Do Dat Bar-B-Q

The Do Dat Bar-B-Q cook-off is held in historic Nacogdoches, Texas.  This cook-off had been canceled after many years and then in 2018 a small  group of volunteers decided to bring it back and rise from the ashes. Mike Love and Associates were one of the first sponsors to say yes and helped by becoming the media sponsor.As with most of the community events that we sponsor we also have employees that volunteer their time.  Attorney Sam Johson helps with tagging the meat as it is brought in and other employees helped work the gate. Proceeds from this fun event go the United Way of Nacogdoches County. 

Mike Love provides High School Scholarships

Encouraging High School students to continue their education is very important to our law firm.   In 2016, Mike Love decided to create a scholarship for students in Angelina County.  Students submit an application along with a personal essay and then 5 are chosen to receive a $1,000 scholarship.     

Central Lady Bulldogs Sponsor

The Central High School Lady Dog Softball team has a long tradition of excellence with numerous district, regional and state titles. Currently, in 2020 the Lady Dogs are the top-ranked team in the region and are ranked in the top 5 in Texas Class 3A softball. Mike Love & Associates LLC was proud to be the first Grand Slam sponsor of the 2020 season.

What Is The Correct Way To Report A Car Accident In Texas?

Nobody wants to get into a car accident. Unfortunately, car accidents in Texas are not uncommon. According to the state Department of Transportation, there are more than 249,000 traffic crash injuries and 3,639 traffic crash fatalities occurred during the latest reporting year across Texas. It is vital that anybody involved in a car accident understands the correct way to report the incident in the state.

Am I required to report the incident to the police?

It is highly recommended that you report every accident it occurs to the police, no matter how small. Under Texas law, drivers are required to report a car accident to the police if:

• The incident results in property damage exceeding $1,000
• Anyone his injured in the incident
• Anyone is killed in the incident

A failure to report a car accident that involves any of the above thresholds can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment.If you have any doubt about whether or not a car accident you have been in is reportable under the law, call the police so there will be an official record of the incident. The easiest way to do this is to simply dial 911 and let the dispatcher know where the accident occurred and whether or not anybody is injured.

How will reporting the incident help you?

It is not uncommon for anybody involved in an accident to be in shock initially after the incident happens. Drivers and passengers may not be thinking clearly. It may be the case that the at-fault driver offers to pay out-of-pocket for any damages they caused in order to get you to not report the accident to the police or the insurance company. It could be tempting to accept this offer, especially if there is minimal damage and there are no visible injuries.However, accepting an offer like this and not making a report could result in major consequences for you. It is important to understand that many car wrecks injuries are masked by the rush of adrenaline a person experiences in the immediate aftermath of the crash. The signs and symptoms of some injuries do not occur for hours or even days after the accident. If you have left the scene without making a report only to later realize you are injured, complications can arise. Filing a car accident several days later, after injuries appear, will raise questions about why you did not make a report when the accident happened. This will make it more difficult to prove that the accident caused your injuries.Another reason to report an even seemingly minor accident is that property damage to a vehicle can be deceiving. What may look like a small dent in a bumper may actually be several thousand dollars worth of damage, particularly if the body of the car, the chassis, or other internal parts have been damaged.Having a police report will be invaluable when it comes to securing a settlement for injury or property damage expenses. The police officer will make a determination as to which party was at fault, and this information can be used by your insurance carrier or in a personal injury lawsuit. Be sure to ask the police officer at the scene how to obtain an official police report. Typically, these reports will be available a few weeks after the accident occurs.

What Should I Do If I Have Been in an Accident With a Hit-and-Run Driver?

Any car accident can be an incredibly scary and confusing experience, and this is most certainly the case when a hit-and-run accident occurs. Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are fairly common in the United States and across Texas. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, there were more than 737,000 hit-and-run collisions in the United States during the latest reporting year. Fleeing the scene of a car accident in Texas is illegal. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a hit-and-run driver, there are several steps you can take to ensure your own well-being and help secure the compensation you deserve.

Steps to take after a hit-and-run accident

Take these steps if someone hits your vehicle and flees the scene:

1. Get to safety and call the police. It can be tempting to want to chase after a person that flees the scene of an accident. Do not do this. Pull your car to a safe location if you can, and call the police. Give the dispatcher any details about the vehicle and driver that fled, such as the vehicle make and model, license plate number (even if you only remember part of it), what the driver looked like, the direction they drove, etc.
2. Determine whether there are any witnesses. If there is anybody standing around or if any other vehicles stopped, ask to see if anybody witnessed the crash. Get the name and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
3. Take photographs of the scene. If you have a camera (most smartphones do) and it is safe to do so, take photographs of the accident scene. This includes any vehicles involved, damages, any injuries, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and any debris scattered around the accident scene.
4. Call an experienced attorney. Most experienced car accident attorneys offer free initial consultations for your case. It does not hurt to speak with an attorney to determine whether or not they will be able to help you secure maximum compensation.
5. Report the incident to your insurance carrier. Insurance carriers require that you report any accident fairly soon after it occurs. When you make your initial report, all you have to do is let the insurance carrier know that an accident occurred and give them the information of the other driver’s insurance carrier. Avoid taking any fault for the incident and do not go into detail about your injuries during this initial report.

Will insurance cover the expenses for a hit-and-run accident?

One of the main concerns of those involved in a hit-and-run accident is securing compensation for their medical bills and property damage. This can be complicated, especially if the hit-and-run driver is not caught by the police or if they do not have insurance. You should check your policy to ensure that you have uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage and uninsured motorist property damage coverage. However, neither type of uninsured motorist coverage is required for drivers in Texas. If you do have uninsured motorist coverage, your medical bills and property damage will be covered up to your policy limits.It is vital that you speak to a qualified East Texas car accident attorney who can help you sort through all routes available for you to pursue compensation.