Texas House Bill 242, which imposes harsh penalties for texting, sending instant messages, or checking emails while driving, may soon become law. The bill is awaiting Governor Perry’s signature.

Under the new law, anyone who violates the ban on texting, messaging, and emailing could face a fine of up to $200 and up to 30 days in jail. If their actions cause serious injuries to, or the death of, another person the driver could face 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Currently, Austin, San Antonio and El Paso already have bans on texting while driving.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2009, 3,308 crashes were caused by cell phone usage while driving in Texas alone. Among those crashes, 41 people were killed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that distracted driving, which includes cell phone use, was to blame for 20 percent of traffic deaths in the U.S. in 2009. In 2005, distracted driving was to blame for only 10 percent of traffic deaths. Currently texting while driving has been banned in 33 states.

Texting while driving is especially dangerous for teens, most of whom are not experienced enough drivers to handle any outside distractions while driving. However, 50 percent of teens admitted to texting while driving in a survey. Some studies have shown texting and driving to be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.

Have you been involved in an accident with a driver who was texting at the time of the accident? If so, the driver could be held legally responsible for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Call Dallas personal injury attorney Kris Barber at 817-329-5095.

Frisco, Texas — On Monday, September 28, 2009, eight people were injured in a major car accident that occurred at the intersection of Hwy 380 and Preston Rd. in Frisco TX.

The injury-producing collision involved a passenger van from Carter BloodCare and a pickup truck. The pickup truck struck the van on the passenger side. The impact flipped the van onto its side. Carter BloodCare said the van was carrying workers to a blood drive.

Two of the injured people were flown by helicopter ambulance to Frisco hospitals for treatment and five other injured people were taken ground ambulance.

Hwy 380 was shut down for a time during the cleanup and accident investigation.

Unfortunately, serious car accidents and personal injury collisions occur every day to residents of our local cities such as Frisco, McKinney, and Plano, Texas.  Many times, auto accidents like these happen due to driver fatigue, the negligence of a driver who was not paying attention, texting, or even driving while intoxicated.

If you have been involved in a personal injury accident in McKinney, Plano, Frisco, or the surrounding areas, an experienced-local personal injury attorney can help you and your family.

Our motor vehicle accident lawyers offer free consultations on personal injury cases. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a car accident, you should contact a Frisco, TX personal injury lawyer immediately so that you will know your legal rights and can determine what insurance coverage may be in place to cover damages. Call our office at (972) 231-5800 for more information or click here to contact us by email.

FRISCO, TX – A Denton County woman and her son were killed last week at the intersection of the Dallas North Tollway and Highway 380 in a tragic car accident in Frisco, Texas.  Frisco police said that the woman’s car was traveling eastbound on Hwy 380 just before 9 a.m. when it collided with the pickup truck, which had been heading west. Traffic on Highway 380 was closed in both directions most of the day during the accident investigation.

Regrettably, fatal and serious personal injury collisions occur every day to residents of our local cities such as Frisco, McKinney, and Allen, Texas.  Many times, car accidents like this happen due to the negligence of a driver who was not paying attention, texting, or even driving while intoxicated.

If you have been involved in an auto accident in McKinney, Frisco, Allen, or the surrounding areas, an experienced-local Frisco personal injury attorney can help you.

Our personal injury lawyers offer free consultations on personal injury cases. If you or someone you know has been injured, you should contact a Collin County personal injury lawyer immediately so that you will know your legal rights and can determine what insurance coverage may be in place to cover damages. Call our office at (972) 231-5800 for more information.

FRISCO, TX – Four members of a north Texas family from Frisco, Texas were among those killed in a large chain-reaction freeway accident recently in Oklahoma that left 10 dead.

Shelby Hayes, 35, her husband, Randal Scott Hayes, 38, and their son, Ethan 7, died in the tragic car accident along with Shelby’s mother, Cynthia Olson, 55. The auto wreck was the deadliest in Oklahoma’s history.

The accident was caused when an 18-wheeler suddenly barreled through a line of cars on the highway, killing nine people. The Hayes’ family Hyundai was pinned under the semi.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol said that an earlier automobile accident had stopped traffic when the tractor-trailer slammed into at least three cars at a high rate of speed, pushing them into more vehicles.  Some of the accident victims were pinned in the wreckage for up to nine hours before being freed by firefighters.

A criminal investigation is under way.  There was no indication alcohol was involved, he said.

Sadly, fatal and serious injury collisions occur every day to residents of our local cities such as Frisco, Plano, and Allen.  Many times, car accidents like this happen due to the negligence of a driver who was not paying attention, texting, or even driving while intoxicated.

If you have been involved in an auto accident in Plano, Frisco, Allen, or the surrounding areas, an experienced-local accident injury attorney can help you.

Our Accident Injury law firm offers free consultations on personal injury cases. If you or someone you know has been injured, you should contact a Collin County personal injury lawyer immediately so that you will know your rights and can determine what insurance coverage may be in place to cover damages. Call our Richardson-based office at (972) 231-5800 for more information.