Dobbs & Porter, PLLC Dobbs & Porter, PLLC 2026-09-29T20:57:20Z https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1503457/2023/03/cropped-DP_FAV-update-32x32.png On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[5 common causes of car accidents]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=47096 2026-09-29T02:44:14Z 2026-09-29T02:41:30Z Car accidents can have devastating consequences. Every year, millions of people suffer injuries from car accidents. Of those millions of injuries, thousands of people suffer fatal injuries. Regardless of the outcome, the total cost of a car accident can include medical bills, vehicle damage, job loss and long-term medical care. Compensation can be recovered after a car accident with a successful car accident claim. Here are a few common car accidents that can lead to serious injuries and losses:

1. Speeding

One of the most common causes of car accidents happens when a driver exceeds the speed limit. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to slow down and prevent car accidents. Some people who speed will also drive through stop signs and red lights, increasing the odds of a car accident.  

2. Drunk driving

Alcohol is another common cause of car accidents. Drunk drivers may have poor judgment, vision and reaction time, increasing the rate of car accidents. They can also be involved in multi-car accidents, wrong-way accidents and devastating pedestrian accidents.

3. Drowsy driving

Driving while drowsy may be just as bad as drunk driving. A driver who is tired may have poor vision and reaction speed. A sleepy driver may fall asleep behind the wheel and cause an accident without even realizing what happened.

4. Reckless driving

Drivers who violate traffic laws can endanger other people on the road. A reckless driver may ignore traffic signs, speed, swerve between lanes and act in a way that increases the risk of a car accident.

5. Inexperience

Every driver was new at one time. Inexperience can be a common cause of car accidents. A new driver may accidentally run lights, misunderstand traffic signs or speed. If you have been in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Professional legal guidance can help you.]]> On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[Staying safe: Osha’s “Focus Four”]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=47050 2026-09-17T17:09:11Z 2026-09-17T17:09:11Z In many physical jobs, there are some inherent risks that workers face. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration tries to raise awareness around these hazards. One way they do this is by identifying the Focus Four. Specifically, these are examples of potentially serious or even deadly accidents that can happen, typically pulled from the construction industry. They are the four main leading causes of fatal accidents. OSHA tries to inform workers so that they can take proactive steps to avoid these hazards.

The 4 most common kinds of injuries in construction

The Focus Four are falls, caught-in or caught-between accidents, struck-by accidents and electrocutions. Falls are relatively simple, but they are by far the most dangerous type of accident. A worker who falls from a height could immediately suffer fatal injuries, perhaps through a head injury or a spinal cord injury. Caught-in or caught-between accidents often involve equipment with moving parts, such as a worker who gets caught in a conveyor belt. Struck-by accidents, on the other hand, happen when items fall from above and strike workers on the ground. Electrocutions can happen in numerous different ways. On some construction projects, electrical lines are being installed, so workers could be exposed to a line that they did not realize was already live. But there are also issues with power tools, extension cords, generators and other sources of electricity.

Seeking workers’ compensation

The Focus Four are often tied to the construction industry, but very similar hazards can be found in many industries. Those who work in oil fields are also sometimes working at heights and around heavy equipment, for example, so they could suffer injuries in similar ways. It is critical that all workers understand what options they have to seek workers’ compensation when necessary.]]> On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[5 signs you may have suffered whiplash after a crash]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=46998 2026-09-04T12:40:43Z 2026-09-04T12:40:43Z Whiplash can occur when a crash forces your neck to move rapidly backward and forward. Rear end collisions are a common cause because the sudden impact can move the head and neck forcefully within seconds. The injury may not be obvious right away. Whiplash symptoms often develop within days, so changes in how you feel after a motor vehicle accident in Texas can be important. Here are five symptoms that may indicate whiplash.

1. Neck pain and stiffness

Neck pain and stiffness are common whiplash symptoms. You may notice discomfort that becomes worse when you move your neck or turn your head. Whiplash can also limit your range of motion. You might find it difficult or painful to move your neck as freely as you could before the collision.

2. Headaches

Headaches can develop after a whiplash injury, often beginning near the base of the skull. They may appear soon after the collision or become noticeable during the following days. A new headache accompanied by neck pain or stiffness may be one of the whiplash symptoms that warrants medical evaluation.

3. Shoulder and upper back pain

Whiplash can cause discomfort beyond the neck. You may develop tenderness or pain in your shoulders, upper back or arms after the crash. This pain may occur alongside neck stiffness and can make everyday movement uncomfortable.

4. Tingling or numbness

Tingling or numbness in your arms can also occur with whiplash. These sensations may develop after the initial impact rather than appearing immediately at the crash scene. Because numbness or tingling can also be associated with other injuries, medical evaluation can help identify the cause.

5. Dizziness or unusual tiredness

Whiplash can cause dizziness and tiredness in addition to physical pain. Some people also experience blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, ringing in the ears or problems sleeping. These symptoms can be easy to overlook when you are focused on neck pain after a collision. Whiplash symptoms may develop gradually after a crash. Getting medical attention can help identify the injury and rule out fractures or other damage. If another person caused the collision, consider seeking legal guidance to understand your options following the accident.]]> On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[A malfunctioning airbag can lead to serious injuries]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=46997 2026-08-18T15:44:31Z 2026-08-18T15:44:31Z Malfunctioning airbag injuries can range from burns and fractures to traumatic brain injuries and internal organ damage. When an airbag defect causes or worsens an injury, its manufacturer may potentially face responsibility under product liability principles.

Facial and eye injuries

Your face may be directly in the path of a deploying driver or passenger airbag. A malfunction can cause facial bruising, cuts, abrasions or fractures when the airbag strikes with substantial force. Your eyes are also vulnerable. Direct impact or material released during deployment may cause eye injuries that affect vision and require medical treatment.

Head and brain injuries

An improperly functioning airbag may contribute to concussions or traumatic brain injuries. This can occur when an airbag deploys incorrectly and strikes your head or when it fails to deploy and your head hits the steering wheel, dashboard or another surface. Symptoms such as confusion, headaches, memory problems or loss of consciousness can indicate a significant head injury following a collision.

Burns and skin injuries

Airbag deployment can expose your face and upper body to considerable force. When something goes wrong with the system, you may experience burns, abrasions, bruising or skin irritation. These injuries can affect your face, chest, arms and hands depending on your position when the airbag activates.

Broken bones and internal injuries

A malfunctioning airbag can also cause fractures, particularly when it strikes your upper body unexpectedly. More severe incidents may involve internal bleeding or damage to internal organs. Failure to deploy presents another danger. Without the intended cushioning, your body may experience greater impact against the vehicle interior, potentially increasing the severity of your injuries.

Airbag injuries may have been caused by a defective product

Defective products in Texas may create grounds for a claim when an unsafe product causes or contributes to an injury. Evidence showing how an airbag deployed, vehicle data, accident records and the condition of the airbag system may help establish what happened. If you believe that a defective airbag caused or worsened serious injuries, you have a right to preserve relevant evidence and seek legal guidance about your rights and possible options for compensation.]]> On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[Crash injuries can result in post-traumatic arthritis]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=46996 2026-08-02T15:05:40Z 2026-08-02T15:05:40Z
  • Fractures
  • Ligament, muscle or tendon damage
  • Meniscus tears and other injuries to cartilage
    • Symptoms include joint pain, swelling and/or stiffness, bone spurs and popping, crackling or other sounds when moving a joint.

    Treatments vary based on the seriousness of the condition

    Sometimes, as with any kind of osteoarthritis, the symptoms and flare-ups can be managed with corticosteroid injections, physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In more serious cases, surgery, including joint replacement, may be required. That’s particularly true if the joint is so worn down that there is bone-on-bone contact. Doctors diagnose post-traumatic arthritis through examination as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. The path of this condition is different for everyone. Sometimes it resolves on its own within months. Other times, people can experience symptoms for many years. Most people know someone who is still feeling the effects of a high school football injury or car accident well into middle age – or they are themselves. That may well be post-traumatic arthritis. Injuries that may not seem especially serious in the aftermath of a car crash can result in lifelong consequences. That’s one reason it’s wise not to accept a settlement from an at-fault driver’s insurer until you know the full extent of your injuries. Partnering with an experienced legal team as early as possible can help you protect your right to fair compensation.]]>         On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[Is the retailer liable for selling a harmful defective product?]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=46995 2026-07-31T14:27:29Z 2026-07-31T14:27:29Z Establishing the seller’s liability A retailer that merely sold the product, without making it, generally cannot be held liable under Texas law unless one of several statutory exceptions returns responsibility to the seller. These can include:
    • The retailer participated in the product’s design
    • The retailer altered or modified the item, and that change caused your injury
    • The retailer installed the product or had it installed on another item, and that work harmed you
    • The retailer exercised substantial control over the content of an inadequate warning or instruction, and that deficiency caused your injury
    An applicable exception allows you to pursue the retailer, but you still need to connect the defect to your injury and losses.

    Proving the defect’s harm

    The evidence required depends on what went wrong with the item. Texas law recognizes three categories:
    • A manufacturing defect occurs when a production mistake leaves one unit different from the manufacturer’s specifications and unsafe
    • A design defect occurs when the product remains dangerous even though the manufacturer builds it correctly
    • A marketing defect occurs when the warnings or instructions do not clearly explain the risks of using the item
    For a design-defect claim, Texas generally requires you to show that a safer alternative design was available. It must have been practical in terms of cost and technology when the product left the manufacturer’s or seller’s control.

    Preserving your compensation claim

    Prompt medical care addresses your health needs after an incident. A written account of when it occurred, how you used the item and what happened afterward captures details that could fade over time. Financial records such as bills, wage statements and receipts can show the losses tied to the injury. When safety permits, leaving the product, packaging and instructions unchanged keeps the available evidence intact. Texas generally allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after the claim accrues, often beginning on the date of injury. A separate 15-year statute of repose usually runs from the defendant’s sale of the product. A written warranty promising a longer safe life or a disease that appears after earlier exposure can affect the outer cutoff, but neither automatically extends the ordinary filing period.]]>         On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[Can people recover from incomplete spinal cord injuries?]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=46990 2026-07-20T23:50:21Z 2026-07-20T23:50:21Z Improvement is sometimes possible with care Both incomplete and complete spinal cord injuries can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in immediate medical expenses when a person must undergo trauma care. They also create substantially increased lifetime care costs due to the need for ongoing medical support. Physical therapy, new and modified assistive technology and additional long-term care costs later in life all contribute to the major financial impact of an incomplete spinal cord injury. With effective rehabilitation services, it is sometimes possible for people with incomplete spinal cord injuries to partially recover lost function or to modify their daily lives to work around their functional limitations. While medical improvement is possible, there is no guarantee of recovering lost function. Additionally, the cost of care to achieve those improvements can go far beyond the compensation offered by baseline liability coverage carried by those at fault for the incident. Working with a legal professional can make a major difference for those with either complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries. Legal action to supplement insurance coverage can prove to be critical when it comes to covering medical expenses and offsetting reduced income.]]> On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[Weather may contribute to struck-by oil and gas field incidents]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=46987 2026-06-23T00:40:12Z 2026-06-23T00:40:12Z How does weather affect the risk of struck-by incidents? During rain, precipitation can impede visibility. Those operating heavy equipment or working near machinery may be unable to see people and other equipment nearby. Strong winds are also a major job hazard for those in the oil and gas inspector in Texas. The wind can blow sand, dust and debris, interfering with visual surveillance of a job site. Heavy winds can also prevent people from hearing the sound of equipment approaching, even when machinery may produce a loud backup warning sound. Struck-by incidents are a top source of oil and gas professional injuries. They can cause broken bones, Crush injuries, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Oil field workers may require costly emergency transportation from a rural location, immediate trauma care, surgery and physical therapy to recover. They could face an early end to their careers or a forced change in job due to their injuries. Workers hurt due to accidental contact with machinery or equipment in an oil field setting may need help pursuing compensation for lost income and medical expenses. Reporting the incident and discussing injuries with an attorney can be helpful steps for those affected by oil and gas field incidents accordingly.]]> On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[The distance a semi-truck really needs to stop safely]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=46986 2026-06-15T16:56:10Z 2026-06-15T16:56:10Z Semi-trucks have much longer stopping distances than other vehicles. Drivers need to be aware of this, or they could find themselves in a position where they cannot stop in time to avoid a collision. Exactly how far any vehicle needs to stop is dependent on numerous factors, such as the condition of the brakes, the condition of the road surface, the weight of the vehicle and how fast it is traveling. But it generally takes around 300 feet for a passenger car to come to a stop, while a semi-truck will need closer to 525 feet. This is why truck drivers need to give themselves a longer stopping distance, in many cases.

    Avoiding driver distraction

    This long stopping distance also affects other activities that drivers engage in behind the wheel. For instance, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration bans the use of handheld mobile devices on the job. There are many reasons for this, but one is that a distracted driver may have a delayed reaction when hitting the brakes. Because a semi-truck needs longer to stop than the cars around it, this delay could be catastrophic. Drivers always need to be focused on the road and ready to apply the brakes as soon as necessary.

    Seeking compensation after an accident

    If you have been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, you may have suffered severe injuries. Those in other vehicles are often in greater danger because of the size and weight of the truck that strikes them. If you have been seriously injured, then you need to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.]]>         On Behalf of Dobbs & Porter, PLLC <![CDATA[Traumatic spinal cord injury can lead to serious long-term complications]]> https://www.dobbsporterlaw.com/?p=46982 2026-05-18T18:22:45Z 2026-05-18T18:22:45Z A traumatic spinal cord injury can change nearly every part of a person’s daily life within seconds. Serious falls, vehicle collisions and workplace accidents may leave victims facing not only immediate medical treatment but also years of physical and emotional challenges. Many people associate spinal cord injuries with paralysis alone. In reality, these injuries often affect breathing, circulation, bladder control, chronic pain levels and overall quality of life long after the original accident.

    Chronic pain and mobility problems

    Long-term pain is common after a spinal cord injury. Some people experience burning sensations, nerve pain or severe muscle stiffness that interferes with sleep and daily movement. Limited mobility may also place strain on the shoulders, joints and muscles over time, especially for individuals relying heavily on wheelchairs or assistive devices.

    Respiratory and cardiovascular complications

    Higher-level spinal cord injuries may affect breathing muscles and reduce lung function. This can increase the risk of respiratory infections and other serious medical complications. Some individuals also experience blood pressure problems, circulation issues or dangerous blood clots during recovery and rehabilitation.

    Bladder and bowel dysfunction

    Damage to the spinal cord may interrupt signals between the brain and other parts of the body. As a result, many people experience long-term bladder or bowel control problems after a traumatic injury. These complications can affect independence, daily routines and emotional well-being.

    Pressure injuries and muscle spasms

    People with limited movement often face an increased risk of pressure sores caused by prolonged pressure on certain areas of the body. Severe pressure injuries may require extensive treatment and can sometimes lead to dangerous infections. Muscle spasms and involuntary movements are also common after spinal trauma and may interfere with comfort, mobility and rehabilitation progress.

    Emotional and psychological damage

    A serious spinal injury can affect mental health as much as physical health. Many people struggle with anxiety, depression or social isolation while adapting to major lifestyle changes after a traumatic event. Ongoing medical care, rehabilitation and loss of independence may place additional stress on both victims and their families. The long-term effects of spinal cord injuries often extend far beyond the initial hospitalization period. Seeking legal guidance may help injured individuals better understand their options for financial recovery and long-term support after a personal injury claim.]]>