In Houston last week, a cab driver was transporting two passengers from a dialysis center when he crashed into a stalled tractor trailer, killing both passengers. The driver was injured in the wreck. According to witnesses, the driver was speeding and weaving before veering off the road and into the truck.

Taxi companies, as well as bus companies, passenger trains, airlines, and other transportation companies, are called common carriers under the law. Common carriers must use a high standard of care for their passengers. In many cases, taxi companies can be held liable for the actions of their drivers, especially if it can be shown the company was negligent in hiring the driver. In many cases, a driver may have a bad driving record but have been hired anyway.

It can often be difficult to determine liability in a taxi cab accident or other common carrier accident. In some situations, cab drivers own their own cabs, so they are solely responsible for damages in an accident. In other situations, taxi drivers rent their cabs from the cab owner, and both the driver and the company can be held liable. In some cases, the cab companies own the taxis and employ the drivers, which means the cab companies are liable for the actions of the taxi driver. If the accident was caused by a manufacturer’s defect with the vehicle, or by the actions of another driver, another party could be held liable for the accident.

Taxi accidents can be difficult to litigate. It may be hard to determine which party is responsible, or finding which insurer against which to pursue a claim. If you have been involved in a taxi accident or an accident with another common carrier, contact Dallas accident attorney Kris Barber. He will work hard on your behalf to determine the responsible party and to hold that party accountable for your injuries. Call him today at 817-329-5095 to learn more.

The tragic death of a fan at the Texas Rangers stadium last week shined a spotlight on dangerous conditions that exist at stadiums or arenas. Accidents are not uncommon at sporting events, but if you follow a few basic safety precautions, you can greatly reduce your risk of injury.

The fan was killed when he fell 20 feet while trying to catch a baseball for his young son. It is the first fatality at the stadium since it opened in 1994. Experts say that while deaths are rare, they do happen at sporting events. Earlier this year, another man died at a Colorado Rockies game after falling 20 feet. Last year, a woman died after being hit by a foul ball.

Experts say that the railing the Texas fan fell over was high enough to meet safety standards, but many argue that railings should be higher. Others want to see protective netting placed at strategic locations to help fans avoid being injured by balls or flying bats. Many fans disagree, feeling that those types of safety measures would block their views of the game. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said earlier this week that baseball teams are reviewing their safety standards after the Rangers accident. However, currently each baseball team determines its own particular safety plan.

If you are planning on attending a baseball game or other sporting event this summer, there are steps you can take to stay safe. First, be aware of your surroundings. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment to try to catch a ball or a souvenir that’s tossed into the stands, but before you do so, take a quick glance at your surroundings. Can you safely attempt the catch? Also, if you are sitting in an area that could see a ball or a bat flying into the stands, stay alert and focused on the game as much as possible. Finally, stay cool. Heatstroke is one of the most common medical issues that arise at summer baseball games, and it can be serious. Stay well hydrated and move into the shade as much as you need to.

Have you been injured in an accident on someone else’s property? Do you feel the accident could have been prevented if the property owner had taken proper safety precautions? If so, contact Dallas premises liability attorney Kris Barber at 817-329-5095 for a free consultation on your case.

The Texas Department of Transportation recently launched a campaign to remind pickup truck drivers about the importance of buckling up every time they get in their vehicles. According to TxDOT, using a seat belt reduces the chance of fatalities among pickup drivers by 60 percent.

Currently, seat belt usage in Texas is at an all time high among individuals in cars. However, statistics show that pickup truck drivers are not using their seat belts regularly. In Texas, one out of every two pickup truck drivers killed in a traffic crash was not buckled up. The number of trucks involved in fatal crashes in Texas was about 20 percent higher than the number of cars involved in fatal crashes.

There are a couple of reasons officials believe that pickup truck drivers are less likely to buckle up than other drivers. First, pickup drivers often believe they are safer because they are driving a larger vehicle. However, according to TxDOT statistics, pickup trucks tend to roll over during crashes and sling passengers that are not buckled up out of the windows. Another reason pickup truck drivers are less likely to buckle up is because more pickup trucks are driven by younger males, a demographic that is in general less likely to buckle up than other groups of individuals.

Although traffic fatalities have decreased between 2003 and 2009, traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 44 in Texas. In 2009 alone, more than 3,000 people died in fatal collisions in Texas, and just under 50 percent were not buckled up. In addition to the safety reasons to buckle up, if you fail to buckle your seat belt, you could receive a ticket for $250 or more.

Have you been involved in a pickup truck accident in Texas? If so, contact Kris Barber, Dallas automobile accident attorney at 817-329-5095. He will help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your accident.