New Braunfels Law Blog

When a loved one dies, the lives of the deceased's survivors can be forever changed. Not only is there the emotional loss to contend with, but there are typically financial losses as well. These losses may be especially acute when the loved one's death was caused by the negligence of another party. When that happens, it may be possible to pursue a wrongful death claim. However, it is important to understand who has standing to commence such an action.

Under Texas law, only a surviving spouse, a child, and the parents of a wrongful death victim can benefit from the compensation awarded through a wrongful death claim. However, a surviving spouse, a child, or a parent of the wrongful death victim can bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of all.

Commerce in Texas is based, in part, on businesses being able to transport their goods to other locations, whether they are going across the state or across the country. Semi-truck drivers are responsible for much of this transportation, but there are special rules they must follow in order to increase the chances that they will avoid causing truck accidents.

Truckers may operate their vehicles a maximum of 11 hours only after taking 10 hours in a row off-duty, and they cannot be on-duty, whether driving or performing other tasks, for more than 14 hours following a 10-consecutive-hour rest period. In addition, truckers must take a 30-minute rest break after eight hours on-duty. Also, truckers cannot spend more than 60 hours on-duty over seven consecutive days or more than 70 hours on-duty over eight consecutive days.

Drug charges are no laughing matter and can result in serious personal and professional consequences for accused individuals, including the potential loss of freedom. Because the potential penalties and consequences associated with drug charges are so steep, it is important for accused individuals to be familiar with their legal protections and criminal defense options right away.

Accused individuals have criminal defense rights that can protect them in a variety of circumstances, including if they are facing drug possession charges or other types of drug-related criminal charges. Accused individuals are facing the real possibility of incarceration, steep fines, and the potential loss of employment and educational opportunities all because of drug charges. As a result, accused individuals need to be familiar with their rights so they know if they have been violated.

When surviving family members have lost a loved one in a fatal accident, they may be left with many questions and face unexpected emotional and financial damages. Wrongful death actions may be able to provide some help to surviving family members coping with the unexpected, and wrongful, loss of a loved one in a fatal accident.

Surviving family members who have lost a loved one because of a negligent driver should ensure they have all of their questions answered concerning how a wrongful death claim for damages may be able to help them with the struggles they face. A wrongful death claim for damages is brought by the estate of the lost loved one for the benefit of surviving family members, which usually includes spouses, children, and dependents. The compensation that is recoverable after successfully pursuing one of these claims can help them with their financial and emotional damages.