For 58 years, Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Friend has practiced personal injury law and business litigation in Texas.
Abraham Watkins has stayed on the leading edge of litigation skills, demonstrative results and current technology, and we are proud to be one of the first personal injury firms to develop a blog to help educate those individuals who suffer an injury usually though no fault of their own. It is our fervent hope this blog will assist people by providing education, information and answers to questions in their time of need.
We hope others contribute to this blog so that it serves as a resource not just to one or two individuals, but to many people who are suffering the adverse affects of a senseless injury.
Please tell us what you think; what information you would like to know more or less about; and what would keep you coming back. Please email us your feedback and questions. We look forward to hearing from you.
Chevrolet Cobalt Under Investigation
Posted by: Randy Sorrels
February 04, 2010
Topic: Firm Case News
The Houston Chronicle reported that based on 1,132 complaints about the Chevrolet Cobalt's electric power steering (including reports of 11 accidents and one injury), the United States federal regulators have opened an investigation into the vehicle. The investigation is into approximately 905,000 vehicles covering the model years 2005 to 2009, and a theme common to the complaints is the inability of the driver to stay in their lane of traffic when steering became difficult. Those with knowledge of the investigation believe the focus is on the possibility of failure of the electric power steering systems.
If you have a concern with your Chevrolet vehicle, take it immediately to your dealership. If you have been involved in an accident, do not hesitate to call us for guidance to notify the appropriate authorities.
Toyota?s Sticky Gas Pedal Problem Could Spell Serious Injuries For Consumers
Posted by: Benny Agosto
February 02, 2010
Topic: Firm Case News
Our lawyers at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Friend are currently handling a number of product liability cases. In fact, for almost 60 years, our firm has represented hundreds of clients complaining of injuries caused by defective vehicles and or parts. One case in particular regards a Honda vehicle that needed repair to a recalled defective part. The facts in the case detail the unfortunate situation wherein a dealership failed to properly repair the recalled part and the owner of the Honda was fatally injured as a result.
This week, Toyota Motor Corp. said to its dealers and customers that its dealers should get parts to fix a sticky gas pedal problem by the end of the week. Documented evidence shows that these defective vehicles have caused a numbers of accidents and or injuries throughout the U.S. The automaker apologized to its customers and tried to bring an end to a recall that has affected 4.2 million vehicles worldwide. The company said in a statement that it has begun shipping parts and is training dealers on the repairs. Some dealers will stay open around the clock to fix the 2.3 million cars and trucks affected by the recall in the U.S. Technical bulletins on how to install the new parts should arrive at dealers by midweek. It is not clear when the repairs would start, although dealers have said that they will begin repairs as soon as possible.
How are customers to know for sure that the repairs are done right? Why not change out the defective parts? Is it too costly for the dealers? For Toyota? Aren't the lives of our loved ones more valuable that the cost of these parts?
Toyota recalled the vehicles on January 21, and determined that excess friction in the gas pedal assembly could in rare cases cause the pedals to stick. Since the recall was announced, dealers have been in the difficult position of telling angry customers that they have no parts to fix the cars. Unfortunately, if Toyota and the dealers are not careful with the repairs, the sticky gas pedal problem with their cars could end up causing some injuries for customers. Driving a vehicle with a defective part can be very dangerous. No one should take the Toyota recall lightly. If you or a loved one owns one of the affected Toyota vehicles, please do not hesitate and take the car in for repairs immediately. Verify, by asking the dealer to show you the defective part that was repaired or replaced before driving off the lot. Remember that your life and the ones of your loved ones depend on it.
LAW CHANGES IN FAVOR OF TEXAS POLICE OFFICERS
Posted by: Chelsie Garza
February 01, 2010
Topic: Firm Case News
Benny Agosto, Jr., Chelsie King Garza and Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Friend undertook the representation of Eluid Cesar Hinojosa, a Sergeant with the Harris County Constable's Office, when he challenged a decision of the Texas Department of Insurance - Workers Compensation Division regarding compensability of benefits in Harris County District Court. The injured worker was victorious at trial, was again victorious when the Texas 1st Court of Appeals affirmed the trial Court's decision, and now celebrates the Texas Supreme Court's decision not to review the Appellate Court's ruling.
At the heart of this case is the peace officer's duty status at the time of the motorcycle wreck. Sergeant Hinojosa was "on duty" at the time of his wreck, which carried with it the responsibilities of a Sergeant with the Harris County Constable's Office. Sergeant Hinojosa was "signed on" as the on call Sergeant and was en route to a call for assistance from a subordinate officer at the time of his injury. His employer attempted to cease future compensation to its now disabled veteran employee by alleging that he was not "on duty" at the time of his motorcycle wreck.
Harris County raised two interrelated issues on appeal. Whether the evidence presented at trial supported Judgment in favor of Hinojosa and whether or not the evidence presented at trial was factually sufficient to show that Hinojosa was in the course and scope of his employment and therefore to support such Judgment. The 1st Court of Appeals found that there was sufficient evidence to support the Judgment and to find that Sergeant Hinojosa was in the course and scope of his employment when he accepted a call to assist a fellow officer.
This decision from the 1st Court of Appeals is a victory for Sergeant Hinojosa and a monumental victory for all peace officers in the State of Texas. This decision further clarifies what it means to be "on duty" for police officers across the State. Mr. Agosto, Ms. Garza and Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Friend are immensely proud of this decision and their opportunity to help Sergeant Hinojosa.
U.S. Bans Texting By Drivers of Large Trucks and Buses
Posted by: Randy Sorrels
January 29, 2010
Topic: Legislative Issues
On January 27, 2010 the United State government issued a hand-held "texting" ban on drivers of large commercial trucks and buses. Hailed by safety advocates, the ban carries fines of us to $2,750 per violation. This ban follows a similar ban issued in December for drivers of federal government vehicles.
Not surprisingly, research by trucking regulators has shown drivers take their eyes off the road for much of the time they send and receive text messages, and they are significantly more at risk of getting into an accident than someone who is not texting. In fact, the National Safety Council estimates that 200,000 crashes of all types on U.S. roads are caused by drivers who are texting.
Nearly two dozen U.S. states ban "texting" while driving for all motor vehicles, but Texas is not one of those states. We at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto & Friend urge the Texas Legislature to ban "texting" while driving on all motor vehicles in the next legislative session.
Another Major Auto Manufacturer Recall ? This Time Honda
Posted by: Brant Stogner
January 29, 2010
Topic: Firm Case News
Just today, after Toyota's massive and unprecedented recall of millions of its vehicles, Honda has announced that it is now going to recall 646,000 units of the Fit/Jazz and City models globally. This recall includes 140,000 units that are currently in the Unites States. A spokeswoman from Honda announced that the recall covers the models sold across the globe, with the exception of models sold in Japan.
According to Honda, the recall is aimed at fixing a defective master switch, which may cause water to enter the power window switch and in some cases lead to a fire. "Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver's window and reach the master power window switch, resulting in impaired function of the switch," the Japanese car maker said in a statement. "If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the liquid intrusion, it may result in failure of the switch and overheating. An overheating switch may cause smoke, melting or, potentially, fire," according to Honda.
In the United States, there are two reported cases of fires starting in Honda models due to this particular defect. There is also a reported case in South Africa. The Honda recall is the second major car manufacturer defect in the news this week, following Toyota halting the sale of popular models in the US due to a tendency for accelerator pedals to stick.
