In some situations, the elder abuse nursing homes allow to go on includes instances where elderly people are given too much of a drug they are prescribed in order to keep them docile. Sometimes, staff members who are incompetent and who do not know how to actually take care of the people they are in charge of will rely upon over medicating them as a way to keep them out of trouble. Unfortunately, this obviously endangers the life of the patients. You should contact a nursing home neglect attorney if this has happened to one of your loved ones.

The Signs

One of the things that elderly people in situations like this have working in their favor is the fact that medications are generally monitored very closely at nursing homes, particularly medications which have effects on the brain and painkillers, which can also be used to calm people down.

There are some drugs, however, that are easy to overmedicate elderly people with. When staff members figure this out and use it to abuse them, there are usually some signs that you'll start to see.

• Lethargy
• Fast decline in mental capacity
• Appearance of being intoxicated
• Agitation
• Changes in eating habits
• Significant weight gain or loss

Not too surprisingly, many of the symptoms are the same types of things you would see in somebody who is abusing drugs voluntarily. When medications are given in too great a quantity, their effects become exaggerated and their side effects become more likely to occur, in some cases. If you do discover that your loved one is being overmedicated – or that any of the other people at the nursing home are being overmedicated – you need to contact the authorities. You will also need to contact a physician to look after the health of your loved one.

Isn't it Safe if it's From a Doctor?

Simply because a drug is prescribed by a doctor doesn't mean that it cannot kill your loved one or at least end up causing very unpleasant effects due to overdose. If your loved one is in a nursing home and relies on the staff to provide them with competent care, any behavior involving overmedicating them is most certainly negligent.

Contact an attorney right away if your loved one has been the victim of a nursing home where they were overmedicated. These situations are far too common and they pose grave risks to the health and well-being of nursing home residents.

Women who have had children vaginally or suffered an injury to the vaginal area can often experience a weakening of the muscles known as the "pelvic floor."  The pelvic floor sits atop the vagina and supports the abdominal organ much as the foundation of a house supports the walls.  If these muscles are damaged or weakened, the abdominal organs can sag out of place and put pressure on the bladder, rectum, and other organs located in the pelvis.  This situation is more common as women age, but even young women can suffer from displacement of pelvic organs, known as pelvic organ prolapse, or POP.

In the past, it was common to do surgery to correct POP, but the surgery simply involved “tacking up” the muscles to give them support.  In the 1950s mesh implants began to be used for hernia repairs, and by the 1990s these mesh implant devices were manufactured to treat POP conditions.

However, the Federal Food and Drug Administration received numerous complaints almost immediately about problems with transvaginal mesh procedures.  The FDA released transvaginal mesh for public use in 2002, claiming it was "safe."  However, between 2008 and 2010, over 1,500 complaints were filed with the FDA and at least seven women died as a result of complications from transvaginal mesh procedures.  Some experts estimate that at least 15 percent of women who receive transvaginal mesh implants will require a second surgery to repair accidental absorption or failure of the mesh device.

Transvaginal mesh attorneys represent victims who have suffered side effects from transvaginal mesh procedures.  Common to rare side effects include pain; bleeding; absorption of the mesh into the bladder, vagina, or rectum; infection; and damage to pelvic muscles and organs.  Second surgeries to repair or replace vaginal mesh implants may be required for some patients. 

Transvaginal mesh lawyers can help victims who have suffered from transvaginal mesh implants collect doctor and hospital bills, costs for medication, and even compensation for pain and suffering.  The number of lawsuits that may be filed against the five major manufacturers of transvaginal mesh is hard to guess, but if at least fifteen percent of all transvaginal mesh recipients suffer such debilitating symptoms that they require a second surgery, it is likely that many women will be turning to the manufacturers of these products for compensation.  If you believe you are a victim of transvaginal mesh side effects, be sure to talk to a transvaginal mesh attorney immediately.

GPS units can be great tools if you're taking a long trip or even just trying to find a new address around Dallas. As much as they can help you, they can still pose hazards in some situations. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're using these devices.

1: They Aren't Always Right

GPS units aren't 100% accurate. They can sometimes lose their connections to the satellites on which they depend and, when they do, they may start giving you the wrong directions. If you find yourself suddenly making U-turns and having other issues, you may just want to look at a map. GPS units don't always know if a street is one-way, so be careful when you're driving down town.

2: Watch Out for Construction

Some GPS units will be updated to reflect changes in roads due to new construction and some will not. Be sure you're on your guard if you hit an area where there's construction. If you listen to your GPS and disregard your own instincts as a driver, you may end up having an accident like turning onto a barricaded route or having some other type of wreck.

3: Pay Attention

Preferably, you should have your GPS mounted in a place where you can see it without taking your eyes off of the road. The dashboard or on a suction cup mount on the windshield both make great placements. If you have your GPS mounted below eye level, listen to the directions it gives you but be aware that looking down at the map may distract you from the road. Heads-up mounts are always preferable.

4: Use GPS Units and Maps Together

Maps are still valuable tools to have in your car. They don't run out of battery and, even if your GPS goes out, you should have enough of an idea of where you are to be able to navigate from a map, even if you're not particularly good with them. Make sure you use all your available resources to navigate, don't depend on only one.

5: Spare Batteries

Carrying spare batteries for your unit is always a good idea. If you have a GPS that charges directly off of the accessory port, you should still carry spares.

Taking trips during the summer months can be a lot of fun. Aside from getting lost, however, there are plenty of drivers out there that pose real hazards. Call a car accident lawyer if you're injured by a negligent driver. A Dallas car wreck attorney can help you no matter where the wreck took place.

Almost half of the medical negligence cases filed every year involve a missed diagnosis. These are actually potentially deadlier situations than you may think at first. There are some cases where a doctor missing a diagnosis results in a condition getting much worse than it likely would have otherwise or even become fatal.

When Are Diagnoses Missed?

A doctor may miss a diagnosis for many different reasons. They may not take the time required to make a good assessment of your health or they may simply be negligent and fail to deliver on the knowledge and skills that they are expected to have. There are situations, where it is not the doctor's fault and you should be aware of such situations before you decide to sue.

The doctor is likely not negligent if:

• You conceal symptoms
• You refuse to undergo diagnostic procedures the doctor recommends
• You never report symptoms

A good physician will make sure that they take every measure necessary to determine what's wrong with you if you present with symptoms of a disorder. They cannot treat you for conditions that you do not report or if you fail to take their advice. For example, if a doctor is worried about your cough, recommends a chest x-ray that you refuse and a year later you find out you have state III lung cancer, you can't blame the doctor. They gave you competent and sensible advice and you refused in this example.

If the doctor, however, said that you had nothing to worry about, that the cough didn't need to be investigated and that you should just go home and you found out that same bad news a year later, contacting a medical malpractice lawyer would be highly advisable.

Accurately reading scans and x-rays is key to a diagnosis. Make sure that your physician is requesting the right tests, evaluating the results and then making the proper recommendations. If he or she doesn't, that could be grounds for a lawsuit.

Contacting a Lawyer

If a doctor missed a diagnosis they should have caught and you came to harm because of that, contact an attorney. An attorney will be able to advise you about whether or not it's worth it for you to consider filing a lawsuit.

Not every lawsuit wins. Sometimes, however, a jury will find that you were wronged and that the doctor was negligent and may hand down an award that will allow you to start recovering from the financial damage a major illness can cause. The doctor's insurance company may end up offering a settlement, as well, to lessen their risk of having to pay a very large jury award.

Black box labels, black box warnings and boxed warnings all refer to the same thing. The terms refer to a type of warning the FDA imposes on drug manufacturers to make sure that their customer knows about the risks that drugs pose. There are no stronger warnings given for drugs in the US than a black label. The implication of these warnings is that using the drug that carries the warning could injure or kill you, based on scientific evidence.

Are the Warnings Effective?

There is conflicting evidence as to whether these warnings make it more likely that your doctor will look for an alternative treatment for you. The thing to remember about these warnings is that they mean you need to seriously consider whether or not you want to use the drug that does carry this warning. There may be better options or, if you prefer, you may want to skip drug treatment altogether if it's an option for you. You should discuss this with your doctor but realize that box labels need to be taken very seriously.

Deciding on the Meds

Some of the very commonly-prescribed drugs on the market carry these warnings. Take a look at most antidepressants and you'll find a warning that teenagers and children given these drugs may end up exhibiting suicidal behavior. The drug Champix carries a similar warning regarding thoughts of suicide and suicidal actions.

Warfarin, one of the most commonly-prescribed drugs for blood clots carries a warning that patients are at risk of bleeding to death when they are being treated with the drug. There are many others on the market that carry these warnings and you may have been prescribed them at one time or another.

Exploring Alternatives

If your physician recommends one of these drugs, don't count on them telling you about the warning. Make sure you check the drug itself so that you're adequately warned of the potential side effects. There are already numerous lawsuits in motion over SSRIs and other drugs that are routinely prescribed because of the devastating side effects they sometimes have.

If you lost someone in your family due to these side effects or if you were injured yourself, contact a defective product lawyer about filing a product liability lawsuit. The companies that manufacture these drugs sometimes actually make so much in profit off of them that they lobby hard to keep them available, despite being sued over their effects again and again.

There are many advantages to driving a smaller vehicle like a smart car. Gas mileage, naturally, is usually more impressive with these vehicles. You also have the advantages of easy handling, quick pick-up and, in some cases, very good responsiveness on the road. When you're parking, the tight turn radius and excellent visibility these vehicles tend to have are both tremendous advantages. Here are some things to watch out for when you're on the road in a smaller vehicle. There are a few drawbacks to smaller cars when it comes to safety.

Hard to Be Seen

If you're in a smaller vehicle, drivers in larger vehicles may not notice you. This is particularly true if you are shadowing them too closely from behind or if you happen to be lingering in their blind spot. If you are alongside a vehicle, either get in front of it or drop behind it so that it will not accidentally merge into your Lane, sideswiping you and potentially causing a serious wreck.

Clearance

Generally speaking, smaller cars tend to have much lower clearance than do larger cars. Because of this, you have to be more aware of hazards such as uneven pavement, mud puddles, what's in the road and other dangers that could cause your vehicle to bottom out. This can end up causing a lot of damage to your vehicle, so be aware of how high your vehicle is off of the ground and whether or not you can clear any obstructions you see.

Overloading

Smaller vehicles are generally designed for everyday use. They're not designed to haul a lot of cargo. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to take a very heavy load from place A to place B, consider getting a friend with a pickup or renting a vehicle to do the work. The money you'll pay to hire a vehicle is likely to be much less than you'll pay to fix your suspension or other damage you may cause you your vehicle.

Too Many Passengers

Don't overload your vehicle with passengers. Some compact cars have two seatbelts in the back seat, even though one person could only fit back there comfortably. In subcompact vehicles, it's actually possible to overload your car with people. Remember that compact cars are designed to be efficient; they're not designed to be the town taxi.

If somebody sideswipes you or otherwise injures you, contact a car accident lawyer. A Dallas car accident lawyer may be able to help you by putting together a lawsuit that could when you compensation for your property damage, medical expenses, pain and suffering.

Car accidents that take place in intersections are among the most common and dangerous types. Unfortunately, many of these wrecks could likely be avoided if drivers exhibited just a little more caution. Here are some of the telltale signs that you are on your way to being in a wreck at an intersection.

1: Crowded Conditions

Whenever you approach an intersection and you notice that it is very crowded with drivers, be extra careful. These are situations where a driver making a foolish left turn or pulling out in front of someone into a lane could cause a disaster. Don't be afraid to slow down a bit and assess the situation before you proceed into the intersection.

2: Rush Hour

There are some people out there who simply cannot bear the thought of having to wait for a traffic light to change. To avoid doing so, they will barrel through a yellow light like nobody's business. If you happen to be making a left on the yellow, make certain that nobody is coming. Check twice if you have to. It may actually save your life.

3: Tailgaters

People who tailgate other vehicles are among the most significant threats on the road. This is, in fact, one of the most negligent things that any driver can do. If you have somebody tailgating you, be wary of lights that are about to turn yellow. You can almost bet money on the fact that the driver behind you isn't paying attention to the lights and that they're probably paying attention to your car and venting frustration that you're not driving fast enough for their liking.

4: Wide Turns

In the summer, be particularly wary of people in large vehicles who probably are not professional drivers. For example, recreational vehicles towing boats, large vehicles towing campers and other larger, noncommercial vehicles are all significant threats to everyone else on the road. Be wary of drivers who don't understand how wide they have to turn at an intersection to clear the curb and make sure you stay away from their right side. They very well may sideswipe you otherwise.

A good Dallas car wreck attorney can take a look at situations where you have been injured in a wreck that occurred in an intersection. A car accident lawyer will have seen many of these accidents in the past and will be able to reconstruct yours and see if negligence played a part in how you were injured.

Some vehicle accidents are tough to avoid. There are other cases, however, where a little foresight can work wonders for keeping you from having a wrecked car or worse. Here are 3 types of accidents that you can avoid with just a little bit of effort.

1: Intersection T-Bones

This is the classic accident where someone going through an intersection hits someone else coming from the opposite direction in the side of their car. This is oftentimes caused because the driver coming at the intersection is trying to run a yellow and ends up going too fast to stop before the light actually turns red. If a light is yellow, do not enter the intersection. Yellow means that cars need to clear the intersection before the light change, not that oncoming drivers need to hurry up.

2: Rear End Accidents

In many cases, people get rear ended because the driver that hit them was going way too fast, driving way too close or both. If you have someone harassing you like this, get out of their way and make sure you give them plenty of warning before you do turn or stop. You can also encourage them to pass by giving them some room and slowing down. Either way, be very aware of who's behind you before you turn off of a road and don't follow other cars too closely.

3: Driveway Accidents

Whenever you're coming out of a driveway in reverse, be sure you turn your head and look out the back window of the vehicle. If you don't have a back window, make sure you have good mirrors. It's common for people to end up hitting parked vehicles that they didn't see. If you actually turn your head and look, you're much less likely to have this happen. Be particularly wary on residential streets where people park all along the sides of the road.

A Dallas car wreck attorney can help you if someone causes an accident such as described above, in some cases. It depends upon whether or it was negligence on the part of the other driver that caused the problem. If it was, the other driver may be liable for damages. An attorney can sit down with you and help you determine whether or not it's worth it for you to file a legal action for compensation and, most of the time, they'll do so for no charge as a free consultation.

It's more imperative than ever to have a good Texas malpractice lawyer on your side if you're planning on filing a lawsuit. Malpractice laws in Texas are hostile to the plaintiff. There are caps on damages, very strict limitations on how much time you actually have to file a lawsuit and other issues that make these cases complex.

A Hostile Environment

A recent story in The Dallas Morning News detailed that appellate judges in Texas have been ruling against plaintiffs a great deal in civil cases. The story revealed that the appellate court reversed the judgments of lower courts that favored plaintiffs twice as much as they did decisions favoring defendants.

To illustrate this fact, the following statistic was given:

• Reversal rate for cases where defendant appealed a plaintiff victory: 49%
• Reversal rate for plaintiff appealing defendant victory: 25%

Whatever the reason behind this, it makes it tougher for people seeking justice through the civil courts. You'll want to make sure that the attorney you hire to argue your case does so in a way that makes it very hard for an appellate court to find a reason to reverse a win in your favor.

The Political Climate

There is a combination of factors that play into an overall hostile environment for everyday people who need to file civil lawsuits to receive compensation that they're due. Since 2003, Texas has had limitations in place that affect how much you can get in pain and suffering due to malpractice claims. Of course, there's no limit on the actual pain and suffering a doctor can inflict due to their own negligence.

A good medical malpractice attorney can use appellate courts in strategic ways, but attorneys have to be better than ever to have a chance of getting their clients compensated in the present legal and political environment. Choosing a competent attorney is vital to winning these claims.

Look for an attorney that has a lot of experience, but that also has a lot of wins under their belt. You'll also want to ask about whether their wins have been reversed in the past. There are plenty of forces out there aligned against people who seek compensation for the harm that negligent doctors do and, unfortunately, some of them are in powerful places. Make sure you have an attorney who understands how to use the law to level the playing field for these cases.

In the end, Read lost both of his legs due to the alleged medical malpractice, while also losing his career and his life as he once knew it. At the same time, his wife faces a life caring for her disabled husband, providing financial support, and running the household. 

The Feres Doctrine

Although Colton is suing the United States government for the negligent treatment he received at a military hospital, he will have a very difficult time winning his case because of the 1950 Feres Doctrine. This law prevents all active duty military men from suing the government in the case of personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death under the Federal Tort Claims Act. 

While some service men and women find the law unfair to those who were obviously harmed by negligence or carelessness, others argue that injured military personnel receive compensation and medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs after their injury. 

A number of veterans and their families have attempted to challenge the Feres Doctrine. In 1987, one family brought their case to the United States Supreme Court, only to receive a 5-4 decision in favor of the government. Last year, another family fought to receive compensation for the death of their son after a botched appendectomy, but the court declined to hear the case. Now, Read will attempt to have the doctrine overturned once more. 

Dallas personal injury lawyer

Do you need the assistance of a Texas medical malpractice attorney? Contact Rasansky Law Firm today to get your questions answered and to learn more about your case. 

Let’s take a closer look at four different types of expert witnesses your Texas medical malpractice attorney may utilize in your medical error case: 

• Medical expert. A doctor or physician is able to look at the medical evidence in the case, such as your medical history and medical records, and help others understand the seriousness of the injuries, the likely cause of the injuries, and what your reasonable medical bill should be. 
• Life care plan expert. If you suffered severe injuries due to your medical mistake, a life care plan expert will be able to calculate the estimated ongoing costs of your medical care. These experts are often needed in cases that involve brain damage, paralysis, blindness, or other life-changing injuries. 
• Vocational rehabilitation expert. If you are seeking damages related to the loss of future wages or loss of earning capacity, your lawyer will often recommend a vocational rehabilitation expert who can determine your future employability through a serious of tests. 
• Economic damages expert. When asking for compensation for future economic losses, it can be difficult to know how much to ask for unless you consult with an economic damages expert. This witness will be able to analyze your past work history and determine how much your medical malpractice injury will cost you in the future. 

At the Rasansky Law Firm, we understand the power and importance of expert witnesses and often use them to strengthen our cases. To speak with a Dallas medical error attorney at our offices, please call 877.405.4313 today to schedule a free, private meeting.  

Here’s how to get help:

The Differences Between SSDI and SSI:  4 Legal Facts

• To be eligible for SSDI, you must have worked and paid into the system via FICA taxes; on the other hand, you can be eligible for SSI even if you’ve never worked ( or have worked very little).

• If you receive SSDI, monthly payments are based upon what you’ve earned while still working; but, SSI payments are the same for each person.

• How much money you have doesn’t matter when you apply for SSDI; it matters greatly when you apply for SSI.

• You are eligible for Medicare 2 years after you’re approved for SSDI; whereas, you’re eligible for Medicaid as soon as you’re approved for SSI.

Being involved in a vehicle accident usually involves a lot of confusion. For most drivers, there are some parts of the accident that are hard to remember. They may remember how the accident started—a car flew through a red light, someone was following too closely—but they often don't really remember what happened after the initial part of the accident. Here are some common causes of wrecks.

1: Inattentive Drivers

There are plenty of wrecks where the driver that caused it didn't know that the wreck was about to happen. In some cases, they may have been jolted into paying attention to what was going on by the wreck itself. This is not at all uncommon. Inattentive driers are among the biggest threats on the roads.

Watch for these drivers. If you see someone looking at their seat, in the glove compartment or at anything other than the road, give them a wide berth. They may need it.

2: Poorly-Maintained Cars

Sometimes drivers cause wrecks because they fail to maintain their vehicles. Bad brakes, problems with tires and even dirty windshields can cause car wrecks. If you see a real jalopy going down the road, you'll want to stay clear. The vehicle probably isn't up to safety standards for a vehicle and it may end up causing a wreck, no matter how good or attentive the driver behind the wheel of that car happens to be.

3: Speeders

Speeders are everywhere. In reality, the vast majority of drivers are probably guilty of having gone way over the speed limit at one time or another. Be particularly wary of these drivers in areas where the speed limit decreases suddenly. They sometimes don't see the signs and end up going way too fast down narrow and crowded roads. If possible, get out of their way. If they're coming up behind you very quickly, make sure you keep an eye on them so that they don't end up tailgating you.

However a wreck happens, negligence may have played a part in it. Talk to a car accident lawyer about filing a lawsuit if you believe this to be the case. A car accident lawyer Dallas residents can count on can sometimes be hired on a contingency basis, which means that you don’t even have to pay them if they don't win your case. This is the safest way to file a legal action.

What is the doctrine of respondeat superior? 

In Guignet’s personal injury lawsuit, she claims that East Clay Carriers, the employer of the speeding trucker, is liable for damages due to the doctrine of respondeat superior. This Latin phrase translates literally to “let the master answer” and means that an employer may be responsible for the action of its employees during the workday. When it comes to truck accidents, it means that trucking companies may be responsible for how their truckers conduct themselves on the roads and for reckless or negligent drivers. 

In the case of Guidgnet’s Texas personal injury lawsuit, she claims that the trucking company should compensate her for her injury and other losses because of the trucking company’s “negligent hiring and retention, negligent supervision and training and negligent entrustment.” 

Texas truck wreck attorney

If you have been involved in a Texas truck accident, it is imperative that you understand exactly who is at fault. If a trucker made a key mistake that caused the crash, the trucking company may also be at fault for the crash. To better understand your possible injury lawsuit, speak with a Dallas truck accident attorney at Rasansky Law Firm today.

• Low speeds. A moped can only travel at speeds up to 40 miles per hour – but they share a roadway with vehicles that can travel much faster. Riders absolutely need to stay off of roads with high speed limits and must be aware of their speed in relation to others nearby. 
• Passing traffic. Because mopeds do not travel as quickly as cars, riders should use their rear view mirrors often to observe approaching vehicles and passing cars. In addition, riders should drive as near to the right side of the road as possible. 
• Pavement problems. Like motorcycles, motorized scooters are susceptible to wipeouts and skidding on uneven pavement, gravel, potholes, railroad tracks, and other inconsistencies in the road. 
• Road rage. Unfortunately, many other drivers don’t understand how to share the road with mopeds – and too often, poor drivers will react with tailgating, reckless driving, and other illegal driving maneuvers that endanger themselves and others. 
• Head injuries. Because they are not protected by a protective enclosure, moped riders are much more susceptible to traumatic brain injuries in the case of an accident or collision. The best protection against these serious injuries is wearing a well-fitting helmet whenever you are on your scooter. 

Have you been injured in a crash involving a moped? Speak with a Dallas car accident attorney at Rasansky Law Firm today. 

Two years later, Guignet has filed a Texas personal injury lawsuit against the driver of the jackknifed truck and the trucking company that employed him. Why was this trucker at fault? Police say that he was following too close to a pickup truck and speeding in the seconds before the incident. 

Tailgating and trucks don’t mix

You probably know that tailgating is illegal and dangerous for all drivers to engage in. However, you may not know that following too close is significantly more dangerous when it comes to 18-wheeler and commercial trucks. Because tractor-trailers are so big and heavy, they require more time and space to slow their vehicle or come to a stop. If one of these commercial trucks is tailgating, there is a greater chance that the trucker won’t be able to stop in time or avoid an accident. The result is often more than a minor fender-bender: a rear-end truck accident can be deadly. 

Texas truck wreck attorney 

Have you or a loved one been injured in a truck accident that involved tailgating or following too closely? You may have a Texas truck accident lawsuit. To learn more about your legal options, contact a Dallas truck accident lawyer at Rasansky Law Firm today. 

The study, which was published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, examined crash data from across the country over two years, including information from over 6,900 fatal teen crashes and 6,800 non-fatal teen crashes. Here are some of the findings:

• Female teen drivers are now significantly more likely to be involved in a fatal DUI accident, closing the gender gap that existed just ten years ago – in 1997, male teen drivers were twice as likely to be involved in fatal drunk driving accidents. 
• Teen drivers with any amount of alcohol in their systems were more than three times as likely to be involved in a fatal crash than sober teen drivers. 
• Teens with a blood alcohol of 0.02 or above were four times more likely to be involved in single-vehicle accidents. 
• Sober male teen drivers are twice as likely to be killed in a car accident than they were just ten years ago. Researchers believe that mobile devices and distracted driving may be to blame. 

Has your teen been involved in a Texas car accident, or have you been involved in a Texas car accident caused by a drunk or distracted teen? In either case, you may wish to speak with a Dallas auto accident attorney about your case. Call the Rasansky Law Firm today to schedule a free, private consultation.  

What are some of the other most common causes of moped crashes? 

• Rider inexperience. Mopeds are different from both motorcycles and cars in a number of important ways, and yet many riders do not realize that their inexperience on a motorized scooter could lead to a serious accident. Be sure to learn to ride your moped on quiet streets and be sure that you are comfortable operating the vehicle before trying more challenging routes. 
• Ignorant car and truck drivers. Does a moped follow motorcycle laws? Does a moped follow bike laws? Sadly, many drivers simply do not know when a moped has the right of way, when they can pass a moped, and what they should expect moped drivers to do at intersections. This ignorance leads to far too many moped accidents and injuries. 
• Visibility issues. Mopeds are smaller than most vehicles on the road – and they are quieter than motorcycles. If riders do not wear bright clothing and reflectors – and if they do not understand that other drivers might not see them – they could become the victims of a motorized scooter accident. 

Have you been injured in a Texas moped accident? Speak with a car accident attorney in Dallas today to learn about your case.

First and foremost, how does Texas define a motorized scooter? Under Texas law, any vehicle with a 50cc engine or less is considered a moped, while any scooter with an engine larger than 50cc is considered a motorcycle. 

Texas moped laws (50cc engine or less):

• Scooter users must acquire a scooter license – which involves a written test. 
• Scooter registration is required. 
• Scooter insurance is required. 
• Your scooter must pass an inspection each year. 
• Scooter helmets are required for all riders unless you take a safety course and prove you have health insurance coverage. 
• Scooter riders must use a headlight at night and have rear reflectors. 
• Scooters traveling slower than surrounding traffic should ride as far to the right shoulder as safely possible. 

Texas motorcycle laws (for motorized scooters with more than a 50cc engine):

• All riders must hold a motorcycle license or motorcycle license endorsement – which requires a written test and a road test. 
• Vehicle insurance and registration is required. 
• Motorcycle helmets are required for all riders unless you take a safety course and prove you have health insurance coverage.
• For more Texas motorcycle regulations and laws, see our library article. 

Do you have a question about a motorized scooter accident and injury? Contact a Dallas auto accident attorney today.

Vehicle accidents claim thousands of lives every year. Some of them are unavoidable and are truly no one's fault. Others could have been avoided. If you're out on the road like most Americans, you should be able to say with confidence that you have the following skills.

1: Braking and Swerving

Being able to stop or swerve your vehicle quickly is a skill that you need to have. This takes time to develop and, if you don’t have these skills, you're at a much higher risk of being in a bad wreck. Remember that stopping with anti-lock brakes is much easier than it is without them. You'll need to learn to not lock up your brakes if you have regular brakes on your vehicle.

2: Merging

Merging accidents are very common. You have to understand the laws that relate to merging, first and foremost. The car merging has to give up the right of way, in most cases, to cars already on the road. Merging should be somewhat akin to using a zipper: one car fits neatly into the space behind the last. The posted speed limits on the ramps are designed to make merging easier. Follow them.

3: Cornering

Cornering is usually taught to motorcyclists in great detail and not taught to automobile drivers at all. The trick to taking corners correctly is to look all the way through the corner rather than at the curve right in front of you. Remember to follow the posted speed limit.

4: Night Driving

You should have at least two seconds before you hit anything that comes into range at the end of your headlights. This is plenty of time to react, no matter what you need to do to deal with the situation. There are some very powerful headlights on the market now. Make sure you have good ones that give you the maximum visibility allowable by law.

Negligence and Lawsuits

All of the skills above are reasonable abilities to expect of any driver. If you end up in a situation where someone fails to live up to them, contact a car accident lawyer. They may be able to help you sue the other driver. A Dallas car accident attorney will look for negligence in the other driver's behavior, which is simply not being able to react as any normal person behind the wheel could reasonably be expected to react in the same situation that caused your wreck.