Driving without insurance in the State of Texas isn’t an option for motorists as it is illegal to do so. While the law doesn’t require drivers to purchase coverage to protect their own vehicle, it does require them to carry liability coverage with the following limits:

• $30,000 of coverage for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident.
• $25,000 of coverage for property damage

[Source: Texas Department of Insurance].

When a driver still owes money on their vehicle, the Texas Department of Insurance says they will likely be required to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage as well. Now, although the law has made it very clear that all drivers are required to purchase and carry insurance coverage when they are in possession of a vehicle and actively using it, not all drivers abide by the law. In fact, it is estimated that “one out of every eight drivers does not carry auto coverage, and in some states, that number is one out of five” [Source: Insurance Information Institute (III)].

Given these statistics, it is important that you do everything you can to protect yourself from drivers who choose to violate the law and drive without insurance. Here’s what the III recommends you do:

1. Make sure you’re insured.

Although insurance can be expensive depending on where you live, it is essential to have. You want to be sure you purchase enough coverage so that you meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements so that if you were to cause an accident, your policy will pay repairs as well as other losses you caused the other driver to suffer. You also should consider purchasing a basic auto insurance policy, says the III. For instance, you will want to include in your policy comprehensive and collision coverage which protects you and your property in the event of an accident.

What’s the difference between comprehensive and collision insurance?

While collision coverage will pay to repair or replace your vehicle after a collision, comprehensive coverage will pay you “if your car is stolen or damaged by fire, flood, vandalism or something other than a collision” [Source: Texas Department of Insurance]. Although your premium will increase when you add the two types of coverage onto your policy, you can choose higher deductibles and less coverage to lower your monthly cost. The fact is, having some coverage is better than none, especially if you were to engage in a collision with a driver who wasn’t carrying any amount of insurance coverage at all.

2. Purchase additional insurance coverage.

Another way you can protect yourself from an uninsured driver is by adding on coverages to the basic policy you have. Some additional coverages you might considering buying include:

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance- This coverage will “pay for you and your passengers’ medical bills if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist who is at fault.” UM insurance will also “reimburse you and your passengers for lost wages” and cover you if you are hit while walking or involved in a hit and run accident. While this insurance might not seem necessary, it can definitely benefit you to have it if you ever cross paths with an uninsured motorist and suffer injuries severe enough to keep you out of work.
• Underinsured Motorist (UIM) protection- If you are involved in a car accident with a driver who is carrying liability insurance “but his or her policy’s limits do not cover the full extent of damage to your vehicle,” this type of coverage would kick in and provide you with the compensation you need.

While we can only hope that we will never engage in an accident with a driver let alone one that is uninsured, we can’t predict when these things will happen which is why we need to be prepared at all times. If you aren’t carrying the coverages mentioned above but are considering adding them onto your policy as you wish to protect yourself from an uninsured motorist in Houston, contact an insurance agent to find out about getting them added on to the current policy you have.

What should I do if I was already involved in a car crash with an uninsured driver in Houston, TX?

If you were involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist and aren’t sure what to do in order to recover the full amount of compensation you know you are entitled to, contact Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC to speak with a car accident lawyer in Houston, TX. While you might be concerned that you won’t be able to obtain the amount of money you need to cover your property damage, medical bills, lost wages, etc., we are here to tell you that our team of experienced car accident attorneys have handled cases similar to yours and we know what needs to be done to get you the funds you need and deserve.

You can reach Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC at:

2 Riverway Drive #1240

Houston, TX 77056

Phone: 713-844-3750

Website: www.blizzardlaw.com

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 20% of high school students have used e-cigarettes or vaping devices. This accounts for over 3.05 million students who have vaped. According to the CDC, one in five high school students and one in twenty middle school students have used or are using e-vaping devices. Is your teen or child among them? With the statistics of teen JUUL use so high, now might be the time to have a conversation with your teen about the risks of e-cigarette use or vaping.

What are the risks? According to the Truth Initiative, the use of vaping devices and e-cigarettes exposes teens and young users to the following risks:

• Nicotine Addiction. E-cigarettes and vaping devices contain nicotine, a substance which is addictive. Teens who develop a nicotine addiction may be more likely to try other types of addictive drugs and may be at risk for becoming addicted to other substances.
• Brain Development. Teens’ brains are still developing. E-cigarette use and vaping can interfere with brain development.
• Other Harmful Substances. E-cigarettes and vaping devices may contain other chemicals and substances which are harmful.

The Food & Drug Administration recently issued a warning to JUUL Labs for its marketing practices, which included the targeting of teens and youth. In the wake of this, dozens of parents, and young adults, have come forward, seeking damages from JUUL Labs. Some of the lawsuits claim that JULL Labs targeted youth and teens, leading to the increase in teen use of vaping devices. Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is a law firm in Houston, Texas, working with families and youth who have become addicted to or injured by e-cigarettes, JUUL, and vaping devices. If you or someone you love is addicted to JUUL e-cigarettes and is struggling to quit, consider speaking to Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC today.

How to Help Your Teen Quit JUUL

If your teen is addicted to JUUL or vaping devices, you may be wondering what steps you can take to help your teen quit. Quitting nicotine once you become addicted can be very difficult, but there are some steps parents can take to help their teen quit. Here are some steps parents can take to help their teen quit nicotine:

• Talk to your teen about the risks. Many teens are not aware that JUUL e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Teens may also not know about the health risks of smoking. Talking to your teen honestly about the health risks that JUUL and e-cigarettes pose can go a long way toward motivating them to quit, or better yet, to not start smoking.
• Help your teen quit. Offer support if your teen is addicted to e-cigarettes or JUUL. Different support options work better for different people. When quitting, it can be helpful if your teen understands why he or she is choosing to quit. Remembering these reasons can be useful when your teen experiences cravings. Offer alternatives to smoking to help your teen fight cravings. Sometimes going for a run, eating candy, chewing gum, or doing something that is a distraction from the craving can work. Before using any nicotine gums or patches, teens should speak to a doctor. According to the Mayo Clinic, these smoking replacement and cessation products were not designed for teenagers.
• Consider support. If your teen is addicted to JUUL, quitting alone can be hard. There may be teen smoking support groups near you that your teen can join to discuss challenges and to surround himself or herself with others going through the same struggles.

These are just some of the things that parents can do to support a teen who is addicted to JUUL or e-cigarettes. If you have recently learned that your teen is using or addicted to JUUL or e-cigarettes, you may understandably be concerned. Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is a law firm in Houston, Texas, that works with families who are struggling with teen vaping addiction. We take on cases where youth became addicted to vaping devices and JUUL and may be able to assist your family in seeking damages from these companies if your child became addicted to vaping or e-cigarettes while underage. Contact our firm today to learn more.

Teen Addicted to JUUL? What You Can Do.

If your teen is addicted to JUUL, you can offer your support to help your teen quit. You also may be able to join a growing number of families and youths seeking damages from e-cigarette companies like JUUL Labs. Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is a law firm in Houston, Texas, that may be able to assist your family. Our lawyers can take the time to review your situation, offer you an honest assessment of your case, and help you understand the next steps.

Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is a personal injury law firm in Houston, Texas that is currently taking cases from individuals who have been injured after using e-cigarettes, vaping devices, or Juul. Our firm is also taking cases from youth and teens who became addicted to Juul, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices when they were under age (under age 18). As the dangers of vaping have become more apparent, doctors, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Food and Drug Administration have all begun investigations into vaping, e-cigarettes, and Juul products. These companies have been investigated because they may have targeted teens and youths for their vaping and e-cigarette campaigns. Furthermore, these products may have been touted as safe. Those using them may not have been aware that they contained nicotine, an addictive substance.

What do we know so far? The Centers for Disease Control reports that as of October 8, 2019, 1299 cases of lung injury and illness have been reported across 49 states. 26 people have died as a result of these illnesses, which the CDC is reporting as an “outbreak.” The CDC continues to investigate what might be causing lung injury and illness in these patients. As a result of the outbreak, the CDC has issued a recommendation that people stop using vaping devices and e-cigarettes.

If you or someone you love has fallen sick with vaping-related lung injury or illness, you may have options under the law. You may be able to join a growing number of victims and families who are filing lawsuits against the makers of e-cigarettes and vaping devices. Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is a personal injury law firm in Houston, Texas that is currently  accepting cases from those who have been impacted.

What is particularly alarming about e-cigarette and vaping use, is the fact that many teens appear to be addicted to these devices. Getting teens to quit e-cigarettes can be incredibly challenging. Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is a personal injury law firm that may be able to help you pursue a lawsuit if your child became addicted to e-cigarettes or vaping devices.

Which States Have Banned E-Cigarettes?

As a result of the outbreak of illness across the nation, some states have moved to ban e-cigarettes and vaping devices. Other states have also considered banning the devices.  Here are the states have taken action thus far?

• Michigan issued an emergency ban that will last 180 days following the increase in vaping-related lung illnesses that have been reported across the nation by the CDC.
• New York has banned flavored vaping products that contain nicotine.
• Massachusetts has initiated a four-month-long ban on all marijuana and vaping products.
• Rhode Island banned the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes through an executive order issued by the governor.
• Washington has temporarily banned the sale of flavored vaping cigarettes for 120 days, until more information becomes available.
• California has issued an order recommending that vaping sales be more restricted among people under 21 years of age.

Other states, including Illinois, New Jersey, and Delaware are currently considering similar bans and restrictions. Texas has not yet banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and vaping devices. However, the recent proliferation of illness across the nation has many individuals alarmed and the CDC is performing an investigation. Once the reasons for the outbreak has been determined, additional regulations or changes in law could be put in place.

Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is a personal injury law firm in Houston, Texas. If you or someone you love has become addicted to vaping while underage, or has contracted vaping-related lung illness, contact Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC today to learn more about how we may be able to help.

Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is a personal injury lawyer taking cases from individuals who became addicted to vaping devices when they were under-age. (The vaping and e-cigarette industry has come under fire for targeting youth in its advertisement campaigns, and regulators are closely monitoring the industry because youth vaping has increased.) Our firm is also taking cases from individuals who have suffered from vaping-related lung injury as a result of using vaping devices. While investigators are continuing to investigate the various factors that link the use of vaping devices with vaping-related lung illness and injury, the Centers for Disease Control has recently identified vitamin E acetate as a crucial chemical contained by certain vaping products that could be linked to the recent spate of lung injuries and deaths. In fact, the CDC has noted vitamin E acetate as the common chemical found in recent vaping related lung illness cases.

Among patients suffering from vaping related lung injury, vitamin E acetate was found in all samples taken. Lung samples from 29 patients across ten states were taken. Vitamin E acetate is most commonly used as an additive in e-cigarettes and vaping products that contain THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The CDC has issued a recommendation that individuals refrain from using vaping products that contain THC until the link between this chemical and recent lung injuries is better understood. Researchers continue to explore how this additive might be impacting lung health among users. According to the CDC, many chemicals alongside vitamin E acetate were found in e-cigarettes, including plant oils, mineral oils, and other additives, but these chemicals were not consistently found in samples taken from patients suffering from vaping related lung injury and illness.

If you have suffered a vaping related lung injury or illness after using a vaping product, consider contacting Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC. Our personal injury attorneys can review your case, help you understand your rights, and assist you in making a claim.

What is Vitamin E Acetate?

Vitamin E acetate is a synthetic chemical that has been used in some THC vaping liquids to dilute the liquid or thicken the liquid. THC is the active chemical in marijuana. Vitamin E acetate is a chemical used in creams and supplements, but when it is inhaled, there is reason to believe that it could cause serious harm. The CDC believes that this sticky substance may not be healthy to inhale, and it can linger in the lungs long after it has been inhaled, which can result in lung damage, scarring, and illness. Fluid samples of 29 patients suffering from vaping related lung illness were taken by researchers sampling patients across 10 states. Vitamin E acetate was found in all samples taken from these patients.

According to Vox, as many as 50% of THC vaping products may contain vitamin E acetate. Other states reported higher numbers of vaping products containing the additive. Because of the patchwork nature of THC regulation, vitamin E acetate may be used by illicit suppliers, but may also be used by legitimate suppliers as well. So individuals receiving their THC from both legitimate and illegitimate suppliers might be affected.

Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is accepting cases where individuals have been injured after using vaping devices. If you,,  or a friend or family member, have suffered a serious lung injury potentially related to a vaping,  the lawyers at Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC may be able to help.