Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can You Chase a Hit-and-Run Driver?
Technically yes, at least in some cases, but chasing a hit-and-run driver is a bad idea. Texas has a very broad citizen arrest law. Non-officers may detain suspects if, within the non-officer’s view, they commit any crime that violates public peace. Pretty much any crime, especially a violent crime like injury hit-and-run, falls into… Read More »
South Asian Train Derailment Survivors Struggle with PTSD
While we deal with our own Ohio train derailment, a similar event a half-world away highlights the emotional issues that accident victims face. About half of the Balasore triple train accident survivors at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack are dealing with PTSD. Dr. Jashobanta Mahapatra, associate professor of the Clinical Psychology Department,… Read More »
Breaking Down Swimming Pool Injuries in Texas
Unintentional drownings are the leading case of death for children under four. A child this age can drown in as little as one inch of water. So, for safety purposes, the kiddie pool might as well be the high-dive pool. The safety outlook isn’t much better for older children. Drowning is the leading cause… Read More »
What Causes Car Crashes?
Media reports often refer to these incidents as “accidents,” but that’s usually not the case. The A-word implies that the incident was inevitable and unavoidable. Instead, some form of driver error causes over 98 percent of the car crashes in Texas. Common kinds of driver error, as well as the responsible causes in the… Read More »
Overcoming Motorcycle Crash Defenses In Texas
Despite coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, in 2020, the number of fatal motorcycle wrecks hit an all-time high. Even if these victims survive, they normally sustain catastrophic (life-threatening) injuries. These injuries include TBIs (traumatic brain injuries), PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), severe broken bones, and other wounds that are normally permanent, at least to an extent…. Read More »
Dual Fatal Semi-Truck Wreck In Mont Belvieu
A mother and child are dead after the mother’s SUV collided with a semi-truck attempting an illegal U-turn. Mont Belvieu police said initial information indicated the tractor-trailer rig was traveling northbound on Eagle Drive, and attempted a U-turn across both lanes of traffic. The truck became stuck in the right-of-way area during the U-turn,… Read More »
Drowsy Truck Driver Rules Changes Backfire
During and after the pandemic, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rolled back many hours of service safety laws. Despite these changes, the number of violations increased. The agency did not offer an explanation for the spike in HOS and HOS out-of-service driver violations, but suggested the COVID-19 pandemic could have influenced the outcome…. Read More »
What’s The Difference Between A TBI And An ABI?
Sudden extreme motion or other force usually causes a Traumatic Brain Injury. Medical conditions, like strokes and birth complications, usually cause Acquired Brain Injuries. Unlike TBIs, ABIs, which are usually related to hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain), often occur slowly over time. Over five million Americans live with a TBI or ABI…. Read More »
Left Hook And Right Cross Bicycle Accidents In Texas
Since 2010, bicycle crashes in Texas have seriously injured more than 10,000 people. Other than thin plastic or foam bicycle helmets, which many riders don’t wear, bicyclists are completely exposed to danger. Given the size and speed of today’s cars and trucks, that danger is considerable. That’s especially true in the kinds of bicycle… Read More »
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
When pedestrians are killed or seriously injured, these incidents may be unintentional, but they are not accidents. People accidentally leave the water running. They don’t accidentally strike pedestrians who are in a crosswalk or directly in their path. When people make such mistakes, they should accept the consequences of those mistakes. In this context,… Read More »