Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog

San Diego injury lawyer Ross Jurewitz filed a claim against the City of San Diego on August 19 on behalf of the family of 29-year-old Virginia Ortega, who was killed when she was struck by a San Diego Seal Tours bus. The accident occurred as she was crossing the street at Pacific Highway and West Harbor Drive near the Seaport Village Shopping Center on March 18, 2010.

Ms. Ortega, of Glendale, Arizona, was struck by the front of the Seal Tours bus as it made a right turn. The impact caused her to be pulled underneath the bus’s front axle and crushed as the vehicle completed its turn. According to Mr. Jurewitz, this is the third accident at this intersection where a pedestrian has been seriously injured or killed by a vehicle making a right turn onto northland Pacific Highway. A bus from the same Seal Tours also injured a pedestrian just six months prior to Ms. Ortega’s tragic death.

According to Mr. Jurewitz, the city knew this was a dangerous intersection. The only warning sign they placed near the intersection is out of sight of pedestrians. This is a high traffic pedestrian area as many tourists walk to nearby Seaport Village or nearby hotels.

Not only is Ms. Ortega’s family seeking damages of $10,000,000.00 from the city, but they also want the intersection fixed. “They want to make sure that nobody ever again loses a loved one because of this intersection,” said Mr. Jurewitz.

What a terrible tragedy. It is astounding to me that this is the second time in six months a pedestrian was struck by one of these tour buses. It is even the same tour company! The City of San Diego certainly has a responsibility to protect its pedestrians, especially in a high traffic tourist area. I look forward to seeing the city make the necessary changes to make this intersection a safe place for pedestrians.

The attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group represent people seriously injured as the result of the negligence and carelessness of others in the San Diego area. The Jurewitz Law Group can be reached at 619-233-5020 or www.Jurewitz.com.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer 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. You can contact a Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer now.

An East Texas father and mother tried to rescue their 7-year-old girl from drowning Monday afternoon in the Trinity River. A passing bicyclist pulled out the girl and her mother, who also was trying to save the girl. Unfortunately, the father was unable to survive.

Richard Walker, 47, of Winnsboro, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner's office. The names of other family members have not yet been released.

The drowning occurred at a low-water dam between the Interstate 30 and West Lancaster Avenue bridges.

Fort Worth Fire spokesman Tim Hardeman said that the family had been walking across the rocky crossing when the little girl fell in the water. The parents jumped in after her.

The bicyclist, Jeff Harrison, said he was on the 37th mile of a ride that had begun more than two hours earlier at his home in north Fort Worth. Harrison was cycling back home through Trinity Park about 3:30 p.m. when he saw the girl floating with the current and an older woman and man swimming after her.

A teenage boy, Walker's son, was standing on the rocks and appeared frantic, Harrison said. The boy told him that he couldn't swim. There were adult onlookers nearby that didn’t even bother to help.

Harrison saw that the man was caught in a strong current and the mother and daughter had floated farther away. Harrison said he ran along the bank toward them, and he could see the mother's body beneath the water's surface.

He jumped in and pulled them both out of the river. The girl appeared fine, he said, but the mother's body had turned blue.

Harrison did CPR, even though he had not been trained to do so. Luckily it saved the mother’s life. Emergency workers then arrived and revived the woman.

Harrison said the satisfaction of saving the mother and daughter was tempered by sadness and frustration over the father's death. He was still stunned that no one else tried to help.

This heroic effort was shadowed by the fact that a father died trying to save his daughter. The fact that only one man who saw them that day tried to help is somewhat disturbing. We need to celebrate this bicyclist’s bravery in saving a mother and child when everyone else watching seemed to think it was impossible.

Remember that drowning is the second leading cause of death of children ages 1-14. Steering clear of dangerous water, or dangerous pathways over bodies of water, could save your child’s life. And in this case, the poor father was just trying to save his little girl when he was overcome with the strong current and suffered the injury that he thought he was preventing. Our hearts go out to this family and we also want to acknowledge the courage of the bicyclist for risking his own life to save a stranger’s life.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm specializes in personal injury matter. We can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have any questions, feel free to fill out the contact form online for a free consultation.

Pedestrians walking across the intersection of Allen Street and McKinney Avenue in the Uptown Dallas neighborhood are in danger because of fading street markings.

Numerous accidents have occurred at the intersection, including car crashes and pedestrians getting hit by motor vehicles. Three years ago, the City of Dallas installed signs and marked the crosswalk with white striping. The signs are still visible, but the street markings are fading.

The Uptown Public Improvement District believes more safety measures are needed. The city said they would review the signage and markings at this crosswalk and others in a four-block stretch along McKinney Avenue.

"I'm for a light or a pedestrian light, either one," said UPID Chief Executive Officer Jim Reagan. "If you have to slow down a little bit when you are on McKinney, so be it, if it keeps pedestrians safe."

It is important to look out for pedestrian signs because at crosswalks, pedestrians have the right of way. Of pedestrian fatalities, 73% occur in urban areas like downtown Dallas. While fault is sometimes a tricky thing to establish, with pedestrian accidents it’s pretty clear cut. If you are crossing with the right of way and a driver turns and causes a cross walk accident, the driver is at fault. Hopefully the City of Dallas will be able to fix this problem so that the number of accidents will decrease.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reach in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a pedestrian accident, fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A 55-year-old man accused of trying to run down a Fort Worth police officer in a Stockyards alley last month was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault of a public servant. Police got an arrest warrant for William "Louie" Melear and found him Thursday morning after receiving a tip that he was at a friend's home.

The officer had been flagged down about 3 a.m. by a businessman reporting a suspicious vehicle in an alley in the 2400 block of North Main Street. About the same time, a caller to 911 reported that two men were "smoking drugs" in a Mercedes behind a bar on North Main.
The officer, unaware of the 911 call, was investigating the businessman's report when the driver of a Mercedes suddenly accelerated toward the officer. He dodged the car and fired several times at the Mercedes.

A civilian who heard the gunfire and thought the officer had been killed got a gun and also fired several times at the Mercedes as it passed him on West Exchange Avenue.

I am currently representing another local officer in a similar case, so I know these situations occur from time to time. Whether insurance will cover this accident will eventually depend on whether the act was found to be intentional or not. Car insurance policies do not cover intentional acts. But I guess that the car driver will not admit to intentionally trying to run over the officer, which will probably help the officer in trying to recover compensation for his injuries from that driver's liability insurance company.

Being a police officer is dangerous enough without someone doing something as crazy as this. The officer could have been seriously injured as a pedestrian. It is important to remember that there are laws that one must obey, and running over a police officer is certainly against the law. In 2007, 70,000 pedestrians were injured in vehicle collisions in the U.S. alone. Even though this accident seems more like a pre-planned attack, it is still a reminder to be aware of your surroundings while driving or walking as a pedestrian.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 and in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have any questions concerning a pedestrian or car accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Early Friday afternoon an 18-wheeler struck a pedestrian on northbound US 75 in Plano. Police say a young woman parked her car on the highway shoulder and began walking up the road.

She stepped into the right lane of traffic just feet from her car. An Atlas moving van hit her, killing her instantly.

The police are unsure whether this is a suicide or accident. The woman was driving alone and she did not appear to have a flat tire.

Stories like this are hard to write about. It was tragic for both the pedestrian and the truck driver. No one can expect an 18-wheeler to be able to stop when a pedestrian walks out on to a highway. Hopefully the police can figure out the details of this unfortunate accident. 4,654 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2007; an average of one fatality every two hours. It is important to remember that highways are a dangerous place to try and cross.

Information and commentary are provided by Dallas/ Fort Worth Truck 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 a truck accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A 5-year-old boy died Thursday evening after being struck by a vehicle backing out of the driveway of his family's home. Evan Fisher was pronounced dead at 7:22 p.m. at his home on Bowie Road, a rural area in Parker County near Weatherford.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the Fisher family, and we hope time will heal the pain they are feeling. It’s hard losing a loved one, especially a child. It is important to watch your kids at all times so accidents like this can be prevented. Remember also that there are blind spots with any vehicle, so be sure to check those before backing out of a driveway. Statistics show that children are at a high risk of pedestrian-related accidents. In the 5 to 19 age demographic, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death. Many of these accidents involve children as pedestrians. Evan was probably just playing outside when it happened, and because he was only 5 years old, probably couldn’t be seen from the vehicle.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury 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 regarding a car accident or a child injury, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

The man who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Wednesday morning on the Airport Freeway was a Marine. He was on two week’s leave from Afghanistan.

The Marine, Evan Sanchey, 23, was flying home to Washington but had a layover at DFW Airport. The victim was trying to cross S.H. 183 when he was struck in the far right eastbound lane. No one can say for sure why Sanchey was crossing the highway on foot, and no car parts were found that could give the make or model of the car.

What is even more suspicious is the fact that he was booked on a flight for Thursday, which meant that the military would have put him in a hotel overnight. So officials are unsure as to why he was crossing the road when he could have stayed at the hotel.

This is saddening not only because he was killed, but also because he was a man fighting for his country. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends who are dealing with an indescribable loss. I am sure no one thought he would make it through Afghanistan but die from a hit-and-run. Still, it is important to recognize the serious danger involved with pedestrians and a crowded highway. 4,654 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2007. And because this death could have been prevented, it is even more important to be informed about cross-walk and pedestrian laws.

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

Friday, May 21 is Bike to Work Day in Fort Worth, and many cycling devotees are going to be using the cities hike and bike trails to get to work. Many riders say they will use the popular Trinity Trails to get downtown.

Some prominent figures in the Fort Worth community that will be riding their bikes to work are Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Tax Collector Betsy Price, and Fort Worth transportation Authority President Dick Ruddell. One group of riders even plans to meet and pedal en masse to the Intermodal Transportation Center to get free coffee and snacks.

While it may take longer to get to work, there are many benefits to riding a bike to work. You don’t experience traffic, you get exercise, and you help out the environment. I think it is a great idea and a way for Fort Worth residents to get outside and get some fresh air. It is still crucial to remember the safety precautions that one must make when riding a bicycle to prevent bike accidents. 72% of bicycle accident fatalities occur in urban areas. Also make sure that drivers can see you as the number one cause of bicycle accidents is the fact that the driver couldn’t see the bike rider.

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

Two people died in an accident around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday night in the southeast Dallas. Police say that Lashon Hudson, the motorcycle, struck a pedestrian, Paul Pellard, while driving in south in the 6200 block of Bonnie View Rd., near I-20 and I-45.

Police say the biker was speeding and doing a wheelie when he hit a man walking across the road. Pellard flew across the medium into oncoming traffic. Hudson then lost control of the bike and ran into a speed limit sign where he was knocked off and fell under a DART bus.

Bellard did not use the crosswalk. Bellard failed to yield right of way to the motorcycle being ridden by Hudson and was hit.

Our hearts go out to the families of the two victims. It’s hard to hear of a tragedy like this that could have been avoided had the motorcyclist not been speeding and if Bellard had used a cross walk and yielded the right of way.

In 2007 there were 4,654 pedestrians killed in vehicle collisions in the U.S. 67% of pedestrian fatalities occur at night. For your safety, always follow pedestrian crossing laws. Cross with the right of way, and cross in crosswalks—where people expect to see you.

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

Two teens were riding their bikes on the unlit back road in Venus, a town southeast of Fort Worth, last night when a drunk driver hit them both and then sped off. Seventeen year-old Brandon Simmons sustained fatal injuries, while the other teen, Ian French, sustained only minor injuries.

Donald Cassell III, 47, is the man accused of causing the tragic and preventable crash. He is charged with both intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid.

This is not only an accident involving drunk driving, but also an accident that involves the dangers of bicycling, especially at night on a poorly lit road. Our sympathies go out to Brandon’s family and hope that this is something that we all can learn from.

It is crucial to remember that drinking and driving is never acceptable, and it causes injury and death. In 2007 alone, nearly 13,000 people died in drunk-driving related crashes. This scenario could have been avoided, and the fact that Cassell didn’t offer aid is disturbing. Then there is the matter of the unlit road that the teens were riding on. Both children and adults should remember that riding a bike at night is dangerous, and if for some reason you have to do it, it is always good to be aware of the safety concerns and wear protective and reflective gear.

Information and commentary is provided by Texas Personal injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or toll free across Texas at 1-877-294-1115. If you have questions about a drunk driving accident or questions about a bicycle accident, please fill out a contact form online for a free consultation.

Last week Charmion Bell, a Dallas woman, was attacked by two pit bulls as she rode her bike. The dogs mauled Bell in her Oak Cliff neighborhood.

Bell was riding her bicycle when the pit bulls assaulted and knocked her from her bike into a ditch. Once in the ditch, the aggressive dogs kept biting. She tried to fend them off but her attempts were ineffective. Covered in blood, Bell had over 60 bites before neighbors came to rescue her.

Bell’s body is now covered in bandages. She has to use a crutch to get around.

Police could not immediately locate the vicious dogs. They are currently in the process of investigating whether the dogs are strays or pets. Neighbors say the dogs have been terrorizing the neighborhood for weeks. Bell hopes that no one else will become a victim to these ferocious dogs, especially a child.

Aggressive and vicious dogs that attack humans can cause many different types of injuries. The most common injuries from dog attacks involve bites which can cause unsightly scarring. These bites can also result in serious tendon tears and ligament damage. Pit bulls, as Bell situation would agree, are some of the more uncontrollable dogs.

A while back I wrote an article about the Post Office’s movement to publicize Dog Biting Prevention week. Stories like Charmion Bell’s just enforce to reality and pain of dog biting. Best wishes to a speedy recovery for Bell. Hopefully her story will help convince the public that dog attacks can happen anywhere and they are a serious concern.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. If you have been injured in a dog attack or from a dog bite, feel free to take advantage of the free consultation offered by the Anderson Law Firm. We can be reached in Dallas at 214-328-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

A woman in her mid twenties died early this morning after being hit by a pickup truck on Matlock Road in Arlington. Witnesses said that they saw the woman step into the roadway.

The woman has not yet been identified, and the fatal car accident is still under investigation. The driver of the pickup truck was cooperative with the Arlington Police Department.

Matlock Road was closed from around 5:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. while the police department investigated the accident.

I would like to hear further details about why the woman was near the roadway. It is unclear whether or not she was in a car and then stepped into the roadway, or whether she suffered from a pedestrian injury. It is important in any situation to follow safety laws concerning pedestrians when you are driving near intersections.

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

There are many things that can be attributed to bicycle accidents in our community. I personally believe that being aware of many of the situations that cause bicycle wrecks will help prevent you from being in a bicycle accident.
Here are a few of the common causes of bike crashes:

•Drivers who are unaware of bicyclists: Make sure that if you are biking on a road that is shared with vehicles that you keep a safe distance from all of the cars around you. It is often difficult for drivers to see where you are if you are not far enough away from their car to see you clearly in their mirrors.
•U-Turns: Be particularly aware of cars that are about to make a u-turn or are in the process of making a u-turn. There is a lot going on that the vehicle driver should be paying attention to when making a u-turn, so keeping your distance from cars that are u-turning. This is a preventative measure to make sure you are not in a bike accident because a driver does not see you when making a u-turn.
•Car Doors: When biking near parked cars, keep enough distance so that if a car door suddenly opens, you would not run into the door with your bicycle.
•Alcohol: In 37% of bicycle accidents either the driver of the car or the bicyclist was driving under the influence. Bottom line: do not drink and drive whether you are driving a car, bike, or any other form of transportation.

I hope being aware of several of the common causes of bike accidents will help you be better prepared next time you are riding to work, working out, or just simply enjoying the outdoors. Almost 700 bicyclists are killed each year. I hope that taking precautionary measures by being aware of possible causes of bike wrecks will help keep you and your family safe.

This information is provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury 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 a bicycle accident, please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

An 11-year-old girl from Saginaw, TX was hit by an SUV on Tuesday as she was riding her bicycle. The crash occurred at the intersection of High Country and East Bailey Boswell Road in far north Fort Worth. The SUV was driven by an 18-year-old, who stopped immediately after the collision. The 11 year old girl was care-flighted to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth and is reported to be in good condition.

I don't know any other information about this wreck, but I always wonder when I see these reports what was the cause of the accident. I see a good portion of these bicycle/car collisions being caused by either the bike rider or the car driver not paying attention. I'm not saying that is the case here, as I don't know what caused the accident, but it makes me wonder. I sure hope the 11-year-old girl recovers quickly from her injuries.

Personally, I somewhat know how the 18-year-old motorist feels, as I was involved in a bicycle/vehicle collision when I was in high school. Coincidently, my accident occurred in Saginaw. In my wreck, the cause was the bicyclist pulling in front of me as I was driving through an apartment complex. However, as I get older and look back, I wonder if I would have been more of an experienced driver if I would have been able to avoid the accident.

Information and commentary provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson who can be contacted at (817) 294 1900. Click the link to visit the Anderson Law Firm personal injury website.

Fort Worth pedestrian accidents may happen at intersections, in marked crosswalks or on virtually any roadway. Pedestrian accidents can and do occur when pedestrians have the right of way and vehicles are not paying attention, so do not assume that you are safe just because you have the right of way. Always pay attention to oncoming traffic before you step out into the roadway.

Establishing Liability for Pedestrian Accidents
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, one of the first things to do is to establish liability. In order to successfully resolve a pedestrian accident, you must establish whether the motor vehicle operator was at fault in an accident or whether the pedestrian was at fault. Fault depends in part on whether you or the vehicle was in compliance with Texas highway safety laws.

Texas Highway Safety Laws
Section 552 of The Texas Transportation Code deals with various pedestrian crossing rules. The pedestrian laws are listed in further detail on my website. They include information about when a pedestrian does and does not have the right of way. I know it is common misconception that pedestrians “always” have the right of way, but they do not in all cases.

I hope this information helps you understand the rules and your rights as a pedestrian. My hope is that by informing people about pedestrian safety, there will be less accidents involving pedestrians each year. This information is provided by DFW Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. For a free consultation with the Anderson Law Firm please fill out our contact form online.

A 13-year-old boy who was riding his bike to North Ridge Middle School was in an bicycle accident this morning when a station wagon hit the back of his bicycle. According to the North Richland Hills Police Department, the 13-year-old ran a stop sign at a North Richland Hills intersection. The boy was traveling east on Starnes Road where it intersects Crosstimbers Lane. According to police, he did not have a helmet on and was riding on the wrong side of the street. The child was taken to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas for observation.

First of all, I sure hope this young boy is okay. You never can tell from the initial police reports how serious the injuries are. I do know that bicycle-car collisions can result in very serious injuries. Especially since the boy was not wearing a helmet, you have to worry about any head injuries.

One thing this accident does is remind us all of the dangers of riding a bicycle. Everybody should wear a helmet, as it makes sense to protect your head as sometimes accidents do occur. Also, bicyclists are required to ride in the flow of traffic. In other words, bicyclists must ride on the right hand side of the road, not against the flow. And finally, bicyclists must adhere to the same traffic laws as automobile drivers. Here, maybe the accident could have been prevented if the bicyclists would have stopped at the stop sign as is required by law.

Information and commentary provided by Tarrant County Accident and Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson, who can be contacted at (817) 294 1900 or by visiting his web site to read more about bicycle injury cases.

66 year old Juan Martinez died last Friday morning at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Martinez received severe injuries by being hit by a school bus while riding his bicycle on the Northwest side of Fort Worth.

The bicycle accident occurred on January 19 at 2:33 p.m. on the 800 block of West Northside Drive. Martinez and the school bus were driving parallel when Martinez suddenly turned in front of the bus.

The school bus was operated by the Fort Worth Independent School District. No students were riding in the bus at the time of the wreck.

My condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Martinez. It is always hard to hear about a tragic accident such as this one happening in our community. 72% of bicycle accidents occur in urban areas like Fort Worth. Pedestrians and bicyclists are particularly vulnerable to traffic accidents, with over 44,000 reported in 2008. The unfortunate reality is that bicyclists, like Mr. Martinez, have to share the road with all kinds of motor vehicles. Perhaps if bike lanes would be instated in the US like other parts of the world, we would see a change in the amount of bicycle accidents.

This information is provided by DFW Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. Mr. Anderson can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

New Year’s resolutions are oftern focused on improving one's health through exercise. And riding a bike is a fantastic form of exercise. I personally love riding one of my bikes, even though I enjoy riding on a trail as opposed to a road for safety reasons. I do this as I know that bicycle accidents happen on a regular basis. While many people choose bicycles as an eco-friendly means of transportation over short distances, and a wonderful form of relaxation and exercise, riding a bicycle isn’t all nice views and good exercise. What’s the biggest danger to bicycle riders? Other vehicles sharing the road.

Bike statistics reveal dangers.
A motor vehicle accident involving a bike can be deadly. These accidents injure 52,000 people every year, and kill 700 bikers annually. Urban areas are particularly hazardous for bike riders, but bicycle-car accidents happen practically anywhere. As a bicyclist, you must be extra vigilant in order to effectively protect yourself.

How to protect yourself while biking.
Helmets exist for a reason. They’re not particularly glamorous, but helmets can save your life and help prevent extremely dangerous brain injuries. Make sure you always wear a properly fitted helmet for your own protection.

The biggest cause of vehicle-bicycle accidents is drivers not seeing a biker. You must be extremely vigilant and defensive when you’re biking around cars. Never assume that a vehicle can see you while you’re out biking. Signal properly before turning, and make sure vehicles are responding to your signals before you turn. Even if you do everything right; if a motor vehicle driver isn’t paying attention, it’ll be you suffering the injuries. You have to pay enough attention for everyone.

When riding at night, always wear reflective gear on both you and the bike. Having reflective gear only on your bike can expose you to a potentially dangerous situation; most drivers are accustomed to looking at eye-height for obstacles, and may not look carefully enough to notice your bike’s reflective gear before they encounter you. Also, a flashing red light affixed to your bike is a great safety item. These are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at your local bike store.

At the Anderson Law Firm, we represent bicycle accident victims and always offer free consultations. So if you have been injured in a bike accident and you want to know your legal rights, feel free to contact us at 1-877-294-1115. With offices in Dallas and Fort Worth, we represent bicycle wreck victims all over the North Texas area. Click here to contact us online.

A man was hit by a Burlington Northern Sante Fe train early Monday morning and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident happened at East Avenue and Grafton, east of downtown. The train was pulling three engines and 19 cars. The identity of the man has not yet been released. Also, the initial news reports did not explain how the accident occurred.

In 2008, there were 286 fatalities and 935 injuries at railroad crossings in the United States. In Texas alone there were 17 fatalities; Texas is one of fourteen other states whose combined fatality and injury rates make up 74% of railroad injuries and deaths. In fact, Texas leads every other state in train collisions, with 228 in 2008.

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

When 46-year-old Todd Martin was found dead in rural Parker County during a Fort Worth Bicycling Association club ride, officials were unsure of how he died. Now an autopsy shows he was killed by a traumatic head injury.

Other riders found his body in the 3000 block of Precinct Road near a paved county bridge. He had ridden ahead of the group, and was traveling downhill at a high rate of speed when he apparently lost control near the bridge. He was found in a steep gully off the road with his bike resting uphill, according to the Parker County Sherriff’s department.

This is a terrible accident and hopefully knowing the facts about what happened will bring some comfort to Mr. Martin’s family and friends.

Bike wrecks can be deadly. Each year almost 700 riders die in the United States from bicycle accidents, and typically 90% of these involve a crash with a motor vehicle. That’s why it’s so important to wear a helmet while on a bicycle or motorcycle which offers the rider little to no protection in the case of a wreck. Even a helmet cannot prevent all major head injuries, but it sure does prevent most.

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.

A 55 year old man from Aledo was killed Saturday when he was hit while riding his bicycle on the west bound service road between Ranch House Road and Farm Road 5. The man, Larry McQuien, was a Vice President for Lockheed Martin. On Monday, the texas department of Public Safety reported that the the fatal accident happended when a Chevrolet Cobalt "veered into" Mr. McQuien as they were both traveling westbound on the service road at mile marker 417. The Cobalt was driven by Casey Tyson, age 20. The DPS has said the investigation is continuing

I feel very sorry for Mr. McQuien’s family and friends for their loss. While bicycling should be a safe outing with friends, it often can be very dangerous. According to the NHTSA, there are around 700 deaths each year from vehicle-bicycle accidents and approximately 52,000 injuries from these types of accidents.

Hopefully this investigation will reveal what caused the accidident. Was the Cobalt driver not paying attention? I recall an accident involving a bicycle which occurred in about the same general area last year where the sun was in the driver's eyes. I have no idea what happened here, but hopefully the family can know soon.

A student at Blalack Middle School in Carrollton was left with devastating injuries after being hit by a car on Wednesday. The absence of school zone signs or crossing guards in the area may have contributed to the accident.

13-year-old Caitlyn Self was walking home from school and attempted to cross Rosemeade Parkway at Standridge Drive when she was struck by a vehicle. The impact broke an elbow and leg, fractured her hand, and cracked her pelvis in two places. Luckily as she fell her backpack slipped up and protected her head from even worse injury.

The intersection where the accident occurred is about half a mile away from the school. There are no school zone signs or crossing guards at Rosemeade Parkway, which is a big street with fairly heavy traffic in this mainly residential area. I hate to hear about an injury to a teenager like this, and hopefully after this terrible accident the city will take greater precautions in protecting the students who walk home from school.

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

Early last Monday morning a man fell onto the tracks near the W. Kellis Street crossing in Fort Worth. Union Pacific crews saw him fall and tried to make an emergency stop, but could not stop in time.

Witnesses saw the man stagger before he fell onto the tracks. Even though the crew blew the horn, he was unable to get off of the tracks in time. Police suspect he might have been impaired in some way.

There is no word whether alcohol or drugs were involved, but I agree with the police assessment that this man must have been impaired in some way to fall on the tracks then be unable to get off of them before the train arrived.

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

Two women were injured when they were hit by a car while walking on the 4600 block of Fossil Ridge Circle Wednesday night. They were walking near the home of one of the women.

The women, ages 48 and 62, were taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. The street was dimly lit, and the car that hit them stopped right away. The 46-year-old Bedford driver wasn’t hurt.

Even on a dimly lit street, it the driver’s responsibility to watch out for pedestrians. This driver did the right thing by stopping to help the women. Even though the responsibility is on the driver, however, pedestrians must be careful as well and should consider walking only when it’s bright enough outside to be seen by a passing car.

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

A three-year-old boy died on Saturday afternoon as the result of a tragic accident in Dallas, Texas.

Jacob Vega was riding his bike when he was struck by his mother’s vehicle. She didn’t see him as she drove forward from her parking spot in front of their home. Jacob later died at the hospital. The police are not pressing charges on his mother as they have ruled the incident an accident.

I can’t even imagine the grief this family must be going through. Unfortunately, children are injured in horrible accidents such as this one every day. According to www.kidsandcars.org, 95 children in the United States have died since late June of this year in this type of accident. That’s why it is so important that parents don’t let small children play unattended where they might be in danger of getting hit by a car.

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

Last week I blogged about a terrible accident in Bridgeport, Texas. The city released a preliminary engineering report last Friday after an investigation into the awning fall that killed Leslie Denison and injured her classmate Rebekah Logan. The report concluded that inefficient structural supports connecting the awning to the building, combined with weather factors, caused the awning to unexpectedly collapse.

The Bridgeport High School students were crushed by the falling awning last Tuesday when they were running as part of their cross country training.

According to the report, the city was unable to find records indicating the age of the building or how long the awning has been attached to Club Barbell and the neighboring businesses. The awning was attached to the top of the building on a grouted stone block wall, which can wear down over time, according to the report. The report also noted that there was no evidence of proper structural supports such as braces or bolts attaching the awning to the building. Weather may have played a part in the tragedy as well; the awning had a wood rather than metal frame, and wood can shrink, swell, or even warp from humidity over time.

There are two more awnings, located on either side of Club Barbell, addressed in the report. While one was determined to be fine, the other has structural problems and is considered dangerous.

This report is not that surprising. Something had to have caused this awning to fall. In this case, it just sounds like poor workmanship by the installer and poor maintenance by the building owner. It would be interesting to know how long the awning had been there.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Attorney Mark A. Anderson who can be reached at 817-294-1900 or contacted by clicking here.

Despite overwhelming support from the House and Senate, Governor Rick Perry vetoed a bicycle-safety measure in the last legislative session that would require motorists to give cyclists and other vulnerable road users at least 3 feet of clearance when passing. The proposed law would have fined drivers $500 if they did not provide runners, motorcyclists, bicyclists and tow truck drivers at least 3 feet of clearance.

Gov. Perry apparently feels that there are already plenty of laws that protect cyclists and other non-motorists on our Texas roadways. This has undoubtedly irked many cyclists and organizations that support the shared use of our roads.

In an incident that occurred June 8, 2008, a young gentleman named Kenneth Bain stands accused of hitting and killing two cyclists in Duncanville. Meredith Hatch, 38, and Michael Alfaro, 36, were hit from behind and killed on Camp Wisdom road when Bain’s Lincoln Navigator struck them.

When a cyclist or pedestrian accident occurs on Texas roadways, liability insurance policies should be in place to punish careless drivers and provide compensation for the victims of such accidents. These accident victims are often left with incredibly high medical bills and are forced to miss work as a result of their injuries.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

What started as a daily bicycle ride for 59-year-old Ronnie Monroe Keller ended in his tragic death on Saturday night when drunk driver Vincent Paul Riojas struck him with his car and left Keller in the backseat to die.

Police say Riojas hit Keller on his bike on the 3400 block of East Main Street in Fort Worth, Texas-less than a mile from Riojas’s house, which is where he fled with Keller still in his car. Damage to Riojas’s auto indicates that when he hit Keller, the cyclist flew into the front windshield, over the roof, and partway through the back window. Since Riojas was covered in blood when they found him, police believe he may have removed the injured Keller from the back window and placed him in the backseat. Police found Keller in the car after Riojas’s family called 911 when they saw their bloodied son and his visibly damaged Chevrolet Cavalier hidden around the side of the house.

This bicycle accident is horrific for so many reasons. If Riojas hadn’t been driving drunk, he surely would have noticed Keller and avoided the accident in the first place. If he had called police immediately after the accident occurred, police believe it may have saved Keller’s life-he was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital, and had lain helplessly injured in Riojas’s car for about 20 minutes.

Of course Riojas was taken to jail; he was arrested on charges of intoxicated manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid, as well as resisting arrest and charges of an existing unrelated felony warrant. Unfortunately this will provide little comfort to those who lost a friend and family member in a tragic drunk driving accident that could have been avoided.

Information and commentary provided by Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

An 11-year-old boy is in "very critical condition" this morning after he was struck by a car in east Fort Worth around 5:30 a.m.

The boy and three other children were playing with shopping carts on the access road of East Loop 820 in between Ellis Road and Meadowbrook Drive when the pedestrian-auto accident happened.

A 31-year-old woman in a Dodge Stratus said the boy ran out in front of her and she was unable to stop in time before hitting him. He was rushed to Cook Children's Hospital where he is currently being treated for his serious injuries.

Investigators said they were called to the area because they had gotten reports of children out past curfew. They also said the day before, the boy who was hit and another kid who was out were reported as runaways.

This is a sad story--especially if the child is a runaway. I can only imagine a parent's worry over their child missing, let alone finding out from authorities that their child has been critically injured. I hope FWPD will be able to locate the boy's family and that he is able to recover from his injuries.

Pedestrian accdidents can have devastating effects since people have no protection against the force of a car hitting them. If you or a loved one has been hurt by a vehicle, please contact Board Certified Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson by calling 817-294-1900.

A 78-year-old man died last night and a 20-year-old is in critical condition after the two were involved in a vehicle-accident on an Interstate 30 access road in Fort Worth.

Floyd Boortz and an unidentified 20-year-old were stalled on the Cherry Lane exit ramp filling their van with gas when a Kia SUV hit them as it was exiting the freeway. The auto accident happened around 10 p.m. and Boortz died from his injuries shortly after at Texas Health Harris Hospital in downtown Fort Worth. The 20-year-old man is still being treating at Harris.

A two-year-old toddler and 20-year-old female were in the van when the Kia struck the two men outside, as well as the van, and then went on to hit a Dodge sedan parked in front of the van whose driver had stopped to help put gas in the men's van.

Police did not release the name of the 35-year-old driver who casused the accident, but investigators don't believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. An investigation will further reveal what happened.

This is a devastating wrongful death case because there were so many people involved in the accident who witnessed the Kia striking the two men. Fortunately, the woman and her baby were not injured and I hope the 20-year-old man's injuries heal quickly.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed as the result of someone else's negligence, please contact Board Certified Fort Worth Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson for a free consultation by calling 817-294-1900.

If you have been injured in an automobile wreck, truck collision, motorcycle crash, or any other type of accident which causes personal injuries in Texas, you must be aware of the relevant law called the Statute of Limitations. This law requires you to file a lawsuit at a local Texas Courthouse within two years of the date of the accident. If you have not resolved your injury case before then, it is absolutely imperative that this very strict two-year deadline is complied with. Failing to file a lawsuit within the two-year time frame eliminates your right to pursue a claim forever.

And it's imporatant not to wait until the eve of your two years to think about purusing an injury claim. If you've been injured as the result of another person's negligence, you should consider hiring a Board Certified Injury Attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Sooner is better because crucial evidence must be collected before it disappears. Plus, it's very common for injured parties to make mistakes on their claims if they don't have the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

The common mistakes injury victims make are discussed in detail in the newly released book by Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. It's appropriately titled, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. This informative book is available for FREE to Texas residents who may order it by calling 817-294-1900 or by visiting: www.DontWreckYourCase.com.

Dallas resident Neil Russell Murphy, 66, was killed Thursday morning in a bike accident with a car. A 57-year-old Lake Dallas driver in a 1992 Chevrolet was behind Murphy and collided with the back of his vintage Western Flyer Bike (see picture). Murphy was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center where he later died.

The bicycle pedestrian accident happened in the 1200 block of North Cockrell Hill Road in Dallas at approximately 9:30 a.m. The driver of the Chevy stopped and charges weren’t filed, however, the case has been referred to a grand jury since it’s being investigated as a criminally negligent homicide.

When vehicles collide with bicyclists or pedestrians, the results are almost always tragic or life-changing. Even though Mr. Murphy was wearing a helmet, it wasn’t enough to protect his body from the force of the car. Drivers need to be extra cautious of pedestrians during these summer months and likewise, pedestrians need to use sidewalks whenever possible.

Wrongful death Attorney Mark A. Anderson is happy to offer free consultations to those who have been hurt in pedestrian accidents or to families who have lost loved ones in such circumstances. Contact the Anderson Law Firm online for further information.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, or any other type of accident for that matter, you have a ton of options when it comes down to hiring a lawyer for your Texas accident claim. Hiring an attorney is a very important decision and it's sometimes very difficult to try and weed through all of the attorneys out there who hold themselves out as being “injury attorneys.” So how do you know you're making the right decision? The best thing to do is to limit your search to only attorneys who are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This is a designation held by only 2% of the roughly 80,000 lawyers who practice law in Texas.

What does it mean to be Board Certified? It means that the attorney has passed a rigorous test on injury topics, has tried a certain number of cases to a jury, has been recommended by local attorneys and judges and has been practicing a certain number of years. There are plenty of qualified attorneys in Texas who are Board Certified, so there's no reason that an injury victim should settle for a lawyer who is not Board Certified.

The importance of hiring a Board Certified Injury Attorney is discussed in Mark A. Anderson’s new book, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck your Texas Accident Case. This book is full of information which is helpful to accident victims. The Anderson Law Firm is offering a copy of the book FREE to Texas residents. To order your free copy, please call the firm at 817-294-1900. The book can also be ordered online at www.DontWreckYourCase.com.

A family outing to the beach quickly turned tragic Sunday after a car collision struck a family on Galveston’s seawall sidewalk, killing a man and two children.

A sport utility vehicle was speeding and rear-ended a car, coming to rest upside down on the sidewalk next to the beach near 12th Street in Galveston. The crash happened around 10:30 p.m.

25-year-old Tremane Albert, his 10-year-old stepson Alan Meredith and a child from another family, Isaiah Barnett, 3, were all struck by the vehicles and killed. Albert’s wife and another child were close by at the time of the pedestrian accident, but were fortunately, unharmed. The families at the beach were from Houston.

Police confirmed that in addition to speed, alcohol was a contributing factor to the crash. The driver of the SUV was taken to a Houston hospital where he was tested for alcohol in his system. No charges have been filed yet.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed as the result of another person’s negligence, contact Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson for a free consultation at 817-294-1900.

A 47-year-old woman was killed early Thursday morning when a car hit her around 12:30 a.m. The pedestrian accident happened when Lora Wallace was crossing the street at 7000 Keller Parkway and a car struck her, causing serious injuries. Wallace was taken to John Peter Smith (JPS) Hospital in Fort Worth where she died shortly thereafter of head trauma. No citations were given to the driver of the car who said he or she didn’t see Wallace in the crosswalk.

If you have been injured in a crosswalk-pedestrian accident, or other accident involving personal injuries, please contact Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson at 817-294-1900 for a free consultation.

Imagine that you're crossing a street at a crosswalk and you have the right of way. All of a sudden, a car flies around a corner and crashes into you. Pedestrian accidents like this scenario can be serious and often fatal, and unfortunately there is little you can do to prevent them if you're following the rules.

Most pedestrian accidents restult in serious injuries.

An alarming 64,000 pedestrians are injured each year and over 5,000 of these injuries result in fatalities. That means that a pedestrian is injured almost every eight minutes; someone just walking along, minding their own business and in a second a car strikes them and changes their life. Incredibly, over 85 percent of pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas--where drivers know to look for pedestrians in crosswalks and drives. The fact that the pedestrian accident rate is so high shows that drivers simply don't look before pulling out or turning a corner, and unfortunately, you or a loved one could be seriously injured as a result of another person's carelessness.

Pedestrian accidents fall under the same insurance policy as motor vehicle accidents.

If a person in a vehicle strikes you as a pedestrian, that person's auto insurance policy is just as valid as if he or she had hit the driver of another vehicle. If the negligence falls on the driver--and in many states the driver in a pedestrian accident is always liable, then that driver's auto insurance policy must pay your medical bills and other recoverable damages.

Unfortunately, due to the potentially life-altering nature of pedestrian injuries compared to injuries commonly sustained in car collisions, low auto policy limits may not be enough to cover your medical bills. Medical treatment is almost always more extensive since there is no protection of another vehicle between a pedestrian and the impact from a car or truck.

Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney to pursue an at-fault driver personally, to pay the rest of your medical bills and any other sufferable damages incurred (i.e. time off of work, loss of benefits, etc.) will help you recover the compensation you deserve after such a traumatic incident. Please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation if you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian accident at 817-294-1900.

A 66-year-old Fort Worth, Texas man is dead after injuries he sustained last Friday afternoon when his bike collided with a car. The accident happened at the intersection of South Drive and Inwood Road, near Interstate 20. The man died yesterday at JPS Hospital from his critical injuries. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that this is the 53rd death related to a motor-vehicle accident. Last year at this time, there had been 60 fatalities relating to car and/or bike crashes.

In July, I wrote about a Weatherford, Texas man who was killed riding his bike when a car hit him near Willow Park on an I-20 access road. In that post I discussed the danger most people don’t associate with riding a bike. At that time, I stumbled upon an excellent website on bicycle safety. Check it out before you hit the streets on your bike, and don’t forget your helmet!

A tragic accident occurred last Thursday when a Weatherford, Texas man was killed riding his bicycle. The bicycle accident happened on the access road of I-20 near Willow Park, Texas at around 8:00 p.m. The driver of the pickup truck that hit him reported to the police that the sun was in his eyes and he did not see the bicyclist, who was driving in the center of the road.

Was this accident avoidable? Sure, most are. I don’t know anymore about it than I wrote here, but it did make me think about the dangers of mixing bicycles and roadways. This gentleman was wearing a helmet, but that was not enough. Just as with motorcycles, a wreck with a bicycle and a car usually results in serious injuries, or death for the bicyclist.

Every year, around 700 bicycle riders are killed in collisions with cars. This accounts for about two percent of the total deaths on the roads. Texas ranks fourth in the U.S. for injuries to bicyclists.

I ride a bicycle myself on the roads occasionally. I would ride more if I was not as nervous as I am about being hit by a car. When I read about this accident, I decided to do an internet search on bike safety. I found a great site, BicycleSafe.com, which talks about all the ways to make riding on the road safer. It goes through a list of ten ways to NOT GET HIT.

The basic rules of safe riding are simple: wear a helmet; use a light and reflective vest if riding at night; avoid busy roads; ride as far right as practicable (but in certain times taking the whole lane is even safer); and ride as if you were invisible (in other words, ride where you won’t get hit even if they don’t see you). But most riders know all this. Check out the site.