Dallas Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

According to Travel and Leisure magazine, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is ranked as the sixth rudest city in the USA. As anyone who spends any amount of time dealing with the congested traffic on DFW’s highways and city streets, that is entirely believable. Dangerous drivers who weave between traffic, cut off other vehicles and tailgate incessantly are a dime a dozen. Couple that with the fact that last year, Men’s Health Magazine ranked Dallas as the seventh angriest city in America, and it is no surprise that DFW is holds the title of second worst city for road rage car wrecks according to AutoVantage.

This is incredibly worrying to me as a DFW personal injury and wrongful death lawyer. I have seen firsthand the very real damage which can be done by unintentionally hazardous driving habits, but when you bring in a high level of fury and a disregard for other people and you’ve got an obvious recipe for roadway disaster. When motorists fall prey to road rage, they are not thinking clearly. They try to intimidate other drivers by cutting too close, jeopardizing everyone’s safety for the sake of trying to make a point.

If you’ve ever been the victim of someone with road rage, you’ll know that it can be an extremely scary experience and it can be very tempting to respond in kind. Doing so would be a huge mistake as the outcome can only be bad. Instead, if you ever find yourself in a position where someone is trying to intimidate you on the road by either following too closely or some other action intended to torment you, then the best thing to do it just take a deep breath and get out of their way. Don’t make eye contact. Don’t challenge them. Take yourself out of that situation. Once they’ve gone past and away from you, I personally find that tuning the radio to classical music helps reduce my blood pressure.

You should not have to tolerate aggressive drivers at all, but unfortunately they are a hazard which you cannot always be avoided. If you have been the victim of a car crashed caused by someone with road rage, it is all the more important that you get justice and recover the full and fair compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills and other costs related to the accident. Call a board certified personal injury lawyer today at 214-327-8000 in Dallas or at 817-294-1900 in Fort Worth for no a fee, no obligation consultation on your situation.

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.

Driving while intoxicated is a crime. As a Fort Worth area personal injury lawyer, I have handled my share of auto accident cases caused by drunk drivers over the past 20 years. Such wrecks always anger me because I know they could easily have been avoided. Everyone knows that you should never get behind the wheel after drinking, but still many do so on a regular basis. As a result, innocent victims are badly injured. Many victims lose their lives.

Traditionally, the period surrounding Christmas and the New Year is one of the worst times of year for alcohol-related car crashes in DFW. It’s a time of year when local police forces step up their focus on drink-drivers in an attempt to minimize the pointless deaths which are caused by these reckless idiots who break the law and put lives in jeopardy.

This year, the Tarrant County District Attorney vowed to take things one step further in an effort to further dissuade motorists from getting behind the wheel when they were overly merry. Yesterday, Assistant District Attorney Richard Alpert made good on this promise by publicly naming and shaming all drivers who have so far been charged with a DWI over the New Year’s weekend. According to the website, at least 107 individuals were arrested in Tarrant County for alcohol-related driving offenses over the past weekend and at least 39 of those have been formally charged as of today.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to the negligent actions of a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation. To find out more about your legal rights as the victim of a intoxicated motorist in North Texas, please call 817-294-1900 for a free, no obligation consultation on your situation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Sansom Park man was killed in a fatal Lake Worth hit and run accident on Christmas morning. Police say that Heinz Schlotter, 59, was walking across the intersection at Roberts Cut Off and Jacksboro Highway at approximately 6.30 am on December 25, when an SUV made a turning through the same intersection, striking Mr. Schlotter. The driver did not make any attempt to stop and render aid, instead fleeing the scene westbound on Jacksboro Highway.

Mr. Schlotter was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth to be treated for his critical injuries, but died four hours later. Police are currently seeking the negligent motorist responsible for Mr. Schlotter’s death. They believe the vehicle involved in Sunday’s tragedy was a 2005 to 2010 model Ford Explorer which was maroon in color. There is likely significant body damage to the vehicle following the crash. The passenger side mirror was recovered at the wreck scene, but it is also suspected that the car would have damage to the passenger side door, window and windshield.

If you believe you might have any information which could help Lake Worth police track down this dangerous driver, please call LWPD at 817-237-1224.

As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer and wrongful death attorney, I wish to express my sympathies to Mr. Schlotter’s loved ones at this most difficult time. I know that whenever a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle – regardless of whether it’s a car, truck or motorcycle – the chances of survival are slim. Sadly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that such fatalities increased by 4.2 percent in 2010, showing that this is an increasing problem.

If you or someone you love has been hurt while out walking feel free to call the Anderson Law Firm for a completely free consultation on your situation. You may be entitled to much-needed compensation. Call 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 car wreck injury lawyer, I know that accidents caused by intoxicated motorists often result in some of the most catastrophic bodily injuries. Frequently, drink-driving collisions in Dallas-Fort Worth result in a fatality. Unfortunately, just because it’s Christmas, it doesn’t mean these very serious problem goes away. In fact, it gets even more serious. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fatal crashes caused by drunk drivers increase by 50 percent between Christmas and the new year.

In an attempt to reduce the number of deaths on Dallas roads this holiday season, the Dallas Police Department is adding an additional 12 new officers to their DWI squad through the first week of 2012. As a Texas wrongful death lawyer, news of the increased police presence will hopefully result in fewer people getting behind the wheel inebriated this holiday season, but of course there are always some idiots. My hope is that criminals (because that’s what they are) who do get into the driver’s seat drunk are caught and prosecuted. Hopefully the DPD will catch these negligent drivers and as a result fewer people will be killed this December.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by a drunk driver or any negligent motorist, I’d like to invite you to call the Anderson Law Firm for a completely free, no obligation consolation on your case. I’d be happy to explain your legal rights and help you understand whether you might be entitled to compensation. Call me at any time, toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 214-327-8000.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I nothing but respect for commercial truck drivers – I’ve even helped a number of injured truckers get the fair compensation they deserve after being hurt in traffic accidents which were not their fault. Perhaps it is unfair, but truckers generally have a bad reputation as being the bullies of the road. In my experience, the majority of 18-wheeler drivers are honest motorists, who are trying to make a living a living just like the rest of us.

Unfortunately, there are many that are not so honest. In April of last year, for example, the FMCSA decided to crack down on those drivers and companies who routinely falsified their drivers’ logs in an effort to hide hour of service violations designed to keep fatigued drivers off Texas roads. It is now estimated that within the first year alone, 5,700 motor carriers and 128,000 drivers were found to be forging at least 10% of their records. That’s huge public safety hazard!

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a negligent truck or bus driver, it is critical that you hire an experienced DFE truck wreck attorney as soon as possible. Time is often of the essence in CDL collisions, so the sooner you have a board certified lawyer on your side, the better. It’s also important that the attorney you hire has a proven track record in handling commercial motor carrier cases as they will be aware of the many ways that untruthful truckers attempt to conceal their lies – and will know the best ways to catch them out on their lies.

I’ve been helping truck accident victims across DFW and throughout Texas since 1991. I know what it takes to fight the trucking companies for the full and fair damages my clients deserve. I offer all new clients a completely free consultation on their situation and there is never any fee unless I win your case. To discuss your case today, please call me toll free at 800-354-6275 or call me locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So what should you do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a Weatherford personal injury lawyer, it never ceases to amaze me how often celebrities, athletes and other public figures are busted for drunk driving. I’m sure they realize how dangerous it is, so do they think that just because they’re rich and famous the law doesn’t apply to them? The latest person of interest to be arrested for driving while intoxicated is Walmart Heiress Alice Walton, 62, Parker County.

According to the Texas Highway Patrol, Walton was pulled over on I-20 in a construction zone near South Main Street in Weatherford shortly after 10pm last night. She was initially stopped for a traffic violation but when the arresting officer suspected that she might be over the legal alcohol limit, he administered a field sobriety test. She failed.

This is not the first time that Walton has been in trouble for her hazardous driving. In April 1989, she killed a pedestrian, Oleta Hardin, 50, although no charges were ultimately filed. In 1998, she was again driving under the influence of alcohol when she crashed her car into a gas meter. She is alleged to have told the responding officer, “I’m Alice Walton, bitch!” She got off with a fine.

Seeing people like this – regardless of who they are - who have repeatedly gotten behind the wheel when they know full well they are not capable of safely operating a vehicle should be penalized to the fullest extent of the law possible. Walton has already gotten off easy on two prior dangerous driving incidents, this is strike three. It should not be tolerated.

There is never any excuse for drunk driving. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you want to put your own life at risk, fine. But by getting in the driving seat after drinking you are jeopardizing other people’s safety too. That is inexcusable. Whenever someone hires me as their attorney after being injured by a drunk driver I do not hesitate to pursue their claim for compensation as aggressively possible. Drunk drivers need to be taught a lesson.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I’ve warned numerous times of the very real danger posed to cars and motorcycles alike by the huge 18-wheeler trucks which travel throughout the metroplex in ever-increasing numbers. A smaller vehicle doesn’t stand a chance against a much larger commercial truck and it’s inevitable that significant property damage and personal injuries are going to result.

Yesterday, however, a professional truck driver lost his life in a single vehicle wreck in Arlington. Police report that at approximately 4.15pm, a semi was driving west on Interstate 20, near Texas 360 when, the big rig somehow drifted off the highway and crashed on the roadside, apparently suffering severe damage to the cab portion of the truck. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the deceased trucker nor the cause of the crash.

While I would like to express my sympathy to the family and friends of the driver whose life was lost, I think we should also be thankful that no one else was injured in this terrible accident. This terrible tragedy serves to remind us all that despite their giant trucks, these men and women are just as vulnerable as the rest of us in the event of a collision.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The man responsible for the death of 17-year-old Francisco Reyes has been caught by Irving police. Last week, we wrote about the hunt for the man responsible for this fatal hit-and-run car accident.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 14, Reyes was walking on the Highway 183 south service road when he was hit from behind. From debris left at the scene of the accident, police were able to conclude that it was a 2010 or 2011 Dodge Challenger that killed Reyes and fled.

Police got a tip that a Dodge Challenger matching the vehicles description was in a Denton body shop for repairs. From that tip, authorities were able to arrest 29-year-old John David Wright and charge with a third-degree felony for leaving the scene of the accident.

At the Anderson Law Firm, we are glad to see this investigation come to an end – there are too many criminals responsible for fatal car accidents that never get caught in Texas. We’re happy to see that this man will have to face the music and pay for his actions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’ve said it hundreds of times before, and it seems that certain idiot drivers are determined for me to say it several hundred more times: don’t drink and drive. There is never an excuse. Since I first started helping personal injury victims throughout Dallas-Fort Worth 20 years ago, alcohol-related traffic accidents have caused far too many pointless injuries and fatalities throughout the metroplex. I have helped many of those people who have been injured by a drunk driver as a Texas car crash lawyer.

Yet people continue to wreck both their lives and the lives of others by making to inexcusable decision to get behind the wheel after having a drink. At approximately 1:45 this morning, for example, a woman suspected of drink-driving drove the wrong way down I-20 in Arlington and sideswiped an 18-wheeler. Both drivers were transported to John Peter Smith Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. As a result of the collision, police were forced to close the westbound lanes of I-20 near Green Oaks Boulevard for several hours, interfering with the morning drive for thousands of commuters.

As if that wasn’t enough, Arlington emergency services were already busy dealing with the aftermath of two other fatal accidents which occurred within the previous few hours:

At 10.30pm yesterday a lone driver was speeding down Eden Road near Kennedale when he lost control of his vehicle and flipped off the road. The deceased was a 30-year-old male. His name has not yet been released by authorities.

Later, at approximately 1.30am, a passenger riding in pickup was ejected and killed after the pickup was struck from behind by a hit and run driver. Police are still searching for the driver responsible for the collision, whom they believe was driving a white Nissan truck. Anyone who may have any information is asked to contact Arlington Police Department at 817-459-5635.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a negligent motorist, regardless of whether alcohol was a factor, you are invited to call the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm by calling toll free at 800-354-6275.

“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.

We’ve all heard the PSA “Drink, Drive, Go To Jail” from Texas law enforcement agencies, but for people in San Antonio, it’s not just jail time that will get you. Digital billboards in the San Antonio area will now feature the names and photos of suspected drunken drivers who are sought.

It’s a new effort by police and Bexar County authorities to get felony offenders and people sought for charges like intoxication assault or vehicular manslaughter to surrender. The program is supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and use of about a dozen electronic billboards has been donated by Clear Channel Outdoor.

What would it take to get these billboards in North Texas? I think this is a great idea, and not just because I work as a personal injury attorney who handles drunk driving accident cases. To me, anyone who would drive drunk and completely disrespect the law should be publicly humiliated. Not only would more of these criminals get caught, but I think it would also deter people from drinking and driving. Whatever works to make our streets safer is ok with me – and I never mind a really funny mug shot either.

What do you think? Would you like to see these types of billboards in Fort Worth? Do you think it would help make people smarter drivers?

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.

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

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

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

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

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that it’s important to stay with your vehicle – but not in your vehicle - if your car stalls or if you are stranded at the side of the interstate. Nowadays, the majority of people have a cellphone with them at all times which is useful for calling roadside assistance.

A lot of the time, police departments have regular courtesy patrols which travel throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex offering assistance to motorists who need help changing a tire or who have run short on gas, among other problems. The important thing is that you should avoid attempting to walk along a busy highway or to cross the road at all costs because the freeway is simply not a safe place for pedestrians. Drivers don’t expect to see people walking across the road so they are not watching out for pedestrians.

Unfortunately, a DFW woman was killed in a collision which happened on Texas 121 in Grapevine early yesterday morning. The victim has not yet been named but police report that her car was found along the median of the road, just north of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, and deduced that she had been attempting to cross the road when she was struck by an oncoming Hyundai Elantra. No charges are being pursued against the driver who hit her and the death is being ruled accidental.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer with 20 years’ experience in dealing with fatal 18-wheeler wrecks, one of the new Texas laws due to come into effect on September 1, 2011 has me concerned for the safety of driver and passengers traveling throughout our state. House Bill 1353 will increase the speed limit on both state and US highways outside urban areas to 75 mph. The reasoning behind this is that it will reduce the traffic collisions caused by aggressive drivers that either recklessly change lanes or tailgate other vehicles that are driving slower. While I can certainly sympathize with the frustration of being stuck behind a slow-moving semi-trailer truck, I have to question the logic of legislation seemingly designed to accommodate dangerous drivers.

Perhaps most worryingly, HB 1353, neglects to recognize the additional hazards created by increasing the speed limit at night for commercial trucks. Already, 410 Texans are killed each year in big rig accidents, according to data compiled by the Department of Transportation. The Texas Commercial Driver’s License Manual acknowledges the very real danger of a big rig driving too fast as even at 55 mph a tractor trailer will take at least 290 feet to come to a stop. The problem is that trucks’ headlights only illuminate 250 ahead of the driver. Meaning if a car stops ahead of the truck, then that truck is going to crash right into it, causing massive injuries.

This legislation seems incredibly ill-conceived to me. I cannot see how it could make Texas roads safer at all.

Mark Anderson is a board certified personal injury and wrongful death attorney who has been fighting for the rights of individuals injured or killed in Dallas-Fort Worth trucking accidents since 1991. If you or someone you love was injured in a traffic collision involving a commercial truck, you deserve an experienced lawyer with a proven track record. Mark Anderson offers free no obligation consultations, so don’t delay. Call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or locally at 817-294-1900 in fort Worth or 214-327-8000 in Dallas.

Some of the very worst auto accidents I have encountered in my 20 years as a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer have been caused by drunk drivers. According to MADD, more than 11,000 people die in alcohol-related traffic collisions each year, and many thousands more are injured. Fort Worth drunk-driving wrecks cause devastating injuries, which is why I support the use of a new technology called the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) which aims to prevent such tragedies by automatically detecting whether the driver is intoxicated when they get behind the wheel. If the driver’s alcohol limit exceeds the legal limit of .08, then their vehicle becomes inoperable – forcing them to take a cab home and potentially save someone’s life.

Congress is currently considering the Roads Safe Act which would make the DADSS technology mandatory in every new vehicle. I believe this technology could really make a difference and make our roads safer for everyone. I’ve seen accidents caused by a drunk driver who was driving on the wrong side of the road, who ran a red light, or dozens of other idiotic scenarios. Driving while intoxicated is a crime – it is deadly. To make sure your voice is heard on this subject, you can email your Representative and Senators in support of the Roads Safe Act.

Mark Anderson is a board certified Tarrant County personal injury and wrongful death attorney. If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, we would like to offer you a complimentary consultation on your personal situation to discuss your legal right to compensation. We can help you get the compensation you deserve and can also help you cooperate with the criminal justice system to make sure the drunk driver is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

For a free consultation call today at 817-294-1900.

As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, one of my greatest hates is reserved for drunk drivers. There is no excuse to drive drunk. Never. Regardless of whether you’re merry, tipsy, buzzed or smashed, there is no distinction. You’re not fit to drive. Period. Plan ahead: either arrange a designated driver for the evening, or make alternative plans to get home, either a cab or a ride from a friend. If you’re going to be drinking you should know that you shouldn’t be driving home. Fatal traffic accidents involving alcohol are far too common in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex as it is. Please don’t add to the death toll.

Watauga police are awaiting the results of a blood-alcohol test performed on suspected drunk driver Billie J. Miller (27) who is responsible for a fatal car wreck which occurred on US 377 early Sunday morning. Miller is expected to have been over the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle when he crashed his pickup truck into a car being driven by Amanda Beasley (25) of Fort Worth. Ms. Beasley was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital where she dies several hours later. Miller was not injured in the collision. He is currently being held in the city and will likely be charged with intoxication manslaughter.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle accident caused by a drunk driver, it is important that you consult with a board certified personal injury and wrongful death attorney to be informed of your legal right to seek compensation for your medical bills, loss of income and any pain you have suffered. I have been fighting for the rights of drunk drivers’ victims across North Texas since 1991. I despise drunk drivers and I will fight aggressively to make sure you receive the damages you deserve. Call me today for a free no obligation consultation at 817-294-1900 or toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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.

A new study on cell phones is making some major buzz in the news today. According to the World Health Organization, radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer.

Of course everyone is up in arms at the idea of cell phones and the big “C” word, but I ask you, aren’t cell phones already killing people?

As a personal injury lawyer in Fort Worth, I know that my biggest worry isn’t whether or not a cell phone is going to give me cancer; it’s that I’m going to get in a car accident because of someone TALKING on a cell phone.

I think that distracted drivers, people talking and texting while operating a vehicle, are much more dangerous than radiation from cell phones that could “possibly cause cancer.” Why is it that this issue gets all the buzz when distracted driving has already killed 5,474 people in 2009 alone?

All I’m saying is that we have a lot more pressing cell phone safety issues to worry about than just the possibility of them causing cancer. But, that’s just my two cents.

If you would like to learn more about my law firms distracted driving initiative for teens, please visit my Teens Against Distracted Driving page and get the teen driver in your house to sign up today.

There has been a lot of high-stakes drama surrounding the final weeks of the current legislative session in Austin, and while I am a strong opponent of some of the new laws, as a Texas personal injury lawyer I am very happy that tighter restrictions on distracted driving are now just waiting Governor Rick Perry’s signature.

In its original incarnation, House Bill 243 would prohibit texting while driving, while still permitting drivers to read text message while operating their vehicle. Fortunately, that ridiculousness has been erased from the new version of the bill which passed the Senate on Sunday. Distracted driving is a serious hazard to all road users now more than ever. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2005 distracted driving accounted for 10 percent of all traffic wreck deaths nationwide in 2005. By 2009, that figure had doubled to 20 percent. It is a major cause of fatal collisions and tighter laws such as this are a big step forwards.

The new bill would mean a statewide ban on sending and reading texts, emails and other instant messages while behind the wheel of a car. This is great news. As a Fort Worth auto accident attorney, I have long supported tighter restrictions on texting while driving. The problem is that most people are so used to using their cellphones and other electronic devices while driving, that it has become a hard habit to break. Hopefully a $200 fine will deter those who continue such dangerous habits.

If you have been hurt in a car wreck involving a distracted driver, it is very important that you consult with a board certified car crash and wrongful death lawyer to understand your legal rights to seek compensation for you medical bills and other damages. Please call us toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

Although no terms have been released, a lawsuit against former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips has been settled.

An alcohol-related lawsuit accused Phillips and his wife of allowing minors to drink alcohol at their home, thus causing the car accident that killed 17-year-old passenger Audrey King. The young girl had been at a party at the ex-judge's residence that was allegedly hosted by his son before the accident. Phillips and his wife said that they had no idea King was at their home, nor that any minors were drinking.

Last summer, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed by the girl's parents, Cheryl and Bobby King.

Unfortunately nothing can bring Audrey back to her parents but hopefully with this wrongful death settlement reached, the King family will feel that a little bit of justice has been done.

I’ve been keeping up with this case not only because my practice handles wrongful death claims but also because I can’t believe a former judge would be so careless in his actions. Judge Phillips and his wife said they didn’t know their son was hosting a party, but that excuse really doesn’t fly with me. It’s their house! How do they not know who’s there and what they are doing?!

Nobody is above the law. Not even a judge. If the Phillips really didn’t know who was in their home then they shouldn’t have been so negligent with their front door. To me, the facts are pretty clear in this case: their house, their booze, their fault.

This commentary was provided by Mark Anderson, a personal injury trial lawyer practicing in Fort Worth, Texas. If you think you may have a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one, call the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 today for a free case consultation.

Slow your speed or get a ticket is what Grapevine Police are warning drivers along the DFW Connector between sections of Highways 114 and 121.

The speed limit has decreased from 60 mph to 50 mph as parts of the DFW Connector are under construction. Police are in full force to give speeding tickets to anyone going over the legal limit. They said the reason for the decrease in speed is because too many accidents have been caused in the area by distracted drivers.

I know from my experience as a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer that it doesn’t take much to cause a car accident and speeding, especially in a construction zone can do just that.

It’s tempting to speed on Texas Highways especially during rush hour when everybody else is speeding too. But, for the safety of yourself, other drivers and your pocket book – ease up on the pedal and follow the posted speed limits.

Call the Anderson Law Firm if you were hit by a distracted or speeding driver. You might be able to pursue an insurance claim for lost wages, medical expenses and the pain and suffering caused by preventable collisions. To set up your free consultation, just by call us at 817-294-1900.

Yesterday was an unusually cold and rainy day here in DFW. About the only thing worse than the weather were the roads! It took me a while just to get to work at my personal injury law firm in Fort Worth just because of all the delays from car accidents.

According to police in Tarrant County, hundreds of car wrecks were reported yesterday. On Monday, 166 car accidents had been reported to Fort Worth police from midnight until 3:30 p.m. In Arlington, 32 major accidents were called in and there were 25 minor fender benders reported.

Unfortunately, not all of the auto accidents yesterday and Sunday were minor. One person was killed and five people were seriously injured when a Dodge truck carrying nine passengers hit standing water and spun out of control at I 30 and Rosedale Street in Fort Worth.

The 17-year-old driver has been charged with intoxication manslaughter.

Car accidents are avoidable in the rain if you just take precautions. The casualty in this accident probably could have been avoided if it wasn’t a drunk driver behind the wheel! Also, nine people in one pickup truck seems like way too many to me. Were they all wearing seatbelts? Another way they could’ve avoided injuries.

Nobody likes to drive in the rain and it’s true; rain does cause some car accidents. But if drivers in Fort Worth and Dallas would just go back to the basic rules of driving (don’t speed, drive defensively, put down the cell phone) I think the number of car accidents on rainy days could definitely decrease.

If you were in a car accident because of someone’s negligence on a rainy day, you should give my accident and injury law firm a call at 817-294-1900. Just because it was rainy doesn’t mean you can’t pursue a claim against the other driver for hitting you. Set up your free consultation today.

The AAA recently announced a couple of shocking statistics about drunk driving: Firstly, nearly 11,000 people were killed in the US last year as a result of drunk drivers – that’s almost one third of the total of traffic accident fatalities; Secondly, 1 in 10 drivers surveyed admitted getting behind the wheel when they either knew or suspected they were over the legal limit. As a Watauga personal injury lawyer, these revelations aren’t really shocking. I know that drinking and driving accidents are extremely dangerous. Texans at large seem aware of the problem, but yet people continue to get in the driver’s seat after drinking, and inevitably get in a wreck.

You might have heard about the sentencing of Christopher Elton Campbell in Fort Worth last week. He pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter related to a car crash he caused in August 2009, killing Renee Danielle Horton. I did not represent Ms. Horton’s family, but am familiar with the case as I represented her fiancé who was seriously injured in the wreck as well. It was an absolutely horrible wreck.

As part of the plea bargain, approved by Horton’s family, Campbell must wear a bracelet with Horton’s name on it as a constant reminder of the death he caused. He must also spend every Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July for the next ten years in the Tarrant County Jail – in addition to the anniversary dates of both Horton’s birth and death. This is all in addition to spending the next 30 days in prison and refraining from drinking alcohol. As part of the 10 years’ probation, he is also required to wear an alcohol-detecting ankle monitor and have a Breathalyzer installed in his vehicle.

Certainly, Mr. Campbell will not forget the grief he has caused by his reckless activities almost two years ago. My hope is that this sentencing causes us all to stop and think. Someone lost their life because of this drunk driver. Put yourself in the shoes of Horton’s family – her mother has lost a daughter. My client lost his finance. Now put yourself in the shoes of Campbell – imagine the guilt, imagine having to spend the next ten Christmases away from your own family, explaining to your kids why Daddy can’t be there to open gifts around the tree Christmas morning… Drunk driving ruins many, many lives every single year. It is never worth it. Ever.

Mark Anderson is a board certified auto wreck and wrongful death attorney who has helped the victims of traffic collision accidents across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for 20 years. If you or a loved one have been hurt due to the actions of another driver, call Mark for a free consultation on 800-354-MARK (6275).

Just before 7 a.m. yesterday, a DART bus ran over a 53-year-old man at the West Transfer Station in downtown Dallas. The man was hit by an oncoming bus as he stepped off the curb. Witnesses said the man was transferring from one bus to another when he got hit and that his hood was pulled up over his head, possible blocking his view. The man was rushed to Parkland Hospital where he was pronounced dead. DART police and DPD are investigating because it’s not clear if the pedestrian or the bus driver was at fault.

Serving as a Dallas-Fort Worth injury attorney for more than 20 years, I often write about the dangers of distracted driving. Was the bus driver distracted? What caused this accident? My sympathies go out to this man and his family. I certainly hope the authorities get to the root of what caused this terrible accident. I assume an investigation is being performed by DART, and possibly by the Dallas Police Department.

If you or someone you know has been injured or wrongfully killed in a bus, truck, car, motorcycle, or other vehicle-related accident, please contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 for a free consultation on your rights.

A Dallas woman died after a van accident in Forest Hill Wednesday evening. Forest Hill police responded to a call that a woman was trapped inside the wrecked vehicle in the 5300 block of SE Loop 820 at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Forest Hill police news release. Marcella Anderson, 52, was driving eastbound in a gold Chrysler Town and County van when the van hit a wall, Forest Hill police spokesman Dan Dennis said.
Anderson was alone in the van and was taken by MedStar ambulance to a Fort Worth hospital where she later died. There is no indication that speed or alcohol was a factor in the crash. Anderson was a paraplegic, but that also does not appear to have been a factor in the crash either

My heart goes out to her family during this difficult time. Accidents happen every single day and sometimes it is difficult to determine the cause of accidents. Hopefully, the investigation by the local police will help figure out what happened.

Information and commentary provided by Texas Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in a Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a car accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

On Saturday night, two men outside of Fort Worth were involved in a head on collision, killing a Carrollton man. The van driver, Eric Supe, 22, of Crowley was arrested shortly after the accident and accused of intoxication assault. Hurst police said Monday that he now would be facing an intoxication manslaughter charge. Supe was released from the Hurst Jail during the weekend after posting a $5,000 bond. The man killed was identified as Ricardo Magallon, 32, who died at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth shortly after the wreck. Magallon was listed as being from Dallas on the Tarrant County medical examiner's website, but family members said Monday that he and his family had recently moved to Carrollton.

The two-car accident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday in the 400 block of Texas 121 in the westbound lanes, near the Hurstview Drive Bridge. Supe was driving a 1999 Ford Windstar eastbound in the westbound lanes of Airport Freeway. Hurst police had not determined where Supe had entered the freeway or how long he had been driving the wrong way. At some point, Supe's van collided with a 2004 Kia Spectra driven by Magallon. Magallon was taken by air ambulance to the Fort Worth hospital where he was pronounced dead at early that morning. Magallon was driving to his construction job in Bridgeport.

I hate to hear about this tragic accident. It seems we hear about drunk driving wrecks all the time and some of them involve driving the wrong way on a highway. Here is a list of Five Statistics about Wrong-Way Drivers in Texas:

•61 percent of wrong way drivers who caused a car accident were under the influence of drugs or alcohol
•Wrong way accidents are more prevalent during non-daylight hours, particularly early morning hours before sunlight
•Approximately 50 percent of crashes caused by wrong way drivers resulted in an incapacitating injury or fatality, which is significantly higher than other states.
•Males account for slightly over two-thirds of the wrong way drivers in Texas, and almost half of wrong way drivers were under the age of 34.

Ricardo Megallon was a hard working citizen that was on his way to work to support his wife and two children. Two months ago a similar case went through the court system and the wrong way/intoxicated driver received a slap on the wrist. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Megallon family and I hope that justice is served to Eric Supe.

Information and commentary provided by Dallas Fort Worth Drunk Driving Attorney Mark Anderson. If you have any questions regarding a wrong way or drunk driver, go online or give us a call for a free consultation.

A Fort Worth man was killed this morning when his motorcycle collided with a drunken driving suspect, police said. Luis Ruiz, 34, died at the scene of the accident in the 1300 block of North Main Street, south of the Fort Worth Stockyards. The crash happened shortly before 2:30 a.m. when a driver headed south on main street turned in front of the biker at Northside Drive. The driver has not been identified yet but cowardly fled the scene. He was caught across the Trinity River in the 1100 block of Locust Street. He was arrested on a charge of intoxication manslaughter.

This weekend if you are going out to drink, please be smart about it. Call a taxi, have a designated driver, or don’t plan on driving. Most of the time when one mixes drinking, driving, and 2:30 a.m. they are not going to like the outcome. It is sad to read another story about one’s life being taken from a careless drunk driver. My condolences go out the innocent victim and his family.

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.

A man died early Wednesday morning on Airport Freeway in Hurst after apparently losing control of his motorcycle, according to police. The man, who police say was in his 40s, has not yet been identified and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to news reports, police officers responded to a 911 call around 12:30 am, and found the motorcycle rider lying in the freeway near his damaged bike. Witnesses say the man was traveling at a high speed before the crash. It is unclear what exactly caused the accident, but police say no other vehicles were involved.

This is a tragic story, and my heart goes out to this man’s family and friends. Riding a motorcycle can pose much greater dangers to the rider than those riding in closed vehicles, and traveling at unsafe speeds only increases this risk. There are many motorcycle safety classes available for riders, and I highly recommend anyone who rides a motorcycle to take one of these classes.

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 across Texas at 877-294-1115.

Every day in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area someone will decide to drink and drive. About a year ago, Mariza Rodriguez Martinez decided to drink and drive with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.13 percent, above the 0.08 legal limit. Martinez left Gleneagles Country Club in Plano and drove the wrong direction on the freeway, which ended tragically killing Kara Taylor, 16, of Little Elm. Martinez reached speeds of 95 mph as she weaved from one side of the road to the other. Collin County jury found Martinez guilty of intoxication, manslaughter, and intoxication assault. The punishment phase of the trial is scheduled to start this morning, which could face up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

I have no sympathy for Martinez. She made choices to drink, she made choices to get intoxicated, and she made choices to get behind the wheel of a car. If you drink and drive, there is a strong chance something bad will happen. In 2007, there were 1,292 fatalities, solely due to drinking and driving. I can’t help, but feel sorry for Kara Taylor, her friends, and her family.

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.

Tim Hay, a drag racer from Burleson, TX died Saturday night after a car accident at a racetrack in Iowa, where he was competing in an event he had won last year. Hay, 49 years of age, lost control of his car, on the 1/8th-mile dragway during the finals of the World Fuel Altered Nationals at Eddyville Raceway Park in Eddyville, Iowa. Track co-owner Scott Gardner said Monday. The vehicle hit the safety wall and rolled. Rescue personnel pulled Hay out of the car and stabilized him at the track medical center, but the wreck resulted in his death Hay is survived by his wife of 23 years, Candy, three grown children and two grandchildren. Gardner said Hay's wife and one of their sons were at the track when the crash happened.

Hay had competed at Eddyville the past four years and was a well-known veteran of the sport. Tim Hay been racing since the late '70s or early '80s. The nitro methane altered car is one of the toughest to drive in the sport of drag racing. It's sort of a blend between a top fuel dragster and a nitro funny car. It's similar to a funny car, but it's not a full body.

This sport is pretty safe, but there are occasional accidents that unfourantely happen. This is a tragic circumstance for the Hay family and I send my condolences to their family and friends. I assume that an investigation will follow of what went wrong with the car.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you questions about a car accident resulting in injuries, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

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.

A tragic accident happened yesterday here in Dallas. Terry Glover, 59, died early Thursday morning after a Dallas police cruiser crashed into the back of his Jeep. The Jeep was disabled in the middle of the street, but did have its hazard lights on. After the collision, Glover was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center where he died during surgery.

Officer Adam Stucki, the driver, and Officer Archie Benson were on their way to a call at Methodist Charlton Medical Center. The emergency lights and siren were not on as they approached the disabled vehicle around 1 a.m. The patrol car was driving about 45 mph, according to news reports. When the police vehicle struck the Jeep, it pushed the Jeep through a metal fence and into the front yard of a home.

The collision occurred in the 7600 block of South Polk Street near Camp Wisdom Road, where the speed limit is 40 mph, according to police. It is unknown whether or not Stucki braked before crashing into the Jeep. Stucki has been placed on routine restricted duty while Benson remains on regular duty while the investigation continues. Both officers suffered minor injuries in the accident.

I am very interested to hear the outcome of this investigation. Was Officer Stucki distracted? Did he even see the vehicle and have a chance to apply the brakes before the crash? The Dallas Morning News has posted the video from the patrol car’s dashboard camera. You can click here to watch the video. Mr. Glover’s hazard lights are clearly visible in the video quite a long time before the actual collision occurs.

Information provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who 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.

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.

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.

A tragic car accident last night killed two people when the Dodge Neon they were traveling in struck the back of a 20-foot trailer. The accident occurred around 10:45 p.m. Friday night on LBJ Freeway at Webb Chapel Road in Dallas, Texas.

Pronounced dead at the scene were Tracie Yepez, 26 and Jaime Santibanez, 24. Dallas police department officials who investigated the accident at the scene said the truck pulling the 20-foot trailer may have stalled in the HOV lane, where the accident occurred. If the preliminary results of the accident show that the truck/trailer was indeed stalled, then additional questions will arrive as to why the truck was stalled out and whether the hazard lights or any other identifying cones or flashers were used to alert traffic of the stalled vehicle.

My sincere condolences go out to the families of the two victims. Clearly, they appear to be innocent victims in this motor vehicle accident. When you are travelling in the HOV lane, you do no expect to have stalled vehicles occupying the lane. Hopefully the Dallas Police Department will be able to figure out exactly what happened and what could have been done, if anything, to prevent this accident.

Information and commentary provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted online by clicking here or calling the Anderson Law Firm at 214-327-8000.

Last December I blogged about a Fort Worth police officer who was twice over the legal limit when he crashed a city truck and killed a Fort Worth mother. Later it was determined that he was drinking with other police officers before the crash. Now an investigation reveals that Jesus Cisneros had started drinking while still on duty.

An internal investigation found four violations against Cisneros: 1) he consumed alcohol on duty without necessary supervisor approval; 2) he drove a city vehicle off duty without authorization; 3) he was intoxicated while off duty; and 4) he drove a city vehicle while impaired in such a manner that resulted in a fatal crash. The investigation shows that Cisneros had up to three beers while on duty as part of an unauthorized undercover bar detail. Then off duty, Cisneros attended a birthday party at The Pour House where he consumed about four more beers and four shots of alcohol. He left the bar around 2 a.m. the next morning when he crashed a city vehicle into Sonia Baker’s PT Cruiser, killing her. He was driving at twice the posted speed limit.

Cisneros resigned on December 21 but the FWPD suspended him indefinitely on February 18 to ensure the suspension would appear in his civil service record. Cisneros, who is currently free on bail, was charged with intoxication manslaughter on February 10.

This is not Cisneros’s first alcohol related offense as a Fort Worth police officer. In March 2006, Cisneros fired a single shot from the sunroof of his own car. He was alone and intoxicated. In April 2006 Cisneros allegedly drove a city vehicle to an Arlington pub then drove an unauthorized female passenger to a home in Mansfield. These two incidents culminated in a 20-day suspension in August 2006, where Cisneros promised to undergo counseling and clean himself up.

This tragic story keeps getting worse. It is absolutely unbelievable that he was drinking while on duty. I am glad the Fort Worth police department is continuing to investigate. But the question remains whether this man should have still been an officer? Weren’t the incidents in 2006 enough?

Information provided by Dallas/Fort Worth 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 at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

A fatal collision occurred yesterday on Westbound I-20 in Arlington, TX, when a passenger vehicle rear-ended a tractor trailer as it moved slowly from the outside shoulder into a lane of traffic. One of the car’s passengers, Natalie Aguilar, of Garland, was pronounced dead at John Peter Smith Hospital yesterday afternoon. Oscar Zapata was also a passenger in the car and died about an hour after the crash. The driver of the car, whose name has not been released, is in critical condition. Arlington Police Department investigators found open beer cans in the vehicle.

The results of this accident investigation may take a few days. Clearly, alcohol may be a potential issue. It is illegal in Texas to have open containers of beer in a moving vehicle. But this alone does not answer the question of whether the driver was intoxicated. The accident occurred around noon, which is a bit early for DWI accident cases. And the investigators will be looking into the speed of the big rig as it entered the highway. It is always dangerous when a large truck has to enter a busy freeway from the shoulder. It just takes them a long time to get up to the minimum speed. So the truck driver has to make sure that the traffic is clear for him to enter. The trucks hazard lights should have been on as it was getting up to speed. All of this will be looked into by the investigating officers as they try to determine the cause of the tractor trailer accident.

Information and commentary provided by DFW Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 and across the State of Texas at 1-877-294-1115. For a quick nswer to your legal question, click here.

On Saturday, two vehicles collided head-on, killing one man and sending a woman to the hospital. Angel Reyna of Fort Worth, TX was pronounced dead at the scene.

The car crash occurred in the 800 block of Longhorn Road near Lottie Lane in Saginaw, TX. The two vehicles were traveling in opposite directions on Longhorn Road when the wreck occurred, according to police. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. The woman in the accident was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

I grew up in Saginaw and am very familiar with this road. It is not curvy at all, in fact it is straight as an arrow. The police reports gave no indication as to the cause of this auto wreck, but my thoughts are that driver distraction or possibly intoxication might have contributed to this accident. Hopefully the Saginaw Police can piece together what happened.

Information provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-237-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, and toll free across Texas at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

Friday 39-year-old Billy Ray Massie, of Grand Prairie, and 28-year-old Keith Anthony Brown, of Arlington, died in a tragic car accident.

The crash occurred in the 800 block of Great Southwest Parkway. According to police, Massie was driving the car, a 1995 Chevrolet Camaro. He was traveling northbound on Great Southwest Parkway at high speeds when he lost control of the car and crashed into a tree. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

These are the second and third traffic fatalities in Grand Prairie this year, according to local news sources. I feel bad for the families of these two men. Anytime I see a fatal accident caused by speed I just hate it. It is one of the most common causes of accidents, yet it is so easy to prevent. Just don’t speed!

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

12-year-old Liberty Christian school student Ian Kay was killed in a car crash on Tuesday in Flower Mound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash, which happened near Liberty Christian school, occurred when a car rear-ended a truck, which then crashed into two other vehicles. The driver of the car, Hunter Johnson, is still in the ICU. His brother, Evan Key, was treated at Texas Health Harris Methodist hospital in Fort Worth and then released.

Police continue to investigate the cause of the wreck. I feel very sorry for the family of young Ian. To lose a child is so tragic. I hope the investigation will bring answers to the family.

Information provided by Texas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted online by clicking here, in Dallas at 214-327-800 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

Williams Rothlisberger, 17, died in a Fort Worth hospital Tuesday afternoon after a car accident near Krum, outside of Denton. Mr. Rothlisberger was from Denton County.

The car crash happened early Tuesday morning on FM 2450 south of Hopkins Road. Authorities have not released many details from the wreck, but said two vehicles were involved in the crash and Mr. Rothlisberger was thrown from his vehicle.

My deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of this young man. Hopefully, there will be a complete investigation which will provide some answers to the family.

Information provided by Texas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, offices in Dallas (214-327-8000) and Fort Worth (817-294-1900). Click here to contact online.

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

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

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

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

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

On Christmas Eve, 44 year old Timothy Head of Fort Worth died in a chain-reaction car wreck on Western Center Boulevard, just west of I-35W. According to the Fort Worth Police Department, Mr. Head’s 2003 Hyundai was hit in the rear end by a 199 Chevy pickup. The force of the collision caused Mr. Head’s vehicle to run into the back end of a Dodge pickup. Mr. Head was transported to Harris Methodist Downtown where he died.

All fatal car accidents are tragic, and this one is certainly no exception. Mr. Head, a 1984 graduate from Alvarado High School, was married with a daughter. He did nothing wrong and in an instant he lost his life. The driver of the Chevrolet was found to have failed to control his speed. Certainly there was nothing important enough that the pick up driver had to endanger other people’s lives by his reckless driving. This is a wrongful death under the law. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Head.

Information provided by Fort Worth Car Wreck Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted online by clicking here.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Holly Klein and her daughter Deva Szymankiewicz were the only survivors of a tragic crash on Thanksgiving that killed four of their family members on Texas Highway 103 in Lufkin, Texas. The family was traveling from Austin to East Texas when their van collided with a tractor trailer. Apparently the van made a u-turn and was struck by the oncoming truck, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Ms. Klein’s son Dakota, 14, was killed the crash, as well as Ms. Szymankiewicz’s husband Todd and their children, 5-year-old Casimir and 3-year-old Aoibhin. Ms. Klein and Ms. Szymankiewicz were treated at the hospital for their injuries.

This is a tragic accident and my heart goes out to the surviving family members. It sounds like the accident is still under investigation by the DPS. Hopefully, the investigating officers will be able to re-create the accident and determine exactly how it happened. It is possible the driver of the van was not able to appreciate the distance or speed of the 18 wheeler.

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

30-year-old Jose Cruz of Fort Worth died at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas on Monday. He was taken to the hospital early Saturday morning after he failed to negotiate a curve near Highway 121 and North West 19th Street in Grand Prairie. Police believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.

This is such a tragic situation that’s seen over and over in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Each year over 1400 people die in alcohol related accidents here in Texas. My heart goes out to Mr. Cruz's family and friends.

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

Recently I wrote about the investigation into the causes of at 2008 deadly bus wreck in Sherman that left 17 dead, which I blogged about here and here. Now, three employees of the inspection company that looked at the bus prior to the deadly accident are being charged with tampering with a government document.

The inspection company, 5 Minute Inspections in Houston, was allegedly issuing hundreds of stickers a month to vehicles that had not been properly inspected, according to investigators. The Texas Department of Public Safety, who filed the charges, did not provide information on whether or not the bus involved in the crash was properly inspected, as the investigation is still ongoing.

This type of conduct is horrible. It puts all of us at risk each time we get in our cars. Without proper inspections, certain companies are going to use trucks and buses that have bad tires, bad brakes….Allowing these dangerous buses on the roads is criminal and I am glad to see that charges have been pursued.

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

In a horrific tragedy on Tuesday, two Dallas-area natives were killed when a tractor-trailer crashed into vehicles stopped in a construction zone on 1-30. The collision set off an explosion that killed four people.

43-year-old Vaughn Gentry was originally from Sherman, and 51-year-old Albert Pruitt was from Addison. Mr. Gentry and Mr. Sherman were in a car stopped in the work zone on the highway. Arkansas residents Walter Carpenter, 77, and Victory Barker, 64, were also killed in the explosion.

My heart goes out to the families of those killed in this tragedy. It seems like every month or so we read about an 18 wheeler running into cars, killing the occupants, in a construction zone. There have been two similar accidents in Gainesville recently. Truckers make mistakes like the rest of us, but their mistakes in not seeing or reacting properly have terrible consequences. These truckers have a higher duty to be careful. Again, I feel sorry for the friends and families for their losses.

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

A man faces charges this morning of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving after traveling north in the southbound lane near the Northwest Highway exit of the Dallas North Tollway. While driving the wrong way, 39-year-old Dick Eastin struck a light pole and his truck stopped near the center median. Mr. Eastin was injured and taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital.

This driver was lucky no one else was involved in the accident. This is certainly not the first wrong-way incident on the Tollway; click here and here to read about some of the other wrong-way crashes I’ve blogged about. Four people have died this year in accidents caused by wrong-way drivers on the Tollway. The North Texas Tollway Authority is trying to come up with ways to prevent these types of crashes, including more “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs as well as making these signs more visible to drivers. I applaud these efforts to prevent wrong way accidents, and I hope no more people have to die before these changes go into effect.

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

A hit and run accident happened this past Sunday evening in Dallas in the 5100 block of South Marsalis Avenue, just south of Loop 12. According to the Dallas Police Department, a speeding vehicle struck another vehicle shortly before 6:00 p.m. The accident caused the second vehicle to hit a tree, killing 35-year-old Kedrick Rattler and injuring Mr. Rattler’s passenger, who was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The driver of the speeding vehicle fled the scene and, according to the DPD, has not been located.

This is a terrible accident and I feel very sorry for Mr. Rattler’s family and friends. I wonder if the person who caused this accident even knows the results of their actions. I’m sure they know they caused a wreck, but I wonder if they know that their reckless action ended another man’s life. I hope the Dallas Police Department can use all available evidence in their accident investigation and find the speeding driver. Should they be able to find the driver, serious charges, and hopefully prison time, will result.

On the civil side, I hope Mr. Rattler, or the owner of the car, carried uninsured motorist protection to compensate the family for this premature death. In a case like this, uninsured motorist coverage is usually the only available insurance to compensate the family.

Information and commentary provided by Dallas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson who can be contacted at 214-327-8000 or at www.maafirm.com.

In what I consider to be a justified corporate reprimand, Fort Worth based Burlington Northern Sante Fe was penalized by a judge in Minneapolis, Minnesota for hiding and lying about evidence. The penalty, called a sanction, was issued by the presiding judge who heard evidence in a case involving the death of four young people whose car collided with a BNSF train at a crossing. The judge found compelling evidence that Burlington Northern lost or fabricated evidence, interfered with the family’s investigation of the accident and lied or misrepresented facts to conceal the truth. Basically, all of the allegations of lying involve whether the crossing gate was working. Apparently at the trial, Burlington Northern tried to use fabricated evidence that the crossing gate was indeed working, when all other evidence pointed to the fact that the crossing gate was not working.

The amount of the sanction issued by the presiding judge was $4 million. That sanction will definitely be appealed by BNSF. However, I hope that the appellate courts will uphold the sanction because this kind of conduct is despicable. I hope that this new story is making the national news, even though it might only appear in our local papers as BNSF it is located here in Fort Worth. When corporate defendants do this type of shenanigans, they need to be punished. Our wonderful trial system only works if our jury can make decisions based upon the real truth. When companies start fabricating evidence, they should be punished. And they should be punished severely.

Information and commentary provided by Fort Worth Dallas Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at 877 294 1115 or at www.maafirm.com.

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

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

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

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

A passenger in a single car crash which occurred early Saturday morning in Watauga died Tuesday at a hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. The passenger, Kent Powell, was only 27 years old. The accident occurred in the 6200 block of Chapman road when a man driving a Corvette lost control of the car and hit a telephone pole. Mr. Powell was ejected from the car. The driver was taken to the hospital as well and he was already released.

I have no idea how this unfortunate accident happened. I don’t know if speed, alcohol or other vehicles were involved. Investigating a single car accident is very difficult. Hopefully the driver is not seriously hurt, and hopefully he can provide the investigators at the Watauga Police department the information they need to complete their investigation. I feel sorry for Mr. Powell’s family. They lost a man way too young.

Information provided by Dallas Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached toll free at 877-294-3113, or contacted by clicking here.

A woman died Tuesday after a collision with a dump truck on North Main Street in Fort Worth.

41-year-old Fuguria “Renee” Reed was tragically pronounced dead at the scene after the van she was riding in struck the side of a dump truck. The dump truck turned left onto Main Street from Auto Court in front of the van. As a result of the crash, Ms. Reed was thrown from her wheelchair inside the van. The driver of the van, Ms. Reed’s mother, was injured and taken to Texas Health Harris Methodist in Fort Worth. The dump truck driver was not hurt.

There are many questions surrounding this terrible accident. Was the dump truck at fault for turning in front of the van? Was Ms. Reed’s wheelchair properly secured? Hopefully these questions and more will be answered during the course of the investigation.

Information provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Accident Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 817-294-1900, or contacted by clicking here.

A school bus driver died yesterday morning in a collision with an 18-wheeler that ripped off the front of the bus. Thankfully, no children were on board at the time.

The accident happened on FM 439 just outside of Belton, a town near Waco, Texas. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident with the big rig.

Luckily no children were hurt in this terrible accident. So far there are no details about who was at fault as the crash is still being investigated. The driver of the tractor trailer seemed to be fine.

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

A Dallas woman is fighting for tougher legislation regarding cell phone use while driving and will meet with industry executives, legislators, and White House officials in Washington, DC later this month. Jennifer Smith lost her mother in a car crash a year ago after a driver talking on his cell phone struck Ms. Smith’s mother’s vehicle in Oklahoma City.

I recently blogged about one of the new laws passed in the most recent Texas Legislative Session regarding cell phone use in school zones. As of September 1, it is illegal to use a hand-held device for any reason in a school zone. It is also illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to use a cell phone while driving anywhere.

The ban came after increasing numbers of car wrecks and deaths caused by cell phone use while driving, such as the accident with Ms. Smith’s mother. Some experts claim that texting while driving is even more dangerous than drunk driving. This information may have contributed to lawmaker’s ban of cell phones for teens since they are the age group that engages in the most texting.

Although banned for teens and anyone in a school zone, cell phone use while driving remains legal in Texas despite efforts for a statewide ban. Hopefully these new restrictions on cell phone use will prevent tragedies like the one Jennifer Smith had to go through.

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

A man driving the wrong way on Highway 121 in Haltom City, Texas died when he crashed into an 18-wheel truck around 2 am this morning.

Police were investigating a call about a driver going the wrong way on the highway when they caught up to the purple Chevrolet Cavalier going southbound near the Loop 820 split. When they approached the vehicle, however, the driver sped off again and headed straight for an oncoming tractor trailer. The driver of the big rig turned to miss the Cavalier, and the driver of the Cavalier crashed into the rear axle of the truck and died on impact. The truck driver was not injured.

This was such a senseless death. Of course one cannot assume the man driving the wrong way was drunk or on drugs, but these are common causes of this type of accident. If only he had stopped and talked to police instead of trying to flee, he might still be alive today.

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

A Texas woman who recently started a new business in Florida died Monday in a tragic accident at her hot dog stand in Tampa.

40-year-old Catalina Allmon was outside the stand when the accident occurred. An unsecured trailer carrying a large riding lawnmower detached from a passing truck and entered the parking lot. The trailer struck Allmon and her business partner Vicente Hernande Quintero. The mower crushed and killed Allmon while the trailer ran over and injured Quintero.

According to investigators, the trailer became unhitched from 16-year-old Dennis Tintle’s truck as he drove over a dip in the road. Tintle was cited for failing to secure his trailer. Unfortunately, Tintle’s negligence caused a wrongful death.

This is such an unfortunate and avoidable accident. Drivers pulling anything behind their vehicle have a responsibility to make sure it is properly secured. In this case, properly securing that trailer could have prevented the death of a mother who was trying to provide a better life for her children.

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

David Kelton, a 19-year-old resident of Arlington, Texas, was killed early Tuesday morning August 4, 2009, after he crashed into the back of an 18-wheeler in the 1200 block of West North Carrier Parkway in Grand Prairie. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Kelton was driving his 1997 Ford pickup truck on West North Carrier. According to Grand Prairie police, the 18-wheeler had just exited a warehouse driveway and pulled out in front of Mr. Kelton’s truck onto West North Carrier, blocking the lanes. The crash left the roof of David Kelton’s pickup truck sheared off. The truck driver was not injured. The crash is still under investigation.

David Kelton recently graduated from Arlington Martin High School in June.

This is Grand Prairie's ninth traffic fatality this year.

Commentary: At this point, we still don't know what caused this tragic wreck. But having handled many trucking accident cases in the past, I would guess that the truck entered the roadway directly in front of the pick up truck and the young driver could do nothing to avoid the accident. Another accident which could have been avoided.

Mark A. Anderson is can be reached at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

In another deadly accident involving alcohol, Fabian Nicholas Perez, 24 years old, was killed in an accident in the 9700 block of Harry Hines Boulevard near Webb Chapel extension. Mr. Perez was a passenger in an Isuzu Rodeo sport utility vehicle driven by 22 year old Aguilar Perez. According to police reports, the Rodeo was driving at a high rate of speed and ran into the back of a flatbed wrecker truck. The driver of the Isuzu Rodeo survived the crash and fled the scene on foot. He was captured a short time later. Police suspect that the driver was intoxicated and he will be charged with intoxication manslaughter.

This is yet another preventable accident. As we all know, drinking and driving is a serious and sometimes deadly offense. In Texas, there are over 1,500 fatalities each year as a result of drunk driving. For additional information on the dangers of driving while intoxicated, please click here.

Information and commentary provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at (817) 294 1900 or online.

In another tragic car accident involving a driver going the wrong way on a local highway, three died early this morning when a black Infiniti headed eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-20 and ran head on into a dark colored SUV. The accident occurred about 12:30 am near Polk Street, in the red Bird area of South Dallas. All three occupants of the two vehicles died at the scene.

The Infiniti was being driven by Ramiro Moreno of Dallas, a 29 year old auto technician and the father of two young children. His passenger was 21 year old Ian Edward Pierson. The innocent victim driving her SUV was 45 year old Karla Rivers of Cedar Hill, who was a dispatcher at Baylor university medical center at Dallas.

Was alcohol a factor in this accident? Most likely. The officers found alcohol in the men’s car. As everyone knows, it is illegal to drive a car while intoxicated, but people do it every day. There is no way anyone in their right mind would go the wrong way on the interstate. I am pretty sure we will be hearing later that toxicology tests will come back showing a high Blood Alcohol Content of the driver of the wrong way vehicle.

Alcohol contributes to over 1500 deaths on Texas roads each year. And there have been four deaths alone this year on the Dallas Tollway from two separate wrong way driver accidents. For more information on drunk driving wrecks and the rights of injury victims or their families, please click here.

Information and commentary provided by Mark A. Anderson, Dallas Fort Worth Accident Lawyer, who can be contacted at 877-294-1115 or ONLINE.

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.

A 13-year-old boy and his grandfather died Sunday from injuries they received in a multi-vehicle car accident just south of Gainsville, Texas.

Gervious Hinkle and his grandson Casey Hinkle, both of Fort Worth, were traveling northbound on Insterstate 35 around 2:30 p.m. when they were forced to slow for traffic and road construction in front of them. All of a sudden, an 18-wheeler came barreling up at a high rate of speed and crashed into the slowed cars, causing a 9-vehicle chain reaction auto accident.

Hinkle and his grandson were driving a Ford Explorer when they were hit. Hinkle died at the scene. Casey was taken to JPS Hospital in downtown Fort Worth where he was pronounced dead an hour later from his serious injuries.

Casey's mother and sister were also in the SUV and were hospitalized for injuries, but their conditions are unknown at this time.

The driver of the big-rig, Randy Crume, was from Harrah, Oklahoma. He was issued a citation by highway patrol for failing to control his speed.

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

An Oklahoma Turnpike accident has claimed 10 lives--some of which were residents of North Texas. The crash happened Friday and is still under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Cars were stopped on the turnpike due to another accident up ahead when an 18-wheeler crashed into the vehicles in front of it, causing a chain-reaction wreck involving several cars.

Among those killed were the Hayes family of Frisco, Texas--Randall Hayes, 38, Ethan Hayes, 7 and the most-recent person to die from her serious head injuries, 35-year-old Shelby Hayes.

Others who died were residents of Oklahoma including: Oklahoma City residents Oral Hooks, 69, Earlene Hooks, 63, Antonio Hooks, 42, and Dione Hooks, 41 and Crossroads Oklahama resident Cynthia Olson, 55.

The driver of the big-rig was 76-year-old Donald Creed of Willard Missouri, who is reportedly in good condition after being treated for head injuries in a Missouri hospital.

Reports say some of the victims were trapped in the accident wreckage for almost 9 hours before they were able to get out.

This tragic case of several wrongful deaths is so devastating because with a little better driver attention, this crash might have been easily preventable. My heart goes out to the families effected by this huge accident.

If one of your loved ones has died due to the negligence of another person or company, please contact Board Certified Texas Wrongful Death Attorney Mark A. Anderson for a free consultation by calling 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

Southbound traffic on Interstate 35 in Carrollton, Texas was shut down for the afternoon, continuing through the evening rush hour after a multi-vehicle wreck around 1 p.m. involving a tractor trailer and two cars.

The two cars were parked on the shoulder of the southbound lanes near the George Bush Turnpike when an 18-wheeler crashed into the cars, jackknifed, rolled over and then burst into flames.

A woman in one of the parked cars died from her injuries. She was 52, but her name has not been released.

The cab of the semi-truck immediately caught fire while its 64-year-old male driver was trapped inside. Another motorist stopped and pulled the truck driver out of the burning cab. Both of those men were rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas and the big rig driver was reportedly in critical condition.

Apparently three police officers were treated for heat exhaustion.

If you have suffered serious injuries in a vehicle wreck, please contact Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Mark Anderson for a free consultation.

Photograph from wfaa.com.

A construction worker died yesterday when he was run over and dragged by the truck he was repairing.

The vehicle accident happened at 9:30 in the morning at a city pump station on 4100 Main Street in The Colony, Texas. The victim, who remains unidentified, was underneath a truck working on it when another worker got in the truck and drove off.

It appears the worker who drove the truck did not know anyone was underneath it and the incident is being investigated as an accident. No charges have been filed and The Colony Police Department does not anticipate filing any.

The worker who was killed was not employed by the city who owned the pumping station, but instead, contracted out by a construction company to add more lines to the pump station.

Many times, when people call my office, they are confused when I tell them I cannot take their “worker’s comp case” because I don’t go after the employer or co-employees who are liable for accidents. In this instance however, the construction worker’s wrongful death was caused by the negligence of another person (employed by the city).

It can seem very complicated, but the point is, this man’s death was caused by the negligence of a third party and therefore his family has the right to bring a claim for damages on his behalf based on the negligence of the driver. As the driver was employed by the city, the doctrine of Sovereign Immunity will come into play, which limits the amount of compensation one can recover against a governmental entity.

If you have questions about wrongful death claims or making a claim for injuries sustained in a car wreck, please contact the Anderson Law Firm by calling 817-294-1900.

Two 23-year-old women were seriously injured when a man who was driving the wrong way on the Dallas North Tollway crashed into their car early Sunday morning.

Ryan Matthew, 27, of Dallas was driving south in the northbound lanes of the Tollway for nearly 10 miles before colliding with the car carrying the two women. He started driving the wrong way at Cotton Gin Road up in Frisco.

Before crashing into the women, Matthew narrowly missed striking a police cruiser head-on. Shortly after, around 1:45 a.m. he slammed into Hannah Jung and Hannah Hong of Plano and Richardson. The car wreck happened near the exit for the George Bush Turnpike.

Matthew, Hong and Jung were all rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas and treated for serious injuries. Hong was released, but Jung remained in the intensive-care unit and Matthew was in fair condition as of yesterday.

What caused Matthew to drive the wrong was is under investigation; it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were a factor.

Strangely, three people called 9-1-1 between 11:16 and 11:22 p.m. Saturday night to report a separate driver going the wrong way on the Tollway. This motorist was driving the opposite direction as Matthews between Lovers Lane and Wycliff Avenue, but fortunately no accidents were reported and no one was caught.

Alarmingly, four people have been killed since April in wrong-way crashes on the 33-mile Dallas Tollway; I wrote about a man who worked for the Dallas Morning News who died driving the wrong way. Due to the astounding number of wrong-way incidences, there’s been a cry to do more to alert drivers of going the wrong way, instead of just posting signs on entrance and exit ramps. There’s even been talk of adding road spikes by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Whether these are drunk-driving related accidents, or due to confusion late at night, something needs to be done to prevent more from dying in these tragic crashes.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a vehicle-related wreck, please call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation at 817-294-1900.

Two Fort Worth residents were killed and seven more Fort Worth residents injured early this morning in a southwest Missouri auto accident. The car crash which happened on Interstate 44 in Stotts City (near Springfield) happened around 5:30 a.m. when a driver of an SUV lost control. The vehicle went over the median and overcorrected before flipping several times. Two passengers were ejected.

The two who were killed were 31-year-old Anna Leal and a Jamie Rodriguez, Sr., both of Fort Worth. The seven other victims were all taken to the hospital with moderate injuries. They were: Jamie Rodriguez, Jr., Brian Ramirez, Sandra Lupercio, 26, Luis E. Nunez, 31, Luis R. Nunez, 10, Jacqueline Nunez, 5 and David Nunez, 10.

Since the accident occurred in Missouri, the laws for making claims for personal injuries will be different than those in Texas. For instance, if any of those involved in the wreck decide to make an injury claim, the Statute of Limitations in Missouri is 5 years, unlike Texas, in which they would only have 2 years to assert a claim.

If you have been injured in any kind of vehicle accident which was caused by another person’s negligence, contact Texas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson for a free consultation 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.

An Azle man died Tuesday night after his car slid out of control in the rain and into oncoming traffic. 20-year-old Jeffrey Albright had been driving his Honda Sedan in the westbound lanes of Jacksborough Highway in Fort Worth when he lost control and spun out into the eastbound lanes, crashing into Buick in the 7600 block of the highway.

The auto wreck happened around 7:40 p.m. and Albright was pronounced dead at the scene by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office. The driver of the Buick, an unidentified woman, was CareFlighted to a nearby hospital with critical injuries.

Heavy rains and large hail swept through North Texas Tuesday night causing many accidents and lots of damage to trees and properties.

To learn more about your rights when making a personal injury claim, contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 for a free consultation.

A Fort Worth woman was killed this morning when her vehicle was t-boned by a Hummer. Robin Hagen, 50, was driving eastbound in the 7000 block of Lake Country Drive in Northwest Fort Worth when a man in a southbound Hummer ran a red light and struck Hagen's Nissan.

The car accident happened around 8 a.m. and Hagen was pronounced dead at the scene. The man in the Hummer did not suffer any injuries. An accident investigation will determine whether or not charges will be filed.

If you have been injured in a car crash which was caused by another person's negligence, please contact Texas Board Certified Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson at 817-294-1900.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 16-year-old Little Elm High Schooler was killed early Sunday morning when a woman drove the wrong way on the Dallas North Tollway and crashed into her vehicle. 24-year-old Mariza Martinez of Dallas was driving her pickup truck south in the northbound lanes of the tollway just after midnight when she crashed into Kara Taylor’s SUV by the Main Street exit. Taylor was taken to Frisco’s Centennial Medical Center where she was pronounced dead immediately following the car crash.

A 15-year-old girl who was riding passenger in Taylor’s car was also taken to the hospital, but released with minor injuries. Martinez was taken to the Medical Center of Plano with unknown injuries. She was not killed in the crash, though.

A pending accident investigation will reveal whether or not charges will be filed. Results from toxicology testing and scene investigation will determine whether or not Martinez will be cited.
The lanes on the tollway were closed until 4 a.m. Sunday due to the wreck.

If someone you love suffered a wrongful death in a car wreck, or sustained serious injuries, please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation at 817-294-1900.