Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Yesterday, Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief hosted an event at the downtown Convention Centre to officially declare Fort Worth ready for the Super Bowl festivities. The mayor was joined by former NFL players Walt Garrison of the Dallas Cowboys and Fort Worth native Mike Renfro.

Although the big football game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers will actually be played in Arlington, Fort Worth will very much play a big part in the action over the next week leading up to kick off. The Steelers will be staying at the Omni Hotel downtown and practicing at TCU’s indoor facility. ESPN will be broadcasting live from Sundance Square. Overall, the city is expected to host hundreds of thousands of people who will generate a huge economic jolt for the local community.

But what does this mean for those of us who live in Fort Worth year round?

Obviously with so many visitors in town, the roads are going to be busier than ever. We all need to remember to be extra cautious and mindful of other road users. More than ever it is important that we aware and focused on the road when driving around town. This means no texting, no talking on the cell phone, and ladies… how about you apply your makeup before you get behind the wheel?

Research has shown that any form of distraction can be critical when it comes to affecting a driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle. The cognitive distraction whether using a handheld or hand-free device is enough that the driver would miss essential visual and audio cues needed to avoid a collision. At any given moment during the daylight hours, over 800,000 vehicles are being driven in the US by someone using a hand-held cell phone. Other handheld gadgets commonly distracting Texas drivers include music players, GPS and other navigational tools. My advice is to simply switch it off before you get on the road. If you’re driving – drive. Get where you’re going safely.

We Texans are known for our sense of Southern Hospitality and we should exude that same attitude while driving too. Let’s all work together to keep the roads around the DFW metroplex as safe as possible for both our guests and the home fans!

The State of Oregon is considering fining pet owners who have unrestrained animals in their car while driving. Currently, Hawaii is the only state that has legislation that does not allow pets to be on a driver's lap while the vehicle is moving.

It is easy to see how having an animal of any size on your lap or in your car could lead to distracted driving or a car crash. Distracted Driving is a very hot button topic right now, with crash statistics significantly rising from cell phone use and drivers being distracted by other kinds of electronic equipment as well.

The National Highway Traffic Administration found that in 2009, almost 5,800 people were killed in distracted driving related accidents. Though the NHTSA does not specifically note accidents that are caused by pets moving around the vehicle, the accidents could be similar to having disruptive passengers or children moving around to different seats in the car.

I know that I often bring my dogs in the car with me without really thinking about the distraction that they could bring. It will be interesting to see if this becomes a national trend related to the distracted driving trend that is happening all around the country.

This information and commentary is provided by Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached at 817-294-1900 or Toll Free at 800-324-MARK. If you have additional questions about distracted driving, or have been injured in a car accident, please fill out our contact form online.

Just before 7 a.m. yesterday, a DART bus ran over a 53-year-old man at the West Transfer Station in downtown Dallas. The man was hit by an oncoming bus as he stepped off the curb. Witnesses said the man was transferring from one bus to another when he got hit and that his hood was pulled up over his head, possible blocking his view. The man was rushed to Parkland Hospital where he was pronounced dead. DART police and DPD are investigating because it’s not clear if the pedestrian or the bus driver was at fault.

Serving as a Dallas-Fort Worth injury attorney for more than 20 years, I often write about the dangers of distracted driving. Was the bus driver distracted? What caused this accident? My sympathies go out to this man and his family. I certainly hope the authorities get to the root of what caused this terrible accident. I assume an investigation is being performed by DART, and possibly by the Dallas Police Department.

If you or someone you know has been injured or wrongfully killed in a bus, truck, car, motorcycle, or other vehicle-related accident, please contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 for a free consultation on your rights.

Have you ever been driving on a perfect day and a sneaky storm appears out of nowhere? Weather can change without warning, which is why it’s important to prepare yourself for driving on all types of road surfaces and in all types of conditions. The best advice is to check the weather ahead of time and avoid driving if there is a chance of snow, ice, heavy fog or rain. But, if you’re already on the road, here are a couple tips to get you to your destination safely.

•Slow down! Stopping takes longer on slippery roads so increase your following distance.
•If your windshield wipers are on, your headlights should be on. While you’re at it, turn your defroster on too.
•If you start gliding or hydroplaning, take your foot off the gas and slowly press the brake, making sure not to turn the steering wheel. Also, watch for other gliding cars and give those drivers plenty of room to correct themselves.
•Flash floods can strike without warning and before signs can be posted and roads can be closed. If you see running or standing water over the road, avoid it and find a higher route.
•Drive in the path of the vehicle in front of you. Their tires help melt snow and push water out of the way, giving you a cleaner and safer path to drive.
•Be aware that bridges and overpasses ice first. Again – slow down!
•Trucks and SUVs are not weatherproof. In fact, the heavier weight means it will take longer to stop than a smaller vehicle.

The more driving experience you have in all conditions will prepare you for future situations. I recommend asking experienced drivers for help and drive together so they can provide instructions and help you spot dangers. If you find yourself in a scary situation or have problems seeing the road, find a safe place to pull over, listen to a local AM weather station and wait it out if you can.

Information and commentary provided by Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be contacted in Tarrant County at 817-294-1900. If you or a loved one has been injured in a auto collision, please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

A woman is in critical condition and a motorist in custody after a hit-and-run crash this morning in Plano that shut down the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 75. Police said the woman was struck by a pickup shortly after 9 a.m. as she tried to cross the highway just north of Park Boulevard. The pickup didn't stop.

The overpass was just a couple hundred yards away, and it's pedestrian-friendly, She could have crossed there. That's the sad part about it. The hit-and-run suspect was taken into custody on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident. The suspect's truck was located near southbound Central and Spring Creek Parkway. Neither the suspect nor the victim was identified.

Hit and runs usually never have good outcomes. I am glad that the driver was caught, but my thoughts and prayers go out to the woman who is in critical condition. Hit and run accidents account for 12% of fatalities involving car accidents and studies show that the numbers have increased every year since 2000.

Information and commentary provided by Car Accident Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

Parts of the Fort Worth and Dallas area are expecting freezing temperatures and rainlater today. The Anderson Law Firm has some advice that can keep you warm and to save some money, we ask that you take the following precautions to help reduce the potential for damage to property as well as personal injury.

*   Turn on the water faucets in your kitchens and baths so that water drips slowly. By doing this, the water in the line will not freeze, which will prevent any damage to your house and personal property.

*   Before leaving water running, make sure that your drains are functioning properly and are not clogged.

*   Open the cabinet doors under your sinks to expose warm air to your pipes and supply lines.

*   Keep your thermostat set to at least 65 degrees at all times, including when you go out of town. The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is much colder than the walls themselves.

*   In the event of precipitation, pay attention to your surroundings and conditions when walking and/or driving. Use caution at all times.

*   Watch for “black ice” – an area of pavement that only looks wet but has a fine layer of ice on it.

*   If you notice a dangerous condition, please avoid the area.

*  Allow the appropriate distance on roads, highways, and freeways to prevent a car accident.

These are simple steps that can protect you and save you some money. Sometimes people forget the basic steps associated with cold weather so hopefully this can serve as a reminder. Have a great weekend and drive safe!!!

Information and commentary provided by DFW Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson. IF you or a loved one has been injured in an auto collision, please contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 or fill out our contact card for a free consultation.