Tag: attorney

Tips for Avoiding a Trucking Accident

Posted by Clay Hinds on

Being involved in a vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience. The experience can be especially scary if a large vehicle is involved in the crash. Because of this, it is important to do what you can to avoid a trucking accident. Whether as the truck driver or as someone in another vehicle, there are several things you can do to avoid a crash.

Tips for Avoiding a Trucking Accident

Both truck drivers and drivers of other vehicles should make sure to get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep will help to keep you alert, which will help you avoid drifting off while driving and will help you to notice if other vehicles start to drift into your lane. If you are on a tight schedule, it might be tempting to go without sleep or to try to continue driving even as you get tired. This is not a good idea. Do not be afraid to pull off the road and take a quick nap. At least get out of your vehicle to walk around and stretch out your legs if you start to feel tired.

It is also important to be aware of your surroundings. If you are a truck driver, watch for vehicles that might drift into your blind spot. If a vehicle you could previously see seems to disappear, be especially careful if you need to change lanes. As a driver of a smaller vehicle, avoid driving in a truck driver’s blind spot. If you need to pass the vehicle, do so quickly, returning to where the driver can see as soon as possible.

Make your intentions known early, no matter what type of vehicle you are driving. As a truck driver, this can be especially important. Letting other drivers know you want to change lanes will increase the chances that drivers will stay out of your blind spot.

You should also work to be a patient driver. This can especially be a problem for drivers who are behind semis. Do not tailgate a truck driver. Do not get frustrated and try to pass a truck if there is not a lane where you can do so safely. Understand that other driver may drive slower than you, and it is better to get to your destination a little later rather than risking not getting there at all.

Of course, these are not the only things you can do to avoid a trucking accident. Smart, cautious driving, in general, will help you to avoid an accident. Unfortunately, even if you are working to be a safe driver, other drivers may not take the same precautions. If you were injured in a trucking accident caused by another driver, contact us.

Do You Need a Wrongful Death Lawyer?

Posted by Clay Hinds on

A wrongful death claim happens when someone dies due to the fault of someone else.  The death is the result of a wrongful act, negligence, carelessness, unskillfulness or default.  Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code addresses wrongful death and allows the plaintiff up to two years to bring an action against the defendant.

Do You Need a Wrongful Death Lawyer?

A wrongful death claim is a civil suit for monetary damages and is brought by the decedent’s family.  In Texas, this means the deceased person’s surviving spouse, children, biological parents and adoptive parents. Siblings cannot bring a wrongful death claim.

In Texas, the plaintiff can receive wrongful death damages for the deceased’s lost earning capacity and his physical suffering and mental anguish before dying. Damages may also be awarded for loss of the maintenance, services, care, support and advice that the deceased person would have provided if he had lived. Funeral costs and medical expenses are also often awarded to the deceased person’s estate.

To receive damages, the plaintiff’s wrongful death lawyer must prove that the plaintiff is a statutory beneficiary of the deceased person and that the defendant’s wrongful act caused the decedent’s death. If the plaintiff can meet this burden of proof and win the case, then the court will award damages.

If you believe that someone you loved has died as the result of someone else’s negligence or carelessness, then contact us.  Wrongful death claims are complex and often involve automobile accidents, defective products or medical mishaps.  Our experienced, dedicated attorneys will review your situation and determine if you have a case or not.

How Are Trucking Accident Lawyers Different From Car Accident Lawyers?

Posted by Clay Hinds on

The aftermath of a serious vehicle accident is often overwhelming. Not only will you have to deal with insurance companies, you may also face other issues like physical injuries and damage to your vehicle. The result is that you will be under a lot of stress. Hiring a lawyer can help to relieve that stress. Your lawyer can help you to sort through the various legal issues surrounding your accident. As you evaluate different attorneys, it is important to consider the fact that car accident attorneys and trucking accident attorneys are quite different.

How Are Trucking Accident Lawyers Different From Car Accident Lawyers?

Differences Between Car Accident and Truck Accident Cases

  • Liability

One of the main differences between car and truck accidents has to do with who is liable. While the driver in a car accident is usually liable, a truck accident lawyer has to consider liability beyond just the driver. In a truck accident, the trucking company is often liable; in fact, the driver’s liability is sometimes much less than their employer’s liability. Trucking companies are expected to train their drivers properly and to obey federal regulations. If they fail to take care of either of these responsibilities, a court may consider them liable for the accident.

  • Forensics

A trucking accident lawyer will typically have to go through more information than a car accident lawyer would. The lawyer will have to assess the truck driver’s employment history as well as their qualifications for the job. They will also have to examine the results of any drug and alcohol testing that the driver has undergone. In addition, they will have to look at the trucking company’s insurance and evaluate the truck’s black box as evidence.

  • The Injuries

One dramatic difference between car accidents and trucking accidents is how severe the injuries are. The main factor in this is the weight disparity between the two vehicles. While most cars weigh around 3,000 pounds, a semi can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. That mismatch in weights means that accidents involving trucks often produce very serious injuries, which is why there is a requirement for trucking companies to carry insurance with high liability limits.

Have you been injured in a trucking accident? It is important that you choose an attorney with experience in your kind of case. Clay Hinds can help. Contact us for a free consultation.

Those Charged With a Crime Need an Effective Criminal Defense

Posted by Clay Hinds on

A criminal conviction carries serious consequences which can completely change a person’s life. Punishments can include fines and imprisonment. There can also be significant damage done to reputation, employment opportunities, and restrictions on public services.

Those Charged With a Crime Need an Effective Criminal Defense

Because the stakes are so high, every person charged with a crime has a right to an effective criminal defense. Unfortunately, our system of public defense sometimes falls short of fulfilling this right. Most public defense attorneys carry out their jobs admirably and with competence, but the sad truth is that they are typically overworked, sometimes handling several hundred cases per year.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, it may be in your best interest to hire a qualified criminal defense attorney. This is especially true if there is a risk of a lengthy prison sentence. A private criminal defense attorney can devote more time and resources to a case. A qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney can guarantee that a case is fully investigated, that every possible defense is explored, and that every procedural and substantive right of a defendant is protected.

It is imperative for anyone charged with a crime to have effective an effective legal defense to guarantee that their rights are protected. Clay Hinds is an experienced criminal defense attorney that can handle any type of criminal case. If you would like more information about this issue or Clay Hinds’ law firm, please visit us at our website. For a free consultation about your case, contact Clay Hinds Attorney at Law today.

Injury Claims for a Motorcycle Accident

Posted by Clay Hinds on

The world around us can be both unpredictable and somewhat dangerous.  For motorcyclists, the danger they face is pretty obvious. The possibility of having an accident is much greater. Rest assure that a motorcycle accident attorney can help guide you with your personal injury case.

Injury Claims for a Motorcycle Accident

Not being surrounded by a protective shell, as you would be in an vehicle, can leave you vulnerable to serious injury upon impact with a car, truck, or asphalt pavement. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can occur at any time and any place. Besides the motorcycle rider being injured, there is the possibility of injury to the rider’s passenger, or even a pedestrian being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

According to trusted news source, United Press International (UPI), “Motorcyclist deaths in the United States topped 5,000 last year — a 10 percent increase from 2014.”

This is why you need an experienced attorney who will see that your best interests are being served. While you are recuperating from your injuries, you want to make sure that you will be able to pay your monthly living expenses, as well as your hospital bills. Many people have had to file for bankruptcy because of the medical expenses they incurred due to catastrophic illness or injury. Having a knowledgeable attorney in your corner can make all the difference in the world.

Simply put, Clay Hinds is an attorney that will fight for everything that you are entitled to. As a highly skilled litigator, he has the tenacity and grit to get the desired results for his clients. During his legal career, Clay has handled a wide array of criminal and civil lawsuits. His natural ability to help people with serious personal injuries has served his clients well.

Clay has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 1988, and he is able to practice all areas of law, as well as being able to practice in all parts of Texas. Contact us to set up a consultation to discuss your legal situation. Clay Hinds, Attorney at Law is here to help you.

Legal Assistance for Adoptions

Posted by Clay Hinds on

The subject of adoptions is one that brings about a myriad of emotions. Depending on where you currently are on your journey you’ve already begun to feel the roller coaster of hope, excitement, impatience and maybe even some frustration. Stay with it and soon enough you’ll experience the joy of a positive outcome as your family expands. It will be worth every bit of struggle you’ll take to get to that special day.

Legal Assistance for Adoptions

The process of adoption can be overwhelming. It’s far more than just paperwork. It’s important that you work with a firm that understands and is experienced coming alongside a family like your’s. The right lawyer will guide you through the adoption process smoothly and efficiently. You need to be with an experienced professional who knows how to navigate the legal system with ease.

The financial costs have kept some people from pursuing the miracle of adoption. We pride ourselves on being a firm that does everything in our power to keep costs low. We will be upfront and open as we go and if there’s a way to make things more cost-effective, we’ll suggest that to you.

Whether you are just starting to consider adoption or you’ve been working toward the goal of adopting for some time, contact us for a free consultation. We would be like to meet with you and answer the many questions you surely have. Adoptions are one of our favorite areas of law because it’s a happy ending for a family and we are proud to be a part of that story.

Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Posted by Clay Hinds on

Deciding to get a personal injury lawyer can be a tough call to make. Not every personal injury case is clear or severe. This can confuse people who are entitled to health care or expense reimbursement. For example, if a guest slips and falls in a grocery store, they often know the store is at fault. If they fall in their friend’s driveway because they slipped on a puddle, they might not know what to do. If you are trying to decide whether or not your injury is “severe enough” to start a lawsuit, use this quick and easy guide.

Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Expense Reimbursement

One of the most important factors in a personal injury lawsuit is treatment and care. Someone who was only treated for a minor sprain, for example, isn’t in the same position as someone who was treated for a broken leg and had to miss work for a month. The main goal of a lawsuit is to help compensate for your loss and help you get the treatment you need.

Understanding Fault

Fault isn’t always clear in every injury case, but it is in most of them. If a store didn’t place a wet floor sign or bother to clean up a spill, they are usually at fault if you fall. If someone is clearly responsible for your injury, you should consider taking legal action. This doesn’t just help you get reimbursement, it helps you notify the people at fault and inspire change. If they aren’t aware of a problem, they likely won’t fix it and other people could get hurt.

The decision to hire a lawyer can be very personal. If you have been hurt and need help trying to decide if you should take action, please contact us today.