Houston Personal Injury Attorneys – Smith & Hassler

Friends, family and colleagues of a very fine young man are mourning his passing after a motorcycle accident Wednesday night.  18-year old Nathan Raulz was riding his motorcycle on Stidham Road near Conroe and apparently attempting to pass an SUV when a collision occurred.  For the past three years Nathan had been a volunteer firefighter with Central Montgomery County Fire-Rescue Station 171 (formerly River Plantation Fire Department). Nathan had graduated from Conroe High School last Saturday and had plans to serve his country in Afghanistan with U.S. Army, and then wanted to return home and become a professional firefighter and EMT. According to Channel 11’s article, the accident happened when the SUV made an unexpected left turn.  The cause of the accident is under investigation, though media reports indicate no charges are expected.

Nathan’s nickname to his firefighter colleague was “Ragoo” and Nathan was named the department’s Junior Member of the Year in 2011.  Fire-Rescue Chief John Farthing spoke in glowing terms of Nathan’s service to the department, telling the Houston Chronicle: “He was the kind of kid any parent would want. He was responsible, respectful, good academically and willing to do anything he could to help anyone in need. He was always early for training and always stayed late to make sure everything was done when training was finished. There will not be another Nathan Raulz any time soon.” A message has been posted to the fire department’s Facebook page regarding Nathan’s passing.

FOX News’ story is here. Channel 13’s story is here. The Houston Chronicle’s story is here.

A car accident last night between a Dominos Pizza delivery driver and a minivan injured several people, including a child. Two adults and a child in the minivan were taken to hospital, the Dominos driver was also injured and taken to the hospital. The accident happened at the intersection of the Eastex Freeway and Tidwell Road in northeast Houston. According to Channel 13’s story, the driver of the minivan ran a red light immediately before the crash.

Sometimes after a serious car accident, dealing with the other driver’s insurance company can be almost as painful as the injuries you suffered! Smith & Hassler’s highly qualified personal injury attorneys have handled thousands upon thousands of car accident injury claims over the firm’s 23-year history. If you have been hurt in a car accident and don’t want to risk being given the run-around by an insurance company, contact Smith & Hassler and ask to speak with an attorney.

A motorcyclist and his female passenger were seriously injured in a crash last night on Stuebner-Airline and Thora in north Harris County. According to authorities a group of three motorcycles were traveling northbound on Stuebner-Airline when a pickup truck ahead of them that was pulling a trailer loaded with lawn maintenance equipment slowed to make a right turn. The first two motorcycles were able to avoid the trailer but the third motorcycle crashed, throwing the motorcycle and passenger from the bike. According to Channel 13, Sheriff’s deputies at the scene said there is no indication alcohol was a factor in the crash, but they believe the motorcycles may have been speeding. Sergeant S. Wolverton with HCSO said the estimated speed of the motorcycles was 80MPH. The female passenger who was injured underwent surgery overnight.

Smith & Hassler’s highly experienced personal injury attorneys have helped hundreds of injured motorcycle riders recover their damages. Insurance companies can be quick to blame motorcycle riders for an accident, regardless of the facts. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Smith & Hassler and ask to speak directly to an attorney.

An accident involving an 18-wheeler and a passenger car shut down Interstate 45 (the North Freeway) at Gulf Bank today.  The accident was just before 1:00pm in the southbound lanes.  Media photographs show a light-colored sedan stuck under the middle of a C.R.England 18-wheeler trailer with major damage to the windshield and roof of the car.  The condition of the driver of the car and the cause of the accident was not reported. Channel 2’s story is here. Channel 11’s story is here. FOX News’ story is here.

Premiere Houston personal injury firm Smith & Hassler has the knowledge, experience and resources to take on large trucking companies, their insurance companies and their attorneys.  If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident, call any time day or night for a free, confidential review of your case.

Manuel Funez, described by Channel 11 as a contract worker for Richardson Steel has died in an accident at the Port of Houston. Workers were taking steel pipe from an 18-wheeler trailer at city dock 17, ramp 5, when one of the pipes became dislodged and struck the 18-wheeler driver, Manuel Funez, who was standing near the back of the truck as it was being loaded. Channel 11’s story is here. Channel 2’s story is here. The channel 2 news story states that Mr. Funez was an employee of Lone Star Staffing.

Smith & Hassler has been helping injured workers and their families for work injury claims, plant explosions and workplace wrongful death claims for 23-years. Houston workers are entitled to do an honest days work in a safe workplace: if you or a loved one have been injured at work, contact Smith & Hassler any time, day or night, and ask to speak to an attorney to make sure you understand your legal rights.

A speeding driver who is suspected of driving drunk died in an accident early this morning when he crashed into the rear of a Houston Fire Department ambulance that was stopped on Kempwood Drive at Ryson Street to pick up a patient. Two paramedics were getting out of the ambulance when they heard screeching tires.  They then saw a young man driving a white-colored Nissan Altima approaching at an estimated speed of 80MPH, in a residential area no less.  One of the paramedics was able to react quickly enough to jump clear before the collision, but the other jumped back into the driver’s seat before the Altima struck the ambulance. That paramedic was transported to the hospital for observation. The driver of the Nissan Altima had to be rescued by Houston Fire Department because he was trapped inside his severely damaged car: he was rushed to Ben Taub hospital but did not survive. The driver has been identified as 21-year old David Lopez. Police said drunk driving was definitely a factor in causing the accident.  Channel 11’s story is here. Channel 2’s story is here. Channel 13’s story is here. FOX News’ story is here. The Houston Chronicle’s story is here.

The attorneys at Smith & Hassler practice exclusively in personal injury and have handled many serious injury and wrongful death claims resulting from the negligence and gross negligence of drunk drivers. Smith & Hassler believes a drunk driver should bear the cost of their actions, not the injured victim.  You can contact Smith & Hassler any time day or night and ask to speak directly to an attorney about your drunk driving injury claim.

The Katy Freeway (I-10) outbound lanes were shut down today for an extended period after an accident near Taylor at around 1:45pm. According to Channel 2’s report, investigators say a car swerved to avoid a collision with another car: one of those cars ended up under an 18-wheeler that was stranded by the roadside. A second 18-wheeler driving down the freeway ended up overturning and blocking all but one lane of the freeway. Three people involved in the accident were injured and taken to hospital, but their specific condition wasn’t mentioned.

Casimiro Campos stands charged with his fifth Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offense in connection with a crash that killed a 46-year old woman. Campos, 64, was first charged with drunk driving in Harris County more than 20 years ago, the racked up another 3 additional DWI charges. On Thursday May 24th Campos was charged with felony murder in the death of Amelia Perez. The crash happened May 23rd on South Post Oak at around 2:00p.m.  Amelia Perez was riding in the front passenger seat of Campos’ SUV. While other drivers involved in the accident were moving their vehicles into a nearby parking lot, Campos’ Chevrolet Suburban accelerated and crashed into a convenience store building. Campos then drove along the side of the building before leaving the parking lot and hitting the concrete bank of a drainage ditch on Anderson Road. Ms. Perez was thrown through the windshield of the Suburban: she died later at Memorial Hermann Hospital. The Houston Chronicle’s article is here. Channel 13’s story is here.

Insurance adjusters try to settle DWI accident injury claims quickly because insurance companies view these as higher value claims. Don’t allow yourself to be talked into a small, early settlement by an insurance company: call Smith & Hassler and ask to speak to an attorney for a no-charge consultation.