Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia confirms that Officer Jacob Arellano died this morning as a result of his injuries in a head on collision Tuesday night. Arellano was struck by a wrong way driver just before midnight while on his way to work in southern Dallas.
The crash happened at the Spur at West Kiest Boulevard. Police said the wrong-way driver hit the front left side of the officer's SUV, forcing it to go into the right lane and get hit by a tractor-trailer. The SUV rolled several times before stopping on the right shoulder of Spur 408.
The wrong-way driver was also hospitalized in critical condition. The tractor-trailer driver wasn't hurt.
Dallas, TX -- An 8-year-old boy who rode his scooter inside the parking lot of a Far East Dallas apartment complex died Monday night after he was struck by a drunken driver, police say.
It happened about 7:10 p.m. on Monday, October 10, on the 3600 block of Dilido Road. Police said the driver of a blue 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck crashed into the child.
"You just heard a loud bang and a ‘crack.' Just a loud 'bang' and kids screaming," said Lamartha Nash, who lives at the apartment complex and is close friends with the child's family. "My son was playing with him, he was just screaming, telling his friend to get up, and trying to help him.”
Nash said they were playing outside on the street, which turns into a dead end.
“I guess he [the driver] didn’t see him? But they were saying like he was drunk or had alcohol on his breath," described Nash. "They couldn’t get him [the child] breathing here, his mom and my dad did CPR on him, they put a tube in him on the way to Children's, but didn't make it when he got there."
Kaden Rainwater, 8, attended S.S. Conner Elementary School.
Police said the driver, 30-year-old Miguel Martinez, stayed at the scene but was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Martinez said that he had two Modelos between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. but investigators state that Martinez had glassy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol from his breath every time he spoke.
After a DWI investigation, Martinez was arrested and charged with murder and DWI of two or more previous convictions. His bond totaled $600,000.
Source: NBC DFW
They take multiple factors into consideration, such as your driving record, your age, the type of vehicle you are insuring, and how you use the vehicle. Essentially, the less likely the insurance company thinks you are to be in an accident, the lower your insurance premiums will be. Be mindful that not all insurance companies play by the same rules.
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident or by someone who didn't have insurance (or not enough insurance), you should absolutely file a claim on your own policy. Why? Because this is what you've paid your insurance premiums for. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you from this type of loss so that you don't suffer the financial burden alone.
Many insurance companies will not raise rates on their insured after a no-fault claim has been filed while some might. If you find that your insurance rates have gone up significantly, you can try to negotiate a better rate with your current carrier or begin looking for a new insurance carrier. If it is in their best interest to raise rates, it is in your best interest to find an insurance carrier that suits your needs, too.
Did you know that insurance companies in Texas are required to offer Uninsured Motorist coverage and Personal Injury Protection? If they fail to offer these coverages to you and obtain your signed, written rejection of these coverages, then this coverage may be applicable to you.
Beware of purchasing a "full coverage" insurance policy. This term is meaningless and causes confusion for many people thinking their injuries would also be covered just to find out they had a minimum liability policy with collision and comprehensive coverage for their vehicle only. Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage is not required per Texas statute but is highly recommended in case you are seriously injured in a car wreck.
If you've been in an accident and are unsure what to do, consult with our law office today by calling 972-833-8000. We have two decades of combined experience in accident injury law. We fight to protect our clients' rights, help them seek medical treatment, and win compensation for their injuries.
We aim to help assure any doubts you may have so you can be confident and informed when making your decision. Let’s go over the top 5 reasons why it’s worth hiring a personal injury attorney.
They are only interested in protecting their bottom line. They have teams of attorneys looking for ways to minimize the amount of money they pay-out to badly injured victims. You should have an attorney fighting for you and your rights.
Many injured victims don’t realize how severely they were hurt without proper medical treatment and professional diagnosis. Not to mention, insurance companies will actively discourage treatment so they don't have to pay. We help find doctors so you can be seen ASAP instead of waiting weeks through your regular healthcare network.
Our personal injury law firm has decades of experience handling scrupulous insurance companies and navigating the legal challenges an injury claim presents. You can count on our attorneys to fight for you while you recover and get back to your normal routine.
Why manage a case on your own when you can have a legal team do it for you? Insurance companies know that claimants are not trained negotiators. According to a report conducted by the Insurance Research Council, settlements were 40% higher when claimants were represented by a lawyer. Our attorneys know the tricks and strategies that will lead to the best resolution.
There is no cost to you up front - no legal fees of any kind. Seriously. You won't have to worry about "billable hours." Our attorneys will work your case on a contingency fee basis which means you pay nothing unless you win. There is no out-of-pocket cost to hire a personal injury attorney. Attorney fees are deducted from your settlement offer if a satisfactory outcome is achieved.
If you're unsure if you have a case, give us a call at 972-833-8000 for a free case review. There is no obligation to hire an attorney for your free consultation.
In Texas, motorists are required to have liability insurance with minimum limits of 30/60/25. This translates to up to $30,000 for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for property damage. Of course, some drivers may have higher limits and commercially insured vehicles usually have much higher limits.
Insurance companies are businesses and they want to limit payouts as much as possible. Car insurance companies are notorious for offering low-ball settlements regardless of your injury severity. You should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney if this happens to you.
There are many factors insurance companies consider in a car accident. The obvious one is how severe are the injuries?
A person who has significant trauma due to an accident, like a brain bleed or broken bones, may be awarded the full policy limits available to them. Whereas, a person who suffered minor, soft tissue injuries, like whiplash, may receive a minimal award.
Another factor is the potential for multiple claimants. Once there are more than two claimants involved, it is a race to settle first and the amount potentially available to you begins to diminish significantly. There is only so much of a pie to go around - it is possible for one person to take half before the other claimants get a piece.
We know what you're thinking - simply divide the total amount per accident by the number of claimants to determine how much each person gets - but that is not the rule.
Insurance claims in Texas operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Whichever claimant files and settles their claim first has the potential to receive the most money based on their injuries and medical bills.
One of the best things responsible drivers can do for themselves before they're in a car wreck is to ensure they have the right coverages on their own car insurance policy. Our attorneys recommend that you purchase as much insurance as you can, specifically, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Uninsured/Under Insured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM).
If you are hit by an at-fault driver, you should contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. An experienced law firm will assess the situation, determine your best course of action, and begin building a winning legal strategy.
Stanley & Associates offers free consultations to all prospective clients. There's truly no cost and no obligation - we want you to know your rights and options. Schedule your free consultation today. Call 844-227-9739
Texas law requires that all motorists have minimum liability policy limits of 30/60/25. This translates to $30,000 for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for property damage. Of course, you can purchase a higher liability policy if you desire.
Read more about policy limits and how they affect you.
Liability Insurance helps protect you and your assets from claims or potential lawsuits if you are found to be at-fault for an accident that caused bodily injury or property damage.
If you cause an accident, your passengers and drivers of other vehicles and their passengers can pursue a claim with your insurance company. The insurance company will pay for the medical expenses of the injured party(s) and repair bills for the damaged property. If a lawsuit is filed against you for the accident, your insurance company will provide a lawyer to defend you in litigation.
If you do not have liability insurance, you could be personally liable for the damages you caused to another in addition to fines and legal ramifications imposed by Texas law.
Here are a few things liability insurance does not cover if you are in an accident:
This list does not include every scenario or circumstance.
Many drivers often choose a liability-only policy because they believe additional coverage is too expensive or that additional coverages are unnecessary. Even worse, many drivers do not have insurance at all. With 1 in 5 Texas drivers being uninsured or under insured, you may want to consider the risk and rising costs of medical expenses when reviewing your insurance policy.
It is worthwhile to search for a reputable insurance company that offers additional coverages, such as Personal Injury Protection or Uninsured Motorist, at a low cost. If you already have insurance, ask your insurance agent if there are any deals for adding additional coverage to your existing policy.
Immediately after an accident in which you were injured.
If you are not at-fault and are filing against someone else, you may face resistance or outright denial of your claim - even with a police report or witnesses on your side. Keep in mind, insurance companies are a business and their goal is to minimize the amount they have to pay on insurance claims whether you are their insured or a claimant.
Does your insurance adjuster always seem to be on vacation? Do they underestimate how much pain and suffering you've been through but won't allow you to see a doctor? Is the insurance company making a low-ball offer for your injuries? If this sounds familiar to you, consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
Stanley & Associates understands how frustrating dealing with an insurance company can be. We aim to get the best possible award for your case. Call us today at 844-227-9739.
