Houston, TX, USA, 07/20/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

In June 2017, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law that would make it illegal for drivers to send a text while driving. Violators would be subject to a first-time fine of as much as $99, but that would increase to $200 for repeat offenders.

“Well I think some people are probably saying, ‘it’s about time,’ because we are one of the last states to implement a texting and driving law,” stated Dallas Car Wreck Attorney Amy Witherite, founding partner at Eberstein Witherite, LLP. “This is a law that we’ve been waiting for, and we welcome what we hope will be a significant deterrent to the dangerous behavior of texting and driving.”

The Dangers of Texting and Driving

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) categorizes texting and driving under the umbrella term “distracted driving.”

Distracted driving is defined as any activity that takes a driver’s focus and concentration off the road. This includes, texting, watching videos, chatting with passengers, eating, applying makeup or even reaching for an object that has dropped to the floor of a vehicle.

And per the NHTSA, (1) 3,477 people were killed, and 391,000 suffered serious injuries in 2015

due to distracted driving. Furthermore, an estimated 660,000 drivers use mobile phone or another electronic device as they are driving, a figure that has not decreased since 2010.

The reason that texting while driving is so dangerous is that it takes a driver’s eyes completely off the road, even if it’s just for a few seconds. Other types of distracted driving – such as chatting with a passenger – does not always take a driver’s eyes off the road, but even one second of not seeing the road can lead to disaster.

In fact, studies have found that the brain does not multi-task when faced with more than one thing to do, but instead shuttles between the two tasks, which impacts focus and concentration.

State Laws On Texting and Driving

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) website (2) reports that 14 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have banned all motorists from using hand-held mobile while driving.

There are no states that ban mobile phone use entirely for drivers, but 38 states and Washington D.C. prohibit newly-licensed drivers from using mobile phones, whether hand-held or via a hands-free device, and 20 states and Washington D.C. do not allow school bus drivers to use mobile phones for any reason.

Most importantly, 47 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a law that bans text messaging for all motorists.

Loophole In New Texas Texting and Driving Law?

While car safety advocates were pleased that Gov. Abbott signed the new texting and driving law that takes effect September 1, there is some concern that the law is not comprehensive enough.

Although the new law bans texting and driving, it does not ban drivers who use the Internet or GPS on their phone, per a story published by KCBD. (3)  That means that despite the new ban, drivers could still practice distracted behavior that does not include texting, which would still take their focus off the road, and potentially lead to a car wreck.

Currently, Texas bans newly licensed drivers under the age of 18 from using mobile phones and school bus drivers who are transporting passengers under the age of 17.

After several years of false starts, including opposition by former Gov. Rick Perry – who didn’t believe states should dictate phone behavior to citizens – Texas becomes one of the last states to prohibit text messaging.

Rep. Tom Craddick of Midland authored the bill, and expressed his opinion about the hoped-for effects of the new law:

“For a long time, Texas has needed this law to prevent the loss of life in unnecessary and preventable crashes and we finally have it,“ Craddick stated. “This delivers a strong message to Texas drivers to stop texting, put down their phone, and keep their eyes on the road. Like AT&T says: It can wait.”

How We Keep Your Life Running After a Car Wreck

“The moments after you suffer injuries in a car wreck can be the most terrifying time of your life,” stated Amy Witherite. “And even after you have left the crash site, your life may come to a halt, because you can’t work for some time, or you are having to visit the doctor several times a week.

At 1-800-Car-Wreck our goal is to keep your life running and get you back on your feet. Call us today to see how we do all the small things to ensure that you never feel alone.

SOURCES

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/dangers-texting-while-driving
http://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/Distracted-Driving
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-legislature/2017/03/15/texas-house-gives-initial-approval-statewide-texting-driving-banEberstein Witherite, LLP

Phone: 800-779-6665

Email: lucy.tiseo@ewlawyers.com

Connect with Eberstein Witherite on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+

source: http://www.1800-car-wreck.com/texas-new-texting-driving-law-promising-loopholes-remain.html

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ReleaseID: 24722

Dallas, Texas, 07/20/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Getting pulled over for drunk driving is a scary experience and a criminal offense with potentially serious consequences. But what if you’re pulled over with a minor in your car? DWI with a child in the car in Texas takes that already very serious criminal offense and ratchets it up considerably. Not only do you face enhanced penalties for having a minor passenger in your vehicle, but you could face a child protective services investigation as well. If you’re involved in this type of case, you need a Texas DWI attorney on your side.

What Happens If I’m Pulled Over for DWI with a Child in the Car in Texas?

If you’re pulled over for driving while intoxicated (DWI) with any passenger who is younger than 15, you can be charged with DWI with a child in the car in Texas. The law applies regardless of whether the child is your child or not. Furthermore, this charge applies even if you’re not involved in an accident. In other words, the child doesn’t have to be injured or involved in a crash for prosecutors to pursue this enhanced type of DWI.

Under the state penal code, DWI with a child in the car in Texas is a state jail felony. This is different from a regular DWI, which is a misdemeanor. Because driving drunk with a child passenger is punished as a felony, you can face serious penalties, including a fine of up to $10,000 and between 180 days and two years in state prison.

Additionally, you may also be required to perform community service, attend alcohol abuse education programs, complete probation, or have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle.

The Serious Consequences of a DWI with a Child Passenger

It goes without saying that any crime involving children is punished more severely than criminal offenses that don’t involve kids. The way the law sees it, children don’t have the ability to protect themselves. They rely on adults — typically their parents — to keep them safe from harm. When you drive drunk with a child in the car, you put yourself, your child, and everyone on the road at risk.

If you’re convicted of DWI with a child in the car in Texas, you’ll have a criminal record. This can stop you from getting certain jobs or professional licensing. For example, teachers or daycare workers are likely going to have a difficult time finding any employment if they’ve been convicted of DWI with a child in the car in Texas. The same is typically true for bus drivers and anyone who works with kids.

Speak to a Texas DWI Attorney Today

A drunk driving charge is always a serious matter. A conviction has the potential to derail your career and damage your personal life. Get in touch with a Texas DWI attorney today to discuss the options in your case.

Dallas DWI Attorney Broden & Mickelsen, LLP

http://www.brodenmickelsen.com/

Broden & Mickelsen, LLP

2600 State St Dallas, Texas 75204

Main Phone:  214-731-4949

Office Direction

Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer on Facebook

SOURCE: Broden & Mickelsen

Sources:

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.49.htm

source: http://www.brodenmickelsen.com/blog/dwi-child-car-texas/

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ReleaseID: 24716

Boca Raton, FL, USA, 07/19/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

The facts of every car accident case are unique and it’s those facts that normally make the difference between a successful legal claim and one that gets dismissed. In order to get all the relevant facts about an accident there needs to be an investigation, which is a critical part of what we do when we represent injured victims of vehicle accidents, says Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne.

Watch a short video of an Osborne attorney discussing the importance of investigation.

A case in point is the recent accident involving tennis star Venus Williams near her home in Palm Beach Gardens. After a quick investigation local police released a report claiming Williams was at fault for the June 9 collision that caused fatal injuries to Jerome Barson, 78, according to the Sun Sentinel. Williams wasn’t injured in the crash. Linda Barson, Jerome’s wife, was driving their vehicle.

Williams’ SUV was in an intersection when it was struck by a vehicle in which Barson was a passenger. Later video footage of the accident was released and the police switched direction, stating that given what the video shows Williams “lawfully entered” the intersection and was not at fault.

Police stated the collision wasn’t as simple as previously announced. The video showed a third car was involved.

A Nissan Altima cut off Williams, making a left turn in front of her, causing her to stop in the busy intersection to avoid hitting it.

Police determined she had the green light when she came into the intersection, stopped then proceeded forward when the accident took place.

Williams’ SUV was T-boned in the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and Ballen Isles Drive by Barson’s vehicle. He died two weeks later due to his injuries.

Police state their investigation is continuing. Barson’s family has sued Williams in a wrongful death lawsuit. Whether the Barson lawsuit will ultimately be successful or not is not known. But this incident has several lessons for those of us looking in from the outside,

It’s important to contact an attorney as early as possible after an accident. One reason is so an investigation can take place.

Normally a police report is the starting point for an investigation. After we get a copy we at least try to speak to any witnesses to the accident to get a better idea as to what happened and why.

We send our staff or a private investigator to take pictures of the scene of the accident as quickly as possible. This way we can document skid marks and any marks or damage to nearby telephone or light poles, guardrails or jersey barriers. Any photos taken from the scene just after the accident can also be very helpful.

As in this case, videos of accidents may be critical to a legal claim’s outcome. That video may be shot by security cameras trained on a roadway or intersection or cameras from nearby buildings and businesses where the roadway is in the background. Increasingly drivers are mounting forward facing cameras in their cars which may help document an accident.

We may hire an accident reconstruction specialist to put all the evidence together to come to a conclusion as to how and why the accident happened and who may be at fault.

This can be a complex process. As this accident shows, the situation may not be as simple as it originally appeared. To do a thorough investigation you need to know about the law and how to obtain evidence from multiple parties. You don’t want to trust just any law firm with this kind of work. We perform investigations for our clients day in and day out and we’ve been doing them for many years. It’s not the kind of situation where you should retain a law firm that will learn by doing the investigation into the accident that seriously injured you or resulted in the death of a loved one.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident, contact Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne at (561) 800-4011 or fill out this online contact form. You can discuss your case, how the law may apply and your best legal options to protect your rights and obtain compensation for your injuries.

Press Contact:

Personal injury lawyer Joseph Osborne
561-800-4011

source: http://www.oa-lawfirm.com/every-case-needs-investigated-says-boca-car-accident-lawyer-joe-osborne/

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ReleaseID: 24713

Wichita Falls, Texas, USA, 07/20/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Global Spectrum Consultants, LLC. has been verified as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business and has been added to the Veteran business database at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/Public/Search/ViewSearchResults.aspx?SCID=3579694 by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Veterans Enterprise.

Global Spectrum Consultants, LLC. is eligible to participate in Veterans First Contracting Program opportunities with the VA.

“We’re very happy to have the SDVOSB certification and to be able to participate in the Veterans First Contracting Program. It was an honor and privilege to serve our country and we are excited to serve our customers in the federal government. We look forward to furthering our business in the public sector as well.,” said Chief Executive Officer, Mark Jones

The SDVOSB designation is reserved for business owners who have served in the military and have a service-related disability. The VA requires veteran-owned small businesses to complete a rigorous vetting process in order to earn the certification. This scrutiny ensures only quality service-disabled veterans can qualify for certain federal government projects and non-competitive contracting opportunities. As a SDVOSB recipient, Global Spectrum Consultants, LLC. is immediately positioned to obtain sole source contracts up to $4M and pursue SDVOSB government Set-Aside contracts.

“This is an exciting time for Global Spectrum Consultants. This designation means a great deal to our team. We can pursue new and emerging government contracting opportunities that leverage our diverse range of capabilities.,” said Mark Jones, Chief Executive Officer. “As a small business, SDVOSB provides greater opportunities for us to fully leverage our premium computer product equipment and technology driven solutions.”

About Global Spectrum Consultants:

Global Spectrum Consultants, LLC. is a service disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) who is focused on the latest cutting edge technologies, voip phone systems, business communications hardware, web design/development, disaster recovery, point of sales installation and upgrades, security and surveillance hardware, hosted pbx, satellite solutions, and the broadband market which makes us well positioned to be able to fulfill our objectives. Global Spectrum Consultants, LLC. is a preferred re-seller and unique distributor of premium computer products, services and solutions to both the commercial and federal markets.

Contact for Further Information:

Mark Jones CEO

Global Spectrum Consultants LLC

717 Ohio Ave
Suite 123
Wichita Falls,TX 76301

940-228-1407

info@globalspectrumconsultants.com

http://globalspectrumconsultants.com

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ReleaseID: 24725

New Jersey, 07/20/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

When you’re struggling with a Drug & alcohol addiction, it can help to know you’re not alone. Alcoholism affects 13.8 million Americans, but stats like this can feel like just another number when you’re in the grips of a serious dependency on alcohol.

Sometimes, it helps to have a role model to look up to. Knowing that another person went through what you’re going through and came out stronger — and sober — can be inspiring. Here are 20 celebrities that stopped drinking alcohol. 

Bradley Cooper – He may be the sexiest man alive, but Bradley Cooper once struggled with a serious alcohol addiction. In 2014, he told GQ that he gave up drugs and alcohol because they were sabotaging not on his career, but his entire life.

Russell Brand – Like many comedians, Russell Brand was addicted to drugs and alcohol. He celebrated 10 years of sobriety in 2012 and has been quoted as saying, “Anyone can get clean, one day at a time.”

Edie Falco – The Sopranos and Nurse Jackie actress have been sober for over two decades.

Matthew Perry – Friends star Matthew Perry completed rehab in the late 90s due to an addiction to Vicodin. As part of his recovery, he also gave up alcohol.

Kristin Davis – The Sex and the City star has been sober since age 22.

Eminem – The rapper says he worried that he wouldn’t be able to record a hit song once he went sober. He now says he can’t remember the last time he used drugs or alcohol.

Colin Farrell – Farrell announced he was seven years sober on The Ellen Show.

Kelly Osbourne – Kelly Osbourne says it took her several tries in rehab to achieve sobriety. Despite relapsing, she says she managed to kick her addiction.

Keith Urban – The country singer said it took him a long time to realize he had a problem. He has been sober for six years.

Gerard Butler – Butler has battled both a drug and alcohol addiction. He has been sober for 15 years.

Tobey Maguire – The Spiderman star struggled with addiction as a teen. He has been sober since age 19.

Rob Lowe – Lowe, who has been sober for 23 years, says that sobriety is something people have to want for themselves, not a spouse, parent, or friend. “[T]he only thing that works is that you have to want to get sober for you.”

Eva Medes – The actress and model have been quoted as saying, “I’m proud of people who have the determination and the fearlessness to actually go and face their demons and get better. This is a life or death situation.” Medes completed rehab in 2008.

Kat Von D – The tattoo artist and makeup creator have been sober for six years.

Robert Downey Jr. – Perhaps more than any other Hollywood actor, Robert Downey Jr. is an example of how persistence can pay off. After several bouts of relapse, he has been sober for over a decade.

Tim McGraw – The country star says he gave up drinking for his daughters.

Ben Affleck – Affleck completed rehab in 2001.

Jada Pinkett Smith – Jada Pinkett Smith said she found herself drinking two bottles of wine every night when she realized she had an alcohol problem.

Christina Ricci – Ricci says she has been sober since her early 20s.

Joe Manganiello – The actor says he stopped drinking after experiencing an alcohol addiction in his early 20s.

Summit Behavioral Health:

Clients who walk through the door of Summit know from the first encounter they are not alone. Providing state of the art and individualized care is paramount to a lasting recovery.

Alcoholism affects us all in one way or another. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction to alcohol call us today.

Other Resources for you:
To learn more about The Risks Of Mixing Alcohol With Medication in our previous blog post

Read our blog post: Will I Need Additional Treatment After Drug Detox?

Maria Ulmer, Chief Operating Officer

Maria is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Addiction Counseling with over 15 years of experience in the addiction and mental health treatment fields. She has worked in a wide variety of addiction treatment settings as both a clinician and an administrator. To learn more about her visit https://www.summitbehavioralhealth.com/about-us/team/

Summit Behavioral Health offers both inpatient and outpatient programs to help people overcome prescription drug addiction, alcohol abuse disorder, and co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rebecca O’Mara  

Executive Director Brand Management

rebeccaomara@summithelps.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SummitHelps/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/summitbh

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/2658226/

Google: https://plus.google.com/+Summithelps

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/summithelps/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summitbehavioralhealth/

#NewJerseyDetoxCenters

Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/17/celebrities-sober-straight-edge_n_4115017.html

source: https://www.serenityatsummit.com/blog/celebrities-gave-up-alcohol-for-sobriety/

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ReleaseID: 24719

New Jersey, 07/18/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

If you’ve ever spent a hot summer day on a boat or lounging around a pool, you know that the sun intensifies the effects of alcohol. High temps and the hot sun beating down leads to dehydration, and this can make anyone more susceptible to intoxication.

Sadly, alcohol plays a prominent role in water recreation deaths. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), drinking is a factor in 70 percent of all water recreation fatalities.  

How Alcohol Affects Swimmers

The NIAAA states that alcohol and swimming are a deadly combination. Alcohol impairs your judgment and causes many people to take risks they ordinarily would not. “Even experienced swimmers may venture out farther than they should and not be able to make it back to shore.” When people consume alcohol at the pool or on the beach, they are more likely to drown.

Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional death in the United States. Each day, about 10 people drown in the U.S. About one in five drowning victims are children under 14 years old. A study conducted in Australia found that 66 percent of drowning victims would have failed a sobriety test at the time of their death.

How Alcohol Affects Boaters

Alcohol is a factor in 60 percent of boating accidents. People are very familiar with the laws regarding drinking and driving a car, but they’re less acquainted with laws that govern drinking and boating. In many cases, people don’t realize that boating and drinking is a crime and that police can and do arrest people for BUI (boating under the influence).

According to the NIAAA, a boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration over .01 percent is 16 times more likely to be involved in a fatal boating accident than a sober boat operator.

Tips for Staying Sober in the Sun

If you’re around people who consume alcohol around the pool, at the beach, or on a boat, it can be challenging to say no to a drink.

Connect with sober friends – Be choosy about the people you spend your time with. If you know certain friends are heavy drinkers, make an effort to spend more time with friends who don’t use alcohol to enhance their fun.

Stay hydrated – The hot sun can cause you to quickly become dehydrated, which can make it tempting to reach for a cold beer or quick cocktail. Buy yourself a fun water bottle and keep cool by staying hydrated. You’ll be less likely to drink alcohol to cool off.

Speak up – If you feel comfortable, let your friends know you’re newly sober. Most people are very understanding and will avoid offering you drinks or consuming alcohol around you. This support can be invaluable as you get through the summer season sober.

Summit is the support you can trust

Alcoholism for some has become the enemy. You will not meet a human being who does not enjoy a good time but some may only achieve a good time through the consumption of alcohol. It then becomes an addiction that cannot be ignored.

If your daily life is filtered through the lenses of the next needed drink..then you need help.

Call our behavioral health professionals today at 1-844-643-3869 to speak to a substance abuse expert about your treatment options.

Other Resources for you:
To learn more about The Beginnings Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse in our previous blog post

Read our blog post:  The Risk of Binge Drinking for College Kids.

Michael Karl MH, LCADC

Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services and is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the State of NJ.

Call Mike Karl today to find the facility nearest you for Detox, Outpatient, and Residential Services!

https://www.summitbehavioralhealth.com/locations/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rebecca O’Mara  

 Executive Director Brand Management

rebeccaomara@summithelps.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SummitHelps/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/summitbh

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/2658226/

Google: https://plus.google.com/+Summithelps

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/summithelps/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summitbehavioralhealth/

Sources:
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/news-events/news-noteworthy/niaaa-fact-sheet-risky-drinking-can-put-chill-your-summer-fun
https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-07/500-alcohol-related-drownings-among-men-over-decade-study/8423568

source: https://www.summitbehavioralhealth.com/blog/recreation-deaths-involve-alcohol/

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ReleaseID: 24692

Dallas, Texas, 07/18/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Stand your ground laws occasionally make headlines when a homeowner or property owner prevents an intruder from entering their home. Because laws vary from state to state, and even the names for these laws can be different depending on the jurisdiction, people sometimes wonder what rights they have when it comes to defending themselves and their property.

About half the states in the U.S. have some version of what is commonly called the “stand your ground” law. In some states, the law is referred to as “the castle doctrine,” which is named after the saying “a person’s home is his castle.” You may also hear these types of laws called a “line in the sand” law or a “no duty to retreat” law.

Texas has a stand your ground law. If you have questions about the Texas stand your ground law, or you’ve been charged with a crime after protecting yourself through self-defense, it’s important to speak to a Dallas Texas criminal defense lawyer.  

Self-Defense Laws in General

No matter where you’re located in the country, it’s generally the rule that people have the right to use deadly force any time they have a reasonable belief that is necessary to stop another person from injuring or killing them. This is what’s known as “self-defense.” In other words, you don’t have to simply stand still and let someone strike you or attack you.

You have the right to defend yourself, but you can’t use unreasonable or excessive force. To use an obvious example, if someone comes at you with a feather, you can’t pull out a knife. In that case, it’s pretty obvious that you’re not going to get hurt. But there are plenty of cases in which the question of “reasonable belief of harm” is not so clear. For example, what if someone attacks you with a glass beer bottle? The broken edge of glass can do serious damage. Or what about a toy handgun that has had the orange tip removed or painted over? It’s easy to see how, in the heat of the moment, a person might believe their life is in danger and react accordingly.

Stand Your Ground Law in Texas

In Texas, individuals have no duty to retreat when they have a reasonable belief they are in danger of bodily harm or death if they’re threatened in their home, in their vehicle, or at their job. To raise the Texas stand your ground law defense, the person must be able to show that they didn’t provoke the person who attacked them. They must also be able to show that they weren’t breaking any laws at the time of the incident.   

Contact an Experienced Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer  

As you might imagine, Texas stand your ground law cases can be extremely complicated. The law gives Texans the right to protect themselves. If you defended yourself from harm or the threat of death, you have the right to raise the stand your ground law as a defense. It’s important to work with a Texas criminal defense lawyer who can help.

Sources:

http://codes.findlaw.com/tx/penal-code/penal-sect-9-31.html
https://everytownresearch.org/documents/2015/04/shoot-first.pdf

Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer Broden & Mickelsen, LLP

Broden & Mickelsen, LLP

2600 State St Dallas, Texas 75204

Main Phone:  214-731-4949

Office Direction

Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer on Facebook

SOURCE: Broden & Mickelsen

http://www.brodenmickelsen.com/

source: http://www.brodenmickelsen.com/blog/texas-stand-ground-law-explained/

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ReleaseID: 24698

Dallas, Texas, 07/18/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

The United States is a big country with a lot of wide, open spaces. In flat states with long stretches of highway, it’s not unusual to see semi-trucks with two or more trailers. In hillier states and the vast majority of states in the eastern half of the country, however, you won’t see these “mega” trucks.

The proper name for these supersized semis is “long combination vehicle.” You might also hear them referred to as “triple trailers.” Driving next to one can be a stressful experience — especially in high winds.

Which States Allow Long Combination Vehicles?

The majority of states, including Texas, prohibit long combination vehicles. Additionally, long combination vehicles have been banned on federal highways since 1991.

States that permit long combination vehicles distinguish them not by the number of trailers they pull but by the length of the trailers. States that permit double and triple trailers also restrict them to specific routes.

States that allow doubles less than 100 feet – Washington, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, and Nebraska.

States that allow double up to and over 100 feet – New York, Florida, and Massachusetts.

States that allow doubles less than 100 feet and triples – Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Utah.

States that allow doubles up to and over 100 feet and triples – Oklahoma, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.

Pro-Trucking Advocates Say Long Combination Vehicles Are Too Dangerous

Interestingly, both sides of the trucking safety aisle say that long combination vehicles are too dangerous for the roads. Whatever they gain in efficiency is more than lost in the hazards they pose.

They may be able to move twice as much freight as a regular semi with one trailer, but they put everyone on the road at a much higher risk of being involved in a serious accident. In some cases, even a double trailer can stretch up to 130 feet. These vehicles also weigh well over the 80,000 maximum pound weight permitted for the overwhelming majority of semis.

Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Discusses Double and Triple Trailers

Amy Witherite states: “If you take a road trip through the western half of the country, or you drive on the turnpike or toll road in certain states, you’re likely to spot at least one double or triple trailer. If you find yourself in the vicinity of one of these semi-trucks, maintain a safe distance and pay extra attention to safety. These vehicles have massive blind spots, so be especially vigilant about passing or changing lanes around them.”   

If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck crash, or you have lost someone you love in a truck wreck, compassionate and experienced legal help is available today. Contact a Texas truck accident lawyer right away to discuss your rights and options.

Sources:

https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/nat_freight_stats/docs/10factsfigures/figure3_4.htm

The Long Combination Vehicle: Legalized Weapons On Your Public Highways

Media Contact:
Lucy Tiseo
1-800-Truck-Wreck ®  Eberstein Witherite #WeKeepLifeRunning
Phone: 800-878-2597
Email: lucy.tiseo@ewlawyers.com
1800truckwreck.com
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source: http://www.1800truckwreck.com/texas-truck-accident-lawyer-discusses-mega-trucks.html

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ReleaseID: 24695

Dallas, TX, USA, 07/17/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

A man in Florida recently spent 90 days in jail for possession of suspected cocaine, which lab tests later confirmed was not cocaine reports Dallas drug lawyer John Helms. The man was a construction worker, and he had white powder on the seat and floorboard of his car when police stopped him. Presumably, it was drywall dust, but the police field tested it, and the test was positive for cocaine. It took three months for lab tests to clear him.

The field test that the police used is called “NarcoPouch.” It is made by a company called Safariland from Ontario, California. It is used by police departments across the country even though its reliability is highly questionable. In fact, the company that makes it cautions that it should not be used to determine whether someone should be prosecuted or convicted.

If it is not reliable enough for a prosecution decision, why is it used at all? The reason is that a positive test result can be enough to provide “probable cause” to arrest someone. “Probable cause” is the standard the police need to arrest someone, but it is a very low standard. It is even lower than “more likely than not”—in other words, it does not even mean 51% likely.

If you are arrested based on a field test that comes back positive for an illegal drug, what should you do? First, tell your drug possession defense lawyer as soon as possible. Especially if it is early in the case, do not assume that the lawyer knows. It may be too early in the case for the lawyer to be entitled to get police reports that would show what happened during the arrest.

Second, if there is any doubt about whether the substance tested was illegal, encourage the lawyer to push for a lab test as soon as possible. Many police departments do not normally do lab tests unless the case is about to go to trial. This is because most police departments do not have their own lab, and they send suspected drugs to an outside lab. This costs money, which they would rather not have to spend if the case is not going to trial.

I know a lot about the importance of lab testing. Several years ago, my cocounsel and I tried two of the “fake drugs” criminal trials in Dallas. We represented a Dallas Police officer who was accused of participating in a scheme with confidential police informants to have people arrested for distributing “fake drugs.” The informants were paid by the Dallas Police Department for helping the police make drug busts. They got a certain amount of money for every kilo of drugs the police seized with their help. The informants were drug dealers. They quickly realized that they could make a lot more money creating their own “drug deals” than they could helping the police stop real drug deals. They packaged up pool chalk in bricks to look like kilos of real cocaine, and they sprinkled a little real cocaine on the top so that the field tests would turn out positive. They would offer to pay someone money to drive a car with fake cocaine in the trunk to a location, and they would tell the police where and when the driver would show up. The police would then arrest them, and the field test would be positive. The drivers thought they were delivering real cocaine, so they would plead guilty before lab testing. The informants would be paid a lot of money for the seizures of what the police thought was real cocaine.

We were able to show that our client, the police officer, was fooled by this too, and he never got any extra pay or bonus for the seizures. Since then, Dallas County started lab testing suspected drugs whether the case was going to trial or not. The point, though, is that field tests are never a substitute for lab tests.

If you or a loved one has been accused of possessing or delivering illegal drugs, you need to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer with experience handling drug cases. This is especially true if it is a federal case. Not all criminal defense lawyers have experience handling federal drug cases. As a former federal prosecutor, I have handled drug cases from the beginning through trial on both the prosecution and defense side. Drug cases involve serious potential punishment. Make sure you hire a lawyer who is an expert in this kind of case.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug offense or are facing federal drug charges, contact Dallas drug  lawyer John Helms immediately. Call 214-666-8010.

source: http://johnhelms.attorney/dallas-drug-lawyer-explains-protect-unreliable-field-tests/

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ReleaseID: 24674

Boca Raton, FL, USA, 07/17/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

When it comes to laws making Florida roads and highways safer the state gets a failing grade from the National Safety Council (NSC). It found that other states are taking traffic safety more seriously and enacting measures that can save lives, while Florida chooses not to. Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne says state government’s lack of focus on safety results in injuries and deaths that need not have happened.

The NSC is a nonprofit organization that advocates for safety on our roads, workplaces, homes and communities. Its mission is to eliminate preventable deaths in our society. The organization engaged in a year-long project to rate states on actions and policies they have taken, or chosen not to take, to reduce risks and improve safety for all residents.

Their State of Safety report concerns each state’s laws and policies on safety as it relates to road safety, home and community safety and workplace safety. Florida’s overall grade for NSC’s three main issues of concern was a D, a grade shared by 14 other states. No state received an A overall, eight states received a B, 17 states were rated as a C and eleven states got an overall failing grade of F. Half of the states got an overall better grade than Florida while only eleven were rated worse on safety issues.

As far as road safety is concerned Florida received an F, ranking 44th of the 50 states, with 2,983 traffic accident fatalities in 2015.

Specific issues with the state include:

No ignition interlock devices for all first time and repeat DUI offenders are required. These devices would require a breath analysis not showing alcohol before a vehicle could start.

There is no requirement for rear-facing car seats through age two nor are child restraints or booster seats for passengers through age eight required.

The state lacks a total cellphone ban for drivers.

Older drivers need not get their driver’s license renewed in person.

Seatbelt use isn’t required by all occupants in all seating positions.

There is no urban interstate speed limit of 55 mph.

There is no young passenger restriction for twelve months for newly licensed drivers.

Use of motorcycle helmets is not mandatory.

Motorists are not required to stop for pedestrians in uncontrolled walkways or roadways.

Though no state received an overall A grade for safety, seven states received an A for road safety.

Road safety is no accident. Though putting a law on the books doesn’t mean that everyone will comply, it sends a message as to what’s acceptable behavior and what’s not. Those who violate laws meant to protect motorists and pedestrians can be held accountable through receiving tickets or facing criminal charges, in addition to facing civil lawsuits if breaking the law results in injuries or deaths to others.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury caused in a vehicle accident, contact Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne at (561) 800-4011 or fill out this online contact form. You can discuss your case, how the law may apply and your best legal options to protect your rights and obtain compensation for your injuries.

source: http://www.oa-lawfirm.com/florida-gets-failing-safety-grade-says-boca-car-accident-lawyer-joe-osborne/

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ReleaseID: 24677