Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Friday 39-year-old Billy Ray Massie, of Grand Prairie, and 28-year-old Keith Anthony Brown, of Arlington, died in a tragic car accident.

The crash occurred in the 800 block of Great Southwest Parkway. According to police, Massie was driving the car, a 1995 Chevrolet Camaro. He was traveling northbound on Great Southwest Parkway at high speeds when he lost control of the car and crashed into a tree. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

These are the second and third traffic fatalities in Grand Prairie this year, according to local news sources. I feel bad for the families of these two men. Anytime I see a fatal accident caused by speed I just hate it. It is one of the most common causes of accidents, yet it is so easy to prevent. Just don’t speed!

Information provided by Dallas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 214-327-8000 or contacted by clicking here.

In October and November 2008 I blogged here and here about a Euless, TX mom who drove drunk and crashed her SUV injuring eight teenagers, including two of her own children. Brenda Rogers was sentenced Friday and taken into custody for the drunk driving car accident that send eight teenagers aged 14 and 15, including her twin daughters.

Rogers pled guilty to charges of driving while intoxicated with a child, endangering a child, and injury to a child. She is now serving a two-year sentence and will have to serve five years probation after she is released from jail. Rogers had been free on $20,000 bail since shortly after her arrest on November 6, 2008. Her blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was 0.13. The legal limit in Texas is 0.08.

I am glad to hear that this mom is getting punished. She put the lives of eight young people at risk. She deserves punishment. Drunk driving is never OK, but when you do it with kids in the car it is especially aggravating.

Information provided by Tarrant County DWI Accident Victim Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 817-294-1900 or by clicking here.

Recently I blogged about an accident in Plano, TX involving an off-duty police officer’s vehicle colliding with an on-duty police officer’s squad car. Now it has been determined that the off-duty officer, Ray Wilde, 37, was drunk, speeding, and failed to stop at a red light when he crashed into Officer Kenneth Foale, 29.

The crash, which happened at 2:45 a.m. at Legacy Drive and the service road to U.S. 75 in Plano, heavily damaged both Wilde’s Ford F-150 and the squad car, a marked Ford Crown Victoria. Foale was attempting to turn left at a green light onto Legacy Drive from the service road when Wilde ran the light.

A charge of intoxication assault will be filed later against Wilde, who is still in the hospital, according to police. Officer Foale was released Wednesday.

This story is absolutely amazing. How can an officer whose main job is to enforce the law pull off such a crime as drunk driving ? He certainly knows the law. He certainly knows the dangers of drunk driving—yet he does it anyway. This is similar to the case in Fort Worth recently where an off duty cop in an unmarked police car was driving drunk and ran into a lady and killed her (see my blogs here, here and here).

Come on, cops, obey the law you are hired to enforce.

Information provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, and toll free across Texas at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

2 Plano police officers, one on-duty and one off-duty, were involved in a wreck at about 2:30 a.m. this morning at Legacy Drive and the North Central Expressway in Plano, TX. Both officers, whose names have not yet been released, were injured but are currently in good condition.

The off-duty officer was driving a Ford pickup east on Legacy and ran the red light at Legacy and the expressway. He struck the on-duty officer who was driving a standard patrol car. Investigators checked the footage on the patrol car’s dashboard camera and determined that the off-duty officer ran the light. The on-duty officer was not pursuing anyone at the time and his lights and sirens were not on.

Information provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, and toll free anywhere in Texas at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

I recently blogged here and here about the tragic death of Arlington PD Officer Craig Story, whose motorcycle collided with a school bus on Wednesday. His Harley-Davidson bike burst into flames upon impact and Officer Story was unable to be saved. That motorcycle was scheduled for maintenance as part of a federal recall, according to police.

The recall was ordered because "the tank mounts on the bikes could distort in reaction to severe frame damage from a frontal collision. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire, which could lead to injury or death to the rider," according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. This appears to be exactly what happened, although the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office has not ruled on a cause of Officer Story’s death.

Officer Story’s memorial service will take place on Tuesday, January 19 at 11 a.m. at Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie. The address is 6450 S. Texas 360. He will be buried at Moore Memorial Gardens on North Davis Drive in Arlington. There is a vigil Sunday, January 17 at Arlington Funeral Home at 1221 E. Division Street. There will be a visitation with the family from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday at Arlington Funeral Home.

Here are some places you can make a donation to Officer Story’s memorial fund:
East Arlington police substation, 2001 New York Ave.;
Heroes Park, Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard at Wester Way Drive;
Harold K. Elliott Police Museum at the Police Training Center, 6000 W. Pioneer Parkway;
and Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center, 620 W. Division St., where a patrol car will be in the far northeast parking lot.

Information provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, or toll free across Texas at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

Thankfully no one was killed yesterday when an axle fell off of one tractor trailer and hit another on I-20 in Hudson Oaks near Weatherford, TX. The axle fell off of an eastbound truck, bounced across the median and crashed into a truck going westbound.

The axle hit the semi’s windshield, according to police, then the cab caught fire, soon spreading to the trailer. The driver of the big rig suffered cuts and bruises. There is no word on what caused the axle to fall off of the first 18-wheeler.

How in the world does an axle just fly off a truck? Is this an instance of poor maintenance of a truck? I see that in my injury practice all of the time. It is amazing that no one was seriously injured or killed.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, in Dallas at 214-327-8000, and across Texas at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

Photo from the Fort Worth Star Telegram

Officer Craig Gordon Story, courtesy of the Fort Worth Star Telegram

Officer Craig Gordon Story, 34, was tragically killed yesterday in Arlington, TX after the motorcycle he was driving was struck by an AISD school bus. According to local news reports, his lights and siren were on and he was in pursuit of a speeding vehicle going northbound on Cooper Street when the school bus, turning south onto Lynda Lane, crashed into his motorcycle.

Witnesses who saw the collision and Officer Story’s motorcycle burst into flames quickly came to his aid, but the officer tragically died at the scene. The driver of the bus, a 54-year-old man with no reprimands or condemnations on his record, was taken to the police station to talk but was not arrested. No one on the bus was injured.

Officer Story was a decorated seven year veteran of the Arlington police department. He was married with a 2-year-old son and recently found out his wife Danielle was pregnant with a second child.

Information provided by Arlington Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 817-294-1900 or contacted by clicking here.

Emergency personnel comfort each other at the scene, courtesy of the Fort Worth Star Telegram

An absolutely horrible accident occurred today in Arlington TX. According to police and local news reports, an Arlington police department motorcycle officer, whose name has not yet been released, was killed this morning in a collision with an Arlington ISD school bus . The fatal wreck occurred near the intersection of S. Cooper Street and W. Inwood Drive near Arlington High School. Neither the bus driver nor any of the bus’s nine passengers, students at several elementary and middle schools in Arlington, were injured.

Police are investigating the crash and are still unsure of exactly what happened. Witnesses report hearing a loud noise then seeing the officer’s motorcycle in flames. Police are interviewing witnesses at the school to help determine what caused the fatal motorcycle wreck. One student stated that the officer had his lights on, but he didn’t hear a siren.

I am very saddened to hear of this tragic wreck. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the fallen officer. Years ago I represented the family of an Arlington PD officer who was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver. I was amazed at the outpouring of support the police department and the community showed the officer’s family. I am sure that the APD and the Arlington community will again help out the family in this difficult time.

I will post more information as it becomes available.

Information provided by Arlington Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted online by clicking here or by calling 817-294-1900.

Photo from the Fort Worth Star Telegram

Albil C. Bernal, a 33 year old man from Dallas, died early Saturday morning in car accident at an intersection in Plano, Texas. The automobile wreck occurred when the Chevy Pickup in which Mr. Bernal was driving apparently ran a red light at West Park and Custer and struck a Hyundai sport utility vehicle. The driver of the Hyundai went to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Plano Police Department is currently investigating the accident. Since this wreck occurred at 4 a.m., one would have to assume that the investigation will include a review of whether alcohol played any role in the accident.

In 2007, there were almost 900 people killed in the United States and an estimated 153,000 people injured in car accidents involving red light running. For the other vehicles involved in these types of crashes, there is oftentimes no way to avoid the collision with the red light running vehicle.

Information and commentary provided by Texas Car Accident Lawyer Mark A. Anderson of the Anderson Law Firm. The firm specializes in representing those seriously injured as a result of the negligence of others. Mark Anderson can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or across Texas at 1-877-294-1115. Click here to contact Mark Anderson online.

If you have been injured in a car accident, truck wreck or motorcycle accident in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas area, you might be considering making a personal injury claim against the person responsible for your injuries. If so, you have probably noticed that all injury lawyers offer free initial consultations. If you decide to take advantage of those free meetings, you should be prepared when you attend the meeting. I think it is a great idea to bring with you ALL (and I mean ALL) documents you have regarding your accident, your injury and your medical treatment. This includes the following:

*Any notes from the accident scene
*Any medical bills (ambulance, hospital, doctors…)
*Any medical records or discharge papers
*Any receipts from pharmacies
*Any notes regarding insurance (your policy as well as info on the other person’s insurance)
*The police accident report

And most importantly, any pictures you have regarding the claim (this means the accident scene, the injuries, the vehicles…). Even if you do not have the pictures printed out yet, bring your cell phone or camera so the pictures can be downloaded onto the attorney’s computer. If you have not taken photos of the damage to the vehicles, then take those photos before the first meeting.

Stated simply, if you have something that is related to your car, truck or motorcycle accident or injury in any way, make sure you bring it to the first attorney meeting.

Sometimes the injury victim deals with the insurance company on their own and then gets frustrated with the way they are being treated and calls an injury attorney. (Click here on information on why you can't trust insurance companies). If that is the case with you, then you need to bring all documents related to your communications with the insurance company. This includes all letters, e-mails and notes regarding telephone conversations.

The more documents you bring to the initial meeting, the more productive the meeting will be. The attorney will be better able to evaluate your claim and offer you advice on how it is best to proceed.

Dallas Fort Worth Board Certified Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson offers free consultations. To set up a meeting regarding your injury claim, please call us in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or toll free in Texas at 1-877-294-1115. Or please click here to schedule an appointment online.

12-year-old Liberty Christian school student Ian Kay was killed in a car crash on Tuesday in Flower Mound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash, which happened near Liberty Christian school, occurred when a car rear-ended a truck, which then crashed into two other vehicles. The driver of the car, Hunter Johnson, is still in the ICU. His brother, Evan Key, was treated at Texas Health Harris Methodist hospital in Fort Worth and then released.

Police continue to investigate the cause of the wreck. I feel very sorry for the family of young Ian. To lose a child is so tragic. I hope the investigation will bring answers to the family.

Information provided by Texas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted online by clicking here, in Dallas at 214-327-800 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

Williams Rothlisberger, 17, died in a Fort Worth hospital Tuesday afternoon after a car accident near Krum, outside of Denton. Mr. Rothlisberger was from Denton County.

The car crash happened early Tuesday morning on FM 2450 south of Hopkins Road. Authorities have not released many details from the wreck, but said two vehicles were involved in the crash and Mr. Rothlisberger was thrown from his vehicle.

My deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of this young man. Hopefully, there will be a complete investigation which will provide some answers to the family.

Information provided by Texas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, offices in Dallas (214-327-8000) and Fort Worth (817-294-1900). Click here to contact online.

A tragic New Year’s Day automobile accident left three teenagers dead and three other teenagers, including the driver, injured and in the hospital. Killed immediately upon impact were Adrian Alvarez, 18, and Fernando Cuevas, 19. Another teen died after being airlifted to Methodist Medical Center of Dallas. Of the injured, a 16 year old girl was ejected from the vehicle and a 17 year old girl suffered a broken leg and is being treated at Denton Regional Medical Center.

According to Denton Police, speed was a major factor in this accident. A policeman had just clocked the car going 78 mph and skid marks indicate the sedan was going close to 100 mph when the driver lost control and hit a barrier on North Loop 288.

To make matters worse, it looks like alcohol may have played a factor, as there were alcoholic beverages in the car and officers noted the smell of alcohol. I don't know if the driver was legally intoxicated but we do know that laws were broken since Texas law requires one to be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol and the driver and all passengers were teenagers. Each year, there are around 1,400 people killed in Texas due to drunk driving.

This is an absolutely horrible wreck. Three teenagers with there entire lives ahead of them--all now victims of another preventable car accident. This wreck had the lethal combination of youth, speed and alcohol. This is a parent’s worst nightmare. My deepest condolences go out to the victims families. I wish them strength during this very trying time.

Information provided by Texas Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, 1-877-294-1115. With offices in Fort Worth and Dallas, The Anderson Law Firm represents accident victims all over the North Texas area.