Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Witnesses of a North Dallas car accident said the driver of a BMW was racing another car when he hit a puddle and lost control of his vehicle just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday. The driver of the BMW was speeding on the Northwest Highway when he crossed into oncoming traffic at the intersection of Shady Brook Lane and hit four other vehicles. The BMW burst into flames and the driver was found dead at the accident scene.

Thankfully, nobody else was serious injured in the accident, but the crash did leave a huge mess at the intersection east of North Central Expressway. I understand that speeding is an exhilarating experience to some people, but why do you have to do it on busy roads? There is no excuse for street racing and unlike what some movies like Fast and the Furious show, it is extremely dangerous. Not only do you look stupid street racing, but you could also get a huge ticket, jail time or even worse – end up dead.

As a personal injury attorney in Fort Worth, I already know that anytime you drive you are at a risk for getting into a car accidents. Do you really want to increase those risks by street racing?
It’s sad to me that someone lost their life from street racing. However, thank goodness nobody else was hurt in the wreck.

Have you noticed a change while driving around in Arlington? I can’t say I have, but we should all know that the ban on texting and driving in Agg town went into effect last Friday, November 25. Back in September, the Arlington City Council adopted the ban on texting and driving to prevent distracted driving related accidents in Arlington. Now, it is a Class C misdemeanor for drivers to use their cell phones for anything other than calling in Arlington. Drivers messing with their cell phones for an extended period of time could be pulled over if caught and potentially fined $200.

Signs around Arlington tell drivers: "Don't Text and Drive. In Arlington, it's the law."

As a personal injury attorney in DFW, I’m extremely pleased to see the progress the city of Arlington has made to keep our streets safe. I know that many people oppose bans on texting and driving because it’s too hard to tell if someone is texting and because they see it as an over-reach of government. If you’re one of these people, I invite you to talk to any one of my clients who have been seriously injured by someone who was texting and driving.

Texting and driving is an epidemic in our country. It’s common sense not to be on your phone while you drive, but everybody still does it. Probably the best thing about this law is that it gets people talking and thinking about their safety behind the wheel. Laws like this are worth it, even if it saves just one person from having a distracted driving related car wreck.

A suspected drunk driver caused a fatal multi-vehicle wreck on Saturday by driving the wrong way down I-35W – all the while with her six-month-old baby in the back of the car!

Brittany Burton, 25, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and endangering a child after her suspected drunken exploits led to the death of a man over Thanksgiving weekend. The epic disaster began at approximately 11:30 pm on Saturday night when Burton drove her Jeep Liberty north in the southbound lanes of Interstate 35W in Fort Worth. The driver of a Honda Civic swerved to avoid a head-on collision with Burton’s vehicle, resulting in a collision with another car.

Burton continued to travel in the wrong direction, narrowly avoiding a collision with a Ford work van only because the van managed to swerve out of her path at the last moment. Unfortunately, the driver of the van was unable to miss the two stalled car up ahead and crashed into them, killing the as yet unidentified driver of the second car.

After police responded to a 911 call, Burton was eventually chased down and arrested in the 2300 block of I35W. It was then that police discovered the infant in her car’s backseat.

I am both horrified and disgusted at this reckless woman’s behavior. Getting behind the wheel while drunk is one thing, but to do so with your own child in the car is another matter entirely. The mere fact that she was apparently either indifferent or oblivious to the pile-up she has caused goes to demonstrate just how intoxicated she must have been. An innocent victim is now dead because of her. A family has lost someone dear to them, ruining not just their holiday season, but gravely impacting the rest of their lives.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer and wrongful death attorney, I have a passionate dislike of drunk drivers and have fought on behalf of their victims for more than 21 years. Brittany Burton is without a doubt one of the most irresponsible and dangerous that I have ever encountered. I hope that people hear this story and understand just how serious the results of drunk driving can be. Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time to be merry, but that does not absolve anyone of their responsibilities. There is never any excuse to drive after you’ve been drinking. Bad stuff happens when you do.

In this particular horrific accident, a man’s life has been forever lost, a young child’s life was put in jeopardy by her own mother and tens of thousands of dollars in property damage have been caused. Brittany Burton is currently being held at Mansfield Detention Facility on a $200,000 bond. I hope they make an example of her and deter any other would-be drunk drivers this holiday season and beyond.

Nodding off behind the wheel can be one of the most unnerving things you'll ever experience, but it happens more than you might think.

Here at the Anderson Law Firm we won't judge you if you over-indulge this holiday season. After all, aside from counting our blessings and spending time with loved ones, Thanksgiving is all about eating and drinking far too much! But getting behind the wheel of your car afterward could be a fatal mistake. We all know that you should never drive after you've been drinking alcohol, but if you're as stuffed as a turkey, chances are you'll be feeling sleepy which has its own hazards.

Falling asleep while driving is a very real hazard, particularly after a huge Thanksgiving meal. I know firsthand just how serious an accident caused by a sleepy driver can be - many of the commerical truck wrecks I've handled over the years are the result of overworked drivers trying to operate on far too little rest. Even with Federal restrictions in place to avoid such disasters, many 18 wheeler drivers are forced to brake the rules by their greedy employers who value profits over people.

But of course tired truckers aren't the only motorists who could cause a terrible traffic collision if they fall asleep at the wheel. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that every year approximately 100,000 car crashes are the result of drowsy drivers.

So if you know that you're going to have to drive home after your Thanksgiving dinner, please make sure that you plan ahead.

Obviously you need to stay away from any alcoholic beverages. Ideally, allow plenty of time to digest your meal before heading off. If you're able to take a nap before you have to drive, then that's even better. Having a coffee or other high-caffiene drink can temporarily relieve any drowsiness, but this is just a short term fix.

Remember that if you are involved in a wreck which has been caused by a tired driver, you have legal rights just as with any other auto wreck or other kind of accident. If ever you need us, we're here to help you.

A pickup driver was killed and their two passengers were critically injured after their vehicle was hit by an 18-wheeler truck at approximately 1.30 this morning. Regina Duane, 43, of McKinney, was driving a pickup towing a trailer with three sheep inside when she jackknifed on a particularly wet section of I-35 near Saner Avenue in Oak Cliff. A semi-truck driving in the same direction as the pickup came over the rise and was unable to brake in time to avoid a collision.

The commercial goods vehicle crashed into the pickup’s passenger side, killing Ms. Duane and seriously injuring the two unidentified female passengers, whose ages are believed to be 15 and 26. Both were transported to Methodist Hospital in Oak Cliff to receive medical attention for their life-threatening wounds. The unidentified trucker (employed by Freymiller Transportation in Oklahoma City) was not injured in the accident, but according to Texas state regulations had to undergo a mandatory blood draw. It is unclear at this time whether he will face any charges. A section of I-35 was closed overnight but was reopened before the morning commute.

I would like to offer my sympathies to the family and loved ones of Ms. Duane and to the two girls whom I hope will make a full and speedy recovery. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know just how devastating a traffic collision involving a large truck can be. Aside from the property damage, they frequently result in bodily injuries necessitating hundreds of thousands in doctors’ fees.

If you are ever hurt in a wreck involving a big rig – even if it is unclear whether the trucker was at-fault – you owe it to yourself to speak to a board certified personal injury and wrongful death attorney to learn about your legal rights. They can help you determine who was negligent and how you can get the full and fair compensation you are entitled to under Texas law. For a free consultation today, call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 214-327-8000.

With Thanksgiving marking the start of the Winter Holiday season next week, many families will be traveling to visit relatives out-of-state or simply enjoying the opportunity for a quick vacation. With the state of the economy, most will be driving to their destination rather than spending the money to fly. As a Dallas-Fort Worth auto crash lawyer, I’d like to offer a few tips to make sure your road trip is as safe as possible…

Before you start your journey, make sure that you inspect your car for any potential problems which could ruin your trip. Check the air pressure in all of your tires (including the spare). Make sure that all fluids in your vehicle’s engine are full: this means water in the radiator, windshield wash, coolant, oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid. If you’re unsure about how or where to do this, take your car to the dealership for a quick tune up. A service technician will also be able to check your battery for you – another essential piece of equipment which needs to be in great condition before a November road trip!

Finally, make sure that your wiper blades are working properly. They really need to be working perfectly. If you find yourself driving through rain, hail or snow, it is critical that your wiper blades are working as good as possible in order to preserve the best visibility.

Of course, as a personal injury attorney, I know that even if you take every precaution possible, there is still a chance you could be the victim of another dangerous – drunk? – driver or some other freak accident. But making sure you check out your car before you set out – and being mindful of other road users while driving – should certainly reduce your risk of a collision.

Have a safe and fun Thanksgiving week!

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I have a big problem with drunk drivers. I’ve seen firsthand the devastating damages these idiots have caused not just in terms of property damage which is itself expensive, but also the bodily injuries they cause their victims. Some are left with crippling wounds which they will suffer with the rest of their lives. Some require extensive surgery involving amputations. Some are killed outright, leaving their families left to mourn for that person they loved who died simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I have no respect for those people who ruin lives through the utterly selfish act of getting behind the wheel after indulging in alcohol. There is no excuse. Ever.

And while DWI wrecks are never a laughing matter, I can’t help but find some amusement in the case of the New York drunk driver who not only managed to collide with a Police Officer’s vehicle while intoxicated, but who also happened to be wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “I’m a drunk” at the time. Here’s a photo of him. His name is Kevin Daly, 23. He’s currently held on a $10,000 bail facing charges of DWI.

According to reports, the police office whose car he hit suffered only minor injuries. He’s lucky. I’ve seen many drunk driving cases where the results have been far worse. Let’s hope they make an example of this complete and utter idiot.

A major truck wreck in Dallas was cleared up just in the nick of time this morning after an 18-wheeler carrying brand new medical supplies overturned on Interstate 30 near Lamar Street around 2 a.m. The tractor trailer spilled out all over the highway and the truck was splayed out on its side for several hours before crews could get it upright again.

Luckily, there were no injuries from the accident and the truck driver was able to escape and is doing fine. Traffic was brought to a stand-still as police had to shut down all lanes of traffic and create an emergency bypass lane while they cleared the 18-wheeler wreckage. Traffic was finally able to resume as normal around 7:20 a.m.

Truck wrecks like this in Dallas almost never happen without injuries and I’m glad to hear that the driver of this big rig is doing fine this morning. If you have had the unfortunate incident of getting injured in commercial truck accident in Texas, contact my law firm. Our injury lawyers are ready to help you after your Texas truck wreck.

A multi-vehicle collision on US 287 near Kennedale and Forrest Hill shortly after 8 am this morning caused a traffic nightmare for commuters traveling along I-20 in both directions, as well as those heading into downtown Fort Worth or to the northern mid-cities via I-820. Three lanes were shut down, causing all motorists to funnel through just one lane. Drivers reported it taking 40 minutes or more to travel just one mile.

So far, there are few known details of the crash which involved at least two cars and one pickup truck. Fort Worth Fire and Police Departments were quick to respond to the wreck along with some members of the Tarrant County Courtesy Patrol. Despite the inconvenience caused to DFW commuters, onlookers did not believe the accident appeared particularly serious. There is no word whether any injuries were suffered in the collision.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I hope that those involved in the crash were lucky enough to escape without any serious injuries. Regardless, I would encourage them to see a doctor as soon as possible, just to make sure there are no signs of an injury which may not yet be pronounced. Sometimes whiplash or other common car crash injuries are not apparent until later, especially when you’re still dealing with the shock and adrenaline of being involved in an auto accident.

The section of 287 where this accident occurred is a difficult stretch of roadway as traffic merges from several feeder roads and many vehicles must cross several lanes to ensure they are able to reach their appropriate exit. Motorists who regularly travel this route to work during the week know that fender benders happen on a regular basis. We should consider today’s crash as a reminder to be a little more mindful while dealing with our morning commute. If all road users were a little more patient, such accidents could likely be avoided meaning no lengthy delays or worse.

If you have been unlucky enough to be involved in a Dallas-Fort Worth car wreck – even just a minor fender bender – then you will learn firsthand just how stressful the post-crash experience can be. Even if you’re not seriously injured, you still have the headache of dealing with a property damage claim and other issues which arise because of your collision. It may well be that later in the day after your accident occurred, you start experiencing some muscle aches or other pain. As a personal injury lawyer, I know that not all injuries are immediately apparent after a car crash, but that it is important that you visit a doctor and get yourself checked out anyway – ideally, the same day if possible.

However, it might be that your doctor will refuse to see you if you tell them that you were potentially hurt in an accident. Yes, it does happen; primary care physicians decline to help accident injury victims on a regular basis in North Texas.

Can they do this? Yes. Unless you require emergency medical treatment, your doctor has no legal obligation to help you. Why do they do it? They’re afraid that they won’t get paid. Even if you have health insurance, these doctors are afraid that the insurance company won’t pay them. It is silly that they think this, as they will get paid. I think these doctors are doing their clients a great disservice by mot treating their patients.

So what should you do?

Give me a call. Not only do I know of doctors throughout the DFW Metroplex who are experienced in treating car wreck victims, but I am able to offer them a letter of protection which assures them I will make sure that they get paid as soon as your case against the negligent motorist is settled. For a no obligation, no fee consultation on your situation today, give me a call toll free at 800-354-6275 or call locally at 817-294-1900.

If you have to deal with the nightmare traffic in and around DFW on a daily basis, then it might not surprise you to learn that a recent study has declared Texas motorists as the third worst drivers in the country. Only Louisiana and Missouri drivers are more dangerous than Texans, according to the study conducted by Car Insurance Companion.

One of the main reasons why Texan drivers are considered particularly dangerous is the frequent distracted driving habits of Texas drivers. “Inattentive driving, texting while driving [and] cell phone use” are all major factors, according to Jerry Johns of the Southwestern Insurance Information Service.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I have seen firsthand the devastating bodily injury that distracted drivers can cause. The problem is that while most of us understand why it’s so hazardous to use your cellphone or other electronic device while behind the wheel (or eat, or apply your makeup – or whatever), we continue to do it regardless. This is crazy. We know that we’re not just putting other people’s safety in jeopardy – we’re risking our own lives as well!

Distracted driving is dangerous. We all know that. Now we need to actually stop doing it.

I would like to invite you to take a pledge to promise that you will give up texting while driving. Just click this link, take the pledge, and I’ll mail you a free bracelet to wear to remind yourself of the promise you made.

Maybe if we all vow to stop using our cellphone while on the road, Texan drivers can move closer to the safer end of the list the next time around.

As a parent myself, I know that entrusting your child to someone else – whether a babysitter or a daycare facility – can be a very difficult thing to do. It is critical when finding a daycare facility for your children that you do your research and make sure that you are completely satisfied with them before you hire them. After all, you are entrusting your child’s safety with these people!

Unfortunately, not all daycare facilities here in Dallas-Fort Worth take the safety of their client’s sons and daughters as seriously as they should. Accidents can and do happen regardless of how cautious you are, of course, but as a personal injury lawyer, I have handled a number of cases where the negligence of the daycare business and their staff was undoubtedly the cause of some serious bodily injuries.

I recently successfully resolved a claim on behalf of a North Texas family whose child was hurt in an auto wreck when they were riding in the daycare’s minivan. The settlement amount must remain confidential, but the settlement will really help this child later in life as it will fund college and give him compensation when he is a young adult. In this particular case, the extent of this particular daycare’s irresponsible negligence become evident almost immediately. Not only did it turn out that the person driving the van did not have a driver’s license, but they were also speeding – one of the top dangerous driving practice that contribute to fatal crashes. To make matters worse, the van was loaded beyond safe occupancy numbers, meaning there were too many children and not enough seatbelts.

This is an extreme example, but the truth is that things like this happen all the time.

If your child has been hurt while under someone else’s care – or has suffered an injury in any kind of accident – it is important that you get a free consultation with a local child injury attorney to make sure you are aware of your legal rights to damages. To schedule a no fee, no obligation consultation today, give me a call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at either 817-294-1900 or 214-327-8000.

A multi-vehicle crash in England on Friday was so large that it has made international headlines. 34 cars and trucks were involved in the collision which killed seven and injured 51 others. The devastating accident is being blamed on a combination of factors including wet roads, excessive speed and poor visibility.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that the magnitude of this wreck cannot be underestimated. The section of road where the pile-up occurred has never been an accident black spot and it seems that it was simply a deadly combination of environmental factors which caused the crash to occur.

The accident took place short after dusk, so the roads were dark. Suddenly, a dark fog descended over the freeway reportedly reducing visibility to just 100 feet. Crash scene experts believe that some 18 wheeler drivers instinctively began to brake because of the potential hazard. Unfortunately, since the speed limit was 70 mph and the roads were slick with recent rain, many other vehicles behind the trucks were unable to slow in time, setting off a chain reaction of deadly crashes. Many of the semi-trailers and passenger cars burned literally to the ground.

This is an absolutely terrible accident and the pictures of the crash scene are utterly horrific. It should go without saying that my thoughts are with the families and loves ones of those who were killed or hurt in this massive tragedy.

At the same time, however, it is entirely possible that a similar wreck could happen in the DFW metroplex. Speeding is certainly a problem here too, and as the weather turns gradually colder and wetter, our roads are prone to similar conditions which are being attributed to causing the England wreck. Let’s all drive carefully out there. Keep your distance between the car in front of you and be particularly cautious of driving in bad weather or after dark.

High speeds are to blame in a fatal Plano car accident that happened around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday. Officers were called to the 3300 block of E. Plano Parkway after a pickup truck traveling eastbound at high speeds struck another vehicle, sped off and hit a curb and then flipped over. The driver was ejected from the car and rushed to the hospital where he died a short time later. The other passenger in the truck is in serious, but stable condition.

SUVs and trucks a prone to rollover accidents, especially when driven at high speeds. We assume we are more protected in larger cars like Ford Explorers and Lincoln Navigators, but due to these large car’s chances of rolling over in an accident, that is not always the case. Some studies have even reported that 45% of pickup truck deaths were the result of a rollover crash.

Some of the most minor accidents, like hitting a curb or mailbox, can result in an SUV or truck rollover accident. Accidents like this remind us to watch out speed, even when it feels like our cars can handle it.

Yesterday, the Mansfield News-Mirror ran a story about a local woman who suffered serious property damage to her car in a collision with an uninsured driver. Lauren Middleton, 22, was driving along FM 917 when an SUV pulled out of a gas station without looking. Miss Middleton tried to avoid a wreck, but the two vehicles did indeed crash. Neither of the drivers were injured, but Miss Middleton’s 2000 Pontiac Tans Am’s front driver’s side was smashed up bad.

It was then that Miss Middleton discovered the at-fault driver – an unidentified 20-year-old Alvarado man – didn’t have auto insurance. She called the police – who determined that it was the other motorist’s fault – but the uninsured driver got away with nothing more than a ticket, leaving Miss Middleton with a damaged vehicle she will now have to pay to repair out of her own pocket.

Unfortunately, this is a situation I see a lot as a Dallas-Fort Worth auto accident lawyer. Over the past few years, the number of uninsured drivers in North Texas has increased sharply due to the global recession. People are trying to find ways to save money and many of them are electing to drop their car insurance. While it might not seem so, Miss Middleton is actually very lucky that she suffered no injuries in this crash, otherwise she would be forced to may likely thousands of dollars in medical expenses out of her own pocket.

So what can drivers do to protect themselves from uninsured drivers? You need to make sure you insure yourself. State minimum insurance does nothing to protect your vehicle or yourself if you are injured. You should invest in collision coverage for your vehicle so that if you are hit by a negligent driver you can make a claim against your own insurance (and if the other driver does have insurance, your insurance company will then claim the money back from their provider). You should also invest in uninsured motorist coverage, which is an optional coverage offered by all insurance providers. This coverage will pay any medical costs, loss of income and other damages if you are seriously hurt and need hospitalization if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a multi-vehicle accident anywhere in the DFW metroplex, give me a call today for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. Call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or call locally at 817-294-1900.

A boy from Southeast Texas has died and another is injured after getting hit by a truck on Halloween night. The boys were on the way to a Halloween party when they jumped from their vehicle and tried to run across the road. 12-year-old Ernest Rodriguez, 12 was pronounced dead at the hospital and his friend Christian Balderrana, 11, is still in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Halloween is one of the most fun nights of the year to be a kid, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. I know last night even in my own neighborhood kids were running everywhere and going crazy—I can only imagine what would have happened if the motorists in my neighborhood weren’t paying attention.

Kids are extremely prone to be injured in pedestrian accidents. They don’t have the ability to appreciate danger and will often forget to look both ways before darting out into the street – especially when they’re excited about something. Review pedestrian safety with your children frequently, it’s something that cannot be stressed enough.