March 3, 2010

Lufkin Man Dies In Fatal Wreck While Test Driving Motorcycle

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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.

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February 24, 2010

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

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.

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February 20, 2010

Texas Motorcycle Safety Programs

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.

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January 15, 2010

UPDATE: Motorcycle Driven in Officer’s Fatal Crash Was Involved in Recall

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.

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January 14, 2010

UPDATE: More Details Emerge About the Fatal Police Motorcycle Crash in Arlington, Texas

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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.

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

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January 13, 2010

School Bus Crash Kills Police Officer in Arlington, Texas

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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

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January 9, 2010

What Should You Bring to The First Meeting With an Injury Lawyer

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.

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December 22, 2009

Texas Accidents Highlight Construction Zone Risks

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.

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December 11, 2009

21% of Motorists Uninsured in Fort Worth and 26% Uninsured in Dallas

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.

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September 1, 2009

New Seat Belt Laws in Effect in Texas

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.

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July 17, 2009

Motorcycle Wreck in Hurst Claims Life of Bedford, Texas Man

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.

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July 14, 2009

Corsicana Charity Motorcycle Ride Takes Tragic Turn

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.

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June 28, 2009

Separate Wrecks Kill Arlington Teen and Dalworthington Gardens' Motorcyclist

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

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June 18, 2009

3 Injured in Early Morning Arlington Crash Involving Ambulance

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

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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.

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June 7, 2009

Wise County Motorcycle Crash Injures Three Saturday Afternoon

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.

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June 1, 2009

Fort Worth Injury Attorney Authors New Book for Accident Victims

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.

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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.

May 13, 2009

Fort Worth Motorcyclist Killed in Arlington Crash

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.

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April 28, 2009

Motorcycle Accident Kills North Richland Hills Man

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.

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April 17, 2009

Reckless Driving Causes Another Serious Motorcycle Crash in North Texas

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.

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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.

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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.

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April 15, 2009

1 Killed, 1 Seriously Injured After Second Motorcycle Accident in DFW in 2 Days

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.

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April 14, 2009

Yesterday’s Motorcycle Fatality Makes Three at Troublesome Irving, Texas Ramp

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.

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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.

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