Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Crash on I-30 Exit Ramp in Dallas, Texas Turns Deadly

2010-03-10T15:32:12Z

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.

Car Accident in Mesquite, TX Involves Driver Going the Wrong Way

2010-03-08T15:47:46Z

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.

How do you find a lawyer for your car accident case?

2010-03-07T20:44:32Z

Car wrecks happen every single day here in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. And days like today cause even more where the wet roads create dangerous conditions. After the motor vehicle accident, many people will end up needing an injury lawyer to represent them when they seek fair compensation for their accident related injuries to their bodies.

There are a million ways that people find their injury lawyer to represent them after they have been injured in a car accident. Some injury victims ask their friends and families for a referral to a personal injury lawyer, but this oftentimes ends up a dead end as either they have never had a reason to hire an injury attorney before or they didn't like the one they did indeed hire.

Another common way that people who have been hurt in accidents find a lawyer is through some sort of advertising. It is just easy to call the lawyer they see on TV or in the yellow pages. But I think you have to beware of attorneys who advertise on television as they usually run what is called personal injury mills and the clients are totally devoid of any personal attention from real lawyer.

A good way to find a lawyer, in my opinion, is to gather a list of potential lawyers from an internet search and then do your research to check out the prospective lawyers’ credentials. One way to look into the background and experience of an injury attorney is to look at the lawyers own website and read all about him or her. Another thing to do is to look up the rating received by the lawyer. Two popular rating services are Martindale Hubble and AVVO. You should also check out the State Bar of Texas Website, as it has important information on lawyers such as license status and Board Certifications.

Click here for some more information about Finding The Right Lawyer For You.

If you have been injured in a car accident in the Fort Worth Dallas Arlington area, you deserve the best representation you can find. The Anderson Law Firm will be happy to discuss the facts of your specific case and will give you a quick and confidential evaluation of your rights to recover. We have convenient offices in Dallas and Fort Worth. To speak with the Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson, call us in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in FW at 817-294-1900 or in Texas toll free at 1-877-294-1115.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Supports The ROADS SAFE Act

2010-03-06T21:52:56Z

At the end of February, MADD released a statement of their support for new legislation introduced by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) called the ROADS SAFE Act. It stands for Research of Alcohol Detection Systems for Stopping Alcohol-related Fatalities Everywhere.

The legislation supports research for technology that would prevent motor vehicles from being able to operate if a driver tries to operate the car while under the influence of alcohol. The bill would provide funding of $12M a year for 5 years to make technology that would accomplish this goal.

The technology would have to be reliable, non-intrusive, and be able to unobtrusively detect if the driver had a BAC of .08 or greater. The technology would hopefully be so non-intrusive that a sober driver would be completely unaware of the device’s existence.

This sounds like really awesome research and a step in the right direction to end drunk driving altogether. It is amazing to me the kind of technology that is possible to help make our roads safer. If this bill is passed, MADD and the US government would be making gigantic strides to show the American public the importance and attention this issue should receive.

To see the press release please click here.

Information and Commentary provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. Mark can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, Toll Free at 1-877-294-1115, or online by clicking here.

TxDot Releases New Data Supporting the Dangers of Texting and Driving

2010-03-05T20:08:13Z

The Texas Department of Transportation recently released new data supporting evidence that cell phone usage while driving is increasing the number of car accidents on our roads and highways.

In the last five years in Texas, over 1,700 wrecks have been caused by drivers who are on their cell phones. Before the release of this data, it was almost impossible to tell the impact of distracted driving on our roads.

AAA is pushing for legislation that bans texting nationwide for the next 3 years. In addition, the study also shows that any kind of cell phone usage, not just texting diverts the attention of the driver from the road.

If you think about how much is already going on in the car while you’re driving, the addition of looking down at a key board for extended periods of time does not make logical sense. It seems that we continue to text and drive even though we know it is not safe. We need to stand up for what we know is right to promote safety in our communities.

I have recently partnered with 10 other attorneys from around the country to help educated and make middle and high school aged students aware of the dangers of texting and driving. The campaign is called TADD (Teens Against Distracted Driving), and encourages students to sign a pledge to not text and drive. In gratitude for signing the pledge, we are giving each student who signs a free wrist bracelet.

It is my hope that new statistics such as these and awareness programs like TADD will help end the problem of car wrecks associated with being distracted with your cell phone while driving. There are so many new technologies to help aide this problem so that your cell phone is “hands-free” every time you are in your car.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-800, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

Lufkin Man Dies In Fatal Wreck While Test Driving Motorcycle

2010-03-03T15:37:54Z

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.

Texas Automated Enforcement Laws

2010-03-02T13:15:53Z

I’m sure you have noticed the increase in cameras at stoplights in and around the Fort Worth area. I think many of us are unaware exactly what the automated enforcement laws are in Texas, and how they can impact you.

As the law stands in Texas currently, violations are only issued for red light violations. However, the use of automated enforcement for speeding and other citations are increasing. It may be only a matter of time before this becomes permitted in certain communities around North Texas.
I know the first thing every person thinks when they get a ticket is, “How much is this going to cost me?” For a red light violation in Texas the ticket can cost up to $200 if traditional enforcement is used, and is a standard $75 if auto enforcement is used.

Red light camera systems are triggered when a vehicle enters an intersection after the light has been red for a predetermined period of time. The citation is issued to the registered owner of the car after 2 or more pictures are taken of the vehicle and license plate. The purpose of these cameras is to prevent car accidents in intersections, though some people question whether it is solely a revenue generator.

It was surprising for me to learn that the majority of the US public supports the use of red light cameras, even with the speculation of the true purpose of the cameras. The National Highway Safety Administration found that 75% of drivers support camera enforcement. The highest support comes from residents of large cities, with a much lower percentage of support from suburban areas. I hope this helps clear up any questions about what the cameras are at many intersections, as well as the consequences of running a red light.

Information and commentary provided by Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. Mark can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

Rainy Weather Driving Tips for Dallas/Fort Worth Drivers

2010-03-01T17:55:37Z

With all of the rainy weather we have had in North Texas, I thought it might be appropriate to list a few tips to help you avoid a car accident in the bad weather. Though rain is something we deal with frequently, there are several ways to help avoid skidding or hydroplaning while driving.

The Weather Channel has a list of driving safety tips on their website ranging for what to do in a bad thunderstorm, to what to do in a tornado. Here are a few of their tips to help you avoid getting into a wreck on the wet roads:

-To prevent skidding, never brake hard. It is important to keep a light foot on your brake pedal. The same goes with steering, do everything lightly and do not make any swerving movements if at all possible.

- If you do find yourself hydroplaning, it is important not to brake. Instead, you should “steer into the skid” to get the front of your car aligned with the back of your car.

-Hydroplaning often occurs from something being wrong with your tires. Make sure your tires are inflated correctly and have good tire tread

-Drive Defensively. Adjust your speed to the road conditions and the other drivers around you.

Hopefully, the rain will eventually let up. I feel like we may live in Seattle instead of Dallas. I know I felt a shimmer of hope when we finally had a sunny day this past Saturday, but it seems that the rain has come back for today. I hope that if these safety tips weren’t new to you, that they at least reminded you of what to do if you have a problem with hydroplaning or skidding while driving in the rain.

Information and Commentary provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson, who can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, in Dallas at 214-327-8000, Toll Free at 877-294-1115 or online by clicking here.

Texas Attempts to Increase Road Safety with New Law

2010-03-01T16:24:43Z

A new Texas law is in effect today requiring new drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 to take a driver education course before receiving their license. Though most young drivers register for their license before they are 18, there is an increasing number of people who are waiting to get their license in order to avoid the costs of the courses and training required for new drivers under 18.

That option will no longer be the case. The course is now required for anyone between 18 and 24 applying for a license for the first time. Based on a check of several driving school websites, the course will cost anywhere from $35 to $100.

The topics are similar to the ones covered in the course for drivers under 18. They include things like drunk driving, rules of the road, insurance issues and defensive driving. There is also a written test that must be passed to complete the course and receive your license.

Target areas for the new course include areas with large immigrant populations. Over 150 driving schools have already signed up to have the program as part of the curriculum.

In 2008, 20% of car accidents involved 18 to 24 year olds. Perhaps targeting this age group will decrease the number of motor vehicle accidents on our roadways. We are so focused on making sure first time drivers under 18 are educated, but we often forget that there are other new, young drivers as well. I think this is a great step to help educate another age group on safety precautions to take while driving. However, you have to wonder why the course is not required for all new drivers regardless of their age.

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

U.S. 380 Shut Down From Deadly Crash in Denton Area

2010-02-26T16:00:31Z

An 18-wheeler was involved in a fatal car accident with a pickup truck early this morning in Denton County. A 25-year-old Bridgeport man, whose name has not been released, was killed when his pickup crashed into the 18 wheeler head on.

The driver of the 18 wheeler was not injured. The Bridgeport man was westbound on 380 around 3:30 a.m. when his truck crossed the center line and made contact with the 18 wheeler.
The entire highway has been shutdown since the accident, and is expected to have heavy traffic being diverted to other access and side roads until late Friday morning.

My condolences go out to the Bridgeport man’s friends and family. The results of many semi accidents are absolutely devastating. Unfortunately, the great state of Texas leads the nation in semi-truck accidents. 10% of the nation’s fatal wrecks occur in Texas, which is double or triple the rate of most states. When a motor vehicle is involved in a wreck with a semi weighing in excess of 10,000 pounds, the injuries sustained are much more severe.

This information and commentary is provided by Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. Mr. Anderson has successfully helped with many semi accident victims and their families in the past. Mark can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

Fort Worth Officer Who Caused Deadly Crash Was Drinking On Duty

2010-02-25T20:13:35Z

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.

Family of Dallas Veteran Officer Killed in Motorcycle Accident Sues Hillary Clinton and the City of Dallas

2010-02-24T15:59:59Z

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.

Insurance Company Goal No. 2: Delay the Claim as Long as Possible

2010-02-22T18:04:17Z

In my book, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case, I spend some time going over many reasons why you can’t trust the at fault party's insurance company. One of them is that insurance companies like to delay your claim as long as possible because they are in no hurry to resolve it.

There is truly only one way to fix this problem, and that is to have a lawyer on your side that can aggressively approach the insurance company to resolve your claim. When a jury is close to awarding you compensation for your injury, the insurance company feels pressure to resolve your problem. Which brings up the point that sometimes the only way to get your claim resolved is to bring the case in front of a jury. Often times even the threat of a trial will help the insurance company to pay you the money that you deserve.

My hope is that by educating people about problems you may encounter with insurance companies, you will be better prepared if you have to file a claim. This is just one of many helpful pointers that are highlighted throughout my book. To obtain your free copy of 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case please click here.

This information is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. Mr. Anderson can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 814-294-1900 or by clicking here.

Arlington, Texas Wreck with 18 Wheeler Kills Two

2010-02-21T15:55:57Z

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.

Texas Motorcycle Safety Programs

2010-02-20T17:28:38Z

There are many different types of programs available to the public involving motor cycle safety and accident prevention. In Texas, several government agencies have put a lot of effort into making our highways safer for motorcyclists to enjoy their preferred choice of transportation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclist fatalities have increased for the 10th year in a row. Mr. Ken Copeland, Regional Program Manager with the NHTSA stated that now is the time more than ever to increase motorcycle safety because motorcycles are becoming an increasingly popular form of transportation. Registration has gone up 141% in the past 8 years.

There are several programs in place that riders can take advantage of in Texas in order to further their personal safety while riding. One program is called the Motorcycle Operator Training and Safety Program. It started in 1983 and has trained 317,160 students as of February 2009. The program involves a rider/coach segment where an instructor helps to instigate up to date safety advice and requirements to the students. It is available through the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website.

There are also non-government sponsored programs that help improve safety. One is called “A Crash Course for the Motorcyclist” sponsored by Accident Scene Management. It is available in 26 states and has trained 12,000 students. The program involves teaching people what to do before help arrives at an accident, what to do to help prevent further injury, and also instructs what to do if you are a bystander of a motorcycle accident.

I hope if you or someone that is close to you drives a motorcycle, you will encourage them to take advantage of one of these programs to help make their ride safer. Whether riding a motorcycle is something you just do for fun, or it is your transportation every day, it is important that safety be your number one priority.

This information is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Board Certified Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. Mark has represented many motorcycle riders in the past and is an advocate for motorcycle safety. He can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.