18-Wheeler Under-Ride Accidents

Under federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), all commercial semi trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers and other big rigs are required to have underride protection. Underride protection consists of metal guards placed at certain points on the sides and back of the vehicle's undercarriage to prevent passenger vehicles from slipping underneath the trailer in a truck accident.

Failure to provide underride protection can result in catastrophic injuries to occupants of other motor vehicles, including severe head injuries, brain damage, spinal cord injuries, decapitation or death. According to the most recent statistics posted by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), a division of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In fatal car-truck accidents, 90% of rear impact, and 70% of side-impact were determined to be Underride related.

Causes and Prevention of Underride Accidents
When a car comes in contact with the undercarriage of a semi truck or tractor-trailer, the passenger compartment can be crushed or even completely torn off, greatly increasing the potential of catastrophic or fatal injury. Underride accidents occur most often because of:

• Poor visibility at night due to improper lighting or reflective systems or in adverse weather conditions
• Truck driver inattention such as failing to check blind spots when changing lanes, thereby running over a smaller vehicle in the passing lane
• Defective rear guards in a rear-end collision
• Multicar pileups in which one car is accidentally pushed under the truck by another

To prevent underride accidents, federal regulations require that all commercial trucks over a certain weight maintain lighting systems or reflective gear so other drivers can clearly identify the truck bed or carriage at night or during inclement weather. Certain vehicles may also be required to equip the back or sides of the trailer with a lower mounted guard to prevent underride in a rear-end collision or sideswipe.

Proven Results on Behalf of Bereaved Families

Your family has the right to pursue compensation from those responsible for the financial loss and emotional distress you have endured. We bring our demonstrated trial experience, wealth of resources and in-depth knowledge of commercial vehicle regulations to every case we handle. We have obtained substantial multi-million dollar recoveries on behalf of families across the nation.

$8.75 million from a major trucking company that was responsible for the deaths of two Mexican nationals

Contact Miller Weisbrod, Attorneys At Law
The experienced Fatal Truck Wreck Attorneys of Miller Weisbrod, Attorneys At Law represent families, nationwide, who have suffered irreparable loss due to truck driver errors. Our firm is the leader in the fight to hold national transport corporations responsible for practices and policies that make our highways unsafe. We are available for consultation nationwide. Feel free to call us toll free at 888.987.0005.

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Common Causes of Car Accidents

Most traffic accidents don’t have to do with knowing how to drive a vehicle, but rather which decisions the driver makes behind the wheel. 90% of all road accidents are caused by human error.

A number of drivers will find themselves committing some of the common causes of traffic accidents. However, increased awareness for these causes can educate and influence drivers to be more cautious.

Common Causes of Car Accidents Related to Human Error

• Distracted Driving
  One of the main causes of car accidents can be blamed on distracted driving. When a driver is texting, talking on the phone, grooming, reading, or even eating while driving, the brain switches between tasks and unable to consistently focus on what’s ahead

$6 million for the family of a driver killed by a distracted driver


• Drunk Driving
  According to the CDC, drunk driving is responsible for an average of 29 deaths per day
• Speeding
  Running late to work, keeping up with traffic, or unintentionally driving over the speed limit are of the top causes of speeding-related accidents
• Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
  According to the U.S. Dept of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, more than 50% of car accidents occur at intersections, with the cause being running a red light or a stop sign
• Reckless Driving
  Switching lanes too quickly, intentionally disregarding the safety and/or property of others, and purposely failing to abide by cautionary measures are some characteristics of reckless driving
• Aggressive Driving
  Aggressive driving includes any combination of traffic offenses that endanger other drivers or property, including speeding
• Fatigue
  Sleepiness, drowsiness, or exhaustion can impair a driver’s ability to competently respond, react, or discern conditions on the road

$5.8 million on behalf of the families of two people killed by a truck driver for the largest milk hauler in the U.S. who fell asleep at the wheel

Common Causes of Car Accidents Unrelated to Human Error

Sometimes the safest, most defensive drivers fall victim to car accidents, but not by way of their own error. Other factors can have a big influence.

• Weather Conditions
  Slippery roads from rain, snow, or ice affect traction in tires, in turn causing vehicles to slide off the road or hit other objects or vehicles. Fog, water levels, and wind speed may also contribute to weather-related accidents
• Road Conditions
  Poorly maintained roadways increase the risk of a popped tire and influence a driver’s ability to brake adequately
• Vehicle Defects
  Cars consist of thousands of parts that keep them running safely and smoothly. It is not uncommon for them to malfunction

If you were seriously injured, or a loved one was tragically killed in a car accident, call the offices of Miller Weisbrod, Attorneys At Law, today at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation with an experienced Car Accident Attorneys.

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Incident at LyondellBasell facility find 2 dead, others injured.

Initial report by FOX 26 News staff

LA PORTE, Texas - Two people were killed and numerous others were injured following an incident at the LyondellBasell plant in La Porte on Tuesday evening.

According to Lee Woodward, City Secretary and Public Information Officer for the City of La Porte, emergency officials responded to a ‘mass casualty’ incident at the LyondellBasell facility, located at 1515 Miller Cut-Off Road

Officials said the chemicals involved were methyl iodide, hydrogen iodide and methyl acetate.Some issues from the chemicals include severe burns, harmful if swallowed, toxic if inhaled, and harmful to the skin.

Officials stated there were numerous injuries, including two people that were killed in the incident. 31 people are considered "green", meaning that they were walking but still being decontaminated and reviewed for additional symptoms. Five people were considered "yellow", meaning they were being treated on the scene. Two people were considered "red", one of those two people was airlifted to the hospital and the other was taken to the hospital by ground ambulance.

As of the news conference, a secondary search was underway to make sure all workers were accounted for. The workplace can be a potentially dangerous environment, no matter what type of job you do. Whether working on a construction site or in an industrial setting, a workplace accident can result in catastrophic injury or even death.

If you or a loved one has suffered a workplace accident, you should discuss your rights and options with an experienced Work Injury Lawyers. We encourage you to contact Miller Weisbrod, Attorneys At Law to discuss your real options for pursuing legal action in a free consultation. Call our offices in Dallas at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005.

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Fatal Truck Wrecks

The majority fatal truck wrecks involve passenger vehicle occupants. The vulnerability of people traveling in smaller vehicles; trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes.

Contributing Factors of a Truck Wreck

• Equipment failure and negligent maintenance
• Truck driver fatigue
  (Drivers of large trucks are allowed by federal hours-of-service regulations to drive up to 11 hours at a stretch)
• Aggressive driving and speeding
• Truck underride accidents - lack of underride protection or defective under guards
• Truck driver error & carelessness

Among other notable truck wreck cases, our Truck Wreck Attorneys recovered $8,750,000 from a large trucking company which was responsible for the deaths of a 67-year-old and a 19-year-old who were from Mexico.

Ninety-seven percent of fatal two-vehicle accidents involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck in 2019 were occupants of the passenger vehicles.

Eleven percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2019 occurred in large truck crashes.

Miller Weisbrod's Truck Wreck Attorneys represent victims of truck accident injury and wrongful death nationwide. If you or a loved one was injured or tragically killed in a truck wreck, the time to act is now. We take immediate action to root out the truth about what caused your truck accident and who is to blame, protecting your rights and seeking maximum compensation right away. To discuss your case with an experienced Truck Wreck Attorney, we invite you to call our offices in Dallas toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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Traffic Fatalities Increase During Pandemic

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States, causing 3 million injuries and killing over 35,000 people per year.

Even though Americans drove less in 2020 due to the pandemic, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) reports show that an estimated 38,680 people were tragically killed in motor vehicle accidents — the largest number of fatalities since 2007. This represents an increase of 7.2% as compared to the 36,096 fatalities reported in 2019.

Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2020 decreased by about 430.2 billion miles, a 13.2% decrease. The fatality rate for 2020 was 1.37 fatalities per 100 million VMT, up from 1.11 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2019. NHTSA’s analysis shows that the main behaviors that drove this increase include: impaired driving, speeding and failure to wear a seat belt.

Preliminary finding show that traffic fatalities rose in most major categories over 2019:

• Passenger vehicle occupants (23,395, up 5%)
• Pedestrians (6,205, no change from 2019)
• Motorcyclists (5,015, up 9%)
• Pedalcyclists (people on bikes) (846, up 5%)

Crash factors and demographics reviewed by NHTSA that showed the largest increases in 2020 as compared to 2019 included:

• Occupant ejection (up 20%)
• Uunrestrained occupants of passenger vehicles (up 15%)
• Speed-related crashes (up 11%)
• On urban interstates (up 15%)
• On urban local/collector roads (up 12%)
• On rural local/collector roads (up 11%)
• During nighttime (up 11%)
• During the weekend (up 9%)
• In rollover crashes (up 9%)
• In single-vehicle crashes (up 9%)
• In alcohol involved crashes (up 9%)

Among other notable truck wreck cases, our Texas Car Wreck Attorneys recovered $8,750,000 from a large trucking company which was responsible for the deaths of a 67-year-old and a 19-year-old who were from Mexico.

If you were injured in a car accident or a loved one was tragically killed by a negligent trucker, distracted driver, or drunk driver it is important that you contact the experienced Texas Car Accident Attorneys who can advise you of your rights and help you seek the financial compensation you may deserve.

If You Were Injured In A Car Wreck Call the Texas Car Accident Attorneys of Miller Weisbrod, Attorneys At Law at 214.987.0005

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Corroded Gas Piplelines Can Cause Explosions

Natural gas represents 31% of the total primary energy consumption for the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Despite its necessity for heating buildings and generating electricity, natural gas pipelines are susceptible to corrosion, which may result in serious accidents. For this reason, it is vital for natural gas providers to do all that they can to fight rust and decay on their pipelines to avoid property damage, severe injury, or worse.

Pipeline corrosion problems
When properly maintained and monitored, pipelines perform a vital role in transporting natural gas across the country for energy providers. As these pipelines are buried, the general public is typically not aware of their presence, until situations similar to the recent North Texas Gas Explosions that have taken place.

• Plano
• Farmersville
• Houston
• Dallas

In many cases, corrosion is responsible for leakages and accidents for natural gas pipelines. One of the major contributing factors to external corrosion of underground pipelines is inadequate coating. Internal corrosion may occur when water and contaminants in the gas erode the pipe wall.

The first step toward eliminating further explosions is to be proactive about corrosion testing and pipeline maintenance. Fighting corrosion before it becomes a serious problem is key to reducing the risk of tragic gas explosions from recurring.

Smell Gas? Call TEXAS811

There have been nine homes that have exploded in the Dallas area since 2006. In 2019 The National Transportation Safety Board issued a preliminary report that found Atmos was aware of leaks in Dallas neighborhoods for nearly two months prior to a series of explosions. NTSB investigators found a crack around a two-inch line behind the homes. The pipe failed pressure tests. Over the course of three days, Atmos Energy’s corroded, leaking natural gas pipes caused three homes to explode.

In several natural gas explosions, victims have stated that they did not smell the natural gas. Experts call the phenomenon "Odor Fade". Natural gas has no smell when it comes out of the ground. Companies like Atmos add a chemical to the gas giving it a smell like rotten eggs. But studies have found that, over time, as leaking natural gas travels through the soil, the smell can fade.

Having your gas pipelines inspected regularly is one of the best preventative measures you can take to avoid natural gas leaks and explosions.

Plano, Texas on July 19, 2021: A neighbor stated that Atmos was working in the neighborhood before the explosion happened. Another neighbor showed WFAA News Team an Atmos customer notice that was left at their home on Monday before the explosion.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client.

Dallas man injured in 2011 home gas explosion:
When Domingo Mendez's converted garage apartment in South Oak Cliff exploded in 2011, all of his thoughts turned to getting his then 5-year-old son out of the collapsed structure.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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Preventing natural gas explosions

There are about 286 serious natural gas explosions per year. These are the type of gas explosions that cause property damage, severe injury, or loss of life. Between 1998 and 2017, 15 people per year on average died in incidents related to gas distribution. These gas explosions have left many people wondering if natural gas is safe. Is there anything they can do to help prevent a future occurrence?

Take Preventative Measures
Annual inspection and leak survey
Having your gas pipelines inspected regularly is one of the best preventative measures you can take to avoid natural gas leaks and explosions. Natural gas inspection services consist of an odor test, proper valve operation, above and below ground piping inspection, leak surveying, gas system mapping, and line locating. An annual leak survey is recommended for all properties that have a Master Meter Gas system.

Know what to do if you smell gas
There are four signs that could indicate you might have a small natural gas leak, and it’s time to repair your gas piping:

• A strong smell of gas inside your home or building (an unmistakable sulfur-like smell, often described as a “rotten egg” smell)
• Dead plants in the area of a gas line
• Hissing sound
• White cloud or dust cloud near a gas line

Follow these steps, if you suspect a gas leak:
Recognize when it’s time to repair or replace a gas line
Due to the natural erosion process, some natural gas pipes eventually need to be repaired or replaced. Being proactive—testing, maintaining, and repairing your gas piping—is essential for preventing any long-term damage to your valuable assets and livelihood.

Be aware of where natural gas lines are on your property
It’s important to have a full understanding of all the sources of natural gas on your property for two key reasons:

• If an unknown natural gas line leaks outside or inside a wall and you are not aware that the line exists, it can be very dangerous and potentially deadly
• You could end up paying a large sum of money, not only for the leaked gas over time, but also to repair the leak

Call before you dig
Contact Texas 811 to mark any underground gas lines. It is a free service that must be completed before any type of digging begins. Utility companies and local governments only mark what they own and operate.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client.

Dallas man injured in 2011 home gas explosion:
When Domingo Mendez's converted garage apartment in South Oak Cliff exploded in 2011, all of his thoughts turned to getting his then 5-year-old son out of the collapsed structure.

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What Causes Gas Explosions?

We have seen an increasingly amount of gas explosions in the news, whether it be at a private residence or place of business. Often times the structure is left in ruins. Too often human lives are lost. Some explosions affect large surrounding areas – not just the home where the explosion originated. Recently, a house explosion in Texas leveled a house, killing an occupant, and shook homes miles away. The cause of the explosion is suspected to be the result of a gas leak that somehow ignited.

What causes gas explosions?

Most people use natural gas or propane every day in our homes or workplace. Natural Gas heats our water and our spaces, and provides the fuel for our cooking appliances. Regardless of how often we use gas, it’s important to remember that it is highly combustible and can be very dangerous.

A gas explosion occurs when there is a gas leak in the presence of a spark or flame. Gases such as natural gas, methane, propane and butane are the most common types of gases to cause explosions because they are commonly used for heating purposes. Some gas explosions are minor, with the increase in pressure not generating enough force to damage anything, while other gas explosions can cause injury, damage to property, even death.

Some common causes include:

• Old, rusty gas lines or ones that are damaged that run from the street into your home
• Defective gas-operated equipment
• Improper use of gas furnaces, stoves or other gas appliances
• Gas appliances that have been poorly or incorrectly installed

Your best course of prevention is to know and trust your home is safe by having your systems checked regularly by a professional. Older homes with older HVAC systems tend to have a greater incidence of gas leaks. If you suspect any of your systems have been damaged somehow, be sure to have them inspected.

Also, be familiar with the ‘rotten egg’ smell of Carbon Monoxide. The nasty smell is added to the otherwise odorless gas to alarm people when gas is present in the home or workplace. If you smell gas, or if you think you smell gas, leave the premises and contact emergency authorities as soon as possible.

Although the likelihood of a gas explosion is pretty rare, it’s very important to first, make sure your home is as safe as it can be, and then, be aware of any warning signs and act quickly if you suspect there is a problem.

Smell Gas? Call TEXAS811

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client. Dallas man injured in 2011 home gas explosion:
When Domingo Mendez's converted garage apartment in South Oak Cliff exploded in 2011, all of his thoughts turned to getting his then 5-year-old son out of the collapsed structure.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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Possible gas explosion leaves six injured

Initial report by David Sentendrey and FOX 4 News staff

Plano, Texas — At least six people were hospitalized after a reported explosion at a Plano home on Monday afternoon. It's still unclear what caused the explosion and Atmos and Plano Fire investigators were at the scene into Monday night. The incident happened just after 4:30 p.m. in the 4400 block of Cleveland Drive, located off Park Boulevard in between Ohio Drive and Coit Road. Plano Fire officials said three adults and three children had to be transported from the scene. Their conditions were not known. One person was inside the home. The other five were in a home next door.

The force of the explosion essentially flattened the home and caused significant damage to nearby homes. Neighbors say it happened during a storm. They saw a flash and heard a loud-shaking boom. The impact of the explosion felt by people living a mile away. Many walking to the scene were in disbelief. It’s unclear what caused the explosion. It happened as a thunderstorm moved through the neighborhood.

"I just happened to be looking out my window right as it happened and it was a big flash of bright light," said Taylor Reddick, who lives nearby. "It had been lightning a lot already, and I just saw a huge black smoke go up and debris go flying in the air. It all happened very fast."

Plano Fire says only one person was inside the home when it exploded. Most of the injured lived nearby.

Tony Clark says he saw children leaving the neighboring home to get into an ambulance on their own. "Yeah, I didn’t see any wounds or anything on them. They walked just fine," he said. Investigators from the Plano Fire Department, Atmos, Oncor, and the Plano Police Bomb Squad all came out to the scene. Power and gas were cut off to the block. The Plano Fire Department says it’s standard protocol. Neighbors, however, can only imagine what it was like for the one person inside the home at the center of the explosion.

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client. Lewisville gas explosion compared to 2008 fatal blast from Miller Weisbrod.

If you have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion accident, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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