Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Once upon a time a young lady (let’s call her Alison) got in a nasty car wreck. She was driving west on I-20, heading from her home in Arlington to work in downtown Fort Worth. At the same time a negligent driver (let’s call her Rachel) was speeding down the highway in the same direction. Aside from speeding, Rachel was attempting to demonstrate that gift of womanhood: the ability to multitask.

Now, ladies, please don’t take this the wrong way, but no matter how much girl power you possess, multitasking while driving is a bad idea. I don’t care whether you’re texting with friends, munching on a croissant or applying lip gloss. Don’t do it while you’re in control of a moving vehicle. Please.

Anyway, long story short; Rachel’s car drifted into Alison’s lane, sending them both spinning out of control across the road and earning them both the week off work to recover in hospital. While Alison was lying there in her hospital bed she got a visit from a man in a suit, who was doing his best act as a fairy godmother. He offered Alison a check for $5,000, no questions asked so she can could get her car repaired, move on with her life "put this whole mess behind you.”

What did Alison do? She took the money and ran. Unfortunately, she didn’t take into consideration the fact that it would cost $7,000 not $5,000 to fix her car. Let alone the fact that she had a huge hospital bill arriving in the mail a month later. Before she knew it, Alison was swimming in debt all thanks to Rachel’s reckless actions.

So Alison visited a local personal injury attorney, begging him to take on her case and get her the money she needed – the money she was entitled to under Texas law. The problem was, there was nothing that lawyer could do for her. There was nothing any lawyer could do for her. When Alison accepted the insurance adjuster’s measly offer, she forfeited her legal rights to make a claim for compensation. There was no fairy tale ending. Alison was forced borrow money from her parents and take out a loan which she’ll still be paying off several years from now. She was lucky to avoid bankruptcy.

The moral of the story is this: don’t fall for any easy resolution – especially when it’s offered to you on a silver plate from the negligent driver’s insurance company. Don’t rush to make a settlement. And don’t sign anything until you’ve consulted with a lawyer first. Alison’s story is a work of fiction, but there are hundreds of real life versions every year. As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, explaining to these victims that they’ve wrecked their own claim is the toughest part of my job. If you’re ever in an auto accident, don’t do anything until you hire a lawyer to protect your interests.

If you’re in a car which is involved in a multi-vehicle traffic collision, the chances are high that you’re going to suffer some very serious injuries and need the services of an experienced Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury attorney. Imagine then, how much worse your injuries might be if you were riding a motorcycle or a bicycle with virtually no protection, let alone such luxuries as safety belts or air bags. North Texas motorists are notorious for not paying attention or taking proper care when driving around motorcyclists, and as a Tarrant County accident and injury lawyer, I am concerned about the safety of regular cyclists too as their number is expected to rise with the increased number of bike lanes in both Fort Worth and Arlington.

Perhaps the greatest challenge is educating drivers of cars and trucks not only on how the importance of remaining highly aware of their two-wheeled fellow road users, but also on cyclists’ right to be on the road in the first place. Unfortunately, when it comes to city streets, bike riders are often treated as first class citizens. Drivers think nothing of driving too close for comfort to cyclists, speeding past or even of parking or otherwise blocking the designated bike lanes. This is not just a problem in Dallas-Fort Worth, but in all American cities.

The video below shows perhaps the worst example of a motorist who not only fails to respect a cyclist’s right to be on the road but who actually intentionally hits him then drives off. The video, which was shot in Washington DC, clearly shows that the cyclists is passing a series of parked vehicles when a pickup driver verbally and physically assaults him, resulting in the cyclist crashing to the road and the hit-and-run driver disappearing into the distance.

Unbelievably, despite the video evidence of the assault and an independent witness who confirmed the wreck was intentionally caused by the pickup driver, no assault charges were brought against the dangerous motorist. That is ridiculous, disgusting and absolutely absurd!

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I’ve warned numerous times of the very real danger posed to cars and motorcycles alike by the huge 18-wheeler trucks which travel throughout the metroplex in ever-increasing numbers. A smaller vehicle doesn’t stand a chance against a much larger commercial truck and it’s inevitable that significant property damage and personal injuries are going to result.

Yesterday, however, a professional truck driver lost his life in a single vehicle wreck in Arlington. Police report that at approximately 4.15pm, a semi was driving west on Interstate 20, near Texas 360 when, the big rig somehow drifted off the highway and crashed on the roadside, apparently suffering severe damage to the cab portion of the truck. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the deceased trucker nor the cause of the crash.

While I would like to express my sympathy to the family and friends of the driver whose life was lost, I think we should also be thankful that no one else was injured in this terrible accident. This terrible tragedy serves to remind us all that despite their giant trucks, these men and women are just as vulnerable as the rest of us in the event of a collision.

It comes to no surprise to my employees at the Anderson Law Firm and anyone else who works in the Metroplex that DFW has the fifth worst traffic congestion in the United States, just look at the roads every morning! In terms of fuel waste and time lost by commuters, North Texas has the fifth worst traffic congestion in the country as calculated by the 2011 Urban Mobility Report.

What makes traffic in DFW so annoying is that it’s not just during rush hour anymore – it feels like it’s all the time! If you drive north on Interstate 35 around Western Center Blvd there is always some delay. In fact, this new study noted that 40 percent of all traffic congestion happens during midday and at night.

We all know that traffic increases road rage and the possibility of a car accident. It’s a no brainer – people are agitated, their running late and they forget to pay attention or they make sudden movements that hurt others around them. Just remember, the next time you’re in traffic in DFW to stay calm and avoid making the mistakes that could cause you to wreck. It will only hold you up even more.

So what cities beat out DFW as having the most traffic congestion? I’ll bet you can guess.
Metro areas that wasted the most fuel in traffic, 2010:

City, million gallons

1. Los Angeles, 278
2. New York, 190
3. Chicago, 184
4. Washington, 95
5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, 81

Need a car accident lawyer in Fort Worth? Contact the Anderson Law Firm to get in touch with a top-rated personal injury attorney.

A garbage truck traveling northbound on the Sam Rayburn Tollway in The Colony hit and killed a stranded motorist that was trying to cross the highway. The motorist was hit around 6 a.m. after he attempted to cross Highway 121 between Main and Paige Road.

The truck accident caused a traffic nightmare for those driving the tollway as they had to use the highway’s frontage road during morning rush hour.

Unfortunately, stranded motorists are injured or killed all the time in DFW while changing tires, or like in this case, attempting to cross the road. Remember – there is an emergency number on the back of your Texas driver’s license you can call for roadside assistance. If you are stalled on an especially busy road or highway, call the police station and request that a squad car with warning lights wait nearby. These accidents are far too common, but can be avoided – especially if you use the resources available to you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Anderson Law Firm and it’s team of top-rated Fort Worth personal injury lawyers are ready to help you after your car wreck, motorcycle accident or other personal injury claim. Contact us today to set up a free case consultation.

Yesterday I wrote about a city of Irving worker getting hit by a suspected drunk driver while picking up highway cones and it seems another accident just like it happened in Dallas early this morning. A Dallas road construction worker was seriously hurt after a motorist hit him.

Dallas highway crews had the two right lanes of I-30 near St. Francis Avenue coned off when a Honda drifted into the construction zone and hit the worker. When police got to the scene of the accident they performed a field sobriety test on the Honda’s driver and what did they find? Well for one, that the guy was intoxicated and also a little white powdery substance in his pocket. Now the impaired driver faces an Intoxication Assault charge and possible more charges as authorities test the white powder in his pocket to see if it’s illegal drugs. (My guess is yes.)

Drunk or drugged drivers don’t only face criminal legal action against them for their crimes; their victims can take civil action against them, too. At the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth, we sue drunk drivers for hurting our clients. Many people don’t understand that the civil case is very different from the criminal case the drunk driver faces. Although the criminal case will get the drunk driver punished either by paying a fine, serving time or restricting a driver’s license – it will do nothing to pay back those that were innocent victims in the accident. Only in a civil case can you ever win money for the injuries the drunk driver forced you to have.

Learn about your legal rights after a drunk driving accident in DFW – you have a lot more options than you think.

For many years, sexual and erectile dysfunction has been listed as one of the side effects of taking a hair-growth drug finasteride, commonly known as Propecia. But according to a study in March by the Journal of Sexual Medicine, erectile dysfunction and sexual problems can last long after you stop taking the medication. These sexual dysfunctions can even become permanent.
Already, lawsuits have starting piling up all over the country from men who claim that Propecia has caused them permanent sexual dysfunction. These claims state that Merck, the maker of Propecia, failed to adequately warn consumers about the risks and side effects associated with the drug.

To learn more about Propecia lawsuits in Texas, visit our website our contact the Texas Propecia lawsuit attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm. If you think Propecia caused your erectile dysfunction, it’s important that you investigate your legal rights by contacting a dangerous drug lawyer.

Car accidents are never funny, but one Arizona man’s description of his wreck will have you in a fit of giggles. Last Thursday, George Lindell from Phoenix was rear ended by a motorist who lost control of their vehicle due to a medical condition. The car then struck a power pole and became trapped under the live power lines.

Watch below as Lindell describes the wreck. Its ok, you can laugh – all of the drivers involved in the car accident are recovering just fine, thankfully.

If you’ve been hurt in a wreck not quite as comical as this one, give the Fort Worth personal injury lawyers a call at the Anderson Law Firm. We can help you recover compensation for your injuries.

Most of us don’t even think about how dangerous it is to get in the car and head out somewhere. We just don’t think about it. We do it every day, and yet we rarely stop to think that we’re really putting our lives at risk every time we are either a passenger or a driver on the roads of Dallas-Fort Worth. As a North Texas personal injury lawyer, I know that deadly wrecks happen throughout DFW on a daily basis. Some are caused by drunk drivers, but not every crash is the cause of such gross negligence.

On Saturday afternoon, for example, Juana Mancilla, 71, of Grand Prairie, was killed in a fatal two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Dickey Road and Texas 161 in Grand Prairie. Mancilla was a passenger in an SUV which allegedly ran a stop sign putting in the path of a van which hit its side. According to police, Mancilla was ejected from the SUV which then rolled over, landing on top of her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both the driver of the SUV, Jose Cruz Mancilla, 41, and the driver of the van, Billy Bannister, 71, as well with four additional passengers in the SUV were taken to hospital by ambulance to be treated with what were described as non-life threatening injuries.

I don’t want to speculate on the cause of this terrible accident, since clearly as a passenger in the SUV, Mrs. Mancilla had no control over the vehicle she was riding in at the time of the collision. Naturally, my thoughts and sympathies go out to all those who were hurt in the wreck, as well as their loved ones.

Unfortunately, while it does not appear that there was any significant negligence prior to this accident taking place, it goes to show just how suddenly and without warning an auto accident can occur. We should all realize that getting behind the wheel is the most dangerous thing we do every single day. And we should all resolve to take much greater care while driving around DFW.

Teen drivers are statistically the group most at risk of being injured in a Dallas-Fort Worth traffic accident. However, as a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, I think it’s fair to note that not all these auto wrecks are necessarily the fault of these teenage drivers. There are plenty of far more negligent drivers on our North Texas roads: drunk drivers, over-tired truckers and motorists too busy texting to pay attention are just a few that come to mind.

Nonetheless, teen drivers are involved in more fatal crashes that any other category. This means that insuring them is often incredibly expensive. Fortunately, I have 5 top tips to save money when purchasing car insurance for your teens. Believe it or not, the car that your teen drives and the grades they get in high school can both affect your insurance premium!

One way that people try to save money on insurance is by increasing their deductible so as to allow them to pay lower premiums each month. This makes sense for some people, but as a car wreck injury lawyer, I know it’s important that you don’t saddle yourself with too high a deductible because if the worst does ever happen, that’s money that’s going to be coming out of your own pocket.

Due to increased medical costs and new minimum limits for liability coverage, auto insurance rates have increase for many Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington drivers by 8 percent, according to the Dallas Morning News. Although the insurance industry claims that rising medical costs and the increased liability limits have caused the price hike, consumer advocate groups think that it’s all due to the greed in the insurance industry.

When comparing the average auto liability insurance premiums in North Texas, the Dallas morning news found that those in Arlington saw their premiums go from an average of $496 annually in 2010, to an average annual rate of $536 in 2011. In Duncanville, it went from $562 in 2010 to $608 in 2011, and Irving went from $545 in 2010 to $591 in 2011.

As a personal injury attorney in Fort Worth, I see the benefits of having good auto insurance on a daily basis and want you to know that now is not the time to cut back on insurance just because of a price hike. I know that times are tough for many Texans, but trust me, you cannot afford to go without auto insurance – not to mention, it’s against the law. You must protect yourself and your family members by having auto insurance because car accidents in Tarrant County generally happen when you can least afford to have one.

Even if you are worried about how you will pay for your auto insurance, there are still plenty of things you can do to cut costs. Shop the best rates by using the Texas Department of Insurance’s website, www.helpinsure.com. Compare insurance costs before buying a new car – certain cars are accident prone, which will increase your insurance premiums. Haven’t had any accidents or moving violations? You can seek discounts from some insurance companies that why.

While you have insurance on the brain, now would be a good time to learn about why personal injury protection is the best insurance to have. Remember in hard economic times, many people cut costs they don’t think are necessary to everyday life, like auto insurance. If one of these uninsured people hits you in a car accident, you will be out of luck unless you have the right amount of insurance coverage to pay for your vehicle repairs and medical bills. If anything, now is the time to buy even more insurance.

If you have any questions on the insurance policies involved in your car accident claim, feel free to contact my accident and injury law firm in Fort Worth.

A six vehicle accident shut down multiple lanes of Northeast Loop 820 near Rufe Snow Drive and Meadow Lakes Drive in North Richland Hills this morning. While the full details of the multi-vehicle wreck have not yet been made public it is understood that an 18 wheeler tractor trailer was involved in the collision. At least one injured person was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. The crash happened around 5.40 this morning, although eastbound lanes remained closed for several hours while authorities investigated the scene.

While my thoughts are with the family of the hospitalized motorist, as a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury attorney, I am surprised that just one individual was hurt badly enough to need immediate medical attention. Traffic accidents cause devastating injuries in any situation, but whenever a commercial truck is involved, the injuries are likely to be so much worse. If you or a loved one was involved in this morning’s crash, I would encourage you to go see a doctor as soon as possible – today if you can – just to get yourself checked out in case. It would be awful if you discovered you had a serious problem a few days or weeks later, but neglected to seek treatment right away.

Since I’ve been practicing personal injury and wrongful death law throughout North Texas since 1991, I know that there are many mistakes which traffic accident victims are prone to make – many within the first 48 hours – which could seriously ruin their chances of recovering the full and fair compensation they deserve later on! For a free no obligation consultation on your personal situation, or to request a complimentary copy of my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case please call 800-354-6275.

Remember the days when comedians would joke about how difficult it was to program a VCR? Perhaps the contemporary equivalent of that would be how confusing it can be to properly install a kid’s car seat. Or, as the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDOT) calls it, a child passenger safety seat system. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I’ve had people ask me to help them understand the confusing laws surrounding what kind of booster seat their children should be using, but just as confusing is how to actually install the seats as securely as they’re supposed to be.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that the car seat is the right size for your child’s age and weight. When it comes to installing the safety seat in your vehicle, however, I recommend that you closely follow the manual’s instructions, just like that confusing VCR you used to have. Pay particular attention to make sure that the seat’s lower anchors and any tethers are securely fastened. A properly installed car seat should have no give whatsoever. In order to secure the child seat as tightly as possible, have your spouse kneel in the center of the seat and press their weight down while you tighten the tether.

If in doubt, I highly recommend you visit a certified child safety seat expert who can inspect your handiwork and show you how to make any alternations. Lots of car dealerships now have at least one staff member who is certified so that they can help you safely transfer over the car seat once you purchase a new vehicle, but for your convenience, here’s a link to every child safety inspection station in Texas. Inspections are free.

As a Texas car wreck attorney, I believe it’s important that we each do what we can to make sure that our families are as safe as possible whenever we are on the road. Unfortunately there is little protection against negligent motorists that are either drunk or texting behind the wheel, but a little caution and consideration for safety could potentially save your life.

Technical difficulties happen to the best of us. We’ve all experienced the so-called “blue screen of death” when our PC crashes, or else some other computer-related frustration. Viruses are also a big deal and it seems that nary a week goes by without one of my Facebook friends passing on a warning about some new Trojan or worm that some malicious hacker has set loose on the internet. So, as a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I was naturally intrigued by a report by antivirus software maker MacAfee which suggest that our cars will be hacker’s new targets.

The report, titled Caution: Malware Ahead, suggests that since automobiles have evolved in recent years they have become increasingly dependent on their on-board computers they could become targets for anarchist technical wizards. The potential problems this could create for people like you and I range from theft since hackers could easily unlock doors and even start engines remotely, to wrecking a car’s computer system so completely it creates a variety of dangers such as brakes not working and other faults which could potentially cause fatal accidents.

Don’t get too concerned just yet though, as The Car Connection points out, the reward for hackers to go after our cars is currently minimal. For starters, in order to access a car’s computer they would actually have to be inside the vehicle. It’s not easy, not quick and results in little benefit. However, as the technology continues to develop and presumably become more integrated between different vehicles and other devises, such a problem could become a genuine problem.

For now, however, this is nothing to worry about. Certainly not in comparison to the very real danger of drunk or distracted drivers.

WAZE, a new smartphone app that combines social media with traffic updates in map form can help you avoid car accidents and construction zones in DFW, but does it also aid to distracted driving? Besides getting automatic feeds from news stations like WFAA Channel 8, the whole point of the app is to drive with it open and add your own contributions when and where you see road obstacles.

The creators of WAZE have done their part to deter the apps users from being distracted while driving. If the app is open and the vehicle is going more than 5mph, the texting functions for the phone will be disabled, although user will still be able to tap the screen to look on the map.
While our personal injury attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm know distracted driving causes car accidents, we also know that traffic and road construction do too. This app, just like any GPS or other traffic tracker is a useful tool – when used correctly.

If you’ve been hurt in a distracted driving accident, give one of our attorneys in Fort Worth a call. One of our specialties is representing the victims of car accidents caused by distracted drivers – we’ve even created our own distracted driving initiative, Teens Against Distracted Driving, to grow awareness of this problem. When you need help after your car wreck, contact us for all the answers.

Surprise, surprise: Interstate 35W, north of downtown Fort Worth during rush hour is the most stressful road to travel on in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2011 edition of the 100 most congested roadways. This comes as no surprise to everyone at my personal injury law firm in Fort Worth, or the thousands of other Texans that drive this highway every day.

With constant construction, distracted drivers, truckers and more cars that can seem to fit – it’s no wonder car accidents are a daily occurrence on I35. It seems I35W isn’t just stressful; it also ranked as the 5th most congested road in the state according the calculations by the Texas Transportation Institute. What are the most congested roadways in Texas? Look at the list here - the top three are all in North Texas.

Have you been in a car accident on one of these busy roadways? If so, call one of the accident and injury attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm – we’re here to help.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I know that it is always important to take mass vehicle recalls seriously. It is never good publicity for a car, motorcycle or truck manufacturer to announce a nationwide recall of one of their models due to a potentially life-threatening defect, so if there are announcing it to the world, you should assume that it is serious enough that you should get your vehicle inspected at your local dealership immediately.

Yesterday, Honda Motor Company announced a recall of their Fit subcompact, CR-V crossover and Fit Aria models which were sold in North America, Asia, Europe and Africa, as well as their CR-Z compact hybrids globally. This recall affects a total of 962,000 vehicles worldwide. Honda says that there have been no injuries or fatalities which have prompted the recall of any of the affected vehicles. The Fit, CR-V and Fit Aria models are being recalled due to the risk of a fire from defective power windows installed in these vehicle necessitate the mass recall. The CR-Z is believed to have programming problems with the computerized engine control unit.

If you believe that your vehicle is affected by either of these issues, you should contact your local Honda dealership immediately. Do not wait for an official notification letter from Honda, because there is usually a delay in manufacturers mailing out such letters, and even then not all owners will receive one.

Last year, almost 20 million cars, trucks and motorcycles in the US were affected by manufacturers’ recalls, yet the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates as many as 6 million of affected owners failed to get their vehicle inspected and repaired. Since such repairs are necessitated by a recall, there should be no charge to you as the vehicle owner, so there is really no excuse not to get your car checked out and fixed.

Despite numerous protests and evidence presented to lawmakers in Austin that distracted driving is an incredibly dangerous epidemic that is rapidly growing out of control, Governor Rick Perry vetoed House Bill 242 that would have made texting while driving illegal in Texas. In his official response, Perry said, “Texting while driving is reckless and irresponsible. I support measures that make our roads safer for everyone, but House Bill 242 is a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults.”

Perry claims that HB 242 would have been an overreach of government, but it confuses me as to how he got to this conclusion. How does a law that would protect the well-being of the public equal tyranny of the state? If Governor Perry is against laws like HB 242 that “micromanage” us, then he must also be against DWI laws, drug laws and driving without insurance laws. We shouldn’t need laws to tell us not to drink and drive or text and drive but we do.

It seems to me that Governor Perry is out of touch with the state of Texas. There was little opposition to this law in its required committee hearings; in fact, telecommunications giants, such as AT&T, actually support a ban on texting while driving. Not only did this bill have both Democrat and Republican support, but the majority of Texas drivers polled in a survey by the Texas Transportation Institute last year favor a cellphone ban while driving.

Politics aside, anti-texting laws don’t burden you unless you’re texting and driving and if they can save one life, they are worth it. If I was grading Rick Perry on his decision to veto this much needed anti-texting and driving bill, we would give him an F.

Since students across Dallas-Fort Worth have recently gone back to school, I thought it would be a good time to remind teen drivers everywhere of specific laws for learner drivers. As a Texas personal injury lawyer, I know that teen drivers are the group of motorist most at risk from suffering serious injuries in a car wreck, so it is vital that teenagers always focus on safety each time they get behind the wheel.

Since distracted driving is such a major cause of fatal auto accidents in Texas, drivers aged under 18 years old are prohibited from using any electronic devices while driving. That means no phone calls even if your cellphone can be operated hands free. Since texting while driving is so dangerous, it’s good to get into the habit now – and try to abstain from distracted driving as you get older as well.

Just as driving while distracted is so perilous, so is driving while intoxicated. Since the legal drinking limit in Texas is 21, the state has a zero tolerance approach to any teenage drivers who drink and drive – regardless of how little alcohol you may have in your system.

If you’ve been through the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program, you know how much work you’ve put in to get where you are today. Don’t throw it all away by making a stupid mistake. Most importantly, as a qualified driver you have a responsibility to both your safety and your passengers’ – as well as to every other road user. Traffic can be chaotic in DFW at the best of times, so it’s vital to always concentrate on getting where you’re going as safety as possible.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident which wasn’t your fault, call a personal injury and wrongful death attorney for a free, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. Call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 today.

So many auto accidents occur throughout the North Texas region that’s it’s easy to become somewhat complacent about them. For most people, the worst you are ever affected by a rollover wreck is that it causes you to take twice as long to get home as usual. As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, however, I see things rather differently. Every day I work for those people who have been seriously injured in such collisions. I also work for the families of those whose loved ones were not lucky enough to survive.

Fatal traffic accidents are on the rise. It doesn’t matter if you ride a motorcycle or drive a truck. Statistically, getting in your vehicle and setting out on the road is the most dangerous thing you will do today.

I was upset to hear of two tragic crashes which occurred yesterday:

In Weatherford, three people died in a head-on collision on Farm Road 2421. Police believe that Jorge Flores, 16, lost control of his car, which veered into the oncoming lane of traffic, hitting a pickup driven by William H. Morris, 53. Both drivers, along with Flores’ passenger, Alexandra Hernandez, 13, were pronounced dead at the crash scene.

In Arlington, police believe alcohol was a factor in an intersection wreck caused by Walter Tendi Chiyausiku, 29. Chiyausiku failed to stop at the four-way intersection, causing his SUV to strike a car driven by a mother and her child. Chiyausiku was arrested at the scene. The mother and son were taken to Cook’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. The boy died this morning.

If someone you loved has been taken from you by a negligent motorist, it’s important to understand your legal rights and to consult with a wrongful death attorney. I offer no fee, no obligation consultations. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

Despite Gov. Rick Perry’s inexcusable vetoing of a bill which would have outlawed texting while driving in Texas, some good did come out of the most recent state legislative session - at least as far as traffic safety is concerned.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I have a big problem with drunk drivers, so I’m glad to see there are two new laws aimed squarely at those irresponsible idiots who put the lives of others at risk by getting behind the wheel intoxicated. One law makes it easier for local police to obtain a warrant to perform a mandatory urine analysis on suspected drunk drivers if they’ve already refused a voluntary breathalyzer test. Another increases a drunk driving charge from misdemeanor to felony if the injuries resulting from the accident involve traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

I truly hope that these new laws will act as a strong deterrent to anyone who is considering driving home after a night out at the bar. By doing so you are jeopardizing not only your own safety, but also the wellbeing of anyone else who is unfortunate enough to share the road with you. Even if you’re fortunate enough not to cause a wreck, if you get caught these new measures mean you will seriously be damaging your future.

Don’t drink or drive. Arrange a designated driver beforehand, or plan ahead to take a taxi home.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, it’s important that you consult with an experienced accident and injury attorney with a record of taking a firm stance against intoxicated drivers and their insurance companies. Call the Anderson Law Firm for a free, no obligation consultation on your case today. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.