Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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.

While Dallas-Fort Worth has yet to experience ice and snow like we did during Superbowl week last year, other parts of the country have been hard hit by adverse weather conditions which makes the simple act of driving down the street extremely dangerous. As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I know that auto accidents caused by icy roads can result in serious bodily injuries and property damage.

Check out this viral video of cars attempting to drive down a snow-covered residential street in Bountiful, Utah (just north of Salt Lake City). Be warned though, it’s nail-biting stuff as vehicle spin out of control, slide sideways along the roadway and either crash or narrowly avoid a collision:

Just in case North Texas is suddenly subjected to similar conditions as last February, here are some quick tips for driving in snow and ice:

• If you can avoid driving, then don’t do it. Stay home. Stay warm. Stay safe.
• Be prepared before you go out. Make sure your car battery is in good condition and that all your engine fluids are full. Also be sure that you have plenty of gas in the tank as it will take you longer than usual to reach your destination – and you’re going to need the heat on.
• Drive slowly. You never know when you’re going to hit a patch of ice which will send you spinning.
• Pay attention to hazards up ahead. Since slamming on your brakes on a snowy road will undoubtedly make you lose control of your vehicle, it’s more important than ever to watch out for potential obstacles and slow cautiously in plenty of time.

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.

As a Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death attorney, I often hear stories of pedestrian who have either been serious wounded or otherwise outright killed after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on DFW roads. Whenever a local police force appeals for information from the public in an attempt to identify and located a hit and run motorist, I try to help out by spreading the word on my blogs as well as on my Facebook and Twitter accounts. The point is that hit-and-run drivers might flee the crash scene, but they will be tracked down and brought to justice. If they have insurance then their victim (or the victim’s family) is able to make a claim for compensation to cover the medical bills and other costs related to the wreck.

I wanted to share good news of a successful Texas hit and run investigation which was recently concluded in Houston. Last Monday night, a bicycle rider was hit by a drunk van driver who sped away from the scene. The cyclist died at the scene. Fortunately, however, the investigating offer recovered the van’s license plate which fell off in the collision. Police tracked the vehicle to its registered owner, who told them a friend had borrowed it. Officers found the suspect at his home with the keys to the vehicle on his person. He was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and failing to stop and render aid after an accident.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligent actions of a hit and run driver, it is important that you are aware that you do have legal rights. Even if the police are unable to find the guilty party, you may still be able to recover compensation. To find out more, call our auto accident attorneys today. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

Yesterday, Arlington Police Department announced that just four people have been cited for texting while driving since the city’s introduced a ban last November to make the hazardous habit illegal. As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, I expect that there are countless other motorists who have similarly broken the law without being caught. Arlington PD need to step up their enforcement of this ban in order to make people realize just how dangerous distracted driving really is.

Also yesterday, Facebook announced that 2013 Mercedes-Benz vehicles will come preloaded with an app for the popular social media site. According to their press release the app will be accessible form the car’s dashboard color screen and will be GPS-enabled to allow drivers to find nearby attractions and friends. As if there weren’t enough distractions for motorists already! This is just too much. When you’re sitting in the driver’s seat, your entire focus should be on operating your vehicle safely. If you’re using Facebook or any other app, that means you are taking your attention off the road ahead and are seriously jeopardizing the safety of everyone else who is driving around you.

I’ve been a personal injury and wrongful death attorney for over 20 years now. I’ve seen firsthand the incredibly serious car wrecks which have been caused by people who talk or text behind from the wheel. Unfortunately, it seems that when it comes to society at large realizing just how fatal distracted driving can be, it’s a matter of one step forward, two steps back.

Since it’s a new year, I’d like to ask you all who haven’t already to sign the pledge that you will not text while driving in 2012 or ever again. Help me spread the word and I’ll help you keep this resolution by sending you a bracelet to wear so you can constantly be reminded of the promise you made. By giving up texting while driving you could well save someone’s life – it could be your own.

Take the pledge here.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic crash caused by a distracted driver or any negligent motorist, call the Anderson Law Firm for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your case. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that some of the most serious auto accidents in DFW actually occur in parking lots. The reason is for this is because parking lot collisions aren’t necessarily multi-vehicle crashes, but more often car-versus-pedestrian wrecks. Pedestrians, of course, don’t have any form of protection, so when they’re hit by a sedan or SUV even at very low speeds, they are inevitably going to suffer extremely severe injuries.

Yesterday morning, a bizarre parking lot wreck occurred in Wellesley, Massachusetts. An unnamed driver was pulling into his parking space outside his workplace when he accidently pressed down on the gas pedal instead of the brake. The sudden acceleration launches his car over the curb and into an adjacent parking structure – landing on top of another vehicle. Check out this video of emergency responders examining the aftermath of this wreck:



Wellesley Police cited the at-fault motorist for failure to use care when stopping. Fortunately, the other vehicle was already unoccupied and the negligent driver was not injured in the most unusual crash, however there will still be a property damage claim against the insurance company of the driver responsible for this wreck.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Texas traffic accident which was not your fault, it is important that you consult with a board certified personal injury or wrongful death attorney to make sure that your legal rights are protected. Failure to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve, could have disastrous financial consequences for you in the future.

To speak to a lawyer today, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I have helped thousands of auto accident victims throughout Texas since 1991. Car crashes are nearly always caused by a negligent driver. Sometimes the at-fault motorist was texting while driving, sometimes they were speeding, other times they were negligent because they following the vehicle in front far too closely. Early speculation assumed that last explanation was the initial trigger which led to a massive pile-up in Southeast Texas this morning.

It is estimated that more than 50 vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction wreck which occurred at approximately 5.30 am on Highway 73 near Port Arthur. Initial reports from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department said that more than 40 people were being treated following the collision, with injuries including broken bones, abrasions and trauma. Two individuals were rushed to hospital with critical injuries and one man suffered a heart attack.

The poor weather conditions around Port Arthur are being partly blamed for the accident as visibility was significantly compromised due to a combination of early morning fog and smoke from nearby wildfires. These conditions recalling the 34 vehicle wreck in England two months ago which killed seven people and injured 51 other. Fortunately, it does not appear that anybody was fatally wounded in today’s crash.

While it may be another couple of days before more concrete details of this morning’s tragedy come to light, I would encourage all those involved to seek legal advice from a board certified personal injury attorney as full as possible. Once fault is determined, you may be entitled to recover compensation from the insurance company to cover your property damage, medical expenses and other costs related to the accident.

Here at the Anderson Law Firm, we are happy to offer completely free, no obligation consultations to traffic wreck victims. To speak to a lawyer today, please call toll free at 800-354-6275.

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).

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

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

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

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

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

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I have a big problem with drunk drivers. I’ve seen firsthand the devastating damages these idiots have caused not just in terms of property damage which is itself expensive, but also the bodily injuries they cause their victims. Some are left with crippling wounds which they will suffer with the rest of their lives. Some require extensive surgery involving amputations. Some are killed outright, leaving their families left to mourn for that person they loved who died simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I have no respect for those people who ruin lives through the utterly selfish act of getting behind the wheel after indulging in alcohol. There is no excuse. Ever.

And while DWI wrecks are never a laughing matter, I can’t help but find some amusement in the case of the New York drunk driver who not only managed to collide with a Police Officer’s vehicle while intoxicated, but who also happened to be wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “I’m a drunk” at the time. Here’s a photo of him. His name is Kevin Daly, 23. He’s currently held on a $10,000 bail facing charges of DWI.

According to reports, the police office whose car he hit suffered only minor injuries. He’s lucky. I’ve seen many drunk driving cases where the results have been far worse. Let’s hope they make an example of this complete and utter idiot.

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.

Yesterday, the Mansfield News-Mirror ran a story about a local woman who suffered serious property damage to her car in a collision with an uninsured driver. Lauren Middleton, 22, was driving along FM 917 when an SUV pulled out of a gas station without looking. Miss Middleton tried to avoid a wreck, but the two vehicles did indeed crash. Neither of the drivers were injured, but Miss Middleton’s 2000 Pontiac Tans Am’s front driver’s side was smashed up bad.

It was then that Miss Middleton discovered the at-fault driver – an unidentified 20-year-old Alvarado man – didn’t have auto insurance. She called the police – who determined that it was the other motorist’s fault – but the uninsured driver got away with nothing more than a ticket, leaving Miss Middleton with a damaged vehicle she will now have to pay to repair out of her own pocket.

Unfortunately, this is a situation I see a lot as a Dallas-Fort Worth auto accident lawyer. Over the past few years, the number of uninsured drivers in North Texas has increased sharply due to the global recession. People are trying to find ways to save money and many of them are electing to drop their car insurance. While it might not seem so, Miss Middleton is actually very lucky that she suffered no injuries in this crash, otherwise she would be forced to may likely thousands of dollars in medical expenses out of her own pocket.

So what can drivers do to protect themselves from uninsured drivers? You need to make sure you insure yourself. State minimum insurance does nothing to protect your vehicle or yourself if you are injured. You should invest in collision coverage for your vehicle so that if you are hit by a negligent driver you can make a claim against your own insurance (and if the other driver does have insurance, your insurance company will then claim the money back from their provider). You should also invest in uninsured motorist coverage, which is an optional coverage offered by all insurance providers. This coverage will pay any medical costs, loss of income and other damages if you are seriously hurt and need hospitalization if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a multi-vehicle accident anywhere in the DFW metroplex, give me a call today for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. Call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or call locally at 817-294-1900.

Now that the cooler weather is upon us, the Dallas Cowboys are starting to play better and the Texas Rangers are in the World Series, tailgating is once again incredibly popular across in and around Arlington.

Unfortunately, another kind of tailgating – a much more dangerous kind – is also happening. Tailgating is the name given to the practice of driving dangerously close to another vehicle. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer I’ve handled a number of cases where a car wreck was caused by a tailgater. Sometimes they are motorcyclists, sometimes they are 18 wheeler truck drivers – but they are all extremely serious.

As stressful and annoying as it is to find another car riding your tail, it’s important to remember not to respond angrily. Do not “brake check” them as you’re almost certainly going to cause a potentially fatal accident. Whether they are deliberately tailgating or not, the best course of action is to just try to get out of their way. Let them pass you and get out of your way. Get yourself out of danger.

If you have been in a collision caused by an aggressive driver, then it’s important that you hire a board certified personal injury attorney as soon as possible who can build a case against this dangerous driver to make sure their insurance company pays you the full and fair compensation you deserve to cover any medical expenses you’ve incurred as well as recover any property damage costs. To talk to a lawyer today call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

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.

Once upon a time a young lady (let’s call her Alison) got in a nasty car wreck. She was driving west on I-20, heading from her home in Arlington to work in downtown Fort Worth. At the same time a negligent driver (let’s call her Rachel) was speeding down the highway in the same direction. Aside from speeding, Rachel was attempting to demonstrate that gift of womanhood: the ability to multitask.

Now, ladies, please don’t take this the wrong way, but no matter how much girl power you possess, multitasking while driving is a bad idea. I don’t care whether you’re texting with friends, munching on a croissant or applying lip gloss. Don’t do it while you’re in control of a moving vehicle. Please.

Anyway, long story short; Rachel’s car drifted into Alison’s lane, sending them both spinning out of control across the road and earning them both the week off work to recover in hospital. While Alison was lying there in her hospital bed she got a visit from a man in a suit, who was doing his best act as a fairy godmother. He offered Alison a check for $5,000, no questions asked so she can could get her car repaired, move on with her life "put this whole mess behind you.”

What did Alison do? She took the money and ran. Unfortunately, she didn’t take into consideration the fact that it would cost $7,000 not $5,000 to fix her car. Let alone the fact that she had a huge hospital bill arriving in the mail a month later. Before she knew it, Alison was swimming in debt all thanks to Rachel’s reckless actions.

So Alison visited a local personal injury attorney, begging him to take on her case and get her the money she needed – the money she was entitled to under Texas law. The problem was, there was nothing that lawyer could do for her. There was nothing any lawyer could do for her. When Alison accepted the insurance adjuster’s measly offer, she forfeited her legal rights to make a claim for compensation. There was no fairy tale ending. Alison was forced borrow money from her parents and take out a loan which she’ll still be paying off several years from now. She was lucky to avoid bankruptcy.

The moral of the story is this: don’t fall for any easy resolution – especially when it’s offered to you on a silver plate from the negligent driver’s insurance company. Don’t rush to make a settlement. And don’t sign anything until you’ve consulted with a lawyer first. Alison’s story is a work of fiction, but there are hundreds of real life versions every year. As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, explaining to these victims that they’ve wrecked their own claim is the toughest part of my job. If you’re ever in an auto accident, don’t do anything until you hire a lawyer to protect your interests.

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.

Due to increased medical costs and new minimum limits for liability coverage, auto insurance rates have increase for many Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington drivers by 8 percent, according to the Dallas Morning News. Although the insurance industry claims that rising medical costs and the increased liability limits have caused the price hike, consumer advocate groups think that it’s all due to the greed in the insurance industry.

When comparing the average auto liability insurance premiums in North Texas, the Dallas morning news found that those in Arlington saw their premiums go from an average of $496 annually in 2010, to an average annual rate of $536 in 2011. In Duncanville, it went from $562 in 2010 to $608 in 2011, and Irving went from $545 in 2010 to $591 in 2011.

As a personal injury attorney in Fort Worth, I see the benefits of having good auto insurance on a daily basis and want you to know that now is not the time to cut back on insurance just because of a price hike. I know that times are tough for many Texans, but trust me, you cannot afford to go without auto insurance – not to mention, it’s against the law. You must protect yourself and your family members by having auto insurance because car accidents in Tarrant County generally happen when you can least afford to have one.

Even if you are worried about how you will pay for your auto insurance, there are still plenty of things you can do to cut costs. Shop the best rates by using the Texas Department of Insurance’s website, www.helpinsure.com. Compare insurance costs before buying a new car – certain cars are accident prone, which will increase your insurance premiums. Haven’t had any accidents or moving violations? You can seek discounts from some insurance companies that why.

While you have insurance on the brain, now would be a good time to learn about why personal injury protection is the best insurance to have. Remember in hard economic times, many people cut costs they don’t think are necessary to everyday life, like auto insurance. If one of these uninsured people hits you in a car accident, you will be out of luck unless you have the right amount of insurance coverage to pay for your vehicle repairs and medical bills. If anything, now is the time to buy even more insurance.

If you have any questions on the insurance policies involved in your car accident claim, feel free to contact my accident and injury law firm in Fort Worth.

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.

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.

If you’ve been injured in a traffic wreck involving an 18-wheeler, you’ve likely suffered some serious injuries. Unfortunately, negligent trucking companies and their insurance providers are notorious for dragging their feet when it comes to actually paying a settlement. However, as a Fort Worth truck accident and injury lawyer with 20 years’ experience, I’m here to tell you that you do have options.

If you don’t have health insurance, then you can use the public health system which is available to you. Alternatively, you can incur the medical bills and pay them once your case has been resolved.

Even if you do have health insurance, you still have to deal with paying deductibles and co-pays which can quickly mount up too. These contribute to one of the lesser-known effects of being in a crash: damage to your credit rating. If you’re not able to make the payments to cover your doctor bills, it can seriously hurt your credit. Unsurprisingly, unpaid medical expenses are the leading cause of bankruptcy in America.

Fortunately, a board certified attorney is usually able to negotiate with the health care provider to prevent your debt from going to collections. Here at the Anderson Law Firm, we have plenty of experience in fighting the commercial trucking companies as well, to make sure that you get the full and fair compensation that you deserve. Give us a call today for a free consultation on your case. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or call locally at 817-294-1900.

“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 commercial truck accident lawyer I know that auto collisions involving big rigs are always extremely serious and frequently fatal. A young couple were killed in a deadly 18-wheeler crash in Fort Worth early this morning. Police report that the wreck occurred on westbound I-30 near Las Vegas Trail around 2.30am. The driver of a Suzuki Forenza, identified as Antonio Andrade (22) and an unnamed female passenger (20) died after crashing into the back of a stopped 18-wheeler. The trucker – who has also not yet been identified - was not injured in the wreck.

Early reports suggest that the commercial truck was completely stopped when the car ran into the back of it, although the police investigation is ongoing. Thorough investigations are always essential whenever someone is injured or dies in a collision with a trucking company vehicle. This is because trucking companies and their insurance providers do whatever they can to protect their profits, so they want to avoid paying out claims for compensation in instances when someone was hurt due to their employee’s negligence, if that was the case.

Whenever someone is injured in a commercial truck crash, it is essential that they hire an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible so that you have someone who understands the legal process making sure that your rights are respected and protected, and to make sure that you get the full and fair damages you might be entitled to. For a free consultation on your Texas truck wreck claim, call toll free at 800-354-6275 or 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.

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 Fort Worth personal injury lawyer I’ve seen all sorts of unusual auto accident cases over the past 20 years. A fatal collision which occurred in Grand Prairie last week is proving to be one such case which has no shortage of twists. The wreck occurred on Friday night on I-30 near Highway 161. Gustavo Camacho (31, of Arlington) crashed his truck into the back of a car, starting a multi-vehicle pileup. Shun Jerome Williams (32) was in the car rear-ended by Camacho and was killed in the accident. Several others were injured including members of the Lara family who were riding in the third vehicle.

Camacho was charged with Intoxication Manslaughter and Intoxication Assault. Police report that he was also driving without a valid license and that he had two prior drunk driving convictions. Now it turns out that he might have been in the country illegally. Camacho is currently being held at Dallas County Jail under a federal hold order from customs and immigration officials.

I have helped clients before who have been injured by illegal aliens and who are rightly concerned whether they can still pursue a personal injury claim for compensation even though the negligent driver was not lawfully in the USA. The answer is that if they have an American insurance policy, then of course you can. Insurance providers are not required to obtain proof of citizenship or even legal residency in order to insure someone.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic accident and you believe the at fault driver is in Texas illegally, then it is critical that you contact an experienced car wreck attorney as soon as possible as in these cases time is often of the essence. Call me toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or locally at 817-294-1900 and I’ll be happy to discuss your personal situation and explain your legal rights.

If you have been involved in an auto accident in Tarrant County then most likely the responding police officer will have completed a collision report (officially called a Texas Peace Officers Crash Report). As a Fort Worth and Arlington personal injury lawyer, I find these reports extremely useful while investigating the situation surrounding my clients’ injuries. Not only does it collect together a load of important information regarding all parties involved in the car wreck (such as traffic conditions, vehicles involved, insurance policies of the various drivers) but it also includes a section titled Contributing Factors (Investigator’s Opinion). This is the section where the attendant officer will assign fault regarding what – and perhaps most importantly WHO – caused the crash to occur.

In order to interpret the crash report, you need this code sheet which lists the any different factors which a police officer could decide contributed to the wreck. Reasons include driver inattention, failure to yield, followed too closely and road rage – among many others. For a motor injury lawyer, this is extremely valuable information as it quickly allows us to identify who the at-alt driver was. What is also good is that most of the time the insurance adjustor will accept the report’s findings, which can really help when I’m trying to reach a settlement to get you the most damages available to cover the cost of your medical bills, loss of income, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering.

Of course, there are occasions when a police report does not get completed. That’s not a problem. Just because there is no report, it does not mean that you lose the right to pursue a claim.

If you or a loved one have been hurt in an accident that was not your fault, give me a call for a free, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. I’ll be able to explain your legal rights in detail and tell you whether you have a claim. Call me toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. Alternatively, you can contact me online.

A man was killed Sunday when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed in Grand Prairie. The motorcycle accident happened about 3 p.m. in the 6000 block of Lake Ridge Parkway. Jerry Glenn Riddle, 63, was riding a 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle for the first time near Lynn Creek Marina, police said. He was riding next to his brother when he fell and slid 100 yards, striking his head on a guardrail post. Riddle had no motorcycle license and was not wearing a helmet, he died at the scene, police said.

Whether you are riding down the street or around the world, it is very important that you wear the proper helmet. Motorcycle crash statistics show that helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing crash fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates an unhelmeted rider is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15 percent more likely to incur a nonfatal head injury than a helmeted motorcyclist. The smallest motorcycle accident can still cause a fatality if you aren’t wearing a helmet, so please take one minute to put your helmet on before you get on a motorcycle.

Information and commentary is provided by Texas Motorcycle Accident Attorney Mark A. 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 motorcycle accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A wrong-way driver drove eight miles down northbound Stemmons Freeway in Dallas and crashed head-on into another motorist. He was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving earlier this morning. Jose Chavez, 38, faces a charge of driving while intoxicated after he drove his Nissan south onto the northbound lanes of Stemmons at Northwest Highway.

It's a miracle that both these drivers survived this accident. An onlooker reported the incident shortly before 2:45 a.m. after watching Chavez hit a 26-year-old woman driver near Market Center Boulevard. Both drivers were taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital for treatment. The woman has already been released. Police officers talked with Chavez at the hospital and then delivered him to the Dallas County Jail.

Drunken driving continues to be a major problem in today’s world. There are approximately 12,000 fatalities annually due to drunk driving, and many more accidents and injuries. Fortunately no one was fatally injured in this car crash. To avoid being another statistic you can take a few simple driving safety precautions to drastically reduce your chances of being involved in a drunken driving accident.

Reading articles like this really concern me. It’s hard for me to imagine what was going through Jose Chavez’s mind when he entered the wrong-way entrance onto the freeway. Luckily, there was a witness to describe to the police what happened. I wish a speedy recovery for the other driver. Hopefully stories like this will deter other drivers from driving drunk. When you drink and drive, you will go to jail.

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

In the past doing something about drunken driving mostly meant imposing more prison time and higher fines. But Texas still leads the nation in alcohol-related fatalities with 1,269 in 2008, the latest year for complete data. Legislators will reconvene in January and several ideas already have been bandied about, from sobriety checkpoints to requiring more use of restrictive car devices.

Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville believes in the 2 strikes, you’re out rule. Her goal is to help repeated violators to stay out of trouble. She is proposing to automatically revoke the license of anyone convicted of a second DWI offense-permanently. Currently under Texas law, licenses are suspended for various time periods typically one year for your first conviction and two years for your second conviction.

Hypothetically, if Sen. Nelson’s proposal were taken into effect, it would lead the defendant or drunk driver to drive without a license or insurance. Many uninsured and unlicensed drivers do not think about driving from one point to another, they just simply do it. Sen. Nelson would need to tighten restrictions on drunken drivers by having sobriety checkpoints and mandatory interlock devices for first time offenders.

In 2007 nearly 13,000 people were killed in drunk driving related crashes. Drunken Driving collisions are the cause of 50% of the fatal wrecks that occur on the weekends. Remember that even if you are not drinking and driving you can still be affected by it. Dallas and Fort Worth are taking many steps in order to get drunk drivers off the road. Please think about the consequences before you drink and drive.

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

Loya Insurance is one of two large auto insurers that had a complaint record well above the state average in 2009, according to a new listing of “justified” complaints handled by the state Insurance Department.

One driver, Larry Randall, was sideswiped in May 2009, and the driver who was at fault had an insurance policy with Loya Insurance.

““They tried to ignore me from day one, and then they finally sent me a check covering a fraction of my claim. When’s the last time you heard of major damage to the side of a car being fixed for $300?” Randall said, noting he has not cashed the company’s check.

An analysis of the Insurance Department figures by The Dallas Morning News showed that 10 of the 25 largest auto insurers in the state, which are those with more than 100,000 policies, had below average customer service records.

Loya, one of the top companies at the top of the list, is now being investigated by the Insurance Department for violations of state regulations. Loya Insurance is countering back though, arguing that their company serves a unique customer base, typically lower-income drivers who have trouble obtaining insurance.

The Insurance Department Agency is limited in how it can respond to consumer complaints because the department cannot force a company to pay a disputed claim if there is no violation of the law. The agency can also not determine who was at fault in the specific accident. However, the customer complaints do help the Insurance Department Agency with identifying issue of concerns that would otherwise be neglected.

You cannot trust insurance companies—don’t be fooled. The truth is all they really want is for you to sign up with them and make your premium payments on time. When it actually comes time to paying money out on a claim, you can forget all of those friendly slogans. These self-proclaimed “good neighbors” can quickly become your worst nightmare. These insurance companies will not pay you a single dime more than they want to and they don’t pay until it benefits them. They are not looking out for the policyholder’s best interest; they are looking out for their best interest.

Because it’s an adversarial process, the at-fault person’s insurance company has no duty to treat you fairly. So what should a person do if they are injured in an accident? They should at least speak to a Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney about their case. Not all cases need lawyers, but we think all serious injury cases sure do, and the victims need a good lawyer who will fight for their needs so they get proper compensation.

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 or questions about an insurance claim, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

If you have hurt in an automobile accident in or around Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas and are trying to handle your case on your own with the responsible party's car insurance company, you might find yourself in a very common predicament. Many car insurance companies, such as USAA, Geico, Allstate, State Farm and Farmers, like to offer very low and insulting "nuisance" value offers upfront. Sometimes these offers are as low as $500 but they are more common around the $1,000 level. The offer comes from a message from the insurance company adjuster that your case has low or little value due to (insert your own crazy excuse here) and that you're lucky to be receiving this offer. Car insurance companies just don't treat injury victims right! At that point, an injured person has two options: They can either accept this low offer and be stuck paying the medical bills on their own or they can fight for what is right.

The only way to fight for fair compensation is to file a lawsuit. A lawsuit is the great equalizer. No longer does the big 800 pound gorilla (i.e. the insurance company) have the upper hand. They have to play fair as in the end of a lawsuit there is a jury trial facing them where someone else determines the value of the case, but not them.

Just last week I resolved a motor vehicle collision case where my client had received a very low-and insulting- offer prior to me filing a lawsuit on his behalf. After the attorney hired by the insurance company deposed (a formal interview) my client, he was able to realize that my client would make a very credible witness and would present well in front of a jury. By that, I think the jury would believe him when he relates the medical treatment he received directly to the accident. Ultimately, the automobile insurance company paid what was fair. But what was fair was much, much more than the initial crappy offer they sent to him. Last week's case was just another reminder about how bad and unfair insurance companies can be. After all, they care about their profits, not about the wellbeing of the people who are injured as a result of their own insured's reckless driving.

If you have been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle wreck, sometimes you just got to fight for what you believe is fair. The Anderson Law Firm specializes in helping those individuals who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents. We also work on other types of personal injury claims. Mark Anderson is Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and has been helping the injured his entire career. To discuss your situation confidentially, please contact the Anderson Law Firm at 1-877-294-1115. You can submit your question online by clicking here to reach Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In my book, 15 Mistakes that will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case, I highlight 15 different mistakes that are of the utmost importance to be aware of in the case that you are in a car crash. If someone's carelessness causes you to be seriously injured, you must make sure you don't make mistakes that could wreck your own claim.

Mistake No. 1 is: Failing to call the police and failing to document everything you observe at the scene

If you have been in an automobile accident, there are several things which absolutely need to be taken care of with regard to your potential claim.

1) Immediately following the accident, your first priority is getting yourself out of harm’s way and then calling 9-1-1 to ask a police officer to be sent to the scene of the accident so the officer can assess fault and write a report.

2) If your injuries are such that you need to go to the hospital, make sure to ask for an ambulance when you call 9-1-1. If you are physically able, try and collect the name, phone numbers, and insurance information of all the drivers involved in the crash.

3) It is also extremely important to collect the names and numbers of all witnesses. Witnesses do not usually stay at the scene for very long, so it is vital that you get their information quickly.

4) Document the scene by writing down all relevant information. This could include the street names, weather, the time of day, lighting, and the types of cars involved.

5) Finally, if possible, take pictures of the damaged vehicles and the accident scene with your cell phone or camera.

I hope this gives you a better idea of the procedure you should go through if you are involved in a car wreck. It is my hope that by informing people of the proper steps to take, their claims can be resolved as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Please click here to get your free copy of the 15 Mistakes that will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case.

This information is provided by Dallas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 214-327-8000 or contacted by clicking here.

According to a figures released by the Texas Department of Insurance, nearly 270,000 driver in Texas don’t have insurance on their vehicles. This 21% figure for Fort Worth is slightly lower than the statewide average of 22%-but that’s still a lot of uninsured drivers.

The percentage of vehicles believed to be uninsured has dropped, however, from 25% in June 2008. This is when Texas launched the TexasSure database, a way for police officers to verify insurance coverage. With this database, officers can check after an auto accident to see if the driver who claims to have lost or forgotten his or her insurance card is really covered.

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is certainly more insured than some places in Texas. In Kennedy County, south of Corpus Christi, nearly 50% of its residents are believed to be uninsured. Cameron County, near Brownsville, comes in at nearly 38% uninsured.

I have blogged before (and written in my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck your Texas Accident Case) about the need to purchase UM insurance. This type of insurance is the best kind to buy. When you are in a car wreck and the other driver had no insurance (or not enough), then UM/UIM is the insurance which will compensate you for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. So don’t delay—pull out your policy now and check to see if you have it. If you don’t, call your insurance agent now.

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

Every year, I get a lot of calls from people who have been hurt in a car wreck but have waited too late to make claim. Sometimes the calls come to me right before the deadline and the caller thinks all they have to do is let the insurance company know about the claim and that by doing so all deadlines are complied with. However, that is wrong. The law in Texas is that you must either resolve the car accident claim or file a lawsuit within two years of the wreck. This is called the Statute of Limitations and it is very strict. Even if you have been talking to the insurance adjuster, thinking everything will work out, and you let the two year anniversary pass you by, you are out of luck. If you, or your attorney, actually files the lawsuit two years and a day after the accident, that is too long and you have lost your right to seek any compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

But even though you have two years to file the lawsuit, that does not mean you should put off making a claim or hiring an attorney. Most attorneys, including myself, are hesitant to make a claim unless we can have time to investigate whether the claim will ultimately be successful. I usually need to see the police officer’s accident report and evaluate the medical records, which is impossible to do prior to filing a suit if I am contacted right before the two year deadline. So do yourself a favor and contact an attorney as soon as you have decided to make a claim. Or if you are going at it alone, make sure to save some time to find an attorney in case your attempt to settle your claim pre-suit is unsuccessful.

Information provide by Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 and toll free in Texas at 877-294-1115.

Contact the Anderson Law Firm Online by clicking here.

Dallas Fort Worth injury lawyer Mark A. Anderson has recently authored a book on the injury claims process in Texas. The book, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case, addresses all parts of the injury claim process. The consumer guide provides information such as whether an accident victim even has a viable injury claim, whether they should make that claim, why the injured party cannot trust insurance companies. A detailed explanation is provided as to the legal process, written in plain words.

A large part of the 15 Mistakes book is a listing of all the things that an injury victim must watch out for in order that they don’t wreck their own injury case.Additional information provided in the book is some of the basics on insurance policies and how an injured party might go about selecting the right attorney for their injury case.

Another chapter is devoted to how an injured party can go about to try to determine the value of their accident case, with an explanation of the real factors looked at by lawyers, judges, juries and insurance companies. The book, 127 pages in length, is designed for the accident victim who has not yet made a decision on whether to make a claim or which attorneys to hire.

The 15 Mistakes book is offered free to Texas residents as a public service. Out of state individuals interested in the book can order it for $16.95 at www.amazon.com. Those in Texas who are interested in the book can order a copy or a downloadable version for immediate review at www.dontwreckyourcase.com.

About the author: The 15 Mistakes book is written by Dallas Fort Worth injury lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who has been practicing injury law in the State of Texas since 1991. Mr. Anderson is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and devotes his entire practice to representing those who’ve been injured by the result of someone else’s negligence. A large part of the Anderson Law Firm’s practice is devoted to helping those injured in motor vehicle accidents of one kind or another, including car accidents, bus and truck wrecks and motorcycle accidents.

Mark A. Anderson can be contacted at 817-294-1900 in Tarrant County, 214-327-8000 in Dallas County and 1-877-294-1115 across Texas.

A new study was released yesterday by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute which confirmed what we already knew—that texting while driving is extremely dangerous. But the results were even scarier than all the experts had previously thought. Before this new study, all the predictions on how more likely you were to have an accident while driving were based on laboratory experiments—where drivers were in a simulator. Those tests showed a risk of having an accident about eight times more if you were texting. But the new study is much better: they used cameras mounted in trucks over an 18 month period. The new study, based on real life data, showed that you have a risk of a truck wreck of 23 times more if you are texting. That is a huge increase in risk!

Another interesting thing is that the study showed that the truckers took their eyes of the road an average of five seconds when they were texting. At average highway speeds, an 18 wheeler will travel the length of a football filed in that five seconds. That is a very scary scenario.

Currently, only 14 states ban texting while driving (Texas is not one of them). While banning it will not solve this problem, it would serve as some sort of deterrent. Certainly we can all wait (or pull over) before we text while driving. Texting while driving is about as dangerous as drinking and driving.

From a litigation standpoint, if the cause of an accident is in dispute, obtaining the cell phone records to determine if a trucker was texting at the time of the collision is crucial.

Information provided by Texas Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, 817-294-1900.

I often get asked by injury victims how I am paid. They are very concerned that they cannot afford the high hourly rate they hear that attorneys charge. But they soon learn from me that hiring an injury attorney takes no out of pocket money. That is because I work on (and also all injury attorneys I know also work on) contingent fee contracts. What that means is that no money is paid to me up front or as the case progresses. Instead, the contracts signed by my clients spell out that I am paid a percentage of the recovery once the case is finally resolved, either by settlement or by trial. At that time, I receive a portion of the proceeds. The standard attorney’s fee contract also calls for the injury attorney to be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the attorney in the case.

So basically, the attorney does not get paid until the end of the case, and the client never has to write a check to the attorney, as it is just deducted from the overall settlement proceeds. At my firm, we provide a detailed settlement breakdown so the client can see and understand all fee and the expenses.

So what happens if the case is lost for some reason and no money is ever recovered? In such instance, the attorney is simply not paid anything for his services and the expenses are just written off. Said another way, the client will owe the attorney nothing.

Because it is never guaranteed that the client will be able to win the case, each case must be evaluated closely and the attorney must decide on his own if the case is worth pursuing. I limit my practice to serious injuries where there is a likelihood of success.

Contingent fee contracts are a wonderful way for everyone to access the civil justice system. Without these types of contracts, it would be difficult to retain an attorney to fight for your rights.

If you would like to discuss hiring the Anderson Law Firm on a contingent basis for a serious injury claim, please call the firm at 214-327-8000 in Dallas, at 817-294-1900 in Fort Worth or toll free at 1-877-294-1115.

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.