Archive for March 14th, 2011

Driver who had been drinking injures DPS Trooper Justin Duck

Click2Houston.com is reporting a serious rear-end collision between a driver leaving the Houston Rodeo and had been drinking and Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Justin Duck, age 28.  Trooper Duck was issuing a citation during a routine traffic stop on Kickapoo Road near the Northwest Freeway Sunday afternoon, March 13, 2011. A woman traveling at a high rate of speed in a pickup truck left the roadway smashing into the rear of Trooper Duck’s DPS patrol car.  The photograph from Click2Houston’s web site shows that it was an extremely severe collision, with the trunk of the patrol car being pushed forward almost to the driver’s seat where Trooper Duck was sitting. The injured Trooper had to be cut out of his patrol car and was taken by helicopter life flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Officials reported Trooper Duck was conscious and responsive when he was taken to the hospital but he had no recollection of the car accident. The Trooper had a broken nose and needed stitches to a laceration on his face. Detectives said the woman was on her way back home after the Houston Rodeo and admitted she had been drinking: she refused a breathalyzer at the scene so a mandatory blood draw was performed.  The woman’s name has not been released.  Trooper Justin Duck has 6-years of service with the Department of Public Safety in Montgomery County, Texas.

DPS Trooper Justin Duck's patrol car sustained severe rear-end damage when hit by a pickup truck driver who had been drinking

If you or a loved on have been victimized by an automobile accidentmotorcycle accidentpedestrian accidentbicycle accident or truck accident caused by a drunk driver, call the experienced Houston personal injury attorneys at Smith & Hassler for a free consultation. The earlier in your case you call, the better: the insurance company will want you to settle for a small amount as early as possible and have you sign a release. This will limit the insurance company’s liability and prevent them from having to pay more later. Smith & Hassler’s personal injury attorneys have aggressively represented injured people in the Houston area and throughout Texas for more than 20-years, including bereaved family members bringing wrongful death lawsuits.

Bicyclist killed trying to cross Gulf Freeway

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a cyclist was killed attempting to cross the Gulf Freeway in southeast Houston early this morning. The crash occurred on I-45 near Griggs Road at around 12:30am according to HPD. The man died at the scene; his name has not been released. Police say the man tried to cross I-45 riding from west to east. He rode his bicycle into a passing vehicle and then was hit by a second vehicle.

Smith & Hassler’s attorneys practice only in the area of personal injury and the Smith & Hassler law firms represents hundreds of clients each year injured in automobile accidents. Not everyone involved in a car accident needs to retain an attorney though. Call Smith & Hassler for a free consultation and an attorney will discuss with you how we may be able to help.