Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I have handled a variety of car, truck and motorcycle accident cases over the past 21 years. Injuries sustained in vehicle collisions are frequently extremely serious – particularly when the injuries involve damage to the brain, head and skull. One of the lesser known consequences of suffering a blow to the head is damage to the vestibular system (which includes the brain and inner ear organs) which controls and coordinates a person’s balance.

Symptoms of vestibular injuries typically include vertigo-like symptoms such as dizziness and lightheadedness, but the condition is significantly more serious. The damage to the vestibular system is often irreparable, and the patient can often suffer long-lasting consequences as a result of the head trauma which caused the injury.

Fortunately, a special therapy has been developed to assist vestibular injury patients retrain their brain to compensate for the damage which has been done. The vestibular system will remain permanently damaged, although the therapy teaches the brain to adapt to the unbalanced spatial orientation signals being sent from the brain.

If you or a loved one has suffered vestibular injuries as a result of a car wreck or other accident where someone else was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation. To talk to an attorney to day regarding your legal options, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

A Sansom Park man was killed in a fatal Lake Worth hit and run accident on Christmas morning. Police say that Heinz Schlotter, 59, was walking across the intersection at Roberts Cut Off and Jacksboro Highway at approximately 6.30 am on December 25, when an SUV made a turning through the same intersection, striking Mr. Schlotter. The driver did not make any attempt to stop and render aid, instead fleeing the scene westbound on Jacksboro Highway.

Mr. Schlotter was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth to be treated for his critical injuries, but died four hours later. Police are currently seeking the negligent motorist responsible for Mr. Schlotter’s death. They believe the vehicle involved in Sunday’s tragedy was a 2005 to 2010 model Ford Explorer which was maroon in color. There is likely significant body damage to the vehicle following the crash. The passenger side mirror was recovered at the wreck scene, but it is also suspected that the car would have damage to the passenger side door, window and windshield.

If you believe you might have any information which could help Lake Worth police track down this dangerous driver, please call LWPD at 817-237-1224.

As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer and wrongful death attorney, I wish to express my sympathies to Mr. Schlotter’s loved ones at this most difficult time. I know that whenever a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle – regardless of whether it’s a car, truck or motorcycle – the chances of survival are slim. Sadly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that such fatalities increased by 4.2 percent in 2010, showing that this is an increasing problem.

If you or someone you love has been hurt while out walking feel free to call the Anderson Law Firm for a completely free consultation on your situation. You may be entitled to much-needed compensation. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

We might have suffered a particularly bad drought here in Texas this year, but as a personal injury lawyer I know that when it eventually does rain in DFW – it pours! When rain and sleet hit our roads, the potential for a car wreck increases – so it’s important that you’re aware of some basic safety tips before you get behind the wheel.

Drive Slower: A wet road is a slippery road. Driving slower will improve your tire traction and give you better grip. It also means you have more time to brake when you spot a potential hazard up ahead.

Brake Slowly: When you’re driving in icy conditions, the last thing you want to do is slam on your brakes. The same is true in the rain. Your car could hydroplane and spin out of control.

Improve Your Visibility: Blast your windshield with heat to defog it and use your wipers. Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you, but make sure you pay attention when they brake so that you’re not forced to make any sudden maneuvers. Similarly, make sure you have your lights on so other motorists can see you clearly.

Avoid Driving Through Water: Standing flood water is a very real danger during and after rain. Try to drive in the middle of the road where possible as water usually collects near the sidewalk. If you do have to drive through standing water, slow down before hand and gently test your brakes afterwards.

Unfortunately, all of these safety tips cannot protect you from reckless idiots who drive dangerous regardless of the weather conditions. If you or a loved one have been hurt thanks to a negligent driver, give me a call for a complimentary, no obligation consolation on your case. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

Christmas is often considered the most wonderful time of the year, but it can often be stressful too. There are a lot of decisions to make: Should I attend the office party or the family function? Do I get a real tree or fake? Would Uncle Jack prefer slippers or cologne? The most important decision you make this festive season has an easy answer: Take a cab.

Seriously. If you've had a drink, then leave your car or truck where it is and let someone else drive. 'Tis the season for over indulging after all, and while we're not looking to stop you enjoying yourself, it is important to realize that this is when more people than any other time of the year get behind the wheel when they're way too merry.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that deadly collisions involving intoxicated drivers increase from a daily average of 36 fatalities nationwide to 45 per day over the Christmas period. Throughout the closing days of December into early January each year the figure further increases to 54 a day. Happy New Year indeed.

And yet, people just don't get it. Driving while impaired is illegal. Everybody knows this and yet everyday lives continue to be wrecked as the result of drunk driving-related accidents. Accidents which could have been avoided.

As a Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I would like to ask you all to make a particular effort this Holiday Season to make a firm promise that you will not get behind the wheel after having a drink. Don’t let your friends do it either. Be safe and be sensible – you could save someone’s life. You might even save your own.

As a DFW car wreck injury lawyer, I know that accidents caused by intoxicated motorists often result in some of the most catastrophic bodily injuries. Frequently, drink-driving collisions in Dallas-Fort Worth result in a fatality. Unfortunately, just because it’s Christmas, it doesn’t mean these very serious problem goes away. In fact, it gets even more serious. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fatal crashes caused by drunk drivers increase by 50 percent between Christmas and the new year.

In an attempt to reduce the number of deaths on Dallas roads this holiday season, the Dallas Police Department is adding an additional 12 new officers to their DWI squad through the first week of 2012. As a Texas wrongful death lawyer, news of the increased police presence will hopefully result in fewer people getting behind the wheel inebriated this holiday season, but of course there are always some idiots. My hope is that criminals (because that’s what they are) who do get into the driver’s seat drunk are caught and prosecuted. Hopefully the DPD will catch these negligent drivers and as a result fewer people will be killed this December.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by a drunk driver or any negligent motorist, I’d like to invite you to call the Anderson Law Firm for a completely free, no obligation consolation on your case. I’d be happy to explain your legal rights and help you understand whether you might be entitled to compensation. Call me at any time, toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 214-327-8000.

A traffic accident involving a jackknifed 18 wheeler truck shut down Interstate 30 into Dallas this morning causing a commuter nightmare just four days before Christmas. According to reports, the commercial motor carrier vehicle jackknifed and tipped over, rolling across the eastbound lanes of I-30, before eventually flipping and coming to a stop blocking all eastbound lanes. The trucker was taken to be hospital to be treated for minor injuries sustained in the incident. So far, the cause of the wreck has not yet be determined. As a DFW auto accident and personal injury lawyer, I know that it is very important that any crash involving a CDL driver is thoroughly investigated.

This morning’s crash may have caused a great many people a major headache while heading into work, but we should consider it extremely fortunate that no-one was seriously hurt in the accident. As a Dallas-Fort Worth injury attorney, I know that collisions involving 18-wheeler trucks usually cause a tremendous amount of property damage and bodily injuries – and they are frequently fatal.

If you or a loved one is every hurt in an accident involving a truck or bus, it is essential that you consult with an area attorney as soon as possible so that you can be informed of your legal rights and so that a lawyer can start working on your case immediately. The trucking companies will have their own investigators looking into the cause of the accident within hours – so should you.

For a free, no obligation consultation with a DFW traffic accident lawyer today, call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900. You may also request a complimentary copy of my book, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case.

One of the favorite Christmas events in the DFW metroplex is driving through Arlington’s Interlochen neighborhood to drive through the streets of festive light displays. More than 200 homes participate in this annual tradition which attracts thousands of families each year - as a result it can take a few hours to actually see all the houses which are lit up.

Unfortunately, visitors to Interlochen found themselves stuck in traffic for a lot longer than expected last night after a multi-vehicle wreck caused some un-festive frustration. The accident occurred Sunday evening at Bowden Road and Westwood Drive. Police believe that one motorist hit a parked car, initiating a chain reaction of fender benders. Fortunately, no-one was hurt in the string of collisions.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I think this incident serves to remind us all that even in slow moving traffic, accidents can still happen. It is particularly important that drivers stay vigilant and take care to avoid hazards at night time.

I am glad that no-one was injured in this particular wreck. Unfortunately, I know that there are many others that won’t be so lucky. If you or a loved one are injured as the result of another driver’s negligence this holiday season, you owe it to yourself to learn about your legal right to compensation. To speak to an attorney please call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I nothing but respect for commercial truck drivers – I’ve even helped a number of injured truckers get the fair compensation they deserve after being hurt in traffic accidents which were not their fault. Perhaps it is unfair, but truckers generally have a bad reputation as being the bullies of the road. In my experience, the majority of 18-wheeler drivers are honest motorists, who are trying to make a living a living just like the rest of us.

Unfortunately, there are many that are not so honest. In April of last year, for example, the FMCSA decided to crack down on those drivers and companies who routinely falsified their drivers’ logs in an effort to hide hour of service violations designed to keep fatigued drivers off Texas roads. It is now estimated that within the first year alone, 5,700 motor carriers and 128,000 drivers were found to be forging at least 10% of their records. That’s huge public safety hazard!

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a negligent truck or bus driver, it is critical that you hire an experienced DFE truck wreck attorney as soon as possible. Time is often of the essence in CDL collisions, so the sooner you have a board certified lawyer on your side, the better. It’s also important that the attorney you hire has a proven track record in handling commercial motor carrier cases as they will be aware of the many ways that untruthful truckers attempt to conceal their lies – and will know the best ways to catch them out on their lies.

I’ve been helping truck accident victims across DFW and throughout Texas since 1991. I know what it takes to fight the trucking companies for the full and fair damages my clients deserve. I offer all new clients a completely free consultation on their situation and there is never any fee unless I win your case. To discuss your case today, please call me toll free at 800-354-6275 or call me locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I have been helping accident victims pick up the pieces and get their lives back together since 1991. I am well aware that the aftermath of being seriously hurt in an auto accident does not just mean suffering physical and mental scars but also having to deal with a number of financial concerns often involving expensive medical bills at a time when you’re incapable of returning to work and thus losing out on your usual wages.

Even if you haven’t been injured, you still have the headache of dealing with making a property damage claim against the negligent driver’s insurance company. To make matters worse, you might even receive a bill in the mail from the local fire department who responded to your wreck. As a North Texas attorney, I’ve seen these first responders service charge bills become increasingly common throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. However, if you were not the at-fault motorist whose negligent caused the crash in question, then it is not your responsibility to pay.

In order to stop getting bills, however, it's always worth notifying both the person who sent the bill and the person responsible for paying it (the at-fault party’s insurance company). I suggest writing a letter to both of them explaining the situation as soon as possible.

For more helpful tips on dealing with unexpected tasks following an auto collision, you might be interested in a free copy of my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. To request your complimentary copy, please call my office in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I have helped the victims of car, motorcycle and truck collisions throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and the North Texas region since 1991. In that time, I’ve seen some utterly terrible accidents which have caused hundreds of thousands in property damage and medical costs for those drivers and passengers who have suffered terrible bodily injuries. The financial cost of being hurt in a traffic crash means it is critical that you consult with a board certified PI and wrongful death attorney to make sure you are fully aware of your legal right to compensation before it is too late.

Some of the worst car crash injuries are the result of side-impact collisions. These accidents frequently occur at intersections when one driver (often drunk or on a cellphone) ignores a red light or stop sign and plows straight into the side of another vehicle who actually had the right of way.

The reason that such accidents cause such severe injuries or even death is because cars are simply not engineered to absorb side-impact crashes to the same extent that they can absorb head-on or rear-end collisions. Even if you have a SUV or other large vehicle, there is still a risk of suffering awful injuries as SUV are extremely prone to rollover in broadside wrecks. According to the NHTSA, accidents resulting in a vehicle rollover are at increased risk of resulting in a fatality.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a side-impact crash or any other traffic accident, it is important that you are fully informed of your legal rights and obligations. Too many accident victims make critical mistakes before they understand the law, which is why I wrote my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case to help the public understand their rights. To order your free copy, please call me toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275).

Speeding is one of the leading causes of fatal traffic accidents in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and throughout North Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) lists speeding as one of the leading causes of car wrecks in the state alongside drunk driving, failure to yield or stop at intersections and following other vehicles too closely.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer and wrongful death attorney, I have helped the innocent victims of many interstate collisions caused by a negligent driver who had been driving in excess of the posted speed limit.

I get that everyone want to get wherever it is they’re going as soon as possible - I understand that no one likes a journey to take longer than necessary – but speed limits are in place for a reason. The faster you drive, the more likely you are to lose control of your car, truck or motorcycle – a risk which is further increased during the winter months as North Texas gets covered in snow, ice and freezing rain. It should also go without saying that the faster you’re traveling prior to a collision, the worse the bodily injuries and property damage which will result.

If you or someone you love has been badly hurt in a crash caused by a speeding motorist, it’s important that you speak to an experienced lawyer who will be able to explain your legal rights as they relate to your personal situation. You may be entitled to compensation.

For a free, no obligation consultation, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or locally at 817-194-1900.

Following a previous offer to provide concerned Chevy Volt owners with complimentary rental cars following several federal side-impacts tests which resulted in fires, General Motors have now offered to buy back Chevrolet Volt vehicles from any owners who are concerned about the alleged risk of the electric car’s battery to catch fire. GM has been at pains to stress that this is not a recall, but rather an effort to ensure their customers are kept happy.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I know the potential bodily injury which could be caused by a defective or unsafe vehicle. While I was initially impressed by the additional safety offered by electric cars since the batteries offer greater front impact absorption than traditional motor engines, this newly discovered potential for combustion is a big worry.

Further tests need to be conducted. General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has promised that when the cause of the fires is clearly established, Chevrolet will retrofit all 6,000 vehicles currently on the road. If necessary, there will be a mandatory recall. For more information, you are advised to contact your local Chevy dealership.

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to a malfunctioning car, truck or motorcycle – or any other defective or dangerous device – please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a free, no obligation appraisal of your situation. You may be entitled to compensation. Call us toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.

On Monday, I wrote about the devastation caused by a reckless drunk driver, Brittany Dawn Burton, 25, of Arlington, which played out on I-35W in Fort Worth late on Saturday night. Ms. Burton was arrested after she drove the wrong way down the interstate, causing a fatal multi-vehicle collision which resulted in the death of one man. To make matters even worse, he dangerous and intoxicated actions were all performed while her six-month-old daughter was in the back seat!

Jeffery Lee Hogan, 47, has been identified as the man killed due to Burton’s hazardous conduct. He had swerved to avoid a head-on collision with Burton’s car, resulting in a fender bender with another motorist who had similarly taken evasive action to avoid a crash with the intoxicated driver. As Hogan and the other driver examined the damage to their vehicles on the side of the road, a third driver was forced to make a sudden turn to avoid hitting Burton’s car, and it was this van which ultimately mortally wounded Hogan, who was pronounced deceased at the accident scene.

Burton was initially arrested on charges of intoxication manslaughter and endangering a child, but prosecutors made the admirable decision to increase those yesterday, upping the charge to murder. As a result, Burton faces a possible life sentence in prison because of her drunken actions. She is currently being held at Mansfield Detention Center. Tarrant County Public Prosecutor Richard Alpert said “People [need to] understand that when they commit this kind of act the highest charge possible will be brought against them, and they’ll be held accountable for it.”

As a Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I couldn’t agree more. Since I first started helping the victims of alcohol-related auto wrecks in 1991, I have seen firsthand the devastation which can result from accidents caused by DUI drivers. That’s why I always take the harshest stance possible against drunk drivers. There is never any excuse to get behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking. The fact that this woman did so with her infant child in the car – and that a man is now dead because of her stupid actions – is a prime example of the reckless behavior of drunk drivers.

Yet while this one story is getting a lot of attention in the local media this week, the fact remains that drunk driving crashes occur throughout the DFW metroplex almost every single day. If you or a loved one has been hurt because of the actions of an intoxicated motorist, I’d like to offer you a complimentary copy of my book which is designed to help you understand your civil rights to compensation, prior to consulting with an attorney. To request a free copy, please call my office at 817-294-1900.