Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Every day in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area someone will decide to drink and drive. About a year ago, Mariza Rodriguez Martinez decided to drink and drive with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.13 percent, above the 0.08 legal limit. Martinez left Gleneagles Country Club in Plano and drove the wrong direction on the freeway, which ended tragically killing Kara Taylor, 16, of Little Elm. Martinez reached speeds of 95 mph as she weaved from one side of the road to the other. Collin County jury found Martinez guilty of intoxication, manslaughter, and intoxication assault. The punishment phase of the trial is scheduled to start this morning, which could face up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

I have no sympathy for Martinez. She made choices to drink, she made choices to get intoxicated, and she made choices to get behind the wheel of a car. If you drink and drive, there is a strong chance something bad will happen. In 2007, there were 1,292 fatalities, solely due to drinking and driving. I can’t help, but feel sorry for Kara Taylor, her friends, and her family.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/ Fort Worth Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about drunk driving accidents, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Tim Hay, a drag racer from Burleson, TX died Saturday night after a car accident at a racetrack in Iowa, where he was competing in an event he had won last year. Hay, 49 years of age, lost control of his car, on the 1/8th-mile dragway during the finals of the World Fuel Altered Nationals at Eddyville Raceway Park in Eddyville, Iowa. Track co-owner Scott Gardner said Monday. The vehicle hit the safety wall and rolled. Rescue personnel pulled Hay out of the car and stabilized him at the track medical center, but the wreck resulted in his death Hay is survived by his wife of 23 years, Candy, three grown children and two grandchildren. Gardner said Hay's wife and one of their sons were at the track when the crash happened.

Hay had competed at Eddyville the past four years and was a well-known veteran of the sport. Tim Hay been racing since the late '70s or early '80s. The nitro methane altered car is one of the toughest to drive in the sport of drag racing. It's sort of a blend between a top fuel dragster and a nitro funny car. It's similar to a funny car, but it's not a full body.

This sport is pretty safe, but there are occasional accidents that unfourantely happen. This is a tragic circumstance for the Hay family and I send my condolences to their family and friends. I assume that an investigation will follow of what went wrong with the car.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you questions about a car accident resulting in injuries, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A Louisiana man will face a jury on manslaughter charges after more than two years after a horrific car crash in Plano killed a family of five.

David Calhoun Jones was driving in a rented Pontiac when he ran a red light on Legacy Drive on June 22, 2008. His car was going nearly 100 mph when he struck a curb and fire hydrant before going airborne. He collided with a Ford Winstar minivan carrying the Hart family and their two foster children.

Geoffrey Hart, 41 and his wife, Laura Christine Hart, 41 were killed instantly, along with their 12-year-old daughter, Rebekah. Two foster children in the family's care died later at area hospitals. Raven Lucas was 5; and her sister, Kevinnesha Palmer, was 6.

A criminal trial has been delayed several times because of Jones' extensive injuries. The crash left him a paraplegic. If convicted of the second-degree felony, Jones' punishment ranges from probation to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for wrongful death.

The trial is set to begin this morning in Collin County before Senior District Judge Quay Parker.
Our sympathies go out to the friends and relatives of the Hart family for this tragic accident that could have been prevented. If Jones had obeyed the posted speed limit or made sure to stop at the red light, these lives could have been saved.

On an average each year, there were 5,589 fatalities to occupants of vehicles and 794 fatalities to nonoccupants in intersections controlled by traffic signals and stop signs. It is unclear as to whether he was driving while intoxicated, but either way his exessive speed was inexcusable. Hopefully, this trial will bring justice to the Hart family.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/ Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. For more information regarding car accidents, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Last week I blogged about a fatal hit and run accident that killed a motorcyclist in Lewisville, Texas. While police have impounded a late-model SUV with front end damage, no arrests have been made yet. This was the second hit-and-run accident the late Ray Torres, 42, according to local news reports.

Ray Torres was struck by a hit-and-run driver a little over a year before this crash, on August 1, 2009. At that time, he was left lying on a street in Arlington with an injured leg that required six months of rehabilitation. Tragically, Mr. Torres did not survive the second hit-and-run crash. He died at the scene, becoming one of nearly 500 people who die every year in Texas in motorcycle accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, in 2008, 480 motorcycle riders were killed. 62% of those riders weren’t wearing a helmet. Mr. Torres usually didn’t wear a helmet, and he wasn’t wearing one when he died, according to news reports. In 2007, the NHTSA determined that a motorcycle rider was 37 times more likely to die in a crash and nine times more likely to be injured than someone inside a vehicle.

This is such a sad story, and really shows the dangers that motorcycle riders face on our roads. I always emphasize the importance of wearing a helmet, as it is often truly the difference between life and death. The NHTSA statistic that 62% of those riders killed in 2008 doesn’t surprise me at all.

Information provided by Texas Motorcycle Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, and across Texas at 877-294-1115. Click here to contact a Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney today.

A tragic accident happened yesterday here in Dallas. Terry Glover, 59, died early Thursday morning after a Dallas police cruiser crashed into the back of his Jeep. The Jeep was disabled in the middle of the street, but did have its hazard lights on. After the collision, Glover was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center where he died during surgery.

Officer Adam Stucki, the driver, and Officer Archie Benson were on their way to a call at Methodist Charlton Medical Center. The emergency lights and siren were not on as they approached the disabled vehicle around 1 a.m. The patrol car was driving about 45 mph, according to news reports. When the police vehicle struck the Jeep, it pushed the Jeep through a metal fence and into the front yard of a home.

The collision occurred in the 7600 block of South Polk Street near Camp Wisdom Road, where the speed limit is 40 mph, according to police. It is unknown whether or not Stucki braked before crashing into the Jeep. Stucki has been placed on routine restricted duty while Benson remains on regular duty while the investigation continues. Both officers suffered minor injuries in the accident.

I am very interested to hear the outcome of this investigation. Was Officer Stucki distracted? Did he even see the vehicle and have a chance to apply the brakes before the crash? The Dallas Morning News has posted the video from the patrol car’s dashboard camera. You can click here to watch the video. Mr. Glover’s hazard lights are clearly visible in the video quite a long time before the actual collision occurs.

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

Tammy Sue Stegall was sentenced to 30 years in prison yesterday for the death of 57-year-old Billy Stroud. Stroud died tragically on August 11, 2009 when Stegall, driving drunk, struck his motorcycle with her Nissan Maxima. Stegall ran over Stroud and pushed his motorcycle along the ground. He later died at John Peter Smith hospital from his injuries.

Stegall was convicted of murder because she had two previous charges of driving while intoxicated. The last, in August 2008, caused her to lose her driver’s license. She was driving illegally when she struck Stroud.

According to news reports, Stroud had recently purchased a motorcycle with the intention of joining the Patriot Guard motorcycle riders. The Patriot Guard participates in military funerals and protects the grieving family from protestors. Stroud’s son, Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan Stroud, 20, died in July 2009 in Afghanistan. He was buried three days before his father’s death. Stroud had been so impressed with the Patriot Guard at his son’s funeral that he wanted to join the group.

Stegall must serve 15 years of her 30 year sentence before she will be eligible for parole. According to prosecutor Richard Alpert, “our two goals were to obtain a murder conviction and a sentence that would keep her in prison for the rest of her life. Given her long history of drug abuse and the fact that she is 51, we think the 30 years and her guilty plea to the murder charge achieve both goals."

What a terrible tragedy for the Stroud family to suffer. I think this person deserves to remain behind bars for the rest of her life, but that must offer little solace to the family and friends of Mr. Stroud. Unfortunately, drunk driving is an epidemic in Texas. Drunk driving causes over 1,500 deaths each year in Texas; this makes up 45% of all traffic fatalities. I hope that Stegall does not receive parole. With her history, I don’t think she should ever be allowed on the road again.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who fights every day for the rights of those injured in drunk driving accidents. He can be contacted in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, in Dallas at 214-327-8000, and toll free across Texas at 877-294-1115. He can also be reached by clicking here.

The Lewisville, Texas Police Department is looking for the driver and a passenger of a dark gray or black Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban that fled the scene of a fatal car/motorcycle accident which occurred early Sunday morning. According to the Lewisville Police, at about 4:00 a.m. Sunday, the SUV collided with a motorcycle at the intersection of State Highway 121 (business) and Bellaire Boulevard in Lewisville. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene and a passenger on the motorcycle was taken to a local hospital.

According to police, the dark Chevrolet should have significant damage to its front end. The fog light housing that was mounted below the front bumper was torn off and left at the scene of the fatal accident. The housing still contained one fog light. Plus, the Chevrolet “bowtie” logo was also broken off from the grille of the SUV and left at the scene. Anyone with any information on the identity of the driver and the passenger of this Chevrolet, please contact the Lewisville Police Department at 972 219 3600.

I hope these criminals who fled the scene are found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is against Texas law to be involved in an accident and flee the scene. This is such a tragic accident-and one that was definitely preventable. My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of the unidentified motorcyclist. I also hope the passenger of the motorcycle has a speedy recovery.

Information and commentary provided by Mark Anderson, injury attorney. The Anderson law firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817 294 1900 or across Texas at 877 294 1115. They can also be contacted by clicking here.

After being thrown from his car after it rolled several times on Texas 183, a Farmers Branch man was killed early Sunday.According to police, his vehicle failed to negotiate a curve on the highway and crashed.

The Dallas County medical examiner’s office identified the victim as Bipin Thapa, 26, who was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger was in good condition Sunday. Police still have yet to identify the man, who was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

The accident was reported about 1 a.m. Sunday in the westbound lanes of Texas 183 in Irving. Thapa was driving a gold 2000 Honda Civic at a high-rate of speed when he attempted to exit the highway. He lost control of the car, and it slid off the highway. His vehicle rolled several times.

Thapa did not appear to be wearing a seat belt even though his passenger was.

It is always a tragic circumstance when these kinds of accidents happen, especially when the accident may have been prevented. There is the issue of not wearing a seat belt. In 2008 alone, the nighttime period with the highest percentage of unrestrained fatalities (72 percent) was midnight to 3 a.m. Wearing a seat belt while driving is still the single most effective thing drivers and passengers can do to save lives. There is no debatable reason why a person shouldn’t be wearing a seat belt so suck it up and buckle up.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions regarding a car accident of any kind, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Early Monday morning one person died in a Fort Worth automobile wreck, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office.

Initial reports showed that a major crash happened 2:31 a.m. and that a vehicle had hit a pole and overturned.

Additional details on the crash were unavailable at 9 a.m. Monday morning, but KDFW Fox 4 has reported that the wreck took place in the 2400 block of Joel Road.

A spokeswoman for MedStar stated that an ambulance was sent to the location, but no one was transported from the scene.

Hopefully throughout the next couple days we will receive more information on this fatal car accident. Accident investigation plays a very important role when trying to find answers to why and how the accident happened. In cases where the cause of the wreck is disputable or the injuries are going to be disputed, it is absolutely imperative that a complete and thorough investigation be conducted. Our deepest sympathies for the family and friends of the victim.

Information and Commentary is provided by Car Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. If you or a loved has been in a car accident, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation. We can be reached toll free at 877.294.1115 or you can contact us online.

The woman killed in the fiery crash on I-20 yesterday morning in Arlington, Texas has been identified.

Lauren Price, 21, was identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office after her car crashed into a pole off the highway. There is no information on where she resided or what she was doing on the road at 3:30 in the morning.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Lauren’s family and friends. This type of tragedy is a hard obstacle to overcome, and we hope that they eventually find peace after mourning. I assume an investigation is to follow as to what caused the accident.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. For more information about car accidents, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A motorist was killed early Thursday morning on Interstate 20 near the Collins Street exit.

Witnesses told police that the car was westbound on I-20 at about 3:30 a.m. when the vehicle drove off the highway and struck a pole of a message board on the shoulder. According to police, the vehicle then caught fire, killing the driver at the scene.

It is unclear whether drugs, alcohol or speed played a role in the wreck. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office has yet to release the name of the driver.

What saddens me the most about this is that this is the 10th traffic fatality in Arlington this year. No matter what the cause of the accident was, I’m sure it could have been prevented. I see the results of automobile accidents every single day, and I always analyze them on how they could have been prevented. Hopeful a full investigation will reveal how this wreck could have been avoided.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. If you have questions about a particular car accident case, the Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. Fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A Plano teen, 16-year-old Nicole LeGrow, was killed in an afternoon accident Thursday on Highway 121 in The Colony.

LeGrow, a student at Jasper High School in Plano, died in the collision. She was a passenger in a sedan that lost control and crashed in the northbound lanes of hwy 121 near Plano Parkway.

The driver, 16-year-old Alexandra Hays, was airlifted to a Dallas hospital. She remains in critical condition.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Nicole LeGrow and Alexandra Hays’s friends and family. We wish a speedy and healthy recovery for Hays. Accidents involving loved ones are always a tragic situation. Hopefully the accident investigation will show more insight into what happened Thursday afternoon.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a car accident, please fill our out contact from online for a free consultation.

A Fort Worth police officer, critically injured Thursday afternoon when his patrol car slammed into a tree during a pursuit, remained in a hospital intensive care unit Friday morning, but medical evaluations overnight showed some "positive results," police officials said.

The injured officer, Richard Lambing, 37, is a 15-year veteran of the department. He was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth with life-threatening injuries. The officials noted that the officer was stabilized and moved to a private room in the ICU.

The wreck occurred about 1:50 p.m. as Lambing joined in the high-speed pursuit of a motorcyclist whom Tarrant County sheriff's officers had tried to pull over as he left a suspected drug house in Mansfield.

The officer had just taken an exit ramp from East Loop 820 to eastbound Interstate 30 when he lost control of his car, which hit the tree in a grassy area beside the freeway.

Police said they will investigate the cause of the crash, road conditions and whether policies and procedures were followed.

Investigators would also look into the origin of the chase and the involvement of Fort Worth police.

Our prayers go out to Officer Lambing who was just doing his job. We hope he will be able to stabilize so he can get out of ICU. Remember, high speeds are dangerous and can cause accidents. He had a reason for doing so, but the motorcyclist did not which was irresponsible and hazardous. High speed chases may seem like a thrilling idea, but in reality, someone usually gets hurt.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. For questions regarding car accidents, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A wrong-way accident on I-30 at Ferguson Road Sunday morning left one person dead and three injured. The Sheriff’s Department said that a woman driving a pickup truck with two passengers was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes and crashed head on with another vehicle.

The female passenger in the front seat, identified as Ana Tello, was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup driver and the male passenger who was in the backseat were taken to Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas in serious condition. The driver of the Tahoe was taken to a local hospital in good condition.

The names of the injured victims have not been made public, pending notification of family members.

This is a serious accident that could have been prevented, and The Anderson Law Firm sends their sympathy to Ana Tello and the other victims. As drivers, please remember to follow all roadway signs, because the driver would have likely been able to see that she was going the wrong way. The public almost becomes numb to the fact that traffic wrecks happen to other people. But the national statistics show that we are all likely going to become involved in a traffic incident at some time or another—there are over 6 million auto wrecks each year, with almost 3 million resulting personal injuries and approximately 42,000 crash related deaths. Make sure to pay attention while driving to prevent accidents like these.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a car accident, please fill our out contact from online for a free consultation.

Last weekend the Republic of Texas Biker Rally took place in Austin, TX. Officials said there were at least two biker deaths over the weekend, and at least three more serious accidents involving motorcycles. Police and Rally officials are not sure if all of the accidents were connected to the event, which draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Police say they do not have the total number of motorcycle wrecks for this past weekend because not all of the officers have turned in reports. In Austin, during the 2009 and 2008 ROT biker rally weekends, there were 22 and 16 motorcycle crashes respectively. 2009 also included one fatality.

ROT 2010 rally weekend already has two fatal motorcycle crashes documented. One fatal crash early Sunday morning killed 36-year-old motorcycle passenger, Barbara Ann Garza. The driver, Daniel Rios Ortega, 28, crashed his bike in Northeast Austin and fled the scene. He was arrested and charged with failure to stop and render aid in the incident.

The second fatality happened in western Travis County early Monday; when El Paso resident, David Torres, 44, crashed into a median.

My condolences go out to the families of the two victims, Barbara Ann Graza and David Torres. Crashes like this can be prevented by paying more attention to the road. By being aware and by adhering to road safety rules many accidents can be avoided. These rules really need to be followed when attending biker rallies like this on. A motorcycle rider is 37 times more likely to die in a crash than automobile driver. So please pay attention while driving and follow the road safety rules, doing so can save lives.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and have questions please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

In the south side of Fort Worth, a fatal wreck on Interstate 35 W backed up traffic for miles.

The accident happened on Wednesday night around 8:20 p.m. in the southbound lanes near Garden Acres Boulevard.

At least one person is believed to be dead. There has been no further information on how many other vehicles were involved.

Southbound traffic on I-35W was still being shuffled to service roads more than two hours after the crash.

So far there is no evidence to explain why and how this crash occurred, but hopefully after a thorough investigation those questions will be answered. Through reconstruction of the accident, police may be able to tell what happened. Our sincere condolences go out to the victim’s family.

National statistics show that we are all likely going to become involved in a traffic incident at some time or another—there are over 6 million auto wrecks each year, with almost 3 million resulting personal injuries and approximately 42,000 crash related deaths. By following road safety rules the probability of a being in a car accident is greatly reduced.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a car accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Late Thursday, in Pleasant Grove, TX three children were hospitalized after a hit-and-run.
The children were riding in a white Plymouth minivan. The minivan was traveling south on Masters Drive a little after 11p.m. when a silver Lincoln Navigator ran a stop sign at Muskogee Drive and hit them.

The driver on the minivan was unharmed, but four members of his family were taken to various hospitals. The victims include: his wife, an 8-year-old boy, a 3-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl. His youngest daughter, 3-years-old, suffered the most serious injuries out of the group and was taken to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. None of their injuries are thought to be life threatening.

The driver of the Lincoln Navigator fled the scene after the accident. He still remains at large. Police later found the vehicle abandoned in a backyard of a house nearby. Anyone with information can call Dallas Police at 214-670-5817

Hit-and-runs are one of the worst types of accidents to hear about. In this case, a driver of a sports utility vehicle made a mistake by running a stop sign. Mistakes happen, but running away from accident you caused, especially when there are multiple children involved, is despicable. Hopefully the police will be able to track down this reckless driver and bring him to justice.

Most motor vehicle accidents, including this one, happen because driver's make reckless mistakes, like running a stop sign. They can either be simply not paying attention, or it could be the driver was talking on a cell phone, texting, or eating. By following road safety rules the probability of a being in a car accident is greatly reduced. If you have any information about this accident please call the Dallas Police at 214-670-5817. Making a mistake is one thing, running from it is another.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a hit-and-run accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Early Thursday a Dallas teen drove the wrong way on Airport Freeway and collided with a vehicle. The teen is suspected of drunken driving. After the crash the teen fled on foot before he was caught by the Irving police.

Irving patrol officers responded to the accident around 2:30 a.m. in the 2200 block of Texas 183. Witnesses informed police that the 2002 Land Rover was heading east in westbound lanes when the collision happened.

The 16-year-old was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas due to minor injuries. The driver of the other automobile was also taken to Parkland with foot and arm injuries. The current condition of the victim are unavailable.

It’s hard to hear about a 16-year-old boy being suspected of drunk driving. Not only has he just gotten his license, but he is also 5 years shy of legally being able to drink alcohol. Luckily no one was seriously hurt in this unfortunate crash. Hopefully this crash will be a teaching tool for all young drivers on Texas roads.

Drunk Driving is a factor in over 45% of the car accidents that occur on Texas roads. To help ensure your safety on the road, The Anderson Law Firm has traffic safety and preventative tips to make sure you are not a victim of a drunk driving accident.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a drunk driving accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Authorities were forced to shut down LBJ freeways southbound lanes for hours after a tractor-trailer crushed another vehicle earlier this morning.

One victim died at the scene and the other two members in the wreck were sent to the hospital. Their names and conditions have not been released.

Authorities reopened the freeway about 6 a.m. Authorities are still trying to identify what caused the accident. More details will be released later.

In wrecks involving tractor-trailers, 44% of people injured in a truck wreck suffer devastating injuries. Tragically, around 9% die. This means that 53% of people driving other vehicles in truck-related accidents suffer an incapacitating injury or death as a result of a tractor-trailer crash.

At The Anderson Law Firm we want to help those who have been injured in a truck accident. With investigating and reconstructing the accident, we work to immediately uncover and collect all the facts pertinent to your case. We do this to help those injured get the best possible compensation for their injuries.

So far there is no evidence to explain why and how this crash occurred, but hopefully there will be a thorough investigation. Through reconstruction of the accident, police may be able to tell what happened. Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased victim. We wish for a speedy recovery to the two injured still in the hospital.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a truck accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Two Dallas police officers are on administrative leave today after they were arrested of driving while intoxicated last week. The two will be on leave pending administrative and criminal investigations.

The officers and are involved in two different units of the Dallas Police Force, and were at two different locations when they were found drinking and driving. The officers were identified as Patrol Officer Manuel Romani and Sr. Cpl. James Rucker of the department's helicopter unit. Romani, a four-year-veteran, was arrested in Forney on Saturday, and Rucker, who has been on the force for 26 years, was arrested in Rockwall on Sunday.

Drinking and driving is inexcusable under any circumstance, and the fact that two people who are supposed to enforce this law were caught doing so makes the offense even more disappointing. By learning how to avoid drunk driving risks in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we can make the community roads much safer to drive on. And with about three in every ten Americans assumed to be involved in alcohol-related crashes in their lifetime, police officers need to be more responsible in practicing what they preach and following the laws they themselves insist upon.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions concerning a drunk driving incident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

On Tuesday afternoon, five people were injured in a two-car crash in west Arlington. The accident took place at the intersection of Pioneer Parkway and South Davis Street. The intersection was close shortly after the crash around 12:00 p.m. and was not reopened until 3:15 p.m.

Four of the injured victims were taken to local hospitals, while the fifth victim was taken by helicopter ambulance to a further hospital. An Arlington Police spokeswoman, Tiara Ellis Richard, said none of the injuries seemed to be life threatening.

There is no current information on how the automobile accident happened. Luckily no one was killed; hopefully all injured parties will have a speedy recovery.

There are more than six million car accidents each year in the United States. Most of these motor vehicle accidents happen because driver's make reckless mistakes. They can either be simply not paying attention, or it could be the driver was talking on a cell phone, texting, or eating. By following road safety rules the probability of a being in a car accident is greatly reduced.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a car accident, please fill out a contact form online for a free consultation.

On Monday morning, a jailer with the Dallas Sheriff’s Office was involved in a motorcycle accident on his way to work. The crash happened shortly before 6 a.m. under Interstate 30 on South Riverfront
Boulevard.

The unidentified motorcyclist suffered multiple broken bones, but none of the injuries were thought to be life threatening. The news reports do not say how the accident occurred.
In the past I have represented many motorcycle riders and based on experience, my guess is that a driver of a car did not see the biker and either pulled in front of him or turned into him. Failing to see a motorcyclist is the number one cause of wrecks involving bikes. That does not mean that motorcyclists are never in the wrong, as sometimes they are, but the odds are that the automobile driver didn’t see the motorcycle.

This information and commentary is provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about a motorcycle accident please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

A Fort Worth man died on Sunday after being involved in a traffic accident in Fort Worth. The victim, Sri Vempati, died at Texas Health Fort Worth hospital at around 4 in the afternoon, shortly after the car crash.

The wreck happened at Forest Park Boulevard, around the intersection where Forest Park meets West Rosedale Street. Fort Worth police did not release details on the accident, but confirmed that Vempati was the driver.

My condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Vempati. Hopefully, the accident investigation by the Fort Worth Police Department will reveal the cause of this tragic wreck.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a car accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

On the morning of May 9th a tragic car accident occurred in Fort Worth. The driver, Livita Simms, was driving north on the I-35 service road when her car went over the curb, hit a medium and burst into flames. Four members in the six person car were killed. The wrecked killed Simms, her five year old daughter, and two thirteen year old boys identified Elijah Drisdle and Deguone Matlock Jr.

There is confusion as to whether a seventh person was in the car when the automobile crashed at 1:30 a.m. Simms was said to have dropped off Jamie Muriel at her house minutes before the wreck took place. One of the two boys who survived said there was a seventh person who grabbed the steering wheel during an argument and fled the scene after the accident. Muriel however denies being in the car at the time of the incident.

Our hearts go out to those involved in the accident. It’s unfortunate to hear of an accident of this severity. Our condolences to those families involved. We hope the police will be able to sort through the facts to find the missing pieces in this case.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about car accidents, please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

A car wreck involving four vehicles and a horse happened around 5:30 a.m. this morning on I-20 near St. Augustine Road in Dallas. A horse had walked onto the highway and caused the accident between the four cars.

The horse was killed in the accident. No one knows who the horse belongs to or where it came from.

One of the four cars had to be towed, and a passenger from one of the cars had to be taken to the hospital. The man is said to be injured, but in stable condition. Several lanes of the highway were closed after the accident.

I can’t imagine seeing a horse on the highway at 5:30 in the morning. That must have been quite a shocker for the driver’s of the four cars involved in the wreck. Though I do not know if a wreck could have been avoided in this case, following road safety rules and regulations is the key to avoid being involved in a car accident. I am sorry to hear that an animal has been killed this morning, but glad that no one was more seriously injured in the wreck.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about a car accident, please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

The U.S. Coast Guard has a Boating Safety Center that has all kinds of helpful tips on how to stay safe on the lake or ocean this spring and summer.

Many of the tips cover always wearing your life jacket while boating. Here are their tips on life jacket use:

•Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position which permits proper breathing.
•To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and over must have at least one Type IV throwable device as well.
•All states have regulations regarding life jacket wear by children.
•Adult-sized life jackets will not work for children. Special life jackets are available. To work correctly, a life jacket must be worn, fit snugly, and not allow the child’s chin or ears to slip through.
•Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once each year. Waterlogged, faded, or leaky jackets should be discarded.

The boating safety center also covers why boaters should not “BUI” (Boat Under the Influence).

Here are a few statistics and safety tips about alcohol use while on the water:
•A boat operator is likely to become impaired more quickly than a driver, drink for drink
•The penalties for BUI can include large fines, revocation of operator privileges and serious jail terms
•The use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities

I know summer is one of my favorite times of the year. It is important to always be aware of how to avoid boating injuries while on the water. I hope these tips help you and your family to have an enjoyable time while at the lake! This information and commentary is provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.

Eastbound I-30 was completely shut down after a tractor-trailer collided with a Dodge Durango around 6 a.m. The Durango was initially caught underneath the semi-truck and the passengers were rescued around 7:15 a.m.

The trailer of the 18-wheeler was completely blocking all eastbound lanes of traffic because it was lying across the entire highway. The truck driver and two passengers of the Dodge Durango were taken to the hospital.

Details on what caused the accident and the current condition of the passengers and truck driver has not been released.

It will be interesting to see if further details of this 18-wheeler wreck will be released. The Dallas Morning News reported that the details of the cause of the accident are “sketchy.” Any car accident involving an 18-wheeler is usually a pretty serious one. Almost 500 tractor-trailer accidents happen in Texas each year. Of all fatal car accidents, 18-wheelers are involved in 8% of the wrecks. I am glad to hear no one was killed in this particular accident. My thoughts are with the two passengers and truck driver while they are in the hospital.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about your car accident case, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A Ford F-150 ran into a home on Thursday morning in Hurst. The car accident occurred on Brown Trail near Shady Lake Drive.

The Hurst Police Department said that no one was injured inside of the house. However, there were three passengers in the pickup truck; two were injured, and one was killed.

There is currently an accident investigation taking place surrounding the cause of the car wreck.

The man who died was identified as Steve Manisela.

I am curious to see what the finding is on the cause of the car crash. The police will look into all aspects, as it is unusual for a truck to run off of the road. I did see that another wreck occurred in Fort Worth yesterday involving an off duty FWPD officer running off a road and into a house. In that case, it appears that drinking was involved.

This information and commentary is provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a car accident investigation and would like a free consultation please fill out our contact form.

A North Texas man died on Thursday on North Stemmons Freeway when he slammed his motorcycle into a guard rail. He was riding alongside another motorcyclist when the wreck occurred.

The Dallas Police Department identified excessive speeding as the cause of the wreck. The motorcycle flew over a guard rail and flipped several times.

The motorcyclist, who was identified as Brian Ballew, was declared dead at the scene. He was riding a 2003 Suzuki Hayabusa.

My sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Brian Ballew. Motorcycle accidents often have some of the most serious outcomes from even the most minor driving error. There are many things that motorcyclists can do to increase safety by following a few motorcycle riding tips and using protective motorcycle gear.

This information and commentary is provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about a motorcycle accident please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

An 11-year-old student from North Richland Hills was injured on Wednesday when he was riding his bike to school. The boy was struck by a motorist who stopped after hitting the boy, got out of her vehicle and looked around, then got back into her car and drove away. According to the North Richland Hills Police Department, the woman may have been driving a black Toyota Corolla. The person is yet to be identified and anyone with information regarding this hit and run driver should contact the North Richland Hills Police Department at (817) 427 7000.

The accident occurred with the 11-year-old, who is a student at North Richland Middle School, was crossing the street when his bicycle was hit. The boy was taken to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth where he was treated for his injuries.

This is an absolutely amazing story. I can't believe that the woman hit the child, got out of her car, and then left. Apparently she was thinking that nobody would see her and that she could get away with leaving the scene of an accident. I sure hope that she is caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is one thing to be negligent, as she probably was, and run into a child on a bicycle. It is entirely another thing to actually leave the scene without attending to the minor. I just can't believe that someone would do something as low as leaving the scene of an accident after hitting a child.

Information and commentary provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at (817)294-1900. For information regarding pedestrian/bicycle accidents, click here to visit the web site of Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson.

Everyone has heard the phrase: “accidents happen.” Unfortunately, what many people fail to realize is that car crashes do not “just happen.” Every Dallas/Fort Worth car wreck has a cause, and that cause can typically be traced back to someone failing to follow highway laws or operate their vehicle properly.

Car Accidents Have Causes
Car accidents don’t “just happen.” In the vast majority of motor vehicle collisions, either you or the other driver is at fault. Not paying attention is one of the leading causes for car wrecks; people texting, or eating, or talking on the phone, or fiddling with the radio often are not looking at a key moment and run into someone.

In other cases, people look the wrong way when accidents happen – a driver paying attention to the left, for example, when someone comes from the right. Either way, someone is at fault for those accidents, and the at-fault party is responsible for the accident.

I hope that you see the point that someone is always at fault in any kind of accident. It is important if you are involved in some sort of accident that you investigate the scene of the accident so that the cause of the wreck can be determined.

This information and commentary is provided by Texas Board Certified Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-1900 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about your car wreck case, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A motor vehicle crash that included an 18 wheeler, a work truck, and a pick-up completely shut down Highway 121 in Lewisville Thursday afternoon. The wreck occurred when an 18-wheeler slid about 50 feet running into a NTTA dump truck and causing 3 vehicles to catch fire.

All three vehicles were completely decimated, and miraculously all of the passengers escaped their vehicles and were not injured.

The actual accident happened when the three vehicles collided and slammed into a guardrail on an overpass. Four northbound and two southbound lanes were shutdown for most of Thursday afternoon.

Engineers will have to inspect the overpass for structural integrity before the toll road can reopen.

It is so fortunate that no one was injured or killed in a wreck such as this one. Usually, when you hear or read about such a massive wreck involving fire, someone is always injured to some degree. Texas leads the nation in tractor-trailer accidents that result in fatalities. Luckily, in this case, no one has become a part of that horrific statistic. The pictures really speak for themselves on this particular tractor-trailer wreck. It is important as a driver to be aware of semi-truck wreck statistics and know what you can do to avoid being in a wreck with an 18-wheeler.

Information and commentary provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about a trailer-truck or car accident the Anderson Law Firm has free consultations by filling out a contact form on our website.

Courtney Moss, 17, of Joshua, Texas, died on Tuesday when her Mazda Miata crashed into a Dr. Pepper truck on Farm Road 917 west of Joshua. After discovering a suicide note left at her house, authorities believe Mrs. Moss intended to kill herself.

At 12:56pm one of Mrs. Moss’s friends notified the police that she had received messages indicating Mrs. Moss wanted to take her own life. Five minutes after receiving the call, police were notified about the collision on FM 917. When police arrived at Mrs. Moss’s home they found her suicide note. Mrs. Moss was married with a 3 month old baby.

Ron Lane II, 26, of Watauga was driving the big rig that the Miata crashed into. He was travelling eastbound on FM 917 and had just topped a rise when the crash occurred, according to police. According to local news reports, he did not sustain serious injuries but was taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

This sure is a sad situation. I feel bad for Mrs. Moss’s family and friends. I wonder if she intentionally ran into the 18 wheeler or if she was just despondent and suicidal and was driving recklessly. If she did intend to drive into the 18 wheeler (thereby putting Mr. Lane in danger), it clearly is an intentional act and legally, Mr. Lane might have issues recovering from any car liability insurance as these insurance policies typically exclude intentional acts. I have represented people before in these types of situations and know from experience how difficult—and terribly sad—these cases are.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. You can reach the Anderson Law Firm in Dallas at 214-327-8000 and in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions concerning any type of personal injury case you may also fill out our contact form on our website.

The United States Transportation Department is pursuing a $16.4 million dollar fine against the Toyota Corporation for not properly notifying the government about problems with accelerator pedals. This is the maximum fine allowed.

Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, stated that “We now have proof that Toyota did not live up to its legal obligations.” The Transportation Department released that Toyota knew about the potential problems with accelerator pedals as early as September 29.

The only recall that was issued in the fall pertained to floor mats, not accelerator pedals. A recall was not issued for accelerator pedals until the end of January.

Toyota has two weeks to contest, and if they do, it will be the largest fine the government has ever issued to a car manufacturer.

The Toyota Motor Corporation has issued many apologies about the recalls and safety problems.

The $16.4 million is the largest fine the US government can pursue per recall under the Tread Act. The Tread Act was created as a result of problems with Firestone Tires.

I am personally very happy to hear that something as serious as this fine has resulted from the safety problems with Toyota vehicles. Every time I read or blog about a wreck involving a Toyota, I have to wonder whether there was some kind of malfunction with the car that caused the accident. Hopefully this fine will warn all automakers that safety and quality should be there number one priority, and realize that there are large repercussions for not following the law.

This information and commentary is provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. Contact the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. For a free consultation with the Anderson Law Firm about a personal injury case please fill out our contact form online.

John Patrick Barton, who was on probation for three DWI convictions, now faces two counts of murder after slamming into the back of a sedan in Lewisville early Sunday morning.

There were five passengers in the red Nissan Sentra that Barton ran into around 2:17 a.m. on I-35. Kandace Hull, and her 13 year old daughter, Autumn, were both killed in the accident.

The Lewisville Police Department stated that Barton was traveling at a high rate of speed and struck the rear of the Nissan when changing lanes, which caused both vehicles to spin.

Hull’s two other children and husband were still hospitalized on Sunday from injuries sustained in the fatal car crash.

Barton has a long history of criminal charges dating back to his teenage years. He turned 30 years old today. Barton was taken to a hospital for a mandatory blood test and was then taken to jail. He was arrested for intoxication manslaughter.

It makes me so angry to hear about a repeat offender like Barton continuing to violate his parole and cause a tragedy such as this one. My sincere condolences go out to the Hull family. Unfortunately, statistics show that it is often the passengers in vehicles hit by drunk drivers that are injured or killed more often than the drunk driver themselves. There are many driving safety tips that you can follow in order to avoid being the victim of a drunk driver.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. You may contact the Anderson Law Firm in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. For a free consultation about your personal injury or car wreck please fill out our contact form.

Raziel Aguilar, who was just 16 months old, was hit by a car near a Southeast Dallas mobile home park on Friday evening. A family member found Aguilar and waved down a nearby police officer. He was taken to the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, and was pronounced dead Saturday morning. The Dallas Police Department is unsure who was involved in the accident, and also noted that everyone in the family is being very cooperative with the investigation. As of right now, police are hoping that someone will come forward and take responsibility for the accident. However, there is also a possibility that whoever did run over the child may not have been aware that they did it. My sincere condolences go out to the family of Raziel Aguilar. I can only hope that the responsible party will come forward and hold themselves accountable for their actions. Children are often the victims of so many preventable incidents just like this one. This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. In addition, our contact page will give you option to contact us about your car wreck or personal injury however is best for you.

A 16 year veteran of the Fort Worth Police Department was injured when a van collided with his motorcycle last Friday in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

According to a police spokesperson, the officer was traveling east in left lane of East Fifth Street when a van attempted to make an illegal left turn onto Commerce Street and struck the officer on his motorcycle.

The officer was taken to the hospital and treated for injuries that were reportedly non-life threatening. The occupants of the van, a 44-year-old woman and two children ages 6 and 7, were not injured. The driver of the van was issued tickets for making an illegal left turn and for driving without a driver’s license.

I am sorry to hear about the officer’s injuries and wish him a speedy recovery. When our police force is out there protecting us, they are subject to the same dangers we all face as drivers. I have represented a lot of motorcycle riders and the story is always the same—the car driver just never sees the motorcycle rider. I assume that is the case here.

Information provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Accident Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, and online by clicking here.

A bus crash Tuesday that killed two people and injured many more was likely caused by a broken drive shaft, according to investigators. The bus, on its way to Matamoros, Mexico, underwent its regularly scheduled maintenance the day before the crash.

The crash killed Christina Lozano Campos 62, of Lewisville, and Efrain Dominguez-Valenzuela, 27, of Brownsville. Two other people were hospitalized and in critical condition Wednesday. Many of the other passengers were treated at the hospital for minor injuries.

The Americanos USA bus was carrying 42 people and driving along I-37 through Campbellton, about 45 miles from San Antonio, when it went from the right lane toward the median, spun out of control, and turned over on its side. Investigators think the drive shaft, which transfers power from the engine to the wheels, fell off causing the accident. Newer buses are equipped with safety devices to catch a broken drive shaft, but even these can fail, said Motorcoach Training & Development Inc., a company that trains and certified bus mechanics.

Americanos USA is operated by Greyhound Lines Inc. According to Grayhound’s parent company, FirstGroup America, the 15-year-old bus had undergone its scheduled maintenance the day before the accident, which included routine inspection of the engine, tires, brakes and wheels. The National Transportation Safety Board is not planning to investigate because its initial assessment turned up no new potential safety issues involving the company or crash, according to an NTSB spokesperson. According to the Department of Public Safety, these finding are preliminary and they are still investigating the crash.

Americanos USA has a good safety record. It has been involved in one accident for every 13 buses. By comparison, Grayhound has been involved in one accident for every eight buses. Over the last two years, investigators placed Americanos USA buses out of service following 11.2 % of inspections. 22.3 % of inspections lead to buses being placed out of service nationally.

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

A Union Pacific freight train collided with a military truck in Saginaw, northwest of Fort Worth, causing a fire that injured an engineer and damaged a locomotive. The cause of the train crash is being investigated.

According to a Union Pacific spokesperson, the lights and gate at the railroad crossing were operating when the collision occurred. The locomotive damaged was one of three in a wheat-hauling 100-car train. The engineer was treated for injuries and released from the hospital.

The military truck involved in the crash was hauling a trailer with another military vehicle on top of it. That driver reportedly sustained no injuries.

Even though local authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident, it looks like to me the driver of the military truck is probably at fault. Unless there is some sort of defect in the lights and gate, then the presumption is that the truck driver should have noticed the train and given the train the right of way.

Information provided by Fort Worth/Dallas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, in Dallas at 214-327-8000, and toll free at 877-291-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

A man who had been reported missing since yesterday evening was found dead this morning by a wrecked vehicle under a bridge in South Dallas. 43-year-old David Johnson lived with his family only a few miles from the scene of the crash near 1-45 and 1-20.

The car, a 1996 Ford Mustang GT, was found by City of Dallas workers under a bridge at J.J. Lemon Road in Dallas near Cedardale Drive. The car was upside down and Mr. Johnson’s lifeless body was found beside it. Police say speed was definitely a factor in the single-vehicle crash, and the medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to see if anything else contributed to the wreck.

What a terrible tragedy. I am sorry for those who lost a family member and friend. As the police continue to investigate the causes of the crash hopefully they will be able to shed light on what happened in this horrible accident.

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

A Blue Ford Mustang collided with a tractor-trailer around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. The fatal car accident occurred on an exit ramp off of I-30 at Westmoreland Road in Dallas, TX.

The exact cause of the crash remains unknown. The driver of the blue Mustang was declared dead at the scene. The Dallas Police Department stated that the female passenger in the Mustang was rushed to Methodist Charlton Medical Center. Her condition is currently unknown.

The semi-truck collision occurred in the middle of Dallas rush hour traffic, causing the entire surrounding area to be at a standstill for several hours.

The information does not conclude whether both vehicles were on the exit ramp or not. Could the accident have occurred because either the Mustang or the semi did not yield to whoever was exiting the freeway? Approximately 9% of all wrecks with semi-trucks end with fatalities. It is very unfortunate that this statistic holds true with this accident. I am interested to see if further information is released about the cause of this accident.

This information and commentary is provided by Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. Mark can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or online by clicking here.

The Mesquite Police Department reported that a two-car collision occurred early this morning when a driver crashed into a pickup when driving the wrong way. The car accident was located off of I-30 in between Big Town and Marley roads.

According to the Mesquite Police Department, a Black Ford Pickup that was on the wrong side of the road ran into another pickup truck. The driver of the Black Ford Pickup was taken to the hospital and is listed in critical condition.

The driver and passenger of the other pickup truck suffered broken bones, and have non- life threatening injuries.

Whenever you read about anyone driving the wrong way, you always have to question whether drunk driving could be involved. It is possible that the driver of the Black Ford Pickup was just unaware of the roadway. However, I am interested to see what new information is released with this accident, to see if further explanation as to what happened is disclosed.

Information and commentary provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

On Sunday afternoon, Wesley Paul Hahs, was test driving a 2007 Honda Shadow when he crashed head on with a Chevy Tahoe. The motorcycle crash occurred when Hahs passed over a blind hill in a no passing zone and then ran into the Tahoe in front of Pollok Baptist Church. The Lufkin, Texas Police Department said that Hahs died upon impact with the SUV.

The owner of the motorcycle, Marion Webb, was also present during the motorcycle wreck. The Tahoe was driven by Jane Chambers of Nacogdoches. Chambers and her husband, who was also in the Tahoe, were not physically injured.

Webb contacted Hahs’ parents after the wreck. Hahs’ father said that he leaves behind a 7-year-old son, and was going to turn 28 in late April.

This is truly a tragedy. I do not think anyone ever goes to test drive a motorcycle thinking that they will be in a wreck before they ever purchase their new ride. My sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Paul Hahs.

I think this accident shows the true importance of making sure every single motorcycle driver has proper motorcycle safety training and understanding of the rules of the road. There are several programs in Texas that provide motorcyclists of all levels with fun and easy courses to keep them up to date with the latest safety precautions.

This information is provided by Texas Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. Mr. Anderson can be reached Toll Free at 1-877-294-1115 across Texas or online by clicking here.

Last December I blogged about a Fort Worth police officer who was twice over the legal limit when he crashed a city truck and killed a Fort Worth mother. Later it was determined that he was drinking with other police officers before the crash. Now an investigation reveals that Jesus Cisneros had started drinking while still on duty.

An internal investigation found four violations against Cisneros: 1) he consumed alcohol on duty without necessary supervisor approval; 2) he drove a city vehicle off duty without authorization; 3) he was intoxicated while off duty; and 4) he drove a city vehicle while impaired in such a manner that resulted in a fatal crash. The investigation shows that Cisneros had up to three beers while on duty as part of an unauthorized undercover bar detail. Then off duty, Cisneros attended a birthday party at The Pour House where he consumed about four more beers and four shots of alcohol. He left the bar around 2 a.m. the next morning when he crashed a city vehicle into Sonia Baker’s PT Cruiser, killing her. He was driving at twice the posted speed limit.

Cisneros resigned on December 21 but the FWPD suspended him indefinitely on February 18 to ensure the suspension would appear in his civil service record. Cisneros, who is currently free on bail, was charged with intoxication manslaughter on February 10.

This is not Cisneros’s first alcohol related offense as a Fort Worth police officer. In March 2006, Cisneros fired a single shot from the sunroof of his own car. He was alone and intoxicated. In April 2006 Cisneros allegedly drove a city vehicle to an Arlington pub then drove an unauthorized female passenger to a home in Mansfield. These two incidents culminated in a 20-day suspension in August 2006, where Cisneros promised to undergo counseling and clean himself up.

This tragic story keeps getting worse. It is absolutely unbelievable that he was drinking while on duty. I am glad the Fort Worth police department is continuing to investigate. But the question remains whether this man should have still been an officer? Weren’t the incidents in 2006 enough?

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

A Dallas veteran police officer died 2 years ago while escorting a motorcade for then presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. The family of police officer, Victor Lozada, filed suit this week indicating that the city of Dallas failed to train him properly for this kind of high stress assignment.

The City of Dallas, Clinton, Clinton’s campaign, and the Super Seer Corporation (who manufactured Lozada’s helmet), are all named as defendants in the case.

The deadly motorcycle accident occurred when Lozada failed to negotiate a curve on Houston Street and slammed into a guardrail, flinging his body onto the roadway, and forcing his helmet off. The motorcade was headed towards a rally for Clinton in Oak Cliff.

Lozada was a 20 year veteran of the Dallas Police Department.

This is not your typical motorcycle wreck. It is way more than that. With the named defendants, it will be a hotly contested lawsuit focused on who was at fault. Plus, the addition of the helmet manufacturer throws a product liability case right in the middle of the “negligence” lawsuit. This will be very interesting to see how this lawsuit plays out over the next year or two.

Information and commentary provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reach in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, or online by clicking here.

A fatal collision occurred yesterday on Westbound I-20 in Arlington, TX, when a passenger vehicle rear-ended a tractor trailer as it moved slowly from the outside shoulder into a lane of traffic. One of the car’s passengers, Natalie Aguilar, of Garland, was pronounced dead at John Peter Smith Hospital yesterday afternoon. Oscar Zapata was also a passenger in the car and died about an hour after the crash. The driver of the car, whose name has not been released, is in critical condition. Arlington Police Department investigators found open beer cans in the vehicle.

The results of this accident investigation may take a few days. Clearly, alcohol may be a potential issue. It is illegal in Texas to have open containers of beer in a moving vehicle. But this alone does not answer the question of whether the driver was intoxicated. The accident occurred around noon, which is a bit early for DWI accident cases. And the investigators will be looking into the speed of the big rig as it entered the highway. It is always dangerous when a large truck has to enter a busy freeway from the shoulder. It just takes them a long time to get up to the minimum speed. So the truck driver has to make sure that the traffic is clear for him to enter. The trucks hazard lights should have been on as it was getting up to speed. All of this will be looked into by the investigating officers as they try to determine the cause of the tractor trailer accident.

Information and commentary provided by DFW Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 and across the State of Texas at 1-877-294-1115. For a quick nswer to your legal question, click here.

Around 1 a.m. this morning, construction workers were fixing a pothole on Southbound 1-35 E at Royal Lane in Dallas, Texas, when an off-duty police officer offered to block the lane off for them with his truck.

Shortly after, a suspected drunk driver crashed his gold pick-up into the police officer’s truck that was blocking the lane for the construction crew. The officer, who works for the Hubbard Police department suffered only minor injuries. The offending driver was not injured, but was cited for DWI according to Dallas officials. Another passenger in the gold pick up was brought to Parkland hospital for an injured arm.

Drunk Driving accidents are a huge problem here in Texas. Each year, we lose more than 1,400 Texans as a result of DWI crashes. Thankfully, the off-duty officer was not seriously injured. Imagine the catastrophe that could have occurred if the police officer had not blocked the lane for the construction crew. We are so fortunate to have people in our community like this police officer. He went above his call of duty, even when it is not required of him.

Information and commentary provided by Dallas Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or online by clicking here.

On Saturday, two vehicles collided head-on, killing one man and sending a woman to the hospital. Angel Reyna of Fort Worth, TX was pronounced dead at the scene.

The car crash occurred in the 800 block of Longhorn Road near Lottie Lane in Saginaw, TX. The two vehicles were traveling in opposite directions on Longhorn Road when the wreck occurred, according to police. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. The woman in the accident was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

I grew up in Saginaw and am very familiar with this road. It is not curvy at all, in fact it is straight as an arrow. The police reports gave no indication as to the cause of this auto wreck, but my thoughts are that driver distraction or possibly intoxication might have contributed to this accident. Hopefully the Saginaw Police can piece together what happened.

Information provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-237-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, and toll free across Texas at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo from the Fort Worth Star Telegram

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

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

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

I will post more information as it becomes available.

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

Photo from the Fort Worth Star Telegram

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An article in the New York Times today explores the dangers of highway construction zones due to unregulated safety standards. Focusing on pavement edge drop-offs, the un-smoothed edge that occurs when only one side of the road is paved at a time, the article mentions dozens of deaths in Texas due to negligently managed work zones.

Seven people were killed when a car slipped off the edge of one of the pavement drop-offs on 1-20 near Dallas and over-corrected into an oncoming car. In 1998, six people died in nine separate drop-off accidents in Tarrant County due to the repaving of a five mile stretch of 1-35. Justifiably, there were lawsuits filed for these wrongful deaths and court records show that contractors and safety officials knew these pavement drop-offs were dangerous but arguments over the cost of fixing them inhibited any real action being taken. These lawsuits eventually settled for $25 million. In 2005, a motorcycle slipped off the edge of a drop-off along Highway 51 in North Texas and the rider fell off of the bike and was killed by an oncoming car.

These construction zones are dangerous because while the federal government provides safety guidelines, there are few laws and regulations, and these guidelines are enforced differently in different states. Now, with the government’s new stimulus package giving $27 billion in federal funding for statewide highway projects, construction zone accidents may greatly increase.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one as a result of an injury in an accident which occurred in a construction zone and you think that the area was unsafe in any way, you need to contact an experienced injury lawyer as soon as possible. It is important to make sure that the area is properly investigated, photographed, measured and documented. These zones change very quickly after an accident, as the general contractor sometimes sees the faulty design only after a wreck has occurred.

Information provided by Texas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached toll free at 877-294-1115, or contacted by clicking here.

A five vehicle wreck today on Highway 75 (Central Expressway) in Plano injured eight people and tied up traffic for hours. According to the Plano Police Department, the wreck started when an 18 wheeler careened into the HOV lane on the southbound side. The tractor trailer first struck a TxDOT truck, and then hit a passenger pickup truck. The pickup then flipped over a box truck and into a Mazda. Also, after the big rig hit the TxDOT truck, it caused the state vehicle to hit the concrete barrier between the Northbound and Southbound HOV lanes, and the barrier was pushed into the Northbound lane. Unfortunately this will cause the HOV lanes to be closed in both directions until the proper repairs can be made.

Of the eight people injured in the truck wreck, three had to transported to local hospitals. I certainly hope their injuries are not serious and that they are able to be released very soon. This accident appears to be yet another caused by the reckless actions of a truck driver. These truck drivers have a duty, like all of us, to drive safely. But when they fail to do so, the consequences are enormous. These trucks can cause incredible damage, both physical property damage (to cars and heavy cement carriers), but also can cause bodily injuries to innocent drivers.

Information and commentary provided by Dallas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 214-327-8000 or toll free at 877-294-1115.

Holly Klein and her daughter Deva Szymankiewicz were the only survivors of a tragic crash on Thanksgiving that killed four of their family members on Texas Highway 103 in Lufkin, Texas. The family was traveling from Austin to East Texas when their van collided with a tractor trailer. Apparently the van made a u-turn and was struck by the oncoming truck, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Ms. Klein’s son Dakota, 14, was killed the crash, as well as Ms. Szymankiewicz’s husband Todd and their children, 5-year-old Casimir and 3-year-old Aoibhin. Ms. Klein and Ms. Szymankiewicz were treated at the hospital for their injuries.

This is a tragic accident and my heart goes out to the surviving family members. It sounds like the accident is still under investigation by the DPS. Hopefully, the investigating officers will be able to re-create the accident and determine exactly how it happened. It is possible the driver of the van was not able to appreciate the distance or speed of the 18 wheeler.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached toll free at 877-294-1115, or contacted by clicking here.

Recently I wrote about the investigation into the causes of at 2008 deadly bus wreck in Sherman that left 17 dead, which I blogged about here and here. Now, three employees of the inspection company that looked at the bus prior to the deadly accident are being charged with tampering with a government document.

The inspection company, 5 Minute Inspections in Houston, was allegedly issuing hundreds of stickers a month to vehicles that had not been properly inspected, according to investigators. The Texas Department of Public Safety, who filed the charges, did not provide information on whether or not the bus involved in the crash was properly inspected, as the investigation is still ongoing.

This type of conduct is horrible. It puts all of us at risk each time we get in our cars. Without proper inspections, certain companies are going to use trucks and buses that have bad tires, bad brakes….Allowing these dangerous buses on the roads is criminal and I am glad to see that charges have been pursued.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached toll free at 877-294-1115, or contacted by clicking here.

In a move that I very much agree with, the Texas Transportation Commission voted yesterday in a meeting in Fort Worth to remove phone numbers from the standard form used by police officers after an accident. This change goes into effect January 1, 2010.

I recently blogged about this topic (read it here) and said that removing the numbers is a great move. The way things happen now, if you are in an accident there is a good chance you will get called from a “marketer” offering the services of an attorney or a chiropractor. Sometimes these “marketers” are not so honest and represent themselves as being from an insurance company. This leads to all kinds of confusion and irritation to the car accident victims. By removing the phone numbers, it will make the marketer’s job extremely difficult. The harassing won’t stop, but it will definitely slow down.

I also recently was interviewed by Channel 11 News about this topic. Here is a link to the article from their website.

To contact Mark A. Anderson, call toll free 877-294-1115 or click here.

A pickup truck driven by an elderly couple crashed into El Mexicano Taqueria yesterday just before the lunch rush. Four people were taken to the hospital for injuries, including the driver.

Witnesses saw the truck drive off of the road, through a fence, strike another vehicle, then crash into the restaurant, which is located in the 1500 block of South Washington. The police are still investigating the cause of the crash. Along with the driver, three restaurant employees were taken to the hospital, one of whom is believed to have a broken leg, another an injury to the head.

According to reports, the few diners in the restaurant at the time were seated at the opposite end of the building. Considering the extensive damage to the building itself, it is amazing there weren’t even more injuries. There is still no word on why the driver lost control of the vehicle. I wonder if he suffered an injury or illness while driving that caused him to wreck. These questions will undoubtedly be explored in the course of the investigation.

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

Photo from nbcdfw.com

A hit and run accident happened this past Sunday evening in Dallas in the 5100 block of South Marsalis Avenue, just south of Loop 12. According to the Dallas Police Department, a speeding vehicle struck another vehicle shortly before 6:00 p.m. The accident caused the second vehicle to hit a tree, killing 35-year-old Kedrick Rattler and injuring Mr. Rattler’s passenger, who was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The driver of the speeding vehicle fled the scene and, according to the DPD, has not been located.

This is a terrible accident and I feel very sorry for Mr. Rattler’s family and friends. I wonder if the person who caused this accident even knows the results of their actions. I’m sure they know they caused a wreck, but I wonder if they know that their reckless action ended another man’s life. I hope the Dallas Police Department can use all available evidence in their accident investigation and find the speeding driver. Should they be able to find the driver, serious charges, and hopefully prison time, will result.

On the civil side, I hope Mr. Rattler, or the owner of the car, carried uninsured motorist protection to compensate the family for this premature death. In a case like this, uninsured motorist coverage is usually the only available insurance to compensate the family.

Information and commentary provided by Dallas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson who can be contacted at 214-327-8000 or at www.maafirm.com.

In what I consider to be a justified corporate reprimand, Fort Worth based Burlington Northern Sante Fe was penalized by a judge in Minneapolis, Minnesota for hiding and lying about evidence. The penalty, called a sanction, was issued by the presiding judge who heard evidence in a case involving the death of four young people whose car collided with a BNSF train at a crossing. The judge found compelling evidence that Burlington Northern lost or fabricated evidence, interfered with the family’s investigation of the accident and lied or misrepresented facts to conceal the truth. Basically, all of the allegations of lying involve whether the crossing gate was working. Apparently at the trial, Burlington Northern tried to use fabricated evidence that the crossing gate was indeed working, when all other evidence pointed to the fact that the crossing gate was not working.

The amount of the sanction issued by the presiding judge was $4 million. That sanction will definitely be appealed by BNSF. However, I hope that the appellate courts will uphold the sanction because this kind of conduct is despicable. I hope that this new story is making the national news, even though it might only appear in our local papers as BNSF it is located here in Fort Worth. When corporate defendants do this type of shenanigans, they need to be punished. Our wonderful trial system only works if our jury can make decisions based upon the real truth. When companies start fabricating evidence, they should be punished. And they should be punished severely.

Information and commentary provided by Fort Worth Dallas Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at 877 294 1115 or at www.maafirm.com.

When people hear of ambulance chasers, they usually think of those unscrupulous injury lawyers who track down injury victims after a car accident and offer their services. Such conduct is against the law and I applaud any effort to prevent this practice from happening. And it’s not just the lawyers who do the ambulance chasing—but also body shops and medical facilities like chiropractors.

The most common way the “chasers” get their information is through police generated “crash reports” which are filled out after most automobile accidents. The “chasers” buy the crash reports from the police department (sometimes out the back door) for $6 and call the injury victim directly. So last year the Texas Department of Transportation removed the phone numbers of the parties from the reports. This made it much harder for the chasers, as many people either have unlisted phone numbers or they only have cell phones, and those numbers are not publicly available. But the Texas Department of Transportation wanted the phone numbers put back on the reports to help with their investigations, so they were put back on this March—so the calling and chasing resumed.

This summer, our Texas Legislature passed a law making it illegal to directly contact a person involved in a wreck in the first thirty days after a wreck. That law supposedly had already applied to lawyers, but now it applies to everyone. Unfortunately, a lawyer and a chiropractor have filed a lawsuit challenging that constitutionality of that new law. Who knows what the outcome will be—but I hope the law will be upheld. And more importantly, I hope the law will be enforced.

But I think the best way to stop the chasing is to stop the access to the information. I understand that both the Dallas and Fort Worth Police Departments have now restricted the availability of reports to those that either (1) know the actual report number (which is given to the parties involved in the accident at the scene) or (2) know the date of the accident and one of the names of the drivers involved in the crash. This restriction is a good idea and I hope it keeps the reports out of the hands of the chasers—whether they are lawyers, chiropractors or auto body repair shops. And for those who ge the info somehow and still chase, let’s hope the law enforcement officials are willing to prosecute those who violate the law.

Commentary provided by Dallas Fort Worth Accident and Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted online or at 877-294-1115, in Dallas at 214-327-8000 and in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

On September 22 a school bus carrying members of the Rockwall Heath High School swim team ran off the road and into a pond about three feet deep. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

The cause of the accident has not been determined, police said. I wonder if there a problem with the bus or the driver? According to the Texas Department of Transportation, more than a million children and teens depend on buses to get them safely to over 9,000 schools every day. Proper bus maintenance and adherence to safety standards is essential in protecting our students.

Luckily no one was injured, but if they were, these families would certainly be in need of an accident injury attorney. In an accident like this, especially concerning a bus with the possibility of dozens of victims, it would be an absolute mess trying to deal with the insurance company by themselves. When seeking the advice of an attorney for a personal injury, it’s important to find the right lawyer.

Information provided by Board Certified Accident Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached toll free at 877-294-1115 or contacted by clicking here.

A man driving the wrong way on Highway 121 in Haltom City, Texas died when he crashed into an 18-wheel truck around 2 am this morning.

Police were investigating a call about a driver going the wrong way on the highway when they caught up to the purple Chevrolet Cavalier going southbound near the Loop 820 split. When they approached the vehicle, however, the driver sped off again and headed straight for an oncoming tractor trailer. The driver of the big rig turned to miss the Cavalier, and the driver of the Cavalier crashed into the rear axle of the truck and died on impact. The truck driver was not injured.

This was such a senseless death. Of course one cannot assume the man driving the wrong way was drunk or on drugs, but these are common causes of this type of accident. If only he had stopped and talked to police instead of trying to flee, he might still be alive today.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached toll free at 1-877-294-1115, or by clicking here.

A Texas woman who recently started a new business in Florida died Monday in a tragic accident at her hot dog stand in Tampa.

40-year-old Catalina Allmon was outside the stand when the accident occurred. An unsecured trailer carrying a large riding lawnmower detached from a passing truck and entered the parking lot. The trailer struck Allmon and her business partner Vicente Hernande Quintero. The mower crushed and killed Allmon while the trailer ran over and injured Quintero.

According to investigators, the trailer became unhitched from 16-year-old Dennis Tintle’s truck as he drove over a dip in the road. Tintle was cited for failing to secure his trailer. Unfortunately, Tintle’s negligence caused a wrongful death.

This is such an unfortunate and avoidable accident. Drivers pulling anything behind their vehicle have a responsibility to make sure it is properly secured. In this case, properly securing that trailer could have prevented the death of a mother who was trying to provide a better life for her children.

Information can be provided by Texas Board Certified Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted toll free at 1-877-294-1115 or by clicking here.

A man has been arrested following the pedestrian car accident which involved two Bell Helicopter Plant workers early Wednesday.

76-year-old Cullen McNair of Hurst was arrested on two counts of aggravated assault for hitting two Bell employees who were on strike in the parking lot. The strike has been going on for a month and 2,500 manufacturing workers are striking and picketing—many in the parking lot at Bell.

Witnesses say McNair was driving behind another car and the two men were walking in between the slow-moving vehicles when McNair sped up and hit the men. McNair has been released on $20,000 bond for the two counts against him.

50-year-old Fort Worth resident, John Bird and 53-year-old Jimmy Shook of Alvarado were injured and taken to local hospitals. Shook was released from Texas Health Harris H-E-B but it is unknown what happened to Bird. Investigators say neither man was seriously injured, although one’s foot was run over by McNair’s vehicle.

At this time, a motive has not been determined but an accident investigation, including taking statements from witnesses and those involved, will hopefully reveal the cause of McNair’s actions.

Information provided by DFW Accident and Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson: 817-294-1900.

Three people were killed and three were injured when a pickup truck hit motorcycle riders head-on during a charity ride in Corsicana Saturday.

The ride was held on a rural highway outside Corsicana, which is 65 miles south of Dallas. Apparently the driver of the pickup truck swerved into the oncoming lane of parading cyclists, striking two motorcycles before it flipped and hit two more.

Among those who died were 34-year-old Leslie McCluney, a teacher at Corsicana High School who was riding on the back of a motorcycle with her father, 61-year-old Terry Nelson, who was also killed. David Coley, 54, was the third motorcyclist who died at the scene. The three were among the first two motorcycles hit by the truck and all were residents of Corsicana.

Two other drivers were taken to Dallas hospitals and were last known to be in fair condition. The driver of the pickup who caused the crash was William Lindsey Jr, 54, who was taken to the hospital, treated and released.

The cause of the motorcycle accident is unkown at this time as an investigation is being conducted.

The ride was a charity event to benefit the Corsicana High School's drill team.

Information provided by Dallas Fort Worth Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson 817-294-1900.

A 13-year-old boy and his grandfather died Sunday from injuries they received in a multi-vehicle car accident just south of Gainsville, Texas.

Gervious Hinkle and his grandson Casey Hinkle, both of Fort Worth, were traveling northbound on Insterstate 35 around 2:30 p.m. when they were forced to slow for traffic and road construction in front of them. All of a sudden, an 18-wheeler came barreling up at a high rate of speed and crashed into the slowed cars, causing a 9-vehicle chain reaction auto accident.

Hinkle and his grandson were driving a Ford Explorer when they were hit. Hinkle died at the scene. Casey was taken to JPS Hospital in downtown Fort Worth where he was pronounced dead an hour later from his serious injuries.

Casey's mother and sister were also in the SUV and were hospitalized for injuries, but their conditions are unknown at this time.

The driver of the big-rig, Randy Crume, was from Harrah, Oklahoma. He was issued a citation by highway patrol for failing to control his speed.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a vehicle crash, please contact the Anderson Law Firm to learn your rights by calling 817-294-1900.

An Oklahoma Turnpike accident has claimed 10 lives--some of which were residents of North Texas. The crash happened Friday and is still under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Cars were stopped on the turnpike due to another accident up ahead when an 18-wheeler crashed into the vehicles in front of it, causing a chain-reaction wreck involving several cars.

Among those killed were the Hayes family of Frisco, Texas--Randall Hayes, 38, Ethan Hayes, 7 and the most-recent person to die from her serious head injuries, 35-year-old Shelby Hayes.

Others who died were residents of Oklahoma including: Oklahoma City residents Oral Hooks, 69, Earlene Hooks, 63, Antonio Hooks, 42, and Dione Hooks, 41 and Crossroads Oklahama resident Cynthia Olson, 55.

The driver of the big-rig was 76-year-old Donald Creed of Willard Missouri, who is reportedly in good condition after being treated for head injuries in a Missouri hospital.

Reports say some of the victims were trapped in the accident wreckage for almost 9 hours before they were able to get out.

This tragic case of several wrongful deaths is so devastating because with a little better driver attention, this crash might have been easily preventable. My heart goes out to the families effected by this huge accident.

If one of your loved ones has died due to the negligence of another person or company, please contact Board Certified Texas Wrongful Death Attorney Mark A. Anderson for a free consultation by calling 817-294-1900.

Dalton Thomas Hardaway, 17, of Arlington was killed early Saturday when he lost control of his 1985 Ford Tempo as he was driving north on Texas 360 near Arkansas Lane. He struck the concrete barrier and died at the scene. Hardaway had a 19-year-old passenger who luckily only received minor injuries.

No other information is available publicly at this time. Was speed or alcohol a factor in this tragic car accident? More information will be available soon.

In an unrelated motorcycle accident, motorcycle rider Oscar Carmichael of Dalworthington Gardens (DWG) died late Saturday when a driver going in the opposite direction turned in front of Carmichael, who had to lay his bike down in an attempt to avoid the collision. The accident occurred at Pioneer Parkway and Great Southwest Parkway. At this point, it is unknown if speed played a part in this tragic accident.

A scene investigation will be important to determine who was at fault in this accident. Cars pulling in front of motorcycles are a very common cause of vehicle collisions. Whether the motorcyclist was speeding will have an impact on the determination of liability. Also, any witnesses will help the investigators determine who was at fault.

Information provided by Texas Wrongful Death Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, 817-294-1900

A construction worker died yesterday when he was run over and dragged by the truck he was repairing.

The vehicle accident happened at 9:30 in the morning at a city pump station on 4100 Main Street in The Colony, Texas. The victim, who remains unidentified, was underneath a truck working on it when another worker got in the truck and drove off.

It appears the worker who drove the truck did not know anyone was underneath it and the incident is being investigated as an accident. No charges have been filed and The Colony Police Department does not anticipate filing any.

The worker who was killed was not employed by the city who owned the pumping station, but instead, contracted out by a construction company to add more lines to the pump station.

Many times, when people call my office, they are confused when I tell them I cannot take their “worker’s comp case” because I don’t go after the employer or co-employees who are liable for accidents. In this instance however, the construction worker’s wrongful death was caused by the negligence of another person (employed by the city).

It can seem very complicated, but the point is, this man’s death was caused by the negligence of a third party and therefore his family has the right to bring a claim for damages on his behalf based on the negligence of the driver. As the driver was employed by the city, the doctrine of Sovereign Immunity will come into play, which limits the amount of compensation one can recover against a governmental entity.

If you have questions about wrongful death claims or making a claim for injuries sustained in a car wreck, please contact the Anderson Law Firm by calling 817-294-1900.

Two 23-year-old women were seriously injured when a man who was driving the wrong way on the Dallas North Tollway crashed into their car early Sunday morning.

Ryan Matthew, 27, of Dallas was driving south in the northbound lanes of the Tollway for nearly 10 miles before colliding with the car carrying the two women. He started driving the wrong way at Cotton Gin Road up in Frisco.

Before crashing into the women, Matthew narrowly missed striking a police cruiser head-on. Shortly after, around 1:45 a.m. he slammed into Hannah Jung and Hannah Hong of Plano and Richardson. The car wreck happened near the exit for the George Bush Turnpike.

Matthew, Hong and Jung were all rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas and treated for serious injuries. Hong was released, but Jung remained in the intensive-care unit and Matthew was in fair condition as of yesterday.

What caused Matthew to drive the wrong was is under investigation; it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were a factor.

Strangely, three people called 9-1-1 between 11:16 and 11:22 p.m. Saturday night to report a separate driver going the wrong way on the Tollway. This motorist was driving the opposite direction as Matthews between Lovers Lane and Wycliff Avenue, but fortunately no accidents were reported and no one was caught.

Alarmingly, four people have been killed since April in wrong-way crashes on the 33-mile Dallas Tollway; I wrote about a man who worked for the Dallas Morning News who died driving the wrong way. Due to the astounding number of wrong-way incidences, there’s been a cry to do more to alert drivers of going the wrong way, instead of just posting signs on entrance and exit ramps. There’s even been talk of adding road spikes by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Whether these are drunk-driving related accidents, or due to confusion late at night, something needs to be done to prevent more from dying in these tragic crashes.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a vehicle-related wreck, please call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation at 817-294-1900.

The cause of an Arlington vehicle accident is being investigated after a pickup truck collided with an ambulance carrying a patient.

The crash happened at approximately 1:45 this morning at the intersection of South Collins Street and East Arkansas Lane. The ambulance had gone to pick up a female with a pregnancy-related emergency before it wrecked with the pickup truck. The driver of the truck was not injured.

All of the occupants of the ambulance, including the two paramedics and the woman patient were taken to the hospital to be treated. There is no word on any of their conditions or the severity of their injuries.

An accident investigation is being conducted to determine how the car crash happened.

If you’ve been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle collision, contact the Anderson Law Firm to learn your rights at 817-294-1900.

It’s only 9 a.m. and already there have been two significant Dallas-Fort Worth vehicle wrecks during this morning’s commute, among the usual daily incidences.

In Haltom City, Texas on eastbound Loop 820, traffic is backed up all the way to Interstate-35W because of an overturned car near the center median.

The blue Dodge Neon flipped around 7:30 this morning and it’s unclear what caused this accident or whether anyone was hurt.

And a little earlier, around 7 a.m. an 18-wheeler accident blocked three westbound lanes of Interstate 30 between Westmoreland Road and Cockrell Hill Road/Chalk Hill Road near Grand Prairie, Texas.

Two lanes continue to be blocked and traffic is backed up all the way to downtown Dallas. There’s also no word on whether anyone was injured in this crash, but if it caused three lanes to close during the busiest hour of the day, my gut tells me it was a serious accident. An accident investigation will ultimately determine what happened.

Besides being a nuisance to other drivers, car and truck wrecks are extremely inconvenient for those involved—especially when accident victims suffer serious injuries and incur large medical bills as a result. Board Certified Texas Car Wreck Lawyer Mark A. Anderson knows how frustrating it can be for people after an accident and wants to help take the stress away. For information or a free consultation, please contact the Anderson Law Firm online or by calling 817-294-1900.

Photo courtesy of star-telegram.com.

A 14-year-old boy is in more than a little trouble this morning after taking his mother's car for a joyride late last night and crashing it into a canal in Irving. The car wreck happened at 2:20 a.m. on MacArthur Boulevard North.

After crashing the car, he left the scene and was found a little while later, sopping wet, walking down a street in nearby Coppell, Texas.

When investigators questioned the teen, he initially told them he had been kidnapped, but later told the truth. As of this morning, no charges have been filed.

Since no one was at fault for this crash other than the boy for acting negligent, if he was hurt, he would not be able to make a bodily injury claim for damages. And unfortunately, the teen's mother will not be able to make a claim to get her car fixed since the wreck wasn't caused by anyone other than her own son.

If you have questions about valid injury claims, contact Board Certified Texas Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson at 817-294-1900.

Four children and an adult were seriously injured in a 3-vehicle crash in Ponder, Texas late last night.

A blue compact car carrying the victims was traveling on Highway 289 when it stopped to make a left turn near Preston Road. It was rearended by a white minivan and the impact pushed the blue car into oncoming traffic where it was slammed into head on by a pickup truck. The five in the blue car were rushed to area hospitals where there conditions are unknown.

The car is hardly recognizable by the picture and if all five people in the blue car live, it will be a miracle. No word on whether or not the drivers of the other vehicles involved were hurt.

An accident investigation is pending. If you have been seriously injured in an auto accident, please call the Anderson Law Firm to discuss your rights at 817-294-1900.

Photo by wfaa.com.

A multi-vehicle wreck on Northeast Loop 820 near Beach Street closed the eastbound lanes of the highway down during rush hour this morning.

The crash happened around 8:50 a.m. in the 3800 block of Loop 820 in Fort Worth. Traffic was re-routed to the access road until the accident scene was cleared at 10:20 a.m.

The accident involved an 18-wheeler and six other vehicles, but fortunately, only one person was transported by Medstar to a local hospital with injuries. There's been no reports of that person's identity or condition.

It will be interesting to see what caused this crash--the police report will ulimately show what happened.

For information on what to do after an accident, contact Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson for a free consultation or to request his free book at 817-294-1900.

Photo by star-telegram.com.

A Fort Worth woman was killed this morning when her vehicle was t-boned by a Hummer. Robin Hagen, 50, was driving eastbound in the 7000 block of Lake Country Drive in Northwest Fort Worth when a man in a southbound Hummer ran a red light and struck Hagen's Nissan.

The car accident happened around 8 a.m. and Hagen was pronounced dead at the scene. The man in the Hummer did not suffer any injuries. An accident investigation will determine whether or not charges will be filed.

If you have been injured in a car crash which was caused by another person's negligence, please contact Texas Board Certified Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson at 817-294-1900.

A 16-year-old Little Elm High Schooler was killed early Sunday morning when a woman drove the wrong way on the Dallas North Tollway and crashed into her vehicle. 24-year-old Mariza Martinez of Dallas was driving her pickup truck south in the northbound lanes of the tollway just after midnight when she crashed into Kara Taylor’s SUV by the Main Street exit. Taylor was taken to Frisco’s Centennial Medical Center where she was pronounced dead immediately following the car crash.

A 15-year-old girl who was riding passenger in Taylor’s car was also taken to the hospital, but released with minor injuries. Martinez was taken to the Medical Center of Plano with unknown injuries. She was not killed in the crash, though.

A pending accident investigation will reveal whether or not charges will be filed. Results from toxicology testing and scene investigation will determine whether or not Martinez will be cited.
The lanes on the tollway were closed until 4 a.m. Sunday due to the wreck.

If someone you love suffered a wrongful death in a car wreck, or sustained serious injuries, please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation at 817-294-1900.