San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer at The Herrera Law Firm Comments on Cheap Gas and Accident Risks
San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) January 28, 2015 -- Commenting on a news story showing a correlation between cheap case and accident fatalities, San Antonio personal injury lawyer Jorge Herrera of The Herrera Law Firm said drivers must remember to maintain safe habits behind the wheel.
“Many people drive more conservatively to save gas when prices are high,” Herrera said. “When the price is lower, they might accelerate more aggressively or drive faster without worrying about the cost. This type of behavior also increases the chance of causing an accident.”
An NPR story reported that sociology professor Guangqing Chi of South Dakota University has conducted research indicating that a $2 drop in the price of gasoline is linked to about 9,000 road fatalities each year in the United States (NPR: “The Downside of Cheaper Gas: More Accident Fatalities,” Jan. 6).
Attorney Herrera, who has handled many car accident injury and fatality cases at The Herrera Law Firm, said it’s important for motorists to always engage in safe driving habits, regardless of the price at the pump.
“We know that serious accidents can happen anytime on Texas roads, which is why we always advocate for safety,” Herrera said. “But these findings should not be ignored. It shows that highways now could be more dangerous than they were a year ago. Drivers must remember to stay alert and sober. That means you should use a designated driver to get home if you’ve been drinking. You should avoid using your cell phone behind the wheel. And you should always observe the rules of the road.”
Herrera added that accidents often happen to people through no fault of their own. “While just about everybody welcomes low gas prices, no one wants to be a victim of a rear-end accident or a head-on collision,” Herrera said. “But as gas prices continue to stay low, more and more people may be getting injured and need help. It’s the job of personal injury attorneys to fight to protect the rights of the injured and families who lost loved ones. We help hold those negligent drivers accountable and send a message that careless or reckless behavior won’t be tolerated on Texas roads.”
The NPR report stated that one of the main reasons why accidents are on the rise is simply because more people drive when gas prices are high. Researcher Chi stated that people tend not to combine trips when gas prices are low. Drivers also may not drive as conservatively when prices are down. They might accelerate more quickly and fail to maintain a steady speed – habits that not only lead to more gas consumption but increase the risk of accidents, according to the report.
NPR stated that younger drivers, who generally have less disposable income and who are at a higher risk of accident, will drive more often when gas prices are down.
Attorney Herrera noted that individual drivers can’t do much to control the price of gas, but they can control the way they operate motor vehicles.
“Whether the price is up or down, we urge drivers to use caution,” he said. “We recommend that drivers especially be careful when approaching intersections, when changing lanes or when pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are nearby.”
About The Herrera Law Firm
Founded in 1983, The Herrera Law Firm has successfully represented thousands of individuals and families who have been dealt catastrophic blows due to personal injuries from nursing home abuse and neglect, oil field accidents, car accidents, tractor-trailer truck accidents, construction accidents, workplace injuries, dangerous drugs and defective medical device injuries. The law firm’s mission is to rectify the wrongs committed against its clients so that they can regain their dignity, rebuild their lives, and reclaim financial stability. The Herrera Law Firm is located at 111 Soledad Street #1900, San Antonio, TX 78205.
If you or a loved one was injured, or you lost a loved one in an accident and need legal help, call (210) 224-1054 or visit http://www.herreralaw.com.
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
Share this article