Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Texting, eating, applying makeup or shaving, disciplining kids, and reading are all average everyday activities for most Texans living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Doing any of them while you’re driving, however, and you’re putting multiple lives at risk: your own, your passengers, and every other person who is unfortunate enough to be on the road near you at that time.

As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I know just how serious a problem distracted driving is in all its forms. The amount of property damage and bodily injuries which can be caused in a multi-vehicle wreck caused by a distracted driver can be catastrophic. If you or someone you love has been injured in such an accident, it is critical that you are aware of your legal rights. Texas law gives distracted driver crash victims the legal right to make an insurance claim to pay for your medical bills, loss of income and other costs associated with the collision. This even applies if you were a passenger in a car being driven by a negligent driver.

In order to help victims such as yourself understand the key information you need to know, I have put together a resource called Distracted Driving 101. It highlights the main issues you need to know and will hopefully answer a lot of the questions you have at this stage. It is no replacement for personalized legal service, however, and I strongly encourage you to call an attorney to discuss your cases one-on-one as soon as possible.

To speak to a board certified personal injury attorney immediately, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-2675 or call locally in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer and parent myself, I understand the importance of using a booster seat when driving with my child in the car. I’m sure most of you do too, but have are you similarly concerned when your son or daughter gets a ride from another relative or a friend’s parent? Unless your child is a toddler requiring an infant car seat, it’s probably not something you think too much about.

In fact, according to a study published by the magazine Pediatrics, roughly 45 percent of parents do not require their kids to use potentially life-saving booster seats when riding with another motorist. What’s more, 30 percent of parents admitted that when they are giving a lift to someone else’s child who does not have a car seat in their vehicle, they allow their own child to not use their own booster seat even though it is there in the vehicle.

The study also points out that since up to 70 percent of all parents utilize a carpool to some degree, this could be a very big problem not just if the car in question was involved in a collision, but even if the driver was forced to make an emergency brake. An adult seat belt can cause significant injuries to a young child in such an occasion. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that all children use a booster seat until at least they reach 57 inches of height, at which time they can probably transfer safely to a full-size adult seat.

If your child is injured in a traffic wreck it is important that you are fully briefed on your legal rights. Even if your child was a passenger when you were driving, there may be an option for you to claim compensation from the insurance company. To speak with a board certified child injury and auto accident attorney today, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

If you or someone you love have been injured in a Dallas-Fort Worth car wreck caused by a drunk driver, it might seem obvious to you who was to blame, but that doesn’t mean that the insurance company will play fair.

Under Texas law, if you are hurt in a traffic crash caused by someone else, you have the right to pursue a claim against the negligent driver’s insurance policy to recover your medical expenses, lost income and other costs associated with the accident. As you might expect, this usually means a lot of money on the link. For an innocent accident victim such as yourself, it is not fair that you have to pay all those bills out of your own pocket and likely go in debt. If the collision was not your fault, there is no reason why you should have to pay.

Unfortunately, giant insurance companies often care more about their profits than innocent, hardworking Texans, so they will do everything they can to avoid paying you the full and fair compensation that you deserve. Even in cases where the at-fault motorist was clearly intoxicated at the time of the wreck, you will have a hard time recovering the money you need without the aid of a board certified personal injury lawyer.

To help you better understand your legal rights and options before you speak to an attorney, I’ve put together some of the key information that you need to know in one convenient place: Drunk Driving Accidents 101. I hope that you find it beneficial. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at 817-294-1900.

If you’ve been involved in a serious car wreck, it’s normal for you to have a lot of questions. How can you get your car repaired? Do I need to hire a lawyer? What insurance companies do I need to deal with? What are my legal rights and obligations?

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I have been helping accident victims throughout the DFW metroplex for 21 years, so I have a lot of knowledge when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of a multi-vehicle collision. You might not need an attorney to help you with your situation, although if you have medical bills totaling more than $5,000 I would certainly recommend that you call me for a free, no obligation consultation.

Regardless of whether or not you are seriously hurt, you could certainly benefit from some useful information. To help you out, I have compiled some of the key things you need to know if you have been involved in a crash which wasn’t your fault. I've called it "Car Accidents 101." I hope that it helps.

If you need to speak to an attorney, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or call locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

Some of the most devastating personal injury and wrongful death cases I have handed as Fort Worth trial attorney are auto accidents caused by drunk drivers. Alcohol-related car wrecks typically result in catastrophic property damage and life-threatening injuries because the intoxicated driver is nowhere near capable of safe driving. Drunk drivers speed, they get too close to other vehicles and their reaction time is severely impaired. They are among the most dangers drivers on DFW roads. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), more than one third of all traffic fatalities in Texas last year were the result of drunk drivers.

Despite constant reminders of how much damage you might cause both to yourself, your loved ones and complete strangers anytime that you get behind the wheel after drinking, people continue to do it. You can’t tell yourself that you’ll be fine, that you won’t cause a crash, that you won’t hurt anyone. If you’re attempting to drive drunk, then there is a very high probability that you will kill someone.

A Texas woman who got in the driver’s seat with a blood alcohol level of .11 percent (above the legal limit of .08 percent) has been sentenced to 55 years in prison by a judge in San Antonio. Valeri Andrews was charged with four counts of murder after running a red light while drunk, killing Maria Aguilar de Perez, her two daughters and her grandson. As harsh a sentence as this might seem, it’s worth noting that Ms. Andrews could have received a life sentence were it not for the fact she had pleaded guilty to the charges, receiving a reduced sentence as a result.

Please think before you drink and drive. It’s never worth it. Ever.

If you or a loved one is hurt in a collision caused by an intoxicated driver, it is important that you consult with a board certified personal injury and wrongful death lawyer who is experienced in handling cases against drunk drivers. For a free consultation on your case, call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

While most of us were celebrating the passing of another year and welcoming the start of 2012 over the weekend, for the family and friends of two North Texas teenagers, the end of 2011 was marred with tragedy.

On Thursday, December 29, Josh Brown, 18, of Weatherford lost control of his pickup truck as he was driving along Midway Road in Springtown. The car veered off the road, colliding with several concrete poles and crashed into a house on Hyde Away Lane, sparking off a huge fire. Fortunately, the residents of the destroyed home were able to escape without injury, but others in Brown’s vehicle were not so lucky.

Brown was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck, as was one of his passengers, Alex Christian, 14, of Aledo. The two other passengers in the truck, Madelyne Mitchell, 13, of Weatherford, and Halston McCue, 15, of Weatherford survived but suffered critical burn injuries. They are currently being treated for at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth and Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, respectively.

A candlelight vigil was held for those killed in the wreck on Sunday night. I too, would like to voice my sympathies to the families and friends of both Josh and Alex. I would also like to wish Madelyne and Halston a full and speedy recovery.

It is not clear what caused the accident to occur. Shortly after the wreck, Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Lonny Haschel opined that speed may have been a contributing factor, but there has been no clear determination at this time.

Unfortunately, accidents happen. Bad things happen to good people. One never wants anybody to suffer injuries or lose their life, however, when a tragedy such as this occurs it is important that everyone involved is fully aware of their legal rights and responsibilities. Hospitals and doctors are expensive, yet the medical treatment is essential. If the person determined to be at fault by the police was insured, then you may be entitled to compensation to help cover those bills. To find out more information as it may pertain to your personal situation, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in DFW at 817-294-1900.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So what should you do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury attorney, I know that traffic accidents are extremely common in the North Texas area, which is why we must always take every precaution possible whenever we get out on the road. Particularly if you are traveling with passengers – and the passengers are children – it is critical that you do everything you can to ensure you arrive at your destination without getting in a wreck and without anyone being injured.

Unfortunately, in the 20 plus years I’ve been working on car crash cases in DFW, I’ve seen a number of collisions involving daycare vans. Vans are notoriously dangerous because they are extremely likely to rollover if they are involved in an accident. Eight percent of all 15-seater van fatalities are a direct result of the van rolling over after impact.

Passenger vans are so dangerous, in fact, that Texas schools are banned from using them, however, there are no restrictions on other organizations such as churches and daycares from using them. If organizations transporting your child do choose to use a van, they have an obligation to ensure every safety precaution is taken, otherwise their negligence could result in a very serious child injury.

Given that 50 percent of all rollover van accidents (according to the NHTSA) occur when the van is loaded to capacity, this means that a daycare van transporting more children than the van is built for is directly jeopardizing the safety of all those children. The following video from China is a direct example of what not to do:



If you or a loved one have been injured in a Texas auto collision, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

Yesterday, I reported on the Grand Prairie car wreck which claimed the life of one teenage passenger (Carlos Marquez Jr., 15, of Arlington) and injured another three. I am greatly saddened to hear that the driver of the car, Kimberly Pimentel, 17, of Grand Prairie was also pronounced dead yesterday afternoon at Methodist Dallas Medical Center where she had been receiving treatment for her critical injuries.

My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of those involved in the crash. My thoughts are with you at this incredibly difficult time.

The two other passengers in the vehicle at the time of the collision have been identified as Isaiah Rodriguez, 16, of Arlington and Flordeluna Flores, 15, of Grand Prairie. Both remain hospitalized at this time. I wish them a full recovery.

The four friends were all students at Timberview High School in Mansfield. Friends and relatives said that they had performed together in a school play. Police investigating the crash scene believe that Pimentel lost control of her vehicle while passing another motorist on Highway 360, crashing into the median and a tree. The police have ruled out alcohol as a factor in this tragic collision.

A Grand Prairie car wreck claimed the life of one teenager and left three others injured this weekend. The accident took place at approximately 11:30pm on Saturday night on South Texas 360 near New York Avenue. The four Mansfield Timberview High School students were riding in a Lexus driven by Kimberly Pimental, 17, of Grand Prairie. Police believe that Pimental lost control of her car as she attempted to pass a slower vehicle, ultimately crashing into the median and colliding with a tree.

Carlos Marquez Jr., 15, of Arlington, was pronounced dead at the accident scene. Another passenger, Isaiah Rodriguez, 16, of Arlington, was ejected from the car and is currently being treated for critical injuries at John Pere Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Pimental is also believed to be in critical condition and is currently receiving treatment at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The third passenger, Flordeluna Flores, 15, of Grand Prairie, is believed to be in a stable condition.

Police have made it clear that they have no reason to suspect that alcohol was a factor in this tragic accident.

As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, I wish to express my most sincere sympathies to the loved ones of Mr. Carlos Marquez Jr. I am very sorry for your loss. I would also like to let the families and friends of the three children still in hospital know that our thoughts are with you. We wish you all a speedy and full recovery.

I know that the students and faculty at Mansfield Timberview High School will be devastated by this terrible news. Last week the school’s head football coach, Cody McCarthy, 29, died of an apparent heart attack. Grief counselors will be at the school today to help the high school community in this awful period of mourning.

Teen drivers are approximately 50 percent more likely to crash in the first month of driving than they are after a full year of experience driving on their own, according to a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Car accidents have long-time been one of the leading causes of teen deaths in America, but this new study found that three common mistakes - failure to reduce speed, , failure to yield and inattention– made up for 57 percent of all crashes where teens were partially responsible and within their first month of driving
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Researchers conducting the study found that specific types of accidents sometimes occurred at high rates at first for new drivers and declined particularly quickly with experience, like crashes involving left hand turns. In a related AAA Foundation study, in-vehicle cameras were used in cars with teens learning to drive with parents and then the first 6 months of licensed driving without parents in the car. The research found that teens drove much different than when their parents were in the car and the number of close-call car accidents went up significantly.

At my personal injury law firm in Fort Worth, we’ve represented so many teens that have been hurt in car wrecks and so many adults who have been injured by teen drivers. When letting your teen drive on their own, don’t push them right into the deep in. Give them increased driving freedom only when they’ve proved they can be a safe driver over a specific amount of time. Just putting extra attention into monitoring when, where and with who your teen driver is riding around with can significantly decrease their risk of a car wreck.

Three of the victims of yesterday’s fatal car wreck in Arlington have been identified as twin brothers Michael and Stephen Eckles, 21 (one of whom was driving), and Danielle Ruthstrom, 19. It is believed all three attended Seguin High School in Arlington. Two other victims who are still in critical condition at JPS Hospital in Fort Worth have not yet been publically identified.

Police still do not know what exactly caused the car in which the group was riding to go off the road and crash into a tree, splitting it in half before becoming engulfed in flames. There was speculation that alcohol was a factor as a liquor bottle was found at the accident scene, although a close friend of the Eckles brothers whose home they had left just prior to the collision reported that he noticed nothing unusual about either of them.

The deadly accident happened at approximately 3:00 am yesterday morning at the intersection of Southeast Green Oaks Boulevard and Yaupon Drive, close to Ferguson Junior High School.

I wish to offer my most heartfelt condolences to the families of Michael, Stephen and Danielle. I cannot even imagine the grief you must be experiencing right now. What happened with a tragedy. On behalf of everyone here at the Anderson Law Firm, and I’m sure across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I want you to know that our thoughts are with you.

To the loved ones of those still in hospital: I wish your children as full and speedy recovery as possible. Our thoughts are with you also.

It’s only Monday morning, and already a disastrous single-car accident which occurred in Arlington in the early hours has cost three people their lives and left another two hospitalized in critical condition. At approximately 3:00am this morning, an Arlington patrol officer witnessed a flash of light on Southeast Green Oaks Boulevard between Cravens Park Drive and Yaupon Drive. A Honda Accord carrying four passengers in addition to the driver crashed into a tree. No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

According to the police, the driver and a passenger identified as his brother were pronounced deceased at the wreck scene. A third person, a female, died shortly thereafter at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Another two individuals, both passengers in the car, remain in critical condition and are being treated for serious injuries. No names of the accident victims have been released, although police have confirmed the ages of all five individuals range from 17 to 21.

At this stage, a police investigation has not determined what caused the driver of the Honda to lose control, although it is believed that speeding was a factor. Given the rain we’ve had over the weekend after a month-long drought, the roads around DFW are particularly slippery right now, causing hazards for all motorists. Police also reported that a liquor bottle was recovered from the destroyed vehicle, and have noted that alcohol could possibly have been a factor although they cannot confirm whether the driver had indeed been drinking.

Regardless of the causes of this crash, the fact that it is a tragedy is undeniable. I would like to offer my most sincere and heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those whose lives were lost in the accident. I am very sorry for your loss. I would also like to offer my thoughts and hopes for a full recovery to those who remain under the doctors’ care.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth auto wreck personal injury lawyer, I have long campaigned North Texas motorists to switch off their cellphone before getting behind the wheel of their car, truck or motorcycle. Distracted driving is a potentially fatal hazard. If you’re not paying attention to the road ahead – to driving safely – then you are risking your own life, the life of your passengers and anyone else who is unfortunate enough to be on the road near you at that time.

Think about how long it takes you to look down and read or send a text message. Now think about what potential danger you might miss or fail to notice in time: the 18 wheeler ahead of you breaking, for example; or a child running across the street. If you’re not paying attention, the results can be devastating. I know because I’ve helped the personal victims of people injured in such accidents, and the relatives of those who’ve lost someone to a distracted driving wrongful death collision too.

A new study by the Texas Transport Institute (TTI) has found that distracted driving is even more dangerous than previously thought. In fact, a distracted driver’s response time is double the reaction time of a focused, concentrated driver; taking up to five seconds longer. To put this in context, at 30 mph a vehicle will travel 220 feet in five seconds. At 60 mph, it will travel 440 feet. That means a huge risk for a major crash.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 5,500 people were killed in wrecks attributed to a distracted driver. A further half a million were injured. Remember too, that a large proportion of distracted driving victims are actually the distracted drivers themselves.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in accident caused by a distracted driver, it’s important that you consult with an experienced trial attorney to make sure you are fully aware of your legal responsibilities and your right to compensation to cover any medical expenses or other costs which you have incurred following your run-in with the negligent driver. For a free, no obligation consultation, please call me toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or call locally at 817-294-1900.

Most of us don’t even think about how dangerous it is to get in the car and head out somewhere. We just don’t think about it. We do it every day, and yet we rarely stop to think that we’re really putting our lives at risk every time we are either a passenger or a driver on the roads of Dallas-Fort Worth. As a North Texas personal injury lawyer, I know that deadly wrecks happen throughout DFW on a daily basis. Some are caused by drunk drivers, but not every crash is the cause of such gross negligence.

On Saturday afternoon, for example, Juana Mancilla, 71, of Grand Prairie, was killed in a fatal two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Dickey Road and Texas 161 in Grand Prairie. Mancilla was a passenger in an SUV which allegedly ran a stop sign putting in the path of a van which hit its side. According to police, Mancilla was ejected from the SUV which then rolled over, landing on top of her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both the driver of the SUV, Jose Cruz Mancilla, 41, and the driver of the van, Billy Bannister, 71, as well with four additional passengers in the SUV were taken to hospital by ambulance to be treated with what were described as non-life threatening injuries.

I don’t want to speculate on the cause of this terrible accident, since clearly as a passenger in the SUV, Mrs. Mancilla had no control over the vehicle she was riding in at the time of the collision. Naturally, my thoughts and sympathies go out to all those who were hurt in the wreck, as well as their loved ones.

Unfortunately, while it does not appear that there was any significant negligence prior to this accident taking place, it goes to show just how suddenly and without warning an auto accident can occur. We should all realize that getting behind the wheel is the most dangerous thing we do every single day. And we should all resolve to take much greater care while driving around DFW.

Teen drivers are statistically the group most at risk of being injured in a Dallas-Fort Worth traffic accident. However, as a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, I think it’s fair to note that not all these auto wrecks are necessarily the fault of these teenage drivers. There are plenty of far more negligent drivers on our North Texas roads: drunk drivers, over-tired truckers and motorists too busy texting to pay attention are just a few that come to mind.

Nonetheless, teen drivers are involved in more fatal crashes that any other category. This means that insuring them is often incredibly expensive. Fortunately, I have 5 top tips to save money when purchasing car insurance for your teens. Believe it or not, the car that your teen drives and the grades they get in high school can both affect your insurance premium!

One way that people try to save money on insurance is by increasing their deductible so as to allow them to pay lower premiums each month. This makes sense for some people, but as a car wreck injury lawyer, I know it’s important that you don’t saddle yourself with too high a deductible because if the worst does ever happen, that’s money that’s going to be coming out of your own pocket.

Remember the days when comedians would joke about how difficult it was to program a VCR? Perhaps the contemporary equivalent of that would be how confusing it can be to properly install a kid’s car seat. Or, as the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDOT) calls it, a child passenger safety seat system. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I’ve had people ask me to help them understand the confusing laws surrounding what kind of booster seat their children should be using, but just as confusing is how to actually install the seats as securely as they’re supposed to be.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that the car seat is the right size for your child’s age and weight. When it comes to installing the safety seat in your vehicle, however, I recommend that you closely follow the manual’s instructions, just like that confusing VCR you used to have. Pay particular attention to make sure that the seat’s lower anchors and any tethers are securely fastened. A properly installed car seat should have no give whatsoever. In order to secure the child seat as tightly as possible, have your spouse kneel in the center of the seat and press their weight down while you tighten the tether.

If in doubt, I highly recommend you visit a certified child safety seat expert who can inspect your handiwork and show you how to make any alternations. Lots of car dealerships now have at least one staff member who is certified so that they can help you safely transfer over the car seat once you purchase a new vehicle, but for your convenience, here’s a link to every child safety inspection station in Texas. Inspections are free.

As a Texas car wreck attorney, I believe it’s important that we each do what we can to make sure that our families are as safe as possible whenever we are on the road. Unfortunately there is little protection against negligent motorists that are either drunk or texting behind the wheel, but a little caution and consideration for safety could potentially save your life.

Despite numerous protests and evidence presented to lawmakers in Austin that distracted driving is an incredibly dangerous epidemic that is rapidly growing out of control, Governor Rick Perry vetoed House Bill 242 that would have made texting while driving illegal in Texas. In his official response, Perry said, “Texting while driving is reckless and irresponsible. I support measures that make our roads safer for everyone, but House Bill 242 is a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults.”

Perry claims that HB 242 would have been an overreach of government, but it confuses me as to how he got to this conclusion. How does a law that would protect the well-being of the public equal tyranny of the state? If Governor Perry is against laws like HB 242 that “micromanage” us, then he must also be against DWI laws, drug laws and driving without insurance laws. We shouldn’t need laws to tell us not to drink and drive or text and drive but we do.

It seems to me that Governor Perry is out of touch with the state of Texas. There was little opposition to this law in its required committee hearings; in fact, telecommunications giants, such as AT&T, actually support a ban on texting while driving. Not only did this bill have both Democrat and Republican support, but the majority of Texas drivers polled in a survey by the Texas Transportation Institute last year favor a cellphone ban while driving.

Politics aside, anti-texting laws don’t burden you unless you’re texting and driving and if they can save one life, they are worth it. If I was grading Rick Perry on his decision to veto this much needed anti-texting and driving bill, we would give him an F.

Since students across Dallas-Fort Worth have recently gone back to school, I thought it would be a good time to remind teen drivers everywhere of specific laws for learner drivers. As a Texas personal injury lawyer, I know that teen drivers are the group of motorist most at risk from suffering serious injuries in a car wreck, so it is vital that teenagers always focus on safety each time they get behind the wheel.

Since distracted driving is such a major cause of fatal auto accidents in Texas, drivers aged under 18 years old are prohibited from using any electronic devices while driving. That means no phone calls even if your cellphone can be operated hands free. Since texting while driving is so dangerous, it’s good to get into the habit now – and try to abstain from distracted driving as you get older as well.

Just as driving while distracted is so perilous, so is driving while intoxicated. Since the legal drinking limit in Texas is 21, the state has a zero tolerance approach to any teenage drivers who drink and drive – regardless of how little alcohol you may have in your system.

If you’ve been through the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program, you know how much work you’ve put in to get where you are today. Don’t throw it all away by making a stupid mistake. Most importantly, as a qualified driver you have a responsibility to both your safety and your passengers’ – as well as to every other road user. Traffic can be chaotic in DFW at the best of times, so it’s vital to always concentrate on getting where you’re going as safety as possible.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident which wasn’t your fault, call a personal injury and wrongful death attorney for a free, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. Call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 today.

So many auto accidents occur throughout the North Texas region that’s it’s easy to become somewhat complacent about them. For most people, the worst you are ever affected by a rollover wreck is that it causes you to take twice as long to get home as usual. As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, however, I see things rather differently. Every day I work for those people who have been seriously injured in such collisions. I also work for the families of those whose loved ones were not lucky enough to survive.

Fatal traffic accidents are on the rise. It doesn’t matter if you ride a motorcycle or drive a truck. Statistically, getting in your vehicle and setting out on the road is the most dangerous thing you will do today.

I was upset to hear of two tragic crashes which occurred yesterday:

In Weatherford, three people died in a head-on collision on Farm Road 2421. Police believe that Jorge Flores, 16, lost control of his car, which veered into the oncoming lane of traffic, hitting a pickup driven by William H. Morris, 53. Both drivers, along with Flores’ passenger, Alexandra Hernandez, 13, were pronounced dead at the crash scene.

In Arlington, police believe alcohol was a factor in an intersection wreck caused by Walter Tendi Chiyausiku, 29. Chiyausiku failed to stop at the four-way intersection, causing his SUV to strike a car driven by a mother and her child. Chiyausiku was arrested at the scene. The mother and son were taken to Cook’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. The boy died this morning.

If someone you loved has been taken from you by a negligent motorist, it’s important to understand your legal rights and to consult with a wrongful death attorney. I offer no fee, no obligation consultations. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

Over the years I’ve heard every excuse possible from distracted drivers who’ve crashed into my personal injury clients. Usually it’s something along the lines of “I had an important work email” or “I didn’t want my friend to think I was rude by not picking up.” My answer to those pleas is that a) no email is more important that the safety of you, your passengers and other road users, and b) I’m sure if you called your friend back later and explained that you’d been driving, there would be no problem.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I firmly believe that there is never an excuse to use your cellphone while driving: not to text, not to call someone, not to email. Fortunately, as the dangers of distracted driving become more prolific, more cities (such as Arlington) are cracking down on drivers who use their cellphone while behind the wheel.

Simultaneously, new technology is helping to put an end to the distracted driving epidemic as well. One new app which could really help those people who don’t want to miss a thing, is Text ’n Drive which was even featured on CNN. It’s a voice-operated app, which means you can use it hands free, and it will read you your emails and your text messages while you’re on the go. Even better, it will send an email or SMS to your contact to let them know you’re driving but that you’ll respond to their message as soon as you’ve reached your destination! How good is that? Not only does it keep you from appearing rude, but it also reminds others that using a cellphone while driving is dangerous. Fantastic!

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in Dallas-Fort Worth, chances are that you’ve asked yourself this question. Particularly if the insurance adjuster assigned to your car wreck case was able to help you get your vehicle repaired without much hassle, you might wonder whether it’s even worth paying an attorney to handle your personal injury claim.

The honest truth is that sometimes it might not be worth it. In my 20 years of experience, I’ve found that generally if the total amount of medical expenses and loss of income is less than $5,000, you can probably handle your claim without an attorney and still expect to receive the full and fair settlement you deserve. However, once you start taking into account all past and future doctor bills, hospital visits, lost wages and reduction in quality of life, the dollar amount goes up. The higher the amount of money you think you deserve, the more likely it is that you need a lawyer to fight the insurance company for you.

Not convinced? Then consider this study funded by the United Sates insurance industry that found that personal injury victims who hired a lawyer, netted on average 3½ times more money that people with identical injuries who decided to go it alone. Do the math: even if your lawyer’s fee was a third of the total settlement, that means you’d still come out with more than double if you’d tried to take on the insurance company alone.

For an honest and fair assessment of what your Texas personal injury case is really worth, give me a call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275). There is no obligation to hire me as your attorney, and there is absolutely no fee unless I win your case.

No-one ever wants to be involved in a car crash, let alone seriously injured. Unfortunately, however, serious traffic collisions happen throughout Dallas-Fort Worth on a daily basis. If you or a loved one has been injured in a wreck which wasn’t your fault it is wise to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can explain your rights and responsibilities as a Texas accident victim.

When a new client hires me as their attorney, I handle everything on their behalf. I deal with the insurance company. I can make sure that they get the medical treatment they need. I pay for all case expenses upfront; this includes obtaining medical records, filing the lawsuit, depositions and hiring experts to help explain the evidence. Only when a successful settlement is achieved do I take my payment. My clients do not have to cut me a check every month, or each time I get a bill related to their case. I handle it all, allowing my clients to focus on recovering from their injuries and getting better.

For a free, no obligation consultation on your personal injury claim, call the Anderson Law Firm at either 817-294-1900 or 214-327-8000.

School’s around the corner for kids in Fort Worth and Dallas and for parents that means preparing our children for the new school year. We get them ready with new school supplies and clothes, but if you have a teen driver – you may want to put them through a refresher course on how to be a safe driver. You see, even though teen drivers only represent 7 percent of the licensed population, they are involved in 20 percent of all fatal car accidents.

Car accidents are the leading killer of teenagers in America, and as personal injury attorney in Fort Worth, I can tell you that almost all of these accidents in DFW could have been avoided. If your teen is preparing to drive to school for the first time this year, or even if they drove last year, take the time to go over some basics of the road and set down some ground rules that could potentially save their life.

Teen drivers in Texas have a high rate of car crashes because they simple don’t have that much driving experience. They get distracted easily, have trouble spotting driving risks and fail to choose the appropriate speed. Here are some easy ways to protect your teen driver:

•Limit or restrict completely the number of friends they are allowed to drive: studies show that by just adding 1 teen passenger, the fatal crash risk nearly doubles.
•Limit their driving at night and on the weekends
•Remind them to always where a seatbelt and put down their cell phone: Distracted driving and not wearing a seat belt are some of the leading killers of teens. As a parent you are part of the solution! Lead by example: put your seat belt on and don’t mess with your phone while you drive. Also, don’t add to the problem by calling your teen while you know they’re driving. Set up a plan with your teenager to have them call you as they about to drive to and from places – not while they are in the act.

Car accidents are avoidable when you follow the basic safety rules, even for teens. Use this time to remind your teen about safe driving habits and also what to do if they get in an accident. As always, you’re better safe than sorry.

“I know it’s not smart,” my client explained “but I don’t do well with stress.”

My client had called to tell me that he had decided to throw in the towel. “I’m willing to accept whatever the insurance adjuster is willing to offer,” he clarified.

He sounded like his mind was made up, but I really hoped that it wasn’t. I understood his concerns, they were perfectly natural. I’d had this exact same conversation with countless other personal injury victims before. Usually I was able to make them understand that deciding to go it alone without a lawyer up against the bullying might of the insurance company is rarely a wise move.

In this particular instance, my client was afraid of the stress of pursuing a claim. Yet he was ironically attempting to handle the claim process alone – without an attorney. I explained to him that many clients actually hired me simply to take the stress off them. When you hire a personal injury attorney, we deal with the stress for you. We’ll file the paper work, negotiate with the insurance adjuster and handle everything. You can just focus on getting better and putting your life back together.

To make matters worse, by deciding to pursue his claim for compensation alone, and by willingly accepting an insufficient low settlement, my client could look forward to plenty of future stress trying to cover the cost of his medical treatment for his injuries. Bare in mind, of course, that unpaid hospital bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in America, and that accident injury victims who hire a lawyer typically recover 3.5 times as much than those who don’t.

Just because Texas law entitles you to full and fair compensation for your injuries, it doesn’t necessarily mean the insurance company will willingly give it to you. Hiring a board certified trial lawyer is the best way to simultaneously reduce your personal stress during the claim process while maximizing the compensation you may receive.

For a free, no obligation consultation on your personal situation, please call me in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, one of my greatest concerns for public safety is the distracted driving epidemic. I am far from alone in my concern as celebrities such as Justin Bieber and the Texas Rangers’ Derek Holland have also spoken out against texting while driving. You may have seen the results of a survey published this week by GMAC Insurance which suggest that the number of people using a cellphone while behind the wheel is on the decline. As fantastic as this news is, however, I am skeptical of the study’s findings.

From a total of 5,130 drivers surveyed nationwide, 75% of drivers aged 16 and 17 claim they never use their smart phones while driving. GMAC attributes this apparent result to increasing parental pressure not to use handheld devices while driving. I certainly agree that family and social pressure not to use a phone can help reduce the number of young drivers, but I think GMAC’s assertion that distracted driving is declining is more than a little optimistic.

According to the same survey, nearly 66% of all age groups said they regularly make phone calls while driving and 80% admit to reading and sending text messages while stopped at traffic lights. In my book, that’s still considered distracted driving. Any time you take your attention off the road you are impairing your ability to safely operate your vehicle.

I’m glad that the dangers of distracted driving are getting more publicity, but it is still a big problem. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, give me a call for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your personal injury claim: call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or call locally at 817-294-1900.

If you have been injured in a car wreck, motorcycle crash or any other traffic collision you will need to go to the doctor for the appropriate medical treatment. Whiplash, broken bones and traumatic brain injuries are common accident injuries, with the most severe requiring an extended hospital stay and life-long consequences. It’s not always obvious, however, just how much of an impact your injuries might have at first which is why it’s so important that you don’t accept the insurance adjustor’s initial settlement offer.

Very serious injuries often require extended periods of hospitalization, coupled with forced leave from work. Such a combination of expensive medical bills and loss of income can be catastrophic. Especially if your injuries mean you won’t ever me able to return to work, it means life-long financial consequences from the accident. The good news is that Texas law gives you the right to seek compensation for both past and future medical expenses, as well as recovering any and all lost wages because of the tragedy.

Consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer is essential. At the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth, our two attorneys have over 40 years of combined success in winning their PI clients the full and fair compensation they deserve. Give us a call today to schedule your free no obligation consultation. We can be reached at toll free 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that it is not always a negligent driver which is the cause of a fatal traffic collision, but sometimes other factors such the road itself. I was saddened to learn of a fatal single car accident which occurred last night, about 40 miles north of DFW in Leonard in Fannin County.

Brandon Richards (19, of Dodd City) was driving the car as it crested a hill and became airborne. According to the police investigation of the crash scene, Richards then lost control of the vehicle which flipped and rolled over several times before coming to a stop. Both Richards and one of his passengers, Brian Hilliard (15) were taken to Parkland Hospital by helicopter with critical injuries. Their current conditions are unknown. The two other passengers in the car, Alexandria Hilliard (16) and Zachary Kelton (19, of Ector) were pronounced deceased at the site of the wreck.

My thoughts are with the families and friends of all of these young victims. This is a terrible tragedy which has occurred.

The crash happened on FM 896 which local residents describe as narrow and hilly. This latest disaster is the latest in a number of fatal accidents which have occurred in this same stretch of road. As a Texas car wreck wrongful death attorney, I hope that the local authorities in Leonard are prompted by this seriously poor record to review the allegedly hazardous road conditions where this wreck occurred and take whatever action is necessary to ensure that more lives are not needlessly lost.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth motorcycle accident & injury attorney, I know that motorcyclists are the most vulnerable motorists on our road, and the most likely to suffer life-threatening injuries in the event of a highway collision. Such accidents are rarely the fault of the bike rider. Rather, it is the fault of truck and car drivers who fail to give motorcyclists the respect they deserve to the point of negligence.

I am greatly saddened to hear that Jason Wakeford (30), a motorcyclist from Keller, Texas, was killed in a traffic wreck in far north Tarrant County in the early hours of yesterday morning. A Jeep being driven by a suspected drunk driver, Cristan Jerri Melancon (18), also from Keller, turned on to Wall Price Road and crashed into Mr. Wakeford’s bike. Mr. Wakeford was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries shortly afterwards. Ms. Melancon is being held at Tarrant County Jail on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter. She was uninjured in the crash.

The poor judgment – or rather, inexcusably bad decisions – by drivers who decide to get behind the wheel after drinking causes a great many deaths in the DFW metroplex each year. It seems that not a week goes by without another fatal alcohol-related car wreck. It genuinely makes me angry. There is no excuse to attempt to drive if you’ve been drinking. I hope that Ms. Melancon receives the harshest punishment for her crime and the devastation she is responsible for in causing this fatal accident.

My thoughts go out to the friends and family of Mr. Wakeford. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Although I have practiced personal injury law in the DFW area for 20 years, I am always upset to learn that someone has lost their life in a car crash. Wrecks happen every day, of course, but we should not forget that these are people who have lost their lives. They leave behind many loved ones who must now move on without them.

One such tragedy occurred on FM 1417 on Thursday night. Taylor Williams, 17 from Sherman, Texas, was killed in a traffic collision. She was a passenger in a car which was t-boned by a pickup truck. Police say that Williams died at the scene. One other girl who was riding in the vehicle was careflighted to a hospital in Dallas. The driver of the car, another passenger and the driver of the pickup truck were also all taken to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Police are still investigating the conditions that caused the fatal accident to occur.

I would like to offer my condolences to Taylor’s friends and family. This is undoubtedly a most difficult time for you all. My thoughts are with you.

As a Richardson personal injury lawyer, I know that distracted driving accidents are on the rise. Although texting while driving is by far the highest contributing factor, other common examples include eating while driving or having a loose pet in the vehicle with you, as is the case in a tragic hit and run accident which occurred in Richardson yesterday, seriously injuring a child pedestrian.

An 11 year old boy was hit by a vehicle while playing on the sidewalk near his home in Richardson, Texas yesterday. The boy was riding a go-cart near the intersection of Twilight Trail and Floyd Road when a dark-colored sports utility vehicle mounted the curb and struck him. According to witnesses, the SUV (possibly a Toyota 4Runner) was either black or dark blue and was driven by a woman who had a small white dog on her lap. The boy, who has not been named, was rushed to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas where he received surgery for his serious head injuries suffered in the collision.

The distracted driver apparently fled the scene in her vehicle, leaving the injured child lying at the side of the road, witnesses said. Police are now looking for her as she could face hit and run charges for failing to stop and render aid. I sure hope the police are able to find this woman is caught and prosecuted for her crime.

If you or a loved one has been injured in any kind of traffic accident, whether you were a driver, passenger or pedestrian, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical costs and other expenses related to the crash. For a free consultation on your personal situation call a DFW personal injury attorney toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or locally at 214-327-800 in Dallas or 817-294-1900 in Fort Worth.

In Texas, most people over the age of 18 probably get behind the wheel of a car every day and over time, driving to and from places feels like second nature. If you’ve driven a number of years in Dallas or Fort Worth and haven’t gotten into an accident, you may take more risks while driving like talking or texting on your cell phone, eating, putting on makeup or messing with your iPod. As a personal injury lawyer in Fort Worth, I know that no matter how many years you’ve been driving in Texas, failing to give your full attention to the road can be deadly for yourself and the other drivers around you.

Just last week, a Burleson car accident caused by driver inattention killed a newborn baby boy. Kayla Roberts of Cleburne was driving along FM 1902 in Burleson when Daniel McWhorter crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with Roberts’ truck. Roberts’ was air lifted to a hospital in Fort Worth where she delivered her baby, Adam Roberts. The baby was pronounced dead the next day.

This accident is truly upsetting because it has affected the lives of such young people -not only the baby boy, but also 18-year-old Daniel, who caused the accident. Police said alcohol, drugs or cell phones weren’t the cause of the accident, just a driver not paying attention. Now Daniel must live with this on his conscious for the rest of his life.

If we’re being honest, I’m sure everyone can admit that they’ve been a distracted driver at some time or another in their life. But when I read about accidents like this, it reminds me that my full attention always needs to be on the road. Preventing distracted driving is a cause me and my personal injury law firm are very serious about. We especially want to stop young distracted drivers the most, so we’ve created a program called Teens Against Distracted Driving. Too many young people have been taken from this world in distracted driving car accidents. These car wrecks don’t have to happen – take our pledge to become a safer driver.

A charter bus owned by Dallas-based Mares Bus Lines swerved off the road and flipped in San Marcos early Friday morning, sending all 21 passengers and the driver to the hospital. Although there were no fatalities in the charter bus crash, the severest injury belonged to a 4-year-old girl who had to have her leg amputated. Other injuries from the bus wreck ranged from head trauma and broken bones to cuts and bruises; one woman even had to be put on life support.

The bus was heading to Dallas from Laredo on I-35, when investigators said the driver over-corrected and flipped the bus. The bus wreck blocked the highway on both the north and southbound lanes near San Marcos for several hours.

Investigators don’t believe there were any mechanical issues that led to the accident. The Dallas company who owns the charter bus, Mares Bus Lines, has had five violations for unsafe driving and 12 violations for driver fatigue in the past two years according to the Department of Transportation. Six months ago, another bus in the company’s fleet was involved in a wreck that injured three people.

My background as a Fort Worth personal injury attorney and bus accident lawyer tells me that bus wrecks like this usually don’t end well. When I read this headline I was actually surprised and thankful that more people weren’t seriously injured. I’m left wondering, what happened to cause the accident? The spokesperson for the Dallas bus company said that although they have had minor incidents in the past, they’ve received favorable ratings and the bus driver involved in this wreck has not every had any problems. But I did a little digging on this charter bus company in records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and in the last two years, their bus drivers have received five violations for unsafe driving and 12 violations for driver fatigue. Was this accident caused by a bus driver falling asleep at the wheel? All the signs are there that it could’ve been: it was 4 a.m. and the driver veered off the road although there was no obstruction that would have made him do that.

If the bus accident was caused by driver fatigue, these bus passengers could file a personal injury claim for their damages. Bus companies and their drivers must adhere to certain driving rules and are held to a higher standard than regular motorists. Driving more than the mandated hours allowed is a clear sign of negligence and if investigators find that this bus driver did violate those driving rules, the passengers injured in this wreck would definitely have a right to pursue a claim against the bus line. For more information on how to get a personal injury claim started, visit my website where you can learn all you need to know on the ins and outs of making a claim.
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This commentary was provided by accident and injury attorney, Mark Anderson. If you’ve been injured in a car, truck or bus accident in the Dallas Fort Worth area, call the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 for a free case review. Our injury lawyers can help get you the compensation you deserve for you accident injuries.

It’s a good day for America, everybody! The US House of Representatives has introduced a bill designed to prohibit texting while driving nationwide. This is especially good for Texans as it means distracted driving could be outlawed despite Rick Perry’s backwards philosophy. As a Fort Worth accident and injury lawyer, I think this is great news. Car wrecks caused by drivers who were using a handheld cellphone are on the rise and studies have proven the bad habit is just as dangerous as drunk driving.

According to the Transportation department, more than 5,400 fatalities were attributed to traffic collisions where distracted driving was a factor, so it is extremely encouraging to see that some lawmakers are taking the epidemic as seriously as it deserves. The so-called Safe Drivers Act of 2011 will enforce the ban thanks to an inspiring clause which threatens to withhold 25 percent of a state’s federal highway funding if the state does not enforce the law. I think that demonstrates loud and clear just how serious distracted driving is and that it is unfortunately a much-needed law which has the very real potential to save lives.

Mark Anderson is a board certified personal injury and wrongful death attorney who has been helping car crash victims throughout Tarrant County and across the DFW Metroplex since 1991. The Anderson Law Firm is the proud sponsor of Teens Against Distracted Driving (TADD); an organization which educates high school aged student of the dangers of texting while behind the wheel.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, call for a free consultation at 817-294-1900.

Every car crash I’ve seen in the past 20 years as a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer has been preventable. They might be accidents, but someone is always at fault. People don’t intentionally get into a wreck, but through some act of negligence – no matter how small – someone is responsible. The five most common causes of wrecks in Texas include speeding, right-of-way violations, driving while intoxicated, disregarding traffic signals and tailgating. In each and every one of these cases the negligent driver should know better and realize the danger that they pose both to themselves and anyone else who is unfortunate enough to be on the road at the same time as them.

However, a special category of hate is reserved for those idiots who make the incredibly poor decision to get behind the wheel after they’ve been drinking. I’d wonder what on Earth they were thinking, but that’s the whole problem: they weren’t thinking at all. Some good news has (finally) come out of the recent Texas legislative session; drivers guilty of intoxication assault now will face harsher punishments. Good enough for them.

The Abdallah Khader Law (House Bill 1109) is named after a five year-old child left severely brain damaged after a repeat drunk driving offender, Stewart Richardson of Arlington, collided with the Khader family’s car. The law means that for certain offenses the prison time will double. The maximum penalty for drivers who have left their victim in a vegetative state will jump up from 10 years imprisonment to 20 years.

This is great news. While, as a personal injury attorney, I am able to help auto accident victims recover the costs of their medical bills and other crash-related costs from the insurance company, I think it is incredibly important that the criminal law system suitably punishes those who caused the wreck in the first place. I hope that these stricter penalties will send a strong message to anyone contemplating making the worst mistake of their life.

It’s just a shame Rick Perry doesn’t see the very real hazard that texting while driving poses also.

Coming from a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, this may come as a shock to you but I want to put this piece of advice out there: you don’t need to hire a lawyer for all DFW car accidents. In fact, most car wreck insurance claims can be handled completely on your own. In minor car accidents and fender-benders, it’s perfectly fine to exchange insurance information and go through the claims process without hiring an accident attorney.

But when the car accidents is more serious in nature, say with thousands of dollars in medical bills things get tricky, especially if multiple insurance policies are involved. Oh yes, in Texas you can make a claim against multiple insurance policies if they are available, but you will probably be in need of a Board Certified personal injury attorney to help you.

At the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth, we handle claims against multiple insurance policies most commonly in the following scenarios:

• If you were injured at work by someone other than your employer or a colleague
• If you were hurt in a car accident and make a claim against the other driver’s auto liability insurance, but you also have personal injury protection (PIP) and/or uninsured motorist coverage
• Or if you were a passenger of a vehicle involved in a car accident where you can make a claim against the other driver’s insurance, your PIP/uninsured motorist protection and if you could also use the PIP of the driver of the vehicle in

Dealing with multiple insurance policies can become confusing quickly. It’s important that you have an accident attorney on your side that knows how to go after the right policies to ensure that you get fair compensation for your injuries.

If you think multiple insurance policies could come into play in your car accident claim, give the personal injury lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm a call at 817-294-1900. We’ll set up a free case consultation to go over all the facts of your accident and see what we can do to help.

On Wednesday, the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an earlier decision by Austin, Texas US District Judge Lee Yeakel concerning solicitation rules for chiropractors and personal injury lawyers, such as myself. The legal battle goes back to a law which was introduced in September 2009 which made it illegal for medical professionals to contact accident injury victims within the first 30 days following their accident. A Houston-based chiropractor filed a lawsuit to challenge the new regulation and in March 2010 the law was overturned under the ruling that it violated free speech rights. Back then, I said that I thought an appeal by the Texas Attorney General’s office was a necessity. To my mind, this is a reasonable restriction on free speech. Even though the most unethical attorneys and chiropractors engage in such shady habits, they give the wider community of decent professionals a bad reputation. We have all been tarnished by the “ambulance chaser” perception. Now that the earlier decision has been superseded the law is clear: you cannot contact car wreck survivors or relatives of deceased individuals until 30 days after the crash.

I think that is absolutely correct. Injured people need that time to properly recuperate. If you’ve been in a catastrophic accident which has potential life-changing consequences, you need time to get your head straight. The problem is that the law does nothing to prevent the at-fault driver’s insurance company from visiting you in your hospital room and coercing you into signing away your legal rights for a quick $4,000 check when your medical expenses will likely run in excess of $20,000 medical bill (not to mention all those lost wages, a totaled car, etc.) Tighter rules also need to be enforced to protect injured people from these ruthless insurance adjustors who consistently put profits above people.

My hope is that personal injury victims are smart enough to know how to protect themselves. You don’t need to sign anything the insurance adjustor gives you – in fact you’re not obliged to talk to them at all. You can refuse outright if you want. You have no legal right to discuss your case with them whatsoever. Of course, you can hire a PI lawyer to represent you immediately following your accident if you so wish. There are many lawyers situated throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. At the very least, you should get online and do some research into your rights so that you can confront the situation informed. My website is a comprehensive resource for you regardless of whether you’ve been injured in an auto collision, pedestrian accident, animal attack, or any other situation.

Please concentrate on getting well, but don’t be naïve. It’s important that you know your rights. If you decide that you would like to speak to a board certified attorney with 20 years’ experience, then you can give me a call at your convenience. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or call locally in Fort Worth at 817-29-1900 or Dallas 214-327-8000.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury attorney, I know that traffic wrecks can produce devastating and life-changing injuries. Sometimes they can be deadly. They are always preventable.

There is no more upsetting story than a fatal car crash, particularly when the person who loses their life is a kid. A deadly freeway collision occurred in Plano last night. 9-year-old Marcie Hooton from Carrollton was riding in a car with her mother and sister on State Highway 121 off southbound Sam Rayburn Tollway when they experienced engine trouble. Their stopped car was hit from behind by a tow truck, killing Marcie.

Marcie’s mother and sister were taken to the Medical Center of Plano. Both are expected to survive, both their conditions are described as serious. Frisco Police Sgt. Adam Henderson said it was not likely that charges would be brought against the driver of the tow truck sine he was neither impaired nor distracted at the time of the crash, according to the Dallas Morning News. The cause of the accident in still under investigation at this time.

Based on the initial report it seems spectacularly clear to me that the tow truck driver is clearly at fault for causing the wreck which led to the wrongful death of this young child. You don’t have to be drunk or texting behind the wheel to be a negligent driver. Speeding, failure to observe the road ahead of you, and failure to act to prevent a collision are all negligent actions. In my mind the tow truck driver is certainly the one at fault in this tragic accident.

My thoughts are with the Hooton family and their friends at what must certainly be a most difficult time. I wish Marcie’s mother and sister and full and speedy recovery.


Mark Anderson, Personal Injury Lawyer. Toll free: 800-354-6275. Local: 214-327-8000.

Although there have been a spate of hit and run accidents across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex recently, I was particularly upset to hear of once such incident which occurred early Saturday morning in Grand Prairie. The victim was a three-year-old boy named Hiram Cobos Jr. The good news is that Hiram is reported to be recovering and is currently being treated in Cook Children’s Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit.

Hiram’s father, Hiram Sr., and mother, Connie Cobos, said that they were pulled over on Highway 360 close to Post and Paddock Lane because they had been experiencing engine trouble. As the family walked towards the frontage road a white two-door pick-up truck with an extended cab struck Hiram Jr., knocking him down. His father said the truck, believed to be either a GMC or Chevy, seemed to break momentarily following the collision, but did not stop. He ran after the truck but could not catch it. Hiram Jr. was rushed to hospital with a broken leg and swelling in the brain.

My thoughts are with the Cobos family at what must be a most difficult time, and I hope that young Harim will make a full recovery. As a father myself, I cannot even imagine what emotional turmoil Harim’s parents must be going through right now. It doesn’t even bear thinking about. As for the driver that knocked down the 3 year old, I am utterly disgusted. While most accidents are preventable, they do still happen, but fleeing the scene as this driver did is unbelievably cowardly. I cannot begin to fathom what sort of person would knock down a young child and just keep on driving. Please, if you believe you have any information regarding this hit-and-run, I urge you to contact Grand Prairie Police Department on 972-237-8790.

Yesterday afternoon, an SUV rear-ended a school bus on Fort Worth Highway in Weatherford, Texas. By all accounts the wreck was certainly dramatic. The driver of the car, Becky Clark, had to be rescued from her vehicle which was wedged beneath the back of the bus. She was rushed to John Peter Smith Hospital in Ft. Worth and is currently reported to be in fair condition. Two students were injured as they exited the bus and were taken to Weatherford Regional Medical Clinic as a precaution but have since been released to their parents and were fortunately well enough to attend school today. The 47 other students from Boase Ikard Elementary School aboard the bus reported no injuries.

A press release from Weatherford ISD stated that the school bus was propelled forwards 15-20 feet due to the impact of the collision. Immediately following the crash, the driver of the bus thought she saw smoke and ordered an emergency evacuation of the bus. Weatherford ISD Superintendant, Dr. Deborah Cron, has applauded the quick thinking and responsible actions of the Durham School Services’ bus driver and I would absolutely have to echo her praise.

As a father, hearing news of an accident involving kids or a school bus always makes my heart leap up into my throat. We should all be thankful that none of the children on the bus were seriously harmed. I also hope that Ms. Clark makes a full and speedy recovery. Although the cause of the crash is not yet known, it should certainly give us all cause to pause for thought and remember the importance of basic safe driving practices such as focusing our attention on the road ahead and being aware of our surroundings.

Remember as well that it is illegal to pass a school bus which stops to pick up or drop off passengers. This law applies to drivers approaching from either direction. You must wait for the bus to pull off again unless the driver signals it is okay to pass or turns off his stop signals.

Information and commentary provided by Mark Anderson, Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer.

A drunken driving suspect was arrested Sunday evening after she crashed into a concrete pillar Sunday evening in South Dallas, injuring four children in the vehicle. Shirley Ann Alfaro, 27, of Dallas was being held in the Dallas County Jail on four counts of intoxication assault. She also lacked a driver's license. Her bail has not been set. The crash happened around 6 p.m. as the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban sped north on César Chávez Boulevard near Grand Avenue. There were five children, ages 3 to 11, in the back of the SUV and a man in the front passenger seat. It's unclear still how the children were related to the suspect.

Four of the children were taken to Children's Medical Center Dallas; two were in critical condition and two were in serious condition Sunday night. The fifth child, age 3, wasn't hurt. The woman's 33-year-old boyfriend was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital with unknown injuries.

I hope these innocent children are able to heal quickly 100 percent. This is the second wreck within a week that an irresponsible adult was driving and injured children in Dallas. Here is some advice I have if anyone is unclear about drinking and driving. DON’T DO IT! There are more than 12,000 fatalities annually due to drunk driving, and many more accidents and injuries. Additionally 50 percent of accidents that happen during the weekend are alcohol related. If you are going to drink, please do not drive.

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

Everyday there are numerous car accidents in Fort Worth. Chances are you are reading this because you yourself are the victim of a vehicle wreck and you are taking the first step of looking for a reputable lawyer in Fort Worth. There are a few points one needs to consider before their case is turned over to an attorney.

Look for a specialist. This is very important because you do not want to get a lawyer who thinks he knows everything about every law. If you were attacked by a dog would you hire a divorce attorney? No, that is ludicrous; you would hire a personal injury lawyer. Look for the right lawyer for your case.

Look for a Board Certified Lawyer. What is a Board Certified Lawyer? It is an attorney who has meet rigorous, objective standards and has demonstrated knowledge in a specialized field. In Texas there are over 80,000 lawyers and about two percent of those are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law.

Look for an attorney that you are comfortable with. I like to talk with my clients and make sure they are comfortable with me and I am comfortable with them. Typically you only have one shot at hiring an attorney. I challenge you to do your homework, simply reading billboards or looking at yellow pages does not give you the information about the lawyer that will be representing you.

Information is provided by Board Certified Fort Worth Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached at 817-294-1900. If you have any questions about hiring the right lawyer, please fill out our contact form online or call for a free consultation.

As a father and Child Injury Attorney at Anderson Law Firm one of the toughest things I deal with on an almost daily basis is child injury accidents. As parents we are always concerned about the safety of our children when they are not in our care. With the recent beginning of a new school year, thousands of kids all over the country are embarking on the old tradition of walking to school.

I wanted to share with you some information I found recently in an article titled, “Back to School in Kansas City: Child Pedestrian Safety Tips for a Safe and Happy School Year”. It’s written by James Roswold, a Personal Injury Attorney at Roswold Law Group in Kansas City, Missouri.

Before you let your kids go walking to school by themselves, sit down with them and go over these helpful tips that will make them more aware of what to do when making that trek every morning and afternoon.

Make sure they know the number one rule, which is to always look both ways before they cross. Teach them to look left-right-left and to always be aware of any traffic on the road. Next, make sure they always walk on the sidewalk. If there isn’t a sidewalk on their route, teach them to walk on the left hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic.

Everyone should always cross streets at designated crosswalks and pedestrian crossings. This goes especially for our children. See to it that they know to follow the rules of traffic signals and signs and always pay attention to their neighborhood crossing guard.
The best way to cement these rules into your school aged child is to walk to school with them the first few times and set a good example of pedestrian safety.

If you have a child who has suffered a serious injury in an accident in the Dallas or Fort Worth Area, call my office immediately. Anderson Law Firm has over 19 years of experience in Child Injury Accident cases.

Two children were hurt in a wreck involving ejected people on U.S. 287 Thursday morning in northwest Fort Worth. The children went to Cook’s Children Medical Center and two adults were also taken to other area hospitals.

Police and ambulance crews responded at about 8:35 a.m. to the wreck in the 12100 block of U.S. 287. The area is a short distance northwest of the highway's intersection with Blue Mound Road. There have been no further reports about the extent of injuries.

It is important to remember that most of these motor vehicle accidents happen because a driver make reckless mistakes, like not paying attention. I also hope that everyone was wearing a seatbelt, because that could make the injuries far less severe. Among fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants, more than half (55%) of those killed in 2008 were unrestrained. I hope everyone involved in this accident is okay, and I hope that they can figure out what the cause was.

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 concerning 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.

Police say that wearing seat belts may have prevented serious injury in a van wreck involving children. The Children’s Academy Daycare van was on Highway 360 Monday morning when the brakes locked.

The van tumbled down an embankment on Highway 360 and hit a sign. The six kids and the driver suffered cuts and bruises and were taken to the hospital to be checked out, but wearing a seat belt likely protected them from any severe injury.

These are the blogs I love writing about because it shows the good that can happen when you follow the rules of the road. Wearing a seat belt is important, especially since, among fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants, more than half of those killed in 2008 were unrestrained. Putting on a safety belt is a simple action that could save your life, so suck it up and buckle up. You won’t regret it.

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.

With the enactment of the new booster seat law, many low-income parents are worried about how they can afford booster seats in their cars for kids up to 8 years old. These booster seats will help prevent injury in the case of a car accident. For parents who can't afford a booster seat, the Texas Department of Health Services gives away free car seats to low-income families through its Safe Riders program.

In the past four months, Safe Riders has given away 540 booster seats and 2,613 car seats to parents across the state. The program has distributed an additional 5,000 car seats to be given out at events around the state.

This is such a great way to ensure that all kids ride safe while in a motor vehicle. It would be hard for all families to obey the law, because some families are unable to purchase a car or booster seat with the income they make. It is estimated that approximately 47 percent of the fatally injured children in the 0 through 9 years old are generally unrestrained. I think it is a great program that is watching out for the safety of children from all types of families, which is always important. Not only will these families follow the law, they will help protect their kids from serious injury.

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 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.

The Food and Drug Administration has recalled over 40 medications for children earlier this week. The list includes Children’s Zyrtec, Benadryl, Motrin, and Tylenol. The FDA said that they are not too concerned with serious side effects occurring from the recall; however, they do recommend that any medication that is on the recalled list be stopped immediately.

The FDA also said that there are generics for almost all of the medications, so children will not have to go without their meds. The issue with the medications is that they may contain too much of an active ingredient, or may not meet quality control standards.

As always, it is important for parents to stay up to date with children’s products that are being recalled. Just last week hundreds of thousands of Graco and Simplicity cribs were recalled for children. It is important when picking out toys or other equipment for your child that you always research toys before you buy.

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 questions about a personal injury or car accident case, please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall on Simplicity and Graco cribs saying that there is a risk that infants could suffocate or be strangled while in the cribs. The CPSC released the recall this morning.

The Graco recall is for approximately 217,000 cribs. The recall is associated with a “drop side” that can break or detach, causing a dangerous gap between the mattress and crib. There have been 99 complaints about problems with the “drop side” portion of the cribs.

The Simplicity recall is for all full sized cribs with tubular metal mattress support frames. There is a problem with the frame that can cause the mattress to collapse, and the baby could end up being trapped or suffocate in the mattress. There has been one death from this issue with the Simplicity cribs.

It is very important that parents stay up to date with the latest list of safety recalls released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Anderson Law Firm has several resources on what to look for when purchasing toys for your child and child injuries that can be attributed to recalls.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. Mark can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If your child has been injured and you have questions about their injury please fill out our contact form online 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.

Brianna Munez, age 4, and her sister, Deanna Mata, age 2 are the latest victims of drunk driving in our community. The accident happened early Saturday morning in Southeast Fort Worth at Mitchell Blvd.

The Fort Worth Police Department reported that a red Dodge pickup crashed with a Ford Taurus in an intersection. It is unclear whether the pickup ran a stop sign, as the Taurus had the right of way.

The driver of the Taurus was 18-year-old David Whitworth, who was charged with DWI with a child. The driver of the pickup, David Clark, was also driving under the influence and was charged with 2 accounts of intoxication manslaughter and 3 charges of intoxication assault.

It is absolutely horrible to hear about 2 young children being the victims of drunk driving. How irresponsible to endanger the lives of two innocent children who had no say in whether or not they were going to be passengers in the car. It is very unusual to hear about both drivers involved in the car accident being under the influence.

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. Drunk Driving is a factor in over 45% of the car accidents that occur on Texas roads.

Information and commentary provided by DFW 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. For a free consultation with the Anderson Law Firm please fill out our contact form online.

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.

On Wednesday afternoon, 15 year old Anquanette Patterson was tragically killed by being hit by the school bus she rides home from school each day. Patterson was a student at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas.

The bus accident occurred when school bus driver, Eddie Farrell, stopped the bus because two boys had gotten into a fight. Farrell soon realized that a passenger was riding on the bus that had lost bus privileges due to discipline problems so he stopped the bus and ordered the boys to leave.

After the two boys left the bus, Farrell resumed the bus ride home when Anquanette ran to the front of the bus and demanded that the driver stop. In the process she pushed on the doors of the school bus and fell to the pavement where she was run over by the bus. She was brought to Medical City Dallas, though it is suspected that she died on impact.

A Facebook memorial page had almost 500 members late Thursday night. My deepest sympathy goes out to family and friends of Patterson. It is absolutely tragic to hear about the loss of such a young life.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 16 fatal bus accidents happened in Texas in 2008, and from those 16 accidents 36 deaths occurred. We can never be too careful about keeping students safe when riding home from school. My heart goes out to the Patterson family during this time of grieving.

Information provided by DFW Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

In October and November 2008 I blogged here and here about a Euless, TX mom who drove drunk and crashed her SUV injuring eight teenagers, including two of her own children. Brenda Rogers was sentenced Friday and taken into custody for the drunk driving car accident that send eight teenagers aged 14 and 15, including her twin daughters.

Rogers pled guilty to charges of driving while intoxicated with a child, endangering a child, and injury to a child. She is now serving a two-year sentence and will have to serve five years probation after she is released from jail. Rogers had been free on $20,000 bail since shortly after her arrest on November 6, 2008. Her blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was 0.13. The legal limit in Texas is 0.08.

I am glad to hear that this mom is getting punished. She put the lives of eight young people at risk. She deserves punishment. Drunk driving is never OK, but when you do it with kids in the car it is especially aggravating.

Information provided by Tarrant County DWI Accident Victim Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 817-294-1900 or by clicking here.

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.

A tragic New Year’s Day automobile accident left three teenagers dead and three other teenagers, including the driver, injured and in the hospital. Killed immediately upon impact were Adrian Alvarez, 18, and Fernando Cuevas, 19. Another teen died after being airlifted to Methodist Medical Center of Dallas. Of the injured, a 16 year old girl was ejected from the vehicle and a 17 year old girl suffered a broken leg and is being treated at Denton Regional Medical Center.

According to Denton Police, speed was a major factor in this accident. A policeman had just clocked the car going 78 mph and skid marks indicate the sedan was going close to 100 mph when the driver lost control and hit a barrier on North Loop 288.

To make matters worse, it looks like alcohol may have played a factor, as there were alcoholic beverages in the car and officers noted the smell of alcohol. I don't know if the driver was legally intoxicated but we do know that laws were broken since Texas law requires one to be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol and the driver and all passengers were teenagers. Each year, there are around 1,400 people killed in Texas due to drunk driving.

This is an absolutely horrible wreck. Three teenagers with there entire lives ahead of them--all now victims of another preventable car accident. This wreck had the lethal combination of youth, speed and alcohol. This is a parent’s worst nightmare. My deepest condolences go out to the victims families. I wish them strength during this very trying time.

Information provided by Texas Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, 1-877-294-1115. With offices in Fort Worth and Dallas, The Anderson Law Firm represents accident victims all over the North Texas area.

In a tragic accident Tuesday afternoon, 16-year-old Robert Tucker of Richardson died when his friend lost control of the truck he was driving. The truck rolled over and hit a tree, killing Tucker and injuring three other teens.

The driver of the truck was speeding in the 600 block of South Plano Road in Richardson when he lost control. Tucker was pronounced dead at the scene.

More than 5,000 teens die in car accidents every year. Experts say excessive speed, as in this case, and driver distraction and inexperience are often major contributing factors to these deaths. It is so tempting to speed when you are a teenager, but bad things happen when teens speed.

I feel very sorry for the family and friends of Robert Tucker. To lose a child or a friend anytime is just horrible, but especially at this time of year.

Information provided by Dallas Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 214-327-8000 or toll free at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

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.

A toddler died at the hospital Sunday after his older sister backed up the family’s SUV without realizing the child was there.

The 17-year-old older sister was leaving for the grocery store from their Oak Cliff apartment complex home on North Marsalis Avenue. She didn’t realize her 18 month brother had wandered behind the vehicle. Police say they do not expect to file charges against the sister.

This is such a terrible accident. My heart goes out to the family of this tragedy. According to safety advocates, two children are killed every week in this type of accident, mostly involving children younger than two-years-old and adults driving large SUVs. Back up cameras help in these situations, but nothing is better than another adult watching out for the kids while the car is backing up.

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

Lerado is issuing a recall of certain Mia Moda child restraint seats. The Viva and Viva Supreme models are affected in the recall. Lerado will notify registered owners of the seats and is offering a full refund.

There are a couple of problems with the seats. The harness splitter plate, located on the rear of the seat, has sharp edges that can cut the harness and leave the child unrestrained. Also, the base of the seat could crack in a crash.

We all know how important it is to secure young children in safety seats. In fact, the Texas Legislature just tightened up on the child safety seat laws, which I blogged about here. That is why it’s so important to make sure the seats we do use are working correctly.

For more detailed information about the seats affected in the recall, click here.

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.

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.

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.

Here is a news story about a really bad traffic accident which could have been prevented in so many ways. A day care van ran a red light Monday morning causing an accident that sent 13 children to the hospital. The driver of the Kids Clubhouse day care van did not have a license, and there were 20 children in a vehicle meant to hold 14, according to police.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Mayfield Road and Great Southwest Parkway in Grand Prairie. 20-year-old Karissa Acosta was driving the van west on Mayfield when she swerved around another car waiting at a red light, ran the light, then was struck by an SUV. The collision caused the van to roll over onto its side. The driver of the SUV, who also did not have a license, and two small children passengers were hospitalized as well.

The children in the van were not wearing seat belts, and police said Acosta will face charges for not requiring them to buckle up, as well as multiple traffic violations. Although none of the children's injuries were life threatening, some were quite serious; one child had to undergo surgery for a broken leg.

I feel bad for all the injured kiddos and their families. They trusted the day care center to take care of their kids and it simply did not. There is no way in the world that a day care center should allow an unlicensed driver to operate a van. There should be checks to ensure a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. And no seat belts? That is ridiculous. The day care center should have had another employee riding along as a monitor to make sure the kids were buckled up. And then we have the over the limit issue. There is a reason that vans have passenger limits. There are only so many seat belts in a van. Here, there were 20 kids in a 14 passenger van. Again, that is ridiculous. And then we have the reckless driving of the van driver. When one is transporting 20 children, one must take extra precaution to drive safely. Running a red light while transporting children is extremely reckless.

Clearly, the day care center has a big liability problem here. I sure hope they have enough insurance to cover all of the expenses incurred by all of these families. While all accidents involving innocent children are tragic, this one is especially aggravating as it was easily preventable.

Information provided by Mark A. Anderson, Dallas/Fort Worth Injury Lawyer, 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 school bus and an SUV were involved in an accident yesterday morning in Mansfield, Texas. Both drivers were taken to the hospital, but thankfully no children were hurt.

The wreck happened early Saturday morning at Debbie Lane and Highway 157 in Mansfield. The driver of the Ford Explorer was taken by air ambulance to the hospital. The bus driver went to the hospital in an ambulance. There were two children on the bus at the time.

I hate to see school bus crashes. Because the buses are so large, the injuries sustained in these wrecks can after time be very serious. Plus, there is the fact that children are usually in the buses (such as in this case). These two child passengers do not appear to be injured, which is great news.

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.

Five people died in a car crash Wednesday near Pampa, Texas. 14-year-old Aime Banuelos was driving the van that crossed the center line on Texas 70 and collided with a truck hauling oversize machinery.

The only survivor of the crash was 5-year-old Celeste Espitia, who was taken to a nearby Amarillo hospital. Aime Banuelos, 15-year-old Juan Banuelos, 16-year-old Jeff Pace, 46-year-old Teresa Martinez, and 74-year-old Estafana Cortez-Rosales were all killed in the car accident. The truck driver was not injured.

Why was a fourteen year old driving this van? The current law in Texas requires a person to be 16 in order to obtain a license. While a learner’s permit or a hardship license can be obtained at age 15, there are no licenses available for a fourteen year old.

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

Dozens of new laws go into effect today across Texas. Please take note of some of the changes and make sure you are still driving safely and in compliance with these new rules.

Starting today, all occupants in a vehicle must wear seat belts, no matter how old they are or where they’re sitting in the car. It is important to take note of this change because adults sitting in the backseat could previously choose not to wear a seat belt. Now, everyone must do so.

Several changes in child safety laws went into effect today as well. A motorcycle rider cannot have a passenger on his or her bike under the age of 5 unless the child is seated in a sidecar attached to the motorcycle. You don’t see many motorcycle sidecars these days; I wonder if this law will change that?

The law has also changed for small children in the car. Now, all children younger than 8 years must sit in an approved child safety seat. Children under age 8 but who are at least 4’9” are exempt from this rule. Although the law goes into effect today, police officers cannot issue citations for violations until June 1, 2010, so you have plenty of time to find the right seat for your child. The law also creates a new court cost for conviction of this offense which will go toward buying safety seats for low income families. Although some parents might see this law as a pain, remember that securing a child in a safety seat can be the difference between life and death in an auto accident.

Information 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.

Dallas police arrested a 39-year-old woman Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated with a child passenger and endangering a child. A DWI with child passenger is always a felony offense.

Maria Elizabeth Rendon was arrested on Webb Chapel Extension near Love Field in Dallas, Texas after repeatedly ramming her car into another vehicle. Although the police did not report why, they did note there was an unused child safety seat in the back of Rendon’s car, and her 11-month-old grandchild was sitting beside her in the front seat. In Texas, it is illegal for a child under age five and less than 36 inches tall to ride in a vehicle without a safety seat. Not only could Rendon have caused a drunk driving accident, but she put a child in danger of injury as well.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at 817-294-1900 or by clicking here.

As children across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex go back to school this week, there are some important safety factors to remember when driving in school zones.

Use of hand-held cell phones is now banned in school zones across Texas. This means no calls and no texting. Texas implemented this ban in the hopes of reducing car accidents and injuries to children. While the ban will not go into effect until September 1, signs displaying the new rule are already appearing in many local school zones. Violators will face a citation with a $50.00 fine.

There are some exceptions to the new ban, however. Hands-free phones are still allowed, and a stopped vehicle may use a hand-held cell phone. Emergency calls are, of course, exempt from the ban.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at 817-294-1900 or by clicking here.

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.

The House and Senate are working on presenting a bill to Gov. Rick Perry which, if passed, would require children to ride in car-seats until they are at least 4-foot-9 or 8 years old.

Currently, the law requires children to be 5 years old and/or more than 3 feet tall. The number of deaths and injuries to children from car wrecks are a huge problem in Texas. In fact, lawmakers say motor-vehicle accidents are one of the main causes of child fatalities.

At first glance, the bill seems like a no-brainer, but it does present problems for those with many children. People with multiple children under 8-years-old may have to go out and buy more booster seats because their 6 or 7-year-olds have grown out of their chairs and passed them on to younger siblings. This is another expense in a tough economy.

Another problem the potential law presents is in carpooling instances. The new law would require every child in a vehicle under age 8 or under the height requirement to be strapped into a booster chair and circumstances don’t always allow for that—especially in emergency situations or when mothers give other children rides home from school.

Luckily, if the bill passes, there will be a 1-year warning period where tickets will not be administered. Then after June 1, 2010, the fine for violating the law will be 25 dollars.
Seatbelts are made for adults and requiring young children to stay in a car-seat longer is a much safer option. Lap belts ride up and shoulder belts can cut into a child’s neck and face in a car crash. Booster seats elevate small kids so that their stronger bones (like the collarbone and pelvis) are the ones the seatbelt targets in an accident.

If your child has suffered injuries in an auto-accident or other type of injury incident, please contact the Anderson Law Firm to learn how you can act as an advocate for a child.

The Texas House of Representatives has just approved a bill which would ban the use of handheld cell phones in school zones. It would allow the use of hands-free devices such as Bluetooth. The bill now moves to the Texas Senate.

I think this proposed law is great. I have blogged before when local municipalities passed similar laws how I thought it was a terrific idea. Some of the local cities to pass this law are Southlake, Dallas, Denton, Hurst, Flower Mound, University Park, Watauga, Irving, Duncanville and Rowlett. As we drive through school zones, we should not be distracted with a phone held up to our ear. Plus, these Bluetooth devices are very inexpensive and really make driving while you are talking safer. Keeping our kids safe should be our top priority. Let’s hope our Texas Senate and Governor go along with this bill.

For questions about injury law, feel free to contact Fort Worth Board Certified Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson at 817-294-1900. Or Contact Us Online.

To order a free copy of 15 Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Texas Accident Case, click here.

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.