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What to Do After a Car Accident in Plano, TX

September 18, 2025

Understanding Auto Insurance and Car Accidents in Texas

June 30, 2025

Texas Seat Belt Law: How Not Wearing a Seat Belt Can Affect Your Injury Claim

June 28, 2025
Every year in Texas, distracted driving - including texting, eating, adjusting controls, or any activity that takes a driver’s hands, eyes, or mind off the road - leads to thousands of serious injuries and hundreds of deaths, with statistics showing that just a 2 second glance away doubles crash risk. Under Texas law, texting while driving is banned statewide, handheld use is prohibited in school zones and for novice drivers, and many cities enforce even stricter hands-free ordinances. In the event of a crash, the state’s modified comparative fault rule can reduce or bar recovery if a victim shares blame, making it critical to preserve evidence like phone records, social media activity, and eyewitness testimony. Victims can seek economic, non-economic, and, in cases of gross negligence, exemplary damages - so contacting an experienced attorney like The Law Office of Joel M. Vecchio, P.C. right away ensures crucial evidence is secured and maximizes the chance of full compensation.

Distracted Driving Accidents in Texas: What Victims Need to Know

June 25, 2025

Pain and Suffering – How Are Damages Calculated?

June 20, 2025
Following the fatal motorcycle accident on North Central Expressway involving former NFL player Kelvin Joseph Jr., who was charged with Driving While Intoxicated (Class B misdemeanor) and Collision Involving Personal Injury or Death (second-degree felony) under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.021 after leaving the scene for nearly an hour, The Law Office of Joel M. Vecchio, P.C. has published an educational guide explaining the critical distinction between criminal charges and civil wrongful death claims under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 71. The comprehensive resource addresses how surviving spouses, children, and parents can pursue both economic damages (lost wages, funeral expenses, medical costs) and non-economic damages (mental anguish, loss of companionship, grief and sorrow) through wrongful death and survival action claims, while highlighting unique challenges in motorcycle accident cases including motorcyclist bias, severe injury complexities, specialized accident reconstruction needs, insurance coverage complications in hit-and-run situations, and additional considerations for high-profile cases involving public figures with substantial financial resources and enhanced insurance policy limits. The guide emphasizes that criminal penalties provide no financial compensation to families, making immediate consultation with experienced wrongful death attorneys essential for evidence preservation, independent investigation, expert witness preparation, and navigating the two-year statute of limitations while coordinating with criminal prosecutors and addressing potential coverage denials from insurance companies who may investigate more aggressively when drivers initially flee accident scenes.

Your Legal Rights After Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

June 18, 2025

Vicarious Liability – Holding Companies Responsible for Their Employees’ Negligence

June 11, 2025
This article explains that Texas, unlike 11 other states (Alaska, California, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Oregon), does not have "No Pay, No Play" laws that prevent uninsured drivers from recovering non-economic damages (pain and suffering compensation) after car accidents. The content details how Texas allows uninsured motorists to seek full compensation even without insurance coverage, citing reasons including fairness to accident victims, protection of low-income individuals, doubts about effectiveness, legal concerns, and public opinion. However, it warns that driving without insurance in Texas still carries severe penalties including fines ($175-$1,000), license suspension, vehicle impoundment, annual surcharges, and SR-22 filing requirements, with approximately 14% of Texas drivers being uninsured according to the Texas Department of Insurance. The article explains the differences between economic damages (medical bills, car repairs, lost wages) and non-economic damages, describes how "No Pay, No Play" laws work in other states with various exceptions (such as DUI cases), and concludes with a call to action for The Law Office of Joel M. Vecchio, P.C., which offers free consultations to help uninsured drivers navigate insurance claims and recover compensation after accidents.

Can Uninsured Drivers Get Compensation After a Crash?

June 4, 2025
In Wolf v. Moughon, Texas motorists Mary and Shannon Wolf were injured when Carol Moughon’s vehicle crossed the center line in violation of Vernon’s Annotated Civil Statutes art. 6701d §52 (now Texas Transportation Code §545.051), yet they received a “take-nothing” verdict because their lawyers framed the claim as common-law negligence instead of negligence per se, asked the jury subjective “ordinary-care” questions, and allowed sympathy for Moughon’s alleged brake problems to cloud liability. On appeal, the court clarified that the unexcused statutory breach should have automatically established both negligence and proximate cause, shifting the burden to Moughon to prove an unavoidable excuse. The case shows how correct legal theory, tightly worded jury questions, expert crash analysis, and precedent citations could have secured recovery for the Wolfs and highlights why selecting a Texas car-accident attorney well-versed in negligence-per-se strategy - such as Plano lawyer Joel M. Vecchio - is vital.

Don’t Make This Legal Mistake and Lose Your Car Crash Case

May 30, 2025

The Driver Who Caused My Accident Was Uninsured, Will I Still Be Compensated?

May 27, 2024

A Motorist Opened Their Door Into Me as I Was Riding My Bike. Do I Have a Claim Against Them?

May 18, 2024

If I Ride at Night, Am I Required To Have Lights on My Bike? What if I Get Hit and I Do Not Have Lights?

May 10, 2024

Steps To Take Immediately After I Have Been Hit

May 5, 2024

Can I Still Recover Damages if I Was Not Wearing a Seatbelt at the Time of the Car Accident?

April 26, 2024

What Information Do I Need to File a Truck Accident Claim?

April 18, 2024

Can Anything I Say to the Police after My Car Accident Be Used against Me?

April 9, 2024

How Is a Car Accident Settlement Calculated

April 1, 2024

What Are The Most Dangerous Roadways and Intersections for Cars in Plano, TX?

September 1, 2022
In Plano, Texas, you must immediately report any crash involving injury, death, significant vehicle damage (≈ $1,000+), hit-and-run, suspected DUI, or uninsured drivers—failure to do so can trigger criminal penalties and weaken your claim. Calling 911 (or Plano PD’s non-emergency line if no one is hurt) ensures officers create the official CR-3 police report that insurers and courts rely on, preserves evidence and witness details, and can expedite medical aid. Even seemingly minor collisions warrant a report because hidden injuries and vehicle damage often surface later. After notifying police, move cars to safety if possible, exchange driver and insurance information, photograph the scene and damage, collect witness contacts, seek same-day medical evaluation, inform your insurer promptly, and consult Joel M. Vecchio - a local car-accident attorney before discussing settlement - protecting both your health and your right to full compensation

Should I Contact The Police After a Car Accident?

August 15, 2022
How Do You Determine Fault in An Accident If Weather is at Play?

How Do You Determine Fault in An Accident If Weather is at Play?

August 1, 2022
What Are The Most Serious Injuries From Car Accidents?

What Are The Most Serious Injuries From Car Accidents?

July 1, 2022
Steps to Take If I am Hit By An Out of State Driver in Texas?

Steps to Take If I am Hit By An Out of State Driver in Texas?

June 15, 2022
Can a Passenger Be Responsible For Causing an Accident in Texas?

Can a Passenger Be Responsible For Causing an Accident in Texas?

May 10, 2022
Where Can I Find My Police Report in TX?

Where Can I Find My Police Report in TX?

April 22, 2022
What Should I Do If I am Pregnant and in a Car Accident?

What Should I Do If I am Pregnant and in a Car Accident?

April 10, 2022
If Someone Else Drives Your Car and Gets in an Accident, Am I Responsible?

If Someone Else Drives Your Car and Gets in an Accident, Am I Responsible?

March 25, 2022

Causes of Drunk Driving Accidents in Texas

March 10, 2022
Who is At Fault If a Permit Driver Gets in an Accident?

Who is At Fault If a Permit Driver Gets in an Accident?

January 12, 2022
Can I Get My Accident Footage From a Red Light Camera?

Can I Get My Accident Footage From a Red Light Camera?

December 30, 2021
Can Fault Be Determined by Auto Accident Damage?

Can Fault Be Determined by Auto Accident Damage?

December 17, 2021
What to Be On The Lookout for in Aggressive Drivers?

What to Be On The Lookout for in Aggressive Drivers?

November 30, 2021
Rideshare apps—especially Uber, which still served 93 million users and earned $11.1 billion in 2020 despite the pandemic—offer cheaper rides than traditional taxis but can also lead to serious crashes that injure passengers, other motorists, or pedestrians on Texas roads. If you were hurt in such a collision, the Plano-based Law Office of Joel M. Vecchio, P.C. urges you to explore every recovery option, including claims against the Uber driver’s personal auto insurance, the platform’s $1 million third-party liability policy (active while a driver is picking up or transporting passengers), and any required uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Because rideshare accident claims involve multiple insurers, policies, and liable parties—each motivated to offer fast but inadequate settlements—consulting an experienced Plano Uber accident attorney is crucial; a lawyer can investigate fault, calculate full medical and financial losses, and negotiate fair compensation before you speak with adjusters. If you were injured as a passenger, driver, or other road user, contact Joel M. Vecchio’s office online or at <a href="tel:9723814610">(972) 381-4610</a> for a free case review.

What Should I Do After Being Injured in an Uber Accident?

November 12, 2021
Should I Contact The Police After A Car Accident?

Should I Contact The Police After A Car Accident?

October 13, 2021
Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

September 30, 2021
What are the Top Causes of Truck Accidents?

What are the Top Causes of Truck Accidents?

September 15, 2021
Self-Driving Cars Will be Involved in Crashes

Self-Driving Cars Will be Involved in Crashes

August 31, 2021
Texas Leads in Fatal Truck Crashes

Texas Leads in Fatal Truck Crashes

August 19, 2021
Understanding Your Family’s Legal Rights After a Fatal Collision in Texas

Understanding Your Family’s Legal Rights After a Fatal Collision in Texas

March 24, 2021
How Do You Recover Compensation for a Distracted Driving Accident in Texas?

How Do You Recover Compensation for a Distracted Driving Accident in Texas?

March 1, 2021
What Losses Can You Recover After an Auto Accident in Texas?

What Losses Can You Recover After an Auto Accident in Texas?

February 1, 2021
When Can Auto Insurance Companies Deny Coverage in Texas?

When Can Auto Insurance Companies Deny Coverage in Texas?

January 1, 2021
What NOT To Do After a Car Accident in Texas

What NOT To Do After a Car Accident in Texas

December 1, 2020
What are Texas’s Auto Insurance Laws?

What are Texas’s Auto Insurance Laws?

November 1, 2020
Auto Insurance Claim – When Should You Settle Your Texas Auto Insurance Claim?

Auto Insurance Claim – When Should You Settle Your Texas Auto Insurance Claim?

October 1, 2020
What are Your Legal Rights After a Motorcycle Accident in Texas?

What are Your Legal Rights After a Motorcycle Accident in Texas?

September 1, 2020

7 Important Facts for Auto Accident Victims in Texas

August 1, 2020
Firefighter Rescuing from Overturned Vehicle Accident Scene

What to Do After a Car Accident

July 1, 2020