Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

While Dallas-Fort Worth has yet to experience ice and snow like we did during Superbowl week last year, other parts of the country have been hard hit by adverse weather conditions which makes the simple act of driving down the street extremely dangerous. As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I know that auto accidents caused by icy roads can result in serious bodily injuries and property damage.

Check out this viral video of cars attempting to drive down a snow-covered residential street in Bountiful, Utah (just north of Salt Lake City). Be warned though, it’s nail-biting stuff as vehicle spin out of control, slide sideways along the roadway and either crash or narrowly avoid a collision:

Just in case North Texas is suddenly subjected to similar conditions as last February, here are some quick tips for driving in snow and ice:

• If you can avoid driving, then don’t do it. Stay home. Stay warm. Stay safe.
• Be prepared before you go out. Make sure your car battery is in good condition and that all your engine fluids are full. Also be sure that you have plenty of gas in the tank as it will take you longer than usual to reach your destination – and you’re going to need the heat on.
• Drive slowly. You never know when you’re going to hit a patch of ice which will send you spinning.
• Pay attention to hazards up ahead. Since slamming on your brakes on a snowy road will undoubtedly make you lose control of your vehicle, it’s more important than ever to watch out for potential obstacles and slow cautiously in plenty of time.

Some of the most devastating personal injury and wrongful death cases I have handed as Fort Worth trial attorney are auto accidents caused by drunk drivers. Alcohol-related car wrecks typically result in catastrophic property damage and life-threatening injuries because the intoxicated driver is nowhere near capable of safe driving. Drunk drivers speed, they get too close to other vehicles and their reaction time is severely impaired. They are among the most dangers drivers on DFW roads. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), more than one third of all traffic fatalities in Texas last year were the result of drunk drivers.

Despite constant reminders of how much damage you might cause both to yourself, your loved ones and complete strangers anytime that you get behind the wheel after drinking, people continue to do it. You can’t tell yourself that you’ll be fine, that you won’t cause a crash, that you won’t hurt anyone. If you’re attempting to drive drunk, then there is a very high probability that you will kill someone.

A Texas woman who got in the driver’s seat with a blood alcohol level of .11 percent (above the legal limit of .08 percent) has been sentenced to 55 years in prison by a judge in San Antonio. Valeri Andrews was charged with four counts of murder after running a red light while drunk, killing Maria Aguilar de Perez, her two daughters and her grandson. As harsh a sentence as this might seem, it’s worth noting that Ms. Andrews could have received a life sentence were it not for the fact she had pleaded guilty to the charges, receiving a reduced sentence as a result.

Please think before you drink and drive. It’s never worth it. Ever.

If you or a loved one is hurt in a collision caused by an intoxicated driver, it is important that you consult with a board certified personal injury and wrongful death lawyer who is experienced in handling cases against drunk drivers. For a free consultation on your case, call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

As a Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death attorney, I often hear stories of pedestrian who have either been serious wounded or otherwise outright killed after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on DFW roads. Whenever a local police force appeals for information from the public in an attempt to identify and located a hit and run motorist, I try to help out by spreading the word on my blogs as well as on my Facebook and Twitter accounts. The point is that hit-and-run drivers might flee the crash scene, but they will be tracked down and brought to justice. If they have insurance then their victim (or the victim’s family) is able to make a claim for compensation to cover the medical bills and other costs related to the wreck.

I wanted to share good news of a successful Texas hit and run investigation which was recently concluded in Houston. Last Monday night, a bicycle rider was hit by a drunk van driver who sped away from the scene. The cyclist died at the scene. Fortunately, however, the investigating offer recovered the van’s license plate which fell off in the collision. Police tracked the vehicle to its registered owner, who told them a friend had borrowed it. Officers found the suspect at his home with the keys to the vehicle on his person. He was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and failing to stop and render aid after an accident.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligent actions of a hit and run driver, it is important that you are aware that you do have legal rights. Even if the police are unable to find the guilty party, you may still be able to recover compensation. To find out more, call our auto accident attorneys today. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

According to Travel and Leisure magazine, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is ranked as the sixth rudest city in the USA. As anyone who spends any amount of time dealing with the congested traffic on DFW’s highways and city streets, that is entirely believable. Dangerous drivers who weave between traffic, cut off other vehicles and tailgate incessantly are a dime a dozen. Couple that with the fact that last year, Men’s Health Magazine ranked Dallas as the seventh angriest city in America, and it is no surprise that DFW is holds the title of second worst city for road rage car wrecks according to AutoVantage.

This is incredibly worrying to me as a DFW personal injury and wrongful death lawyer. I have seen firsthand the very real damage which can be done by unintentionally hazardous driving habits, but when you bring in a high level of fury and a disregard for other people and you’ve got an obvious recipe for roadway disaster. When motorists fall prey to road rage, they are not thinking clearly. They try to intimidate other drivers by cutting too close, jeopardizing everyone’s safety for the sake of trying to make a point.

If you’ve ever been the victim of someone with road rage, you’ll know that it can be an extremely scary experience and it can be very tempting to respond in kind. Doing so would be a huge mistake as the outcome can only be bad. Instead, if you ever find yourself in a position where someone is trying to intimidate you on the road by either following too closely or some other action intended to torment you, then the best thing to do it just take a deep breath and get out of their way. Don’t make eye contact. Don’t challenge them. Take yourself out of that situation. Once they’ve gone past and away from you, I personally find that tuning the radio to classical music helps reduce my blood pressure.

You should not have to tolerate aggressive drivers at all, but unfortunately they are a hazard which you cannot always be avoided. If you have been the victim of a car crashed caused by someone with road rage, it is all the more important that you get justice and recover the full and fair compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills and other costs related to the accident. Call a board certified personal injury lawyer today at 214-327-8000 in Dallas or at 817-294-1900 in Fort Worth for no a fee, no obligation consultation on your situation.

Dallas-Fort Worth area residents who travel Texas 114 and Texas 121 on a regular basis already know what a traffic nightmare those roads can be. Yesterday, the congestion got even worse following an 18 wheeler wreck which subsequently led to the road being closed for an emergency inspection. Just before noon yesterday, a CDL vehicle carrying an oversized load crashed into the Texan Trail overpass bridge in Grapevine. The eastbound section of the highway was reduced to just two lanes yesterday afternoon, while the whole road was closed overnight from 8:00 pm until about 6:00 am this morning. Texan Trail was closed to all vehicles immediately following the wreck as officials were concerned that the accident may have caused significant structural damage to the bridge.

As a DFW auto accident and injury lawyer, I am certainly thankful that no-one was seriously hurt in this incident, but the episode should serve as a reminder of just how significant the consequences caused by negligent truck drivers can be. The reason for the crash was that the trucker was carrying an oversized load which was too tall to pass safely beneath the bridge. According to Grapevine’s commercial vehicle inspection team they “did find violations” which are being blamed for the collision.

The official report regarding the safety of the bridge has yet to be completed, but there is already speculation among Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials that Texan Trail may be closed indefinitely until the bridge (which was already scheduled for demolition later this year as part of the DFW Connector project) can be knocked down and replaced.

A woman in McKinney died yesterday in an 18-wheeler accident when a semi-truck hit the back of her Honda sedan while she was stopped at a traffic light. Around 8:20 a.m. Catheline Peppers of Nevada, Texas was stopped at a red light on Highway 380 at Bridgefarmer Road in McKinney. That’s when an 18-wheeler truck failed to recognize the red light and slammed into her car.

The semi-truck driver, David Beachem of Georgia said he did not see the traffic light and at this time it does not appear that alcohol was a factor in the car accident, although the wreck is still under investigation.

This is such a tragic accident that could literally happen to any of us stopped at a red light – especially if there are negligent truck drivers around. How somebody driving a vehicle weighing several tons that is larger than everything else around doesn’t notice a red light completely boggles my mind.

Truck drivers need to be more careful and realize the magnitude of destruction their vehicles cause when they get into wrecks. Our condolences go to the victim’s family and we hope other truckers out there take more caution.

An 18 wheeler truck crash shut down all westbound lanes of I-30 in Garland this morning after it overturned blocking the roadway. The accident happened at 3:30 am near the Zion Road exit, but it was more than three hours later before emergency responders were able to upright the big rig and reopen the highway to traffic. The wreck is believed to have an issue of negligence on behalf of the truck driver. Authorities reported that it appears the semi drifted across lanes of the interstate, eventually colliding with the guardrail which resulting in the truck flipping on to its side.

Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries sustained in this accident and it does not appear that any cars or other vehicles were involved in the collision. As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I know that large truck wreck typically involve massive property damage and severe bodily injuries, so we should all be thankful that this morning’s crash in Garland merely inconvenienced commuters.

Trucker negligence is a very serious matter, particularly when you consider that truck operators are professionals. I understand that they are often hard workers under a lot of stress to meet time and distance deadlines, but there is never any excuse for jeopardizing the safety of other road users. To illustrate just how serious this problem is, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently revealed that the number of fatalities caused by truck drivers getting behind the wheel drunk increased by 13 percent in 2010 and that the number of injuries caused by tractor trailer accidents rose by 12 percent overall.

If you or someone you loved has been injured in a multi-vehicle accident involving a commercial truck, it is important that you speak with an attorney to make sure you are fully informed of your legal rights. You may be entitled to significant compensation. To talk to a local lawyer today, please call toll free at 800-354-6275 or Dallas 214-327-8000.

It’s easy for Texas truck accident victims to become confused and daunted by the claims process after their 18-wheeler accident. Trucking laws are extremely confusing and it’s easier for the trucking company’s insurance adjuster to take advantage of that and make it seem like they are not at fault for causing your wreck. But after more than 20 years of representing Texas semi-truck accident victims, I know something that doesn’t lie: the trucks on board computer.

Often called the 18-wheelers “black box,” these on board computers work similarly the black boxes you hear about on air planes. The trucks on board computer records a wealth of data that can be used to prove the truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence in your accident case. Most electronic control modules (ECMs) take note of average speed, hard stops, miles driven and even other crucial evidence that can be used in your claim.

But the most important thing is getting to this information quickly. Most of the black boxes on trucks only record data for a certain amount of time. If you wait too long to access it, the information could be deleted forever. What’s even worse, many trucking companies will delete this data if they think or know their driver was at fault for your semi-truck accident in TX.

Find out more about on board truck computers in this article on my Texas truck accident website.

We’ve all been there. You’re driving along a Texas highway, going at a steady speed when suddenly you’re forced to come to a screeching halt. There could be an accident, unexpected debris or a traffic pile-up in front of you. What’s scary about this scenario isn’t just the fact that you must come to a hard stop, it’s that the car behind you has to as well and if the vehicle behind you is an 18-wheeler, it can become even more terrifying.

It doesn’t take a genius to know that semi-trucks take longer to stop than regular passenger vehicles simply because of their size. In general, it takes an 18-wheeler 40 percent longer to come to a complete stop than an average car. Depending on road conditions and reaction time, it can take even longer.

• The stopping distance for a tractor-trailer that is fully loaded on dry pavement going at 60 mph is approximately 335 feet—a little over a football field. Keep in mind this does not include reaction time or the .5 second delay found in air brakes.

What’s this information to you? Well, as a Texas truck accident attorney I can tell you that this is important information to your claim or case if you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler. Truck drivers know how long it takes to stop their vehicles and they know they shouldn’t ride someone’s tail in traffic; acknowledgment of doing so is negligent on the part of the truck driver.

You can read more about how long it takes to stop an 18-wheeler on my Texas injury law firm’s website. The information there could be useful to your truck wreck case and if anything isn’t clear, call me at 817-294-1900 to discuss your case. Knowing your legal rights and Texas trucking laws is the best way to prevail after your 18-wheeler wreck.

Yesterday, Arlington Police Department announced that just four people have been cited for texting while driving since the city’s introduced a ban last November to make the hazardous habit illegal. As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, I expect that there are countless other motorists who have similarly broken the law without being caught. Arlington PD need to step up their enforcement of this ban in order to make people realize just how dangerous distracted driving really is.

Also yesterday, Facebook announced that 2013 Mercedes-Benz vehicles will come preloaded with an app for the popular social media site. According to their press release the app will be accessible form the car’s dashboard color screen and will be GPS-enabled to allow drivers to find nearby attractions and friends. As if there weren’t enough distractions for motorists already! This is just too much. When you’re sitting in the driver’s seat, your entire focus should be on operating your vehicle safely. If you’re using Facebook or any other app, that means you are taking your attention off the road ahead and are seriously jeopardizing the safety of everyone else who is driving around you.

I’ve been a personal injury and wrongful death attorney for over 20 years now. I’ve seen firsthand the incredibly serious car wrecks which have been caused by people who talk or text behind from the wheel. Unfortunately, it seems that when it comes to society at large realizing just how fatal distracted driving can be, it’s a matter of one step forward, two steps back.

Since it’s a new year, I’d like to ask you all who haven’t already to sign the pledge that you will not text while driving in 2012 or ever again. Help me spread the word and I’ll help you keep this resolution by sending you a bracelet to wear so you can constantly be reminded of the promise you made. By giving up texting while driving you could well save someone’s life – it could be your own.

Take the pledge here.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic crash caused by a distracted driver or any negligent motorist, call the Anderson Law Firm for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your case. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

Texans are known for a lot of things, but being able to drive in the rain isn’t one of them. An 18-wheeler jackknifed early this morning on the Dallas Mixmaster in the eastbound lanes of I-30 and the I-35 intersection. The truck wreck is thought to have been caused by rain at this time. Although the semi-truck overturned another vehicle in the wreck, nobody was seriously injured.

Crews worked for three hours to untangle the truck and pull it out from the mud and wreckage. Thankfully, all lanes were finally cleared at 6:30 a.m. – just moments before rush hour traffic began filtering in.

If you’ve ever driven the Mixmaster in Dallas, you know just how scary it really is. The lanes are tiny and confusing and cars are whizzing in between. It’s a wonder more truck accidents don’t happen there. Texans should be cautions while driving all the time but especially during inclement weather. It’s already confusing enough trying to driving in downtown Dallas – the last thing you need is a car accident to make life even more complicated. Rain is expected for much of the rest of the day; be careful out there everybody.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that some of the most serious auto accidents in DFW actually occur in parking lots. The reason is for this is because parking lot collisions aren’t necessarily multi-vehicle crashes, but more often car-versus-pedestrian wrecks. Pedestrians, of course, don’t have any form of protection, so when they’re hit by a sedan or SUV even at very low speeds, they are inevitably going to suffer extremely severe injuries.

Yesterday morning, a bizarre parking lot wreck occurred in Wellesley, Massachusetts. An unnamed driver was pulling into his parking space outside his workplace when he accidently pressed down on the gas pedal instead of the brake. The sudden acceleration launches his car over the curb and into an adjacent parking structure – landing on top of another vehicle. Check out this video of emergency responders examining the aftermath of this wreck:



Wellesley Police cited the at-fault motorist for failure to use care when stopping. Fortunately, the other vehicle was already unoccupied and the negligent driver was not injured in the most unusual crash, however there will still be a property damage claim against the insurance company of the driver responsible for this wreck.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Texas traffic accident which was not your fault, it is important that you consult with a board certified personal injury or wrongful death attorney to make sure that your legal rights are protected. Failure to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve, could have disastrous financial consequences for you in the future.

To speak to a lawyer today, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.