Everyone who is on the road or drives a vehicle has a responsibility to operate that vehicle in a safe manner. When a person does not drive in a safe manner, they endanger themselves and everyone else on the road. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is highly irresponsible and can end up being extremely dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 10,000 people who died from a motor vehicle accident involving a drunk driver, and many more injured. These accidents are typically severe and can result in serious injuries to those who were involved. If you have been in an accident with a driver who was intoxicated, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries and losses.

What is Negligence in a Drunk Driving Accident?

The key to successfully claiming any sort of compensation after a drunk driving accident is proving that the other driver was negligent. In Texas, recovering compensation requires proof of “gross negligence,” which is defined as an action or failure to act that involves an “extreme degree of risk,” when considering the potential consequences and severity of harm to others. Gross negligence can also refer to an action or failure to act when the person has awareness of the risk involved, yet continues the action or failure to act, knowing it will interfere with the rights, safety, and/or wellbeing of others.

Typically proving negligence in a drunk driving accident is fairly easy. A person driving or operating a vehicle while they are intoxicated is committing gross negligence, as they could not operate the vehicle safely in the state they were in.

Some of the most serious crimes you can be charged with are sex crimes. In recent years, issues such as sexual assault, rape, and other types of relationship and interpersonal violence have been brought into the public spotlight, notably, through social media like the #MeToo movement, which encourages participants to share their stories. As a result, laws surrounding sex crimes have changed across the country. In Texas, sexual assault is a serious crime that can follow you for the rest of your life, affecting you even after your sentence has long passed. A skilled Texas sexual assault defense lawyer can help you understand the crime you have been charged with and the penalties that come with a conviction.

Defining Sexual Assault

If you have been arrested for sexual assault, you should understand what actually constitutes a charge for the crime you have allegedly committed. According to Texas law, a person commits sexual assault if they knowingly or intentionally:

In today’s world, most people realize that it is extremely irresponsible and reckless to operate a vehicle while you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For decades, state and federal agencies have pushed campaign after campaign to attempt to decrease the number of drunk driving arrests that occur each year. While the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities has decreased in past years, the number of DWI arrests still remains high. Penalties for DWI can be severe in Texas, but they can become even more serious when a child is in the vehicle when you are arrested. 

DWI Charges for Driving With a Child

In the state of Texas, driving a vehicle with a child in it while under the influence, can bring upon a charge separate from that of a regular DWI charge. To be charged with DWI with a child passenger, the prosecution must prove that you were:

When you first hear that someone tripped and fell, you may not consider their injuries to be that serious. However, slipping and falling can cause serious or even life-threatening medical conditions. The severity of an injury often depends on where the accident took place and the type of surface, as well as the body part on which a victim landed. Although many people might think it would be the person’s own fault because they slipped or tripped, a negligent property owner may actually be responsible for causing harm if they failed to properly maintain their grounds. Understanding Texas premises liability law is important when filing a personal injury claim for injuries suffered in a slip, trip, and fall accident. 

The Consequences of Slipping, Tripping, and Falling 

Several factors may impact the nature of a slip, trip, and fall injury. Inclement weather conditions can cause surfaces to become slick and unstable. The recent winter storm that hit Texas wreaked havoc on roads as well as power grids. If the temperature drops, rain that accumulates can turn to ice. In addition, snow that is not removed in a timely manner from a parking lot or public space can hinder visitors’ or guests’ ability to safely maneuver in or around establishments such as restaurants, stores, offices, or apartment buildings. 

A few of the most common types of injuries that can occur in a fall include:

The criminal justice system is a network of government and private agencies that manages  accused and convicted criminals. The system consists of different areas, including academia, law enforcement, forensic services, the judiciary, and corrections. The goal of the system is to rehabilitate offenders, prevent other crimes, and provide support for victims. Like many other states, Texas takes criminal activity seriously and alleged offenders can face severe punishments if convicted. Even though juvenile crimes are those committed by minors, they may still face stiff consequences. That is why it is imperative that juveniles who are facing criminal charges seek the counsel of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to learn about their rights in the juvenile justice system.

Common Offenses Committed by Minors

It is not uncommon for young people to act without thinking about the consequences. Unfortunately, this can lead them to making mistakes and doing something illegal. In some cases, these crimes are similar to adult offenses; however, the penalties are based more on their age or other factors.