Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

As a Texas personal injury attorney, I am frequently exposed to severe motorcycle collisions and faced with the vast injuries of their victims. The injuries are usually quite traumatic and victims are often unable to ever fully recover from the motorcycle collision. The motorcycle means freedom and fuel efficiency to over 4 million riders throughout the United States, but without the security of airbags, and thousands of pounds of metal protecting the occupant, motorcyclists increase their risk of death by 16 times.

Motorcycle collisions and injuries are triggered by several common factors, the use of drugs or alcohol, excessive speed, improper helmet usage, weather conditions and road conditions can all play a significant role in a motorcycle accident. A lot of incidents, however, can be attributed to a fellow motorist’s inattention. Though the fault in these incidents has nothing to do with the motorcyclists driving there are ways to protect yourself on a bike. Studies suggest that 92% of accidents involving a motorcycle were with informally trained riders. These riders were either self-taught or trained from friends or family and did not undergo defensive driving training. Through formal training riders not only dramatically reduce their likelihood of instigating an accident- they also reduce their chances of falling victim to another motorist as they are trained to navigate through all types of difficult situations. Formal motorcycle training also reduces the occurrence of injuries as the bikers learn how to pay attention and navigate through rough driving scenarios and fall with a little more finesse.

Though training may reduce the chance of being involved in a motorcycle collision – accidents are always a possibility. In the case of an accident Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer, Jason Epstein, has written a book: The Truth About Washington Motorcycle Accidents. This book addresses all of the common questions associated with a motorcycle collision- what information you need to collect of other drivers, what steps you need to take in filing a claim and whether or not you need an aggressive Seattle motorcycle attorney to defend you. This book is FREE to Washington State residence through the link above.

If you do require legal representation for your motorcycle accident and are in the Texas area, the Anderson Law Firm can help you. We can be reached at 877-294-1115. If you are in the Seattle area, contact Jason Epstein with the Bellevue Law Firm, Premier Law Group.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Dallas Police Department motorcycle officer was injured while riding in President Barak Obama’s motorcade in Highland Park, Texas on Monday afternoon, according to police. The president was in Highland Park for a private Democratic fundraising event.

The accident occurred when Senior Cpl. Michael Mannis’s motorcycle tumbled over in the 2900 block of Wycliff Avenue at Hartford Street in Dallas. Mannis hit his head and suffered abrasions to his hands and elbows. He was taken to Parkland Hospital, where doctors ruled out a concussion.

Mannis’s motorcycle fell while the officers were performing an “advanced leapfrog” formation, where officers trade positions while leading the motorcade through intersections. Witnesses say as Mannis tried to perform this maneuver, his bike flipped. A doctor in President Obama’s motorcade stopped to help after the crash.

This is not the first instance of a Dallas police officer becoming injured while leading a motorcade. In 2008, Senior Cpl. Victor Lozada was tragically killed while participating in a motorcade for Hillary Clinton, then a senator from New York campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. After Lozada’s death, the Dallas Police Department implemented new rules for motorcades, requiring officers to practice the route prior to riding in the motorcade.

I am glad that Officer Mannis did not sustain worse injuries. I’m sure the Dallas Police Department’s requirements for practicing the route beforehand contributes to better awareness of the route, which is imperative when performing motorcycle maneuvers like “advanced leapfrog” which requires skill and practice.

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

Photo from nbcdfw.com

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

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

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

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

The Interstate 35 corridor runs from Laredo through North Texas to Gainesville, and it is known as one of the most important links for business in the state.

But state and local leaders agree that the highway is not ready for what the future holds: More traffic and more commerce. The city is designing a new approach to develop plans for improvements called My 35.

The idea behind it is to involve local leaders and citizens at every segment of the interstate across Texas. I-35 is more than just a highway; it's one of the state's primary routes for freight and passenger cars and trucks. Improving it is a huge issue.

Segment committees are meeting across Texas. One of those panels will gather in Arlington Wednesday morning to discuss Segment One of the highway, which runs through 11 North Texas counties.

Those counties and seven local cities — including Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, McKinney, Rockwall and Weatherford — will all be represented.

Everyone seems to agree that I-35 needs more room for traffic and improved safety. The challenge is coming up with a plan that does exactly that — from South Texas to the Oklahoma border.

Keeping roadways as safe and traffic-free as possible is important, especially in an area as busy as the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. I think it’s great that the city is willing to include its’ citizens in this planning, because they are the people who utilize the highway most frequently. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were over 37,000 deaths in the United States this year from fatal car crashes. A roadway that is more open and less congested might prevent some of these accidents from happening.

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, fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A man died Friday afternoon after his motorcycle collided with a Nissan Cube on Blue Mound Road in north Fort Worth. The motorcyclist has been identified as William Copeland, 51, of Haslet.

Police have said the driver of the Cube was pulling away from a stop sign on the northbound access road to U.S. 287 about 2:30 p.m. Friday when the collision occurred. Copeland was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said that after the collision, the motorcycle continued on Blue Mound Road about 120 feet and then burst into flames. The driver of the Cube was not injured.

The Anderson Law Firm sends out condolences to the Copeland family. Hopefully, the police will be able to find out who was at fault in this fatal car crash. It is important for motorcyclists to remember either way that the most common cause of wrecks involving motorcycles is inattention of the other driver. Many times, drivers just don’t see the motorcycle. This accounts for about 70 percent of all wrecks. On the other hand though, motorcyclists need to be extra cautious when riding because they don't have the protection that cars, trucks and other vehicles have while on the road.

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

Two Fort Worth residents were transported to Texas Health Harris Fort Worth hospital on Wednesday after they crashed their Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

According to the Cleburne police the driver lost control in wet sand and gravel. The man claims he lost control of the motorcycle while trying to avoid a pot hole. The accident occurred around 8:45 a.m. near U.S. 67 and Nolan River Road.

Reports indicated that the 46-year-old woman was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Reports are unclear whether the 46-year-old male driver was wearing a helmet. A Harris spokeswoman confirmed that the couple’s injuries were nonlife-threatening. The couple was treated and released by Thursday.

Unfortunately when an accident involving a motorcycle occurs, the results are usually not good for the rider as they just don't have the protection that cars, trucks and other vehicles have. Many of the accidents involving motorcycles result in very serious injuries and even death. Fortunately in this case, the couples’ injuries were not life threatening.

In Texas, 346 motorcycle riders died in 2006 and only one-third of those riders were wearing helmets. The benefits from wearing a helmet are so numerous that there is no reason a rider shouldn’t wear one. Finding the right type of helmet can be hard, but in the end it could save your life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Sunday Evening a Seminole man was rushed to the hospital after his motorcycle accident in Midland, TX. The 41-year-old man was admitted to Midland Memorial Hospital with serious injuries at around 6:30 p.m.

According to police he was traveling east on Hwy 191 at high speeds when he hit a curb, causing him to lose control of his bike. This caused him to roll several times before finally coming to a crash.

The biker was not wearing a helmet, causing him to sustain more serious injuries that he would have, had he been wearing the proper equipment. The injuries and fatalities of motorcycle riders are unfortunately, on the rise. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, in 2008, there were over 5,290 deaths and over 96,000injuries involving motorcycle riders. These injuries and deaths are even more likely when one does not wear a helmet.

Our firm is a friend and advocate of motorcycle enthusiasts, having successfully represented many injured riders in the past. We encourage all riders to wear helmets, so please choose the right gear to protect you in an accident. A helmet can never hurt.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. If you or someone you love has suffered personal injuries or been killed as the result of a motorcycle accident, please contact Texas Board Certified Personal Injury 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 motorcycle crashes, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Officer Craig Gordon Story, courtesy of the Fort Worth Star Telegram

Officer Craig Gordon Story, 34, was tragically killed yesterday in Arlington, TX after the motorcycle he was driving was struck by an AISD school bus. According to local news reports, his lights and siren were on and he was in pursuit of a speeding vehicle going northbound on Cooper Street when the school bus, turning south onto Lynda Lane, crashed into his motorcycle.

Witnesses who saw the collision and Officer Story’s motorcycle burst into flames quickly came to his aid, but the officer tragically died at the scene. The driver of the bus, a 54-year-old man with no reprimands or condemnations on his record, was taken to the police station to talk but was not arrested. No one on the bus was injured.

Officer Story was a decorated seven year veteran of the Arlington police department. He was married with a 2-year-old son and recently found out his wife Danielle was pregnant with a second child.

Information provided by Arlington Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 817-294-1900 or contacted by clicking here.

Emergency personnel comfort each other at the scene, courtesy of the Fort Worth Star Telegram

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

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

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

I will post more information as it becomes available.

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

Photo from the Fort Worth Star Telegram

If you have been injured in a car accident, truck wreck or motorcycle accident in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas area, you might be considering making a personal injury claim against the person responsible for your injuries. If so, you have probably noticed that all injury lawyers offer free initial consultations. If you decide to take advantage of those free meetings, you should be prepared when you attend the meeting. I think it is a great idea to bring with you ALL (and I mean ALL) documents you have regarding your accident, your injury and your medical treatment. This includes the following:

*Any notes from the accident scene
*Any medical bills (ambulance, hospital, doctors…)
*Any medical records or discharge papers
*Any receipts from pharmacies
*Any notes regarding insurance (your policy as well as info on the other person’s insurance)
*The police accident report

And most importantly, any pictures you have regarding the claim (this means the accident scene, the injuries, the vehicles…). Even if you do not have the pictures printed out yet, bring your cell phone or camera so the pictures can be downloaded onto the attorney’s computer. If you have not taken photos of the damage to the vehicles, then take those photos before the first meeting.

Stated simply, if you have something that is related to your car, truck or motorcycle accident or injury in any way, make sure you bring it to the first attorney meeting.

Sometimes the injury victim deals with the insurance company on their own and then gets frustrated with the way they are being treated and calls an injury attorney. (Click here on information on why you can't trust insurance companies). If that is the case with you, then you need to bring all documents related to your communications with the insurance company. This includes all letters, e-mails and notes regarding telephone conversations.

The more documents you bring to the initial meeting, the more productive the meeting will be. The attorney will be better able to evaluate your claim and offer you advice on how it is best to proceed.

Dallas Fort Worth Board Certified Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson offers free consultations. To set up a meeting regarding your injury claim, please call us in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or toll free in Texas at 1-877-294-1115. Or please click here to schedule an appointment online.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

This past Friday, a 51 year old Bedford, Texas man, Theo Richardson, died from injuries he received when his motorcycle collided with a car. The accident occurred at the 300 block of East Pipeline Road in Hurst, Texas. Mr. Richardson was transported to Harris Methodist Hospital in downtown Fort Worth, where he was pronounced dead as a result of blunt trauma to the head and chest.

The news reports do not say how the accident occurred. But I have represented many families of motorcycle riders and based on that experience, my guess is that the driver of the car did not see the motorcyclist and either turned in front of him or pulled out in front of him. The failure to see a motorcyclist is the No. 1 cause of wrecks involving motorcycles. That is not to say that the motorcycle riders are never at fault, as they sometimes are, but the odds are that the vehicle driver just plain did not notice the motorcycle.

This information and commentary is provided by Texas Motorcycle Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 817-294-1900 or Contacted Online.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A motorcycle accident in Wise County Saturday left three people in the hospital with serious injuries. Douglas Curry and Linnette Hinder, both 43, were riding their motorcycle southbound on FM 51 when they crashed into the back of a truck which was stopped to make a left turn.

The crash happened in Slidell, Texas where FM 51 intersects Farm Road 455. The Grandbury bikers were both CareFlighted to John Peter Smith (JPS) hospital in Fort Worth around 13:30 p.m. with severe injuries. It is unknown whether or not either was wearing a helmet.

Matthew Weathers, a resident of Slidell was the driver of the truck which was rear-ended. He was taken in an ambulance to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur for his minor injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, car crash or motorcycle wreck, please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation on your rights by calling 817-294-1900.

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

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

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

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

Michel Cowan, 30, of Fort Worth died yesterday in Arlington after the motorcycle he was driving crashed into a car on Mayfield Road.

A 21-year-old woman pulled out of an apartment complex at Mayfield Avenue, just west of New York Avenue, onto the 1900 block of Mayfield Road, right in the path of Cowan. Cowan’s motorcycle crashed right into the driver side of the woman’s Honda Civic. He had been going eastbound on Mayfield.

Cowan had been wearing a helmet but died at the scene of the accident. The woman was CareFlighted to Dallas Methodist Hospital where she remains being treated for her injuries.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that this is Arlington’s 16th traffic-related fatality already in 2009.

The police report will determine who was liable for this accident—whether Cowan was speeding or the woman failed to yield the right of way by pulling out in front of him. Either way, it was a tragic accident which resulted in a wrongful death.

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

A 19-year-old Colleyville man died Saturday after his motorcycle crashed into the back of a pickup truck. Robert Turner was heading east in the 8500 block of Harwood Road in North Richland Hills on Saturday when a truck pulled out of an apartment complex parking lot right in front of him. Turner’s bike slammed into the back of the truck.

The accident happened around 9:45 p.m. Turner was rushed to John Peter Smith (JPS) Hospital in Fort Worth in serious condition and died from his injuries around 10:30.
Investigators say Turner was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The driver of the truck was not injured. It is unknown whether speed was a factor or whether the truck driver was cited for failing to yield the right of way to Turner.

This is one of several motorcycle-related crashes and fatalities this month in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

If you or someone you love has suffered personal injuries or been killed as the result of a motorcycle collision, please contact Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson for a free consultation at 817-294-1900.

Another freak motorcycle accident this week sent a woman with critical injuries to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas after she was ejected from a motorcycle and fell two stories over a barrier to the service road below.

20-year-old Leah Sanchez was the passenger on 21-year-old Lazaro Torees-Perez’s motorcycle heading westbound on the George Bush Turnpike. Torees-Perez sped up and attempted to pass a car on the one-lane ramp from the turnpike to the Dallas North Tollway. His bike hit a concrete barrier and Sanchez was flung off the back down 16 feet to the road below. She was not wearing a helmet.

Torees-Perez, from Sanger, was charged with reckless driving and released from the Colin County Jail today on bond.

This is just one of several tragic motorcycle crashes this week but more ironic, this type of motorcycle wreck is one that’s becoming all-too familiar. Back in September, two 18-year-olds were killed when they hit a barrier and were flung over the side of a ramp from the George Bush Turnpike to 161 in Irving. And just this past Monday, an Arlington man was killed when he was ejected off his bike and fell 30 feet after hitting a barrier on a ramp from Texas 161 to Texas 183 in Irving.

All I can say is that these riders need to slow down on area ramps and curves. Motorcyclists need to learn from these tragic accidents and practice caution while riding—and remember, always wear a helmet!

Contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 for a free consultation if you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash.

Photographs courtesy of WFAA.com.

A group motorcycle ride last night in West Fort Worth quickly turned tragic on Loop 820 approaching Interstate 30. And this accident happened just one day after a motorcycle wreck killed two on Monday.

Around 9:30 p.m., a group of motorcyclists were traveling on West Loop 820 when two riders sped up ahead of the bunch. They slowed down just as two more sped up from out of the pack. One of them, 26-year-old Ronald King of Fort Worth, was unable to break in time for the decelerating bikes in front of him and ran into the back of one. King was ejected from his bike and died at the scene.

The man he hit—an unidentified 37-year-old—was taken to Harris Methodist Hospital in downtown Fort Worth in stable condition.

As the weather turns nicer, the number of bikers increases on North Texas interstates and highways. Group rides are very popular and a great way to socialize with those who share a common passion for bikes and motorcycle-riding. But even within groups, the riders obviously need to be careful of each other and keep a safe distance between themselves and other bikers in their groups.

If you have found yourself the victim of a motorcycle collision, car wreck or truck accident, please contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 for a free consultation.

An Arlington man was killed yesterday when his motorcycle crashed into a barrier and he was ejected over an interstate wall, falling 30 feet to the ground. 28-year-old Charles Allen Black was driving his 2007 Kawasaki Ninja "sport bike" at a high rate of speed on the ramp from Texas 161 to Texas 183 near DFW Airport in Irving. He was going too fast to navigate the curve and his bike hit the wall, propelling him over it and down 30 feet.

Black was taken to Parkland Hospital in Dallas and pronounced dead an hour later around 1 p.m.

This isn’t the first time this ramp has caused trouble for motorcycle riders. In fact, Black’s death is eerily familiar to one that happened about seven months ago. Back in September, I wrote about the wreck on the same ramp which killed two 18-year-old men. Robert Wright and Derek Smith were riding their sport bikes on the ramp and both were going too fast for the curve. Smith hit the barrier, falling over the wall to his death. Wright crashed into Smith’s bike before also flying over the edge to the ground below. Wright later died at Baylor Medical Center in Irving.

It appears speeding has been a factor in all three of these tragic deaths however, at this point it might be something for the Texas Department of Transportation to look into.

If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 for a free consultation on your rights.