide. The NHTSA data shows that in 2009 traffic deaths nationally declined to 33,808, the lowest number since 1950. This represents a death rate of 1.13 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

The Texas car crash rate is still higher than the national average.

Texting bus driver guilty of reckless driving in San Antonio

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

The former San Antonio VIA Metropolitan Transit bus driver who was videotaped texting while causing a San Antonio bus wreck on Loop 410 has been convicted of reckless driving.

Adrian Alfredo Perez, 29, was driving a bus carrying two disabled passengers east on Loop 410 near North Star Mall during rush hour on June 25, 2008. Video surveillance cameras inside the bus showed that he had reading text messages on his cell phone for six minutes before he hit the back of an SUV while driving 34 mph.

A jury pronounced Perez guilty of misdemeanor reckless driving. Perez now faces up to 30 days in jail; he will be sentenced in November.

Distracted driving causes more than 1.5 million crashes a year. Many states have restricted texting while driving. In Texas, the following rules apply:

•    Learners permit holders are prohibited from using handheld cell phones in the first six months of driving.
•    Drivers under the age of 17 with restricted licenses are prohibited from using wireless communications devices.
•    School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving if children are present.
•    Drivers prohibited from using handheld devices in school crossing zones.

Only Dallas, Austin, Galveston, El Paso, Missouri City and Stephenville have enacted local distracted driving laws.

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

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Eight booster seats on Insurance Institute’s “not recommended” list

Booster seats are child safety seats that are used to safely position the vehicle’s safety belt for children between the ages of four and eight. A good booster seat positions the lap belt across the child’s upper thighs and the shoulder belt at mid-shoulder.

Children 4-8 who ride in boosters are 45 percent less likely to sustain injuries from car crashes than children restrained by belts alone. However, a poor fitting seatbelt can cause serious injuries – especially if the shoulder belt slips off the child’s shoulders or if the lap belt is up on the child’s abdomen.

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”:

•    Eddie Bauer Deluxe (combination highback)
•    Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1 (highback)
•    Evenflo Express (combination highback)
•    Evenflo Generations 65 (combination highback)
•    Evenflo Sightseer (highback)
•    Harmony Baby Armor (dual backless)
•    Safety 1st All-in-One (3-in-1 highback)
•    Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite (3-in-1 highback)

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.

Young girl killed in San Antonio Loop 410 pedestrian car crash

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

A young girl was killed by a car while running across the Loop 410 access road near Highway 90.

The San Antonio car accident occurred on Friday, September 3. Twelve-year-old Cassandra Perez had been attending a dance at Skateland West. She was walking home with friends when she was dared her to cross the access road. The first child made it safely across the roadway, but Perez slipped. She bent down to fix her shoe and was hit by a car.

The driver, Roberto Macias, stopped the car to help. Perez was taken to University Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The driver did not see the girl and is not expected to face any charges.
Cassandra’s grandmother had talked to the girl about accidents, but children often have difficulty resisting peer pressure.

The Cowen Law Group offers our condolences to the family of Miss Perez.

There is nothing sadder than hearing of a child who was injured in a preventable traffic accident. Fall is coming and soon it will be getting dark earlier. Make sure your child can be seen while walking. Click here for more child pedestrian safety tips.

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

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

A new study from the Texas Department of Transportation shows that Bexar County roads are relatively uncongested. This may seem like a surprise if you are stuck in traffic on U.S. 281, but those in Houston and Dallas Fort-Worth have it worse. Nine of the ten most congested roads in Texas are in those cities. The last is in Austin.

So where do Bexar County’s most congested roads rank? The most congested road in San Antonio is only 23rd on the list.

1.    Loop 1604 from Bandera Road to Culebra Road (23)
2.    U.S. 281 from Loop 1604 to Cormal County line (38)
3.    I-35 from U.S. 90 to U.S. 281 (48)
4.    I-35 from Loop 1604 to Comal County line (49)
5.    Culebra Road from Grissom Road to Loop 410 (50)
6.    I-35 from Loop 410 to Loop 1604 (62)
7.    Castroville Road from Texas 151 to S 19th Street (75)
8.    Fredericksburg Road from Loop 410 to I-10 (81)
9.    Loop 410 from U.S. 281 to I-35 (94)
10.    Basse Road from Naco Perrin Blvd. to U.S. 281 (96)

Congestion is only one contributing cause to San Antonio 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.

San Antonio among the most Dangerous Cities for Drivers

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Although San Antonio doesn’t have the same traffic congestion as Dallas and Houston, it ranks with those cities among the most dangerous driving cities in the nation. The average San Antonio driver can expect to be involved in a car accident about every 7.7 years.

The Allstate Insurance Company just released its sixth annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report™." The report looks at America's 200 largest cities in terms of car accident frequency and uses these statistics to determine which cities have the safest drivers. San Antonio placed 163rd making it the 37th most dangerous city in the study.

"America's Safest Driving City" for 2010 is Fort Collins, Colorado. The average driver in Fort Collins will experience a car accident every 14.5 years. This makes them about 31 percent less likely to be involved in a car crash than the national average and almost half as likely to be in an accident as an San Antonio resident.

A San Antonio resident is 30.2% more likely to be involved in an accident than the national average.
Among cities with more than 1 million residents, only Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, finished below San Antonio.

Houston was ranked 161 with the average driver being involved in an accident every 7.7 years. Dallas came in 173rd. The average resident in Dallas can expect to be in an accident every 7.4 years.

Four killed when tire failure causes Harlingen rollover crash

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Three Harlingen residents and a Wesaco woman were killed in a one-vehicle rollover in Atascosa County south of San Antonio. Three others were injured. The accident is being blamed on a defective tire.

The South Texas car crash occurred at 5:55 p.m. on Friday, August 20, 2010. A 2002 Ford Explorer carrying seven occupants was traveling northbound on Interstate 37. The right rear tire of the vehicle separated and lost its tread.

The defective tire caused the vehicle to veer into the center median. It crossed both southbound lanes and rolled; four of the seven occupants were ejected.

Driver Aaron Joseph Cruz, 21, of Harlingen, and passengers Jonathan Cortez, 4, of Harlingen; Anieca Salazar, 13, of Harlingen; and Janette Ramirez, 28, of Weslaco, were pronounced dead at the scene. Only the driver was wearing a seat belt.

Jesse Salazar, 11, of Harlingen; Jasmine Cantu, 9, of Harlingen; and Denise Cantu, 31, of Harlingen were injured.

The injured children, Jesse Salazar and Jasmine Cantu were transported to University Hospital in San Antonio for treatment of serious injuries. Denise Cantu also sustained serious injuries and was transported to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Denise Cantu is the mother of the two dead children.

Separation of the tire tread from the tire itself can cause tire blowout and often leads to rollover accidents, especially in SUVs. To learn more about your rights after a Texas defective tire accident, contact Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282.

Texas man sentenced to life in prison after 9th DWI

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Williamson County, Texas judge has sentenced a 53-year-old drunk driver to life in prison.

Bobbie Stovall was convicted in July of driving while intoxicated. On July 3, Stovall was driving his truck on East Palm Valley Boulevard in Round Rock, TX when he wove across several lanes of heavy traffic. His truck was hit by another vehicle and his female passenger was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was also injured.

Stovall’s blood alcohol concentration was .32 at the time of the accident –four times the Texas legal limit of .08. This was his ninth Texas drunk driving arrest. Judge Billy Ray Stubblefield found that Stovall had eight previous DWI convictions from Collin, Dewitt, Nueces, Galveston, Jackson and Goliad Counties and took those arrests into account when sentencing Stovall.

Stovall had also been convicted of burglary of a habitation, credit card abuse, possession of a controlled substance, theft, driving on a suspended license and making alcohol available to a minor.

Stovall was sentenced to life in prison on August 10, 2010, but may be eligible for parole in five years.

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.

Woman killed, son injured in Brownsville hit-and-run DWI crash

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A 34-year-old Brownsville woman was killed and her young son was hospitalized after being struck by an alleged drunk driver.

The Brownsville car accident occurred on Saturday, August 14 at 11:40 a.m. Brenda Gomez and her four-year-old son were standing by a mailbox at the 700 block of FM-511 or South Indiana. They were struck by a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado truck driven by 33-year-old Edgar Reyes of Brownsville.

Reyes first collided with a 2005 Volkswagen Jetta that was pulling into a driveway. Then he hit the mother and child. When she saw the car coming, Ms. Gomez threw her son into a nearby ditch. This saved his life. The mother's body was found 25 feet away; she was pronounced dead at the scene

The boy was taken to Valley Baptist Medical Center for treatment and was discharged on Monday morning. The driver of Jetta also sustained injuries.

Reyes fled the scene of the accident; however, authorities were able to track him down. He is believed to have been driving drunk at the time of the accident. Speed is also believed to have played a factor in the deadly crash. Reyes was arraigned on one count of intoxication manslaughter and remains in custody with bond set at $300,000.

Residents say they have experienced several near accidents on the stretch of road. A Texas Department of Transportation spokesperson said a Safety Review Committee will review the accident to determine if any measures can be taken by the state to improve the road.

San Antonio drunk driving crash kills 4

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A 38-year-old woman is in jail after causing a two-vehicle crash that left a woman, her mother, her sister and her infant son dead.

The fatal San Antonio car accident occurred at about 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 8. Valerie Andrews ran a red light at Roosevelt Avenue and S.E. Military Drive. A police officer saw the traffic violation and tried to stop Andrews. However, she sped away, ran a stop sign and collided with a Dodge Caravan minivan. The driver of the minivan and her front seat passenger died at the scene. Two rear seat passengers died at the hospital. Andrews sustained a broken ankle.

Valerie Andrews has been charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count each of evading arrest, theft, failure to identify herself and driving without a valid license. She is being held in Bexar County Jail. Bail is set at $230,000.

Andrews had been arrested in 2003 for driving while intoxicated.

Police identified the dead as 21-year-old Marcella Perez, her 5-month-old son Brian, her 15-year-old sister Alejandra Perez Aguilar and their 55-year-old mother Maria Aguilar de Perez.

The Cowen Law Group offers our condolences to the Perez family.

Texas car crash victim suing manufactures for seat malfunction

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Texas driver is suing the manufacturer of his vehicle's seats after the seat failed to stay upright during a rollover car accident.

Texarkana residents Alfredo Morina and his wife, Teute Morina, have filed suit against Johnson Controls Inc. in the Bowie County District Court. The case was removed to the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas.

The Texas car accident occurred on Sept. 8, 2008. Mr. Morina was driving his 2002 Ford Expedition south on Texas Boulevard in Texarkana. The Expedition was struck by another vehicle. Morina lost control of the car and it rolled over. During the rollover, the vehicle seat failed to stay upright.

The Morinas are claiming that the Ford Expedition was not reasonably crashworthy because the seat failed to provide proper restraint, failed to stay upright, and failed to have an inboard locking mechanism. Johnston Controls is accused of negligent design, manufacture, assembly, marketing and testing of the seat. The Morinas are seeking compensatory damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, impairment, disfigurement, reduced capacity to enjoy life, medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, mental anguish, loss of consortium, interest and costs of suit.

The Cowen Law Group represents victims of car and truck accidents in Brownsville, San Antonio and throughout South Texas. If you have been injured in a car crash and have questions about your rights, call our office at 877-385-1282.

Police to crack down on drunk driving in San Antonio

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Texas leads the nation in drunk driving fatalities. In 2009, 955 people were killed and an additional 17,542 were injured in 27,108 alcohol-related crashes in the state of Texas.

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.

Because drunk driving in a growing problem on San Antonio roads, the police department has expanded its proactive DWI unit, which works to get drunk drivers off the road. Law enforcement officials are also pledging their support for a statewide drunken driving crackdown beginning this month.

The Texas Department of Transportation's statewide “Choose Your Ride” campaign runs from now through Labor Day weekend. This is the time of year when police departments across Texas usually see a rise in intoxicated driving.

San Antonio police say they will be working overtime to arrest intoxicated drivers from Aug. 20 to Sept. 6.
First-time offenders convicted of DWI may pay fines of up to $2,000; they may also lose their driver's license for up to a year and serve 180 days in jail.

The South Texas personal injury attorneys at 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 Texas drunk driving accident, call our office at 877-385-1282.

Six injured in Bexar County 18-wheeler crash

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Five men were injured when the driver of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 10 fell asleep and rear-ended a welding truck in East Bexar County.

The South Texas 18-wheeler accident occurred around 6:40 a.m. on Monday, August 2. Both the tractor-trailer and pickup were headed west-bound on I-10 when the 65-year-old driver of the 18-wheeler fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into the back of the pickup.

The crash sent both vehicles off the roadway and down a steep embankment. The semi truck rolled over and spilled its load of candy all over the westbound access road.

The truck driver bumped his head in the crash. He appeared dazed from the injury. The five men inside the welding truck sustained minor injuries. They were taken to Northeast Baptist and Northeast Methodist hospitals for treatment.

At this time, the driver of the tractor-trailer is not expected to face charges. However, the accident is under investigation and the Texas Department of Transportation may look into the driver's records.

Corpus Christi is getting tough on aggressive drivers

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Every year, there are more than 10,000 traffic accidents in Corpus Christi. Police hope that a new plan will help reduce the number of crashes in that city.

Under the new plan which will take effect soon, drivers can expect the maximum penalty if a police officer determines that they were driving aggressively. Drivers who meet certain criteria will be flagged as an "aggressive driver"; there won't be any leniency when it comes to the ticket and labeled drivers will not be able to bargain fines down. They will have to go to court or pay the entire fine.

Aggressive driving will include any of the following:

•    Ignoring school bus stop signs
•    Driving 10 miles per hour over the limit in an active school zone
•    Driving 15 miles above the limit anywhere in the city other than an active school zone
•    Tailgating
•    Weaving in and out of traffic
•    Not using turn signals

Aggressive driving is the leading cause of South Texas car crashes. Police officers hope that stiffer penalties will make people reconsider driving aggressively and make the roads safer for everyone.

San Antonio security guard injured by a drunk driver

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A San Antonio security guard is recovering from his injuries after trying to keep a man who appeared to be a drunk driver from driving out of a parking lot.

The accident occurred early on the morning of Sunday, July 25. Security officers spotted a person they believed to be a drunk driver early Sunday and pulled him over in a parking lot near North Main and Evergreen. The driver did not get out of his truck. Instead, he put the vehicle in reverse and hit another security guard who was on his way to provide assistance.

The guard was taken to Methodist Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The truck driver was arrested by San Antonio police for drunk driving, but that it appears the driver did not see the injured security guard.

Because the accident occurred while the security guard was on-the-job, his injuries may be covered by state worker's compensation insurance. However, he may still be eligible for damages from the drunk driver. Every accident case is unique. To learn about your rights after a South Texas car accident, contact the San Antonio car crash attorneys at The Cowen Law Group. Call 877-385-1282.

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

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A deadly accident in Corpus Christi may have been caused when the driver of a city vehicle suffered a heart attack.

On July 15, police responded to the scene of an accident on the Crosstown Extension near the San Padre Island

Drive interchange in Corpus Christi.

Sixty-year-old Eli Alaniz, a City of Corpus Christi Solid Waste employee, was traveling northbound on the Crosstown Extension when he crashed his truck into the concrete barrier on his left. The impact then sent the vehicle into another concrete barrier on the other side of the freeway.

The city worker was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police believe he may have suffered a heart attack that caused the accident.

It is estimated that five to ten percent of traffic accidents are caused by medical problems. Many heart attacks cannot be foreseen, and this accident may not have been preventable. However, because Alaniz was injured while at work, his family may be eligible for Texas workers' compensation benefits for his death.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Corpus Christi, Laredo or Zapata call the South Texas car crash attorneys at The Cowen Law Group. Our 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.

Man killed in Bexar County 18-wheeler crash

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A man died in a when his pick-up truck collided with a tractor trailer in far southeast Bexar County near Elmendorf.

According to the Bexar County Sherriff's department, the pick-up truck hit an 18-wheeler hit a car at FM 327 and Loop 1604 just before 2:00 a.m. on Friday, July 16. The man in the pickup truck was driving in the opposite direction from the 18-wheeler when he steered into the oncoming lane and sideswiped the back of the trailer. The 18 wheeler was carrying a load of large pipes.

The driver of the passenger vehicle was killed at the scene. The driver of the tractor trailer sustained only non-life threatening injuries.

Police investigating the accident say the rural area may have contributed to the crash; they say it is a pretty desolate and very dark road. It is unclear whether the man had been wearing a seat belt or if either of the drivers had been drinnking. For now, the cause of the big rig crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.

Drunk driver kills father of four in Bexar County wrong-way crash

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A 38-year-old man was killed and four others were injured in a San Antonio car crash that police blame on a suspected drunken driver.

The multi-car accident occurred late on Monday, July 12. Jacob Vincent Perez, 22, was driving a pickup truck the wrong way on the westbound lane of Highway 90 near the South Zarzamora Street exit when he hit two cars.

In the first collision, Perez hit an SUV head-on. The collision killed the passenger, 38-year-old Juan Urrutia, a father of four. The driver of the SUV was also injured.

The pickup truck continued in the wrong direction and crashed into a Ford Focus with three people inside. Rescuers used the Jaws of Life to extract Robert Mendoza, 45; April Mendoza, 27; and Dallas Brook, 11. All three were injured.

Urrutia was pronounced dead at the scene. The four injured victims were transported to area hospitals.

Perez was also taken to a hospital, where he was treated for cuts and bruises. He is charged with one count of intoxication manslaughter and four counts of intoxication assault and remains jailed in lieu of $130,000 bail.

Drowsy driving may be to blame for fatal 18-wheeler wreck in Laredo

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A family of three is dead after their vehicle was hit by an 18-wheeler as they were headed from Laredo to San Antonio.

The crash happened at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, 2010 on northbound Interstate 35 about 45 miles north of Laredo. A southbound tractor-trailer carrying a load of sand crossed the median and went into the car’s path causing the fatal big rig accident.

The driver, 21-year-old Manuel Arizola, his girlfriend, 21-year-old Johanna Sandoval, and their child 11-month-old Romen Arizola were killed at the scene of the accident. The driver’s sister, 13-year-old Victoria Connie Arizola, sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

The accident is being investigated by Department of Public safety agents and Texas State Troopers. According to one report, the driver of the truck admitted to sleeping at the wheel at the time of the accident. To learn more about the dangers of drowsy truck driving, click here.

The Cowen Law Group offers our condolences to the families of the victims. We wish Miss Arizola a speedy recovery.

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

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Alcohol is a major factor in holiday weekend accidents. Because many people have a three day weekend for Independence Day, San Antonio police officers will be looking for drunk drivers.

Driving while impaired causes almost 1,500 wrongful deaths a year in Texas. If you will be drinking or will be with friends who are drinking this weekend, don’t drive. Instead, consider the following options:

• Designate a sober driver

• Keep taxi cab phone numbers in your wallet or pocket

• Look into taking a bus home

• Make arrangements to call someone you trust

• Spend the night where you are

• Don’t drink and volunteer to be a designated driver

Behaving responsibly prevents accidents. Have a happy and safe Independence Day.

If you have lost a loved one to a DWI crash in the San Antonio or Brownsville area, contact Cowen Law Group. Our South Texas car wreck attorneys can’t undo what happened, but we can help you get monetary compensation for the losses by the drunk driving accident. This doesn’t bring back your loved one, but it is a step to getting the accountability you deserve.

Fatal accident in Laredo may have been caused by crash victim

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Laredo car crash on Carlton Road left one man dead and another in critical condition.

The fatal accident occurred at about 3:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday, June 22. Police believe the 40-year-old driver of a black F150 puck-up truck purposely tried to ram the back of another vehicle. However, he lost control of the truck and sideswiped a palm tree. The impact killed the driver and critically injured his passenger.

The driver of the car that was rammed drove to a police station to get help. The driver and passengers of the car were unhurt. The driver of the pick-up truck was pronounced dead at the scene and his passenger was taken to Laredo Medical Center.

The personal injury attorneys at The Cowen Law Group represent victims of car and truck accidents throughout southeast Texas. Our offices are conveniently located in Brownsville, San Antonio, Laredo and Rio Grande City. If you need help after a car accident, contact our office at 877-385-1282.

Distracted adults may cause more Texas texting accidents than teens

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

Last week, The Pew Research Center released a report showing that adults may be just as likely, or even more likely, as teens to text while behind the wheel.

The authors of the report, titled “Adults and Cell Phone Distractions”, surveyed 2,252 American adults. The researchers found that 47 percent of adult texters and 27 percent of all adults have sent text messages while driving. In comparison, only 34 percent of teens who text have texted while operating a motor vehicle.

The report looked at differences between generations.

• Teens (Ages 16, 17): 34% of texters admitted to texting while driving

• Adults (Ages 18-34): 59% of texters admitted to texting while driving

• Adults (Ages 34-45): 50% of texters admitted to texting while driving

• Adults (Ages 46-64): 29% of texters admitted to texting while driving

The Pew survey also found that adults are far more likely than teens to talk on the cell phone while driving. Almost 75% of adults who own a cell-phone have used it while behind the wheel. Only 52% of cell phone-owning teens have done the same.

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 South Texas accident lawyers at The Cowen Law Group to learn about your family’s rights.

Sleepy truck drivers are a danger on South Texas highways

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

While only about six percent of traffic accidents involve semi-trucks, 18-wheeler accidents account for one-eighth of traffic accident deaths. Per mile travelled, the fatality rate for large trucks is almost twice that of all other vehicles.

A common reason why big rig accidents occur is drowsy driving. Truck drivers work long hours and may skip mandated breaks in order to meet deadlines. Ninety percent of drowsiness-related crashes involve a commercial truck.

A fully-loaded semi truck may weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A heavy truck with a drowsy driver is a disaster waiting to happen. It takes time to stop a heavy truck and a sudden swerve to regain control can cause the truck to jack-knife.

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.

Woman dead after San Antonio DUI crash

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

A woman is dead after a Northside San Antonio crash caused by a drunken driver.

The fatal accident took place at the intersection of U.S. 281 and Encino Rio at about 1:10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23. Stephanie Ray, 30, was driving a black Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck south on 281. She tried to turn onto Encino Rio and was hit by a northbound maroon Toyota Camry. The car flipped over.

The driver of the car had to be cut out of her vehicle. Fifty-one-year-old Polly Walker, was flown to University Hospital. She died from her injuries about an hour later.

Ray showed signs of intoxication and was taken to Bexar County Jail where she was held on one count of intoxication manslaughter.

The Cowen Law Group offers our condolences to the family of Ms. Walker.

The families of DUI victims may file wrongful death lawsuits against the drunk driver who caused the accident. While a wrongful death claim cannot bring back a loved one, it can bring a sense of justice to the family. To learn more, call 1-877-385-1282.

Two killed in fatal San Antonio 18-wheeler crash

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

A five-vehicle crash on the far South Side of San Antonio left six people hospitalized and two dead.

The multi-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of Texas 16 and Watson Road on Friday, June 18. It involved two semi-trucks and three passenger cars.

An 18-wheeler was headed west on Watson when it crashed into a green Toyota Solara that was headed north on Texas 16. The Toyota may have run a red light.

The Toyota flipped several times and came to rest in the southbound left turn lane of Texas-16. There were four passengers in the Toyota. One died at the scene.

The big rig continued through the intersection. It struck two cars and a second semi-truck that was stopped at a southbound traffic light.

One car was pushed into the second truck. The driver of that car was also killed at the scene.

Six people were taken to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries. One victim was pregnant. There is no word on the condition of the injured.

The accident remains under investigation.

Bexar County: one day, four deadly crashes, five lives lost

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

Four accidents within 24 hours claimed the lives of five people in Bexar County.

The first accident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday, June 4. A pedestrian was struck by a Chevy pick-up truck as he crossed the 400 block of Old Highway 90 on the West Side of San Antonio. The injured man was transported to University Hospital where he died from his injuries. The driver stopped and is not expected to face charges for the Texas pedestrian accident.

Only hours later, a man and a woman were killed in a San Antonio motorcycle crash. At about 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, the couple’s motorcycle was struck by a vehicle turning onto Huebner Road from Whitby Road on the Northwest Side. The driver had underestimated the speed of the motorcycle and turned into the motorbike’s path. He was unable to stop in time. The motorcyclists were thrown from their vehicle and died at the scene.

Another fatal Bexar County car crash occurred on the West Side at about the same time on Saturday morning. A 39-year-old man sustained fatal injuries when his car collided with a vehicle that was turning left onto Commerce Street. The other driver fled the scene and may face charges. The victim died of his injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center. The accident is under investigation.

Another motorcyclist was killed on the 7200 block of San Pedro Avenue around 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon when it collided with an oncoming Dodge Durango. The driver did not see the speeding motorcycle.

Two killed in New Braunfels 18-wheeler crash

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

Two men were killed when the tractor-trailer they were driving hit a guard rail and burst into flames on a Texas highway.

The Texas 18-wheeler accident occurred on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 on IH-35 in New Braunfels between mile marker 181 and mile marker 183. The semi truck was travelling north on IH-35 at about 12:30 a.m. The big rig hit a guard rail and went off the overpass onto Engel Road. The 18-wheeler caught on fire and was engulfed in flames by the time emergency crews arrived at the scene.

Officials have not determined the cause of the semi truck accident.

Sixty-two-year-old Richard Hardacre and 53-year-old Richard Gallagher were trapped in the burning cab and killed at the scene. It is not known which man was at the wheel. Their bodies were taken to the Travis County Medical examiner’s office for autopsy.

The big rig was owned by Point Dedicated Services which is based in Detroit, Michigan. Both victims were residents of Detroit and were employed by the company. The truck was transporting auto parts from Laredo to Kansas City, Missouri.

The semi truck accident remains under investigation.

Cowen Law Group offers our condolences to the families of the victims.

Corpus Christi car crash injures six

Mon, 24 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

Six people, including an elderly woman, were injured in a Sunday morning car crash in Corpus Christi.

The car wreck occurred on May 23rd around 11 a.m. near the Bay Area Fellowship Church on Bay Area Drive. Two people in a Kia were leaving the church. As they pulled out, they failed to see an approaching Dodge Durango and the Kia t-boned into the SUV. Air bags deployed in both vehicles.

Traffic was diverted for about an hour as the occupants of both vehicles were loaded into ambulances and taken to the hospital for treatment of neck, shoulder and leg injuries. An elderly woman was trapped in the Durango because of her injuries. Two young children were also in the vehicle. They were not seriously injured.

The drivers and passengers are in stable condition; their injuries were not life threatening. The accident is under investigation. It is unknown if driver distraction was a factor in the accident.

Woman killed after Highway 90 high-speed rollover crash

Thu, 20 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

One woman is dead and a man is injured after a one vehicle car crash on highway 90 in San Antonio.

The wreck occurred around 2:40 am on Thursday, May 20. The victim was a passenger in a black car that was speeding west on Highway 90 near Hunt Lane. The driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the median. The vehicle flipped several times before coming to a stop.

The woman in the passenger seat was seriously injured and bleeding from the head. She died at the scene. The driver also sustained injuries and was taken to Wilford Hall Medical Center for treatment.

The accident is under investigation. It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor.

Speeding is the leading contributing factor to fatal car crashes in Texas. High speeds increase the risk of an accident because the diver has less time to react and it is more difficult to regain control of the vehicle. High speeds also increase the risk of serious injury and death. As vehicle speed increases, the forces experienced by the human body in a collision increase as well.

If you have been injured in a collision caused by a high speed driver, call the Cowen Law Group at 877-385-2616.

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

Tue, 18 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

The city of San Antonio is considering a ban on texting and cell phone use for all drivers within city limits. The ban will still need to go through several committees before the council votes on it.

The ban is controversial. Many people oppose the ban on texting; however, research shows that texting while behind the wheel may be even more dangerous than drunk driving.

Here are some facts to consider:

• Forty-eight percent of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 say they have been a passenger while a driver was texting.

• Three out of every four drivers using a cell phone have committed a traffic violation.

• Using a cell phone while driving delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol level of 0.08. This is true whether the phone is hand-held or hands-free.

• Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by more than one-third (37%).

• Drivers using hand-held devices are four times more likely to be injured in a serious crash than drivers who are not distracted.

• Drivers who are texting are six times more likely to be involved in a car crash than drivers who are not distracted.

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.

Dozens injured when bus, 18-wheeler crash outside Laredo

Fri, 14 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

A passenger bus crashed into an 18-wheeler on I-35 sending 27 people to the hospital.

The accident occurred about 50 miles from Laredo at mile marker 56 on highway I-35 at about 3 am on Thursday, May 13.

The passenger bus was travelling south when it was rear-ended by a UPS tractor trailer. The impact caused the bus to spin out of control. The UPS truck ended up in the north bound lane where it was rear-ended by a second semi truck.

There were 25 passengers in the bus. Three were air lifted to area hospitals; the rest were taken to the hospital by ambulance. Both truck drivers were also taken to the hospital.

Three hundred and sixty million passengers a year ride buses. On average, 100 people a year are injured in bus accidents and about five people die. Passengers injured in bus accidents are eligible for compensation for their medical expenses and other losses. To learn more, contact The Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282.

Children seriously injured when thrown from car during Progresso car crash

Sun, 09 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

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.

The accident occurred on Saturday, May 8 in Progresso. The two boys were unrestrained passengers in a car driven by their father. He was driving recklessly on the shoulder of the road when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a pole.

The little boys were taken by helicopter to Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville. The condition of the boys is not known.

The car crash is under investigation. The police are testing the father’s blood alcohol level.

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. To help keep your children safe, The Cowen Law Group employs a certified child seat professional. If you have questions about car seats or would like to schedule an appointment to get your car seat checked, click here.

To learn more about child car safety, click here.

18-wheeler explodes outside San Antonio refinery, driver injured

Thu, 06 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

An 18-wheeler exploded as it was being loaded with fuel at AGE Refining in San Antonio.

The commercial truck accident occurred on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. The 18-wheeler tank truck was being loaded with fuel when it suddenly exploded, setting off several other explosions.

More than 100 emergency workers responded to the accident at the refinery in the 7800 block of South Presa near Southeast Military Drive. The truck driver was severely burned and was rushed to Brooke Army Medical Center for treatment. Other employees sustained minor injuries.

Following the blast, all residents and people working within a half-mile radius of the refinery were evacuated. They were allowed to return between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.

Investigators are currently trying to determine the cause of the original explosion.

Texas’s oil industry means that we have many fuel trucks carrying explosive cargo on our highways. An explosive accident with one of these trucks has the potential to cause death or devastating injury.

If you have been involved in accident with an 18-wheeler, you may be entitled to insurance compensation for your injuries and other losses. Contact The Cowen Law Group to learn more.

San Antonio drunken driver arrested after car crash injures 3

Wed, 05 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

A San Antonio man suspected of drunken driving is in jail after he lost control of his car and crashed head-on into a woman on her way to church.

Thirty-year-old Dustin Lee Thomas was arrested on three counts of intoxication assault and is currently being held at Bexar County Jail.

The accident occurred around 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 2. Thomas driving a black Nissan Maxima west on O’Connor Road near Old O’Connor Road. He was speeding and intoxicated when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed his car head-on into an eastbound silver sedan.

Ywata Brown, the 46-year-old driver of the sedan sustained broken bones and was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center.

Thomas and his passengers, 20-year-old Zachary Butters and 22-year-old Treymain Thomas, were also injured and taken to Northeast Methodist Hospital.

Thomas had two partially-filled kegs of beer in his car at the time of the car accident. He initially told police that he was not drinking; however, while in the hospital, Thomas admitted to drinking vodka the night before.

He is charged with intoxication assault for the car crash injury of Ms. Brown and his two passengers.

Infant in front seat seriously injured after San Antonio car crash

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

A San Antonio teenager has been charged with Injury to a Child because she did not buckle her infant son into a car seat.

Seventeen-year-old Eneri Garcia was driving to the store with her 8-month-old son, a 13-year-old and a 3-year-old when they were involved in a car crash on Monday, April 19. The crash occurred when Garcia veered to the right and hit a parked car. She was distracted because she could not find her Lone Star card.

At the time of the crash, the 8-month-old was sitting on the front passenger floorboards, and the 3-year-old was sitting in the backseat. The vehicle was equipped with a rear-facing car seat, but it was not used. The 8-month-old infant hit his head on the dashboard. He was knocked unconscious and was transported to University Hospital in critical condition. He is now stable. The other children were also taken to University and remain in stable condition.

The attorneys at Cowen Law Group have seen too many cases where a child was killed, or seriously injured, in a car wreck. These cases break our hearts and we never want to see another one. The safest place for children is in the back seat and buckled up in an approved child restraint. Learn more about child safety by clicking here.

Texas DUI offender indicted for murder after double fatal accident

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

A man was jailed Friday in lieu of one million dollars bond after he was indicted in connection with a car accident on Easter weekend that left a woman and her daughter dead and three others injured.

A Denton County grand jury indicted 30-year-old John Patrick Barton of Lewisville on two counts of murder and three counts of intoxication assault. Barton was initially charged with intoxication manslaughter, but records show that he has three DWI convictions since 1997. The most recent conviction was in 2006 when he was sentenced to three years in prison. He was paroled in early 2009.

Police believe Barton was driving drunk on April 4 when drove his wife’s 2010 Mazda into a red 2009 Nissan Sentra. The accident killed 33-year-old Kandace Hull and her 13-year-old daughter Autumn Caudle. Hull’s husband Anthony, her 16-year-old daughter and her 12-year-old son were injured.

Texas leads the nation in drunk driving accidents. Learn more here.

Bexar County: two deadly motorcycle crashes in day

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 was a deadly day for motorcyclists in South Bexar County. Two motorcyclists were killed and another injured in two separate motorcycle accidents.

A 39-year-old motorcyclist was killed at about 10 a.m. Tuesday morning after he was hit by an SUV on U.S. 181. The man, identified as Joseph Gerrish of Floresville, was northbound on 101 when a 35-year-old woman driving a maroon Chevrolet Suburban pulled out in front of him and attempted to cross the highway. There were also three young children in the SUV. Neither the driver nor her passengers were injured.

Emergency personnel called for AirLife for the motorcyclist, but the helicopter could not respond due to overcast and rainy weather conditions. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident is under investigation.

A second motorcycle accident occurred around 8:50 p.m. on FM 1303 near 1604SE also in South Bexar County. One motorcyclist was killed at the scene and a second was taken by AirLife to University hospital. The two motorcycles collided with a red pickup truck. The pickup driver sustained only minor injuries.

These accidents follow another motorcycle accident that occurred on Friday, April 9. Michael Joseph Foerster, Jr. of Floresville was hit by a van after visiting his wife at work.

The Cowen Law Group offers are condolences to the families of the accident victims.

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

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

A family in North Laredo woke up to a large crash. They were surprised to see an SUV in their dining room.

The owners of the home were awakened around 3:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 8. The family went into their dining room and saw that the walls and window of the room were completely smashed in and an SUV was inside the room. The driver trying to get out of the vehicle, so the home owners asked her to turn off her car and stay still. Then they called the police.

The police had received calls about a driver who was driving erratically. They were already looking for the vehicle.

Forty-year-old Elizabeth Garcia was arrested for driving while intoxicated. There were several empty beer bottles in the front seat. No one was injured.

In this accident, the driver caused significant damage and losses without causing injury. The homeowners are still eligible to receive insurance compensation from the driver’s insurance company and perhaps even from their home owner’s policy for the property damage, for their housing costs while the home repaired, for psychological trauma, and for their other losses. We advise that they speak to an experienced car crash attorney who can evaluate the damages. The insurance companies may not want to pay for all their losses, so a lawyer can also negotiate with the insurance companies and provide the necessary paperwork and documentation to get a fair settlement.

The Cowen Law Group works with 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

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

San Antonio’s Fiesta is one of the largest festivals in Texas and the nation. It began as a way of remembering the heroes of the Alamo, but has grown into an eleven day celebration of San Antonio’s diverse culture and history.

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. Most of these occurred during Fiesta.

This year, police hope to promote public safety with their new Breath Alcohol Testing Van. The vehicle, dubbed the “Bat Mobile”, is equipped with cameras, computers, a breath analyzer machine and two small holding cells. The van will be sent to the areas with the highest incidence of drunk driving. Police will be able to stop, test, process and hold drivers suspected of being under the influence.

Enjoy Fiesta, but please don’t drive drunk.

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.

Speeding 18-wheeler crashes into cars stopped for Rosenberg school bus

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

A four vehicle pile-up led to the closure of I-59 in Rosenberg on March 31. Police say the accident occurred around 4:30 pm on Tuesday afternoon when a vehicle stopped to allow a school bus to enter the freeway.

Three vehicles were able to stop behind that driver. However, an 18-wheeler was not.

The driver of the semi truck, 35-year-old Juan Diaz of Brownsville, did not stop in time and rear-ended a Honda SUV driven by Cynthia Priestmeyer, 39, of El Campo. The SUV crashed into the 2009 Acura SUV in front of it. That SUV, driven by Thinh Nguyen, 38, of Laredo, hit a 2000 Toyota sedan driven by Roberto Gonzales, 48, of Richmond.

Ms. Campo was taken to Oak Bend Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. She was treated and released.

The vehicle that originally stopped was not involved in the accidents and was gone before police arrived at the scene. That driver is not considered at fault.

Diaz, the driver of the tractor-trailer, was cited for failure to control speed. Aggressive driving is a leading cause of big rig accidents.

Two children dead after Medina County car crash

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Natalia mother is mourning after two of her children died in a Medina County car crash on April 1.

Zelda Hernandez, 31, was driving an SUV southbound on Texas 132 just south of Natalia. Six of her children were in the vehicle. Mrs. Hernandez attempted to make a left turn into a store parking lot when the SUV was struck by a pickup truck heading north.

All the children were ejected from the vehicle except for an infant who was strapped into a safety seat. Sabrina, 11, and Damian Hernandez, 4, were pronounced dead at the scene Mrs. Hernandez and vthe four surviving children were taken to San Antonio hospitals.

There were four construction workers in the pickup truck. The pickup was hauling a trailer with construction supplies. The driver, Hilberto Ochoa, 27, of Somerset and one passenger, Ray Dillard, 30, of San Antonio, were taken to Christus Santa Rosa Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The other men were not injured.

Authorities are still investigating the accident, but police say drugs and alcohol are not suspected in the wreck.

Children under age 8 are safest in a child safety seat or booster seat. Click here to learn more about child safety seats.

Cowen Law Group employs a certified child safety seat professional. Contact our office in Brownsville at (877) 385-1282 to make an appointment to make sure your child’s seat is safely installed. This service is FREE and could save your child's life.

2 killed and 40 injured in Atascosa County Bus Wreck

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

A bus headed for Mexico overturned on Tuesday, March 16. The accident killed two people and sent more that 30 passengers to the hospital.

The accident occurred around 10 a.m. on southbound interstate 37, approximately 45 miles south of San Antonio. The bus veered off the right side of the road and then came back across the interstate and into the median where it landed on its side. The bus windows were shattered.

The bus was carrying both Mexican and American passengers. The bus was headed from San Antonio to Matamoros, Mexico near the border. There was a scheduled stop in McAllen. The bus was operated by Americanos USA, a subsidiary of Greyhound Lines, Inc.

Two passengers were killed: Christina Lozano Compas, 62, of Lewisville and Efrain Dominguez-Valenzuela, 27, of Brownsville. Forty passengers were injured.

Twenty-four passengers are in stable condition at South Texas Regional Medical Center. The conditions of passengers taken to other hospitals, including eight that were air-lifted from the scene, are not known.

The driver was not cited. Although the bus underwent regularly scheduled maintenance the day before the crash, investigators believe that a broken drive shaft cause the deadly bus wreck. If a shaft breaks and snags on the pavement, it can cause a bus to flip over.

For more information about your rights after a bus or commercial truck accident, contact the Cowen Law Group.

Driving deaths continue to decline: are Brownsville drivers safer?

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. Department of Transportation reported today that driving fatalities have decreased for the fourth year in a row. Statistic projections show that in 2009, there were 33,963 crash deaths on American roads. This represents a decrease of 8.9% from the 37,261 automobile crash deaths that occurred in 2008 and is the lowest number of highway deaths recorded for a one year period since the federal government started tracking highway fatality data in 1954. Traffic accident deaths include all motor vehicle deaths, including car wrecks, 18-wheeler and commercial truck crashes, motorcycle accidents and pedestrian-car fatalities.

The fatality rate per mile traveled also declined in 2009. In 2008 there were 1.25 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. In 2009, the rate decreased to 1.16 fatalities per vehicle mile traveled. The rate of fatalities is also the lowest on record since 1954.

These declines occurred despite an increase in vehicle miles traveled. As the economy recovers, American drivers drove 6.6 billion more miles in 2009 than in 2008.

The government attributes the continued decline in traffic deaths tosafer vehicles, increased seat belt use, driver education programs and stronger enforcement of the law.

Does this mean fewer fatalities in Brownsville? We hope so. But, although vehicle crash rates are declining, Texas still leads the nation in drunk driving deaths. To the families involved, this is more than a sad statistic. It is a horrible loss of a loved one.

Missing stop sign may have caused deadly crash

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

A nine-year-old girl was killed on Sunday when her family car was struck by another car at an intersection in Edinburg.

Priscilla Cabrera was riding with her aunt and uncle at the time of the car accident. The crash occurred around 3am on March 7 at the intersection of Canton Road and FM 1423.

Priscilla died before the ambulance arrived. Her aunt and uncle were taken to the hospital for treatment. The other driver, 29-year-old Dulce Elizabeth Diaz sustained only minor injuries. No one else was in the car.

Diaz was arrested and is being held at Hidalgo County jail in connection with the accident. She has been charged with criminal negligent homicide.

Texas Department of Public safety officials believe that a missing stop sign on Canton Road could be to blame for the accident. Department of Transportation workers replaced the sign on Monday afternoon; however, it was too late to prevent this horrible tragedy.

If the missing stop sign is to blame for this tragic accident, the department responsible for the maintenance of Canton Road may share liability for the accident. They could be responsible for damages and losses associated with the accident.

If you have been involved in a Hidalgo County accident, contact the Cowen Law Group to learn about your rights.

Off-duty San Antonio police offer may have caused fatal crash

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

An off-duty San Antonio police officer’s failure to yield the right of way may have caused the car crash that killed a 64-year-old woman.

Police sergeant Gabe Trevino was driving a city-owned blue Chevrolet Impala around midnight on March 7 when he entered the ramp to westbound Loop 1604 near Stone Oak Parkway. He crashed into a maroon Jeep Liberty.
The SUV rolled several times, flipped over a guard rail and landed in the eastbound lane.

The driver of the SUV, Rosita Davila, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her friend and passenger, Maria Elena
Rodriguez was injured and is in stable condition at University Hospital. The women were on their way home after eating dinner and watching movies with friends.

Rodriguez told police that Trevino drove into their lane, hit the side of the SUV and then hit the back before it flipped.

Police are attributing the accident to Trevino’s failure to yield the right of way to the SUV and to the Davila’s failure to use evasive driving maneuvers. They do not suspect that alcohol or speed played a role in the crash.

Trevino was on his way home after working a patrol shift. He has been placed on administrative duty while the accident is under investigation.

The Cowen Law Group would like to offer our condolences to the family of Ms. Davila.

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

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Brownsville police have arrested a married couple in connection with a hit-and-run car crash death that occurred early in the morning on February 28, 2010.

Miguel Cabrera Jr., 22, and his wife, 20-year-old Sharon Wolfe of Brownsville were arrested for their roles in the death of Natalio Velasquez.

The 62-year-old victim was crossing the street in the 1800 block of Southmost Road around 4 a.m. when he was struck by a gold Chrysler 300. The couple in the car left the scene.

A witness gave police a detailed description of the vehicle and the couple was found and arrested. Cabrera was charged with intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid. Wolfe was charged with tampering with physical evidence.

Police are awaiting blood test results.

It seems that every week I post 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 DWI car wreck, give us a call and find out how we can help.

Teenager critically injured in San Antonio racing crash

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

A car race near the San Antonio International Airport ended abruptly when one of the vehicles crashed injuring both its teenage passengers.

The accident occurred on Wednesday, March 3 around 1:15pm. A Volkswagen GTI and a Chevrolet Camaro were racing on Wurzbach Parkway when the Camaro struck a concrete divider near Wetmore Road. The Camaro skidded off the road, struck a utility pole and rolled several times.

Both occupants were taken to Brooke Army Medical Center. The driver was in critical condition, while the passenger sustained injuries not thought to be life-threatening.

Police arrested the driver of the Volkswagen GTI. The 24-year-old driver will likely be charged with two counts of racing resulting in serious bodily injury.

In San Antonio, street racing is considered a felony. Drivers who participate in street racing may be arrested. They may also face jail time or fines, have their vehicle impounded, or lose driving privileges. 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.

Click here to read more about street racing. 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. And ask for our free book, The Insider’s Guide to Texas Accident Cases.

Bexar County man charged in January DUI crash fatality

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Bexar County officials have arrested an Elmendorf man believed to have been driving under the influence of alcohol when he crashed into a car in January causing a fatal accident.

Forty-seven-year-old Rafael Vargas Miranda is being held on one count of intoxication manslaughter and on one count of endangering a child for his role in the collision. The crash was Bexar County’s first fatal car wreck of 2010.

According to Bexar County Police, Miranda’s blood alcohol concentration was nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. He was driving a 2009 silver Ford Expedition with his 11-year-old son in the front seat. Miranda drove across the 15500 block of U.S 181 and failed to yield to a south-bound red sedan. The vehicles collided.

Both occupants of the red sedan and Miranda and his son were injured. The passenger in the car, 61-year-old Donna Hopkins, was pronounced dead at the scene. Miranda, his son, and 63-year-old Thomas Hopkins were taken to University Hospital for treatment of their injuries. Neither Hopkins nor Miranda’s son sustained serious injuries.

At the hospital, Miranda was given a blood alcohol test. He was arrested on March 1 around 9pm.

Alcohol-related accidents are a growing problem in southeast Texas. In 2007, every fatal accident in San Antonio was flagged by police as alcohol related.

Cowen cares. If you have lost a loved one to a drunk driver, call our attorneys at 877-385-1282.

Why We Weat Seatblets

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

I saw this video on YouTube today. It moved me so much, reminding me of the two reasons in my life I wear my seatbelt, that I had to share it.

Settlement In 18-Wheeler Accident

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Hard work, experience, and a willingness to proceed to trial paid off for two of our clients last week, who were able to settle their truck accident case for $400,000.00. Our clients were rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on U.S. 83 in Roma, Texas. The trucking company tried to deny liability, claiming that our clients stopped suddenly, and also argued that the wreck was too minor to have caused much harm.

One of our clients, the passenger, was fortunate, and sustained only muscle sprains. He made a good recovery. Our other client was not so lucky. She sustained a herniated disc, and after therapy and pain management were unsuccessful, she underwent a disc decompression procedure.

At first, the trucking company took a hard line on this case, stating that it would never even pay $100,000. After settlement negotiations failed, The Cowen Law Firm went to work. First, by analyzing the trucking company's documents and taking the depositions of the driver and trucking company safety director, we proved that the truck driver had made false entries on his log books. A federal judge would later rule that these falsifications constituted evidence that the driver was fatigued and was trying to cover up his lack of rest.

Second, we removed the bumper on our client's vehicle, and discovered hidden damage from the collision. Like many vehicles, our client's car had a "foam core bumper." These bumpers are designed to show very little damage after a collision, but when we remove them we find that the steel behind the foam core was smashed in from the collision.

Third, we hired a qualified engineer to analyze the crash forces and prove how our clients were injured in the wreck.

About six weeks before the case was set to go to trial, the trucking company's insurance carrier cried uncle. The insurance company agreed to pay fair compensation--$400,000.00--to settle the case. These results show the value of having an experienced trucking lawyer who is not afraid to go to trial.

Attorneys' fees are $160,000, and litigation expenses are $31,023.41.

Settlement In 18-Wheeler Accident

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

McAllen man's Toyota unexpectedly accelerates out of control

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A McAllen man was driving a Toyota Tundra when his truck accelerated out of control. Fortunately, the man’s instincts and mechanical knowledge prevented a serious accident and perhaps saved his life.

Terry Urdal was at a stop sign approaching the frontage road when his 2008 Tundra began to accelerate on its own. There were two cars in front of him.

Urdal, who has years of mechanical experience from being raised on a farm, recognized that something was not right. He heard an unusual engine sound and stomped on the brakes. Within seconds, his tires were squealing and smoke was coming out the back.

Urdal shifted the truck out of gear and into neutral. He hit the accelerator 10 or 12 times until the truck returned to normal. His tires were severely damaged, but the three people in the car were uninjured. Urdal’s quick thinking may have saved their lives and certainly prevented serious injury.

More than eight million vehicles have been recalled due to Toyota’s sudden acceleration problems. At least 34 deaths and numerous injuries are blamed on car crashes caused by recalled Toyota vehicles.

If you have been injured in an accident and need help, call the Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282.

Castroville woman killed in Bexar County motorcycle crash

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Castroville woman is dead and a man is injured after a drunk driver crashed into the motorcycle they were riding on February 14, 2010.

The accident occurred around 2:30 am. Thirty-two-year-old Hyden Lopez was a passenger on a motorcycle. She and the driver were travelling down the 8100 block of Old Pearsall Road when a northbound Mercury crossed into the southbound lane. The Mercury crashed into the motorcyclists head-on.

Lopez and the 32-year-old male motorcycle driver were flung off the motorcycle and landed on the Mercury. Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene.

The motorcyclist was flown to University Hospital. He is listed in critical condition.

The driver of the Mercury, 38-year-old Jacinto Solis, was arrested on one count of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault. He remains in Bexar county Jail. His bail is set at $125,000 for both charges.

The Cowen Law Group offers our condolences to the family of Ms. Lopez and we wish the injured victim a full recovery.

The Cowen Law Group represents the victims of motorcycle accidents throughout south Texas. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, call 877-385-1282 to learn about your rights.

Determining blame in multi-car Harlingen wreck may be tricky

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Eight people were sent to the hospital after a multi-car crash outside the Harlingen Olive Garden just before 6pm on Sunday, February 7.

The accident occurred at West Lincoln Avenue and the frontage road of U.S. expressway 77/83. It brought cars at the busy intersection to a complete standstill.

Although there were many witnesses, the details of the wreck are unclear. The collision involved four to six cars. Paramedics took eight people to the hospital to be treated for injuries, but there is no word on their condition. Several vehicles were so damaged that they had to be towed.

Police are still unclear about the cause of the accident. There are reports of a distracted driver and a blown tire. The accident is currently under investigation.

When a car crash occurs, police officers investigate to determine what caused the accident. The police officers may issue citations for any law that is broken.

An insurance company will have a different way of determining fault. For example, if you were in an accident with a distracted driver, but you were not wearing a seatbelt, the insurance company may decline to award you damages for injuries they feel were caused because of the lack of seatbelt.

When you have an accident, a knowledgeable South Texas accident attorney will be able to investigate the wreck and build a case for your claim. The Cowen Law Group has helped thousands of real people, people just like you, recover from car accidents. We can protect your rights and msake sure that the insurance companies treat you fairly. Contact us today.

San Antonio good Samaritans killed while helping crash victim

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Two good Samaritans were killed when they stopped to help out at an car accident scene on the Northeast Side of San Antonio.

A driver had abandoned a white Volvo on Loop 410 near Perrin Beitel Road after crashing into a retaining wall in the early hours of Sunday, February 7. An SUV crashed into the back of the car. Alicia Johnson, 21, Briaramarie
Francis, 20, and Scott Foss, 23, passed the scene in a green Ford Expedition and stopped to see if they could help.

Francis and Foss got out of the car to check on the occupants of the SUV. A man driving a silver 2007 Lincoln crashed into the back of the Ford Expedition and hit Francis and Foss who were standing near the wreckage at the retaining wall.

Francis and Foss were pronounced dead at the scene around 3:30am. No one else was injured.

The Cowen Law Group offers our sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

If you have lost a loved one in a San Antonio, Brownsville, McAllen, or Rio Grande City traffic accident, call the Cowen Law Group at 877-385-1282. We represent accident victims throughout South Texas.

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

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has just released the first ever rollover protection tests for small pick-up trucks.

Rollover crashes are especially deadly. They account for about 10,000 fatalities each year – that’s about one-third of all car accident fatalities. 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. This is why it is so important that if you are looking for a pickup truck, you choose one with the best rollover protection possible.

Only one pickup truck received a rating of “good” in the new tests. That was the 2010 Nissan Frontier. The Ford Ranger was rated as “acceptable” and the Chevrolet Colorado, Dodge Dakota and Toyota Tacoma received a “marginal” rating.

Although rollover ratings are not the only measure of safety, they are an important consideration when choosing a truck in South Texas.

If a loved one has been injured in a rollover accident, it is very likely that they have sustained serious injuries. You are certainly worried about their recovery. You may also be worried about medical expenses and insurance settlements. You definitely don’t need extra stress. Contact the Cowen Law Group. We can deal with the insurance companies and get you a fair settlement for your losses. The initial case evaluation is always free, so give us a call.

San Antonio man sentenced for soldier's hit-and-run death

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A San Antonio man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the hit-and-run death of a Fort Hood soldier two years ago.

On August 17, 2007 Gerald Ugalde was a 17-year-old student who took his parents car and went to get a tattoo. He was driving at approximately 93 mph on Nacogdoches Road when he slammed into a motorcyclist. He did not stop driving until the vehicle broke down. Ugalde did not have a license and his blood alcohol level was .08 four hours after the accident.

The motorcyclist, 21-year-old Travis Schlueter, was a Fort Hood soldier who had also attended MacArthur High School. He was in San Antonio to visit family and welcome a friend home from Iraq.

Ugalde pleaded no contest to charges of intoxication manslaughter. He apologized to the mother of Travis Schlueter for his actions.

Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Texas leads the nation in alcohol-related vehicle fatalities and young people are often at the highest risk. In 2008, 187 people under the age of 21 died because of alcohol-related car accidents. One-quarter of Texas high school students have admitted to driving a car after several drinks.

Four injured in drunk-driving crash

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

An alleged drunk driver and three others sustained injuries after a wrong-way collision in the early morning of January 31. Thirty-year-old Nathan Michael Smith was driving in the wrong direction in the southbound lane of the 1500 block of Interstate 281 North near Brook Hollow just after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. San Antonio police report that Smith slammed into two other vehicles. One vehicle held a one-year-old child.

The accident report states that Smith had admitted to drinking earlier. He had blood shot eyes and slurred speech and smelled strongly of alcohol. Smith was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center for treatment.

Three other people also sustained injuries in the accident and were transported to North Central Baptist Hospital. Smith is being held on $10,000 bond at Bexar County Jail. It is expected that charges will be filed.

Texas has more alcohol-related crashes than any other state in the nation. Each year, more than 1,200 Texans are killed in alcohol-related car crashes on Texas highways - that’s more that 45% of all car accident deaths in Texas or five deaths a day!

If you’ve injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you have rights. The Cowen Law Group would like to help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident injury attorneys to learn more.

Cowen Named to Board of Directors for TTLA

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

South Texas truck accident attorney Michael Cowen has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. "I am honored to have the opportunity to serve," said Cowen. "I will work hard to further TTLA's mission of protecting consumers and holding corporations accountable when they violate safety rules."

Michael Cowen Board Certified In Trucking Law

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Michael Cowen has become Board Certified in Interstate Trucking Litigation by the Association of Plaintiffs Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA). APITLA is a national association of committed lawyers who have joined together to help eliminate unsafe and illegal interstate trucking practices. Through our combined efforts in learning, litigation and legislation, we are working today to make America's highways a safer place tomorrow for our families, our clients, and all Americans.

To become Board Certified, Michael had to prove that he had extensive experience in litigating trucking cases, and had to pass a thorough written examination on trucking litigation. APITLA also contacted judges before whom Cowen handled trucking cases, and the lawyers against whom he litigated to ensure that he was competent and ethical.

2 Wrecks 1 Case

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Sometimes bad luck comes in pairs. Over the years, we have had a number of clients who were hit by a vehicle, and then days or weeks later hit by someone else. While neither accident will by our client's fault, in each case the careless driver will try to point the finger at the other wreck to try to escape responsibility.

Many lawyers will simply turn away these cases because they are too hard. But at The Cowen Law Group, we don't think it's fair to turn someone away just because they've been the victim of two negligent drivers instead of one. So we've developed some techniques for handling these cases.

First, we file one lawsuit for both wrecks. The defendants will scream and try to sever the case for separate trials. But so far we have been successful at convincing judges to keep the cases together to prevent each wrongdoer from pointing at the "empty chair" at the separate trials.

The next thing we do is to have one of our medical doctors carefully review all of the medical records to determine whether any of the injuries are attibutable to the second wreck. For example, did the problems start after the first wreck, or not until after the second one? Did they get markedly worse after the second crash? Were there any x-rays or MRIs taken between the two crashes?

We also look at the damage to the vehicles. Was one wreck much more severe than the other?

In some cases it is impossible to tell which part of the injuries came from which wreck. At that point the laywers at The Cowen Law Group have to use our legal research skills. Under the "indivisible injury" doctrine, courts have held that when two wrongdoers produce one injury, and it is impossible to determine which defendant caused which part of the injury, then they are both responsible for the entire injury.

Using these techniques, we were able to obtain a nice recovery for a client this week who was in two wrecks two days apart. While we wouldn't wish this misfortune on anyone, if you or someone you know is injured in a wreck, give us at call at (877) 385-1282.

Texas ranks 9th in nation for traffic accidents involving deer.

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents with deer are responsible for approximately 1.5 million car accidents. These accidents cause $1 billion in property damage, 10,000 personal injuries and 150 human fatalities.

An insurance claims study ranked Texas as 9th in the nation for deer –car accidents. Deer are abundant in the country, but are becoming common even on city streets.

Cowen cares! The car accident attorneys at the Cowen Law Group present these safety tips to help you avoid deer accidents.

• Pay attention when driving and slow down.

• When driving in areas where deer are common, use high beam lights so you can see deer on the roadside and react before they are in your path.

• If you see a deer, slow down and prepare to stop. Flicker your lights. Deer will often run wildly if you honk, but they will run away from flickering lights.

• Do not depend on car-mounted deer whistles. These do not work.

• If a collision with a deer is unavoidable, try not to swerve. Brake and hold the wheel straight.

Swerving may result in a more disastrous accident with another car or may cause the car to spin out of control causing serious injury.

The number of deer accidents is highest in October through January during the deer migrating and mating season, but deer accidents happen year round.

Driver who caused fatal accident indicted on manslaughter charge

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Corpus Christi man was indicted on a manslaughter charge for causing the October 28 car crash that killed Woodrow Sanderfer, age 47 of Sandia, TX.

Twenty-six year old Steven Pena was indicted by a Nueces County grand jury on Wednesday, January 20th. Manslaughter is a second degree felony.

The car accident occurred when Pena was driving a pickup truck the wrong way on an Interstate 37 access road near Magee Lane in Corpus Christi. He crashed into Sanderfer’s vehicle. Sanderfer was killed instantly and pronounced dead at the scene. Pena was taken to the hospital for treatment of a broken leg and other injuries. He was arrested the same day.

Pena did not have a valid driver’s license and had been stopped earlier the same day for speeding.

Pena remains jailed on $50,000 bail. He is not eligible for release because of a prior motion to revoke his probation in a separate drug case.

If convicted of manslaughter, Pena faces up to 20 years in prison and as much as $10,000 in fines.

Reckless drivers pose a danger to everyone on the road. If you or a family member have been injured by a reckless driver, contact the Texas car accident lawyers at The Cowen Law Group to find out how we can help.

The Cowen Law Group offers our sincere condolences to the family of Woodrow Sanderfer.

Suspect arrested in fatal DWI hit-and-run

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Twenty-six year old Luis Daniel Cavazos of Brownsville is behind bars after allegedly killing an elderly woman in a DWI hit-and-run accident.

The pedestrian car wreck occurred off Morningside Road in Brownsville around 2am on Friday, January 15. Cavazos drove off the road and hit 68-year-old Maria Eleno Trevino as she was sweeping her patio. Mrs. Trevino was killed. Her husband was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Cavazos drove off and left the scene of the crime. He was arrested after crashing further down the road. Police believe alcohol was a contributing factor to the accident. Cavazos is being held under an intoxicated manslaughter charge.

Often drivers who are intoxicated will leave the scene of an accident because they know they are at fault. If you are in an accident with a hit-and-run driver, you will want to remember as many details about the crash as possible. But, police advise that you do not try to chase down the other driver as they may become violent if they feel threatened.

If you’ve been injured in by a driver under the influence, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages and pain and suffering. However, if the driver has left the scene of the crash, you may have trouble getting this compensation. An experience Texas car crash attorney can make the difference. Call the lawyers at The Cowen Law Group to learn more.

Hit and Run suspect Arrested

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

The man responsible for a hit-and-run accident last October was arrested almost three months after leaving the scene of an accident.

The car crash occurred on October 26, 2009 near the intersection of FM 1575 and Cuates Retreat Drive outside Los Fresnos. The driver of a gray Kia Rio was injured, but the other driver fled the scene in a Ford Explorer. State troopers found a license plate was left at the scene of the accident.

The license led to the arrest of Darius Emery Osomio of Brownsville by the state Police. Osomio is charged with failure to stop and render aid. He appeared before a Cameron County magistrate judge on Thursday where he receive a $15,000 dollar bond.

The license plate was traced to a relative of Osomio in Olmito. Investigators then learned Osomio’s address in Brownsville.

Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law. Hit-and-run drivers who fail to stop at the scene of an accident risk arrest, fines, and loss of driving privileges.

If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may need help getting full compensation from your insurance company. Contact the San Antonio car wreck lawyers at The Cowen Law Group. Let us fight for your rights.

Edinburg football player killed in three-vehicle crash

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A nineteen-year-old college student was killed on Sunday in a three-vehicle car crash on Highway 107 near the McAllen-Edinburg city limit.

The accident occurred on January 10. Michael Adrian Garza was a passenger in a maroon 2001 Mitsubishi Galant that was driven by his friend, Brian Iglesias.

The Galant was headed west along Highway 107 east of North 23rd Street when the car rear-ended a 2007 Ford Fusion. After the collision, Iglesias lost control of the Galant and crossed the highway into the eastbound lanes of traffic. The Galant was hit by a 2004 Ford F-350 pickup truck.

Garza died at the scene. Iglesias and the driver of the Ford truck were transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. Iglesias remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Garzas was a former football for Economedes High School. He graduated in 2008 and was studying physical therapy at South Texas College. He was working as a waiter in McAllen to pay his way through college.

The accident is currently under investigation. Charges are pending the results of drug and alcohol testing.

The Cowen Law Group would like to offer our condolences to the family of Michael Adrian Garza. We are sorry for their loss.

San Antonio man killed in crash with truck

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A man died after his car was hit by a truck on the north side of San Antonio.

The accident occurred early on Tuesday, January 12. Thirty-year-old Brandon Ehlert was driving west on Loop 1604 around 2:30 am when he lost control of his Blue Toyota and crashed into a concrete barrier. The impact caused his car to stall out in the middle of the highway.

A witness stopped to check on the accident scene. Ehlert was alive and trying to get the car started. The witness suggested that he turn on the emergency lights. But, before Ehlert could follow this advice, he was hit by a Nabisco Delivery truck.

Ehlert was pinned under the truck. Emergency crews worked for more than an hour to free Ehlert from the wreckage, but he died from his injuries before he could be extracted. Ehlert was pronounced dead at the scene just before 4am. The helpful witness was unharmed.

The driver of the truck sustained minor injuries. He told police that he did not see the truck due to inadequate lighting. The driver is not expected to be charged in connection with the crash.

The Cowen Law Firm offers our sympathy to the family of the victim.

San Antonio Car Accident Attorney

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A tragic accident on the night of Wednesday, January 6, 2010 killed 15 year old Katie Lynn Stevens and injured four others. The wreck happened when 16 year old Dillon Lee Reeh lost control of her 2005 Ford F-150 pickup truck on a curve on Loudon road, about 8 miles northwest of Fredericksburg. Reeh was injured, as were her other passengers, Andrew Keller Rodriguez and Erica Anna Lehocky.

Unfortunately, pickup trucks don't handle like passenger cars, and are more prone to loss of control. "This tragedy highlights two all-to-common dangers," said car accident attorney Michael Cowen. "First, Ford Motor Company chose not to equip its F-150 pickup trucks with electronic stability control ("ESC"), even though it had developed such a system years before. Had Ford followed its engineers' advice and installed ESC on the 2005 F-150, this tragedy may well have been prevented. Second, teen drivers are involved in far too many accidents."

McAllen Truck Crash Settlement Reveals Dangerous Trucking Company Practices

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

We settled a case this week that highlights the dangers that occur when small trucking companies think they can ignore the safety rules.

The case involved a small-familiy owned trucking company out of California. The company sent its three drivers on regular routes between California and South Texas. Even though it was a small outfit, in order to have the privilege of operating an interstate trucking business it had to become licensed as a motor carrier. To become licensed, the owner had to fill out a form promising to become familiar with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and to audit its truck drivers' log books to ensure that the employees were not driving more hours per shift than allowed by law.

Unfortunately, this trucking company ignored all of the promises it made. It allowed its driver to falsify is log books, and driver more hours than permitted by the hours of service regulations. What does that mean to the motoring public? That drowsy drivers are operating 80,000 pound 18-wheelers on the same streets as our families.

The tired driver in this case ended up on crowded 10th Street in McAllen, where he made a right turn from a straight-only lane. He crashed into our client's vehicle, causing serious injuries.

The only bright side to this tale is that we were able to uncover all of these safety violations and secure a substantial settlement for our client. I hope the trucking company learned a lesson, and will clean up its act before it injures someone else.

Incredible Settlement In Truck Accident Case

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

On January 6, 2010, The Cowen Law Group settled achieved an extraordiary settlement of a truck accident case. Our client's vehicle was hit by an 18-wheeler that made a right turn from the inside lane on 10th Street in McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas. Our client sustained bulging discs in his mid- and low-back, and underwent physical therapy and injections. His past medical bills totaled a little over $13,000.

The Cowen Law Group prosecuted a law suit against the trucking company and 18-wheeler driver. The firm's investigation revealed that the trucking company flagrantly ignored the safety rules set out in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. After obtaining a court order forcing the trucking company to turn over incriminating documents, car accident attorneys Michael Cowen and Amber Medina proved that the truck driver drove for more than the 11 hours allowed by federal safety regulations, which caused the driver to be dangerously fatigued. Worse, the driver falsified his log books in an attempt to cover up his violations. After a thorough examination by truck wreck lawyer Amber Medina, the truck driver eventually admitted to "falsifying" his records.

Although the trucking company tried to escape reponsibility by hiring professional "expert" witnesses to testify that the wreck was too minor to have caused serious injuries, and to try blame the victim, after a mediation its insurance company paid $150,000.00 to settle the case.

Man arrested after the year's first hit-and-run

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

San Antonio police arrested a 22-year-old man accused of leaving the scene of the first deadly traffic accident of 2010.

The car crash occurred at the intersection of Castroville Road and Barclay Road late on New Year’s Eve. Robert Ray Arredondo was driving a U-Haul headed north on Barclay Road. He ran a red light and smashed into a red Geo Prism that was headed west on Castroville Road.

The impact caused the Prism to spin out and hit a light pole.The driver, 55-year-old Michael Tristan, was crushed inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene at exactly 12 a.m. making him the first traffic casualty of the year.

His passenger, 45-year-old Elizabeth Clarke was injured and taken to University Hospital where she was treated and released on the same day.

After hitting the car, the U-Haul went though a fence. The driver left the scene.

A tip helped police track down Arrendondo. He was caught at an apartment complex and brought to Bexar County Jail. He faces numerous charges including failure to stop and render aid.

Every year 3,400 Texans lose their lives in traffic accidents. These tragedies affect real people in real ways. The Cowen Law Group offers our condolences to the family of Mr. Tristan.

Pulse found in accident victim presumed dead

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The San Antonio Fire Department is investigating claims that emergency personnel left an injured woman unattended after she was struck by a truck last week. It is uncertain if paramedics responding to the traffic accident checked the vital signs of the victim or just presumed she was dead before discovering the woman actually had a faint pulse.

On Friday, December 18, Alicia Trinidad, 56, was hit by a pick-up truck as she walked across the crosswalk Gilette Boulevard around 5pm. The 37-year-old male driver failed to yield the right of way to Ms. Trinidad. He has not been charged.

Ms. Trinidad had just left the home she shared with her daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren. She was carrying freshly made tamales that she planned to sell. Her daughter, Cindy Trinidad, arrived at the accident scene while on her way to pick her husband up from work.

She saw her mother lying on the street. Ms. Trinidad had suffered severe head trauma. She was covered with a yellow tarp, but a few minutes later someone a pulse and uncovered the victim. There are questions about when the pulse was found and if it had been checked earlier.

Ms. Trinidad was flown to University Hospital. Less than an hour later, she was pronounced dead.

The San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association is conducting an independent investigation of the incident. First responders are required to check vital signs of accident victims.

Cowen Law Group offers our condolences to the family of Alicia Trinidad.

What are internal injuries?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Internal injuries are injuries to the organs inside the body – particularly inside the chest and abdomen. These include injuries to the lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, bowels, aorta, stomach, gall bladder, uterus, or any other internal structure.

During a car crash, a victim’s body is thrown around by the impact of the collision. The body may be flung from the vehicle into the street, or it may be flung around inside the vehicle where it could be crushed against a steering wheel or pierced by metal or glass from the damaged vehicle. Any of these can cause significant amount of injury to internal organs.

It isn’t always easy to identify an internal injury. Because the injury happens inside the body, the signs may not be evident. An EMT will gently probe the victim’s body looking for signs of tenderness or pain.

Because of the potential seriousness of internal injuries, it is suggested that all crash victims be examined in the emergency room. Too often, there are stories of people who seemed fine after the accident only to collapse a few days later from internal injuries. Don’t try to be tough and walk away.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a south Texas car wreck, contact the Brownsville car accident attorneys at The Cowen Law Group and get our free book, The Insider’s Guide to Texas Car Accident Cases. Call us today for a free consultation.

Edinburg drunk driver charged after fatal wreck

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Police arrested an Edinburg man on the suspicion of drunk driving after he caused a fatal crash on Sunday morning.

The accident occurred on Sunday, December 13, 2009. The driver, 38-year-old John Jake Pena, was headed east on Mile 17 ½ Road when he failed to stop at the four-way stop at the intersection of Mile 17 ½ and Doolitle Roads. He crashed into a northbound vehicle that was being driven by 88-year-old Zaragosa Cortez, also of Edinburg.

Mr. Cortez was fatally injured and pronounced dead at the scene. Mrs. Cortez, his passenger and wife, was transported to McAllen Medical Center. She is expected to make a full recovery.

Mr. Pena refused medical treatment at the scene. He also refused to take a field Breathalyzer test. Police arrested Pena on the suspicion that he was driving while intoxicated. They are currently waiting for blood tests results.

Pena was arraigned on one count of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault. He was transported to Hidalgo County Jail. His bond was set at $150,000 for both charges. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

Local authorities plan to increase patrols over the next few weeks to catch intoxicated drivers over the holiday season. Police say at this time of year, there is a significant increase in drunk driving. Drunk driving costs almost 12,000 lives a year.

Stay safe -- The Cowen Law Group offers these tips to help you avoid accidents during the holidays.

We offer our condolences to Mrs. Cortez.

Brownsville man and 3-year-old daughter injured in car fire

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A 27-year-old Brownsville man and his three year old daughter were severely burned last month when their vehicle burst into flames.

The car accident occurred near Harrison and 7th Streets. The father shielded the daughter from the flames in the vehicle, and then pulled her out to safety. Both are recovering in the hospital.

On December 5, Brownsville Fire Marshall Ben Nunez said a Detroit expert on car fires who checked the damaged vehicle believes the fire was caused by an electrical short in the dashboard. The short may have originated in the stereo system. It is unclear what caused the fire to spread so quickly. The accident is still under investigation.

Car fires may be the result of faulty design. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, post-collision fires are one of the leading causes of vehicle-related deaths. These post-crash fires are often due to mechanical defects including failure to incorporate anti-leak valves, failure to include fuel-filler tube-check valves, failure to protect fuel lines, misrouting of fuel lines, inadequate shielding of the fuel tank, and dangerous placement of the fuel tank in the vehicle’s crush zone. Modern vehicles include numerous electrical devices that may short circuit. When cars are made of highly combustible materials, fires can quickly spread.

Learn more about vehicle fires, and about what you can do if your vehicle catches on fire. If you’ve been involved in a vehicle fire, contact the South Texas accident attorneys at The Cowen Law Group at 1-877-385-1282. We can help.

Holiday driving tips to keep you safe this season

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Millions of Texans will be traveling this holiday weekend; most will be traveling by car. Thanksgiving weekend kicks off what is traditionally the most dangerous time of year on American highways, and Thanksgiving weekend is the most dangerous of all. The Thanksgiving Holiday ranks number one for alcohol related car accident fatalities.

The Cowen Law Group cares about your safety. Here are few tips to keep you safe while driving this holiday season.

• Avoid distractions in your vehicle. If family members – especially children – are acting up or quarreling, try to stay focused. If possible, ask another adult to deal with the kids.

• Check the forecast and plan ahead for bad weather.

• If another driver is driving erratically or behaving less than courteously, try not to get upset. Reacting to a bad driver is a major contributing cause to road rage. Instead, hang back and try to put some distance between yourself and a potentially dangerous driver.

• If they drive is along one, take breaks to relax and stretch your legs.

• Take a break and get some coffee if you a tired. Avoid driving when fatigued.

• Familiarize yourself with your route and pay attention to your surroundings.

• Don’t drink and drive.

We hope this holiday weekend and the whole holiday season are both joyful and safe.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Driver loses control of 18-wheeler

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Corpus Christi roads were closed today after the driver of an 18-wheeler lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a concrete barrier. The cab of the truck landed on top of the barrier leaving the cab sticking out into on-coming traffic. Fortunately, the driver was uninjured and no other vehicles were involved. However, traffic was disrupted as the roads had to be closed while Texas Department of transportation crews cleaned up diesel fuel that had leaked from the truck onto the highway. Police believe that bad weather and excessive speed were the contributing causes to the accident.

Because of their large size, truck accidents are especially dangerous. That is why federal and state regulations exist to prevent accidents as much possible. Drivers of 18-wheelers must be properly trained, possess a valid commercial driver’s license, be drug-free and must get adequate rest. All parts of a truck are required to be maintained in proper working order. Failure to follow these regulations endangers everyone on the road.

Unfortunately companies use economic pressure their drivers to meet strict deadlines. When delays happen, drivers may cut back on sleep and breaks in order to stay on schedule. This can lead to dangerous driving. To read more about the causes of truck accidents, click here.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with an eighteen-wheeler, contact The Cowen Law Group. When you hire a lawyer, you are far more likely to receive full compensation for your injuries, suffering and lost income.

Highway 281 crash injures elderly couple

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An elderly couple is in the hospital after being seriously injured in a three car crash on Highway 281 near the Nakoma exit in San Antonio.

The accident occurred on the night of Friday, December 4. They were driving a PT Cruiser on Highway 281 when they were rear-ended by an SUV traveling at high speed. The SUV smashed into the PT Cruiser and sent it crashing into a third vehicle. The SUV stopped when it hit a retaining wall. All three vehicles ended up on the right side of the road facing the wrong way.

Police believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor to the accident. The woman driving the SUV sustained only minor injuries. However, the elderly couple in the PT Cruiser were seriously injured and were taken to University Hospital. The third driver was uninjured.

The severity of an accident depends a lot on the speed of the vehicles at impact. At high speeds, there is a greater likelihood of serious damage and serious injury. When speeding is combined with alcohol and drug use, drivers are less able to react in time to prevent an accident.

Police expect that charges will be filed. The woman who caused the accident may face intoxication assault charges after further investigation. The Cowen Law Group wishes the couple a speedy recovery.

San Antonio pro golfer killed in crash with school bus

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

San Antonio professional golfer, Matthew Loving, was killed in a car accident when his SUV collided head-on with a school bus in Karnes County. Loving had been visiting family members in the area.

The 30-year-old golfer was driving a Chevrolet Suburban westbound on FM 885 and the bus was headed east. The accident occurred around 4pm on December 4, 2209 at the intersection of FM 885 and FM 81 about a mile past the town of Runge. Police have not yet determined which vehicle was at fault.

Loving had to be pulled from his vehicle. He died at the scene.

The Runge Independent School District bus was taking students home from school at the time of the accident. The thirteen children on the bus included both elementary and high school students. They were taken to Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital for examination. One child had a broken leg. Other children suffered minor cuts and bruises.

The bus driver, 35-year-old Priscilla Jackson, was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio. She is being treated for chest pain and is in stable condition.

Loving has been a professional golf player since 2001. He is survived by his wife and 11-month-daughter. The Cowen Law Group offers our sincere condolences to his family. We wish the bus driver a speedy recovery.

Three children injured in San Antonio street racing crash

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Three children were injured last Saturday night in a San Antonio car accident that is being blamed on street racing.

The mother of the injured children was driving a Ford F-150 pick-up truck on Southwest Military Road near Lackland Air Force Base when three cars came racing behind her. The first two cars passed the truck, but the third clipped the Ford and caused it to overturn.

The three children, a 16-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy, and a 5-year-old boy, were taken to the hospital with injuries.

All three racing drivers left the scene and are currently being sought by police.

A fifth car, a Mitsubishi Eclipse, was also involved in the accident. The occupants included a mother and her three-month-old baby.

Street racing is an on-going problem in San Antonio that costs lives. Last month, a 22-year-old driver was charged with second-degree felony street racing after a crash while street racing killed his passenger. Only three weeks earlier, three members of a family sustained serious injuries after a street racer slammed into their vehicle.

In May 2008, a 17-year-old boy, lost his life to a street race in the same area as Saturday’s crash.

San Antonio police officer involved in DWI accident

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A San Antonio police officer was charged yesterday with driving while intoxicated after crashing an undercover police car.

Officer Winder Amedalio Morales, 33, was traveling on U.S. 90 West in heavy rain at about 5am on Friday morning when his green Honda Civic veered into a sand barrel near the exit to General McMullen Drive and flipped onto its roof. Morales told officers at the scene that he was returning the city-owned vehicle to a police substation after wrapping up an undercover drug buy at a bar when the accident occurred. However, a police spokesman says that Morales was off-duty when he flipped the vehicle.

Morales was charged with driving while intoxicated and was released on a $1,000 bond.

Officer Morales had been banned from driving patrol cars following his involvement in a May 2006 car accident that killed a 25-year-old man. Morales had been responding to an emergency call when he ran a red light at Southwest Military drive and Somerset Road and collided with a truck belonging to Rodney Brandenberger of Cibolo. Brandenberger was ejected from his pick-up truck and landed on the ground. He suffered severe head trauma and died from his injuries twelve days later, only days before he was to be married. Morales was not charged in that incident. Morales was punished with a ten-day suspension. The city paid a $250,000 settlement to Brandenberger’s family as a result of a wrongful death lawsuit.

Drunk driver slams into house

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Willie family of Corpus Christi spent their Sunday morning boarding up their house. The house sustained serious damage when a 24-year-old man crashed his car into their Redwood Drive home.

The driver was turning onto Redwood Drive when he collided with a parked car. He lost control and plowed through the home’s picket fence. The fence exploded sending pieces everywhere. Some landed on the roof.

The car continued through the yard and then slammed through the living room wall. A woman was sleeping only a few feet away from where the car finally stopped. She was shaken up, but uninjured, and quite surprised to be woken up by a car crashing through her living room window.

The driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Residents in the area say this is not the first time this has happened. They are considering petitioning the city for speed bumps.

Last month a car crashed into another Corpus Christi home and hit a baby that was sitting in his stroller. The baby was taken to the hospital as a precaution, but was unharmed.

That driver was also driving while under the influence. He lost control of his vehicle and hit a utility pole and a parked car before slamming into the house and causing extensive damage.

Teen driver arrested after hit-and-run

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Eighteen-year old Ashley Guerrero of Corpus Christi was arrested after a hit-and-run car accident that sent a 26-year-old woman to the hospital.

Police responded to a call at the corner of Daytona and Maryland Streets at 7:26 pm on November 9, 2009. They found the injured woman lying in the street with a large cut on the back of her head. A witness reported that the injured woman had been crossing Daytona Street when she was struck by a vehicle that then drove away. The witness then gave police the license plate number of the car.

Thirty minutes after the accident, Miss Guerrero called the police to report the accident. The police then arrested Guerrero and impounded her car. Miss Guerrero is currently being held in Nueces County Jail. Bond is set at $2,500 for failure to stop and render aid.

The victim injuries were not life-threatening. She was treated at Christus Spohn Hospital Memorial.

In this case, the victim was lucky. Pedestrian accidents can have horrible consequences, including broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and even wrongful death. When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle going 30 mph, the risk of death is 45 percent and serious injury is likely to occur. At 40 mph, the fatality risk increases to 85 percent.

Car Accident injures Goliad teacher, kills her son

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

On November 6, 2009 Emika Moya left her home to drive to her job in Goliad with her four-year old son. Moya’s car, a four door Nissan Sentra, collided with a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 59. Goliad Sheriff Kirby Brumby stated that the truck may have veered slightly over the center line causing the accident.

Ms. Moya is in critical, but stale condition at Corpus Christi Spohn Hospital. Her son, Luca, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck was sent to the hospital and released.

Goliad principal Emilio Vargas described the wreckage as horrible, “the vehicle was there and it was a twisted mangled mess.”

Moya is a speech teacher at Goliad High School. She’d been working at the Goliad School District for four years and is involved in speech, debate and UIL. Students at the school wrote messages of sympathy and support on the blackboard in her classroom. They are sending her a large card. Miss Moya taught students that they needed to be the change that they hoped to see in the world. The card says “You are the change we want to see in the world.” The students and faculty are pulling together to help Ms. Moya and her family.

The accident is still under investigation.

Our heart goes out to Ms. Luca, her family and her students.

Driver in fatal "wrong-way" accident arrested

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Corpus Christi police took a man from the hospital onto custody in connection last week’s fatal car wreck.

The car accident happened on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. Twenty-five year old Steven Pena was driving his 2000 Chevy pick-up truck the wrong way on the I-37 Access Road when he crested a hill and collided with a 2008 Nissan Ultima. The driver of the Ultima, 47-year-old Woody Sanderfer, was killed instantly.

Sanderfer was a well-known Corpus Christi businessman and active member of the community. He is survived by his wife, three grown children and nine grandchildren. Our heart and condolences go out to his family.

Pena was taken to the hospital after complaining of lower body pain. He underwent surgery for a broken ankle.

Pena did not have a valid driver’s license and had been stopped earlier in the day by police for going 15 miles over the speed limit. He received two citations. At that point he did not appear to be driving under the influence. Police suspect that at the time of the accident, the suspect was driving under the influence of heroin.

A witness claimed that Pena often drove the wrong way on the access road.

Pena is currently being held for Manslaughter. Charges may be changed to Intoxication Manslaughter pending positive blood test results. Bond is set at $50,000.