Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog

Two innocent pedestrians were killed in Arlington and Dallas this week.

Early Thursday morning a woman in Dallas was struck and killed by a hit and run driver in Dallas. The woman was crossing the street in her motorized wheelchair in East Dallas when the driver hit her and sped off – leaving her dead in the road.

In Arlington, a Ducanville man died Wednesday after he was hit by a drunk driver in Arlington on West Division Street. Cleveland Jourden was crossing the street when the pickup truck hit him. The driver of the truck, Bradley Wetzel, was arrested and is facing charges of driving while intoxicated.

This is the 14th traffic fatality in Arlington this year.

Sadly, these two deaths only provide support for the claim in a new study by Transportation for America that says the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area is the 10th most-dangerous place for pedestrians in the United States.

At my personal injury law firm in Fort Worth, we handle a large number of pedestrian accident cases. Unfortunately for us, it wasn't so surprising to see DFW rank so high up on the list.

As gas prices go up there's no doubt in my mind that we will see more people walking and biking to get where they need to go in DFW. The drivers, pedestrians and cities of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington have got to be more conscious of pedestrian safety. The fact that there have already been 14 pedestrian deaths in Arlington this year is just not tolerable.

As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer I know that some of the most devastating auto accidents are those which involve 18-wheelers. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, if they are involved in a traffic collision the damage to property and the injuries suffered by those involved are going to be very serious indeed. Nationwide, 4,000 people are killed and 100,000 more are injured in big rig crashes each year.

One of the biggest problems facing the trucking industry is driver fatigue. There are government rules in places for the purpose of limiting the number of sequential hours a truck driver can be behind the wheel, but many operators keep two separate logs – one real, one fake – so that they can continue to work long hours and cover vast differences, whilst still appearing as though they are operating within the law. While some truckers may be motivated simply by the additional profit of working extra hours, it seems most feel they are given no choice by an industry which places profit before people and pressures drivers to meet unreasonable delivery deadlines.

The Truck Safety Coalition, in association with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union, met in Washington to push for greater safety laws for tractor trailer drivers. Many public citizens who had lost loved ones in truck wrecks were also present to tell lawmakers their deceased loved ones' stories. Among them were Ron Wood, whose mother, sister and three nephews were killed in a Sherman, TX accident caused by a sleepy trucker. Fort Worth Police Officer Robert Mills was also present to call for a switch from paper truck logs to computerized logs which he believed could dramatically cut down on truck companies pressurizing drivers to break the law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is currently in the final stage of implementing electronic on-board recorders and also limiting the amount of time a truck driver can work to 10 consecutive hours in a single shift.

As an Arlington car wreck and wrongful death attorney, I welcome any new initiatives which both enforce laws already in place and also make both truck drivers and other motorists safer on Texas roads. If you or a loved one have been injured in a traffic accident which was not your fault, call now for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your case. Call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or locally at either Ft. Worth 817-294-190 or Dallas 214-327-8000.

Did you know that 90,000 people are injured in forklift accidents every year? According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, forklifts cause thousands of injuries every year and in some cases, can even cause death.

Forklift accidents can leave their victims devastated. The injuries can be incredibly severe and life altering. The most unfortunate part of the whole equation is that a lot of forklift accidents are completely avoidable.

Most forklift accidents are caused by:

• Bad forklift driving
• Defective forklift design
• Lack of forklift driver training
• Improper forklift maintenance
• Improper workplace design

It's not surprising that there are a large number of forklift accidents in Fort Worth with as many construction and industrial workplaces as there are in the DFW area. Even though most forklift injury cases are covered by workers comp, you might still be able to file a personal injury claim if the driver of the forklift was employed by a different employer than yourself.

If you've been injured in a forklift accident, call the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth today. Our personal injury attorneys may be able to get you compensation for your medical treatments, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us at 817-294-1900 to set up your free forklift injury case review.

As a Flower Mound personal injury lawyer, I've learned that many people who have suffered an injury due to someone else's negligence are often hesitant about making a claim for compensation to pay for their medical treatment or loss of income. Typically they rationalize this by saying the car wreck they were in was an accident; accidents happen, they've completed their months of treatment now, it'd be better to put this whole unpleasantness behind them and forget about it… Sometimes people don't want to bring a claim because the at-fault person is someone they know and are afraid of destroying a personal relationship by suing their friend or neighbor. This is the deal: you're not suing your friend – you're claiming against their insurance company. That's why they've paid their insurance premiums all these years – that's why you pay yours.

Full disclosure: I will never pursue a claim against an individual who does not have an insurance policy. I don't know any Texas PI attorney who does. We are not in the business of ruining people's lives, our job is simply to help those who have suffered physical injuries get their lives back on track. Hospital bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States. If it wasn't your fault, you have the legal right to claim for damages.

In some situations, you don't even need to claim against an individual if the at-fault person was at work and performing a duty related to their employment when they caused your injury. A common situation where this occurs is when a truck driver crashes his big rig, injuring other motorists in a traffic collision. Another example might be a nurse who gives the wrong medication to a patient. While the nurse is of course responsible, the hospital is vicariously liable for her actions too. Therefore the patient who was injured as a result of receiving the incorrect meds does not have to worry about the nurse not having the ability to pay the damages incurred, because they can seek compensation from the hospital directly.

If you or a loved one have been hurt and someone else was to blame, please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a free no obligation consultation on your personal situation. We will explain your legal rights and let you know whether there is a legitimate cause for you to seek compensation. Call us toll free at 800-354-6275, or locally at either 817-294-1900 or 214-327-8000. Alternatively, you can contact us online and we will call you back as soon as possible.

Have you seen those electronic billboards across Texas, cautioning you to look twice for motorcyclists? Well, the reason for the emphasis on motorcycle safety is that in addition to May being National Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, TxDOT is also running their own "Share The Road" campaign to encourage motorists to pay greater attention to two-wheeled fellow road users.

There are over 960,000 motorcyclists in Texas, which makes up about one percent of all the traffic in Texas, yet motorcyclists are involved in 14 percent of all wrecks. As a Tarrant County personal injury attorney who has been helping injured bikers for 20 years, I know that it's extremely rare that the motorcyclist is at fault. With the number of Texan bikers expected to double by 2015, encouraging all motorists to pay greater attention to their surroundings and to other vehicles is particularly timely.

The slogan for TxDOT's campaign is "Seeing Them Is Saving Them." Given the current distracted driving epidemic, this is extraordinarily appropriate. Any time a driver fails to give their complete attention to the road, their surroundings and the safe operation of their vehicle, they are causing a hazard both to themselves and others. Since motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable and not as noticeable as cars and trucks, we all need to make sure we are extra alert to avoid a collision.

Here are a few important points to remember which could potentially save a motorcyclist's life:

• Always look twice to be sure
• Be respectful of all road users
• Give them space
• Anticipate potential hazards before they occur.

That's great advice for safe driving anyway!

Mark Anderson is a board certified bike wreck lawyer and author of the book Roadmap To Winning Your Texas Motorcycle Accident Case. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a traffic collision which was not your fault, call now for a free consultation on your case. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I sometimes get nostalgic for happier, simpler times when an amber traffic light used to mean slow down, not speed up. Nowadays it seems everyone is always in a hurry, and it seems the worst drivers aren't even concerned about beating the red light because they simply don't stop at all. It sounds ridiculous, as all motorists know that a red light means stop, but drivers ignoring red lights is a huge problem – particularly to the innocent victims who suffer because of these reckless idiots' negligence.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that 6% of intersection accident fatalities are the result of a car or truck running a red light. The reason that these wrecks are so serious is that at an intersection you inevitably have cars coming from multiple directions. This creates a tremendous potential for head-on and side-on collisions if one driver decides to ignore the stop light. But it's not just drivers and passengers who are victims; pedestrians and bicyclists are also highly vulnerable. Remember that by law you must always make a complete stop at a red light, even when turning right.

So what's the solution? Well, given that some people apparently struggle to grasp the concept that red means stop, enforcement is needed. That means red light cameras. I've said before that I am in favor of red light cameras as I really do believe that they can save lives. The Insurance Institute's report states that from 2004-2008 red light cameras help prevent 159 intersection deaths in the 14 biggest cities which use the technology. They estimate that more than 800 lives could have been saved if every large city used them.

Mark Anderson is a board certified traffic wreck injury attorney and author of the book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a car crash which wasn't your fault, you are entitled to a free, no obligation consultation on your case. We will explain your legal rights and evaluate your personal situation to let you know whether you have a potential claim. Call us toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900. You can also contact us online here.

As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer I have nothing but respect for the emergency response professionals who help people immediately after they have been in an auto accident. Without them, crash victims' injuries would frequently be much worse than they are. However, policemen and women are not immune to being involved in car wrecks themselves.

Early this morning, a Northlake PD officer transporting a prisoner from the Keller Jail was involved in a three-vehicle collision in Westlake. The officer was stopped behind an 18-wheeler big rig at a red light at the intersection of Highway 170 and 377, when a pickup truck driving 60-65 mph smashed into the back of the squad car, propelling it forward into the rear of the tractor trailer. Police reported the driver of the pickup had open containers in his vehicle and he is now being investigated for intoxication. Both the officer and the prisoner were CareFlited to hospital to be treated for their injuries. Their conditions are unknown at this time.

This pickup driver was doing several things wrong. He had allegedly been drinking, he was speeding, and he was ignoring a red stop light. He deserves the harshest punishment for his crimes and for the pain and suffering he has inflicted on two individuals and their families. I hope that both that neither the police officer or the prisoner's injuries are two serious, but given the nature of the wreck, I would anticipate them being quite serious indeed. The reckless driver who caused this tragedy needs to be made an example of for his dangerous antisocial behavior.

Mark Anderson is a Fort Worth PI and wrongful death attorney who has been helping traffic injury victims and their families across the DFW area for 20 years. He is also the author of the book 15 Mistake That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. If you have been hurt in a crash which was not your fault, call for a completely free, no obligation consultation on your case. Call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or locally at 817-294-1900.

As a Tarrant County personal injury attorney, I know that accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians are very common and can be extremely serious. Children in particular are at risk from suffering life-threatening injuries while out cycling as they are too young to drive, so their bike is their only form of transport to travel around their neighborhood. If a car hits a bike there is zero protection available to save the bicyclist from harm. While motorists certainly need to pay attention to surroundings and take greater care when driving through residential areas in particular, it is also important that children understand the risks and the hazards so they might better protect themselves while out and about on our road ways.

This Saturday, Richland Hills Baptist Church is hosting a bicycle safety rodeo to highlight best practices and safety issues specifically for cyclists. The event will also include a stunt show and competitions. Participants will be given the opportunity to win a new bicycle. The event will run from 10am to 1pm at 6852 Baker Blvd in Richland Hills.

Mark Anderson is a Texas auto wreck and child injury lawyer, and author of the book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. If you or a loved one have been hurt due to someone else's negligence, call for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or contact us online.

Johnson County parents are anxiously awaiting news to confirm the cause of a school bus crash which occurred early this morning on County Road 507. Fifty five children were on the Venus Independent School District Bus #11 which collided with a tree. Eleven of the kids had to be hospitalized for their injuries. So far there is no word on the driver's condition or what the likely cause of the crash was. Venus ISD Superintendent Bobby Matthews said in a statement that the wrecked bus had an on-board camera so that more details should be forthcoming once officials had reviewed the tape.

It is understood that the bus was not equipped with seat belts which could potentially have saved some children from injury. Although state laws went into effect back in 2009 requiring all new school buses in Texas to be outfitted with safety belts, there is no requirement for older vehicles to have them installed. The National Transportation Safety Board recently conducted a study into school bus crashes after learning that 26 students die each year in school bus crashes. They concluded that while the overall design of school buses has not changed since 1977, the introduction of lap belts at a minimum would reduce the number of and the severity of injuries sustained by children involved in school bus crashes.

My thoughts are with the family and friends of those children hurt in today's tragic accident. As a Johnson County personal injury attorney, I shall certainly be eagerly following this story to find out what caused the crash to occur.

As a DFW personal injury attorney, I know than injuries can happen almost anywhere, as a result of many different kinds of accidents. Today, 20 people were injured following an escalator accident which occurred at DART's Mockingbird station in Dallas. Seven of the injured pedestrians are children (reported to be from Quinlan ISD schools) have now been taken for medical treatment at Children's Hospital. One of the kids has suffered a broken leg. Two adults were transported to Parkland Hospital for treatment.

According to DART officials, the escalator's speed suddenly increased without warning. All escalators at the station have been shut down while an investigation is conducted into the cause of the defect. Most likely, the problems are the result of maintenance issues, but they could also be due to problems with the design of the machinery.

I hope that each of the individuals hurt in the incident make a full and speedy recovery.

Mark Anderson is a child injury lawyer who has been serving the families of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 1991. If you or a loved one have been injured as the result of someone else's negligence, call for a free, no obligation consultation on 214-327-8000 or contact us online.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that dog bites and other animal attacks can cause serious injuries to their victims. I am a dog owner myself, so I have nothing against people who own dogs, as a citizen of Texas it is your right. But I am also a father, and I certainly don't want my daughter to encounter a violent animal – regardless of the breed. If you choose to own a pet, you must make sure that it does not attack anyone. It is your responsibility.

A new bill was passed in the Texas House yesterday which brings even greater responsibility to dog owners. Authored by state Representative Chuck Hopson (Republican, Jacksonville), the bill means that if a dog kills a child or a senior citizen, the dog's owner could face life in prison. Effectively, they would be charged with a first degree felony. The bill will now go on to the Senate before it becomes law.

Already, the new bill is stirring up debate. Why the age exclusions? Why not the same penalty if the dog attack results in deaths of those not infants or elderly? On the other hand, people argue that the bill seems excessive – there are already penalties in place for negligent dog owners. This is true, if you have been bitten by a dog, you are able to seek damages to help pay for your medical bills and compensate you for your physical and emotional pain and suffering.

It will be interesting to see whether this bill does indeed become law. At the very least, I hope it gives dog owners pause for thought and recognize the responsibilities they have to make sure their pets do not hurt anyone.

Mark Anderson is a board certified personal injury lawyer who has helped dog bite and child injury victims across the DFW area since 1991. For a free consultation on your case, call 817-294-1900 or 214-327-8000.

Thursday, April 28, the House Transportation Committee voted yes on HB 1105, otherwise known as the Complete Streets Bill.

The Senate Transportation Committee has heard the Complete Streets Bill (SB 513), but they have not yet scheduled a vote. The bill must be passed out of this committee in order to be voted on the Senate floor.

Because I deal with pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents regularly in my personal injury law practice in Fort Worth, I think the Complete Streets Bill is a great idea.

If approved, Complete Streets would encourage agencies constructing or renovating streets with State or Federal funding to include accommodations for bicycles, buses and pedestrians. Things like sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, bike lanes, traffic islands and transit waiting area improvements are all a part of Complete Streets.

A lot of the pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Dallas and Fort Worth are caused because drivers aren't paying enough attention and because there aren't enough sidewalks and bike lanes. With Complete Streets, I think our roads will be safer and there will be a lot less accidents for bikers, walkers and drivers alike.

If you were hit by a car while walking or riding your bike, you should call my accident and injury law firm at 817-294-1900. We've represented many bike and pedestrian accident victims and are ready to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call us today to set up a free case consultation with one of our top-rated personal injury attorneys.

It's the perfect weather to be outside in Fort Worth, Texas and although it's still too cool to swim, it's just the right temperature to go jumping on a trampoline. But before you let the kids jump on somebody else's trampoline, take the advice of a Fort Worth personal injury attorney and know the facts on trampoline injuries.

In 2009, trampoline injuries were the reason for more than 98,000 ER visits. The American Academy of Pediatrics stance on trampolines is that they are so dangerous; children should never jump on them.

With as many trampolines as there are in Fort Worth, it's unlikely that your kids won't ever jump on a trampoline. But what will keep them safe from a child injury if they do?

Number one, only children 6 and over should jump on trampolines. There should only be one person jumping at a time and that person should only jump in the middle. Look to see that there is padding covering the trampolines springs and that a net encloses the jumping area.

Of course it goes without saying that a parent or adult must supervise any child jumping on a trampoline.

For more information on how to prevent trampoline accidents and what to do when they happen, read the article “Children and Trampoline Injuries.”

If your child has been injured on someone else's trampoline, it's a good idea to talk to a Board Certified personal injury attorney. It is very likely you could pursue an injury claim against the trampoline owner's insurance company if your child's injuries were caused by the negligence of the trampoline owner. Call the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 to set up a free, no obligation case review. Our accident attorneys will have the answers to your questions.