Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog

Any time that you are involved in a traffic accident involving a large truck, it’s usually a necessity that you seek good, trusted legal advice. Of course, if you’ve been badly injured, you’re probably unable to get to a lawyer’s office because you’re stuck in the hospital. That doesn’t mean that you can’t learn about your legal rights, so that you are aware of your options before you start looking for legal representation.

I’ve been a Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer for 21 years. In that time I’ve handled a lot of cases where my client suffered terrible injuries due to a negligent 18 wheeler driver. The fact of the matter is, commercial trucks cause a lot of damage due to their size and weight. The medical bills alone are often in the tens of thousands at minimum. It is vital that you are fully informed before you start attempting to deal with the insurance company.

To try to make life easier for accident victims who have not yet hired an attorney, I have put together an online resource which I hope you will find helpful. It’s called “Truck Accidents 101” and gives you a brief oversight of the key bits of information you need to know to protect yourself and your legal rights, before you hire qualified legal representation.

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss your personal claim in detail, please call me at any time for a completely free, no obligation consultation. You can call me toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

I don’t condone violence under any circumstances, but as a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I still wanted to share this video of a man “sedating” his friend in order to prevent him getting behind the wheel when he was clearly intoxicated. (Beware, the video does contain some bad language). Kudos to the potential drunk driver’s friends who prevented him from becoming another statistic. There is little doubt in my mind he would either have been arrested for a DWI or worse caused a car crash killing either himself or countless other innocent motorists.

If you look through the comments on the video, you’ll see that (like me) there are other people who think that the extreme measures portrayed in the video weren’t wholly necessary and offered alternatives methods of preventing someone who has had too much to drink from getting behind the wheel such as simply take their car keys.

Regardless, this video further highlight just how big a problem drunk driving is in our society. People need to get in the habit of planning ahead if they know they’re going to be drinking, so that the thought of driving home while obviously incapable doesn’t even cross their mind. The simplest solutions are to either designate a sober driver from your group of friends or make sure that you have cash set aside for a taxi. Remember: even though people seem to do it in Dallas-Fort Worth every day, driving while intoxicated is illegal.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, it is important that you consult with a personal injury and wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation. To learn about your legal rights, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900. We offer completely free, no obligation consultations to drunk driver’s victims.

Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released their comprehensive report analyzing the causes of auto accident injuries and fatalities throughout the USA in 2010. At first glance the news is good; 2010 saw the lowest number of traffic deaths since 1949. However, as a DFW personal injury lawyer, there are a number of details within the overall report which has me extremely concerned.

One of the areas which has me particularly worried is the increase in alcohol-related crashes involving large trucks (such as commercial 18-wheelers, semis, flatbeds and tanker trucks). Overall, drunk driving fatalities declined by 2.9 percent in 2010, yet the number of people killed in wrecks caused by intoxicated truckers actually increased by 13 percent compared in 2009. In addition, the total number of fatalities in large truck wrecks increased by 6 percent in 2010 and the total number of injuries in commercial truck accidents increased by 12 percent overall.

This is hugely concerning, particularly as commercial motor vehicle drivers are supposed to fulfill much more stringent safety measures than average motorists in Texas. Put a drunk driver behind the wheel and of course they are going to pose a public safety hazard – but when the vehicle in question weighs several tons, the potential for severe bodily injuries and property damage is enormous.

Unfortunately for personal injury victims and the relatives of those who have lost their life due to the actions of a negligent truck driver, the odds are stacked against you. National trucking companies have crash scene investigators throughout the USA whose job it is to respond immediately whenever one of their drivers in involved in a collision. Their goal is to ensure that you – the victim – are paid as little compensation money as possible. That’s not fair, because Texas law entitles you to recover all past and future medical expenses related to the crash, any loss of income due to injury or death and other damages.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a commercial truck wreck it is important that you consult with a board certified Fort Worth personal injury attorney as soon as possible. To schedule a free, no obligation consultation today please call me toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or call locally at 817-294-1900.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I view consider the cause of most traffic collisions throughout DFW to be the result of a reckless motorist. Any negligent activity behind the wheel, whether it’s texting on your cellphone, speeding or tailgating is reckless. Driving while intoxicated is perhaps the most reckless thing any driver could do.

Unfortunately, however, there are some car, motorcycle and truck drivers on North Texas who seem especially reckless. We’ve all seen them. More than likely you’ve had the same thought I have: how has your stupidity not resulted in a fatal crash already?

I’m talking about dangerous drivers who realize they’re about to miss their freeway exit and so cut across several lanes of traffic at the last second, brazenly risking a multi-vehicle wreck and putting countless lives at risk. I’m talking about those idiots who fail to turn on their lights even though the Sun has firmly set for the evening. I’m talking about those anti-social motorists who arrogantly seem to believe that stop sights and red lights aren’t meant for them.

Reckless driving costs lives. Hazardous driving habits such as those I’ve referenced about will inevitably lead to critical injuries and possibly even death. It’s not just your own life you’re putting in jeopardy – it’s the lives of any passengers (family members and friends) who happen to be riding with you at the time – and anyone else who is unfortunate enough to be sharing the road with you at the time.

If you or someone you love has been hurt due to the negligent actions of an irresponsible driver, it’s important that you consult with a board certified personal injury and wrongful death attorney. To schedule your free, no obligation appointment with a lawyer today, please call me toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or call locally in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

A Dallas fire department fire truck was involved in a collision with a suspected drunk driver at approximately 1.15 am this morning. A gold-colored Chevy pickup truck was speeding down I-35 when it crashed into the back of the fire truck near Royal Lane. Police believe alcohol to be a factor as the motorist was driving without the car’s headlights on. Fortunately, no firefighters were injured in the wreck, but the allegedly intoxicated driver was transported to a DFW hospital with a broken leg. The at-fault motorist has not been identified at this time.

Drinking and driving is a major problem throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. As a North Texas personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I’ve helped many individuals and families who have hurt by the negligent and irresponsible actions of a drunk driver. It is fortunate that no innocent lives were lost in this morning’s accident, and I hope that suffering a fractured bone will be enough to dissuade this particular driver from getting behind the wheel after drinking in the future.

This accident also highlights another leading cause of fatal traffic accidents throughout DFW: Speeding. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) acknowledges that speeding is one of the leading causes of multi-vehicle wrecks throughout the state. Unfortunately, speeding is even more common that drunk driving in the metroplex, with 75 percent of all US drivers admitting to driving in exceed of the posted legal speed limit on a regular basis (according to a survey conducted by Smart Motorist).

Having served innocent victims hurt as a result of all kinds of accidents throughout North Texas since 1991 as a DFW bodily injury attorney, I know that there are numerous possibilities for crashes to occur. If you or someone you love has been injured in a collision which was not your fault, it is important you are fully informed of your legal rights and responsibilities. For a free consultation on your situation or to request a complimentary copy of my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case, please call my office in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

Christian Hernandez, 17, of Fort Worth, was killed on Saturday morning when the car he was riding in crashed into a house on Loving Avenue in north Fort Worth. Hernandez was a passenger in a Chevrolet Cobalt driven by an unidentified 19-year-old male. Neither he, nor two other passengers (a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy) were injured in the wreck.

Inside the house, a female in the room hit by the car suffered minor injuries and a baby sleeping on a bed was thrown to the floor but was not hurt.

Hernandez was pronounced deceased at John Peter Smith Hospital after sustaining critical injuries when the roof of the house collapsed on to him.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I would first like to offer my sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Hernandez. As a passenger in an auto accident, he had absolutely no control over the vehicle and the events which led to his death.

Police have yet to determine whether alcohol was a factor in this collision which occurred at approximately 1:00 am on Saturday morning, however investigators have determined that the driver of the Cobalt clipped a minivan parked outside the residence, jumped the curb and subsequently drive through the front yard and crashing through the corner of the house’s garage which had been converted into a bedroom.

Two contributing factors in the crash are believed to be a combination of excessive speed and hydroplaning caused by rain on the road.

A man who was hit by a suspected drunk driver in Euless while riding his bicycle over the weekend is currently being treated for critical injuries at JPS Hospital in Fort Worth. As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I know that whenever a cyclist is involved in an auto collision the injuries are frequently life-threatening. However, the circumstances for this tragically wounded individual are even worse: no-one knows who he is.

Euless Police Department are currently trying to identify the bicyclist, who has been described as a black male, aged 30-35 years old, approximately 5’10” tall, weighing 140-145 pounds.

The unidentified man was riding a red and black Schwinn mountain bike along West Euless Boulevard when a car hit him at approximately 6:30pm on Sunday evening. Police arrested the motorist and a charge of intoxication assault is currently pending against him. The cyclist was transported to hospital. Euless PD have released the photo below in an appeal for anyone who might be able to identify him to please get in touch.

If you believe you know this man, please contact the Euless Police Department at 817-685-1532.

If you need to be reminded why drinking and driving is always a terrible decision, read the article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram about Arlington’s DWI enforcement campaign. In the last month, eight young people have died in wrecks police believe were caused by drunk drivers, prompting the Arlington Police Department to start a DWI task force. That means more officers will be patrolling highways and roads for drunk drivers in Arlington and that a no-refusal policy is in place for suspected drunk drivers that refuse to take a breathalyzer test.
Tina Reese, who just recently lost her 10-year-old son in a car accident caused by a suspected drunk driver in Arlington, spoke at the news conference last night hosted by the Arlington Police Department announcing the DWI task force.

"If you're going to drink, call someone," Reese said. "Call a designated driver. Call a taxi. Just call someone."

With the holiday season upon us, it is especially important that we remain alert for drunk drivers. I’m glad the Arlington Police Department is stepping up its effort to catch drunk drivers and I think other cities should do the same.

It’s always nice to know that as a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I’m not alone in understanding the very real danger of distracted driving. That’s why I was pleased to find myself behind a four-wheel drive this morning heading into work, where the owner had installed a custom spare-tire cover loudly proclaiming their belief that texting while driving should be made illegal throughout the United States. I wholeheartedly agree.

According to the US Department of Transportation, 20 percent of all traffic accidents are directly caused by one or more drivers being distracted. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 15 people are killed nationwide every day because of distracted drivers.

The big local news this week is that Arlington City Council officially approved a proposal to outlaw texting behind the wheel. This is a fantastic decision that will save countless lives, and prevent many more injuries.

So why are so many people against it?

That’s a psychology I cannot comprehend. Distracted driving is just as deadly as drunk driving, so it makes sense that neither should be allowed. Unfortunately, many people have become accustomed to using their cellphone while simultaneously operating their cars, trucks and motorcycles so it’s natural they should bristle when told they can’t do it anymore. But trust me; your life is far more important that any text, tweet or email you might feel compelled to read. It can wait until you’ve arrived at your destination.

Others complain that the ban is going to be difficult to enforce. That’s an unfortunate truth. Not every person who decides to drive while intoxicated gets pulled over by police. Not every cellphone user will either. But many will. It may not be a perfect solution, but for many people simple knowing that they are breaking the law by checking their phone while in control of a vehicle should hopefully be enough to prevent a significant number of injuries and deaths.

As a wrongful death attorney, I hope that other North Texas cities follow Arlington’s example.

As a Texas personal injury lawyer, I know that whenever there is a high-speed police car pursuit, there is a high potential for a wreck to occur and for innocent citizens to be hurt. Fortunately, no one was injured in a decidedly slower chase which took place around Fort Worth on Sunday. Timothy Raines, 43, allegedly drove a stolen forklift truck along University Drive while intoxicated. When police began following him, Raines threw empty beer bottles at them and other vehicles. He was eventually apprehended along I-30 near the exit for Ashland Avenue and Hulen Street.

Normally that would be the end of the story, apart from the fact a local resident, Nathan Lowery, 25, captured the entire pursuit on video and his footage subsequently became a local YouTube hit. I won’t post the video here due to Lowery’s cuss-laden commentary, as well as the fact that he was driving the entire time he was recording, possibly the worst case of distracted driving I’ve witnessed in a long time. Fort Worth Police have now turned their attention on Lowrey’s video and he himself is now under investigation for violating traffic laws and further endangering public safety.

You might think that although Lowery’s actions were reasonably stupid, they pale in comparison to Raines’. I’ll concede that as far as idiotic spectacle is concerned, driving a forklift while drunk takes first prize, but distracted driving is an equally serious offense. In fact, a study conducted by the University of Utah found that distracted drivers exhibit greater impairment than intoxicated drivers. Neither are acceptable.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver, call the accident and injury attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation on your case. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

What is it with all the wrong-way car accidents in DFW lately? Just yesterday morning there was one which shut down I-20 in Arlington, and then last night there was another one on North Central Expressway in Dallas. As a Texas personal injury lawyer, I know that usually these collisions involve drunk drivers – how else do you explain someone seemingly oblivious to the fact that they are driving against the flow of traffic? Police do not yet know whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in this particular wreck, but I suspect that it is more than likely.

The crash happened near the Royal Lane exit of I-75 at around 3.00am this morning. The wrong way driver was a male, driving a dark-colored sedan northbound in the southbound lanes. His victim was a female motorist. Authorities have not yet released the identification of either driver. Police do not yet know where the negligent driver entered the wrong way lanes, but witnesses reported seeing him as far south as Northwest Highway.

The female victim was conscious at the scene, but was rushed to hospital once emergency responders were able to cut her out of her vehicle. It apparently took considerably longer for the emergency crew to remove the at-fault driver from his car. Both individuals are now receiving medical treatment for their injuries, although their conditions have not been made public at this time.

If you or someone you care for has been injured in a Dallas-Fort Worth traffic accident, call an experienced attorney for a free, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Dallas at 214-327-1900.

A new study has found that children may actually be safer when they are being driven by their grandparents than by their parents. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I find this an interesting contradiction to the common misperception that elderly drivers are unsafe to drive. Interestingly, previous research which showed seniors as being poorer driver focused more on crashes (including minor fender benders) without taking in to consideration whether anyone was actually injured in the accident.

Although older drivers do suffer impairment that younger drivers do not, the majority recognizes their reduced ability to react quickly to potential collisions and make the conscious decision to driver slower and avoid situations where hazards are likely. Senior citizens are also the age group most likely to wear a safety belt (other than infants and preschool children) and are least likely to drink and drive.

Grandparents are also likely to drive even more safely when their grandkids are in the car. This could be because they take extra with their “precious cargo” but also because grandparents do not have the same distractions that parents do and they aren’t rushing to drop the kids off at school and then get to work.

Mark Anderson is a Tarrant County traffic accident injury attorney who has been serving residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for 20 years. If you have been injured in a car, motorcycle or truck wreck which wasn’t your fault, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation on your personal situation at 817-294-1900.

Wednesday night, the loving mother of two, Yolanda Guzman, was killed in hit-and-run car accident in Dallas. Yolanda and her husband Rafael Valdovinios were on their way home from the grocery store at the intersection of Ferguson Road and Joaquin Drive. The traffic light at the intersection was not working at the time of the accident. Yolanda and her husband stopped at the out traffic light and then continued into the intersection when a pickup truck with a brush guard slammed into them. Yolanda was killed instantly and her husband was seriously injured and is now in the critical care unit at Baylor Medical Center.

Now, the Dallas police department needs our help in finding this hit-and-run driver. Police are on the lookout for a white or silver pickup truck with a brush guard. Authorities know due to the severity of the accident, the truck will probably have significant damage and that the driver could be injured. If you have any information, please contact the Dallas police – they need all the help they can get in catching this criminal.

Although I have a bone to pick with the city for taking almost four hours to fix the broken traffic light, it’s not their fault this car crash happened. It’s the fault of the idiot hit-and-run driver who didn’t remember one of the basic rules of driving: when a traffic light is out, it is immediately a four way stop. That’s one of the first things they teach you in driver’s ed! This driver didn’t even slow down at the traffic light, they were going full speed when the crash occurred. Working signal or not, you should ALWAYS slow down when approaching an intersection, as you never know who or what is coming to cross your path. Maybe the hit-and-run driver was drunk at the time of the accident, or maybe they were just an idiot who didn’t know the basic rules of the road. Whatever the reason, they have taken the mother of two young children. I’m just thankful those kids weren’t in the car at the time of the wreck. I hope this person is caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Commentary provided by Mark Anderson, a personal injury attorney in Fort Worth, Texas.

After two years of uncertainty, due to a legal challenge and a subsequent appeal, Texas House Bill 148 has finally become law. The legislation, which was signed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2009, makes it illegal for lawyers or medical professionals (such as chiropractors) to solicit car wreck victims within the first 30 days following their accident. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury attorney with 20 years’ experience, I wholeheartedly support this law. The so-called “ambulance chasers” that this law targets are fortunately few and far between, but they give my industry as a whole a bad name. I do not sue negligent drivers for the sake of winning a windfall payout for my clients; I help people that have been injured through no fault of their own make a successful claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. The victim of a drunk driver should not have to ruin their credit or put themselves at risk of bankruptcy due to the medical expenses incurred simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time – the negligent motorist’s insurance company should.

While I welcome this legislation into law, however, I feel there is still work to be done. Traffic collision victims and their family members need time to comprehend the often life-changing event which has unexpectedly taken place. The injured person needs time to both mentally and physically recuperate. So why are insurance adjustors allowed to visit them in their hospital room? It’s true and it happens every day. Why do they do this? They can exploit the patient’s vulnerable state and get them to sign a release accepting an offensively low settlement figure, which will not even come close to covering the debt they will incur as a result of being in an accident. This is all about the insurance company minimizing their losses. I think it is a most unethical practice. Texas law gives accident victims the right to a fair settlement which compensated them for all medical costs and any loss of income caused by being involved in a crash.

It is a great thing that Texas accident victims are now protected from unscrupulous lawyers and medical professionals, but they also need protection from the equally bad insurance adjustors.

Mark Anderson is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is the author of the books 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case and Roadmap To Winning Your Texas Motorcycle Accident Case.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, then I apologize if it seems repetitive, but trust me, as a personal injury attorney, I wish these alcohol-related auto accidents didn’t happen at all. Yet again another drunk driver has caused a serious wreck on DFW roadways causing yet another innocent motorist to be seriously injured and creating yet another nightmare commute for other traffic. This collision happened shortly after 11pm on Sunday night on State Highway 121 in Grapevine. A drunk driver was driving the wrong way and crashed into another car.

Police report that a 61-year-old Plano woman was driving her Toyota sedan southbound when a Chevrolet SUV coming north in the southbound lane hit her head-on. The driver of the Chevrolet was a 29-year-old Denton man who has since been arrested for intoxication assault. Highway 121 was shut down into Monday morning as both drivers were pinned into their vehicles, necessitating rescue and both later flown to hospital by Careflite. The Chevy driver was taken to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, where is reported to be in a stable condition. The driver of the Toyota is being treated at Parkland Hospital in Dallas and is still in critical condition.

Over the past several weeks, we have witnessed a rash of incredibly dangerous drink driving crashes. Getting behind the wheel after having a drink is never a good idea, but most of these incidents have involved drivers who are vastly intoxicated. If you see someone about to get in their car after having a drink, please stop them and ask them to reconsider. If it’s a friend, or if you work in a bar – whoever it is – don’t let them do it. Drunk driving is illegal and you could cost someone their life. It’s never, ever worth it.

Mark Anderson has served the people of DFW as a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer for 20 years and has appeared on TV news as a recognized expert. If you or a loved one has been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, please call for a free no obligation consultation on 800-354-MARK (6275).

Today people all over Fort Worth, Arlington and Dallas will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a green beer or two, so I thought I’d share some fun facts about the Patron Saint of Ireland:

• St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish – he was Scottish. As a child, he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland to be sold as a slave.

• You’ve probably heard the myth that St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland. That’s not actually true – science has shown that post-glacial Ireland never had snakes.

• It’s thought that the serpentine imagery of the legend might actually symbolize Druidism, given that St. Patrick is credited as being a key figure in introducing Christianity to the Emerald Isle.

• More drunk driving accidents occur on St. Patrick’s Day than any other day of the year.

Yes, I was surprised to learn about that last one too! And as a DFW personal injury attorney I felt I had to mention it, given that drink driving accidents frequently result in life-threatening and often fatal injuries. In fact, 45% of all auto accident deaths are the result of alcohol-related collisions.

The sad thing is that every one of these deaths could have been prevented. If you’re going to go out drinking, then great, have a fun time – but please plan ahead. There is no need to drive. Pre-arrange a designated driver or keep a pot of gold handy for a cab home. Likewise, if you are out enjoying a traditional Irish brew with friends, don’t let them drive home, no matter how little alcohol they’ve consumed. A drunk driver is always going to be serious threat on the roads – both to themselves and to others. Far too many lives have been ruined because someone got behind the wheel of their car after hitting the bars, so please don’t let an enjoyable night out turn into yet another tragedy.

Mark Anderson is a board certified PI and wrongful death lawyer. Since 1991, he has helped victims of DUI and DWI wrecks get the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a traffic crash caused by a drunk driver then call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation on your case. Call 24/7 on 817-294-1900.

Well, its official, the Packers and the Steelers will be playing in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. There has been much anticipation in the Dallas and Fort Worth communities for the upcoming game, and approximately 299 Super Bowl Week events are planned leading up to the game all around the metroplex.

Approximately 250,000 people will be flooding into North Texas the week of the game, and with that many extra people, it is important to take the necessary safety precautions when driving on Dallas highways the weekend of the game.

In 2006 the NHTSA reported that 130 people died during Super Bowl Weekend as the result of impaired driving or alcohol related crashes. The super bowl is always a great reason for a celebration, but people should remember whether they are attending the super bowl, or a super bowl party, that they need to have a designated sober driver in order to avoid becoming a drunk driving statistic.

Here are a few easy tips for staying safe Super Bowl weekend:

•Have the number for a local cab company programmed in your phone
•Designate a sober driver for the evening, before heading out for the day’s festivities
•If you are hosting a super bowl party, stop serving alcohol during the third quarter
•If you are attending the super bowl, make sure you are consistently aware of the people around you, and report suspicious looking activities to the police

This information and commentary is provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm may be reached at 817-294-1900 or Toll Free at 800-354-MARK. You may also contact The Anderson Law Firm by filling out our contact form online.

December is one of the most dangerous months of the year because of alcohol-related accidents. That's why the Dallas Police Department is adding 14 officers to its DWI enforcement squad as a part of the "Home for the Holidays" campaign. The news conference came amid a spate of drunken driving accidents, including weekend crashes in Dallas and Grand Prairie that killed a 2-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy.

Also, last week the National Transportation Safety Board listed Texas among the 10 states that have done the least to prevent alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Last year, 11,000 people died nationwide in drunken driving accidents — more than 1,000 of them between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, according to the North Texas Tollway Authority . The agency is helping to sponsor Mothers Against Drunk Driving's "Tie One on for Safety" initiative this year.

This holiday drivers need to plan ahead and use every other option to avoid drinking and driving. Call a cab, have a designated driver, take a bus, plain and simple don’t drive after drinking. Please do not contribute to the drunk driving fatality statistic. The cost of a taxi is just a fraction of the cost and damage that an intoxicated driver brings.

Information and commentary provided by Fort Worth Drunk Driving Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have been in a car accident from a drunk driver, please fill out our contact card for a free consultation.

Updates for Hurst Wrong-Way/Intoxicated Crash Kills Innocent Carrolton Man

Intoxication manslaughter charges are expected to be filed against a Crowley man in the death of a Carrolton man. The Crowley man was driving a minivan the wrong way on Airport Freeway on October 16, when it crashed into a car. Blood test results completed a couple days ago showed that the driver was above the .08 blood alcohol level. In Texas it is a class C misdemeanor to have an alcohol level above .08 and one can be charged with a felony when a fatal accident with alcohol occurs. The police department declines to say what his BAC was. The van driver, Eric Supe, 22 was initiall arrested at the scene and charged with intoxication assault as Ricardo Magallon, 32, of Carrolton, was being treated at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. Magallon, a husband of two children, died a few hours after the crash. The collision occurred shortly after 5 a.m. in the 400 block of Airport Freeway, near Hurstview Drive.

This horrific story is not one I like to read, but hopefully someone that reads it will learn something. About 61 percent of drivers who cause a car accident were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, so it is no surprise to me that Eric Supe was intoxicated when the accident happened. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Magallon family and friends through this difficult time.

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

A man suspected of driving drunk crashed into a police car about 5 a.m. this morning in east Arlington, injuring a police officer. The officer and the suspect both were taken to Medical Center of Arlington from the scene of the wreck near intersection 360 and Pioneer Parkway. The police officer had a green arrow to turn, but his car was struck by a white car that was speeding westbound on Pioneer Parkway into the intersection. The officer was treated at the hospital and released two hours later. At 7:30 a.m. the driver of the white car was still in the hospital. Alcohol was found in his vehicle and additional information leads police investigators to believe that he was intoxicated at the time of the wreck. Once he has been released from the hospital, he is expected to be transported to the Arlington City Jail.

There is clearly a problem with driving under the influence in Tarrant County. Over 1,400 deaths are caused by drunk drivers in Texas every year. I am glad the police officer was lucky enough to see another day. Years ago, I represented the family of an Arlington Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver. It was a horrible case. I am glad the injuries sustained by this officer appear to be minor.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas and Fort Worth Drunk Driving Attorney Mark A. 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 questions about a drunk driving accident, please fill out our contact for online for a free consultation.

Many people dread the start of the week in Fort Worth and the only thing that comes to mind is how much longer until Friday? Well folks, Friday is here and with it being a weekend that means more drunk drivers on the road. An estimated 17 million people have driven while drunk at least once on U.S. streets and highways in the course of a year, according to a government study released Wednesday. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey conducted in late 2008 found that 20 percent of those 16 and older reported driving within two hours of drinking alcohol. Estimates show that that 8 percent of all drivers, or 17.2 million people, have driven at least once over the course of a year, even though they thought they were drunk. Additionally, 8 percent said they got a ride from a driver they thought was drunk. This was a particular problem for males between 21 and 24 years old. In this age group, 24 percent reported riding with a driver they thought had consumed too much alcohol.

On the positive side, the message about the dangers of drunken driving is widespread, with 81 percent of those surveyed seeing it as a serious public safety threat. The only problem is the statistics are still high. We have got to do more, as a country, to close the gap between believing that drunk driving is a threat and actively doing something about it, to warn motorists about the dangers of drunken driving, the government is spending about $13 million for an advertising campaign to publicize increased enforcement through Labor Day weekend.

Even if you are being the responsible one to drive your friends around you still have to worry about the idiots roaming the street. The time of the day does not matter for intoxicated drivers and that is the scary part. Enjoy yourself this weekend, but be smart about it!

Information and commentary is provided by Fort Worth DWI Victim Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. . If you have any questions related with injuries from being hit by a drunk driver, please fill contact us or fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Tina Enis of Krum was killed late Sunday night when the SUV she was driving was rear-ended by a pickup truck. The driver of the truck, Colton Ashcraft, was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Mr. Ashcraft faces intoxication manslaughter charges.

The accident occurred when the vehicle Ms. Enis was driving slowed to turn onto Business U.S. 380 off of Farm Road 2622. The Ford pickup which Ashcraft was driving kit the Kia Sorrento, pushing it off the roadway and making it row. Ms. Enis was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms. Ashcroft is being held in the Denton County Jail.

Driving while intoxicated is deadly. This is just one of the approximately 1,500 examples which occur in Texas every year where driving while intoxicated ends someone's life. There is absolutely no excuse for this reckless conduct. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ms. Enis.

Information commentary provided by Texas Board Certified Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson who can be reached in Fort Worth at 817 294 1900 or at Toll Free 877 294 1115, or contacted online by clicking here.

Bobby Joe Stovall of Round Rock was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday for a 2009 drunk driving accident that injured his passenger. In that DWI crash he had a blood alcohol level of four times the legal limit.

His previous eight DWI convictions were in Collin, Dewitt, Nueces, Galveston, Jackson and Goliad counties. Stovall also has convictions for burglary, credit card abuse, possession of a controlled substance, theft, and making alcohol available to minors, according to authorities. He is 52-years-old.

While I agree that this man deserves life in prison, I am shocked that it took nine DWI’s to make that happen! Why wasn’t he put in jail long before this? How does one even accumulate that many drunk driving convictions? Not to mention his colorful criminal history. While I am relieved that this person is behind bars permanently, I am disappointed he had to cause this much trouble before he was put away.

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

Though it may be because of my career as a injury lawyer, I can’t help but feel defeated every time I see another life torn apart by a drunk driver. Those killed in fatal drunk driving accidents are often commemorated along the road side with a plaque reading “please don’t drink and drive.” Yet, in spite of the dire consequences witnessed through these roadway signs and frequently covering the news headlines, 65% of fatal car accidents every year are at the hands of drunk drivers.

With all of the drunk driving laws and knowledge of the dangers the facts continue to shock me. Though you may feel the percentage of drunk drivers on the road is minimal- in actuality, 80% of alcohol-consuming adults admit that they have drove under the influence before. With these numbers it is safe to say the roads from dusk ‘til dawn are never without drunk drivers. In fact, between the hours of 7 pm and 3 am, an astounding 10% of drivers on the road are over the legal limit of 0.08. That means 1 out of 10 drivers you encounter on the roads are not fit to drive. Out of these intoxicated drivers most of them are driving with a BAC double the legal limit.

Though from 1991 to 2008 drunk driving accidents had decreased by 38%, drunk driving is still the cause of some 12,000 deaths every year. And despite drunk driving laws there is still a 60% chance that any one person will be involved in a drunk driving accident. With these types of numbers- how are you to protect yourself from the careless and irresponsible behavior of others? Seattle car accident attorney, Jason Epstein, has provided some tips in his article: Top Ways to Spot a Drunk Driver. These tips will help you identify drunk drivers and can help you avoid being involved in a potentially fatal accident.

If you have been injured as the result of the reckless behavior of a drunk driver I encourage you to speak with a lawyer. If you are in the Dallas Fort Worth area, feel free to call the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 or at 214-327-8000 with any questions regarding your case. If you are located in the Seattle area, you can contact Jason Epstein of the Bellevue personal injury law firm, Premier Law Group.

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.

A three car accident occurred as the result of a wrong way driver over the weekend in Richardson on North Central Expressway.

The wrong way driver, Jose Sanchez-Quezada, remains hospitalized after the car wreck. No charges have been filed against Sanchez-Quezada, who is suspected of driving while intoxicated. The Richardson Police Department is still waiting for blood test results.

Sanchez-Quezada was driving a Volkswagen Jetta and crashed into a Cadillac and Acura. Two people from the Cadillac and one person from the Acura were hospitalized. Their names have not been released.

Several wrecks occur in the Dallas/Fort Worth area each year from wrong way driving crashes. Many of these do involve alcohol use while driving. There are several things you can do to help protect your family from drunk drivers, including avoiding driving after 9 p.m. and into the early hours of the morning on weekends. Drunk driving kills almost 12,000 people each year.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident 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 questions about a car wreck, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Fort Worth Police Officer, Michael Buchanan, has turned in his letter of resignation after he crashed his pickup truck into a house when driving while intoxicated. His attorney, Craig Driskell, stated that if Buchanan wants to resign he should be able to.

At about 1:30 a.m. on Friday, Buchanan ran a stop sign and crashed into the bedroom window of Maria Garcia’s home. Blood tests have revealed that the Fort Worth Police Officer was driving with a blood alcohol content of over twice the legal limit.

It was not too long ago that Fort Worth saw another one of its police officer’s drive under the influence. In December, Jesus Cisneros, caused a DWI wreck that killed Sonia Baker. If you would like to read the details of this DWI car wreck please read our blog from December.

It is situations like these that leave me very puzzled. The people who are in charge of enforcing laws like drunk driving, should be role models to the rest of the community. I realize most police officers would never be involved in a wreck like this one, but it still bothers me that an DWI accident would ever happen involving a police officer. The Anderson Law Firm has resources to help you avoid being the victim of a drunk driver. Awareness and prevention are often key in avoiding being involved in any type of car accident or drunk driving incident.

This information and commentary is provided by Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have been the victim of a drunk driver and have questions about your wreck please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Early this morning, a silver Nissan flew almost 40 feet off of a bridge before landing in Five Mile Creek in Oak Cliff. The fatal car crash occurred around 3 a.m. between the north and southbound bridges at Westmoreland Road.

Both passengers, a man and a woman in their early 20’s, died at the scene. Witnesses told the Dallas Police Department that the Nissan was racing an SUV right before the car wreck.
A combination of excessive speeding and alcohol are suspected to be the cause of the accident. It took several hours for the recovery crew to get the Nissan out of the creek.

It is unfortunate to hear about two young people being involved in such a tragic car wreck. The outcome of this accident could easily have never happened if reckless driving and speeding were not involved in this incident. I feel like the media makes things like speed racing seem glamorous and cool, when the sad thing is, it rarely ends like it does in the movies.

Information and Commentary provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident 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 questions about a car accident or personal injury case, fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

Another horrible drunk driving wreck occurred last night in Fort Worth. This one involved TWO drunk drivers, which is very unusual. A Dodge pickup truck was on the northbound service road on MLK Freeway (Highway 287) when it collided with a Ford Taurus at the Mitchell Boulevard intersection. The collision killed two kids in the Taurus, one a four year old girl who was thrown from the car and a two year old girl who was not properly restrained. Four adults, including three from the Taurus and the driver of the pickup, were taken to Fort Worth area hospitals. The driver of the pickup is reportedly in critical condition.

Since this is a fatality DWI wreck, there will definitely be charges filed. It is expected that the driver of the pickup will face intoxication manslaughter charges and the driver of the Taurus will face a charge of DWI with a minor.

This is such a horrible wreck. My hearts go out to the families of the young kids killed in this accident. We have a huge drunk driving problem in Texas, with over 1,400 fatalities annually. As I mentioned, it is unusual for both drivers in a wreck to be intoxicated. Who knows if the wreck would have been preventable if just one of the drivers would have obeyed the law and not driven drunk.

The Anderson Law Firm is a huge proponent of keeping our streets safe. We sponsor an initiative to help get intoxicated or impaired motorcycle riders off the road, a program called RIDE SAFE RIDE SOBER. For questions relating to drunk driving accidents or victims rights, please contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 or click here to contact Fort Worth Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson.

Click this link for a video of Mark Anderson on Drunk Driving Accidents in Texas.

After the deadly car accident that occurred on Sunday, outrage has ensued about 3 time DWI offender, John Patrick Barton, who caused a drunk driving accident killing a mother and daughter.

To read more about the details of the DWI accident read our blog post from Monday, April 5th.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has released information that Barton was in compliance with his parole provisions leading up to the crash on Sunday. However, a stipulation of his parole was that he could not operate a motor vehicle unless it had an ignition interlock device.

Barton does not personally own a car. On Sunday, he was driving his sister’s Mazda, which does not have an ignition interlock device. State parole officials issued Barton a parole violation on Tuesday. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice also stated that because Barton faces two counts of murder, officials will wait to pursue parole revocation procedures.

The Dallas Police Department believes Barton was drunk at the time of the accident. The results of his blood test will not be released for a few more days.

Once again my sincere condolences and thoughts go out to the Hull family. I know nothing can replace the lives lost on Sunday, but my hope is that justice is served and Barton is convicted of the intoxication manslaughter charge he received.

Drunk driving accidents cause about 1,500 fatalities each year in Texas. Most alcohol related accidents occur on the weekend, particularly Friday and Saturday night. You can drastically reduce your chance of being involved in a DWI accident by avoiding driving during high risk times.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident 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 questions about a drunk driving or car accident case please fill out our contact form on our website.

The US State Department has created a website called Students Abroad that goes over general safety tips to help keep you safe while on spring break. Whether you are staying in the United States, or traveling internationally, it is important to take precaution in order to avoid injury and have the most enjoyable vacation possible.

If you are traveling internationally here a few important tips to remember:

-Register Your Trip: In the case that you are a victim of crime while abroad, you should register your trip before you leave so the US Embassy knows where you are and who to contact in the case of an emergency. Registration is voluntary and free, and will only promote safety for your trip.

- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption: It is important to always be aware of your surrounding when you are abroad, and unfortunately excessive alcohol consumption can hinder your ability to make wise decisions. Alcohol is one of the leading causes of arrests and accidents for Americans while they are abroad.

-Obey Local Laws: This should be a no brainer. However, local laws in foreign countries may be very different to what you are accustomed to. Refrain from doing anything you even think may be illegal.

-Only use licensed or registered taxis: Using a licensed taxi is one way to avoid becoming the victim of crime while you are abroad. If you are at a hotel or resort, ask the front desk to phone a local taxi service to ensure they are licensed.

-Be conscientious: Being aware of what is going on around you is probably the most important thing you can do while abroad. Always notice who and what are around you, and remove yourself if something looks suspicious

If you are traveling domestically many of these same rules apply, but there are a few other tips to take into consideration:

-Take Warning Flags on Beaches Seriously
-Do not think that just because you are on vacation you can drive while impaired
-Listen to boating and water sport safety tips from operators to avoid personal injury

I hope this helps you to be more prepared for any number of situations while on Spring Break. When you are prepared and aware, you do not have to worry about as many things, and can have a more fun and much deserved break!

This information and commentary is provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

The family of Fort Worth, Texas resident, Sonia Baker, who was killed in a car accident in December, filed suit against The Pour House, where Officer Jesus Cisneros was drinking. Cisneros drove his unmarked city vehicle to the Pour House when he was off-duty. He was meeting other officers for a birthday celebration.

At about 2:25 a.m. Cisneros left the bar after reportedly having four beers and four shots of alcohol. He then proceeded to drive his city vehicle and then crashed into Sonia Baker’s PT Cruiser.

Baker had been driving to a fast-food restaurant to pick up breakfast for her family before work when the wreck occurred. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cisneros was taken to the hospital where his blood tests showed that he had a .17 BAC, which is more than twice the legal limit. Cisneros has been charged with intoxication manslaughter, and also quit his job with the Fort Worth Police Department on December 21.

The issue is that the Pour House should be held accountable for “over-serving” Cisneros, and letting him leave the bar and drive. The family’s lawyer, Jeff Rasansky said that the Baker family wants The Pour House to be held accountable for their actions. I applaud Jeff for his efforts to hold the bar responsible. Jeff is a very good lawyer who will make sure that the true story is out in the open.

Besides the bar’s responsibility not to serve an obviously intoxicated individual, I think the other police officers celebrating with Cisneros have a moral and ethical duty to stop him from getting into his car. The entire wreck and the life of Sonia Baker could have been spared if the officers would have been responsible enough to stop their friend and colleague from leaving the bar.

To read more about the accident please click here.

This information and commentary is provided by Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. Mr. Anderson can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, in Dallas at 214-327-8000, or online by clicking here.

It may be interesting to find out that teenagers are actually less likely to drive after drinking than adults are. I think a major reason why teens are less likely to drive under the influence is that they are aware that it is first, illegal for them to be driving, and second, have been educated relentlessly over the consequences of drinking while driving.

However, if a teen does decide to drive under the influence, they are at a much higher risk to crash than adults are. According to research done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, it is the combination of teens’ inexperience of driving, paired with alcohol use that makes driving under the influence so dangerous for teenagers. Interestingly, males are 17 times more likely to crash if they have a BAC between .05-.08 than if they were driving sober and females are 7 times more likely to get in a car accident than if they were driving sober.

Fortunately, all of the drunk driving awareness programs have made progress in lowering drinking related accidents among our youngest group of drivers. I think it is so important to continue to educate middle school and high school aged students on not only drunk driving safety, but general driving safety tips as well.

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

A high speed police chase started in Arlington and ended in a car crash in Ft. Worth, Texas late Tuesday afternoon. The chase started in Arlington on I-20 near the Parks at Arlington shopping center.

The chase started because the suspect ran into another vehicle with their pickup truck, and fled the scene when police were investigating that incident. In the process of fleeing the scene, the suspect ran over a police officer’s foot. The suspect’s name has not been released.

The chase was very brief, and concluded when the pickup truck climbed an embankment on the service road, hit a utility pole, and then flipped on its side. After the car flipped, the driver tried to escape on foot but was apprehended by police officials and taken to John Peter Smith Hospital for treatment.

The Arlington Police Department found open containers of alcohol in the vehicle.

According the Mothers Against Drunk Driving, about 3 in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol related crash at some time in their lives. It is so important to educate drivers of all ages about the dangers and the consequences of driving under the influence.

I assume that various criminal charges will be brought against the suspect, including some sort of assault case as he ran over the police officer’s foot. I have a similar case pending now where I represent a local police officer. In my case, the “suspect” is charged with an intentional act of running into my client, and this affects the officer’s ability to recover compensation from the suspect’s liability insurance company (as the insurance policy does not cover “intentional” acts). My case has a ways to go, so we will see how it plays out.

Information and Commentary provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. Mark can be reach in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

Street racing is the culprit of a deadly car accident in Fort Worth, TX. Two maroon Chevrolet Avalanches were racing when one suddenly lost control and swerved into the retaining wall on the service road killing one man and severely injuring the other. Carlos Jimenez-Cano, 20, was pronounced dead at 10:41 p.m. Tuesday night by the Fort Worth Medical Examiner. The driver of the Avalanche, who has not been identified, remains in critical condition at John Peter Smith hospital.

Alcohol use is suspected in the cause of the accident; however, no further information is available at this time. The other Avalanche fled the scene and turned west back onto Bolt Street near the access road. Fort Worth police are still looking for the second maroon Avalanche.

Street racing is an increasing problem in our communities. With celebrities and Hollywood endorsing this illegal activity, it is no wonder that more often than not the younger generations are the ones becoming victims of the consequences of street racing. It is unfortunate that the media makes such a dangerous activity look so appealing.

Information and commentary provided by Texas Car Accident Lawyer Mark A. Anderson of the Anderson Law Firm. The firm specializes in representing those seriously injured as a result of the negligence of others. Mark Anderson can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

Police have determined that suspect Jeffery Drew Lamar, 34, is believed to be responsible for causing a car wreck around 10:30 pm on Saturday night. The crash occurred on the 6900 block of Robertson Road, in Northwest Tarrant County. Witnesses say that Lamar lost control of his BMW and collided head on with Fort Worth resident Larry Thompson. According to Fort Worth Police, Lamar is believed to have been driving while intoxicated.

Thompson, 63, was the Executive Director of the Northwest Tarrant County Chamber of Commerce and also worked in hospital administration for 35 years. He was pronounced dead at the scene according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner and police reports. Lamar, the alleged drunk driver, still remains at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.

Drunk driving still remains a huge problem. Despite all the awareness of its dangers, it seems that we see weekly reports of another senseless death as a result of someone’s reckless decision to get behind the wheel of a car after they have had too much to drink. According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes here in the US. In 2008, 11,773 people died from drunk driving related crashes, a decline of 9.8% from 2007.

My sincere condolences go out to the Thompson family. When you hear of tragedies such as this one, we must be reminded to be responsible before we get in our cars.

Information and commentary provided by Tarrant County DWI Accident Victim Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached at 817-294-1900 or by clicking here.

On Monday night, we received another call to take an intoxicated motorcycle rider home. And we happily got the rider and his bike home safely. This time, it was the actual motorcycle rider who gave us a call. He had got our information from a local motorcycle dealer. We are excited, as this means the word is getting out about our program.

Here is some info about the Ride Safe Ride Sober free motorcycle towing program. If anyone sees a motorcycle rider who is impaired/intoxicated, all they have to do is call Terry Purdom at 817-319-2222. Terry will make sure the rider and his motorcycle get home safely. It sure beats driving while drunk and possibly being involved in a motorcycle wreck. The best part: the tow is free to the rider, as it is being paid for by the Anderson Law Firm. This free service is only available in Tarrant County, Texas.

About the Anderson Law Firm: We specialize in helping those injured as a result of the negligence of others. We routinely handle accident cases involving motorcycle riders, as well as other motor vehicles. We offer free consultations by phone or in person. To see if we can help you, just call Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson at 817-294-1900 or contact Fort Worth's Motorcycle Lawyer online.

Additionally, all accident victims should read Mark's book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. It is free to all Texas residents. To order, just click here.

Recently I’ve blogged about Jesus Cisneros, the off-duty Fort Worth police officer who drove drunk in an unmarked police vehicle and caused a car accident that killed Sonia Baker, a mother of two. [see here, here and here] New details continue to be released from the ongoing investigation. Now, 20 other FWPD officers are being investigated after reports indicate they were drinking with Cisneros prior to the accident. It’s also been reported that Cisneros was driving at twice the posted speed limit of 35 mph.

The investigation is looking into 20 other officers who were apparently drinking with Cisneros at The Pour House on West 7th Street. Three off duty officers who were working security at the bar, including two sergeants, are included in the investigation.

According to police, Mrs. Baker was not at fault in the crash. Cisneros was traveling at such a high rate of speed that Mrs. Baker wouldn’t have even seen him as she tried to turn her vehicle onto Columbus Trail from Evening Star Drive.

Cisneros is not the first FWPD officer to drive drunk; this year three other officers were suspended and later fired after being arrested on DWI charges.

As the FWPD is releasing results of their investigation, it seems to answer some questions but raises many others. So how many other officers were driving drunk that night? How many were driving city vehicles? I would find it unusual that Cisneros was the only one out of 20 that had drank too much. And unrelated to the city, what about the Pour House? At some point the cops need to be cut off and not served anymore.

I agree with our Police Chief Jeff Halstead when he says that officers have a duty to step in and help out another officer that might have had too much to drink

I look forward to hearing more about this from our city’s investigation and am glad that the city and the FWPD are releasing information they way they are. This investigation must reveal what really happened and serious changes need to be made to make sure nothing like this happens again. This whole thing makes me sick. And embarrassed for our city and its police force.

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

Sonia Baker

Jesus Cisneros

Photos from The Fort Worth Star Telegram

Jesus Cisneros, the Fort Worth police officer involved in the fatal drunk driving accident I blogged about here and here, was released on bail Monday. He has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in connection with the crash that killed a mother of two.

As conditions of his $25,000.00 bail, Cisneros is required to install a Breathalyzer in his car which he cannot drive without. He is also prohibited from drinking any alcoholic beverages.

According to Fort Worth police, Cisneros has submitted his resignation. The police have not released the findings of an internal affairs investigation regarding what Cisneros was doing before the crash, and they have not said whether speed was a factor in the accident. If convicted of intoxication manslaughter, Cisneros could spend up to 20 years in prison.

As I have previously written about, this is such a tragic case. The fact he was driving an unmarked FWPD vehicle is horrible and embarrassment for the FWPD and the City of Fort Worth. I am glad he submitted his resignation so the city will not have to go through a costly and lengthy process to terminate him.

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

The Fort Worth Police Department announced yesterday that the blood alcohol content of Officer Jesus Cisneros was over twice the legal limit when the car he was driving crashed into the car driven by Sonia Baker, killing her. In Texas, the legal limit is .08 BAC, but Officer Cisneros’ blood alcohol limit was measured at .17 BAC. Because he was legally drunk when he caused the fatal crash, Officer Cisneros might be charged with the crime of intoxication manslaughter.

Mrs. Baker was married and had two young boys. She, and her family, are nothing but innocent victims in this terrible tragedy. What makes things worse is the Officer, even though off duty at the time, was driving an unmarked police vehicle. A million questions need to be asked and must absolutely be answered by our city officials:
• What was he doing in the city vehicle?
• Why does our city allow its employees to drive city on vehicles for personal time?
• Who authorized him to drive it?
• How long had he been drinking?
• Was he drinking while on duty?
• Who had knowledge of his drinking and driving a city vehicle?
• Why was this man even allowed to be a FW a police officer? (the Star Telegram lists out his previous infractions, including shooting a gun out the sun roof f his car while intoxicated).

This entire situation is appalling. There is no excuse for his actions and he deserves serious punishment, including jail time.

And someone needs to take a look at the FWPD policies and actions and determine if this could have been prevented if a little common sense had been used in dealing with this particular cop, considering is less than stellar past. And having a group of police officers look into this doesn’t exactly cut it. The City of Fort Worth needs to bring in impartial outsiders to look into how the city deals with bad cops and also its policies of allowing cops to drive city vehicles while off duty. And this analysis needs to happen immediately before another senseless act kills one of our innocent citizens.

Commentary provided by Fort Worth Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, 817-294-1900.

Early Friday, Fort Worth resident Sonia Baker was tragically killed in an auto accident when the PT cruiser she was driving was hit by un unmarked FW Police vehicle driven by off-duty FWPD Officer Jesus Cisneros. Mrs. Baker was pronounced dead at the scene and Mr. Cisneros was taken to JPS Hospital. At the Hospital, according to a FWPD statement released yesterday, it was determined that alcohol may have played a role in the accident.

This is absolutely a horrible story. My sincere condolences go out to the friends and family of this lady. Mrs. Baker was the married mother of two young boys, age four and five. Now, during the Christmas season of all times, Mrs. Baker’s husband must tell the young boys that their mother has died. And it very much appears that the Officer was drinking and driving. Come on, of all people a FWPD Officer should know better than to drink and driver. Each year over 1,400 people die in Texas due to drunk driving. It is a senseless act to get behind the wheel after you have had too much to drink. And for a cop to do this is even more senseless. It is an incredible act of negligence.

It will be interesting to learn the results of the official accident investigation. Was Officer Cisneros legally drunk? How did the accident occur? If he was drunk, will he be charged with Intoxication Manslaughter? Will the City of Fort Worth be held liable for the death? Should the cop have been allowed to drive a city vehicle? That is just the tip of the iceberg as far as unanswered questions. For the sake of Mrs. Baker’s husband and young boys, I hope answers come fast.

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

As I blogged about recently, Fort Worth police department officers were out in full force looking for drunk drivers this Labor Day weekend. Well, the effort paid off, because police made 125 driving while intoxicated arrests, and there was only one traffic fatality in Fort Worth over the weekend.

The extra police effort was part of a Texas Transportation Department statewide effort to give grant money to police departments so additional officers could be on the streets. In addition to the statewide effort, the Fort Worth police department conducted a “Stop the Madness” program over Labor Day weekend as well. Additional police officers were put on traffic duty, and officers obtained search warrants for blood tests in incidents of suspected drunk driving. More than 30 officers volunteered to supplement the eight officer DWI force this year.

Over the weekend, police issued 407 traffic citations and 49 DWI arrests were made as part of the “Stop the Madness” program; additionally, 79 DWI arrests were made during the statewide campaign from August 21 through August 31.

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

Ana-Maria Landa, 53, died at the scene of a tragic auto accident early Friday morning after a drunk driver rear-ended her and forced her car into the underside of a bridge.

31-year-old Lawrence Carter was arrested for intoxication manslaughter after causing the fatal accident at the 800 block of I-35 E near Fox Avenue in Lewisville. Carter was driving a Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck when he struck the back of Landa’s Isuza SUV. The impact of the crash sent the SUV off the highway, across the service road, up the embankment of the Fox Avenue overpass, and into the underside of the bridge.

Carter received only minor injuries. According to police, it was raining heavily at the time of the accident. This probably contributed to the seriousness of the crash. Harsh weather conditions require even more caution while driving, and drunk driving in the rain causes an even more dangerous situation. This car wreck is so tragic because it could have been prevented if only Mr. Carter hadn’t gotten behind the wheel of his truck after drinking.

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

The Fort Worth police department will have as many as 16 officers per night looking out for drunk drivers this Labor Day weekend. If you’re going to drink and travel, they recommend getting a cab.

Last Labor Day weekend 196 people died in drunken driving crashes across the country and 27 people were killed in Texas. Fort Worth police hope to prevent any fatalities this year. When they took similar measured during the July 4th weekend, no one died in traffic accidents. Police did arrest 43 people that weekend on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

A new law that went into effect on Tuesday will make it even easier to make drunk driving arrests. Now mandatory blood tests to determine blood alcohol content can be performed on anyone with felony DWI cases, suspected drunken driving crashes where someone is injured and goes to the hospital, and DWI arrests with a child younger than 15 in the car. Police will get search warrants to perform blood tests on suspected drunk drivers who don’t already fall into those categories.

Drunk driving is always stupid, and your chances of getting caught will increase this weekend.

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

Photo from The Fort Worth Star Telegram

A driver suspected of being drunk drove his car through the front of a Wal-Mart this morning. After crashing through the front doors he then jumped into the bed of a passing pickup and tried to flee. The pickup driver collided with several cars in the parking lot as he tried to remove the man from his truck.

According to witnesses the man drove erratically through the parking lot before crashing his vehicle into the front of the Wal-Mart near I-30 and Eastchase Parkway in Fort Worth, Texas. Unfortunately the car accident injured a Wal-Mart employee who was standing near the front of the store.

Police arrested the driver suspected of being drunk.

Drunk driving is a bad problem. This guy was drinking in the morning and was driving through a busy parking lot. It is amazing that more people were not injured. At this time of year with all of the back-to-school shopping, it is very fortunate that there were no children injured or killed. I certainly hope that the Wal Mart employee is OK.

Information provided by Mark A. Anderson, Fort Worth Injury Lawyer.

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.

A speeding drunk driver caused a fatal accident early this morning on University Drive in Fort Worth, Texas. Police had just clocked the drunk driver going 53 m.p.h. in the 1600 block of University, but the FWPD officer lost sight of the vehicle. Soon thereafter, the drunk driver slammed into a silver car which had stopped at the light at University and 7th Street. Renee Horton, a 24 year old from Wichita Falls, Texas was a passenger in the silver car and was pronounced dead at the scene. The drunk driver, who was not identified by the police, was arrested on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault.

This is a tragic and obviously preventable accident. Texas has a real problem with drunk driving. Each year we lead the national statistics on number of alcohol related deaths. And we average over 1500 deaths each year as a result of drunk drivers. While each accident is different, the criminal case will hopefully result in substantial punishment for this one reckless but irreversible act of negligence. Any civil claim based on liability insurance policies or uninsured motorists policies will never truly compensate the family of the young girl.

Fort Worth Accident and Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson can be contacted at 817-294-1900 or by clicking here.

Another drunk driving accident here in the Metroplex. In the early morning hours of July 31, 2009, Karla Rivers, 45, was killed when her Jeep SUV was hit head-on by a black Infiniti driven by Ramiro Moreno. Rivers was on her way home from work at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas at the time of the accident which occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Interstate 20 near Polk Street. Moreno, 29, and his passenger, Ian Edward Pierson, 21, were also killed in the accident.

Investigators found evidence of alcohol in Moreno’s vehicle. Rivers was only a few miles from her home when Moreno crashed into her as he drove eastbound in a westbound lane of I-20. Another vehicle narrowly avoided being hit when the driver saw the oncoming lights of the Infiniti coming at him. As that driver’s wife attempted to call 911, she saw “a burst of dark, black smoke” as the vehicles crashed behind them.

These types of accidents have been in the news earlier this year when multiple crashes occurred on the Dallas North Tollway due to drivers going the wrong-way resulting in the deaths of four people. Reflective buttons and “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs have been installed by the North Texas Tollway Authority in hopes of decreasing these types of deadly incidents.

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

Toxicology results have revealed that Diane Schuler, 36, was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana at the time of a horrific crash on the Taconic State Parkway in Briarcliff Manor, New York on July 26, 2009. Schuler was returning home from a camping trip when she drove her Ford Windstar minivan on the wrong side of the road and smashed head-on into a Chevrolet Trail Blazer. Among the dead were Schuler, her 2-year-old daughter and her three nieces ages 5, 7 and 8. The driver of the Trail Blazer, Guy Bastardi, his father and a family friend were also killed. The only survivor from the fiery crash was Schuler’s 5-year-old son who is hospitalized in stable condition.

An accident investigator indicated that at approximately 1 p.m. Schuler phoned her brother stating that she did not feel well and was “disoriented and had trouble seeing.” Her brother told her to pull to the side of the road and wait for him to come to her aid. Unfortunately, Schuler did not wait for her brother and drove directly into the unsuspecting oncoming traffic at about 1:35 p.m.

Come on, drinking and smoking with kids in the car? Drinking and driving is a huge problem. In Texas, about half of the vehicle fatalities are related to alcohol.

Information and commentary provided by Mark A. Anderson, Texas Injury Attorney. Please contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 for any questions.

In a tragic accident which may have been alcohol related, two women in their 20’s were ejected from a black Honda sedan about three a.m. on Friday morning. It happened when the driver struck the guardrail on the ramp from Airport Freeway (Highway 121) as it merges onto I-35W Southbound. The driver then lost control of the Honda and it rolled over Both ladies were ejected, causing the Fort Worth Police to assume that they were not wearing their seatbelts. The FWPD also reported that several alcoholic beverages containers were found at the scene.

I am making some assumptions here, but judging by the alcoholic containers and the time of the accident, I would assume that alcohol probably played a role in this accident. Each year in Texas, there are over 1,500 fatalities on Texas roads that are attributed to alcohol. While the legal limit is .08 BAC (Blood Alcohol Content), any amount of alcohol that impairs ones ability to judge and react is dangerous.

Plus, it appears that the ladies were not wearing their seatbelts. It is the law that all front seat passengers wear their seatbelts (and it will be the law in Texas effective September 1, 2009 that ALL passengers must wear seatbelts). It almost goes without saying that it is proven that wearing seatbelts saves lives.

This Information provided by Fort Worth Auto Accident and DWI Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can by reached ONLINE or at 817-294-1900.

A University of Texas linebacker suffered a concussion last week after his car crashed into an Austin apartment building on June 24.

Sergio Kindle of Dallas and a senior at UT this year, was either sending or receiving a text-message when he slammed into the building, causing $8,700 in property damage. He was able to get out and pull the car back onto the street and fortunately, no one inside the building was injured.

Kindle was examined by team doctors who diagnosed him with a concussion, however he did not have to go to the hospital. According to his attorney, Kindle plans on paying for the damage himself, or through his car insurance if it will cover the accident.

An accident report was filed through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), but no charges were filed since no one was injured and it was an accident.

Kindle had a successful season last year, but in 2007, he was forced to miss the first 10 games for suspension relating to a drunk-driving arrest.

Since Kindle was at-fault for this accident and he hit a stationary object, there is no room for him to make a personal injury claim if he suffered long-term injuries. Unfortunately, he will just have to pay the property damage and any medical bills with his own insurance, or out-of-pocket.

If you have questions about personal injury accidents in Texas, contact Board Certified Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson online, or 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.

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.

The Texas House of Representatives has given preliminary approval to a bill which would enforce harsher penalties to those caught drinking and boating. The Texas Senate has already given its approval to suspend licenses of those who choose to drink and operate boats whether those caught take a breath test or not.

Currently, like driving a car, it’s illegal to operate a boat if a person has a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. And if caught drinking and boating (as in DWI accident cases), refusal to take a Breathalyzer test results in suspension of an offender’s license. But right now, even if people do take the test and fail, they don’t necessarily lose their license. The new law would change that. It would also create a new offense for minors who drink and boat.

Last year in Texas there were 61 boating-related deaths, and this year is already stacking up to surpass that statistic. Already in 2009, 12 people have died in boating accidents, however, not all have involved alcohol. North Texas is not exempt from this either. There are many lakes around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, one of which—Lake Lewisville—consistently ranks as the state’s most dangerous for boating incidents.

With the holiday weekend approaching and summer just around the corner, legislators feel compelled to take preventative safety measures.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of another person’s negligence, contact Fort Worth Boat Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson for a free consultation at 817-294-1900.

A motorcycle wreck claimed the life of Kathleen Spear of Irving, Texas late Thursday night. The 40 year old woman was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by a 38 year old man who slid into the back of a pickup on Texas Highway 183. The man was taken to the hospital where he was arrested on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter. The Fort Worth Police Department will await the toxicology results.

In Texas, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle of any kind, including a motorcycle, if you are intoxicated. One is intoxicated if his Blood Alcohol Content is.08 or above. The results of this blood test may determine if this man does some jail time for his reckless act. At the least, he is probably liable for her wrongful death from a civil claim perspective.

Information provided by Mark A. Anderson, Fort Worth Injury Attorney specializing in recovering compensation for accident victims. Phone 817-294-1900. Contact Us Online.

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.

LEGISLATURE OPPOSES SPEEDING CAMERAS

About a month ago, the state announced it was changing various Dallas-Fort Worth speed limits on different interstate stretches, effective as soon as new signs were posted. This mostly meant reducing speeds from 65 to 60 miles per hour on roads like Loop 820 and Interstates 30 and 35 in and around the Metroplex. At the same time, state legislators have been discussing a bill which would implement the use of cameras to take pictures of speeders and send them tickets in the mail to enforce local speed limits (much like red-light cameras do for those who run them). Luckily for speeders, Thursday’s legislature opposed the idea presented by the Department of Public Safety and area counties who proposed it.

UPDATE ON MEXICAN TOUR BUS WRECK

The company who owned the Grupo Sendo bus which was demolished Monday after a drunk driver in an 18-wheel tractor trailer crashed into it in Mexico announced it will cover the funeral costs, medical bills and transportation expenses for the 11 victims of the wreck. Seven of the 11 killed were Americans. The Mexican company, based out of Brownsville, Texas has offered to help out—even though it wasn’t at-fault, because the driver of the semi-truck was uninsured.

Uninsured drivers are a huge problem and cases like this prove why. The number of injured and wrongfully killed parties on that tour bus who could make personal injury claims is huge, and there’s no insurance to cover their medical bills and pain and suffering, unless they use their own coverage (assuming they have it).

Please take this tragic situation as a lesson and look into getting yourself uninsured motorist coverage, so that if you’re in an accident with someone who’s uninsured, you’ll have something to fall back on. I think the bus company is extremely generous for helping out.

Please contact the Anderson Law Firm if you have questions about the different types of insurance coverage or if you’ve been injured in a truck/bus accident.

The driver of an 18-Wheel Tractor Trailer faces homicide charges after his semi truck crashed into a Mexican tour bus on Monday, killing 11 and injuring many more. Investigators are still waiting on toxicology results to show the truck driver’s blood alcohol level which many suspect was over the limit. The Grupo Senda bus tour, which was hired out by McAllen, Texas-based Viva Mexico Tours was headed to Zacatecas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, which was just one stop along the four-day tour of the area.

The semi-driver apparently lost control and swerved to overcompensate before crashing into the driver side of the tour bus. The truck had been traveling in the opposite direction of the bus. One of the bus passengers who escaped death said the first six rows of the tour bus were completely crushed. The driver of the tour bus, Cesar Garcia of Mexico was killed on impact.

Passengers on the bus included Mexicans, Americans and even Canadians. Among them, seven Americans were killed—including two Brownsville, Texas school teachers, as well as three Canadians and the Mexican driver. Sixteen people were injured—many seriously, but all are said to be in stable condition now.

The driver who caused the accident was hurt, but not critically, and now faces potential involuntary homicide charges due to the severity of the wreck and the number of those killed. His name has not been released yet as the accident investigation continues.

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

2-year-old Abdallah Khader remains on life support at Cook Children’s hospital in Fort Worth after his car was hit by an alleged drunk driver. Stewart Richardson is in jail on $100,000 bond. He has been charged with intoxication with serious bodily injury and DWI felony repetition. Richardson has outstanding drunk-driving charges in Iowa, Colorado and Utah.

The car crash happened in Arlington. Richardson rear-ended the Khadar family after he’d been drinking at two bars—Applebee’s and Mr. B’s, both in Mansfield. His blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit at the time of the wreck at .25. Witnesses say he showed no remorse and when he heard of Abdallah’s condition, he said, “that sucks.”

Since Abdallah is Muslim, religious beliefs are preventing his family from taking him off life support even though 80 percent of his brain is damaged. If he lives, he will have severe brain injuries and if he dies, it will be unfacilitated. The family has filed a civil action suit as well and investigators are looking into the two bars which served Richardson the night of the wreck.

If you’ve been injured in an accident as the result of someone else’s negligence, please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation on your rights at 817-294-1900.

Date: February 15, 2009

Location: North Park Boulevard in Grapevine

Type: Rollover Wreck

A 21-year-old man was killed after the car he was riding in flipped several times before hitting a 5-foot-10 Grapevine, Texas church sign Sunday night. Michael Bentley was taken to JPS Hospital where he was pronounced dead after the car accident.

Now, the driver of the Ford Focus—a 20-year-old man whose name hasn’t been released yet, has been arrested on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter. He and another passenger, a 19-year-old female, were treated for minor injuries and released. The accident happened at 9 p.m. Sunday night near First Presbyterian Church of Grapevine. Charges have yet to be filed.

An Arlington, Texas man is in the Grand Prairie jail today awaiting potential intoxication manslaughter charges after he killed a 17-year-old Arlington student in a car wreck Friday. 20-year-old Adrian Quezada Jr.’s bail has been set at $30,000 after he was arrested Monday on suspicion of intoxication assault just after he was released from the hospital.

Investigators are awaiting the results of a blood-alcohol test—they suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash, as well as speeding.

The wreck happened Friday in Arlington when Quezada’s GMC pickup truck hit 17-year-old Robert Joslin’s 1977 Chevy Malibu as he sat at a red light. The impact caused Joslin’s car to then crash into an SUV which was also stopped at the light. Joslin and his passenger were taken to Dallas Hospitals; he was taken off life support yesterday. His passenger was treated and released along with two injured people in the SUV.

Joslin was the starting center fielder for Sam Houston High School’s football team.

Ironically, just last week, a plan was announced to try and reduce the number of severe car accidents in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. In just over one month of the New Year, there have already been six accidents in Arlington involving fatalities and two in Grand Prairie.

Information provided by Arlington DWI Car Accident Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. Photo courtesy of star-telegram.com.

Date: February 1, 2009
Location: Cass County, Nebraska
Type: car accident
Outcome: one dead, two critically injured

A Weatherford, Texas woman is in critical condition after a wreck early Sunday morning. 44-year-old Karen M. Frank was ejected from a vehicle in Cass County, Nebraska over the weekend. The driver, from Plattsmouth, Nebraska lost control of the vehicle, rolling it several times. All three occupants, including Frank, were ejected. The driver was killed. Frank was taken by helicopter to the Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska with critical injuries. None of the three occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the wreck and an accident investigation is being conducted to determine whether or not alcohol was a factor.

In separate news stories, it was reported today that intoxication manslaughter charges have been brought against a Bedford woman and an Arlington woman whose reckless acts of driving while intoxicated resulted in two preventable deaths. First of all, the Dallas Morning News reported that the Arlington woman had almost double the level of allowable alcohol in her blood when she crashed into a guardrail on October 13, 2008. A motorcycle rider from Justin crashed into her wrecked car (which did not have its lights on). The crash killed the motorcycle rider. This lady was just now arrested and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. I had blogged about this accident back in October.

Today’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that late Sunday night a drunk driver of a Chevrolet Blazer ran a red light on Green Oaks Road in Arlington and ran into a Dodge Avenger, killing the driver and critically injuring the passenger. This lady faces both intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault charges.

Unfortunately, Texas has a big problem with drunk drivers. Every five hours someone dies in our state as a result of a drunk driver. We have to do something to get these drunk drivers off the road. And it is not as if all of these accidents occur in the middle of the night. The Arlington accident occurred at 11 p.m. And I have seen plenty of drunk driving accidents occur during the middle of the day. The site Alcohol Alert has some other drunk driving statistics worth reviewing.

If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered a wrongful death as a result of a drunk driver, feel free to contact the Anderson Law Firm if you have questions regarding your legal rights. Call 817-294-1900 or Contact Us Online.

New information has been released regarding the investigation of a Euless, Texas woman who injured eight teenagers in a car accident back on October 25th. I wrote about this accident when it happened—the lady was the mother of twin daughters who were out at the movies with six of their friends. At 10 p.m., the woman was called to go pick the teens up in her 2002 Trailblazer. On the way home she hit a curb and flipped the vehicle several times. All of the kids were taken to hospitals in nearby Irving and Grapevine and luckily none of them suffered life-threatening injuries. On a subsequent blog, I wrote that evidence was released revealing that the woman’s blood-alcohol level was .13, which is .05 over the legal limit.

After having been arrested Nov. 6, the woman has since posted $20,000 bail but is being indicted on charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI) with a child, endangering a child and injury to a child. DWI with a child carries a larger penalty than a normal DWI.

A new article out today gives more detail on what happened, including witness accounts. Apparently, the woman told the kids she only had three beers and when the accident occurred, she said she swerved so as not to hit a dog. However, witnesses told police it was a parked car she swerved to miss just before hitting the curb and flipping. Also, a trailblazer has at most, 5 to 8 seats. The woman, plus the eight kids makes nine people riding in that car and none of the kids in the back seat were wearing seatbelts when the car flipped several times.

Apparently, during the drive home, the woman drove up to 95 miles per hour on an interstate.

Reports also allege that the woman asked her daughter to lie to police as well as the passengers and their parents about her drinking and driving. The sad thing about it is that the group of teens had gone to the movies to celebrate the twin daughters’ 15th birthday.

From a legal perspective, this case presents many issues. Clearly, the mother was negligent in driving while intoxicated. Did she have liability insurance? If so, does she have enough insurance to cover all of the teenagers’ personal injuries? In an injury case, the parents of the teenagers can recover for the medical bills and pain and suffering of their children. If the total amount of all those claims exceeds the limits of the mother’s policy, then each person must take a reduced settlement. The parents could then look to their own insurance policies, and if they had underinsured motorists coverage, that could help recover compensation for their children’s injuries.

When an accident occurs, there are many different ways to make a claim. If you were injured in an accident and would like to find out more about your rights, please call me at 817-294-1900 or feel free to Contact Me Online.

Photo courtesy of www.star-telegram.com

A few weeks ago I wrote about a Euless, Texas woman who injured eight kids (including one of her own) when she drove them home from the movies while she was drunk. Here's an update on what’s developed.

Last night, the 37-year-old was arrested and her bail has been set at $75,000. She’s being charged with endangering a child and the obvious DWI. The blood alcohol test showed she had been driving her Trailblazer at .05 over the legal limit of .08 when the car hit a curb and flipped. The car accident sent all eight teens and herself to the hospital. Luckily, no one was killed.

Another drunk-driving car accident in the Metroplex injured eight teenagers Saturday night. One of the teen’s mothers picked up her daughter and seven other kids from the movies in Euless, Texas and was driving the kids while under the influence. On the way home, she served because of a dog in the road and hit a curb, causing the SUV to flip. Everyone was transported to hospitals in nearby Grapevine and Irving.

The accident investigation is still pending, but the woman faces several counts of driving while intoxicated, or DWI. A first offense can mean a jail stay, suspension of one’s license and up to a $2,000 fine. After the first time, jail time increases, as well as the length of license suspension and the amount of the fine.

Not long ago I wrote about the unfortunate weekend when two separate drunk-driving related incidences killed three people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I just hate to see when intoxication is a cause for a wreck or accident because such incidences are 100 percent preventable.

For more information on the DWI laws in Texas, visit www.texasdwi.org. If you’ve suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence, please call me to discuss your rights at 817-294-1900 or feel free to Contact Me Online.

On Saturday, a grandmother and her baby granddaughter were hit by a drunk driver in Dallas when they were walking together on East Overton Road in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. The 54-year-old man who hit the two is currently in a Dallas jail, facing two counts of intoxication manslaughter. He and his passenger (who was also arrested for public intoxication) hit the woman and her 1-year-old granddaughter, then carried them 20 yards before the two finally fell off the car. Both died of blunt force trauma at the hospital.

Then, just a few hours later, a 12-year-old Dallas, Texas boy was killed when he was riding as a passenger with two teenagers when the car he was riding in hit another car and a utility pole. The car accident happened at the intersection of Lemon Avenue and Lovers Lane. The boy died at the hospital of his injuries and the other two were last heard to be in stable condition. Alcohol is suspected to also be the cause of this accident.

Drunk driving is a huge problem in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, every five hours, someone is killed in Texas in an alcohol-related traffic crash. Unfortunately, Texas ranks second only behind California in drunk-driving deaths.

If you have been seriously injured or a loved one has died as a result of a drunk-driving collision, you may receive a free consultation from a Board Certified injury attorney by calling Mark Anderson at 817-294-1900.

Early Monday morning a drunk driver killed a newlywed couple and injured four others in a horrific car accident near Interstate 75 and Mockingbird Lane in Dallas, Texas. Prior to the accident, police pulled a man driving with a female passenger over whose vehicle had been weaving in and out of traffic. When the officer started to approach him, the driver sped away with his lights off, eventually running a red light and slamming into a carload of Southern Methodist University (SMU) students. All five of them suffered injuries. The impact from that crash sent the drunk driver’s Tahoe flying into another car—killing a newlywed couple. At the hospital, his passenger was in serious condition while he was upgraded to fair.

If this story isn’t tragic enough, it gets worse. The drunk driver had previously been convicted of DWI twice before and two other DWI charges were pending. He was out on bond, which had been revoked and had four outstanding warrants. He was driving the night of the crash with a suspended license and two empty bottles of Patron tequila.

This is one of those tragic cases of someone slipping through the cracks of the legal system. Why wasn’t he in jail? Who forgot to take his license…and his car for that matter? Apparently on one of his latest DWI charges, the “system” did not catch his prior DWI’s.

I only practice personal injury law—not criminal law, but it just seems to me like the law should mandate that the driver should have already been in jail. This man should have already lost his freedom.