Texas Accident & Injury News
Texas is a top 5 state for issuing traffic tickets.
Trooper Critically Injured During Traffic Stop, Driver Killed
On May 30, 2023, an officer was injured during a traffic stop in Anahauc when a van struck their vehicle, according to a KENS5 news report.
According to the report, the state trooper had pulled a vehicle over on I-10 just as the sun was rising, suspecting drunk driving. The vehicles moved into the shoulder, where another trooper was pulling behind to assist. Before the assisting trooper could exit their vehicle, they were struck from behind at high speeds. The impact forced the trooper’s vehicle into the trooper conducting the traffic stop, pinning him between the two vehicles. The trooper was taken to a Houston hospital in critical condition, though he was alert at the time. The driver of the van that struck the officers was a 72-year-old man who died at the scene.
Did You Know?
There were 58 officers killed in traffic accidents in 2021, a 38% increase over the previous year.
Traffic Violations in Texas: What You Need To Know
Traffic offenses are generally broken down into two types: Minor and Major.
Minor Traffic Violations
Minor traffic violations are less severe and include things like:
- Speeding
- Expired Tags
- Faulty Equipment
- Seat Belt or Child Restraint Violations (Excluding child endangerment charges)
- Parking Violations
Major Traffic Violations
Major traffic violations are usually criminal charges and include things like:
- Driving While Intoxicated
- Driving With a Suspended License
- Failure to Appear
- Reckless Driving
- Assault With a Motor Vehicle
Consequences of Traffic Violations
Traffic tickets can have more serious consequences than you might think. The severity of the punishment depends on whether the traffic violation was major or minor.
Major Violation Consequences
- Fines of anywhere between $50-$10,000 (Statewide average),
- Jail time of anywhere between 3 days to 20 years,
- Reinstatement fees, towing fees, and other surcharges that are not included in the above figures.
Minor Traffic Violation Consequences
- Fines of anywhere between $50 and $1,000,
- Insurances rate hikes,
- Potential license suspension.
Any driver’s license may be suspended if the violator is convicted of four or more moving traffic violations within a 12-month period or
seven or more moving traffic violations within a 24-month period. Additionally, those who fail to pay their traffic violations and appear in court on the scheduled date can be immediately arrested.
Dealing With Traffic Violations in Texas
A common mistake that those who have been issued a traffic violation make is to pay the fine online. After all, it’s easy and convenient to do so. However, in many jurisdictions, the act of paying the ticket online is an admission of guilt and will result in a conviction on your driving record. This kind of conviction can prevent you from getting jobs that require driving, as employers can see traffic convictions for the past ten years. If you have been issued a traffic ticket, it’s important that you speak to an attorney immediately to protect your rights and get the best outcome available to you.
Texas Ticket Lawyers
No matter what the violation is, if you have been served a traffic ticket in San Antonio or the surrounding area, contact the Texas ticket attorneys at Carabin Shaw at 800-862-1260. Don’t underestimate the severity of a single traffic ticket on your record. Call Carabin Shaw today to get affordable legal help, save time in court, and fight to avoid a conviction on your record, or fill out this form to get started. We look forward to serving you.