personal injury

Published on: July 3, 2018

Happy Fourth of July. Now Don’t Hurt Yourself…

Tomorrow is the fourth of July, and in honor of our nation’s greatest holiday and the birthday of American freedom, we would like to say “Happy Fourth! Now don’t hurt yourself”.

We’ve all done it. Who can honestly say that they haven’t lit off a bunch of black cats and thrown them at a few of our best buddies? Oh, you can’t say that? Good. You’re smart. Don’t do that because its dangerous. But a lot of us did and I am glad we survived.

Recently, Motherboard released a compilation of the craziest and dumbest fireworks accidents in honor of the fourth of July holiday. There are some crazy accidents on there. Like when a kid lit a firecracker and threw it in a sewer and then stood on the manhole cover. Apparently that kid lived to regret it. Or the time a guy from Brooklyn was smoking a cigar and holding a firecracker at the same time and blew his own finger off. This year, don’t be that guy. Don’t be that kid. Because then websites like Motherboard will write stories about you and make money on advertising. Its embarrassing. Instead, if you want to do something really cool with fireworks, be this guy who flew a drone through a fireworks show. That is awesome. Plus, no one gets hurt.

Published on: June 29, 2018

Be Safe this Fourth of July!

by Guest and Gray Law Firm

When most people think of the Fourth of July, they think of freedom, backyard barbecues and fireworks. As a personal injury lawyer, I cannot help but think about the people who will inevitably be hurt or killed along with the celebrations. I hate to be the Debbie Downer, but once you see the dirty underbelly of the pig, its hard not to think about it when you eat the bacon.

The grizzly truth is that the Fourth of July weekend is typically the deadliest holiday each year. Last year alone, 10 people died in water related accidents in Texas. What is most concerning is that according to IIHS travel statistics, the fourth of July is the deadliest day in America with an average of 118 lives lost each year in motor vehicle accidents. According to the same report, it is the deadliest day for motorcycle riders as well, with an average of 26 lives lost. Alcohol is usually a greater factor during the fourth of July holiday, ranking second only behind New Year, with 42 percent of deadly accidents involving alcohol for Independence day and a whopping 62 percent for the New Year holiday.

To help illustrate, here is a list of the top-10 days with most accidents since 2014 according to IIHS.com:

	All deaths	Average deaths per day
July 4	592	118.4
January 1	591	118.2
September 18	552	110.4
August 2	541	108.2
August 27	541	108.2
July 5	539	107.8
October 2	539	107.8
October 8	537	107.4
September 1	535	107
September 2	535	107

Top 10 days with most
motorcycle crash deaths, 2010-14

	All deaths	Average deaths per day
July 4	129	25.8
August 24	120	24
August 8	116	23.2
June 30	112	22.4
July 8	112	22.4
August 27	112	22.4
June 5	111	22.2
August 10	110	22
June 21	109	21.8
July 27	109	21.8

TRAVELING AROUND TEXAS FOR THE FOURTH? BE SAFE!

If you are traveling around our great State this holiday, be safe and watch out for other drivers who seem impaired. Indicators of intoxication, according to NHTSA are:

Turning with wide radius
Straddling center of lane marker
Appearing to be “drunk”
Almost striking object or vehicle
Weaving
Driving on other than designated roadway
Swerving
Speed more than “10″ miles below speed limit
Stopping without cause in Traffic lane
Following too closely
Drifting
Tires on Center or Lane marker
Braking Erratically
Driving into Opposing or Crossing Traffic
Signaling Inconsistent with driving actions
Slow response to traffic signals
Stopping inappropriately (other than in a lane)
Turning abruptly or illegally
Accelerating or Decelerating Rapidly
Headlights off

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? CALL GUEST AND GRAY TODAY!

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, you need to call Guest and Gray immediately. Our knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorneys are ready to get to work for you. We need to begin working on gathering and protecting evidence, speaking to witnesses and asserting your rights. Whether it be car, motorcycle or 18-Wheeler accident, you need to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Get the medical treatment you need and then make the call to Guest and Gray. You will be glad you did! Be safe this Independence Day and God Bless America!

Published on: June 28, 2018

Guest and Gray: Exceeding Expectations

by Guest and Gray Law Firm

At Guest and Gray, we know that if you are in an attorney’s office, typically that means something has gone wrong. You have been arrested. Injured in an accident. Marital problems. You have been sued. We understand the stress that is involved in each case and we seek to take that stress away and make your problems OUR problems.

Guest and Gray did not become the largest and highest reviewed law firm in Kaufman and Rockwall counties by mistake or accident. It was through hard work and dedication to our clients. It was done by consistently exceeding our clients expectations for their case. We cannot promise victory. In many cases, regardless of outcome, there is no “victory”, only resolution. Our promise to you is that we will work hard for you in order to obtain the best possible outcome for your situation. That is the only guarantee we can give.

Each case is important because attached to each case is a real person. No matter how many clients or how many cases we have, your case is important to us. Our caring support staff and experienced attorneys will fight hard for you each step of the way.

Published on: June 13, 2018

Rockwall Truck Accident Lawyers

by Guest and Gray Law Firm

Guest and Gray Law Firm is made up of locally grown attorneys who love their communities. Two of our lawyers grew up around Rockwall and four grew up in Kaufman and Rockwall counties. We are the largest local law firm with 9 attorneys who are dedicated to serving our fellow Rockwallians who have been severely injured or killed in truck and other commercial vehicle accidents.

Truck accident cases are particularly complex but only because the insurance company for the trucking company makes it that way. When you or a loved one is severely injured, or killed, in an accident, it should not be as hard as it is to make the insurance company or the trucking company pay for the damages that their driver inflicted on you and your family. The sad part is that most of the time it is like pulling teeth.

YOU NEED SOMEONE ON YOUR SIDE

Published on: May 22, 2018

Guest and Gray Law Firm: Leveling the Playing Field For Injured Victims

by Guest and Gray Law Firm

Guest and Gray is a full service law firm, specializing in manner different areas of law. One of our core practice areas is personal injury and wrongful death. If you or a loved one is involved in an auto, truck or motorcycle accident, you are going to have to deal with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. If you do not hire an attorney, you will be going into a situation where the other party is a multi-billion dollar insurance company who specializes in negotiating these types of claims.

So let me ask you this question: In any other type of situation, would you enter into negotiations with a multi-billion dollar company without hiring someone to represent you?

My hope is that the answer would be a no. Don’t be the fool that the insurance company thinks you are.

Published on: April 6, 2018

Rockwall Civil Litigation Attorneys: Guest and Gray, P.C.

by Guest and Gray Law Firm

Rockwall is a destination for residents and businesses alike. Rockwall has it all. High end living, great places to eat, Lake Ray Hubbard, easy access to Dallas and East Texas. Overall, it is a great place to live and raise a family. It is also a great place to start a business because of the high population density in Rockwall and the fact that it is a hub for several major interstates and highways.

Guest and Gray, P.C. is the largest and highest rated law firm in Kaufman and Rockwall counties. Our staff of attorneys is dedicated to serving the Rockwall area. We are the local, trusted law firm who has represented hundreds of Rockwall county residents over the years in various legal disputes.

We are a full service law firm practicing in the following areas of law in Rockwall County, Texas:

Published on: April 6, 2018

East Texas is Experiencing a New Oil Boom

by Guest and Gray Law Firm

According to a recent KETK.com report, East Texas is experiencing a new oil boom. That is very exciting for many East Texas residents who will tell you that, even as of 2015, the outlook was bleak and jobs were growing scarce, and things only got worse in early 2016 when the bottom fell out on the price of oil. When prices dipped below $30.00 a barrel, hundreds of oil field workers and employees lost their jobs.

While the oil industry is and always will be cyclical, many people were concerned it would never be back the way it was before. This is due in large part to the over production we were seeing across the United States and OPEC.

Raymond Woodward was interviewed for the special report by easttexasmatters.com. “The state of the oil industry, right now, is in a state of recovery from a very deep slump,” Raymond Woodward, President of BHL Consulting Inc says. “It is improving. Employment is improving. Oil and gas prices are improving. We are on the way up.”

Published on: April 4, 2018

Liability for Abnormally Dangerous Domesticated Animals

by Guest and Gray Law Firm

In Texas, a person can find themselves liable for the actions of an animal considered to be “abnormally dangerous”. An animal will be considered “abnormally dangerous” if its dangerous propensities that are abnormal to its class. That means that if the animals breed is typically known for being calm and sweet, yet the animal in question had bitten or nipped at a person in the past, it could be considered to have “dangerous propensities abnormal its class”. A domesticated animal is any animal (i.e. dog, cat, pig, horse, etc.) that is by custom devoted to the service of mankind at the time and place it is kept.

To prove a cause of action for injury by a dangerous domesticated animal, the plaintiff must show that:

1. The defendant owned or possessed the animal;

Published on: March 28, 2018

Kaufman and Rockwall County Truck Accident Lawyers

by Guest and Gray Law Firm

Guest and Gray, P.C. has represented countless Rockwall and Kaufman county residents and their families after devastating 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle accidents in our area. When residents of Kaufman and Rockwall counties are injured in a truck or commercial vehicle accident, they know that Guest and Gray law firm will be there to help them hold the trucking company and their insurance carrier accountable for their actions.

Kaufman and Rockwall Counties are Seeing Growth in Number of Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Just in the last few weeks, truck accidents have caused havoc on our local roadways. In the last few years, both Kaufman and Rockwall counties have seen spikes in the number of truck related accidents, injuries and deaths. As more commercial vehicles drive on our roadways, that will only increase the risk of serious injuries to our local residents and those that travel on our roadways. When those types of accidents occur, you need to know who to call. Call Guest and Gray, P.C., your local, experienced truck accident attorneys.

Published on: March 23, 2018

Law That Bites: The Texas “One Bite Rule”

by Guest and Gray Law Firm

According to Centers for Disease Control, there are approximately 4.5 million dog bites in America each year. Texas leads the nation in dog related fatalities, according to the most recent study of fatalities from 2005 to 2017, there have been 52 fatalities linked to vicious dog attacks, ranging in ages from 85-years old all the way down to just a two month old baby. In 2016, Texas ranked second overall in dog related fatalities.

The funny thing is that Texas, despite leading the nation in dog attacks and dog related death, does not have a statute that covers civil liability for dog bites.

Say what?