June 2011 Archives

June 30, 2011

What's More Important? Safety or Fireworks?

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the answer to that question is fireworks. As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer I am utterly astounded at the bad decision the FMCSA has made to abandon the hour-of-service rule for commercial truckers shipping fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend. Big rig wrecks are dangerous enough as it is. I have seen first-hand the life threatening injuries that a Texas 18-wheeler collision can cause. Granting an exemption to this rule (which is designed to make our roads safer by eliminating sleep-deprived truckers) to those hauling explosive cargo seems incredibly shortsighted and dangerous.

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Under the current federal guidelines, commercial truck drivers are not permitted to work longer than 14-hour days. This includes off-duty and rest periods. The exemption means they don't have to count their non-driving time as part of their workday, which in reality means we could have drivers on I-35 and other major roads around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex who've actually been on-the-job for 16 hours or more!

Tarrant County truck accidents are always extremely serious. They cause massive amounts of personal injuries and property damages. If you or a loved one are ever involved in a pile-up or other auto accident involving a commercial truck, I advised you to contact a board certified personal injury attorney as soon as possible. We offer free no obligation consultations to Fort Worth commercial truck wreck victims, so call us now toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

June 30, 2011

Are My Injuries Serious Enough to Hire an Accident Lawyer?

At the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth, potential clients ask our accident attorneys all the time if their injuries are serious enough to hire a lawyer.

As you'll see in this video, the scope and extent of your injuries will determine if you need to hire a Fort Worth personal injury attorney.

The lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm will never take advantage of our clients and we'll tell you if your injuries aren't severe enough to warrant hiring us. It's important to be aware of the statute of limitations in Texas when you've been injured in an accident. Many injuries aren't fully realized until months or even years after the wreck or accident, so you need to know that time is ticking if you want to pursue a personal injury claim.

If you think that the injury lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm can help you with your car accident or other personal injury claim, give us a call at 817-294-1900 to set up a free, no obligation case review with one of our attorneys.

June 29, 2011

Ponder, Denton County Hit And Run Fatality

As a North Texas personal injury lawyer, I know there are some reckless drivers out there – and some who are downright reckless. What is particularly concerning, however, is the fact that there have been three fatal hit-and-run collisions with the past few days: in Fort Worth, in Dallas and also in Denton County. In each of these cases, the police have been forced to solicit the public for anyone who might have any information to identify these deadly motorists and bring them to justice.

21-year-old Joshua Adam Gatlin was killed in a residential area of Ponder on Saturday morning. Ponder Police Department say the pedestrian was struck by an unidentified motor vehicle and left to die at the side of the road. The Tarrant County medical examiner's office identified the cause of death as blunt force trauma, but was unable to estimate the time of the accident.

If you believe you might have any information which could help bring this young man's killer to justice, please contact Denton County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-388-TIPS (8477). A reward of $1,000 has been offered for any information which leads to an arrest.

Mark Anderson is a board certified personal injury and wrongful death attorney, who has been serving the car crash victims of Dallas-Fort Worth since 1991. He is also the author of the book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision which was not your fault, call for a free consultation toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275).

June 29, 2011

Stupid Lawsuit the Week: Big Dr. Pepper sues little Dublin Dr. Pepper

I read today of another Big Corporate Guy trying to crush the Little Guy. This time it is Plano-based Dr. Pepper Snapple trying to push around one of its distributors, which just happens to produce and market a really cool product. If you haven't ever tried Dublin Dr. Pepper, you need to try it. It comes in these really small bottles and it tastes really good as it uses real sugar. It is made in the tiny town of Dublin, Texas. But the Big Corporate Guys don't like it that the little guy from Dublin is selling this cool product outside of the Dublin area. Seems like Big Corporate Guy is cutting off its nose to spite its face as Dublin produces the best thing that DP has going. It surely helps keep Big DP relevant in the ever competitive world.

Our state government wants to talk about frivolous injury suits, but they ought to focus on frivolous suits by this and other Big Corporate Guys. Good Luck Dublin DP. Win the suit and keep making that great product. I will keep buying it no matter where it is sold.

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June 28, 2011

Wanted: Fort Worth Cyclists

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In my spare time I enjoy going for a run along the Trinity River trails, as do many other runners and cyclists. Unfortunately, as a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer I know that bicycle accidents can cause severe injuries. Fortunately, the city of Fort Worth has a plan to make downtown more accessible – and safer for local bike riders. You may have already noticed the bicycle lanes on West Seventh and near south side, but more than 1,000 miles of additional bike lanes are planned. The next phase of roads to have new bike lanes constructed is along 10th and Texas streets.

I think this is a great idea – and a wonderful addition to our city. It will allow commuters to get in some extra exercise while heading to work each morning; and if more people start cycling, it could mean less cars and motorcycles on the road which decreases the potential for fewer fatal auto collisions.

If you or loved one have been injured in a bicycle crash caused by someone else's negligence, it is important that you consult with an experienced traffic wreck attorney. For a free no obligation consultation on your personal situation, call Fort Worth 817-294-1900 or toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275). We will explain your legal rights and help you evaluate what compensation you might be entitled to.

June 27, 2011

You've Got to Fight For Your Rights


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If a business told you that they would only sell you their product if you gave up some of your rights as an American citizen, what would you do? How about if it would give you a new job if you gave up those same rights? Well, chances are you've already been in this situation and you've given up those rights already without even knowing it. The civil justice system is under attack by the special interests that represent major corporations. They have zero regard for the average American's civil rights; all they care about is making as much money as possible. Forget everyone else.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I have 20 years of experience working within the Texas civil justice system. Time and again I've learned that people don't really appreciate what an accident and injury attorney does until they need them. We do not exist to make millionaires out of people who happen to have gotten into a fender bender – we are here to help those people get the medical treatment they need for their serious injuries.

There is a corrupt smear campaign sweeping the nation, the goal of which is to trick people into taking a stand against their own rights. One of the most popular weapons this campaign has is the infamous McDonald's hot coffee case. Everyone know it was a case of a frivolous tort case gone mad, right? Wrong. The victim in the case was 79-year-old woman who spilled scolding hot coffee over her lap while in a parked car. She suffered severe third degree burns and needed years of medical treatment as a result. A shocking documentary detailing the case and three other examples of just how unfair and unbalanced the US civil justice system can sometimes be airs on HBO tonight. If you have any interest in civil law, or if you are concerned about your rights as a citizen being stripped away - and you should be very concerned - then I urge you to watch it and make up your own mind.

“Hot Coffee” airs on HBO tonight at 11pm CST.

June 24, 2011

Reasons Not To Go To the Hospital in July

Ever heard of the “July Effect”? I hadn't either until just a few days ago. Apparently, the July Effect refers to the spike of deaths in teaching hospitals in July and according to a recent study by the Journal of General Internal Medicine, it's actually true. In the report, they recorded a 10 percent spike in teaching hospital deaths during the month of July due to medical errors. They call this spike “The July Effect” and they attribute it to the influx of new interns and residents in teaching hospitals.

Even though I've been a Fort Worth personal injury and medical malpractice attorney for the last 20 years, this was news to me.

Why do so many more medical errors happen in July? The answer is quite simple: medical students graduate in June, start their residency or internship at the hospital in July and make mistakes because---they don't know what they're doing!

No matter what you do, when you start a new job you are bound to make mistakes. The only difference is that when you are responsible for the medical care of a patient those mistakes can be deadly.

It's good to know this information, especially if you have to be admitted to a teaching hospital in July.

The laws concerning medical malpractice and error are extremely complicated and different in every state, but if you think you've been a victim of medical malpractice or error in Dallas or Fort Worth, give my law firm a call at 817-294-1900. At the Anderson Law Firm, we can explore your legal options during our free, no obligation case review and see if we can help you in your injury claim.

June 23, 2011

Child Injured When Car Crashes Into Fort Worth Hair Salon

I've been working as a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer for 20 years and I've seen some bizarre car wrecks in my time, but this one is just plain weird. A young girl waiting for her mother inside Pro-Cuts hair salon on West Berry Street in Fort Worth was taken to hospital after a car crashed through the front window of the shop, colliding with the bench the girl was sitting on. According to the shop's owner, Beth Driskill, the girl and her sister went flying through the air across the shop as a result of the impact. The second girl is reportedly uninjured.

The driver of the car was also treated for their injuries, although their identity has not yet been released at this time. Neither has any explanation for what caused for the accident been reported. As a Fort Worth personal injury attorney, I have seen similar cases in the past. To me, it sounds like this is either a case of driver negligence, defective roadway construction or a combination of factors.

I wish both the girl and the driver a full and speedy recovery.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic collision or any other accident which was not your fault, please give us a call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. Alternatively, you may contact us locally at 817-294-1900 in Fort Worth.

June 22, 2011

Fatal Truck Explosion on I-35W in Fort Worth Shuts Down Traffic


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As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer I have seen some catastrophic wrecks involving commercial 18-wheeler trucks and yesterday's collision on South Freeway was nothing short of dramatic. According to police reports a diesel service truck rear ended a pickup truck which was propelled forward into another big rig. The driver of the pickup was tragically trapped inside his vehicle which was engulfed in flames from two explosions. He did not survive. No-one else was significantly injured to be taken to hospital, authorities say. Firefighters extinguished the fire a little under an hour after the crash occurred, although all lanes of southbound I-35W were closed for more than four hours in total.

My thoughts are with the family and friends of the individual who sadly lost their life in this horrific accident. I am sorry for your loss. Although no charges have been brought against anyone involved in this particular collision, it important that a thorough investigation is pursued after any commercial truck wreck as soon as possible. The trucking companies usually get their own teams of investigators examining the evidence almost immediately. It's important that the victim's find a truck wreck attorney to make sure their legal rights are protected too.

June 20, 2011

Defective and Dangerous Products: Are They In Your House?

At the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth, we try to update the public about dangerous products and product recalls as much as we can by using our blogs, like this one. Our accident and injury attorneys know that these unsafe products are a hazard to our families and we want the public to be informed as much as possible. However, with so many product recalls and dangerous toys and the like out there, it's impossible for us to keep up with all of them!

Did you know products like toys, cookware and lawn equipment can be considered defective even if there is no product recall? No matter how big or small, defective products can cause serious injuries to people, especially children. Texas law provides that people injured by unreasonably dangerous products are entitled to be compensated for their injuries—but what do you need to prove that the item was indeed defective and dangerous?

At the Anderson Law Firm, we recommend the following steps if you've been injured by an unsafe product:
• Save the product in its current condition
• Save all the manuals, instructions and paperwork that goes with the product
• Get the information of any witnesses that saw the accident happen
• Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries
• If you are hurt, seek medical attention immediately
• Write down your injury symptoms days after the accident
• Do not give a recorded statement, sign a medical records authorization, or accept a settlement before talking to a products liability attorney

Following this advice will help you to get most value from your products liability accident claim. If you've been injured by a defective product, call the Fort Worth product liability attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm for a free case consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact us today at 817-294-1900.

June 17, 2011

Bar Found Liable In Fatal Drunk Driving Wreck


Back in 2005, Michael Miles of Arlington got behind the wheel of his car after a massive drinking session, drove five miles down US 287 and E Loop 820 S on the wrong side of the road, and smashed into another vehicle; killing the four teenagers inside. On Monday, a Fort Worth jury awarded damages to the families of the deceased teens who had attended Dunbar and Wyatt high schools. But the decision wasn't simply against Miles' insurance company (Miles himself died in hospital following the collision) but also the topless bar where he was drinking. Under Texas' Dram Shop Law, wrongful death lawyers can seek compensation from the proprietors of establishments that over serve alcohol to their customers. In this particular case, the liable bar owners named as Harry Floyd Freeman and John David Faltynski of Harlem Nites Cabaret were found to be 35% responsible for the fatal crash, and Miles 65% responsible. I'm sure that the families of those that lost their lives in this tragic wreck which could so easily have been prevented are glad that justice has been done.

Congratulations to attorneys Bob Haslam and Kevin Byrne for the outstanding job these gentlemen did for their clients. I know how hard these cases are to pursue and my hat is off to them for fighting the fight and achieving justice for their clients.

June 17, 2011

Fort Worth Bus Accident Leaves Four People Injured

We were just discussing city bus accidents at my injury law firm in Fort Worth when I read a headline about a bus wreck just blocks away from our office. Wednesday afternoon, four people were taken to area hospitals after a car hit the back of a city bus in downtown Fort Worth.

The 40-foot city bust was stopped at West Ninth and Houston when the car struck it from behind. Three bus passengers and the driver of the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries but were taken to the hospital to get checked out.

Bus accidents are caused for a variety of reasons, but most of the time it's usually other drivers around the bus that trigger the accident, just like in the story above.


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City bus accident claims in Fort Worth and Dallas are just like any regular car accident claim except that every other passenger on the bus has the same ability to file a claim against the negligent driver. Because of this, it's important that if you have been in a city bus wreck, that you seek the counsel of an experienced DFW bus accident attorney. You need someone in your corner that understands the system and won't let your claim get pushed to the bottom of the pack.

If you are ever in need of a bus accident attorney, give the Anderson Law Firm at call at 817-294-1900. We take personal injury claims from all over DFW and can set up a free, no obligation case consultation to talk about your bus accident.

June 14, 2011

Texas Leads the Nation in Deaths Related To Children Left in Hot Cars

Automobile accidents aren't the only killer of children in Texas. It's terrible to think about, but cars can be deadly to children even when they aren't in motion. As a Fort Worth child injury lawyer and father, I'm well aware of just how deadly leaving children in hot cars can be.

It seems like a no brainer to remember to take your child out of the car, but in these days when everybody is preoccupied with their cellphones, iPods and whatever else, accidents will happen. In the scorching summer months in Texas, it's especially important that parents and caregivers of children be completely undistracted when loading and unloading kids from their car.

Already four children have died in hot cars in Texas this year alone – and it's not even July. Just this Sunday, a La Vernia boy was found dead in his parent's vehicle after he got trapped inside the car while his father was sleeping.

Accidents can happen to anyone, even something like this. According to KidsAndCars.org, a child's body temperature climbs three to five times faster than an adult's, especially in a hot car. The temperature inside a car can increase 35 degrees in less than 30 minutes and a baby can die in as little as 15 minutes, even in 75 degree weather.

If you live in Dallas or Fort Worth, don't leave your child in your car for any amount of time this summer. It's just too dangerous. Visit my law firm's website to read some suggestions to help parents remember that kids are on board. Remember to lock your car when everyone is unloaded and keep the keys with you at all times so children can't grab them and play around in your vehicle. This is an accident that is completely preventable – we just have to be extra cautious.

At the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth, we take injuries to children very seriously. If you are ever in need of a child injury lawyer in Fort Worth, give us a call at 817-294-1900. Our lawyers are ready to help you in your fight for justice for your child.

June 13, 2011

Financial Debt You Might Incur After An Accident


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If you've been unlucky enough to have been injured in a Dallas-Fort Worth traffic wreck, it's important that you understand that your chance encounter with a negligent driver could have long term implications which continue long after you complete your medical treatment and your wounds have healed. You may not know this, but unpaid medical bills are the number one reason for bankruptcy in America. Doctors and hospitals are very expensive. Even with really good health insurance, the money you personally owe can be quite substantial. As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, I have seen too many of my clients' lives ruined by the bad credit they were stuck with following their accidents, even after their claims have been successfully resolved and the bills paid.

Regardless of whether you were injured in a car wreck, a motorcycle collision or some other accident, chances are high that you're going to incur significant medical expenses over the course of your treatment. Added to that, you're probably going to be out of work for a while, so the loss of income makes the problem even worse. The good news is that in Texas you have the legal right to pursue a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver's insurance company. This will allow you to recover money to pay off your medical debt, replace those lost wages and compensate you for the very real pain and suffering you and your family have endured.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident which was not your fault, give me a call for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

June 11, 2011

Are Your Children Buckled in the Right Way?

Sure you might have all the right car and booster seats for your kids, but are they installed the correct way?

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seven out of ten kids in child safety seats aren't properly buckled in.

As a Fort Worth child injury and car accident lawyer, it's no surprise to me that car crashes are the number one killer of children. But what is truly upsetting is that parents can help prevent child injuries from car accidents just by following the rules, regulations and recommendations for installing and restraining their kids in child safety seats.

As a parent, I couldn't imagine the guilt I would feel if my child was injured because I had made a mistake buckling them up. Read about the most common mistakes parent's make when installing their child's safety harness on my accident and injury law firm's website.

If anyone in your family has been hurt in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, call my law firm at 817-294-1900 today. We specialize in car accidents and child injuries and will make sure that justice is done for your accident injuries.

June 10, 2011

Bike Lanes More Dangerous than Riding in the Street? Maybe in New York

Working more than 20 years as a Fort Worth accident and injury attorney, I'm always happy to hear about city initiatives to make drivers, pedestrians and cyclists safer in DFW. My injury law firm is located in downtown Fort Worth and we've started to notice the new bike lane striping on our city streets. These bike lanes will undoubtedly keep cyclists safer from car accidents and injuries and we are very happy to see the city take the charge to make complete streets happen in downtown.

But to go along with the news that bike lanes are finally coming to Downtown Fort Worth, here's a video of what I hope doesn't happen to our cities bike lanes.

In New York City, Casey Neistat was ticketed for not riding in the bike lane in and had to pay a $50 fine. This brings up an important issue about how cities like Fort Worth must keep bike lanes safe and free of debris if they expect cyclists to ride within them. In the video, Casey gets a ticket for not riding in the bike lane. He tries to explain to the police officer why he can't always ride in a bike lane, but sometimes words just aren't enough. Casey thought it would be better to make a video to show why sometimes riding in the bike lane is just plain unsafe. Watch the video and see whose side you're on.

Hopefully the city of Fort Worth can do a better job than New York in keeping our new bike lanes clear. I still think cyclists are safer riding in the bike lane and abiding by the law, but really only a combined effort will keep pedestrians, cyclists and drivers safe. We've all got to do our part and look out for the other guy.

If you've been hurt in a bicycle accident because of a negligent automobile driver, call my law firm at 817-294-1900. We can set up a free consultation to go over your case and see how our bicycle accident lawyers can help you get on the road to recovery.

June 9, 2011

What does loss of enjoyment of life mean?

If you've been injured in an accident in Fort Worth, your immediate focus will be on your health and getting better. Although your initial wounds will heal, there is a good chance that if you sustain serious injuries your life could be altered forever.

A term you hear thrown around quite often is “loss of enjoyment of life.” What is that exactly? Well, to put it simply, it means how your injuries have affected your daily life and activities. You can read more about it on my personal injury law firm's website, here.

Even the smallest injuries can affect your life and the activities you are able to participate in. At my injury law firm in Fort Worth, we address how accidents have affected the daily lives of our clients in each personal injury claim we file. Even a small car accident can cause you to slip a disk in your back. Let's say you have small children, well that slipped disk could prevent you from being able to play and care for them. This is loss of enjoyment of life.

Have you experienced loss of enjoyment of life after you were hurt in an accident? The probability is pretty high that you will if you are seriously injured.

It's important to remember to write down how your injuries are affecting your daily activities. What activities aren't you participating in anymore? Has your sleep pattern changed for the worse after your accident? Are you having feelings of sadness or anxiety—even weeks after your accident?

Accident victims often forget to mention emotional stresses and sleep issues when describing their injuries to their doctors and nurses, yet these are the areas where accidents can affect people the most. Sleep deprivation due to accident injuries can cause a multitude of physical and mental problems, yet I see clients time and time again forget to mention it to their doctors after their accident.

If you've been in an accident, take note what effect your injuries have had on your life. Then, call the Fort Worth personal injury lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm if you need help with paying for your medical bills, lost wages or pain and suffering. One accident doesn't have to ruin the rest of your life. Contact the Anderson Law Firm today.

June 7, 2011

Dealing With the Insurance Company in Broken Bone Cases


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In my 20 years as a Dallas-Fort Worth traffic injury lawyer I have helped people injured in all sorts of car wrecks, motorcycle collisions and other accidents. Some of the most catastrophic injuries I've seen are broken bone injuries. They can happen to anyone from a kid falling off a climbing frame or a senior citizen slipping in a nursing home. In fracture injury cases it is incredibly important that you have an experienced personal injury attorney holding your hand and dealing with the insurance company on your behalf. You don't want to do anything which could jeopardize your chances of recovering the maximum possible compensation from the insurance company, because chances are you'll need it.

If you're lucky, your broken bones can be fixed with the standard treatment of setting and casting, and waiting for your body to heal itself over time. But in the more serious cases extensive orthopedic surgery is required. Many accident injury victims need long term physical therapy. Some people never fully recover and face lifelong disability as a result of the accident.

You need to be extremely careful in how you deal with the insurance company when pursuing a claim for damages. Usually, the insurance adjustor will try to rush you into settling a claim before you're had the opportunity to consult with an attorney who can explain your legal rights. Don't fall for their tricks. Under Texas law you are entitled to seek monetary compensation to help pay for all past and future medical expenses related to your wreck, so you don't want to settle too soon. I never allow my clients to sign anything until their injuries have stabilized and their doctor is able to say with certainty what their future quality of life will be.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a Texas accident and suffered any sort of injury, I would like to offer you a free copy of my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. It's filled with the most important dos and don'ts to make sure you don't get taken advantage of by the insurance company. If you live or work in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex then I offer free consultations to injured individuals and their families. Call me toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) to set up an appointment.

June 3, 2011

Do I really have to reimburse my health insurance company?

If you live in Texas and have received compensation for an accident that was caused by someone else, there may come a time when you receive a subrogation letter.

What is a subrogation letter you may ask? Well, it's a piece of paper usually from an outside collecting company that wants you to pay back your insurance company for the services they paid for after your accident. This usually means the medical bills your insurance company covered.

You see, buried deep in your insurance policy is a few paragraphs that discuss the issue of subrogation should your recoup damages from a lawsuit or personal injury claim.

Is it fair that you might have to pay back your insurance company? Heck no, it's not fair. I hate paying back health insurance companies because I think that if you pay premiums, then you deserve coverage and shouldn't have to pay them back. But, unfortunately, health insurance contracts give the health insurance companies rights to raise their hand and ask for payment back from you.

After more than 20 years as a personal injury lawyer in Fort Worth, I think that your best option is to discuss the issue of subrogation with your attorney at the beginning of the lawyer-client relationship. At the Anderson Law Firm, we could begin going over this at the free case consultation we offer to all our potential clients. A good accident attorney will collaborate a plan to negotiate subrogation matters with the insurance company at the beginning of the client's personal injury case so that no matter what, they can be fairly compensated for their injuries and pain and suffering.

June 2, 2011

Dollars & Cents: Will I get more money by hiring a lawyer for my personal injury claim?

In my 20 years of experience as a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I've been asked this question hundreds of times. My short answer is that yes, you probably will receive more compensation for your injuries by hiring a personal injury lawyer for your accident claim.

You can read a more detailed explanation of why you most likely will receive more money by hiring a lawyer on my website, but the bare bones of it is this:

•Hiring a Board Certified personal injury attorney gives your case more leverage.
•An experienced Fort Worth accident lawyer will track down all the available insurance policies to maximize the amount you are able to recover.
•A good personal injury trial lawyer knows the difference between good and bad offers.

It is true that you do not need to hire an attorney for every personal injury claim; there are plenty that you could settle just fine on your own. But in my law firm's experience, we recommend that if you have been seriously injured or have medical bills that amount to more than $5,000, you should take advantage of our free case consultation and meet with us. At the Anderson Law Firm, we can guide you to the right course of action and make sure that you receive justice for what wrongfully happened to you.

So, if you've been hurt in a car accident, truck wreck, motorcycle accident or have been injured in any other incident due to the negligence of another person, give my law firm a call at 817-294-1900. We'd be happy to meet with you and see what we can do to help you get on the road to recovery.

June 1, 2011

Why You Should Make A Claim Against Your Neighbor


With the temperature in Dallas-Fort Worth expected to hit 100 degrees this week, I think it's safe to say that summer is officially here. As the schools shut down, I'm sure that most kids are looking forward to getting outside to play with their friends. I think it's great that children enjoy physical activities outdoors, but as an experienced child injury lawyer, I know that it can also mean an increased risk of injury-causing accidents both out and about and around the home. The most common summertime accidents are usually swimming pool or trampoline injuries.

Every year I get contacted by parents whose child has been seriously injured while playing at a friend or a neighbor's house and they want to know whether they are able to make a claim for compensation. The simple answer is yes, of course you are. So long as your neighbor has insurance, we can make a claim. It won't cost your neighbor a penny – the full settlement will be paid by their insurance company.

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Many people are still reluctant to pursue a claim even after I reassure them of that fact. The truth is, I don't pursue claims against an individual. I look for insurance. But if your child was hurt as a result of something which was preventable you absolutely have the right to pursue a claim against your neighbor's insurance company. That's why they (and you) pay your premiums each month – in case something happens and someone gets hurt. You buy insurance to help pay the medical bills when someone is injured in an accident.

Yet people still worry that making a claim against the insurance company will hurt their neighbor in some way. I promise it won't affect them at all. It won't even make a difference to their monthly premiums because home insurance costs are determined primarily by where their house is located and it's value.

If you or your child has been injured in an accident, it is important that you consult with a board certified personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Give us a call on 817-294-1900 and we can explain your legal rights and help you determine the best course of action in your personal situation.