Police have currently identified the victim of a fatal North Austin crash that occurred on North Lamar Blvd Saturday night just after 11 p.m.

When police officers and emergency responders arrived at the scene, an 18-year-old victim was already pronounced dead.

Austin Police Department officials stated that the driver of the vehicle crashed into a tree on the side of the road, but are currently investigating what caused the driver to lose control.

Initial investigations show that speed may have been a factor in the collision. APD officials have asked any witnesses to come forward at this time because any information is needed to aid the investigation.

In 2012, there has been 68 traffic fatalities which is an increase from the same time period in 2011 when there were 48 traffic fatalities.

Speed, distractions and alcohol are all common causes of fatal traffic collisions. No matter the cause, if a reckless or negligent driver has caused an accident that you were involved in, you need representation on your side at this time that will be able to help you fight for the compensation that you deserve. Contact the Austin accident lawyers of the Law Offices of Vic Feazell, P.C., today.

On Thanksgiving Day in Beaumont, Texas, approximately 140 motor vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on Interstate 10. The car accident, which killed two individuals and caused 120 more to suffer injuries, took place in the morning hours of the holiday.

According to reports, thick dense fog was present on the roads that morning, and it is considered to be the main factor in the numerous collisions. The pileup largely occurred on the east side of the highway, where drivers were unable to see too far in front of their own vehicle. Cars became trapped underneath other vehicles, and semi-trucks were also involved in the fatal accident.

Paramedics and police arrived at the scene in order to assess the situation. The extent of the motor vehicle damage was only uncovered once authorities began to individually  help victims on the highway. When the fog lifted, the severity of the situation could be seen. Numerous cars were completely totaled, and victims were stranded on I-10 for several hours. The eastbound lanes of I-10 were closed for eight hours while debris was moved from the roadway.

Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and friends during this difficult time.

State representative Eddie Rodriguez says he is planning to file a bill in the upcoming legislative session that will improve the way allegedly dangerous dogs are handled by Texas courts.

The concept of the bill is to allow owners of dogs that are deemed “dangerous” to appeal a judge’s decision in a county court-at-law. These courts hear both criminal and civil cases.

The representative’s bill will help bring consistency to the hazy laws surrounding a dog owner’s rights when his or her pet attacks another animal or a person. Currently, when a dog attacks a person, its case is brought before a judge who decides whether or not it will receive a hearing to determine if  it is dangerous. The animal is seized and the decision to return it to its owner or euthanize it is in the hands of the judge.

Those who own dogs that have hurt people do not presently have the option to appeal a judge’s decision to euthanize their pet. The current laws are also unclear about which standard of burden of proof should be followed as well as if the dog’s owner will get a jury trial.

While these laws can be beneficial to pet owners, being the victim of a dog attack can have serious consequences on a person’s quality of life. The financial burden of high hospital bills and missed work alongside the stress of psychological trauma can weigh heavily on a dog attack victim. If you’ve been injured by a dangerous dog, a dog bite lawyer may be able to help you seek reprieve from the difficulties imposed upon you through someone else’s irresponsible pet ownership.

A 31 year-old army veteran who was one of 16 injured earlier this month in Midland when the truck he was riding in with dozens of other veterans was struck by a Union Pacific train announced last week that he plans on filing a lawsuit against Union Pacific. The collision killed four veterans as they were being driven to an honorary banquet.

His attorneys say the veteran plans to challenge the National Transportation Safety Board‘s findings that show the train signals were working properly at the time of the accident, arguing that the type of crossing required the signals to have more warning time. According to Reuters, the prosecutor may also sue Smith Industrial, the company that made the flatbed trailer used as a parade float.

Union Pacific has refuted the veteran’s claims, stating that the NTSB found the train’s warning signals to be working within federal requirements and that records show the train was traveling slower than the posted speed limit. An official at Union Pacific put the blame on the truck driver who crossed the tracks despite the flashing warning signs. The veteran suffered a spinal cord fracture in the accident that has left him with no feeling or movement in his legs.

With more than a month to go before the end of the year, 2012 has been the deadliest year for cyclists and pedestrians in Austin’s history. According to the Austin American Statesman, this year has seen 28 vehicle-pedestrian deaths and three vehicle-cyclist fatalities. Last year, there were 22 pedestrian deaths and one cyclist death.

Over the past eight years, vehicle-pedestrian death tolls have doubled the average yearly toll for the city. Law makers have tried to make Austin safer by lowering speed limits, installing pedestrian-activated traffic lights, and narrowing streets at crosswalks. Some members of City Council are considering physically separating bike lanes by installing curbs or other barriers.

While many people blame the motorists in pedestrian and cyclist accidents, Austin statistics show that four times as many pedestrians than drivers involved in collisions were intoxicated and more than half of the pedestrians struck were jaywalking or crossing at prohibited locations. However, a third of fatal accidents were hit-and-runs.

If you or someone you love was struck by a negligent or reckless motorist, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A lawsuit can not only bring you the money you need to pay for expensive medial bills and your pain and suffering, but it can also bring the ones responsible for your agony to justice.

Midland is mourning after the loss of four wounded veterans who were killed in a horrific train accident yesterday afternoon.

The veterans, some of which were confined to wheelchairs,  and their spouses were riding on two separate flatbed trailers that were converted into parade floats on their way to an honorary banquet. When they reached the tracks, the first truck in the caravan was able to make it across, but the second one could not.

Witnesses say police sirens may have drowned out the sound of the Union Pacific train that was barreling towards the parade. The train smashed into the float with deadly, deafening impact, injuring 17 people and killing four. Some of the veterans were able to save their spouses by pushing them off of the float before the train made impact. Many of them were completely unable to remove themselves from the destruction quickly enough because of their combat wounds.

Union Pacific says that the cross lights and arms were working at the time of the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident, but initial reports indicate that the truck carrying the veterans got halfway across the track before the safety arms came down. The driver honked at drivers to make room so the truck can pull through, but was unable to get enough clearance in time to avoid the deadly train collision.

Midland Mayor Wes Perry called the accident one of the most tragic events to have ever occurred in the city’s 131-year history.

The Austin injury lawyers at the Law Office of Vic Feazell, P.C., appreciate the service of our brave veterans and are deeply saddened by this heart-wrenching loss of life.

The road with the highest speed limit in the country, State Highway 130, reported its first fatal traffic collision on Sunday afternoon in Mustang Ridge. Sunday was the first day the 41-mile road that connects Austin and San Antonio started charging tolls after opening for free on October 24. According to NBC News, the deceased is a 60 year-old woman from Lockhart.

The accident occurred when the woman, driving a Honda Civic, entered the southbound ramp and collided with a Chevrolet Tahoe. The driver and passenger in the Tahoe both suffered minor injuries. Authorities have not released how fast the vehicles were traveling at this time; the record speed limit is set at 85 mph.

While this was the first fatal crash on SH 130, a handful of accidents have been reported since it opened two and a half weeks ago. Because much of the highway cuts through ranch and farmland, packs of wild hogs crossing the road has caused drivers mayhem. Five accidents have been reported with one car being totaled.

Nothing can replace the life of a loved one. During this difficult time, you and your family may not only be struggling emotionally but financially as well. If a family member has died due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, a personal injury lawsuit can bring you the compensation you deserve and hold the guilty accountable for their actions.

Austin’s Building Inspection Division held a workshop last week to help inform citizens about signs that may indicate a deck is unsafe. It provided tips for how to determine whether a deck’s structure is safe or not and how to fix common issues that may arise.

One way to tell if a deck is safe or not is checking for any rot in the boards. Sticking a sharp knife into a board is an easy way to do this. If the knife goes in easily, the wood may be falling prey to rot and will need to be replaced. Making sure all of the connections are nice and tight can prevent them from giving way and causing a collapse. Regularly checking for loose nails, sun damage, and other signs of wear can also increase the safety and longevity of your deck.

The workshop included a section on the dangers of deck collapses. Last year, there were two deck collapses in Austin that injured a total of 33 people. In the past five years, there have been more than 600 injuries and as many as four deaths related to deck collapses nationwide.

A person is responsible for the safety their property. If there are dangerous conditions on a deck that result in the injury of a guest, the deck’s owner could be held responsible. This is an area of personal injury law known as premises liability. If you have been hurt due to a porch collapse or other unsafe conditions, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries.

The widow of Deputy Constable Cpl. Kevin Aigner is filing a wrongful death lawsuit for her husband’s September 2011 death. Aigner died of a stroke while working to help people during the Steiner Ranch wildfire.

Travis County’s investigation into what caused the fire has not found a direct cause as of yet. Aigner’s widow and her attorney hope the lawsuit will hurry the investigation. A spokesperson for Travis County reports that these kinds of investigations can take a long time. However, a similar investigation into the cause of the Bastrop County Complex Fire took less than three months.

The suit against the city of Austin and Austin Energy claims that the energy company was negligent in how it installed power lines that are suspected of starting the fire. Aigner worked in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and heavy smoke while helping families evacuate the area, eventually leading to his untimely death.

If you have lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligent actions, a wrongful death lawsuit may help you find closure and can potentially recover expenses related to your tragic loss.

A refinery explosion that occurred in New Mexico in 2010 and took the lives of two people has now been settled. The oil refinery will be paying nearly $400,000 due to the safety violations that were found as a result of the explosion.

According to the New Mexico Environment Department, the Artesia Oil Refinery settled all the citations regarding the safety violations that were issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The explosion occurred on March 2, 2010 when a welder ignited vapors that were coming out of a flammable tank while working on top of the storage tank at the oil refinery.

The explosion caused the storage tank to erupt and a fire began that burned for over an hour causing severe damage and claiming the lives of two employees. The two Texas Northwest Insulation employees were killed and two others were injured. A call to the Navajo Refinery’s Dallas-based parent company was made, but a response has not been made.

Navajo Refinery has claimed that the oil refinery explosion was not their fault,  but have agreed to settle the case. Both Northwest Insulation as well as Navajo Refinery were fined for failing to inspect the area before welding began, allowing employees to weld in flammable areas and failing to provide employees with the appropriate tactics to know when flammable vapors and liquids are present in the area.