Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Streets will be filled with dozens of bicyclists around North Texas and throughout the nation on Wednesday in support for the ‘Ride of Silence’. The Ride of Silence is a silent, slow procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured on roadways.

A local event will be held in Willow Park County this Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. The ride will begin at Ranch House Road and Interstate 20, in remembrance of where bikers Larry McQuien and Thomas Hollrith Jr. were killed. McQuien and Hollrith were killed in separate accidents in the same place in the past two years.

Other rides will take place in Fort Worth, and in Arlington, Coppell, and Dallas.
According to local organizers, the ‘Ride of Silence’ is being held during National Bike Safety Month to raise awareness to motorists, police, and city officials that bicyclists have a legal right to the roadways. Every year, over 600 cyclists die on American roadways.

Cyclists have always had a legal right to share the roads, but automobile drivers aren’t always aware of the rights. Hopefully this ride, along with the publicity of National Bike Safety Month will help inform motorists of biker’s rights and increase their knowledge of what to do when encountering a bicyclist.

Come out and join north Texas cyclists in remembering Larry McQuien and Thomas Hollrith Jr. and other riders who have been hurt or killed on American roads. It will be a memorable ride for a great cause.

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 been involved in a bicycle accident and have questions please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

On May 4, 2010, an Irving, Texas woman was seriously injured when she was hit by a speeding car that was turning from Rochelle onto Manion in Irving. The injured lady was mowing her lawn when she was hit by the speeding silver Toyota Camry, possibly a 2002 to 2006 model. The Irving woman who was injured was initially taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas when she has been since released from the hospital and is at home recovering from her injuries.

The Irving Police Department is still looking for the driver of the Toyota Camry who struck and injured this woman. The car most likely sustained noticeable front-end damage in the accident. If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the hit and run driver who caused this motor vehicle assault, they are encouraged to call the Irving Police Department accident investigators at (972) 721 2761 or call the 24-hour non-emergency dispatch number at (972) 273 1010.

Information provided by Texas Car Accident Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in the Dallas area at (214) 327 8000 or in Tarrant County area at (817) 294 1900, or can be contacted online for a free personal injury consultation.

The City of Dallas will soon enact the 2011 Bike Plan to increase the amount of people riding bikes but reduce the number of bicycle accidents. Other parts of the plan will focus on education, culture, signage, funding, connectivity and routes.

The plan hopes to ensure safety on the main roads so more people will use their bikes as a source of transportation.The plan will include the 450 miles of roads in the Dallas area.

As always, it is important to be aware of the bicycle safety concerns in the Dallas and Fort Worth area. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a policy on bicycle accommodations to make certain that the public is aware of the danger that comes with riding on a main street. 44,000 cyclists are hurt annually in traffic crashes, and Dallas is doing a fine job in attempting to lessen the chances of these accidents.

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 have questions about a bike accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A man in a wheelchair was hit and killed by an SUV on Sunday at the intersection of Pemberton Hill Road and Loop 12. The fatal pedestrian accident occurred around 10:30 p.m. The man was in a motorized wheelchair and thought to be homeless.

The man was pronounced dead at Baylor Medical Center. His name has not been released. The Dallas Police Department said that no charges are expected to be filed.

The SUV was driven by a 21-year-old, whose name has not been released. He did stop after the accident occurred.

It is unfortunate to hear about a disabled man being killed in this kind of accident. Almost 70,000 pedestrian accidents occur in the United States every year. Of these accidents, 73% of them happen in urban downtown areas, like this fatal accident did. The Anderson Law Firm has several resources about pedestrian safety and pedestrian accident prevention.

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 your personal injury case, 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.

A Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or DART bus, was involved in a collision that ultimately caused it to crash into the side of a building in Dallas Monday afternoon.

According to local news reports, the bus wreck was caused when the bus was struck by a car that apparently ran a red light. The bus hit a light pole then crashed into the side of a building near the intersection of Olive Street and Woodall Rogers Freeway frontage road.

Two passengers on the bus were taken to Baylor Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. A third person was treated at the scene for minor injuries, and the driver of the bus and the car were reportedly unhurt.

Running a red light is the most obvious form of motor vehicle negligence. Hopefully, the at fault driver carries enough liability insurance to compensate for all of the property damage and personal injury damages caused by the accident.

Information provided by Dallas Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 214-327-8000, or contacted by clicking here.

A Dallas County court sentenced Kenneth Brandon Bain to two years in prison and 10 years of probation for hitting and killing two bicyclists with his car after staying up all night drinking and smoking marijuana. He pleaded guilty to one charge of manslaughter.

Bain struck and killed Michael Alfaro and Meredith Hatch with his Lincoln Navigator on June 8, 2008, at 8:20am. They were riding their bicycles near Joe Pool Lake near Grand Prairie, training for a triathlon. Although his blood alcohol level was 0.05 and the legal limit is 0.08, Bain was tested two hours after the crash and it’s estimated that his blood alcohol level was between 0.07 and 0.11 when the crash occurred. He spent all night drinking and had not slept, and admitted to smoking marijuana in his car when the accident occurred.

In seeing this story, and the video, last night on the news, I could definitely see the pain still felt by the families of these two riders. I feel very sorry for them. I realize that only two years in jail probably seems like a slap on the wrist to those who have lost a loved one due to someone lese’s blatant disregard for the law.

An interesting aspect of the sentencing is that as a condition of his probation, Bain must spend 10 days in jail at Christmas and eight days in jail on each victim’s birthday for eight years after he’s released from prison. I have never heard of this type of sentence, but it sounds like a great idea to me.

Information provided by Dallas, Texas Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, phone 214-327-8000, online contact just click 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

Over 100 bicyclists gathered outside of Dallas City Hall on Wednesday to push for safer and more accessible roadways for cyclists and pedestrians.

The event was organized by Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, and supported the decision of the city council to endorse the policies of the National Complete Streets Coalition. The Coalition supports city planning with bicycle and pedestrian safety in mind, such as creating or enlarging bicycle lanes, making physical barriers between bicycle and car lanes, and adding signals and signs to improve traffic control. Although Dallas has not yet created a specific policy, the city supports making changes in line with the Complete Streets initiative.

I really do hope the city can make some of these changes. I have written several times about tragic bicycle accidents that could have been prevented by things just like this. It’s good to hear that Dallas recognizes the need for bike safety measures.

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

The city of Dallas is expected to pay a settlement to the family of Cole Berardi, a 10-year-old boy who was tragically killed while riding his bike when a Dallas Police Officer struck him with his squad car. If the settlement is approved by the Dallas City Council, the city will pay the family $250,000-the maximum allowed under Texas law.

The fatal accident occurred at night on October 17, 2008 on Belt Line Road in Dallas. Senior Cpl. Michael Vaughn was racing to a call without his lights and siren on when he struck Berardi on his bicycle. Speed was a factor in the crash, according to police. Vaughn was driving around 70 mph in a 40 mph zone. In July of this year, Vaughn received a one-day suspension for driving over the speed limit without the lights and siren on. Within days of Berardi’s death, Police Chief David Kunkle issued new driving rules for Dallas police.

The value of a human life is worth way more than this settlement. But our laws protect our governments and this is the most the law allows one to recover against our cities. I feel so sorry for the family of this young boy. While it is necessary for police to speed on occasion, it is wrong to speed without the lights and sirens on. If the officer had been using the lights and sirens, then this accident probably would not have happened.

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

In what is a father’s worst nightmare, a Dallas man accidently ran over his three year old son on Friday in his own driveway. The boy had exited the Ford F-250 to go to another vehicle and the father backed up and did not see his son behind the truck. The child was transported to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas where he was listed in critical condition.

My prayers go out for this family. I sure hope the child recovers. These types of accidents are just horrible and I am sure the father undoubtedly feels terrible. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each year we have around 200 such driveway back over accidents resulting in fatalities. Plus there are around 7000 injuries reported each year n our country. Predictably, children are by far the most common victims. New technology is helping, with backup cameras and sensors.

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.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission released three bicycle recalls this week.

The 2009 d’lite ST and Solo ST Child Trailers, designed to carry children behind an adult bicycle, pose a risk in that one wheel can separate from the trailer and cause a bicycle accident. Owners of models D939 or D948 should contact manufacturer Burley for a free repair. Click here for the complete report including pictures of the trailer.

The 2007/2008 Felt F1X Cyclocross Bicycles have a defective fork steerer tube than can break and cause a rider to lose control of the bicycle. Six bicycle accidents have already been reported. Owners should contact a Felt Bicycle dealer for free inspection and repair. Click here for the complete report including a picture of the bicycle.

The “Chopper” model Cannibal Bicycle has been recalled due to a bicycle stem that can crack and cause the rider to lose control. Owners of the Nirve Sports brand bike should return the bicycle to the place of purchase for a free repair. Click here for the complete report including a picture of the bicycle and detailed views of the flawed bicycle stem.

Information provided by Fort Worth Dallas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at 877-294-1115.

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 new book has just been released which informs all types of victims in their personal injury claims. The book, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case, is written by Mark A. Anderson, a Board Certified Personal Injury Specialist from Fort Worth, Texas.

The book, which focuses largely on car accidents, discusses all the different ways that injury victims can harm their own claims and offers practical pointers on how injured parties can avoid these common pitfalls. But that's not all the book covers. It also discusses what constitutes valid injury claims, what goes into valuing an injury claim, how the injury claims process works (from the accident all the way through trial) and what to look for, as well as what to be wary of when hiring an accident attorney. 15 Mistakes also points out and describes various types of available insurance which come into play during the claims process and common myths about insurance companies and settlements.

15 Mistakes is a must-read for accident victims in Texas. It's written in plain English--not filled with typical legal jargon. The book is most-helpful if it's read after an accident and before a decision is made to hire an attorney, but everyone can benefit from its useful tips.

Mark Anderson's book is available for FREE to Texas residents, who can order the book by visiting www.DontWreckYourCase.com, or by calling the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900. Non-Texas residents can purchase the book online for $16.95 at www.amazon.com.

Two people have died after being hit by cars while they were trying to cross local freeways. First, last Thursday, an unidentified man was struck by a Ford F150 while he was trying to cross Interstate 35. Then early Sunday, another unidentified man was killed by a pickup while trying to cross Southeast Loop 820. Since the drivers were clearly not at fault, there are not expected to be any charges filed.

Crossing freeways is taking life into your own hands. Plus, the cars that have to try to avoid a freeway crosser are always in danger of wrecking themselves. There are on average 13 deaths pedestrian deaths per day in the US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And seventy-one percent of pedestrian deaths in 2007 occurred on major roads, including interstates and freeways. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has lots of interesting facts on pedestrian accidents.

Information provided by Mark A. Anderson, Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer
Contact: 877-294-1115 or Online

According to Fort Worth Police reports, an 11-year-old boy was killed last night when he rode his bicycle into the side on an 18-wheeler truck. The accident occurred at the intersection of Northeast 38th Street and Decatur Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Witnesses said they saw the young boy exiting an alley, but was looking behind him at his cousin when he ran into the semi-trailer truck in front of him.

The boy got caught up under the truck’s back tires and died at the scene.

Each year, 23 percent of all pedestrian-related injuries affect children under the age of 15. For more information on bicycle safety, I find bikesafety.com very resourceful.

Information Provided by Fort Worth Accident and Injury Attorney Mark Anderson.

Contact Information: 817-294-1900.

A two-year old Cleburne boy was seriously injured after he ran into the street on Saturday, right in the path of an SUV. Fabian Gentry was struck by a Nissan Quest Sport Utility Vehicle which was traveling northbound at the 700 block of N. Robinson Street around 6:45 p.m. The impact knocked the child face first into the ground, before he was caught underneath the vehicle and dragged for 20-30 feet.

Amazingly, the boy—who was CareFlited to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth—only lost consciousness for a moment, sustaining abrasions and swelling, but no visible bleeding. There’s been no word on his current condition.

The driver of the SUV will not be cited since it was an accident.

Also in Cleburne on Saturday, 26-year-old Tiffany Smith was in a car accident involving a garbage truck. She was CareFlighted to Huguley Memorial Medical Center with unknown injuries. A 3-year-old in Smith's car was treated and released from Huguley with no life-threatening injuries. No further details have been released on this accident.

Like vehicle accidents, injuries to children happen all the time when children dart out in front of traffic. Remember to always keep a close eye on toddlers and young children when playing outside. And if you or your child has been injured as the unfortunate result of someone else’s negligence, please contact the Anderson Law Firm to learn your rights.

A 71-year-old Oak Cliff crossing guard was killed this morning after a speeding drunk driver crashed into him around 8:30 a.m. 52-year-old Peter Nelson of Dallas had been out of police custody just four days when his Saturn ran into Franklin Delano Lester Tuesday morning.

“Frank” as he was known to the children of Roger Mills Elementary School was helping a woman pushing her granddaughter in a stroller to her car. They had just crossed the street when Nelson lost control and slammed into Lester, narrowly missing the woman with the stroller. After hitting the man, Nelson had been going so fast, he then crashed into Lester’s parked vehicle. Lester was taken to Dallas Medical Center in critical condition and died shortly thereafter.

Nelson, who was recently released from an 18-year prison sentence for drug charges, was immediately charged with intoxication manslaughter. At the scene, investigating officers were seen emptying alcoholic beverage containers which were found in his car.
This tragic accident happened on South Denley Drive where the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour.

If one of your loved ones has suffered an untimely death from the negligence of another person, please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation on your rights to making a claim.

Photo courtesy of Dallas Morning News.