Read up on Galveston Memorial Day Activities and Important Laws
Tylka Law attorneys live and work in Galveston Island and League City, Texas. While we work hard to serve our clients, we also love to enjoy Galveston during a 3-day weekend.
Some of our clients have begun to ask us about Memorial Day. There is a lot going on, so we’re going to break down some fun activities here. Additionally, we have comprised a list of important ordinances to help you prevent any unnecessary run-ins with the law.
Memorial Day Activities
The Galveston Historic Pleasure Pier is a big part of Galveston Island. Every year, the Pier runs an annual Memorial Day special. One Pass for $49.99 enjoy unlimited visits on Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday to the Pleasure Pier, Kemah Boardwalk and Downtown Aquarium Houston. We highly recommend this package if this is your first time to Galveston and want to experience a big part of the island. Link for tickets and more info: http://www.pleasurepier.com/tickets.html
If you’re in the mood for adventure, there are two hour tours of the Galveston harbor on Saturday and Sunday evening. Guests can bring snacks, beer and wine to add to the ambiance of the tour. Link for tickets and more info: http://www.galvestonwateradventures.com/
If you’re a foodie, we always recommend visiting the Farmer’s Market on Sunday. It is on Sunday from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Bryan Museum. Among the raw produce, there are lots of unique foods and vendors to grab a great breakfast or lunch. Link for more info: http://www.galvestonsownfarmersmarket.com/
Galveston Beach Laws
If you’re planning a relaxing weekend on the beach, there are a few important local laws to remember.
Galveston Island (and most Texas beaches) allows alcohol. This comes with a couple rules though:
- Galveston beaches permit alcohol consumption.
- There are NO glass containers allowed. This is to prevent injury as glass bottles can break and bury themselves in sand. Any other container types (aluminum, plastic, etc) are fine.
Fires are allowed on the beach, but only in contained formats such as a grill or hibachi. Open fires over the sand are not allowed. You will need to have a fire extinguisher and/or bucket of water nearby to quench your fire (in case it gets out of control). You will also need to dispose of coals in a controlled area. Do NOT bury coals in the sand, this can lead to substantial injuries to you or other beach-goers.
Galveston beaches (and most Texas beaches) allow pets. You will need to keep your pet on a leash, and for the sake of all of us, please clean up after your pet. There are few things more disgusting than stepping on pet excrement with bare feet.
Parts of Galveston beaches permit ATVs, 4-Wheelers, Dirt Bikes and the like. There will be visible “Vehicle Access” signage for off-road vehicles.
Galveston beaches prohibit all firework-related activities. This is due to common firework-related injuries which can be amplified in crowded settings.
Other Galveston/Houston Legal Advice
If you have questions or need any legal assistance over Memorial Day weekend, call Tylka Law Galveston/Houston personal injury attorneys today. We are always happy to help. No matter where you are, have a wonderful and safe weekend!
We would like to thank the following sources:
What Texas Drivers need to know about Backup Cameras
According to CBS Sacramento, all new cars produced after 2018 will require backup or “Rear View” cameras. Many injuries and fatalities prompted the decision to require car manufacturers inclusion of cameras. The data provided by the National Highway Safety Administration shows:
Rear-View Cameras Prevent Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, backup cameras help prevent accidents in driveways and parking lots. While all automobiles benefit from backup cameras, they especially help larger autos like SUVs and trucks. This is due to larger autos having a significant blind-spot just behind the car.
Can Texas Drivers with Older Cars Purchase Backup Cameras?
The short answer here is “yes”! Texas drivers have a large selection of backup cameras available online and at most auto-part stores (Amazon has many models). Pricing ranges generally from $30 to $200, however we have recommendations on what makes a good backup camera:
- Screen Resolution: Most rear-view cameras come with a flat screen that can be mounted somewhere along the dash. 1080p is ideal, but we recommend at least 960p for your resolution.
- Proximity Indicators: Proximity indicators are lines, dots or dashes that show how far or close you are from an object. These are particularly useful for parallel parking.
- Night Vision: Many backup cameras come with some sort of night vision capability, and we can’t recommend this feature enough. There have been many times we have avoided running into a pet at night.
Galveston Car Accident & Pedestrian Injury Attorneys
If you need a Galveston pedestrian injury lawyer, contact Tylka Law Firm today. Tylka Law attorneys will protect you during a tough time, and get you money and claims for medical problems. We helped many car accident victims get several million dollars in claims. If you need assistance, give us a call at (281) 557-1500 anytime day or night.
TWIA Storm Insurance Follows Similar Protocol
Last year, Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coastline. Galveston and Houston experienced massive flooding, while areas like Cypress and Sienna Plantation were hit hard by wind and tornadoes. Texas homeowners returned to their homes hoping for a clear and easy path to recovery, only to be hit with low-ball insurance offers.
According to CBS, this is a national issue. Homeowners across the country pay into storm insurance that should cover their losses during a catastrophic event. In many cases however, these homeowners end up fighting the insurers in court. The real shock is that insurers end up spending more to fight a homeowner’s claim in court instead of paying the homeowners for storm damage:
“A 2016 government report found little oversight of flood litigation spending by FEMA. One flood case was estimated to cost $87,000 in legal fees, just for trial preparation. That homeowner’s policy limit was $25,000.”
Handling Texas & TWIA Insurance Claims
If your home or property suffered damage during Hurricane Harvey, chances are you filed an insurance claim. In theory, the process to receive compensation should be straightforward:
- A contractor visits your home to assess the damage.
- The contractor gives you a damage estimate.
- You send the estimate to your insurer.
- An insurance agent comes to your home and verifies the estimate.
- You or a contractor are paid to rebuild your home based on the estimate.
Unfortunately this process can be incredibly daunting. In many cases, insurers will offer less than 1/4 of the damage estimate. Even after a homeowner negotiates with an insurer, the final offer can still be far too low to rebuild damaged sections of their home.
How a Storm Insurance Attorney can Help
TWIA and Texas storm insurers do not like to go to court. If they are hit with a lawsuit, they prefer to settle and will offer substantially more than the initial compensation package. That said, we have successfully sued TWIA and storm damage insurers for breach of contract, forcing them to make clients whole and pay attorney fees. We have also won punitive damages in bad faith lawsuits by proving systematic practices to deny or devalue legitimate claims.
The Tylka Law Firm can intervene to hold the insurance company to its obligations. We have more than 25 years of experience with hurricane/windstorm and flood damage claims, including lawsuits for bad faith denial and lawsuits against insurance agents for misrepresentation, errors and omissions.
Hurricane Harvey Insurance Claim Attorneys in Texas
If your home was flooded or property was lost and insurance won’t compensate you fully, fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you right away. Tylka Law Firm storm and hurricane lawyers can help you claim the full value of your damaged property and get your life back to normal.
A Personal History of Hurricanes and Storm Insurance
Back in 2008, Tylka Law Firm’s Galveston office was hit hard by Hurricane Ike. A lot of our case work was lost and property damaged, but we considered ourselves lucky. Our staff was alright, our friends and family were alive, and our office wasn’t too badly hit.
During this time, we found ourselves dealing with our storm and flood insurance company. They were very hostile when we asked for the full value of our damaged property, and it took a lot of back-and-forth to get it. We also realized that several of our clients had negative experiences with their own insurance companies, until we began to negotiate for them. Tylka Law Firm recovered a significant percentage of claims for our clients that their insurance companies initially denied.
We know what you are going through first-hand. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact us anytime. Thank you, and the best of luck to you in this situation. God bless.
League City Office
Phone: 281-557-1500
Toll Free: 877-762-0066
Cell/Emergency: 713-829-6048
Fax: 281-557-1510
Galveston Office
Phone: 409-762-0066
Toll Free: 877-762-0066
Cell/Emergency: 713-829-6048
Fax: 281-557-1510
Texas New Year's Eve Celebrations Possible Cause
According to CBS Dallas Fort-Worth, the driver of a Hyundai Elantra traveled southbound in northbound lanes on I-35E early morning. The Hyundai collided head first with a Ford F150. The driver of the Hyundai was pronounced dead at the scene. Hospital ER doctors also pronounced the driver of the Ford F150 as deceased.
Drunk Driving a Possible Factor
12:33am is the recorded time of the accident. Due to the time of the accident being so close to midnight on New Year’s Eve, police suspect that drunk driving is a factor. Many roadblocks are set up to prevent drunk driving accidents such as these, however some drivers still slip through.
Galveston Wrong Way Driver Attorneys
If you need a Galveston wrong way car accident lawyer, contact Tylka Law Firm today. Tylka Law attorneys will protect you during a tough time, and get you money and claims for auto damages and medical problems. We helped many car accident victims get several million dollars in claims. If you need assistance, give us a call at (281) 557-1500 anytime day or night.
The Texas Boating Disposal Program Ends on Feb. 9th!
The Texas General Land Office and Galveston County are holding a vessel disposal program. If your jetski or small boat is non-operational, you may dispose it for free. There are some rules regarding this program:
- Your boat or jetski must be inspected prior to the event. Inspections can be done at local boating repair shops that are certified by the Texas General Land Office.
- Your boat or jetski must be shorter than 26ft in length. Most personal watercraft will pass this test.
- The owner must transport the boat or jetski to the program.
- You must call before February 9th to reserve a spot.
Benefits to the Galveston Environment
Many aging boats and jetskis rust and leak fuel or other chemicals into the bay or streams. The cost of PWC disposal can be relatively high, but Galveston county sees the benefit to the environment. This program benefits the local ecology, improves fishing and swimming for Galveston residents, and even increases real estate value due to the cleaner waters. Older PWC engines have a higher failure rate and are responsible for a greater percentage of accidents. It is imperative that we take care of our environment and ourselves by properly disposing of older boats and jetskis.
Please call (409) 766-4509 to reserve a spot.
Galveston Boat & Jetski Accident Attorneys
If you need a Galveston PWC lawyer, contact Tylka Law Firm today. Tylka Law attorneys will protect you during a tough time, and get you money and claims for boating damages and medical problems. We helped many boating accident victims get several million dollars in claims. If you need assistance, give us a call at (281) 557-1500 anytime day or night.
We Cover Restaurants, Local Hotspots, and Staying Safe
Tylka Law attorneys live and work in Galveston Island and League City, Texas. As locals we are often asked about local events and holidays by friends and family. This post goes over our favorite things to do during Thanksgiving in Galveston.
Hotels in Galveston
If you’re planning to eat out for Thanksgiving, many restaurants and hotels offer Thanksgiving turkey as a brunch, lunch or dinner. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Hotel Galvez
Where: 2024 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, TX.
What: Thanksgiving Brunch at the Galvez Bar & Grill
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Gypsy Joynt
Where: 2711 Market St., Galveston, TX.
What: Thanksgiving Buffet
Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Landry’s Seafood House
Where: 5310 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, TX.
What: Thanksgiving Buffet
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The full list of restaurants can be found on Galveston.com
Things to Do, Weather, Etc.
The weather in Galveston during the late fall is wonderful. You can expect an average 60 to 65 degree day with maybe a light breeze. The weather makes for a lovely walk around the seawall or pier, which we always recommend for out-of-town friends and family. If you’d like to explore on the day of Thanksgiving, we recommend Texas Seaport Museum’s dolphin watch on board the Seagull II. For adult friends and family, a craft beer fest will be held at Moody Gardens on the Friday – Sunday after Thanksgiving.
Staying Safe in Galveston
According to the CDC, an average of 28 people die every day due to alcohol-impaired driving. These deaths climb during the holidays as family members toast and watch the big game. One drunk driver hit a client driving up 61st Street at about 2:15AM. We suspect that the drunk driver left a house party moments before getting into the accident, as his BAC measured .12! If you see a car swerving, call 9-1-1 right away. You may save a life.
Galveston Car Accident Attorneys
If you need a Galveston car accident lawyer, contact Tylka Law Firm today. Tylka Law attorneys will protect you during a tough time, and get you money and claims for auto damages and medical problems. We helped many car and truck accident victims get several million dollars in claims. If you need assistance, give us a call at (281) 557-1500 anytime day or night.
Texas House Bill 1774 Limits Hurricane Insurer Liability
Last weekend, Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coastline. Brazoria, Galveston and Houston experienced massive flooding, while Cypress and Sienna Plantation were hit hard by wind and tornadoes. As Texas residents return to their homes to assess the damage, they may not be aware of an impending deadline regarding their insurance claim.
Texas House Bill 1774 and Storm Insurance
Texas House Bill HB 1774 passed in May of 2017, just before the major storm season rolled around. Essentially, this bill limits liabilities for Texas insurers if they are taken to court. Under the old law, property owners who submit insurance claims will be able to increase the amount of damages they receive if they file and win a lawsuit against their insurance company. The Texas insurance code currently in place gives you 18% interest if the insurance company slow pays, no pays or low pays. The new law drastically reduces the penalties and interest that insurance companies pay for wrong doing. By reducing the penalty insurance companies face, the new law does less to deter insurers from acting in bad faith.
The September 1st Deadline to File an Insurance Claim
If you can safely get back to your home and assess the damage, we want you to file your insurance claim right away. If you file a written storm insurance claim before September 1, 2017, you are entitled to all benefits of the old law. Claims not filed before that time will be subject to the new law with its restrictions and limitations. Keep proof that you provided notice of your claim Before September 1, 2017; typically USPS tracking or any digital confirmation is suitable.
Hurricane Harvey Insurance Claim Attorneys in Texas
If your home was flooded or property was lost and insurance won’t compensate you fully, fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you right away. Tylka Law Firm storm and hurricane lawyers can help you claim the full value of your damaged property and get your life back to normal.
A Personal History of Hurricanes and Storm Insurance
Back in 2008, Tylka Law Firm’s Galveston office was hit hard by Hurricane Ike. A lot of our case work was lost and property damaged, but we considered ourselves lucky. Our staff was alright, our friends and family were alive, and our office wasn’t too badly hit.
During this time, we found ourselves dealing with our storm and flood insurance company. They were very hostile when we asked for the full value of our damaged property, and it took a lot of back-and-forth to get it. We also realized that several of our clients had negative experiences with their own insurance companies, until we began to negotiate for them. Tylka Law Firm recovered a significant percentage of claims for our clients that their insurance companies initially denied.
We know what you are going through first-hand. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact us anytime. Thank you, and the best of luck to you in this situation. God bless.
League City Office
Phone: 281-557-1500
Toll Free: 877-762-0066
Cell/Emergency: 713-829-6048
Fax: 281-557-1510
Galveston Office
Phone: 409-762-0066
Toll Free: 877-762-0066
Cell/Emergency: 713-829-6048
Fax: 281-557-1510
Hurricane Harvey Expected to be Category 3 Hurricane
According to the Galveston Daily News, Hurricane Harvey will make landfall on Friday evening. It will bring a 2 to 10 foot surge, and is expected to last through the weekend. Early storm damage estimates compare to damage seen during Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Current Status on Hurricane Harvey
Harvey formed as a tropical depression on Wednesday from remnants of a tropical storm over the Gulf of Mexico. As of today at 12:30pm Central, Harvey is heading towards coastal Texas. Currently Harvey rates as a category 1 hurricane, however this may be upgraded to a category 3 hurricane when it makes landfall. Galveston residents can expect winds up to 115mph. Residents in Galveston, Houston and surrounding counties can expect over a foot of rainfall just through the weekend.
Expected Disruptions for Galveston Residents
Galveston residents may see the following disruptions in public services over the weekend and through early next week:
- Trash pickup
- Buses
- Seawall Blvd. Trolley
- Public Schools
Preparing for Hurricane Harvey in One Day
Tylka Law Firm recommends several steps over a few months to prepare for a storm. However, as we are just a day out from landfall, here are a few important preps that we highly recommend:
- Secure Windows and Doors: Use thick plywood, hurricane shutters and/or other material to prevent debris and water coming through your windows and doors. Securing windows is especially important as wind and shattered glass is typically lethal.
- Purchase Non-Perishable Food: According to the US Coast Guard, each home should have at least 72-hours of food and water per person on hand. Power outages are likely during a hurricane, so also consider purchasing non-perishable food such as peanut butter, beef jerky, trail mix and crackers. Consider keeping a sterno or portable stove on hand for boiling water and canned soups. Don’t forget your pets! If you have a cat or dog, make sure food and water is available for them as well.
- Store Water for Sanitation: Have some extra water on hand for baths, flushing toilets, and simple cleaning (like hand-washing). If you run out of water and own a water heater tank, extra water may be available inside of the water heater for emergency purposes.
- Purchase or Make a First-Aid Kit: During a hurricane, emergency responders will typically take a long time to get to you. Having a first aid kit on hand can help alleviate any non-critical wounds.
- Sand Bags and Flood Barriers: If you live in a known flood-zone, seriously consider purchasing sand bags or other flood barriers for the exterior of your home. Even if flood insurance covers all of your property damages, it can still take months to get back to normal. A preventative step can alleviate a lot of stress.
- Purchase a Generator: If your property can accommodate a generator, we recommend purchasing one. A generator can immediately restore power, heat and light to your home during an outage.
- Photograph your Home: If your property is damaged during Hurricane Harvey, photographs of that property will help when dealing with storm insurance claims. Additionally, any stolen property can be reported to the police with more than a description. We recommend taking photographs of any sensitive information such as birth records, firearm serial numbers and property deeds.
Dealing with Storm Insurance
If your home or property is damaged during Hurricane Harvey, you will need to call your storm insurance firm. An agent will visit you and assess the damage, and afterword give you an offer to replace or repair your damaged property. While this should be straightforward, we often find insurance claims agents offering less than half of your claimed value. If you need help dealing with storm insurance claims, Galveston storm insurance lawyer Larry Tylka can help. Contact us 24/7 for assistance.
Hurricane Harvey Storm Insurance Assistance
Dealing with insurance companies is difficult. Read our guide on how to deal with Hurricane Harvey insurance claims in Texas. If your experienced damage to your home or property and you need help dealing with the insurance company, click on your county link below and fill out the contact form there. We will get back to you normally within one business day. Thank you, and stay safe.
Galveston Lowers Yearly Auto Registration Fee by $6.00
Judge Mark Henry of the Galveston County Commissioners Court struck down a $6.00 portion of the annual auto registration fee. This fee was meant to provide funds to the AirCheck Texas program, however “It’s not fair to continue charging a fee when there’s about $1.7 million available for Galveston County that hasn’t been spent.” Judge Henry said.
What is the AirCheck Texas Program?
According to their website, the AirCheck Texas Drive a Clean Machine Program, “helps vehicle owners comply with vehicle emissions standards by offering financial incentives to repair vehicles or replace older vehicles.” In other words, AirCheck Texas wants Texans to drive cleaner, more efficient vehicles. The program gives up to $3,500 for new cars and $600 for repairs to older cars. Houston and Galveston residents may apply for the program.
Benefits to Galveston Residents
The $6.00 cut is a small addition anyone’s budget, but budgeting in today’s times is difficult and any reprieve is welcome. A $6.00 cut can go towards school supplies, food, or just enjoying a movie rental or small bite to eat. We appreciate Judge Henry’s decision, and find it in favor of Galveston residents.
Galveston Car Accident Attorneys
If you need a Galveston car accident lawyer, contact Tylka Law Firm today. Tylka Law attorneys will protect you during a tough time, and get you money and claims for auto damages and medical problems. We helped many car and truck accident victims get several million dollars in claims. If you need assistance, give us a call at (281) 557-1500 anytime day or night.
Car Crash Stories from our Galveston Clients
Tylka Law attorneys live and work in Galveston Island and League City, Texas. Recently we’ve seen a rash of car accident cases both locally and up and down the coast. This post goes over our clients’ experience and the dangers you need to keep an eye on.
Shipping Deadlines cause Semi-Truck & 18-Wheeler Driver Fatigue
The 45 Highway is a central corridor between Houston and the Port of Galveston. Any shipping container on its way to Houston or leaving Galveston must go through the 45 Highway. This means that hundreds of semi-trucks will drive between Houston and Galveston. What is troubling is that many 18-wheeler drivers are on a very tight deadline, and often do not sleep. One client was stopped in traffic on the interstate when an 18-wheeler hauling two trailers hit her from behind. Based on the evidence, we suspect driver fatigue. If you are driving near a commercial truck in the late evening or early morning, please keep an eye out. Calling 9-1-1 to report poor driving can save many lives.
Monsoons Impair Driver Visibility
The weather in League City and Galveston is normally calm, but in the summer months it can change quickly. A monsoon can drastically impair driver visibility, and this is especially dangerous for out-of-State tourists that do not know their way around. One client driving down Seawall Blvd. was hit by an out-of-State driver just after a heavy rain began. The client’s car was badly damaged, but luckily the client came out of the accident without severe injuries. If you get caught in a heavy rain, pulling to the side of the road is always a safe option.
Summer in Galveston means more Drunk Drivers
According to the CDC, an average of 28 people die every day due to alcohol-impaired driving. These deaths climb in the summer months when the nights get longer and people stay out later. One drunk driver hit a client driving up 61st Street at about 2:15AM. We suspect that the drunk driver left a house party moments before getting into the accident, as his BAC measured .12! If you see a car swerving, call 9-1-1 right away. You may save a life.
Galveston Car Accident Attorneys
If you need a Galveston car accident lawyer, contact Tylka Law Firm today. Tylka Law attorneys will protect you during a tough time, and get you money and claims for auto damages and medical problems. We helped many car and truck accident victims get several million dollars in claims. If you need assistance, give us a call at (281) 557-1500 anytime day or night.