Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog

As a Dallas-Fort Worth motorcycle accident lawyer, I’ve noticed many biker-oriented websites declare that now is the perfect time to buy a second-hand motorcycle as the prices have never been lower – not even Harley Davidsons. However, while it might be tempting to splash some cash on a great used bike, it is important that you do your due diligence to make sure the bike you’re purchasing is top quality and free from any manufacturing defects.

Before you go shopping, do your research. Most motorcyclists are familiar with different types of bikes already, but it’s always worth researching other enthusiasts’ recommendations online before settling on any particular make or model. It also allows you to try and find the best possible price. When you do go to look at a used vehicle, take a mechanic friend if you yourself are not an expert. Look for any clues that there might be something wrong with the bike: does it appear clean and in generally good condition; are the wheels properly aligned; is there any evidence that it may have been involved in a wreck in the past? There are a number of resources online which will allow you to check a motorcycle’s history by searching its VIN number (DWV.org, CycleVIN.com, Cyclechex.com). Good luck!

Since you’re saving money on a new (to you) bike, now is the perfect time to invest in a new DOT-certified helmet. Never buy a used helmet, for the most part they are worthless. Remember that the NHTSA recommends you replace your helmet every 2 to 4 years, so if yours is getting old, now might be the perfect time to upgrade. Trust me, as a DFW personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I know for a fact that motorcycle helmets save lives. If you don’t have one, you need one.

Like many other North Texas residents, one of my ambitions for the new year was to lose weight and improve my overall level of fitness. I’m a keen runner, but I know many other people in DFW enjoy cycling. Plano is the latest city in the area to encourage more people to turn to healthier and more environmentally-friendly forms of commuting to and from work, with the completion of their massive network of park-and-highway trails designed for cyclists and runner, linking residential areas to each of Plano’s 50 largest employers. City officials that it will not only prompt more residents to exercise on their way to and from work, but that it will also reduce the overall amount of traffic in the city, making it a more pleasant commute for those who must drive.

I think that this is a great initiative, and I’m looking forward to seeing the proposed bike lanes in Fort Worth and Arlington become similarly advanced. However, regardless of whether you ride a bicycle, run or walk, you need to be careful whenever you share the road with motorized vehicles. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that in the event of an auto collision, the chance of fatal injuries is extremely high. In 2010 alone, 354 pedestrians and 42 pedalcyclists were killed in Texas car wrecks, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

It is important that you understand the risks associated with running or cycling whenever you are on a public roadway. Always stop at stop signs and red lights, and follow all traffic laws that you would normally obey if you were driving a car, truck or motorcycle.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bike or pedestrian accident, it is important that you speak to a board certified personal injury and wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation. Call the Anderson Law Firm’s Dallas office at 214-327-8000 or in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

Students riding on a Decatur ISD school bus had a narrow escape on Thursday afternoon when their bus drove over a rural bridge which collapsed beneath the vehicle. Wise County officials reported that they had received several phonecalls regarding the condition of the bridge throughout the day, but the crew responsible for shutting it down did not arrive until after the bridge collapsed. Fortunately, none of the children on the bus at the time of the accident were injured. Thanks to the quick thinking of the driver, Debbie Brady, the bus was quickly and safely evacuated, despite the bus slipping further into the growing hole in the road every minute.

As a Decatur personal injury lawyer, I would like to applaud the actions of Ms. Brady for keeping a cool head under crisis and for rescuing the bus load of kids from would otherwise surely have been a far worse disaster. Photos taken by emergency responders show that the bridge eventually collapsed completely beneath the weight of the four-ton bus, into the stream below. According to children on the bus, the rear of the vehicle was as much as eight feet in the air following the collapse, which meant it was necessary for them all to evacuate from the front doors of the bus.

Less than two weeks ago, it emerged that there are a total of 1,551 bridges throughout Texas which are considered structurally unsound by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Dangerous road conditions need to be addressed by the local authority in charge of their maintenance. Regardless of whether they are heavily-traveled ramps over major interstates or small single-lane bridges over rural creeks, if they are expected to carry cars, trucks and buses they must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure that they are in fact safe to do so. Had circumstances been just slightly different, Thursday’s incident could have been a dramatically worse tragedy.

A former Massachusetts dentist due to be charged next week after pleading guilty to fraud. Michael Clair, 53, of Fall River, MA, defrauded Medicare of $130,000 by using metal paper clips in root canal operations rather than medical stainless steel posts. This is not just disgusting, but it’s highly dangerous as the unsanitary material could cause pain and infection to patients. Clair also faces charges of assault and battery, illegally prescribing prescription drugs and witness intimidation, some of which stem from the fact he was suspended in Medicare in 2002, but continued to treat patients at his practice by filing paperwork under the names of other dentists.

This is perhaps one of the most bizarre cases of medical malpractice I have come across in my 21 years as a Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer. This man not only breached the trust of his patients, he did so in order to financially exploit a publicly-funded program. Most medical malpractice cases are typically the result of a mistake on behalf of a doctor, nurse or other medical professional, but this disturbing individual intentionally provided sub-standard care for his own greedy financial gain. He deserves to face the harshest punishment possible for his crimes.

A tanker truck carrying 7,500 gallons of fuel crashed in Arlington on Saturday afternoon, causing authorities to close North Center Street between I-30 and Ryan Plaza for a hazardous material clean-up operation. According to the police crash report, the driver of the truck lost control of his vehicle while making a turn, causing the truck to fall over on to its side. The collision caused a breach in the tanker and ethanol began leaking on to the roadway. The accident occurred at approximately 5:00 pm on Saturday and the tanker was still leaking fuel at 7:30 pm.

Arlington Fire Department has not yet released their verdict on what caused the crash, although emergency hazmat crews worked through the night and into Sunday morning to contain the spill and clean up the scene. No other cars were involved in the wreck.

While I am aware, as a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, that auto accidents can happen to even the most experienced drivers, it always concerns me whenever a professional motorist makes a mistake which can have some devastating consequences. Fortunately, no-one was injured in this particular wreck, but given that trucks transport more than 800,000 shipments of hazardous material throughout the US every day according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), next time we may not be so lucky.

If you or a loved one are injured in a traffic accident involving any kind of commercial vehicle, it is important that you speak to a board certified Arlington car crash lawyer who is experienced in handling large truck wreck cases. Call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900 today for a free, no obligation consultation.

The defective medical devices attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm in Dallas-Fort Worth are looking for clients who have been adversely affected by the DePuy hip implants manufactured by DePuy Orthopedics, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson. Normal hip replacement prosthetics should last up to 25 years without any problems, but many DePuy patients have reported numerous problems including chronic pain, swelling and dislocation as a result of problems caused by the defective device. As a result, the manufacturers recalled the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Hip System and the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System in August 2011.

Due to the serious nature of the defects associated with this faulty implants, roughly one in eight patients will be required to have revision surgery. Many more are at risk of developing metallosis pseudo tumors caused by the metal-on-metal design of this hip replacement system’s ball and cup.

If you or someone you love has needlessly suffered due to receiving this defective hip system, you do have legal options and you may be entitled to significant financial compensation above and beyond any payment DePuy or Johnson and Johnson might offer you for your “inconvenience.”

The personal injury lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm have a combined experience of more than 40 years fighting for the rights of clients in a range of defective devices, medical malpractice and dangerous pharmaceutical claims. To speak to an attorney regarding your personal situation, please call us toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I was saddened to hear of a local cyclist who was severely injured following a collision with a motorist in Dallas. Dallas Torres, 32, of Oak Cliff, was riding his bicycle along the Jefferson Boulevard viaduct last Saturday when the crash occurred. An off duty police officer was a witness to the wreck and immediately called in other emergency responders. Mr. Torres was rushed to Baylor University Medical Center to be treated for his injuries. According to Mr. Torres’ family, he broke his neck in three places after smashing through the vehicle’s windshield. He remains in hospital and doctors say it will likely take six month before he makes a full recovery with the aid of a lot of physical therapy.

My thoughts are with Mr. Torres and his loved ones. I know that the journey following such serious injuries in a long and difficult one, and I wish him as full and speedy recovery as possible.

This particular accident has gained the attention of avid bicyclists throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, not least because the section of road had been scheduled to have new bike lanes installed which would have drastically improved the safety of all bike riders and would likely have prevented this awful crash. Unfortunately, Dallas city planners put the safety feature on hold after they were unable to find the money necessary to paint the lanes.

Being an experienced auto accident attorney, I know just how valuable designated bicycle lanes are. Other cities which have implemented bike lanes have collected evidence that they do improve bicycle safety and reduce multi-vehicle collisions. After bike lanes were introduced in New York City, for example, the Mayor’s office did a study and found out that in areas where bike lanes were in use, crashes which resulted in injuries fell by 40 percent for all road users. In some areas, the study found that such wrecks were reduced by as much as 50 percent.

Designated bicycle lanes are key to ensuring the safety of North Texas cyclists. Bike riders have just as much to be on our roads as any other road user.

According to numerous citizen complaints, your dishwasher might be a hazard in your own home. Residents throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and across the US have complained that their dishwashers started smoking and caught fire. Fortunately, those affected were at home at the time of the incidents and were able to prevent a house fire, but their complaints to the dishwashing machine manufacturers have been largely ignored. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is now investigating the charges, which have been leveled against KitchenAid, Kenmore and Whirlpool. It is alleged that the three manufactures all use a defective design in the control panel of their appliances.

As a DFW personal injury lawyer with experience in dangerous and defective devices cases, I am shocked at the serious nature of this problem. I know that many people choose to switch their dishwasher on either just before heading out or going to bed, so it is a wonder that no one has been killed yet. Fortunately, Whirlpool (which owns KichenAid and Kenmore) has initiated an internal investigation into the complaints although they are dragging their feet on issuing a caution to registered customers regarding a possible recall.

If you have a Whirlpool, KitchenAid or Kenmore dishwasher which has exhibited any signs of malfunction which might be liked to this fire risk, you are encouraged to call Whirlpool’s consumer hotline at 800-422-1230.

If you or someone you love has been seriously hurt by a hazardous dishwasher or any other defective device or household appliance, you should speak to an attorney in order to determine your legal rights and responsibilities. You may be entitled to compensation. To speak with a board certified personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, call the Anderson Law Firm, toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

By now we have all heard about the tragic cruise ship accident which occurred off the coast of Italy on Friday the 13th. The luxury liner Costa Concordia hit a rock off the Tuscan island of Gigilo. 4,200 passengers and crew members were aboard when the ship began to sink. So far six people are confirmed dead, while many others remain unaccounted for. Survivors have described the dramatic incident as similar to the movie depiction of the infamous Titanic wreck.

The captain of the ship, Francesco Schettino, was arrested shortly after the accident on charges of manslaughter and abandoning ship. His employers and owners of the Costa Concordia, Costa Cruises of Genoa (itself owned by Carnival), have since accused him to making an "unapproved, unauthorized maneuver" which is being blamed for the ship running aground. None the less, it is the company which will remain financially responsible for the disaster.

As a board certified personal injury and wrongful death lawyer it is hard not to draw parallels between this disaster and other accidents even in the landlocked Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Whenever we get on a bus, train or airplane, we likewise put our lives in the hands of the crew. As a passenger, we have no control over the bus, so we trust that the driver will get us to our destination safety. If they then are responsible for a crash which causes injuries, we can make a claim against their insurance under Texas law, because it was their negligence which ultimately caused us to be injured. Even if you are injured as a passenger in a car wreck, you are still eligible to recover compensation to pay for your medical expenses from the insurance company – even if the at-fault driver was your spouse or other family member.

Regardless of the circumstances which caused you to suffer your injuries, if you yourself were not at fault, it is always worth consulting with an attorney in order to properly determine your legal rights and whether you might be entitled to compensation.

As far as the Costa Concordia shipwreck goes, I am relieved that most people onboard have either escaped or been retrieved alive. My thoughts are with those who have lost someone they love or whose loved ones still remain missing.

As a personal injury attorney who has represented victims who have been seriously injured in car accidents through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 1991, I have learned a thing or two about dealing property damage claims against the negligent motorist’s insurance company is I decided to write a new book, Texas Property Damage Guide, to help accident victims. The book is offered completely free of charge through my website.

After a car wreck, one of the first things you must do is get your car repaired (if it’s repairable) or replaced (if it is “totaled”). However, what most people don’t realize is that even if you weren’t at fault, you can still make a claim against your own insurance policy. This is important, because if you were injured in the wreck, you are also dealing with your injuries. But without a working car, or a replacement rental car, it is tough to even make it to the doctor. However, I must warn you now that in dealing with insurance companies, you will need both knowledge and patience.

Most property damage claims can be successfully resolved without the aid of a lawyer, although sometimes the claims process becomes a little more complicated when issues such as inherent diminished value are involved. Generally, you should experience too much trouble.

If you or someone else was injured in the accident, that’s when thing get a lot more difficult. Property damage claims cost far less than bodily injury or wrongful death claims, but when the settlement figure goes up, insurance adjustors get notoriously more difficult to deal with, which is why it is so critical that you have an experienced board certified attorney fighting on your behalf. To speak to a lawyer regarding your personal injury or wrongful death claim please call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900.

As we all struggle to work in the dark early mornings, it’s important that we’re all wide awake before we get behind the wheel. It seems like not a day goes by without some fender bender or major auto accident on DFW freeways, but we should also take care when driving on neighborhood streets both in residential areas and near schools.

This morning, two children were hit by a vehicle near Handley Middle School in east Fort Worth. Authorities reported that one of the victims, an as-yet unnamed 15-year-old boy, was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries. The other victim was reportedly treated at the crash scene. The pedestrian collision occurred at approximately 7:00 am this morning in the 2700 block of Hitson Lane. No further details regarding the accident are available at this time.

Driving in and around schools during both the morning and evening rush hours requires all motorists to use additional caution. While many ISDs use flashing amber lights to notify drivers of a significantly reduced speed limit at times when children are likely to be walking along the road, some schools just have posted times when the slower speed limits are in effect. It is illegal in Texas for drivers to use a handheld cellphone while driving in school zones. Violators face a fine if caught. It is also important that drivers are cautious when driving near school buses and are up-to-date with the law in this regard also.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I would like to say that I hope the two students hurt in this morning’s accident make a full and speedy recovery. If you or your child are ever injured in a collision with a car, truck or motorcycle while out walking, jogging or cycling, it is important that you are fully informed of your legal rights as you may be entitled to compensation for any wreck-related medical costs you may have incurred. For a free no obligation consultation with an attorney please call 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.

Way back last April, we shared some photos of stupid drivers doing all manner of crazy things including driving down the freeway with a ladder sticking out of both back windows and attempting to drive without scraping snow off their windshield. One of the dumbest idiots we found was photographed driving down a residential street while they walked their dog by leash alongside their vehicle. Talk about lazy!

Well, it just so happens that particular dog owner is not alone. Last week, undercover Fort Worth police caught a local man attempting the exact same thing. Anthony Brown, 35 of Ft. Worth, was arrested on animal cruelty charges on Thursday after driving down Avenue I while holding his pit bull’s leash out of the driver’s window. He had traveled approximately 75 feet before the police intervened. Brown said he was simply trying to take the dog to his father’s house – just two blocks away. Fortunately, his pet was not injured in the incident and is now in the care of Fort Worth Animal Control.

As an animal lover myself, I can’t even imagine what might possess someone to attempt something so crazy. Surely any rational person can see that by dragging a dog by a leash from a moving vehicle – and in the middle of the road no less – you are putting them in an incredibly dangerous position. Of course, it’s not just the dog’s safety which this motorist risked – he also created the potential for a car crash with another vehicle or pedestrian through his reckless antics.

I know that traffic accident can be caused by all sorts of bizarre and unusual circumstances. As a personal injury lawyer, I know that just because you’re a good driver, it doesn’t mean that you can avoid other stupid drivers who share the road with you. If you or a loved one is ever injured in a wreck which was not your fault, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation at 817-294-1900.

2012 is already off to a good start with the news that as of today, interstates and city streets alike will be far safer than they’ve ever been in the past. The reason is because a new law comes into effect today courtesy of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) which prohibits commercial truck and bus drivers from using a hand-held cellphone while operating their vehicle.

As a Fort Worth auto accident injury lawyer, I welcome this ban which was championed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Distracted driving is the cause of far too many car wrecks in DFW and throughout Texas – and given the unique threat posed by commercial delivery vehicles I think this ban has come not a moment too soon.

Truckers and coach drivers are professional drivers. It’s their job to transport their cargo or their passengers to their destination safely. If they’re texting or talking on their cellphone then they do not have their full attention on the road ahead. Since the average 18-wheeler weight in at around the 80,000 pound range it takes long enough to come to a complete stop in the event of an emergency. Every second counts. If the driver is focused on their phone call instead of the road ahead, the result could be – and often is – disastrous.

From today onwards, any CDL driver caught using a handheld phone from behind the wheel will be faced with an automatic fine of $2,700 which is strongly hoped will be enough to deter all drivers from the habit. Drivers are not permitted to hold, operate or reach for a phone while driving; however cellphones which are completely hands-free are still permitted.

Although this ban only affects CDL drivers, there could be similar restrictions facing all motorists in time. Just two weeks ago, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSA) announced that they would begin urging both federal and individual state legislatures to introduce blanket bans on cellphone use for all motorists. As a personal injury and wrongful death attorney who has seen far too many pointless tragedies caused by distracted driving, I truly hope that the rules governing cellphone use while driving become increasingly strict for all drivers.

The Anderson Law Firm is currently accepting clients who have been affected by the recall of DePuy hip replacement implants manufactured by DePuy Orthopedics (Johnson & Johnson). With one in eight patients experiencing extreme pain and other problems associated with the DePuy hip implants, 25,000 patients in the US alone have already been required to have corrective surgery as a result of these defective medical devices and the personal injury lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm are ready to make sure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve from the product’s manufacturer.

The affected prosthetics are the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Hip System and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System. If you’re not sure if these are the devices you received, you should consult with your doctor’s office who will be able to confirm the exact product you received.

For more information on the dangerous side effects associated with the DePuy hip implants or to learn about your legal rights as an innocent victim, please call an attorney today toll free at 800-354-6275. Alternatively, you may call us locally in Fort Worth, Texas at 817-294-1900.

The antiepileptic medicine Dilantin (Phenytonin) has been connected to the life-threatening skin reactions Steven Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (also known as Leyll’s Syndrome). Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) causes rashes, blisters and bleeding to appear across the patient’s body, face and genital areas but becomes increasingly serious as it evolves into skin lesions and inflammation of the mouth, throat, nasal passages, genital tract and intestinal tract. Dilantin patients who develop Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) have a fatality rate of approximately 25 percent.

The dangerous drug lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm are outraged at the suffering of patients who have been prescribed Dilantin and its generic forms and are currently accepting cases against the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture this potentially deadly drug.

If you have been affected by Dilantin (Phenytonin) you deserve justice for the pain and bodily injuries you have suffered. If someone you love has died as a result of taking Dilantin, you are entitled to bring a wrongful death case against the medication’s manufacturer.

For more information on your legal right to compensation, please call the Anderson Law Firm today to speak to a medical attorney. Call us toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.

As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I’ve seen distracted driving become a growing problem in Fort Worth and Arlington. Whenever you text while driving, you are taking your attention off the road and risking the safety of yourself, your passengers and all other road users. Make no mistake: using a cellphone while behind the wheel can and does result in fatal auto accidents.

Despite Republican candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry vetoing a distracted driving ban earlier this year, there are other people who fortunately do recognize the very real hazard posed by using a cellphone or other electronic device while in the driving seat. The FMCSA and PHMSA recently announced that they are updating both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the Hazardous Materials Regulations to prohibit truckers from using hand-held cellphones.

The greatest news for those of us who recognize the dangers of distracted driving came this week when the National Transportation Safety Board urged Federal and State lawmakers to introduce blanket bans of cellphone use among drivers. It’s a move that would make many motorists unhappy, but would undoubtedly improve public safety. As NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman said “We’re not here to win a popularity contest. No email, no text, no update, no call is worth a human life.”

Many people oppose such restrictive laws claiming that they are inconvenient and that whatever someone does in their own vehicle should be their own business. I’m not sure I agree with that; after all driving while intoxicated is illegal for similarly good reason. I think as the public becomes increasingly aware of the many wrecks caused by cellphone use – and the many lives lost as a result – we will start to see these restrictions come into place. From my perspective as a wrongful death attorney; the sooner, the better!

As a Dallas-Fort Worth pharmaceutical lawyer, I know that birth control pills pose a documented risk to the health of women across North Texas. The hazards associated with medication designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies has been known for some time. One of the major concerns is the risk of suffering a blood clot caused by the estrogen in the pills. While blood clots are common among patients taking such medicines, it is when the blood clot travels to the heart, lungs or brain that it poses a very real threat to the safety of the individual.

According to Dr. Darren Tate of Texas Health Fort Worth, the risk of a woman suffering a blood clot is approximately 6 in 10,000 when on birth. While Dr. Tate claims that all birth control medicines pose similar risks, he said that pills containing the smaller amounts of estrogen pose a lesser risk. As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I know that one of the most dangerous birth control pills currently on the market is Yasmin (also sold as Yaz, and in generic form as Ocella).

The reasons that Yasmin is so particularly dangerous is that it contains a fourth-generation progestin called drospiernone which is thought to elevate the level of potassium in the patient’s blood stream. The health risks associated with Yasmin include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack and gallbladder disease.

If you or someone you love has suffered any life-threatening injuries which you believe to be a result of taking Yasmin or any other birth control medication, it is wise to discuss your case with a board certified dangerous drug attorney to make sure you are fully aware of your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation.

Please call us toll free at 800-354-6275 or call locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900 for a free, no obligation case review.

Traffic wreck fatalities might have declined in 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but auto accident injuries actually increased by 40,000 throughout the USA. According to the NHTSA’s annual Motor Vehicle Crashes report, the greatest increase in car, motorcycle and truck collision fatalities are among passenger vehicle occupants and pedestrians. Furthermore, while the number of road deaths actually fell overall, the number of pedestrians killed in 2010 actually rose by 4.2 percent with the number injured rising by 19 percent – the greatest increase of all categories.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer and wrongful death attorney, the news that both injuries and deaths among non-motorists is on the increase is gravely concerning. This means that more pedestrians are being hit by drivers. Pedestrians do not have any form of protection to reduce the severity of being struck by a heavy, speeding vehicle.

According to the NHTSA, a total of 121,000 pedestrians and pedalcyclists were injured in traffic accidents nationwide in 2010. This is a huge problem, particularly when you consider that almost all of these crashes are not the fault of the pedestrian or bike rider, but rather the fault of a negligent motorist.

If you or a loved one have been injured while walking, jogging or cycling, then it is important that you understand your legal rights and responsibilities. You may very well be entitled to compensation. To discuss your case with a DFW lawyer today, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or call locally in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-800.

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.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about some college football players who had brought a lawsuit against the NCAA accusing them of not doing enough to prevent concussions among athletes. As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer and a huge sports fan, I know just how dangerous concussions can be, so I was happy to hear yesterday that the NBA has introduced a new policy to ensure that players who have suffered a head injury must now consult with a neurologist before they are allowed to return to work.

The NBA has been considering introducing a concussion program since March of this year, following several players suffering concussion-like symptoms and finally came into full effect at the beginning of this winter’s training camp. Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher - an associate professor of neurology at the University of Michigan – has been hired as director of the NBA’s initiative and developed the new protocol with the assistance of several team physicians and athletic trainers.

Players that have suffered head injuries will now be required to undergo a series of tests consisting of varying levels of exertion before he is cleared to start playing again. The NBA says that the full process will usually take several days at minimum – and possibly weeks in some instances. That might not be great news for fans who might bemoan the loss of their team’s star player for several games, but the new policy is critical to ensure the safety of players in what is an extremely physical competitive sport.

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Mark A. Anderson is a board certified personal injury attorney who has been helping car wreck and other accident victims throughout the DFW since 1991. As a child injury lawyer, Mark understands the risks faced by athletes who suffer a concussion both in high school sports and all other levels.

A Tarrant County motorist has been arrested following his collision with a Weatherford ISD school bus yesterday morning. Charles Morgan, 31, of River Oaks, crashed his pickup truck into the back of a bus full of kids near the intersection of Bethel Road and South Main Street at approximately 9:30 am on Tuesday morning. The bus (which had been headed to Weatherford High School Ninth Grade Center) subsequently was rammed forwards into a sedan, at which point Morgan fled the scene. He was arrested several blocks away and charged with driving with an invalid license and failing to stop and render aid at an accident involving injury.

Fortunately, only one student passenger who had been riding on the bus at the time of the wreck suffered injuries and no-one in the sedan was hurt. As a Parker County personal injury lawyer, I know that while this is certainly a serious incident, it could have been far worse. Each year, more than 12,000 children are injured in accidents caused by another vehicle crashing into a school bus, so this incident could have been far worse than it actually was.

In cases such as these, Texas law grants the injured party the right to make a claim against the negligent party responsible for the case. Similarly, the owners of the sedan can claim for property damage against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

For more information about your legal rights if you or someone you love has ever been injured in an auto accident which wasn’t your fault, I’d like to offer you a complimentary copy of my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. You’re also free to check out my website, which has a comprehensive collection of information to help personal injury and wrongful death victims understand their rights and responsibilities. Of course, as an attorney, I also offer completely free, no obligation consultations to those who are considering making a claim. To discuss your case today, please call me toll free at 800-354-6275.

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.

What is it about Thanksgiving dinner that makes you fall asleep in front of the TV, no matter how exciting the football game is? Most people blame the turkey...

For most of us, Thanksgiving usually involves a huge turkey and dressing dinner, football on TV and lovely nap somewhere in between. Some of us look forward to the traditional Thanksgiving nap just as much as we do to the pumpkin pie, but what about the feast makes us so sleepy? Are we just trying to escape from doing dishes or is there something in the food that actually makes us fatigued?

It’s been said for many years that it’s the amino acid tryptophan in turkey that makes us so tired. Although tryptophan can induce sleepiness in its pure form, we eat lots of other foods with tryptophan in them and don’t feel nearly as fatigued. In fact, turkey isn't even unusually high in tryptophan – beef and soy beans have a much higher concentration.

So what is it about Thanksgiving dinner that makes us want to catch some z’s? Most scientists believe what makes us so sleepy is a combination of the stressful hustle and bustle of the holidays, alcohol consumption and the massive caloric intake of Thanksgiving. Two of the best ways to combat your Thanksgiving drowsiness is to drink plenty of water and to take a walk after your meal. (Just make sure you’re back in time for pie!)

From all of us at the Anderson Law Firm, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that traffic accidents involving commercial good vehicles such as 18 wheelers and other large trucks often result in some of the most devastating collisions. Wrecks caused by drunk drivers are awful because those motorists have absolutely no business being behind the wheel, but at least in those cases they are not pulling several hundred tons of cargo behind them. Semi-trucks are; which is why when they crash the result is often devastating bodily injury and property damage often costing the victim thousands of dollars in medical expenses.

The true extent of the danger posed by dangerous tractor trailers, flatbeds and other motor carriers is quite alarming. In 2011, Texas inspectors from the Department of Public Safety cracked down on unsafe trucks and buses resulting in one in five vehicles being taken off the road for safety violations. That’s 20 percent of trucks and buses: an insanely huge figure. The most common problems involved brakes, tires and lights malfunctions, which are critical to the safe operating of a big rig. In total, 66,189 vehicles were ordered off the road from a total of 331,505 that were inspected.

In addition to the vehicles themselves, DPS officials removed 12,301 drivers from the road for safety violations. This is hardly surprising as it has been widely experienced by auto accident attorneys throughout Texas that commercial truckers regularly keep two sets of log books in order to hide the fact that they are in breach of hours of service rules designed to protect public safety on our roads. This is a growing trend and one which is likely related to the increase in truck wreck fatalities. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDOT) fatal crashes involving trucks and buses has roughly doubled in just four years: from 8.92 percent in 2006 up to 15.96 percent in 2010 (based on preliminary data).

The report of this year’s inspections are important because millions of trucks pass through DFW every year. According to the Federal Highway Administration, commercial vehicles travel 20.86 billion miles throughout Texas every year. Being involved in any kind of freeway collision is serious, but when the negligent driver is a professional truck or bus operator, then it is critical that you consult with a board certified personal injury and wrongful death lawyer to make sure your legal rights are preserved and that you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve.

To arrange a free, no obligation consultation with an attorney, please call us toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at either 817-294-1900 in Fort Worth or 214-327-8000 in Dallas.

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.

A Denton County Transportation Authority A-Train crashed into an automobile in Lake Dallas yesterday evening. An older model pickup truck apparently did not completely clear the Hundley Drive crossing, meaning the commuter train was unable to avoid a collision. Fortunately, no injuries are believed to have occurred in the wreck. Police have yet to disclose the cause of the accident. There are two sets of red warning lights either side of the crossing where the accident took place so it is unclear whether the driver was tailgating another vehicle over the crossing or if there was a technical malfunction with the crossing signs.

This is the fifth serious accident involving the Denton County rail line since the passenger train began to run in June this year. Just last Friday, a pedestrian was killed in a fatal collision with a train in Carrollton. Dustin Odell, 23, of Garland, was apparently walking along a secluded section of railway when he was hit and killed.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, my thoughts are with Mr. Odell’s loved ones and those of other recent train victims in the North Texas area.

I don’t know the details of each of the individual accidents involving the A-train, nor do I know the extent of the injuries in each case. It may well be that victims and their families are entitled to compensation. However, the fact that there have been five accidents in fewer than six months suggests to me that DFW motorists need a reminder to be cautious when driving near railroads. Trains cannot avoid cars or motorcycles; they are on a fixed path and take a considerable time to stop. It’s up to you to stay out of their way. In a train-versus-car wreck, the train will win every time.

The global recession and rising fuel costs have had a number of implications for people all over the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. One of the most striking trends I’ve witnessed as a personal injury lawyer is the number of people who have traded in their car or pickup truck for a more fuel-efficient and cheaper vehicle such as a motorcycle, scooter or moped.

However, while these motorists might be saving money, they are also increasing their risk of being involved in a serious accident. Not because scooters are dangerous themselves, or that those who choose to ride them are bad drivers – but because other motorists are dangerously prone to ignore any vehicle which is smaller than their own.

As a DFW attorney, I’ve heard negligent drivers say time and time again that they “just didn’t see” the scooter rider until they crashed into them. There’s a reason for that: they weren’t looking out for them in the first place.

Scooter and moped riders have just as much right to be on Texas roads as any other motorist. Unfortunately, they are rarely given the respect they deserve by other road users. Often this means a horrible collision resulting in devastating injuries which are frequently life-threatening.

It’s important that you understand that you have rights under Texas law. If you were not responsible for causing the wreck, then you are entitled to make a claim for compensation against the negligent driver who was at fault.

For more information, or to discuss your case with an experienced scooter accident attorney, please contact the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or call locally at 817-294-1900.

What would you do if you were driving and hit a pedestrian? Would you stop?

Unfortunately, there are a number of motorists in Fort Worth who didn’t even slow down after hitting a man on South Freeway last night. An approximately 50-year-old male who has not yet been identified by police, was attempting to cross I-35W when he was struck by a red or maroon car and knocked to the ground. He was subsequently hit by several other vehicles as he lay in the roadway, only one of whom stopped in an attempt to render aid to the stricken individual who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have asked for any witnesses to the accident or anyone who believes they might be able to identify any of the drivers who failed to stop to please come forward. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Ft. Worth Traffic Investigation Unit at 817-392-4850.

Another pedestrian was also fatally wounded in Fort Worth on Monday evening in an accident at Garden Acres Drive and Dear Creek Drive. Floyd Jones, 60, was hit by a motorist who did not notice him until it was too late, reporting to police that she heard something hit her wing mirror and saw a flash of color as the man fell into a roadside ditch. Mr. Jones died at the wreck site.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer I know just how dangerous an auto-versus-pedestrian collision can be. To have two such tragedies with 24 hours of each other speaks volumes for the need to take extra care both when driving and when walking near roads.

My thoughts are with both the family of Mr. Jones and those of the as-yet-unidentified victim of last night’s hit-and-run.

Wednesday afternoon near Indian Springs Middle School, an eighth-grader was hit by a car in a crosswalk. According to a Keller ISD spokesperson, the boy darted in front of a car at the crosswalk just after the crossing guard had gone home for the day. Thankfully, the boy’s injuries are not life-threatening and the driver who hit him stopped and provided information to police.

If an eighth grade child will dart in front of a car, so would your 5th grader or kindergartener. Kids get excited when schools out, or they see the ice cream man or when they are playing games and easily forget the most basic rules of crossing the street. It is always a good idea to remind your kids that just because they are in a crosswalk, does not mean that they have an invisible shield around them that will protect against getting hit by a car. Pedestrian accidents happen all the time on crosswalks, so you still have to look both ways.

I’m glad this boy is doing ok and I’m sure he and the driver who hit him will be on extra alert from now on.

If you’re a fan of my Facebook page, you’ll already know that I dressed up as Superman for Halloween this year, but a Corsicana policeman is being hailed as a real-life superhero after saving a three-year-old girl from a house fire. Officer Dan Putman was the first emergency responder on the scene of the home owned by Marilyn Massey. All the adults had already gotten out of the house safely, but a young child, Jayden Jones, was still trapped inside.

In order to rescue the toddler, Officer Putman displayed what the family is calling “a burst of superhuman strength” as he pushed a four-poster bed and dresser away from a window in order to save the girl’s life. Officer Putman has been awarded the Medal of Valor and a Life-Saving Award for his incredible actions.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth child injury lawyer, I would like to add my voice to the chorus of praise for Officer Putman’s bravery and selfless actions.

I know how easily a residential fire can begin and the extent of the devastation it can cause. Given the epic wildfires we’ve had in Texas this summer, it should be something we are all mindful of. Since fires can start so easily, it’s important to make sure that you are properly insured in the event a house fire does occur. If you haven’t reviewed your home insurance policy recently, now might be a good time to make sure you have all the protection you need.

As a Fort Worth area personal injury attorney, I know that cyclists need to take every precaution to stay safe on the roads. This means learning your rights and responsibilities as a road user, but also making sure you use all available safety devices such as a helmet or lights. You should also make sure that your bike is regularly maintained and sign up for recall notices from the manufacturer just in case a problem is identified with your make and model in the future.

Trek Bicycle Corporation has announced a recall of 27,000 units of their Trek 2012 FX and District bicycle models due to a problem with the bike’s seat saddle. A bolt holding the saddle clamp in place has been identified as inferior and several cyclists have already reported incidents of the bold breaking, causing a fall hazard which could result in a serious crash if cycling in traffic. The most serious accident so far reported resulted in the rider suffering a broken tooth and lip injuries, but there is a potential for far more serious injuries to occur.

Owners of the Trek 7.2 FX, 7.3 FX, 7.4 FX, AND 7.5 FX; District, and 9th District bicycle models: WSD, Livestrong and Disc models are asked to stop using these recalled bicycles immediately and to contact an authorized Trek bicycle dealer to arrange for a free replacement bolt to be installed.

If you or a loved one has suffered a preventable injury due to a defective product, you may be entitled to compensation in the state of Texas. For more information on your personal case, please contact the Dallas-Fort Worth bicycle accident and injury lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

The recent spate of hit and run accidents in Dallas over the past decade have taken a particular toll on one DFW family. Andrew Green Sr. lost his father due to a hit-and-run accident in 2003 and his son, Andrew Green Jr., 14, was also killed by a negligent driver who failed to stop to render aid this week.

Green Jr. was run over by an SUV while crossing Skillman Street and Church Road in Northeast Dallas on Saturday morning. The car allegedly dragged the boy 20 feet before the driver disappeared from the scene. The teenager’s cousin, Jordan Green, was a witness to the collision and he has told police that the dangerous driver didn’t even stop to check Green Jr. was okay. Instead, he sped away from the scene, leaving the boy dead in the road.

As a North Texas personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I have handled many hit-and-run accident cases for clients and their families over the past 20 years. There are generally two courses of action:

The first course of action is to find the guilty driver who committed the crime. In addition to taking criminal action against them, you are also entitled to make a civil claim for compensation against their insurance company. Obviously, no amount of money can relieve the grief of losing a loved one, but it can at least repay the financial costs you may have endured because of their death and offer some sense of justice. Finding a hit-and-run driver isn’t always easy, but by hiring an experienced attorney their in-house investigator will continue to pursue the at-fault driver in addition to the police department’s investigation.

The second course of action is to make a claim against your uninsured motorists insurance coverage if you have it. This is optional coverage you might have in addition to your basic auto insurance and it even covers you as a pedestrian if you are hurt by a hit-and-run driver. For more information on making this kind of claim, feel free to give me a call at 214-327-8000.

My thoughts are with Andrew’s family and loves ones at this most difficult time. I am incredibly sorry for your loss. I sincerely hope that the driver who hit your son is found and brought to justice.

If you believe you may have any information which might be helpful identifying this driver, please call the Dallas Police Department at 214-671-3661.

As a Tarrant County personal injury and wrongful death lawyer I represent victims that have been hurt in all kinds of traffic accidents; this doesn’t just mean car wrecks or collisions involving motorcycles or 18 wheeler trucks, but pedestrians and bicyclists too. My book, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Claim – which I offer for free to crash victims – is designed to help injured people no matter what kind of accident they were involved in.

Cyclists are particularly prone to suffer terrible injuries if they are ever involved in an auto collision because they have virtually no protection whatsoever. Hopefully, they are wearing a bike helmet, but other than that they have nothing. Even motorcyclists often wear boots and leathers which could at least prevent road rash. Cyclists don’t. If a car or truck was to crash into a bicycle, the cyclist is probably going to be facing life-threatening injuries or permanent disability.

A Fort Worth cyclist was killed on Sunday evening. Police report that Steven Wayne Johnson, 52, was attempting to cross Interstate 30 between Forest Park Boulevard and Summit Avenue at approximately 6:30pm. He was struck by a vehicle in the inside lane and died of blunt force trauma. There are no reports of anyone else being injured.

My thoughts go out to Mr. Johnson’s family. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Students and faculty at Hebron High School in Carrollton got a scare yesterday when a small plane crashed next to the school building, narrowly missing some power lines. Fire crews from Carrollton, Addison and Lewisville worked together to rescue one passenger from the aircraft, while the other occupant was pronounced dead at the wreckage scene. The deceased was later identified as Richard Goodrum, 47, of Flower Mound. The injured passenger has not yet been named publicly. It is also believed that there was a third person on board the airplane, although their condition is currently unknown.

Police say that the pilot had reported engine problems to air traffic control at Addison Airport and that he intended to return to make an emergency landing. The pilot apparently made one failed attempt to land just prior to the accident. The plane crashed at approximately 11:30 yesterday morning.

My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Goodrum and the other victims of this devastating accident. I hope those still in hospital make a full recovery as soon as possible

While plane crashes are statistically far rarer than car wrecks, as a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that aviation accidents often result in far more serious and life-threatening injuries. No doubt there will be a thorough investigation into the cause of yesterday’s wreck to determine what cause the plane to malfunction and for the accident to ultimately occur.

From Dallas to Fort Worth and in between, cities all over North Texas were covered in a blanket of fog this morning. I didn’t have too much trouble this morning during my morning commute and thankfully the drivers around me were definitely being more cautious. That’s because fog can reduce your visibility to just ¼ of a mile or less – which can be extremely hazardous, especially when you’re driving on the highway.

Weather changes affect our driving immensely and it’s just our luck that Texas weather can change drastically in just minutes. One minute it’s beautiful and sunny and the next there’s lightning and thunder. Follow these tips for foggy days and you will have much better chances of avoiding a fender bender or a more serious car accident:

• If there is enough visibility, drive with you lights on low beam because high beam lights will only reflect off the fog and hurt your visibility even more.
• Fog can create the visual illusion of slow motion so watch your speedometer because you may actually be speeding when it feels like you’re going as slow as molasses.
• If you can’t see traffic, listen for it by rolling down your window.

No matter how cautious you are driving in fog or other extreme weather, we are still at the mercy of the other drivers around us. If you have been hurt because someone else didn’t pay attention or was being negligent behind the wheel, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At my personal injury law firm in Fort Worth, we represent clients who have been hurt in car wrecks in DFW. If you need help with your medical bills and lost wages, call us today and schedule a free case consultation to talk over your case with one of our top-rated personal injury attorneys. 817-294-1900

If you keep up with any of the tech gossip in the news, you’ve probably heard by now that Facebook is making major changes in its social media site. That’s right, your Facebook profile is about to be turned into your Facebook timeline with new changes to the look and feel of the old Facebook. You may wonder why I’m writing about Facebook on my personal injury lawyer blog—Facebook has nothing to do with my profession, right?

Actually, Facebook can play a part in my job as an accident attorney and it can play a huge part in my clients’ injury claims. That’s because insurance companies can use your Facebook against you if you are making a claim against them. For instance, if you are a making an insurance claim for injuries you suffered in a car accident, the insurance company may use your Facebook post about going on a jet ski against you. To them, if you are really hurt as badly as you say you are, then how could you go out on the lake?

I recently posted a video about Facebook and your accident claim. Watch it and see if you don’t find other reasons why it’s important to be careful about what you post on Facebook.

In almost all multi-vehicle wrecks, the driver who hits another car from behind would be considered the negligent motorist, although in certain circumstances both drivers would share responsibility for the accident. As a Denton personal injury lawyer, I know that rear-end collisions are becoming increasingly common as more drivers engage in the deadly practice of distracted driving (texting while driving). So far, however, police have not yet determined whether or not cellphone use was a factor in an astonishing Lewisville traffic accident which happened on Friday Afternoon.

A 47-year-old woman who has not yet been identified by police was driving her Chevy Cavalier through downtown on Business 121 near Main Street when she slowed down upon approaching the railroad because the warning lights were flashing and the railroad crossing arms were beginning to descend. Unfortunately, the unidentified driver of a Mercury Cougar following behind the Chevy failed to brake and struck the back of the first car, knocking it forward on to the tracks. An oncoming train hit the passenger side of the Chevy Cavalier, severely injuring the motorist. The lady was taken by ambulance to Plano Medical Center. Her current condition is unknown. No-one else is believed to have been injured in the incident.

Currently, Lewisville police department have not disclosed and further details of their investigation into the cause of the accident, nor whether the driver of the Cougar will be cited. Regardless of whether any criminal charges are brought against this dangerous driver, however, it seems incredibly clear to me as a Dallas-Fort Worth car crash attorney that they were responsible for causing the accident, regardless of whether they were texting, tailgating or engaging in some other dangerous practice.

My thoughts are with the injured woman and her loved ones. I hope that she makes a quick and complete recovery.

Travel and Leisure Magazine has ranked Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as the tenth most dangerous airport in the US. Naturally, as a North Texas personal injury lawyer, I find this gravely concerning. While it’s a well-known fact that statistically, you are far more likely to be injured in a car wreck than in an airplane accident, when the latter does occur there is obviously a far higher potential for serious injuries and fatalities.

A large part of the reason DFW ranks so poorly is due to errors made with air traffic control. The study looked at both serious incidents where an airplane crash was narrowly avoided as well as slightly less serious incidents where there was a significant potential for a mid-air collision.

Dallas/Fort Worth also has a history of very serious runway accidents too, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s latest Runway Safety Report. Within the past five years alone, DFW Airport has had 61 separate runway incidents, ten of which occurred within a single 30 day period in 2008.

Although aviation accidents are not every day occurrences, they unfortunately not the rarity you might expect. If you or a loved one is ever injured in a plane crash it is important that you consult with an airline accident attorney who can investigate the cause of the accident and ensure that the negligent party at fault is held responsible.

I previously wrote about a three-year-old boy who accidentally fell from a third story apartment window in Arlington on September 22. That same day, another child, an 18-month-old toddler suffered injuries in an almost identical accident in Fort Worth. Just five days later, another Fort Worth child, a one-year-old was injured in the exact same way. When three separate incidents occur in such a short amount of time, I start to worry as a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer that there is a bigger problem here that needs to be addressed.

The parents of the 18-month-old, Robert and Trina Argo, have spoken to the Star-Telegram today to discuss what happened to their son, Charlie, and to warn other parents of the hazard. As with any good parents, the Argos have gone to great length to baby-proof their apartment. However, it was a simple oversight which contributed to Charlie’s fall on that fateful day. In case you don’t remember, September 22 brought some much-needed cooler temperatures to the metroplex following months of 100 degree temperatures. Trina says she had opened a bedroom window to let some of the cool air inside and neglected to realize that the screen on the outside of the window was not fixed in place. Charlie pushed against the screen and fell through the window.

The fact that three such similar accidents could occur so soon after each other demonstrates that greater caution is needed on behalf of both parents and apartment complexes. While the sight of a screen mesh might lead you to expect that it’s fastened securely in place the fact remains that it’s only purpose is to prevent bugs from getting inside. Even a small infant is strong enough to push it off the fame and subsequently fall through the window after it.

I’d like to thank Robert and Trina for sharing their story and hope that it will save other families from suffering similar accidents. Charlie was lucky that he only suffered minor injuries in the fall. The other two children hurt in the other accidents that same work have also both recovered from their injuries.

Do you have any information who could help Dallas police find the driver who killed a mother in hit-and-run accident in Southeast Dallas on Saturday night? Sue Burks, 54, was struck by a car as she crossed Great Trinity Parkeway near the Murdeaux intersection. She was pronounced dead at the crash scene. The motorist who hit her is believed to have been driving either a Ford Crown Victoria or a Mercury Grand Marquis when they mortally wounded Ms. Burks and failed to stop to render aid. Anyone with any information related to the deadly accident is asked to pleased contact Dallas Crime Stoppers at 214-373-8477.

My thoughts are with the family of Sue Burks. I am very sorry for your loss. While I know that finding the responsible driver or recovering any wrongful death compensation will do nothing to bring back your loved one, I understand the valuable closure that such justice can achieve for bereaved families. I hope that someone with knowledge of what happened in this case does indeed come forward.

The pharmaceutical attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth are currently reviewing potential Actos lawsuits. A recent warning issued by the FDA says that "the use of pioglitazone (Actos) for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.”

The Texas Actos lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm believe that those who have been adversely affected by Actos have the legal right to pursue a claim for their injuries. If you think the Type 2 diabetes drug Actos is responsible for your bladder cancer, contact our pharmaceutical attorneys today. It’s important to know that there is a time limit on Actos bladder cancer claims. To avoid missing the statute of limitations for your claim, take advantage of a free meet-and-greet with one of our personal injury lawyers. During this free case consultation, we can discuss you Actos related injuries and how we can help with your case.

If the drug Actos caused your bladder cancer, contact the Anderson Law Firm today at 817-294-1900.

A train wreck in Arlington on Saturday night resulted in a mass clean-up operation which lasted much of Sunday after a Union Pacific train collided with a stationary train near Division Road and Dottie Lynn Parkway. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that railroad accidents can cause significant bodily harm and property damage, so the fact that no-one was hurt in the three-locomotive crash is amazing. Thankfully, none of the trains involved in the collision were pulling passenger cars, instead they were all carrying shipping containers.

Fortunately, Union Pacific reported that there was little spillage from the box cars, although the wreck did damage a significant portion of the railroad itself, which will now need to be replaced. Police were forced to close down some nearby roads immediately after the accident because of the wreckage. This is the sixth Union Pacific train crash in the North Texas region in the past 15 years. The worst railroad accident in recent memory is the 1998 crash involving an Amtrak which resulted in 22 people being injured.

Currently, no explanation has been given as to the cause of Saturday’s wreck, although in my experience as a train wreck injury attorney working on similar cases in the past, causes over include defective equipment such as a warning light. As a passenger on a train, you obviously have no control over your own safety, which is why it’s so important that the train owner, the operator and any other agencies involved in the running of the railroad ensure everything is kept in proper, safely functional condition.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I am acutely aware of the high number of traffic accident fatalities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The large numbers of 18 wheelers which pass through the region and frequent drunk driving wrecks are perhaps the most significant contributors to DFW’s high death rate in auto collisions. However, a new study by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that for the first time ever, car crash death are outnumbered by drug-related fatalities based on nationwide figures.

This is not entirely surprising. Over just the past few months, there are several drugs whose hazardous side-effects have become public knowledge. For example: the popular diabetes medication Actos has recently been linked to increased likelihood of bladder cancer; Propecia, designed to reduce hairloss has the rather undesired side-effects of impotence, infertility and erectile dysfunction; and the birth control pill Yaz has been found to cause blood clots, strokes and heart attacks.

Aside from these very dangerous drugs, while other preventable illnesses have decreased, so prescription drug addiction has been on the rise. Some of the more potent and dangerous medications often abused by patients which the CDC singled out include Fentanyl, OxyContin, Vicodin, Soma and Xanax.

If you suspect either yourself or someone you care about is struggling with prescription drug addiction, you should contact your family doctor immediately to discuss your options. If you or a loved one has suffered illness or injury due to a known dangerous drug, please contact the board certified medical malpractice and wrongful death attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm for a free no obligation consultation on your personal situation. We can be reached toll free at 800-354-6275.

A Texas soldier was killed by a truck driver in a fatal South Carolina auto accident on Friday night. Sergeant First Class Maurice Collier, 48, of Killeen, was attending a motorcycle rally in Aiken, near Eureka when the accident occurred. Witnesses reported that Collier, who was stationed at Fort Hood, was helping to direct traffic leaving after the motorcycle event, when he was hit and killed by a Ford 350. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The truck driver, identified as Glenn Otts, of Trenton, was then allegedly attacked by other bikers and reportedly stabbed and beat in retaliation for the deadly accident. He was subsequently treated for non-life threatening injuries.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that pedestrian accidents are highly likely to result in a death such as this, as the human body offers no protection against the blunt force of a heavy vehicle.

I would like to offer my sympathies to Sergeant Collier’s family and loved ones. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

I would also like to wish Mr. Otts a full and speedy recovery. Even though it does appear that his negligence as a motorist was responsible for causing Sergeant Collier’s death, there is no excuse for the violence perpetrated against him. Justice for wrongful deaths should be sought through the legal system, not through a mindless vigilante assault.

It looks like more crossing guards are needed around Truett Elementary in East Dallas after two children have been hit by cars this month while they were trying to cross the street. On Sept. 16 a young student was hit on Peavy Road and just five days later another student was hit while crossing Gross Road. Thankfully, both students survived but the events have made pedestrian student safety a number one concern for many parents in the area – and for good reason.

In my August issue of Law Talk, my personal injury law firm’s newsletter, we wrote an article on how to drive around school buses and children during school dismissal times. Due to a variety of reasons, like budget cuts, schools all around Dallas and Fort Worth have seriously cut back on crossing guard jobs. This is bad news for many parents that allow their kids to walk home from school, especially with the distracted driving epidemic happening in this country. Kids are very vulnerable to pedestrian accidents because they lack the ability to appreciate danger. They aren’t always looking for the car speeding around the corner. Remind your kids how to cross the street safely and make sure that if you have to drive around local schools, you are on your A game.

If you, or your child have been hurt in a pedestrian accident, call the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth. We represent pedestrians who have been hit by cars in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that children are often a high risk for suffering serious injuries in an accident. Whether it’s a car wreck, a dog attack or an accident around the home, their small, young bodies are liable to suffer considerably worse injuries than adults. As a father myself, such child injury cases always strike an emotional chord with me which is why I was particularly sad to learn of an Arlington toddler who was seriously hurt after falling three floors at a local apartment complex yesterday.

The child, who has not been named, is understood to be a three-year-old infant who lived at the apartment in question. According to the police, the boy’s mother was also at home at the time of the accident. They are still trying to understand how the boy fell out of the third-story apartment’s window.

The boy was transported by helicopter ambulance to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth to be treated for his injuries. His current condition has not been made public. I wish him a full recovery and offer my sympathies to his family. I cannot imagine the emotional stress they must be feeling right now.

As a DFW personal injury lawyer – and despite being a dog owner myself - I know that dogs can be dangerous. People often forget this since they are commonly thought of as friendly pets, but the fact remains that dogs are animals with natural instincts and their often unpredictable minds of their own. In 2010, for example, there were 34 people killed nationwide in fatal dog attacks.

Just last week, a Dallas boy was attacked by two pit bull terriers on his way home from school, and most likely would have been killed if his life hadn’t been saved by three city workers who just happened to be passing. Shannon Craig, 9, admitted that prior to the attack he had been taunting the dangerous dogs but as they were a known vicious breed and behind a fence he thought he would be safe. Unfortunately, the dogs were not properly contained and the two animals attacked him.

Fortunately, three Dallas sanitation workers were driving by and the end of their shift and took decisive action to save the boy, who they described as weak and limp. Larry Jones, Steve Thurman and Douglas Rochelle fought off the pit bulls using their pitchforks and managed to get the young child to safety.

Craig is now recovering at home, although he will forever be left with the physical and emotional scars of his attack. His body is covered with lacerations and punctures from the dog’s bites. His family is still awaiting the results of a rabies test.

The owner of the dogs has been identified although so far no charges have been brought despite his clear negligence which contributed to these two known vicious dogs being able to escape. Authorities report that the two dogs have since been caught and are currently in quarantine.

If you’ve watched TV recently, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Actos drug lawsuit commercials. Actos became the most popular choice of drug for treating Type 2 diabetes after Avandia, a prescription similar to Actos, was found to sharply increase the risk of heart attacks in its users. But in June, the FDA released a statement that said patients who have taken Actos (pioglitazone) for more than a year have a high risk to develop bladder cancer, which is why you are seeing all those Actos lawsuit commercials on TV. For the millions of people who take Actos, these commercials can be frightening and probably make users wonder if they should continue taking the drug.

Although Actos is known to increase risk of bladder cancer in some patients, for others the drug works fine. For the most common signs of Actos complications, read the list below.

Symptoms of Actos Bladder Cancer
• Sharp pain in lower abdomen or back
• Urgent need to urinate
• Pain while urinating
• Blood or red color in urine

In the Actos warning issued by the FDA, they encourage patients taking Actos to tell their doctor if they are experiencing any of the above symptoms.

Should you stop taking Actos? That’s only a question you and your doctor can conclude together. Bring your concerns to them and get their professional opinion. If Actos has already caused your bladder cancer and you are interested in receiving compensation for your injuries, give one of the Actos attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm a call at 817-294-1900. Our injury lawyers have more than 40 years of combined experience in dangerous and defective drug and medical device litigation.

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.

They say that if you don’t like the weather in Texas, you should wait five minutes. It’ll change. Unfortunately, we’ve been waiting for cooler temperatures for months. Yesterday, in fact, NOAA declared yesterday that Texas had the hottest summer ever of ANY STATE since instrument recordings first began in 1895. I previously thought it would be neat to finally break some long-held record, but now I just want it to be over.

Well, it just might be: dark ominous clouds have descended over DFW, and the forecast for the rest of the week includes rain (really!) and even thunderstorms. Finally!

But don’t celebrate just yet… As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer I think it’s important that we’re all aware of the road hazards we might encounter with such sudden precipitation after such a prolonged dry spell. Right now, the roads throughout the metroplex are coated in dust, proof of polished and smooth they have become after several months of drought. Even minimal rain can mean a slippery surface. Be particularly careful at stop signs and other intersections as it’s very likely that they’ve collected oil pools which mixed with rain could be potentially fatal. Also, if you find yourself driving alongside a commercial truck, remember the additional dangers brought by bad weather. Both rain and dust can seriously impair visibility, plus the winds could push an 18 wheeler out of its lane if a particularly strong gust comes along. Please be careful.

If you have been injured in a car wreck or any other kind of accident, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free no obligation consultation on your personal injury case. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

As a Grand Prairie motorcycle wreck and personal injury lawyer, I know that in an auto accident between a motorcycle and a car, van or truck, the motorcyclist is going to come away with the most serious injuries every single time. Even if the motorcycle rider is wearing a helmet, their unprotected bodies are no match for the blunt force of a large vehicle, which is why there are so many fatal motorcycle crashes throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex every year.

A multi-vehicle wreck which took place in Grand Prairie last Tuesday caused the death of a local motorcyclist. Michael Maruska, 52, of Midlothian, was riding his three-wheel bike along Lake Ridge Parkway when a van pulled entered the road in front of him. Mr. Maruska’s motorcycle crashed into the van, which subsequently also collided with a pickup truck. Mr. Maruska was immediately flown to Methodist Dallas Medical Center by helicopter ambulance. The driver of the van, Khoa Nguyen, 20, of Grand Prairie was treated for minor injuries. The driver of the pickup was not identified and their condition is unknown.

According to Grand Prairie police, their investigation into the cause of this deadly accident remains unresolved. Unfortunately, as an attorney, I have seen far too many similar fatalities caused by motorists who simply failed to watch out for motorcyclists or who decided to just pull out in front of them anyway. Since the collision took place at approximately 4.40 pm, there should have been sufficient daylight that visibility was not a problem. It will be interesting to learn of the investigating officers’ conclusion in this wrongful death case as if it is determined that Mr. Maruska was killed due to the fault of a negligent driver, his family are entitled to make a legal claim for compensation to cover his medical bills, funeral costs and other expenses related to the accident and the time he spent suffering.

I’d like to offer my thoughts and condolences to Mr. Maruska’s family and friends at this most difficult time. I am sorry for your loss.

Like many of you, I have been closely following the devastating wildfires across Texas which have destroyed thousands of people’s homes. It is the second time Kingdom Possum has been affected by such fires within five months. Yesterday also saw a fire in Rendon and Mansfield. By far the worst fire currently is the massive blaze in Bastrop, near Austin. The smoke from the Central Texas fire is so immense that it can even be seen from space.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer I feel compelled to do something to help those victims whose lives have been turned upside down by this incredible disaster. I’m sure that many of you wish to do what you can too. Here are some ways that you might make some contribution to the relief efforts:

A Texas Wildfires Disaster Relief Fund has been established to collect donations on behalf of the American Red Cross of Central Texas and the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. The Red Cross is also accepting direct donations of food and clothing with information about how you can volunteer in person to help out. The Austin Community Foundation is accepting donations to help families throughout Bastrop, Leander, Steiner Ranch and the surrounding area.

Closer to home, a Collin County firefighter, Tony Greer, has set up a relief effort to help Palo Pinto County volunteer firefighter Ed Shelton who lost his house in the Labor Day weekend fire, yet continued to battle the blaze to save his neighbors’ homes. Donations for the Ed and Nancy Shelton Fire Relief Fund are being accepted at Wells Fargo Branches throughout North Texas, or via the fund’s Facebook page.

With the milestone tenth anniversary of 9/11 tomorrow, now is truly the time to remember the solidarity we all felt ten years ago, and to demonstrate that same spirit in our actions today. If you have not been directly affected by this past week’s wildfires, you should count yourself lucky. Stay safe. If you can do something to help those who have been affected, please do.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the end of free public school bus rides in Keller on my personal injury blog. At the time, parents who could not afford the bus service were worried about the lack of sidewalks and crosswalks for child pedestrians. But the problems in Keller keep growing, all because of the budget deficit that cut the free bus program.

Fewer buses in the Keller school district means gridlock traffic for anyone driving around campuses during drop-off and pick-up times. The pay for ride system means more cars are on the already over-crowded streets, causing an increased potential for car wrecks and pedestrian accidents in the area. To make matters worse, at some of the busiest crosswalks in the district, a lack of crossing guards has made it nearly impossible for students to walk safely. The principal at Parkwood Hill Intermediate, Kathy Knowles, sent a voicemail last week to all parents asking them to be mindful and not drive in a way that could endanger children while in lines around the school.

If you have to drive near the traffic around Keller schools, please be careful. Children lack the ability to appreciate danger and are often involved in pedestrian accidents. At the Anderson Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys sincerely hope that Keller ISD can figure out a solution to all their traffic and transportation problems before an innocent child gets hurt.

How many times have you been driving around your neighborhood and had to slow down because of a pedestrian taking their sweet time to cross the road? Often, I think it’s simply a matter of the person being both oblivious to other road users and so wrapped up in themselves that they don’t care about causing an inconvenience to others. Surely they realize, though, that by not exiting the street as quickly as possible they are putting themselves in danger. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer I certainly hope so!

A recent study published by Transportation for America puts the Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington region of Texas as the 10th most dangerous metropolitan area in the US for pedestrians. This doesn’t really surprise me, seeing as here in DFW we are dependent on our cars to get from A to B.

So how can pedestrians reduce their risk of being injured in an auto accident?

The simple answer would be to pay attention. Just as motorists are guilty of creating a hazard by texting while driving, so pedestrians are putting themselves in grave peril by texting while walking. If you’re crossing the road you need to a) be aware of any oncoming vehicles and b) reach the sidewalk on the other side as quickly as possible. By law, motorists must yield to pedestrians even when they are jaywalking, but given the distracted driving epidemic we currently face in DFW, you can never guarantee that the car or truck heading towards you has actually noticed you.

If you are a pedestrian, don’t act like you own the road. You don’t stand a chance against an SUV. Don’t dawdle. Get across. Think self-preservation.

PI attorney Mark Anderson has been helping injured pedestrians and their families since 1991. For a free consultation on your personal injury or wrongful death case call Fort Worth 817-294-1900.

Less than a week after a Plano student died after falling from an apartment balcony in Austin, three men were injured in a balcony collapse accident which happened in Denton on Saturday night. Tony Garcia, Grant Draper and Garrett Draper went out on a balcony at The Grove Apartments to smoke their cigarettes only for the balcony to collapse beneath them, resulting in the men falling three floors to the ground. The three men were flown to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth by air ambulance to be treated for their injuries. Garrett Draper is currently listed in serious condition, while Tony Garcia and Grant Draper are believed to be in fair condition.

As a Denton County personal injury lawyer, I have been intrigued by this case due to the way the management of The Grove Apartments seem to be avoiding giving any solid answers to the media following this tragedy. The general manager of the student-targeted complex, Christine Vogiatzis, told reporters that “the balcony involved in this incident was a non-weight bearing structure,” yet she declined to confirm whether residents were notified of that. One reason that her comments are being questioned is the fact the apartment these men fell from had double doors leading out to the balcony.

The Grove Apartments only opened to residents this August, and they have already come under fire from multiple residents for the generally poor construction of the units. Since the balcony collapse accident on the weekend, more residents have voiced their concern about the perceived disregard for safety shown by The Grove’s management team. Many residents have taken to Facebook to air their concerns and complaints about the complex. The Grove has responded by removing their Facebook page.

I would urge the injury victims and their families to consult with a Texas personal injury and wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights to compensation to cover medical expenses and other costs as a result of this accident.

This summer has been hot even by Texas standards. It seems like almost every day for the past couple of months, there’s been some new record set by the temperature. The extreme heat brings numerous hazards for us here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, but they are not all as obvious as you might think.

As a personal injury and wrongful death attorney, I know that one of the biggest dangers actually is actually to kids. While no-one every thinks it could happen to them, the truth is that many children suffer sickness or even die as a result of being left in hot cars every year. Just within the past couple of weeks an Irving toddler died after he was locking in his mother’s SUV in their own driveway.

I know it sounds like such a simple thing, you would never think you’d let it happen to your child, but the truth is that it happens to good parents all the time. I know that when I became a father, it was something that I became paranoid about.

Baylor Medical Center has actually founded a program called Backseat Buddies for new parents, to help them avoid the danger of potentially leaving their infants trapped in their vehicle. Each of the parents is given a small teddy bear which they keep on their keychain. Whenever they take their baby out of their car seat, they put the bear in their place. Then whenever they strap their newborn in, they clip the bear back onto their keychain as a visual reminder that their child is in the backseat. I think it’s a fantastic idea; not only is it incredibly simple but it reduces the worry that one day you might make that fatal mistake.

The FDA’s investigation into the complications caused by transvaginal mesh have concluded that women who have received the treatment may suffer far greater complications that those who receive alternative treatments for their pelvic organ prolapse. Common symptoms associated with vaginal mesh implants include chronic discomfort, pain during sex, infection, bleeding and vaginal scarring among others. The non-profit organization Public Citizen has strongly urged the FDA to recall all transvaginal mesh devices.

Have you been effected by this defective medical device?

Pelvic organ prolapse typically occurs in women soon after childbirth or a hysterectomy. It can also occur following the onset of menopause. Experts estimated that thousands of women throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and across America have received the transvaginal mesh implant. Due to lack of sufficient testing, the very real danger that the device poses to women’s health was not known until recently.

If you believe your doctor treated your pelvic organ prolapse with vaginal mesh surgery, it’s important that you do have legal rights. Contact the personal injury attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm for a no fee, no obligation consultation. Our lawyers are experienced in medical malpractice cases and defective products cases.

Call us toll free from anywhere in Texas at 800-354-6275, or call locally at 817-294-1900.

A comic book fan has built himself an eye-catching car that is sure to be the envy of the Justice League. That’s right, what we have here is a real-life, road-legal Batmobile. Casey Putsch decided to build himself his very own version of the Caped Crusader’s vehicle a little over a year ago. He initially considered modeling his new ride after the one used in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, but ultimately decided to copy the one in Tim Burton’s earlier films as he thought it looked more fantastical.

What makes this car even more amazing is that it’s powered by a Boeing turbine engine which Putsch salvaged from a decommissioned military helicopter. The core of the vehicle is a modified Corvette, but the frame and chassis were all custom-made.

Although the Batmobile is registered and technically road-legal, Putsch says that he won’t be driving it on public roads due to the noise it makes. He’s also worried about distracting other drivers who don’t expect to see Bruce Wayne driving past. Given how deadly distracted drivers can be, I think that’s something we can all thank him for. (As a personal injury lawyer, I can’t quite imagine the Batmobile being in an auto accident). Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see the Batmobile in Dallas-Fort Worth any time soon as Putsch lives and works in Ohio.

Accidents aren’t accidents at all according to a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. At the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth, that’s something our personal injury attorneys have known for years – but it’s nice to have a fancy study back us up. According to their research, 78 percent of all car accidents aren’t accidents at all because they could have been prevented.

The full article of the 8 Most Dangerous Things You Do in Your Car is on Yahoo!, but I wanted to point out what ranks in the #6 and #8 position. Texting and talking on your cellphone while driving. I know distracted driving is something I write about a lot, but I feel it’s necessary to point out the factual evidence of just how dangerous it is whenever possible.
Talking on your cell phone while driving comes in as the 8th most dangerous thing to do in your car while driving. This study found that it causes 1,000 deaths per year and that drivers are generally slower to react to brake lights and take longer to regain speed after braking if they’re on their phone (duh!).

A growing number of U.S. cities and towns—not to mention more than 50 countries around the world—now ban cellphone use while driving. Why? Of the 10.2 million car accidents in the United States last year, roughly 2.5 million of them involved drivers on cellphones. Talking on your cell isn’t just dangerous for youngsters and it doesn’t just cause small wrecks. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, when a driver between the ages of 30 and 39 dies in a car crash, there’s a 24 percent chance he or she was on the phone at the time of the accident.

Ranking #6 on the list was texting while driving, which kills 3,945 people per year. Look around you on your commute to work – so many people are texting! It makes me want to shake some sense in them. Did you know that as soon as your fingers start typing an “lol” you are 23 times more likely to get into an accident?

Most everything included on this list is a no-brainer. Don’t hurt yourself by being dumb – put your phone down and pay attention to the road. Call my law firm if you were hurt in a car accident that wasn’t really an accident. We’re located in Fort Worth and our personal injury lawyers can help you get on the road to recovery.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, some of the more upsetting cases I handle involve the unintentional discharge of a firearm. Most of these gunshot wound accidents involve someone inadvertently firing at either a friend or a relative. Sometimes alcohol is involved; sometimes it’s just bad luck. Whatever the case, there is usually an insurance policy involved that the victim’s attorney can claim against to recover any medical expenses or other costs related to the shooting.

Danny White of Plano has been charged with manslaughter after fatally wounding an employee, Dean Grimes (45, of Frisco), in what White claims was an accident. White reportedly told police that he and White were playing with the gun at the Northwest Dallas warehouse of White’s printing company when it unexpectedly discharged. Grimes died at the scene as White held his head. There were no witnesses to the tragedy.

This incident further underscores the need for greater common sense when handling a firearm. While Texans have a right to bear arms, playing with a gun is an act of grave carelessness. Grimes’ family is understandably keen for criminal justice to be sought in this case, but I hope they are equally aware of their right to pursue a civil claim to help compensate them for their loss of a loved one, and all the financial consequences that brings.

People need to be careful about what they put online. This is something I advise my personal injury clients all the time. If you’ve been seriously injured in a semi accident, for example, you need to think twice before you publish something on Twitter or update your Facebook status. Even if you think you have all your setting set to private, the trucking company’s investigators might still be able to keep tabs on you. It’s important that you don’t say anything which could be misconstrued or used against you to make your injuries appear any less serious than they really are.

It seems that it’s not just individuals who have been hurt in a traffic wreck that need to be careful about their use of social media either. Jonathan Hudson, 22, was a juror sitting on a Fort Worth car crash trial last month when he attempted to friend the defendant, Courtney Downing, on Facebook. Downing informed her lawyer who promptly notified the Tarrant County judge in charge of the civil case, Wade Birdwell. Hudson was thrown off a car crash trial and has been sentenced to two days of community service for his actions.

As a Fort Worth accident and injury attorney, I have a love/hate relationship with social media sites. On the one hand, I think they provide a great opportunity for sharing ideas and communicating with all sorts of people from all around the world. On the other hand, lots of people forget that what they put online can affect them in real life too. That’s what happened with Hudson, and it’s exactly what can happen if you’re an accident victim with a pending case.

Dallas-Fort Worth may have been teased with a few drops of rain this week and the talking heads on TV might be incessantly chattering about Hurricane Irene battering the East Coast throughout the weekend, but the fact remains that here in North Texas it continues to be hot. Despite the few drops of precipitation we got yesterday morning, the high was still 103 degrees.

As a DFW personal injury lawyer, I’d like to stress the need to continue to be careful about the heat until it really does start to cool down. If you’re running, cycling or playing sports outside, please make sure that you drink plenty of water. Make sure that you continue to regularly maintain your car, truck or motorcycle by making sure you’ve got air in the tires, water in the radiator and Freon in the air conditioning. Always be especially vigilant that you do not leave your children locked in your vehicle.

I was saddened to learn of one such heat-related death which occurred yesterday. A two-year-old boy died in his mother’s SUV in Irving in what local police have termed “a very tragic accident.” The single mother had just relocated from California with her nine children. Apparently she believed all of her children were in the house when she locked her car. It was only later in the evening that she realized one of her kids was missing and contacted the Irving Police Department. Officers quickly found the boy inside the SUV, but he was already dead.

It is a horrible story, and my thoughts are with the boy’s mother, the family and their friends. As a parent myself, I can’t even imagine what they must all be going through right now. Please continue to be vigilant and take care. You never think that you might leave your child locked in a hot car, but the truth is these accidents happen with scary regularity.

Yesterday afternoon an 18 wheeler wreck caused hours of traffic delays throughout Roanoke. The tanker truck was carrying 5,600 gallons of jet fuel when it crashed into a Jeep Wrangler on State Highway 114. The collision happened at the intersection of Litsey Road, although the exact cause of the investigation is still under investigation.

As a North Texas personal truck lawyer, I know that it’s always essential to conduct a thorough analysis of a crash scene whenever a commercial truck is involved. This is because trucking companies have their own investigators on retainer, so it’s important that the police can gather as much evidence as possible to determine the truth about what happened. It is also why motorists injured due to a negligent truck driver should hire an attorney as soon as possible following the accident to ensure their best interests and legal rights are correctly protected.

Although the tanker truck fortunately did not explode after the impact, the fire burnt for five hours and the dark column of smoke was visible over much of Dallas-Fort Worth. Highway 114 was shut down between I-35 and Highway 377 in both directions during the evening commute, but all lanes have since been reopened.

Injuries sustained in big rig collisions are usually extremely serious. Fortunately, despite the dramatic nature of this crash, neither the driver of the truck or the Jeep was hurt. A passenger in the Jeep was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident, the experienced personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm offer free no obligation consultations to explain your rights and help you determine the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call us toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

Proof that accidents can happen anywhere and at any time occurred last week when a pedestrian was injured by an out-of-control car driven by her own husband at a church in downtown Dallas. On Wednesday, Maria Cerellio and her husband went to Crossroads Community Service near the intersection of St. Paul Street & Young Street to pick up free groceries offered to low income families.

Mr. Cerellio got into the driver’s seat and apparently lost control of his vehicle, accelerating towards a crowd of people, most of whom were able to dive out of the way. Mrs. Cerellio was not so lucky, and soon found herself pinned between the couple’s car and a brick wall. Eyewitnesses said that Mr. Cerellio was clearly panicked and managed to get the car into reverse, only to speed backwards across the street. He was stopped only by an iron fence across the road, his wheels still spinning in the dirt.

Mrs. Cerellio was taken to Baylor Hospital to be treated for serious head injuries. Investigating police officers found no malfunction with the car and no charges are being brought against Mr. Cerellio. The incident is being treated as a freak accident.

My thoughts are with the Cerellio family, and I wish Maria and speedy and full recovery. As a North Texas personal injury lawyer, I hope that the couple has good auto insurance as they will be able to make a claim against their policy to help pay the co-pays and deductibles that their health provider won’t cover. It is very normal for a wife to make a claim against her spouse if she was injured in a wreck where he was the negligent driver, and the same precedent would apply here. Assuming that the couple does have car insurance but no health coverage, I would suggest they consult with an experienced car crash attorney to explore other options to make sure Mrs. Cerellio receives the best medical treatment possible.

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.

Now days, it seems like all prescription medications have a huge list of side effects, just listen to the drug commercials on TV. But when do the possible side effects or consequences of taking a drug outweigh the medicine’s benefits? This summer, the FDA made a warning about the nation’s most popular diabetes pill, Actos and its ability to increase the risk of bladder cancer in long-time users.

This warning was based on research found in a five year study conducted by the drug’s manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Actos has already been banned in France and Germany and in America; lawsuits are piling up against the manufacturer of the drug for failure to warn its takers of the risk of cancer.

In my 20+ year’s experience practicing personal injury law in Fort Worth, I’ve learned that it can take years before people realize that their physical ailments, like cancer or heart disease, have been caused by dangerous drugs. I urge you, if you are taking Actos talk to your doctor, especially if you have been taking it for a number of years or have a history of cancer. If you have bladder cancer and think it could be related to the drug Actos, call myself and the other pharmaceutical attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth. We are currently reviewing Actos bladder cancer cases and may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries.

A little over a month ago, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sent their inspectors across the US to do spot checks on 18 wheelers and other trucks for Roadcheck 2011. Officials in the US, Canada and Mexico inspected a total of 70,712 vehicles at 2,550 locations over the 72 hour weekend which ran June 7-9, 2011.

Here in Texas, semi safety is extremely important, particularly as the I-35 corridor runs straight through Dallas-Fort Worth on the way to Oklahoma. We have thousands of truckers traveling through North Texas every day, which is why there are so many commercial truck wrecks all the time. Safety is vital.

Predictably, the most concerning result from Roadcheck 2011 was that over half the drivers inspected had violated the hour-of-service rule intended to keep tired drivers off the road. Trucker fatigue is one of the leading causes of big rig accidents, and yet 52.5 percent of the drivers stopped could prove they were abiding by the rule. For a personal injury attorney such as myself, this is troubling. Furthermore, only 14 percent of the commercial trucks had electronic on-board readers (EOBRs) which were recently mandated by the FMCSA in order to ensure accurate recording of the time individual drivers spent behind the wheel.

On a more positive note, however, 98.5 percent of the trucks stopped passed the inspection of their license, medical certificates and record-of-duty status. Of all the trucks, buses and tractor trailers inspected, 80.7 percent passed the safety inspection of their brakes, tires, lights, load security and other essential safety components. Obviously this could still be much better.

Whenever a large commercial truck in involved in a traffic crash, it invariably causes massive property damage and severe personal injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or other large truck, it is important that you consult with an experienced injury lawyer who will be able to explain your legal rights and help you make sure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve. For a free no obligation consultation on your personal case, call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

A deadly commercial truck wreck in Fort Worth caused police to shut down I-30 eastbound this morning, causing significant traffic delays for commuters. TxDOT officials expect the interstate to remain closed to vehicles until Friday night while a thorough investigation is conducted prior to the crash scene clean up.

As a Texas personal injury lawyer, I have helped many big rig collision victims over the past 20 years. I know that accidents involving commercial trucks are frequently responsible for life-threatening injuries and fatalities. This particular wreck is unusual, however, as the deceased was actually riding in the 18-wheeler at the time of the crash. Police have confirmed that the fatality was a 14-year-old boy, the son of the truck driver. Apparently the boy was asleep in the sleeping area of the truck cabin while his father drove. Neither the trucker of the child has been named by authorities at this time. The truck driver has been transported to hospital to be treated for his injuries. His condition is unknown. No other injuries related to the collision have yet been reported.

In any traffic accident caused by a delivery vehicle, a thorough police investigation is essential. This wreck deserves an especially detailed analysis not just because a death occurred, but also because the truck also broke a bridge support, possibly causing damage to the infrastructure of the roadway. The reason behind the collision remains unclear at present. It does not appear that any other automobile was involved in the collision. As a commercial truck wreck attorney is certainly seems that there are a great many questions which require answers. Hopefully these are all questions which authorities can resolve within the coming hours and days.

Do you ever watch Cops? Well, in every show some right as the cops are handcuffing the criminal and sticking them in the squad car, the police officer will read the prisoners Miranda rights. You know, the whole “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you,” spiel. While these rights apply to ever arrest made in the United States, they also apply to other aspects of the law as well, like in civil claims.

For example, if you are hurt in a truck accident in Texas, think back on your Miranda rights the first time you are approached by the negligent trucking company’s insurance adjuster. As a truck accident attorney in Fort Worth, I want you to especially remember the “anything you say or do can and will be held against you in a court of law,” part. You see, any extra information you give to the insurance adjuster will be used against you if it can be – their job is to limit the compensation you receive for you injuries.

If you’ve been hurt in a Texas truck accident, the smart thing to do is to stay quiet until you read this article about how what you say to insurance adjusters can ruin your Texas truck wreck claim, or seek the advice of a knowledgeable truck wreck attorney.

Anybody else think meteorologists in Texas have the easiest job in the summer? The forecast is always hot, hot, and HOTTER. This week we could reach highs all the way up into 108 degrees! Wow. So far this summer, we’ve had 30 consecutive days of temperatures in the 100s and we are well on our way to having the hottest summer on record. At the Anderson Law Firm, we’ve written before about how the heat can affect your car and the people in it. This week, lookout for buckling roads caused by the heat and whatever you do, don’t leave your kids or pets in the car without air conditioning! Everyone should know by now that it doesn’t take long for kids left in hot cars to die due to the heat, but just this week some idiot parents in Dallas left their four young children in a hot car for two hours! Thank goodness for the good Samaritans that rescued those kids and called the police – otherwise who knows what could have happened. As a child injury attorney, I’ve taken legal action against negligent daycares, but for a parent to willingly be so careless with their child’s well-being is unfathomable to me. We shouldn’t have to remind people to take their children and pets with them when they go into places, yet Texas has the highest number of child deaths due to hot vehicles in the nation. Sad.

Some other common sense advice would be to pack a gallon or two of water in your car. It may seem like a lot, but if your car breaks down or overheats, you can use the water to cool your vehicle down or yourself. We don’t get to choose when our cars stop running and you never know how far you could have to walk to get help, or how long you’ll be waiting before someone can come get you. With temperatures like these, you’re better safe than sorry.
Stay cool out there folks.

- The Anderson Law Firm is located in Fort Worth, Texas and takes a variety of accident and injury cases like dog bites, wrongful death and motor vehicle accident claims. If you need an experienced PI lawyer, call 817-294-1900.

Distracted driving is a big problem in Dallas-Fort Worth. As a personal injury attorney, I’ve seen far too many traffic collisions caused by people texting, eating and even reading behind the wheel. What most people don’t seem to realize, however, is that driving with a pet in the car can also be a serious distraction too.

This week, AAA and Kurgo announced the results of a joint study of various dog owners’ driving habits. Almost 60% said they’ve driven with their dog in the vehicle at least once in the past year, with 52% admitting to petting their dog while driving. 23% said they regularly drive with their pet on their lap. All of these things are incredibly dangerous. If you’re sitting in the driving seat, you need to be focused on the road ahead and the other drivers around you. As a dog lover myself, I know it’s tempting to always want to have your best friend with you and to shower them with affection, but doing so while you’re driving only puts you both in danger.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a negligent driver you may be entitled to compensation to cover all past and future medical expenses, any loss of income as well as any pain and suffering you have endured. To speak to a board certified accident and injury lawyer, call 817-294-1900.

We are all aware of the many problems caused by the extreme heat wave which has hit North Texas for most of the month of July. Across Dallas-Fort Worth, TxDOT’s electronic message boards have warned residents of the “extreme drought conditions” and the need to preserve water. Already this year we have seen some devastating wildfires, and this Texas summer looks unlikely to offer any relief in the near future. The combinations we are seeing is gravely concerning for me as a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer because I know it means an increased risk of traffic wrecks, residential fires and other accidents.

Yesterday, Keller fire fighters battled with a blaze which destroyed several mobile homes in an unincorporated area near Trinity Springs Intermediate School, between Keller Hicks Road and Golden Triangle Boulevard. Given the dry conditions we are currently seeing throughout the metroplex, once a fire such as this starts, it can easily spread. Firefighters who responded to the disaster also reported that their work was made more difficult for them due to the fact that the fire hydrants in the immediate area lacked the necessary pressure, meaning they had to shuttle water in from elsewhere.

In total, five mobile homes were lost before the flames were extinguished, a car exploded and electrical poles collapsed across the area, but fortunately no-one was killed. According to reports the only injuries were suffered by two of the firefighters at the scene (one for first-degree burns, the other for heat exhaustion) and a resident of the trailer park who was experiencing breathing difficulties. So far there has been no explanation as to what caused the fire.

A friendly reminder from a local car accident attorney: move over for stalled vehicles! Even though state law only requires that drivers move over or reduce speed to the next lane for official emergency vehicles, I think all drivers should be more polite and move over to the next lane – no matter who is stalled!

Every morning on my commute to Fort Worth I see people texting and driving, putting on makeup and talking on their cell phones. These people are usually also speeding and just being a distracted driver in general. But this morning, I saw a stalled car attempting to change a flat tire with cars just whizzing by – paying no attention to the stalled car.

It is incredibly dangerous to be pulled over on the shoulder of highways in Texas these days. I read all the time in the newspaper about people getting hit and killed as their trying to change a tire, or jump a car. Although it’s best to exit the highway completely if your car is having problems, we don’t always get to choose when and where our cars break down. We all look out for cops when driving, but how about looking out for our fellow driver? I think we all need to remember the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Slow down for stalled cars – no matter who they are.

If you’ve been in a car accident and need legal advice, call my personal injury law firm in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. We handle all kinds of motor vehicle accident claims and are ready to help you get your life back together.

As a Cleburne truck wreck lawyer, I know that a big rig crash usually means fatalities. Commercial trucks are heavy vehicles, which means they can’t break as quickly as other vehicles. It also means that in the event of a collision there will be significant property damage and personal injuries suffered by all drivers and passengers for any cars and motorcycles involved in the accident. Likewise, even smaller pickup trucks pose a greater threat than other passenger vehicles on the roads around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Pedestrians are particularly at risk since they have absolutely no protection whatsoever to protect themselves against the blunt force of a truck. I was saddened to learn this weekend of the death of Kelly Lassley (36, of Cleburne) who was struck by a truck towing a flatbed trailer. Kelly Lassley was apparently standing in the roadway when the collision occurred, according to police. The truck was being driven by an as yet unnamed Alvarado woman (52).

Cleburne police are still investigating the accident. A thorough crash scene investigation is vital, especially whenever a commercial truck is involved in a fatal wreck because there is so much at stake. The police will interview witnesses and do other types of scene investigation to make sure that they understand the positioning of the pedestrian and the speed of the truck.

Friends of Fallen Riders gathered for the funeral of a Texas motorcycle rider, Robert Walker, Sr., who was killed last week when he was accidentally shot while trying to protect his family from a violent animal attack. The tragedy unfolded when a neighbor’s pit bull jumped over the fence and into Mr. Walker’s son’s back yard where his young granddaughter and her cousins were playing. The dog tried to attack Mr. Walker when he defended the children, so his wife, Betty Walker, attempted to shoot the dog and accidentally mortally wounded her husband in the process.

This is an absolute tragedy. My heart goes out to Mrs. Walker and entire family. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that dog bites can happen unexpectedly. All Mr. and Mrs. Walker were trying to was protect their grandchildren from the dangerous animal. Sadly, this story also goes to show that in moments of panic, terrible gun accidents can also occur. It is a terrible thing that has occurred. My thoughts are with the extended Walker family and their friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Walker are residents of Houston, Texas, but the accident occurred in Jackson, Mississippi. Mark Anderson is a Texas personal injury and wrongful death attorney based in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Fort Worth truck driver, Mahmoud Salameh (24) is in trouble in Idaho for both driving inattentively and for towing a 53-foot trailer without a proper permit. The reason he was caught? Since he wasn’t paying proper attention to the road, Mr. Salameh failed to safety negotiate a bend in the road and crashed through a guardrail, spilling his load into the Lochsa River below. Since his truck’s cargo was giant rolls of unprocessed toilet paper each weighing 8,000 pounds (30,000 when fully saturated) it means a massive cleanup operation which is why this flatbed truck wreck is making national headlines rather than the hundreds of other big rig accidents which occur on a regular basis.

As a Texas truck accident injury lawyer, I know that big rig collisions like this happen every day. Normally the results are far more serious that thousands of pounds of soggy paper and the environmental damage caused in this case. In the most sever truck accidents, lives are lost, people suffer brain injuries, broken bones, amputations. Although Mr. Salameh was transported to a local hospital in Missoula, he was released the same day. Fortunately, no one else was injured in the wreck.

Deadly tractor-trailer accidents are more common that you’d think. You should always be careful when driving near commercial trucks because you never know when disaster might strike. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Texas truck wreck, call an experienced Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death attorney toll free from anywhere at 800-354-6275 for a free consultation on your case.

What a difference a few states north make. Although Texas governor, Rick Perry vetoed a law that banned texting and driving, in Philadelphia it is now illegal to text and walk. Anyone caught focusing on their text and not on their sidewalk will face a $120 fine and deputy mayor Rita Cutler says that citations will definitely be handed out. This law may see over-reaching to some, but there is no doubt in my mind that it will prevent pedestrian accidents.

See, what many people fail to recognize is just how much concentration goes into sending and reading texts. No matter if you are driving OR walking-your eyes are still not where they should be. A few months ago, we watched the infamous “Fountain Lady’ video at my personal injury law firm in Fort Worth and we were all so surprised that someone could be that oblivious to a huge fountain in front of them! Is it a coincidence that the fountain lady just so happened to be from Pennsylvania? It could be, but who knows.

What we do know from that video is that any time you are traveling – either on a bike, in a car or on foot – your eyes need to be on the road. If you’re looking at your iPhone how can you see that car in front of you or that the crosswalk isn’t clear? Even though this ban will probably make some people very angry, it will also keep them safe. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw more laws like this in big cities like New York or Chicago where there is heavy pedestrian traffic. Maybe Texas will never pass an anti-texting and walking law, but I sure do hope that someday we can pass a ban on texting while driving. But, I guess will have to wait for good old Rick Perry to leave Austin first.

Want to keep your teen safe from distracted driving? Tell them to sign up for my Teens Against Distracted Driving program. And if you’ve been hurt by a distracted driver, call the personal injury attorneys Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900.

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.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I have handled a number of defective product cases, where a product or device was released for sale to the public before it was properly ready. However, it is usual that an accident occurs on live television, as is the case in this funny video I found of a man in a jetpack – yes, a jetpack – crashing in spectacular fashion in San Diego. Fortunately, he was unhurt, but it just goes to show how accidents can happen anywhere and new products are being invented all the time which have the potential to injure people.

If you have been hurt in a Texas car wreck, motorcycle crash, truck collision or other accident you might be interested in Mark Anderson’s book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. For a free copy of the book, or to request a complimentary no obligation consultation on your personal injury case, call a Dallas-Fort Worth Accident and Injury Attorney toll free at 800-354-6275.

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.

I don’t know about you guys, but at my personal injury law firm in Fort Worth we are about done with this Texas heat! On days like today, just walking out to your car can make you sweat bullets. I know the heat in Texas is relentless – I’ve lived here all my life and it’s still almost unbearable to me. Extreme summer temperatures are difficult on almost everything, even Texas highways.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, road crews are dispatched to repair roads due to heat-related problems at least once a week around Dallas and Fort Worth. Most of the highways in Texas are built in sections and because heat causes concrete to expand, as the temperature rises the sections of road will slowly swell, eventually popping up. This is called a blowout and it can be very dangerous, even causing car accidents in Tarrant County and elsewhere. Just this weekend a motorcycle accident was caused in Oklahoma after a road buckled, forming a ramp two feet high.

I guess you really can blame the heat for ruining everything! Be safe out there drivers and look out for any road buckling this summer. If you ever are in a car accident and need legal advice, call the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. Our accident and injury attorneys can help you recover damages for your lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering.

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution gives individuals the right to refuse to answer a question when the answer might incriminate them. However, a current trial in Colorado is effectively challenging this basic right or at least demonstrating how 300 year old amendments might themselves need to be amended on occasion, particularly in this new fast-paced world of digital information that we live in. As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I find this situation extremely interesting considering that insurance companies already use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter in order to try and discredit innocent car crash victims so they can avoid paying them the compensation they rightfully deserve.

The court case of the United States v. Ramona Fricosu hinges on a request by the prosecuting attorney for the password which would allow them to gain access to encrypted information on the defendant’s laptop. The defense attorney, however, argues that providing the password would actually be unconstitutional as it forces the defendant to be a witness against themself. The situation has been compared to past situations where a defendant has been ordered to provide prosecutors the key to a locked door or container, but the Supreme Court says those circumstances differ since possession of a key is simply that; possession. Admitting a password is the same as knowing the combination to a safe; it implies ownership and control and thus is tantamount to self-incrimination. On the other hand, if a precedent is set that encrypted data is safe from being used as evidence in a court of law, it gives criminals an uncomfortable amount of freedom when it comes to computer documents.

I can see the positive and negative this dilemma presents. The outcome will doubtlessly have a major impact on all kinds of future lawsuits, both criminal and civil.

Mark Anderson is a board certified personal injury attorney who has helped auto accident victims across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex get the compensation they deserve for 20 years. For a free consultation on your personal situation, call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275).

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.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I know that accidents can happen anywhere at any time. They are completely unexpected, but they can have life-changing consequences. I was saddened to learn that a man who fell from the stands at the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington last night has died as a result of the injuries sustained in the fall. The man, who has only been identified as a firefighter from Brownwood, was trying to reach a baseball throw up to the stands by Josh Hamilton when he fell over the railings, falling approximately 20 feet to the ground below. Arlington Fire Department reported that the man went into full cardiac arrest less than an hour after the fall, and was pronounced dead at John Peter Smith Hospital.

It is a tragic accident. The man was attending the game with his young son and was just trying to do what hundreds of fans do every season – catch a ball to take home as a memento. The fatal accident occurred almost a year to the day after a similar accident where a spectator (Tyler Morris of Crawford) fell 30 feet. On that occasion, Morris survived but suffered both a fractured skull and ankle.

I’m sure that everyone connected with the team is greatly distraught by this accident. My thoughts this morning are with the family of this poor man. I am very sorry for your loss.

Almost every single traffic collision involving a bicyclist that I have encountered in my 20 years as a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer has resulted in serious, life-threatening injuries. Fatal Dallas-Fort Worth bicycle accidents occur due to a number of factors, not least of which is the amount of cars and trucks on the road – but far too often motorists fail to give cyclists the respect they deserve. Bicycles have just as much right to be on the road as other vehicles. As the number of bicycles increases in urban areas, it is more important than ever that all road users are educated on their rights and responsibilities in order to avoid deadly crashes.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority is planning on introducing a new bicycle sharing program for local residents and those who work throughout the city. Bike racks would be spread throughout the city and people can borrow a bicycle as and when they need it. The initiative is based on successful programs from other Texas cities such as San Antonio. I think this is a great idea which fits in well with the proposed growth of new bike lanes throughout downtown. The additional benefits of course are that it promotes healthy exercise while allowing people to reduce both their gas bill and their carbon footprint. As a Fort Worth bicycle wreck attorney, I hope that there will be some accompanying publicity campaign to remind drivers of proper safety rules when driving around bicycles.

Mark Anderson has represented injured cyclists and their families throughout North Texas since 1991. If you or a loved one has been injured while riding in or around the DFW Metorplex, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation to understand your legal right to claim compensation. Call toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) or locally at 817-294-1900.

Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure everyone in America knows that Casey Anthony, the young Florida mother accused of killing her 2-year old daughter Cayley, was found not guilty by jury in Orlando on Tuesday. Even though I’m a Fort Worth personal injury attorney, not a criminal lawyer, I feel compelled to comment on this case. I’m not going to bother you with my legal and personal opinion on the case, but I do want to discuss something that came up over and over again in this trial: reasonable doubt.

If you’ve ever been on a jury, or watched any of these media-hyped trials on TV, you’ve probably heard this term used a lot. What is reasonable doubt? Well the textbook definition is as follows:

reasonable doubt: The standard of proof used in criminal trials to find a defendant guilty of a crime. When a criminal defendant is prosecuted, the prosecutor must prove the defendant's guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt." A reasonable doubt exists when a juror cannot say with moral certainty that a person is guilty.

At the end of the Casey Anthony case nearly 400 pieces of evidence and almost 100 witnesses were not enough to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Casey Anthony was responsible for the death of her child. Upon Judge Perry’s instructions, “if after carefully considering, comparing and weighing all the evidence there is not an abiding conviction of guilt, or, if having a conviction, it is one which is not stable but which waivers and vacillates, then the charge is not proved beyond every reasonable doubt and you must find the defendant not guilty because the doubt is reasonable. It is to the evidence introduced in this trial, and to it alone, that you are to look to that proof.”

You see, the American justice system isn’t based off the opinions of talking pundits like Nancy Grace and Star Jones. It’s based off removing “every reasonable doubt” that the accused is innocent. Even though the prosecution had lots of evidence that would lead people to believe Casey Anthony was guilty, there was still some reasonable doubt in there that kept the jury from convicting her. The jury in the Casey Anthony trial was unanimous in their decision and we must accept it as just.

School is out for the summer in Fort Worth and Dallas and you know what that means: it’s time for the kids to play. Whether your children enjoy playing at the swimming pool, on a trampoline or riding bikes with friends, the most important thing is their safety. As a child injury lawyer in Fort Worth, I’ve seen too many avoidable accidents happen in the summer to kids. Sometimes as parents, we overlook simple safety precautions that could save our children from pain and suffering if they get into an accident. Making sure our children’s bike helmets fit them correctly is just one of these precautions that often gets overlooked.

Did you know that a properly fitted bike helmet reduces the risk of a head injury by 85 percent? Before you let your kids ride anywhere make sure their bike helmets fit them the right way. On my law firm’s website, we’ve provided you with six easy steps to properly fit a bicycle helmet so that you and your loved ones can always stay safe.

Although these tips were written with children in mind, they can be applied to adults, too. Nobody who rides is completely safe from bicycle accidents in Fort Worth. The laws regarding bicycle helmets in Dallas, Fort Worth and the surrounding Metroplex are different in each city, but one thing is for sure: it never hurts to have extra protection if you’re going to ride a bike.

So enjoy life on two wheels and make sure you and your family are wearing bike helmets the right way. If you ever are hurt in a bicycle accident, give my accident and injury law firm a call at 817-294-1900.

The northbound lanes of Interstate 35W in Northlake, TX were shut down for three hours on Monday morning after a pedestrian was hit and killed by a pickup truck. The victim of the accident was a 21-year-old man from Fort Worth who had gotten out of his car on the highway. Police said the man was stranded along the freeway and that the driver of the pickup that killed him was not able to stop in time.

The Northlake police department had to shut down the I-35W lanes near the Texas Motor Speedway for three hours to investigate the accident, which caused a backup of vehicles, mostly 18-wheelers.

Every time I see people stopped along the side of highways in Dallas or Fort Worth, I get nervous. As an accident and injury attorney and Fort Worth, I’m used to hearing about car accidents, but now days it seems like so many people are getting hit or killed on the shoulder of roads in Texas. Especially on our busy highways in DFW, fixing a tire on the shoulder or waiting outside of your car can be more dangerous than you think. With so many distracted drivers out there today, there is even a higher chance that they won’t see you stopped.

A lot of Texans don’t know this, but if your car stalls on a busy road or interstate, take a look at the back of your driver’s license and call the Texas Roadside Assistance number, 1-800-525-5555. This number is for non-emergency situations and by calling it, the operator will relay your information to the appropriate police agency that will send a unit to check on your welfare and direct traffic if necessary until help arrives. It’s a free service that our tax dollars pay for so you might as well use it. It’s just another reason to always have your driver’s license on you. If you have been hurt in a car accident or injured as a pedestrian in Dallas or Fort Worth, give my law firm a call at 817-294-1900. We offer free case consultations to anyone who wants to know more about their legal rights or how to get a personal injury claim started.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That's great advice for safe driving anyway!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A video of a Dallas motorcycle accident released by the North Texas Tollway Authority yesterday serves as a reminder that wrecks often come out of nowhere. Even as a DFW personal injury attorney I find this video quite shocking, so be warned before you watch it. The collision occurred on March 17, 2011. Zacharie Perez (25) was riding home when a car failed to slow with the rest of the traffic, rear-ending him and caused him to be thrown from his bike and sandwiched between cars, ultimately landing between lanes.

Miraculously, Perez is already back at work a little over a month later, but he did suffer serious injuries as a result of the crash. He was hospitalized due to a ruptured spleen, torn muscles, a fractured rib and four fractured vertebrae. His bike (a Triumph Daytona 675) was totaled. The fact that really makes my blood boil? The driver of the car that hit him had no license and no insurance and yet wasn’t arrested. I hope Mr. Perez had significant uninsured motorist coverage! Either way, as this video demonstrates, he was extremely lucky to have survived.

Mark Anderson is a board-certified PI lawyer who has been helping injured motorcyclists across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 1991. He is also the author of the book Roadmap To Winning Your Texas Motorcycle Accident Case. To request a complimentary copy of the book, or to schedule a free, no obligation consultation on your traffic wreck case, call 800-354-MARK (6275).

I find it incredibly frustrating as a Crowley personal injury lawyer anytime a big company announces a mass recall of one their products. Particularly when the product in question is something which the public purchases with safety in mind, and is mistakenly led to believe that by purchasing this brand and model over another they are actually making the safer choice – only to find out months or years later that their purchase is defective and potentially dangerous. Why wasn’t this problem discovered before it was released to the market? Such bad conduct by major corporations puts our families – our children – at risk, and in my opinion is entirely unacceptable.

Two such recalls were announced this afternoon.

Toyota (yes, them again) have recalled years 2007-2008 models of their RAV4 line along with Highlander and Highland HV models which were produced in 2008 due to problems with the sensors which cause driver and passenger airbags to deploy in the event of a traffic accident. This latest recall will affect more than 3000,000 vehicles sold in the US. If you are affected by this latest recall you should contact your nearest Toyota dealership.

Kiddieland Toys Limited have also announced a recall today of their Lights and Sounds line of Children’s Scooters due to a laceration hazard. As a parent, those are words you really don’t want to see together in a sentence. The recall was announced following reports of children getting their fingers caught in the hinge mechanism, necessitating stitches. 16,700 scooters are affected. Parents are being advised to contact Kiddieland directly to request a free repair kit.

Mark Anderson is a board-certified Tarrant County PI and wrongful death attorney. If you or a loved one have been hurt in an accident which was not your fault, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free 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).

As a Fort Worth car crash attorney, I’ve heard about a lot of dumb things that have caused driver to get into a wreck, but one idiot really blew my mind recently… A friend of mine, Truett Killian, saw a man riding a motorcycle with his pet dog on his lap and sent me a photo (see exhibit D). I couldnʼt believe it. Driving in a car with your pet roaming around loose is dangerous enough – but on a bike? He must be crazy.

Anyway, the image inspired me to see if I could find any other examples of dumb motorists embarrassing themselves attempting brainless feats. Needless to say there were quite a few, and Iʼve published the best (or rather the worst) here. Some are incredibly concerning due to how dangerous they are, but in every case they are just plain stupid, stupid, stupid… I hope theyʼll give you a chuckle, but also that theyʼll serve as a reminder to pay attention to other drivers on the roads, because you never know what kind of fools are driving around. Send us an email to let us know which one of these motorists is the biggest idiot and we’ll put all the entries into a hat, then draw one at random to win a $50 gas card. You must be a North Texas resident to enter.

Mark Anderson is a board certified personal injury lawyer and author of the book 15 Mistakes That Could Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a traffic collision which was not your fault, you can call us to arrange a no fee consultation so we can help you understand your legal rights as you may be entitled to compensation. Call us at 817-294-1900 in fort Worth and 214-327-8000 in Dallas.

In my 20 years of helping people as a Fort Worth personal injury attorney, I’ve learnt that insurance firms who claim to “get you back where you belong,” or who will be there for you “like a good neighbor,” often fail miserably – and purposefully - when it comes to crunch time. I’ve seen firsthand the dirty tricks insurance adjustors pull to try to avoid paying out money. It is an abuse of the trust of the consumers who pay premiums year after year so they’d have help when they need it - only to find out that then they need help most, the insurance company is only concerned about protecting their own bottom line.

State Farm Insurance Company’s unfair treatment of their loyal customers has been in the spotlight this week, as the company was yesterday ordered to refund approximately $350 million to home insurance policy holders due to excessive premiums. More than 30 companies were ordered to reduce their rates by the Texas insurance commissioner following new legislation in 2003, and State Farm was the only company that failed to do so. Instead, they continued to rip off 1.2 million policyholders between 2003 and 2008.

You might think that you can count on your insurance company to be there when you need them, but the sad truth is that while they might be your friend when you’re paying your monthly premiums, as soon as you put in a claim they are anything but. Fortunately, if you’ve been injured in an accident or hurt due to someone else’s negligence, I can deal with the insurance companies for you. They’ll still try to get away with delaying or denying the claims, but as a board certified trial lawyer, I know how to make them pay you the compensation you deserve. Check out my website for more information, and if you want to set up a free consultation, just give me a call at 800-354-MARK. There is no obligation and you don’t owe me a penny until I win your case.

In my 20 years of helping people as a Fort Worth personal injury attorney, I’ve learnt that insurance firms who claim to “get you back where you belong,” or who will be there for you “like a good neighbor,” often fail miserably – and purposefully - when it comes to crunch time. I’ve seen firsthand the dirty tricks insurance adjustors pull to try to avoid paying out money. It is an abuse of the trust of the consumers who pay premiums year after year so they’d have help when they need it - only to find out that then they need help most, the insurance company is only concerned about protecting their own bottom line.

State Farm Insurance Company’s unfair treatment of their loyal customers has been in the spotlight this week, as the company was yesterday ordered to refund approximately $350 million to home insurance policy holders due to excessive premiums. More than 30 companies were ordered to reduce their rates by the Texas insurance commissioner following new legislation in 2003, and State Farm was the only company that failed to do so. Instead, they continued to rip off 1.2 million policyholders between 2003 and 2008.

You might think that you can count on your insurance company to be there when you need them, but the sad truth is that while they might be your friend when you’re paying your monthly premiums, as soon as you put in a claim they are anything but. Fortunately, if you’ve been injured in an accident or hurt due to someone else’s negligence, I can deal with the insurance companies for you. They’ll still try to get away with delaying or denying the claims, but as a board certified trial lawyer, I know how to make them pay you the compensation you deserve. Check out my website for more information, and if you want to set up a free consultation, just give me a call at 800-354-MARK. There is no obligation and you don’t owe me a penny until I win your case.

The defective medical devices and medical malpractice lawyers at the Anderson Law Firm are currently accepting clients for a potential claim against DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson Services, Inc. Between 2005 and 2010, approximately 93,000 patients received defective hip replacements which were later recalled by DePuy. Close to 49% of the people who received the artificial hips reported chronic pain and other symptoms to their doctors. In most cases, further surgical revision was required, and in some cases a second hip replacement operation was necessary.

The affected prostheses are the DePuy Orthapaedics ASR XL Acetabular Hip Replacement System or ASR Hip Resurfacing System.

If you believe you received either of these devices, you should contact the hospital where you received your surgery to find out. Testing is available to patients to help determine wither you may also experience problems with the devices. Please also contact the Anderson Law Firm as soon as possible for a free, no obligation consultation on your case. Companies that manufacture medical prosthetics make a lot of money from their products, and the fact that these hips have caused so many people so many problems is simply inexcusable. Call us now, toll free at 800-354-6275. There is no obligation, and unless we win a settlement for you, you won’t owe us a penny.

For more information on the DePuy artificial hip recall, click here.

For the first time in the 15 years the Texas Motor Speedway has been opened, the big spring NASCAR races this weekend will be at night. Mixing the nearly 200,000 people that are estimated to attend the races with all the regular rush-hour motorists, it’s a recipe for disaster.

Living and working in DFW as a personal injury lawyer for the past 19 years, I’ve been stuck in terrible traffic by the Speedway so many times. All North Texans know that area is notorious for terrible traffic, especially during Friday rush-hour. Add all those extra NASCAR fans and it’s bound to be gridlock.

So what can you do if you’re driving near the Motor Speedway this weekend? Well, the obvious thing is to avoid that stretch of road at all costs.

If you can’t, then the Fort Worth police department will be directing traffic to the best of their ability and have offered the following traffic tips:

•On Friday and Saturday, motorists go an alternate route to Texas 114, including Farm Road 156 to Petty Place or I-35W to Dale Earnhardt Way

•After the Friday and Saturday races, Texas 114 will run in contraflow, meaning all traffic will flow in the same direction for traffic leaving the track

•Construction on area road projects like the DFW Connection in Grapevine, Texas 170 near the speedway and Texas 114 adjacent to the speedway will be on hold during race weekend

•Take the Victory Lane Express, a $10 round trip shuttle that operates out of the Tarrant County College Northwest Campus, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway

Best of luck to anyone who has to drive near the Speedway this weekend. There will be a lot of out-of-towners so drive defensively and watch out for distracted drivers!

As a Tarrant County child injury lawyer I am happy that Texas is adopting new rules in an attempt to reduce the number of serious head injuries sustained in high school sporting activities. Currently, if a high school athlete suffers a blow to the head they must stay on the sidelines for at least 15 minutes. If they show no symptoms of concussion within that time, they are allowed to return to play. Starting August 1, that will change and players will be required to sit out for a day at minimum and may only return to action after being cleared by a licensed medical professional.

Knowing how serious head injuries can be, I think this is a great idea. In activities such as football, cheerleading and soccer, concussions and brain damage pose an enormous risk to athletes who bump their heads while participating in their sport. Concussions are the most common type of head injury and can range in severity. Symptoms can include memory loss and even seizures or coma.

In addition to the new head injury guidelines, a house bill is also seeking to end the traditional practice of passing down junior varsity football helmets. The reason is that as the equipment gets older and more worn, it offers far less protection to the wearer (similar to recommendations that motorcyclists and bicyclists replace their helmets following a crash). The new law would require schools to regularly recondition football helmets that have been used for 10 years or more, and to replace helmets that have been in use for 16 years.

Mark Anderson is a personal injury and wrongful death attorney who has served the people of Dallas, Fort Worth and the surrounding area for 20 years. If you or a loved one have been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, the Anderson Law Firm offers free, no obligation consultations to help you understand your legal rights and whether you might be entitled to any compensation. To schedule a meeting, call toll free at 800-354-6275 or contact us online.

As a North Texas personal injury attorney I am always upset to learn of unnecessary deaths as a result of accidents which could so easily have been prevented. One such sad incident occurred in Kaufman, Texas on Saturday. Jose Martinez-Hernandez (37) was enjoying his apartment’s balcony when it collapsed beneath him. Investigators say that Mr. Martinez-Hernandez fell almost 12 feet and died at the scene. An engineer is now going to examine all balconies at the complex.

This tragedy is a classic case of a dangerous property condition. Mr. Martinez-Hernandez paid rent at his apartment and shouldn’t have to worry about his own safety while enjoying the outside portion of his own home. The apartment manager is responsible for ensuring that all units are free of any construction defects and that they are regularly maintained to ensure safety for residents. While my thoughts are certainly with Mr. Martinez-Hernandez’s family at this awful time, I certainly hope the news of this accident prompts other apartments across Dallas-Fort Worth to review their balconies and stairways to make sure no one else suffers a similar tragedy.

Mark Anderson is a board certified trial lawyer who has helped personal injury and wrongful death victims across the DFW area since 1991. The Anderson offers a free, no obligation consultation service to hurt individuals and their families. Contact Mark online or call toll free at 800-354-6275.

March 20-26, 2011 is National Poison Prevention Week. In my experience as a child injury lawyer, I have learnt that there are many dangers to children easily accessible around the average home. As adults we know that household cleaning products are dangerous to consume, but kids are not - so I think this year’s campaign tagline “Children Act Fast… So Do Poisons!” should cause us all to put safety first as we tackle the annual ritual of spring cleaning.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) says to store all cleaning products securely where children cannot access them. If you are using a lower cupboard then make sure you install childproof latches so your kids can’t get in. Always keep chemicals in the containers they came in. By law, poisons must displays warning on their labels and you should always follow the instructions for use carefully. It also helps you easily differentiate between cleaners and other products – and can help your children learn that certain household items are dangerous and that they should not touch them. For your own safety, always make sure that you use chemicals such as cleaning supplies and pesticides in a well-ventilated area and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.

In the event of a poison emergency, call the Texas Poison Center Network on 1-800-222-1222. Trained professionals such as nurses and pharmacists are available to talk you through the immediate steps to take and help you decide whether or not you need to go to a hospital. As with anything which presents potential for a personal injury, however, I think it is important to be proactive. In ensuring a safe environment within the home we can eliminate the dangers of poisoning, and keep our kids safe and healthy.

Fort Worth PI and wrongful death attorney Mark Anderson has helped local families cope with the aftermath of child injuries since 1991. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident which was not your fault, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation on your situation so that you can be advised of your legal rights and learn whether you might be entitled to any consultation. Call toll free on 800-354-6275 or locally on 817-294-1900.

According to a study conducted by Men’s Health Magazine, Dallas is the 7th angriest city in America - ranking higher even than such likely suspects as Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles. Fort Worth fared only slightly better than the Big D, coming in at 17th place. I’m not entirely convinced the results are entirely accurate, but the list is apparently based on statistics including “the number of aggravated assaults per capita (FBI), the number of people with high blood pressure (CDC), the amount of time spent in traffic during rush hour (Texas Transportation Institute), and the number of anger-management specialists per capita (American Psychological Association).”

As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer who travels the breadth of the metroplex regularly, I’ve got to say it doesn’t exactly surprise me that either city appears towards the top of the list when you consider the number of auto accidents in the area. Let’s not forget that DFW was ranked the 2nd worst city for road rage in the US last year. Anger is not necessarily a top cause of car crashes, but frustrated commuters have been known to indulge in aggressive driving habits which can absolutely cause serious traffic collisions. Road rage can manifest as a reaction to other drivers and usually involves one driver trying to get revenge or make a point to another, and such incidents can quickly escalate into dangerous and malicious driving activities such as cutting people off or tailgating.

Doctors suggest that a sugar boost can help curb tempers – a simple Pepsi or handful of raisins will do it. Personally, I’ve found that having the car radio tuned to a classical music station can have a calming effect, or failing that just take a deep breath and vow not to let that other driver wreck your day because he’s simply not worth it. Crashing your car because of an anger-fueled dispute with another motorist certainly isn’t worth it!

Mark Anderson is a board certified PI and wrongful death trial attorney who has been helping those hurt in vehicle accidents from Fort Worth, Arlington and surrounding cities for 20 years. He is the author of the book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case and has been ranked among the top attorneys in his field. To arrange a free consultation with Mark regarding your individual case, call on 817-294-1900 or 214-327-8000.

Yesterday marked the beginning of Patient Safety Awareness Week, organized by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). As a Tarrant County personal injury attorney, I have been involved in my share of medical malpractice cases, so it is encouraging to know there are health professionals out there committed to reducing the risks of costly healthcare errors and improving the safety of individuals who after all only go to the hospital in order to get better – whether by surgery or other form of treatment.

Patient safety affects all of us because some point in our lives every one of us will be a patient - whether because we’ve been in an auto accident or succumbed to a disease, for example - or maybe because of a happier reason like having a baby. Although we are fortunate here in the Dallas-Fort Worth region to have some of the best hospitals in the country, accidents do still happen. In fact, the NPSF says that 85% of Americans know someone who has been a victim of medical error – a statistic which has remained unchanged for years. Clearly that number is far too high. As patients, we literally put our lives in the hands of trained medical professionals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and paramedics whose job it is to help us. Medical errors are inexcusable. Patients deserve to expect to receive their treatments in the safest environment possible.

Mark Anderson is a PI and wrongful death lawyer with 20 years of experience serving injury victims in Denton, Parker and Wise Counties. For a no fee, no obligation consultation call 817-294-1900 to discuss your situation and find out whether you are eligible to make a claim for compensation.

As a Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney I always welcome the opportunity to help people live safer lives and avoid accidents which might cause injuries or worse. This week happens to be National Burn Awareness Week, a country-wide endeavor to educate the public in fire prevention strategies. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 3,500 people die in fires and a further 18,300 are injured. Children aged 14 and under make up 10-15% of those fire-related deaths on average.

Winter is traditionally the worst season for house and apartment fires as the temperatures cool - as we saw last week and again today - so more people are heating their homes either by enjoying their fireplace or utilizing a space heater which then cause fires to start. FEMA suggests inspecting chimney and flue for leakages or blockage and disposing of ashes carefully when using a fuel-burning fire place. Space heaters should be positioned on a flat and level floor, but never on a rug or carpet. They should be placed out of the way of foot traffic and at least 3 feet away from bedding, drapes, furniture and other flammable materials.

Smoke alarms are also essential in the effort to ensure the safety of you and your family in the event of a fire and can provide vital extra seconds to get out of danger. Smoke alarms should be placed strategically on every level of your home. It is particularly important that you install them inside and outside sleeping areas in the event a fire starts in the middle of the night when everyone is asleep. You should test each alarm on a monthly basis and should replace batteries once a year.

Many fires are the result of someone’s negligence. Sometimes fires start due to defective products. Mark Anderson has 20 years experience helping clients with personal injury and wrongful death claims across the DFW Metroplex. If you or a loved one have suffered due to another’s negligence, contact Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation on your case toll free at 800-354-MARK, in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900, or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.

As an experienced Fort Worth auto accident attorney, I am particularly interested to learn how TXDOT is dealing with the influx of people to our host city to take part in the weeklong festivities leading up to the Super Bowl this Sunday. Given the sheer number of car wrecks, motorcycle collisions and other crashes that occur on our roads every single day, the prospect of more people driving more cars was obviously a prime concern.

Everyday 6.5 million people travel on the roads around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. With hundreds of thousands of visitors pouring in over such a condensed period of time there is inevitably going to be a huge impact on the local transport systems.

Michael Morris, the Director of Transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, recently spoke about the 4 years worth of planning that had gone into ensuring the DFW area was capable of effectively supporting all this extra traffic. In a demonstration of true collaboration and cooperation, all public and private sectors across various towns and counties worked together – along with the NFL – to plan for all possible contingencies including heightened security, bad weather and extremely high attendance during this year’s Super Bowl. As an added bonus, improvements were able to be made to the existing infrastructure which will continue to benefit resident commuters long after the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers head home.

I would like to offer my congratulations to everyone involved in the organization of the transportation plan and also remind my fellow North Texans to be good hosts during what could have easily become commuting chaos. Remember there are a lot of out-of-towners on our roads - so please be extra sure that you are signaling when changing lanes, leave plenty of room between vehicles and exercise generally polite driving behavior.

That’s good advice for us all year round!

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.

If you have been involved in a car accident in the Fort Worth Dallas area, chances are a car insurance liability insurance company will be involved. All companies are motivated to pay out as little as they can on claims, but the fact is that some are fairer than others. Some refuse to pay out money even when it is clear they owe it. My quick list of the five worst insurance companies in Texas are United Auto, Fred Loya, ACCC, Affirmative and Sante Fe. If you are insured by one of these companies, it will mean there is a much higher chance that you will get sued if you are the one who causes the car accident. And if you were not at fault for the car wreck, but the responsible party for the accident was insured by one of these companies, then get ready for a long and hard battle for fair compensation.

If you have questions on your Fort Worth or Dallas Car Accident claim, please call Texas Injury
Lawyer Mark Anderson at 817-294-1900 or at 214-327-8000.

A new law goes into effect today that raises the minimum car insurance liability limits in the state of Texas from $25,000 to $30,000. This may not sound like that big of a deal, but believe me, it is a great new law. As a personal injury attorney, I handle car accident cases in the Ft. Worth/Tarrant County area and I see time and time again the following situation: a client of mine is seriously injured in a car wreck that was caused by someone else's bad driving, but the only compensation available is the minimum limits policy of the bad driver. That minimum limits policy must be used to pay for all the bills (ambulance, hospital, doctors.....). Oftentimes, that one policy is not enough to pay for all of the damages.

The new law, which applies to all auto liability policies renewed beginning today, is a big deal as it makes $5,000 more money available for those claimants who have claims whose value is equal to or exceeds the minimum limits. Since the cost of medical care is so high, many claims' value is well above the $30,000 amount. The extra $5,000 does not solve all problems, but it does help pay these bills and hopefully come closer to fully compensating the injury victim.

Just discussing the high cost of medical care reminds me to suggest (again) that everyone carry uninsured motorists protection. It's cheap and is great insurance to carry as it compensates YOU for your injuries if the bad driver has no insurance or does not have enough insurance. There are tons of uninsured drivers out there, so this is the best kind of insurance to carry.

If you have been hurt in a motor vehicle accident anywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, feel free to call Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson at 817-294-1900. All consultations are free.

Yesterday Toyota announced another recall on 2011 Model Year Sienna minivans that could affect many Tarrant County residents. The 94,126 vehicles that are in question were built between December 22, 2009 and November 4, 2010. The condition could cause brake lights to remain on or they could become partially engaged due to contact from the bracket, ultimately reducing braking effectiveness.
No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall, and Toyota said it was not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition. The stop lamp switch bracket is welded on to the left side of the brake pedal support assembly. The stop lamp switch provides a signal that indicates the brake pedal has been depressed and illuminates the brake lights.

Owners of the involved vehicles will receive an interim notification advising them of this recall by first class mail in the near future, along with instructions for what to do if they experience this condition and how to minimize the possibility of inadvertently contacting the stop lamp switch bracket while operating the parking brake. The automaker will also post this information on its website. Owners will receive a second notice by first class mail in early 2011, once replacement parts become available, and asked to make an appointment with a Toyota dealer to have the remedy performed at no charge.

I am glad that Toyota dealers will replace the brake pedal support assembly, which includes the stop lamp switch bracket, with a new one that has been redesigned to take into account the proximity of the component to the parking brake pedal. I drive a Toyota sports utility vehicle and am disappointed with Toyota and all of their problems. Toyota has had many problems this year with previous recalls. I am seriously concerned about the products Toyota puts on the road.

Information and commentary provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached at 817-294-1900. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of someone else, please call or fill out our contact card for a free consultation.

Organic chocolate is being pulled from shelves after discovering it could be potentially contaminated with Salmonella. The Chocolate is called Dagoba organic chocolate and it is an Oregon-based company owned by Hershey Co., They are recalling their new moon rich dark chocolate with 74% cacao sold in .32 ounce squares.

Twenty-two cases of the potentially tainted sweets were sold online and in stores nationwide after October 27, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Of the 33 cases being pulled, all but 10 have been removed from the market. The cases contained 12 boxes with 36 squares in each. There is no information regarding where the chocolate was shipped, sold, or where the testing was performed and if other Dagoba chocolate was tested for Salmonella.

As a Texas Attorney, I’m glad to hear that no reports of illness from the chocolate have yet to be reported. I advise anyone who has purchased or received the chocolate to return it or throw it away. Salmonella food poison infection is potentially life-threatening and symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 7-8 hours after infection. Symptoms may be more severe in young and elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.

Information and commentary provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be contacted in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about a food recall, please fill out our contact card for a free consultation.

The holiday shopping season is in full swing and Christmas is right around the corner. This time of year always involves previews for late-year blockbuster films, the latest toys and gadgets and promotions for new automobiles. However, consumers in Fort Worth should be very cautious of what vehicles are being recalled.

Nearly everyone has heard of the Toyota recalls and problems with Ford vehicles and rollovers. Now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating more late-model vehicles for potentially unsafe defects. Some 150,000 Honda CR-Vs made for model year 2006 are being scrutinized to determine whether or not a wiring defect in the power windows may lead to fires within the door panel. Another 41,000 cars -these units of the 2007 Kia Optima – are being inspected with regard to a transmission problem. The concern is that the shift cable in the Optima’s automatic transmission might become detached, allowing the car to slip out of gear. In one instance, a vehicle exhibiting this failure rolled away while parked.

Recalls are very serious and are often the cause of wrecks. The consequences of a fire from a faulty wiring cold not have a good outcome for the car and if the car is parked in the garage could cause a house fire. A slow growing fire could cause a driver to panic and cause an automobile accident. A bad transmission is an even more direct danger, an unreliable transmission could lead to sudden changes of speed and a runaway vehicle could cause multiple vehicle collisions. In 2007, there were 37,248 fatal deaths in the United States and over 1.7 million people were injured from a car accident. Car accidents will always occur, but they should not be from recalls. If you are buying a car this season, do your research and make your best decision.

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

Hyland's Teething Tablets have been recalled by the company after reports by the FDA suggested the presence of some potentially toxic substance. This substance has serious adverse effects such as seizure, difficulty breathing, and muscle weakness. The FDA has therefore asked the consumers to discard this tablet which is sold as a homeopathic remedy for teething pain in babies. Belladonna toxicity is being considered to be behind the whole problem causing some very severe harm at high doses.

Several children taking the tablets were found to be experiencing symptoms which were very similar to belladonna toxicity. Also, since the containers do not have the child-resistant caps, children were found to be consuming more than what was recommended.

The agency warned the parents to take immediate action if their child experienced suspicious symptoms after using the tablets. Some of the symptoms are excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, agitation, seizures, difficulty breathing and lethargy. The reports said that these tablets too contained inconsistent amounts of the ingredient. The FDA further said that it was "not aware of any proven clinical benefit offered by the product”.

Hyland’s Teething Tablets have been used for more than 85 years they are a pretty reputable company. In 2009 there were 1,752 recalls in the United States which averages out to 67 recalls per week. Hopefully every parent who buys this for their kids finds out about the warning to prevent kids being sick.

Information and commentary is provided by Fort Worth Child Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about a child injury, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

The other day I was driving home from taking my dog Andie to the vet for a checkup. While Andie was in the back of my SUV she was roaming around and being a dog in the back seat. Suddenly traffic came to a sudden stop on I35 and I had to press down on the brakes. When I pushed on the brakes Andie lost balance and stumbled around. This got me thinking about the important role that seat belts play.

Seat belt safety is not just for the safety of the person wearing the belt, but for all the occupants in the vehicle. In Fort Worth, a person commits an offense if they are not wearing a seat belt while in a vehicle. Additionally, kids must be in a child passenger seat if they are younger than eight and smaller than four feet nine inches.

Whether it is driving down the street or driving across town, people need to get in the habit of wearing their seatbelt. Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself. In 2008, seat belts saved more than 13,000 lives nationwide. Some people think that because their car is equipped with airbags then that will keep them safe. However, this is not the case. Airbags are actually designed to work with the seat belts, not replace them.

There are certain ways to ensure that you buckle up correctly. In order to buckle up correctly one must place the shoulder belt across the middle of the chest and away from the neck. Many times kids don’t want to wear the seat belt across their shoulder because it is uncomfortable or they want to put the shoulder belt behind their back, but that is not safe. The seat belt should be adjusted across the hips and below your stomach.

Although one can think seat belts are pointless, there are reasons why it is the law to wear it. If you have any questions regarding a car accident in Fort Worth, please contact Car Accident Lawyer Mark A. Anderson for a free consultation.

Just about everyday when driving home from work I see someone that is tailgating, a driver cuting other drivers off, or drivers flipping the bird to another vehicle. Each year, Conneticut-based automible club AutoVantage surveys 2,500 drivers nationwide to learn where the hotbeds of road rage are. The study shows that New York is the road-rage capital of the world, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth. There are many factors that go into the making of road rage: distracted drivers, speeding, people who are angry/stressed, running red lights, people who are in a hurry, slow traffic, and semi-trucks who get in the way.

Perhaps the biggest epidemic of why DFW is ranked number two is because there are no laws on distracted driving. Eight states have already made it a law to prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones whil driving. 30 states have made it a law prohibiting text messaging while driving. Texas currently does not have any sort of law against cell phones except in select school zones.

Information and commentary provided by Road Rage Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or go online for a free consultation.

Car wrecks happen every day here in Fort Worth and we receive a lot of calls from people who have been injured in those accidents. One of the first things we look at in deciding if we can help is the actual damage received by the cars involved in the accident. The amount of property damage your car received if you were in an automobile accident matters. If your car only has very minor damage, it is unlikely that you are going to be able to convince the responsible party's car insurance company (or ultimately a jury) that your injuries are directly related to the motor vehicle accident. As a personal injury attorney, I look at both the physical (visible) damage to the vehicle as well as the repair estimate prepared by a body shop. Depending on where the actual damage is located on the car, the amount of damage required varies.

Basically, it needs to be of sufficient damage, both physically and monetarily, for an ordinary person to believe that the wreck could produce an injury. It is not enough that the car is barely dented or just scratched. Click here for more information on what kind of damage is necessary to support a Texas personal injury claim.

Information provided by Fort Worth Board Certified Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson he can be reached at 817 294 1900. Mark Anderson offers a free book to accident victims called 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. To order your free copy,

It seems that everyone knows distracted driving is a subject that is becoming more and more talked about. Every day we read an article in the paper about a life lost because of a careless driver. I have a feeling that distracted driving is going to play out like drunk driving. It will be hard to monitor and patrol by police officers, but the best way to get and keep the numbers of accidents down is by raising awareness, as well as deciding to make healthy choices. That is why I have put together a program called Teens Against Distracted Driving (TADD) this program will have a direct impact and will hopefully save many lives.

I am proud of high-school students who are just starting to drive that are signing a pledge to not text or use their cell phone while driving. It can be very tempting at times, but the best habit to get into is to never do it at all. Colleyville Heritage High School is one of the six schools participating and here is a picture I took at their school. They are doing a great job of promoting safe driving at their school. I encourage not just the high school students, but everyone who owns any electronic device and a vehicle to not combine the two.

The Anderson Law Firm has offices in Fort Worth and Dallas and would be more than willing to give you a free consultation. If you have any questions feel free to go to our website, or give us a call.

Teens Against Distracted Driving (TADD) is an awareness program started by the Anderson Law Firm to alert high school students about the dangers of not having full attention when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Here’s how our latest TADD project works: I supplied six different high schools in Tarrant County with pledge cards to sign an agreement to not text while driving. Once the student signs the agreement in return receives a flashy orange bracelets that reads: I PLDG 2 NT TXT N DRV. The six schools that are participating include: Haltom High School, Central High School, Colleyville Heritage High School, Richland High School, South Hills High School, and Northside High School. The school that receives the highest percentage of students to sign the petitions will receive a $500 donation from me to use at their discretion.

The main reason I am raising awareness about distracted driving, is because drivers are becoming less and less aware of what other cars are doing and more and more worried about checking to see who wrote on their facebook wall. Our culture no longer has to wait and get home to get the phone number to Dominos pizza, instead we can just simply google it on our phone while entering the address in our GPS and still manage to drive 70 MPH. Don’t get me wrong, I love all these new gadgets that continue to evolve, but I absolutely hate how many lives are being ruined. I have a true passion to educate people and want to help in any way I can. I hope every student that signs a pledge and wears the bracelet thinks about the true meaning of distracted driving.

Information provided Texas Distracted Driving Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have any questions about distracted driving or a car accident, please fill out our contact form online 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.

No matter what type of injury accident you are involved in, it is probably a traumatic experience. It is only natural that you would want to resolve the issue as soon as possible. State Farm’s catch phrase is “like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” The truth about insurance companies like this is they aren’t the good neighbor. Insurance companies have two goals: 1) Not pay you a dime over what they have to and 2) They won’t pay you until they are ready. Then once they are ready to give you a number of how much you will be compensated, that number is much lower then it should be.

For example, let’s say that you are in a car accident in Fort Worth, Texas. You might first think your injury is minor, but it could turn out to be very serious in the months to come. But if you’ve already settled your claim for a small amount of money, then there is nothing you can do, you simply have to pay for the additional medical expenses yourself. The best thing to do is to wait and see how your injuries will affect you down the road before accepting any sort of car wreck settlement. An experienced Board Certified Texas Personal Injury Lawyer can advise you on the appropriate amount of time to wait in order to evaluate the full extent of your injuries.

Insurance companies try to settle these claims quickly because it is more cost efficient for them. The sooner they get you to settle, the less money it costs them. An important tip to remember is that when you accept the check the insurance company gives you, you can no longer reopen the claim. You only get one chance! Before you accept any offer from an insurance company it is in your best interest to talk to a Texas Personal Injury Attorney who can evaluate your claim and help you battle these “good neighbors.”

Information is provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions about any personal injury accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

If you have been injured in a car accident in the Fort Worth/Tarrant County area, it is important that you understand what the term “statute of limitations” means. Stated simply, you have two years to either settle your car accident injury case or file a lawsuit at the courthouse. Many people are under the mistaken belief that after their car wreck, all they have to do is call the other driver’s insurance company and start a claim. That is simply not enough. While that is the first step, you must either resolve the claim by settlement or file the lawsuit at the courthouse before the two year anniversary of your motor vehicle accident. Otherwise your claim is forever barred.

I write about this today because just this week I received a phone call from a lady I had initially spoke with approximately two years ago. She called me regarding her injury she received in a motor vehicle accident in Ft. Worth. We discussed her injuries and the potential for a claim, but she decided she wanted to try to resolve it on her own. I didn’t hear from her again—until this week, which is 25 months after the accident. I very nicely told her that she waited too long to call me back. Unfortunately for her, she has absolutely zero options now. She should have hired me sooner as I could have filed the lawsuit in time. Like many other people before her, she was under the belief that she had done everything she needed to do by calling the insurance company. That is just not enough.

So if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Tarrant County, Texas you need to remember that the two year mark is a very strict rule. If you have any questions regarding your car accident claim, please give me a call at (817) 294 1900. Don’t wait too late!

Yesterday I received a call from a person regarding a tainted oyster eaten by his brother at a seafood restaurant in Arlington. The tainted oyster contained bacteria which caused this person's brother to be hospitalized with a serious medical condition. He went to Harris Hospital, where he stayed over a week until he was stabilized (and incurred over $100,000.00 in medical bills) and then transferred to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. This man is hanging on for his life. Approximately 80% of the people who are exposed to this bacteria end up dying.

I did some quick research to try to determine what his potential cause of action would be against the restaurant for serving him a tainted oyster. Amazingly, I found out that in 2007 our Republican dominated Texas legislature and our Republican governor passed a law protecting the manufacturers and sellers of bad oysters. I couldn't believe it, tort reform had even reached out to protect the oyster lobby! This horrible law is found at Civil Practices and Remedies Code Section 82.004.

I am continually amazed at how far the tort reformers will reach to protect all business interests. If I were to ask ten people on the street if they lost a loved one due to a bacteria tainted oyster, would they think it would be right to pursue a claim against the sellers of this tainted oyster. I feel like 10 out of 10 of these people would be mad as hell and desire to bring a claim. Unfortunately, every single one of these claims would be thrown out of court due to this horrible law.

Information and commentary provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted in Fort Worth, Texas at (817) 294 1900 or contacted online for a free consultation.

All across Tarrant County people lose their lives at the hand of distracted driving. Working as a Fort Worth wrongful death attorney, I have seen the devastation these horrible distracted driving accidents can bring to both the victim and the at fault driver. Phones ringing, texting, Twitter updates, blaring radios, drinking sodas, and even women doing their makeup are all common sights while driving down the road. Distracted driving has become quite an epidemic. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were released Monday showing that 16 percent of the fatalities and one-fourth of all driving accidents are due to driving distracted.

There is no doubt that driving distracted is innately dangerous and has serious consequences.
People need to limit their cell phone usage while driving and people need to limit their distractions or face possible grim consequences for themselves and everyone on the road. In January, federal safety regulators proposed a set of guidelines for states to create laws restricting texting while driving. Under these guidelines, officers would be allowed to stop a vehicle and issue a citation with a minimum fine of $75.

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have outlawed texting while driving and seven states have outlawed the usage of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle altogether. In Texas, it is illegal for any driver under the age of 18 to operate a cell phone, and it is illegal for a cell phone to be used in an active school zone, potentially opening the door for more legislation restricting usage.

It will be a challenge to regulate laws permitting distracted driving. Despite what the legislature has tried to pass, it is not plausible to expect every driver not to be somewhat distracted while they are driving. The easiest and smartest thing to do is plan ahead. Set your GPS, insert your cd, and eat your McMuffin before you start driving.

This information is provided by Ft. Worth wrongful death attorney Mark A. Anderson. If you have questions about car accidents or wrongful death, please fill out our contact form online or get your free copy of my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case.

Texas placed 13th in the nation for state highway performance and cost effectiveness in a recent study of America’s highways by the Reason Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has released an Annual Highway Report for the past 19 years. Overall, the study found that highway conditions across the country are in the best state they have been in since the organization began researching them in 1984. The recession is attributed for these improved highway conditions, explains Fort Worth accident attorney Mark A. Anderson. With less people on the road, the rate at which pavement deteriorates decreases and fewer collisions and fatalities occur.

While Texas places much lower than California when it comes to cost effectiveness, its ranking for fatality rates is much higher, explains the Fort Worth accident lawyer. In 2008—the most recent year with complete highway statistics and on which the study is based—$93,464 was spent in administrative costs for every mile of state road in California, none of which ever actually reached the roads. Compare this to the $6,529 spent by Texas. While California placed 13th in the fatality rate per 100 million miles driven, Texas ranked 35th—more than twice as high as California.

“California’s roads may be in poor condition and congested,” commented a California car accident lawyer, “but everyone here was relieved to find out that we placed well in the category of safety.” Although the 19th Annual Highway Report gave state officials some numbers to be proud of, it also identified areas that need to be improved upon. The California car accident lawyer expressed a wish to see California undergo a reform in highway spending, and the Fort Worth car wreck lawyer hopes that Texas will rank lower in fatality rates in next year’s report.

Information and commentary is provided by Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson. If you have questions about a car accident please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

When you are driving down the street and the gas light comes on in your car, what do you do? You’re right, fill up with gas. If you don’t the chances of being stranded down the road are pretty good. This gas analogy is similar to hiring an injury attorney when one gets hurt. If you wait too long to hire a lawyer, the more mistakes will be made and in the long run it will hurt the value of your claim.

If you are injured in a car crash the main focus is to get better. How can one avoid wrecking their injury case during a recovery period? Simple! Hiring a good, reputable lawyer will better your chance of avoiding many costly mistakes. My job is to represent the injury victim, help avoid mistakes, and get him or her a good settlement. I provide my clients with guidance and counseling as to how to be a good patient and a good client. I view the entire claim and litigation process as a team effort and I want my clients to succeed at not only getting better-medically speaking, but also at winning their claim. I am a firm believer that success simply can’t happen if mistakes are made along the way.

Here is some information you might find helpful:
•What To Look For In An Injury Lawyer
•How To Value Your Case
•Getting Monetary Compensation For Your Claim

For questions about injuries from a car accident please order your free copy of my book “15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case”or go to our website and feel out 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.

A Haltom City father whose 2-month-old infant died from head injuries was arraigned this morning on a capital murder charge. Alfonso Contreras Jr., 24, and the girl’s mother, 20-year-old Ashley Nicole Massey, were arrested Monday evening, several hours after police and fire officials responded to a report of an unresponsive child at the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park in the 6000 block of East Belknap Street.

When paramedics arrived around 1 a.m., the parents were performing CPR on the infant. The girl was transported to Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, where she died around 2:30 p.m. Monday. It was unclear how the girl was injured, but police described her injuries as nonaccidental. Massey faces a charge of injury to a child and is being held on $250,000 bail. Contreras’ bail for the murder charge is set at $500,000. Both remain in the Haltom City Jail.

This is a tragic event for family and friends that knew the young infant. My thoughts and prayers go out to them. The 2-month-old baby had a right to live and was helpless in this horrific tragedy. Unexpected acts happen daily and it saddens my heart to hear another story like this. Speaking as a parent I have no insight of how one could do this to anyone, nonetheless, an innocent infant.

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. For more information regarding wrongful death, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, and toll free at 877-294-1115. You can contact a Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer now.

Dr. Frank Ryan, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon most recently known for performing ten procedures on Heidi Montag in one operation, has died at the age of 50. The Jeep Wrangler he was driving plunged off a cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway near his Malibu home. People magazine, among other news sources, reports that he was texting while driving and accidently veered off the road. His Jeep tumbled down a rocky embankment toward the ocean and landed on its roof. He died of blunt force head injuries.

According to People magazine, the Los Angeles police told Dr. Ryan's family that at the time of his death, Dr. Ryan was sending a Tweet about his dog. What was so important about his dog that it couldn’t have waited until he made it back home? The answer is nothing. It has been proven that distracted driving causes thousands of deaths and injuries every year. While more laws and acts are passed to restrict people from texting while driving, it doesn’t seem to deter them, as seen from the numerous deaths caused by driver distraction. Hopefully the senseless death of a famous plastic surgeon will open people’s eyes to the fact that distracted driving can effect anyone, and can have fatal consequences.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, and toll free across the state at 877-294-1115. You can click here to contact a Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney immediately.

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.

Peyton Hood of Pflugerville, Texas, who would have been 2-years-old on September 1, died tragically Tuesday after being bitten by a rattle snake near Possum Kindgom Lake. The girl was bitten at the south side of the lake, in northwest Palo Pinto County.

The girl’s grandmother called 9-1-1 and reported that her granddaughter had been bitten on the ankle. A helicopter ambulance took Peyton to Cook Children’s where she died early Wednesday morning in the intensive care unit. Details about how the child came upon the snake are not available yet, according to news reports.

This is such a tragic story. My heart goes out to Peyton’s family. Although we don’t hear about snake bites very often, they can be deadly, especially to small children. Snake bite deaths are not very widespread in Texas, averaging two to three per year, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In this case, Peyton’s family did exactly what the Parks and Wildlife Department recommends when dealing with a snake bite, which is to call authorities immediately. They say that under no circumstances should one try to cut or suck out the venom.

The Parks and Wildlife Department has several suggestions to keep yourself safe from snakes. Don’t put your hands or feet someplace into which you can’t see. Don’t step over a log without looking on the other side first, and if you have to move a log, do so with a stick or a tool. If you come upon a snake, stand still. Allow the snake to retreat first, and if you must move, back away slowly and carefully.

Information provided by Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. He 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.

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.

The mother of a 2-year-old Mansfield girl who arrived at an Arlington hospital unconscious earlier this month has been arrested. Ryka Hopper is in the Mansfield Jail where she faces a charge of injury to a child by omission. Her bond had been set at $100,000.

Hopper's live-in boyfriend, Adam Carroll Palmer, 27, was arrested earlier this month. He faces two counts of causing serious bodily injury to a child and an aggravated-assault charge and his bond was set at $450,000. Hopper and her two daughters, ages 5 and 2, arrived at an Arlington hospital on July 12 with bruises and other injuries to their bodies.

The 2-year-old was unconscious and had injuries to the brain, including blood and contusions. She was later taken by air ambulance to Medical City Hospital in Dallas, where she remains in a coma.

Hopper said she had arrived home and found the 2-year-old unconscious on the floor, according to the affidavit. She said Palmer told her that the toddler had a seizure. She then stated that the child remained on the floor for more than 16 hours before she finally regained consciousness and started crying. Because the crying awakened Palmer, he picked the 2-year-old up "like a rag doll and threw her to the floor and told her to shut up," Hopper told police.

The toddler whimpered on the floor until she went to sleep, according to the affidavit. After the incident, the girl could not walk or use her right hand and had trouble speaking, the affidavit says. According to court records, Palmer was given deferred adjudication on an injury-to-a-child case that occurred in 2003, but that probation was revoked in 2008 and he was sentenced to prison.

The fact that a mother can sit there while her child is unconscious for over 16 hours without getting worried just shows an extreme amount of recklessness and irresponsibility as a parent. This kind of child abuse should not be tolerated. Parent negligence is usually the cause of child injury, and this woman was aiding in this criminal act by not saying anything or reporting the abuse to the police.

I hope this investigation gives justice to a toddler that was critically injured for no apparent reason. As a parent myself, I find this kind of act despicable. It just shows cowardice and ignorance on the guardians’ part.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Child Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. For more information on child injuries, fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A motorcycle rider, Geoffrey Daily, was fatally injured Wednesday in an early-morning accident on the west side of Fort Worth. Daily, 32, of Fort Worth was identified by the Tarrant County medical examiner.

According to Sgt. Pedro Criado, police spokesman, the wreck happened 7:19 a.m. on the exit ramp leading to eastbound Interstate 30 from southbound West Loop 820. The biker was riding in the right-hand lane, when a red Ford Escape ahead of him changed lanes from left to right, Criado said. The motorcyclist took an evasive action, Criado said, but the bike struck the protective metal railing and crashed. Daily died 12:25 p.m. at the intensive care unit of Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, the medical examiner reported. No other information has been released.

Our greatest sympathies go out to the friends and family of the Fort Worth resident Geoffrey Daily. Injuries and fatalities of motorcyclists are, unfortunately, on the rise. There were 4,810 deaths and over 88,000 injuries involving motorcycle riders in 2006 alone. This is more than a 5 percent increase from the previous year.

The most common cause of wrecks involving motorcycles is inattention of the other driver. This accounts for about 70 percent of all crashes. This is the most likely reason for Daily’s death. The driver of the red Ford Escape was probably not paying attention or he “just didn’t see him.” Everyone on the road needs to make sure that they are alert and paying attention to the other drivers. Whether they are in a four-wheeler, 18-wheeler, or a bike they all have rights.

Information and Commentary is provided by Motorcycle Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. If you or a loved has been in a motorcycle accident, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free consultation. We can be reached toll free at 877.294.1115 or you can contact us online.

The worker who was fatally crushed Tuesday afternoon by drilling equipment at a gas well site in Arlington has been identified as 34-year-old Nabor Alvarado of Alvarado.

Alvarado is believed to be an employee of Trinidad Drilling, a Canadian company working for Chesapeake Energy, which owns the pad site in the 5700 block of U.S. 287 near the Kennedale border.

Alan Kassen, Arlington assistant fire chief, said it appeared that a large piece of drilling equipment fell on the worker about 4:15 p.m., killing him instantly, during assembly of the rig.

This is a terrible thing to happen to someone while on the job, and our hearts go out to Alvarado and his family.

Hopefully, an investigation will uncover the reason for this tragic accident. While accidents are common on drill sites, that does not mean they should happen. Something went wrong here—either equipment malfunction or human error. Either way, the accident should not have occurred.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. For more information regarding construction or oil rig site injuries, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A former Dallas Cowboys player claims he suffered a career-ending injury in the team's indoor practice facility when it collapsed last year. He is seeking damages from the builder and companies operated by team owner Jerry Jones.

The victim, Jamar Hunt, says in a court filing that he suffered serious, disabling and permanent injuries in May 2009 after the structure fell.

Hunt was a rookie free agent from the University of Texas at El Paso trying to make the team as a tight end and deep snapper at the time.

Michael Guajardo, Hunt's attorney, said the player suffered a herniated disk in his neck when a steel support fell on him.

Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said the team isn't commenting on Hunt's claim.

Hunt is making the same allegations against the companies that special teams coach, Joe DeCamillas, and team scout Rich Behm, made earlier this year.

DeCamillas suffered broken vertebrae and Behm was left paralyzed from the waist down. Both filed identical lawsuits in separate Dallas courts that alleged negligence by the company that built the facility, Summit Structures LLC, and cite three entities controlled by Jones for improperly supervising repairs.

Last month, Behm and DeCamillas reached settlements with Summit and its Canadian parent, Cover-All Building Systems Inc. after a Canadian court lifted a stay blocking legal proceedings against the failed company and allowed the two Cowboys employees to collect proceeds from its insurance.

If the tent-like structure was poorly designed and made (as it appears), then Hunt has every right to sue for damages caused by poor construction. I wish Mr. Hunt and Mr. Guajardo luck on this serious injury case.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.

A motorcycle accident claimed the life of Odessa pastor, Michael Robert Graham, this past Monday.

Graham was driving south on State Highway 17 near Fort Davis when he lost control on sharp curve and was ejected from his bike, a 2008 Suzuki Boulevard.

The accident occurred just after 1 p.m. Graham was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Graham was not wearing a helmet.

Graham is the second victim this week that I have blogged about who was biking without wearing a helmet. Helmets can save lives. Statistics show that riders wearing a helmet significantly reduce their odds of dying in a crash. Make you sure you are wearing a proper helmet. Here are some guidelines that will help you figure out if your helmet is in accordance with proper safety standards.

Our sincere condolences go out the family, friends, and congregation of Pastor Michael Robert Graham. Hopefully others will take this tragedy as a learning experience and begin to wear helmets.

Information and commentary is provided by Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. Contact our office if you have questions about motorcycle accidents. We can be reached in Dallas at 214.327.8000 in Fort Worth at 817.294.1900 or toll free at 877.294.1115. You can also contact us online. Call now for a free consultation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Early Monday morning a motorcyclist was killed in a crash on a Denton Highway.

The medical examiner’s office reported the victim, William Malmsten of Denton, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash happened around 2 a.m. Monday in the northbound lanes of the 700 Block of Interstate 35E in Denton.

Denton Officer Ryan Grelle, a department spokesman, reported that Malmsten, 47, was driving his 1997 Harley-Davidson onto the highway when he lost control of his bike, was thrown off into light pole. Malmsten was not wearing a helmet.

Our condolences go out to the friends and family members of William Malmsten. It is so distressing to hear of motorcycle fatalities in which the victim was not wearing a helmet. It’s impossible to say if a helmet would have saved this man’s life, but helmets certainly save countless lives in accidents every day.

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

Former NFL quarterback-turned-minister Randall Cunningham is mourning the loss of his son after a hot tub accident at his home. The two-year-old, Christian Cunningham, died late Tuesday night at the family's home in Las Vegas in a backyard hot tub.

Authorities were called to the family's home by an unidentified adult. This adult was reportedly watching several children when the toddler was discovered at the bottom of the hot tub. Efforts to resuscitate Christian failed. The Clark County, NV coroner says the autopsy will probably show the cause of death was accidental drowning.

Randall Cunningham played football professionally for 16 years for the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, and Dallas Cowboys. He was out of town at the time of his son's death. Christian Cunningham is the youngest of Randall and Felicity Cunningham's four children.

It is hard for any family to get over the loss of a child, but especially hard when you have to do so in the public eye. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Cunningham family, and we hope that they will be able to find some closure despite all that has happened.

Parents can take steps to minimize the chance that an accident like this could happen to their family. Remember to never let your children be unsupervised in a pool. Twenty-five percent of fatal drowning victims were children age 14 and under, so parents need to be sure that they are always within reaching distance of their child if something were to happen.

In 2010, the majority of child drowning deaths have occurred in backyard and residential pools and bathtubs. Also remember that just because you taught your child to swim doesn’t mean he or she is safe from drowning. Swimming pools are fun and popular, but they can become dangerous to children if let unsupervised.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Child Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. For questions concerning child injuries, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vanna M. Smith of Bedford, Texas was placed in jail Monday on suspicion of abandoning and endangering a child.

Smith, age 23, left her 5-month-old baby unattended for four hours in a parked vehicle. A Bedford patrol officer, Lt. Kirk Roberts, found the baby while responding to a report that an infant was left alone in a car in the 2000 block of Natchez Drive. At 8:30 a.m. he found the baby strapped in a seat in the unlocked car with the windows rolled down about an inch.

Smith told the officers she arrived home at around 4:30 a.m., went inside the house and fell asleep.

The infant was taken to Texas Health Hurst-Euless-Bedford hospital in Bedford and then to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. Police say he did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Every day in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, all kinds of preventable accidents resulting in serious injuries happen to children. In this case, the baby’s injuries were caused by the negligence of the mother. In the hot Texas heat mothers have to be more aware of their children. Leaving a child in a car unattended in the blistering sun is not acceptable. Thankfully the baby had no serious injuries.

Information and commentary are provided by Dallas/ Fort Worth Child Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817.294. 1900 or in Dallas at 214.327.8000. If you have questions about child injuries please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

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

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

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

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

Information and commentary are provided by Dallas/ Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817.294. 1900 or in Dallas at 214.327.8000. If you have questions about a truck accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

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

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

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

Officers at Lake Grapevine were searching for a missing swimmer on Memorial Day when they were suddenly distracted with another emergency just yards away. A pleasure boat with at least five on board began sinking about 50 yards off shore.

Those rescuing the boat said none of the children aboard the boat had been wearing life jackets. Once all returned to shore safely, the owner blamed a powerful wave for swamping his boat.

A short time later, rescue teams returned to their original task of finding the body of a 22-year-old swimmer who disappeared on Sunday evening. Her name was not released. The search was scheduled to continue through Monday evening.

Luckily those in the sinking ship made it out safe, but unfortunately the missing swimmer was not found. The swimmer at Grapevine Lake was one of four killed at three North Texas lakes this weekend- a bleak way to start the summer.

Memorial Day weekend is one of the most dangerous times to participate in water-related activities. Each person riding on or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard Approved personal flotation device, which includes a life jacket. It could save your life, and if those rescue teams had not already been out there that day, it could have been an even more tragic outcome. We send our condolences out to the missing swimmer’s family and hopes that everyone can learn from this. It is important to remember to swim with others, never alone, and make sure you are aware of your surroundings when out in water.

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

After a month of signing pledges, the Teens Against Distracted Driving contest is finally over! Haltom High School was able to get the most pledges signed to not text and drive, with 89.3% of their student body! The other four schools did outstanding as well, with Southwest High School coming in second with 68.5% of their students, Mansfield Summit High School finishing with 41% of their student body, Keller High School with 39.7% of their students, and Boswell High School with 27.2% of their students. Overall, 5, 385 teens signed the pledge.

Congratulations to all the schools that participated for your hard work and dedication! Haltom High School Student Council will be receiving a $500 donation from The Anderson Law Firm for recognition of their achievement. I know they’ll find a good place for the money to go.

I hope this Project will encourage both teens and adults to drive without distractions, remember the average driver will go 200 yards without looking at the road when reading just one text. Stay safe, and congratulations again to all of the high schools that participated in TADD!

Motorcycle Rider, Terry Purdom, is leaving for a big road trip on Saturday. It will consist of a 90-day, 15,000-mile journey that will take Purdom across 15 states and part of Canada on his motorcycle. Terry’s Big Adventure is his dream trip involving him, his tricked out Harley-Davidson, and the open road.

In 2004, Purdom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer that attacks the plasma cells. He didn't have much hope of survival; he figured he had three years to live. But five years later, he's in remission and wants to share his message with other cancer survivors.

Purdom said that the cancer changed his life for the better because he had always dreamed of taking his motorcycle on the road for a long meandering trip with no schedule or time line. And when he decided to share his idea with that of the Facebook world, the trip went from just 30 days long to 90 days long. Strangers who were his friends on Facebook encouraged him to stay with them.

He hopes to enjoy the ride and is determined to spread the message of never losing hope, even in the fight against cancer. According to Purdom, “If you lose hope, you lose the battle. Hope is what drives everything.”

I think what Terry is doing both inspiring and motivating. I can’t imagine riding that long on a motorcycle, but he is doing it for cancer awareness. It has always been his life-long dream, and I’m so happy that he finally has a chance to fulfill it. Terry and I have worked together for a long time with a program called Ride Safe, Ride Sober. The Anderson Law Firm sponsors this service that allows motorcyclists to call Terry to pick them up, along with their bike, so that no rider is drunk on the roads. Terry has woken up at unimaginable hours in the night to pick up these cyclists, and I know he has saved many lives in the process. Motorcycles can potentially be dangerous, so it is important to be aware of tips that can protect motorcyclists.

I hope Terry has an amazing time on his trek, and I hope it motivates other cancer victims and survivors to do the same. Life is too short to have regrets, so make sure you accomplish everything you want in life before it’s too late. I’ll be keeping up with Facebook to witness this incredible journey! Ride Safe!

Information and commentary is provided Fort Worth Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you have questions regarding motorcycles or a motorcycle accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

The Anderson Law Firm is sponsoring the Teens Against Distracted Driving Project. We have provided orange bracelets to several Student Councils at local high schools here in Tarrant County. On each bracelet is I PLDG 2 NT TXT N DRV. We have also provided pledge cards whereby each student who receives a free bracelet must first pledge to not text and drive. In addition to providing the bracelets and the pledge cards, the Anderson Law Firm will give $500 to the Student Council who is able to obtain pledges from the highest percentage of their school's student body.

Throughout the month of May, the five high schools have been encouraging students to sign pledges and, so far, Haltom High School is in the lead with 89.3% of the student body pledging to not text and drive. Southwest High School is second with 64.2%, Keller High School in third with 32.8%, followed by Boswell High School with 27.2%, and Mansfield Summit High School with 21.8%. The contest ends May 24, and we will announce our contest winner the next day.. All of our schools need to keep up the good work and push to have the highest percentage of the student body pledge to not text and! Great job guys, keep those pledges coming! Only one week left!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Department of Public Safety Authorities are investigating an off-duty trooper reported missing in Burnet County Monday following a boating accident.

The trooper, Wesley Chenault, was a resident of Lakeside Beach, a waterfront community 30 miles northwest of Austin. His wife reported him missing Monday afternoon when she discovered that his boat had drifted ashore on a far northwestern part of Lake Travis. Chenault was heading out around 5 p.m. Monday to check and bait his trot lines. Chenault’s wife found the empty boat at 6:30 p.m. and immediately called 9-1-1.

DPS aircrafts and rescue boats, a DPS dive team, Lower Colorado River Authority Rangers, and a Texas Game Warden water rescue team have joined the search for Chenault. He was off-duty at the time of his accident.

Our hearts go out to Chenault and his family in this time of distress. It is hard to imagine the emotions felt when a loved one goes missing, and we hope that authorities have him home safe sooner rather than later. It is important to remember that boats are just as dangerous as automobiles, but Chenault was well-trained as a DPS, so it’s easy to assume that he knew the ins and outs of boating safety.

Each year at least 5000 people are injured in the United States due to boating accidents. There are many distractions available to a person operating a boat, so it is important to be attentive and focused while operating a watercraft. It is also good to review the Texas Boating Laws.

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

National Dog Bite Prevention Week is an annual event meant to increase the awareness of the health issue while providing everyone with information on how to be responsible pet owner. Over 4.7 million Americans are bitten annually by dogs; over 2,860 of those are Mailmen.

The Postal Service considers the safety of its staff a top priority. Postal Service letter carriers who are afraid of an unrestrained pet may stop delivery and ask the owner to pick up their mail at the nearest Post Office until the carrier can be guaranteed the pet is restrained.

Dog attack is a serious health concern in America. Given the right circumstances any dog can bite. It is very important that everyone be aware of the Typical Scenarios When Dog Bites or Dog Attacks Happen. The Anderson Law Firm has several resources on what Insurance is available to compensate for dog attack or dog bite injuries and damages recoverable in Texas dog bites or dog attacks

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. Mark can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. If you or someone you know has a question on dog biting please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Over 6,000 teens die each year in car accidents. This statistic is staggering, and it is obvious that something has to be changed in the way we teach our teens how to drive. I recently found a website called Teens in the Driver’s Seat, which has many great resources about preventative measures to help keep teens safe while driving.

Here are just a few of the startling facts about teen driving that are listed on the Teens in the Driver’s Seat website:

•Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S.
(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2006)
•64% of youth aged 15-20 years old who died in passenger vehicles were not wearing seat belts.
(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2006)
•54% of motor vehicle crash deaths among teens occurred on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
(Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2006)
•One out of every five 16 year-olds will be in a car crash.
(National Safety Council, 2006)
•31% of 15-20 year-olds killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking.
(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2006)
•In 2006, 272,000 young drivers (15-20 years old) were injured in car crashes. This averages to about 745 injuries each day.
•Cell phone distractions contribute to a yearly cost of 2,600 fatalities and 330,000 injuries for all age groups and a total societal cost of $43 billion.

I am currently part of an initiative to stop teens from texting and driving. The program is called TADD (Teens Against Distracted Driving). I have currently partnered with 5 Tarrant County high schools, where their student councils are having pledge drives to have students sign a pledge to not text and drive. In return, they receive a free orange wrist bracelet (as pictured below).

This information and commentary is provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.

On Tuesday, the Nissan Motor Corporation issued a statement that over 135,000 Infiniti G-35 coupes and sedans will be recalled over a possible problem with air bags deploying upon impact. The coupes are being recalled for the 2005-2007 models and the sedans are being recalled for the 2005-2006 models.

There have been no injuries reported, but Nissan is taking preventative measures to issue the recall before there is a serious problem. Nissan is worried that the air bag’s wire harness could wear down causing it not to deploy in a car crash.

The NHTSA said that Nissan has not proposed a plan to fix the problem.

Hopefully, this recall will be taken care of in a much more responsible manner than what happened with Toyota several months ago. Toyota ended up with a $16.4 million dollar fine from the Department of Transportation. Seeing that Nissan has already released a recall before any accidents have happened, I would say that this looks to be a much different situation.

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 questions about a car accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

We have all been on the highway minding our own business, when an aggressive driver ruins our day. Drivers that experience “road rage” are very dangerous. Being attacked by an aggressive driver is an easy way to end up in a car accident. Dealing with abusive drivers is not something that happens to us frequently, but it is extremely important to know what to do if an overly aggressive driver is tormenting you on the road.

The National Highway Safety Administration has several tips to help prevent yourself from being a victim of an aggressive driver:

•Make every attempt to safely move out of the aggressive driver's way.
•Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to "hold your own" in the travel lane.
•Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver.
•Ignore gestures, and refuse to return them.
•Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible, direction of travel. This is extremely important. Reporting the vehicle that is being overly aggressive can prevent the same behaviors from happening to other people.
•If you have a cellular phone, and can use it while driving safely, call the police immediately.

A close friend of mine was recently traveling to Austin on I-35 and had a terrible experience with an aggressive driver. A man and woman in a pickup truck caused my friend to swerve on and off the road because they were hanging out of their car spitting on her windshield, yelling obscenities, and blocking her from exiting the highway. She was in the right lane following traffic laws, and going the speed limit. Thank goodness my friend was able to get away, and report the car to the authorities.

I hope this information helps you know what to do if you are the victim of an aggressive driver. This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.

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.

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

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

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

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

With car wrecks happening every few minutes around the country, it is important to be prepared in the case that you are involved in any kind of car accident. The following is a basic guideline that will help take care of several things that need to be done in the case that you are in a car crash.

1) Call 9-1-1 and then refer to your accident scene checklist that you should have handy in your glove box. It will help you know exactly what to do, including taking pictures of your accident.
2) Seek Medical Attention. This needs to be done immediately. The longer you wait to be treated, the worse your injuries may get.
3) Contact an experienced accident attorney. We believe that all accident victims need professional help with this process.
4) Investigate your Accident.
5) Have an Accident Report Made. This will be done by the local police department and help the give the insurance company information about the details of the car wreck. Read more on how to obtain a police report.

I hope this outline is helpful and has better prepared you for what to do in the case that you are involved in an auto accident. With over 6 million traffic accidents reported in the United States every year, it is vital to always be prepared. This information and commentary is provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. Mark can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a car accident, please fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

Oprah has declared this Friday “National No Phone Zone Day.” In 2009, Oprah started an initiative to educate and have people pledge to stop using their phones altogether while driving. Oprah is calling driving and using your phone “America’s New Deadly Obsession.” This year Oprah will air a special live episode on April 30th that will show “No Phone” rallies all around the country.

There are many different campaigns going on around the country to raise awareness of the increasing problem of distracted driving on our roadways. The Department of Transportation has launched distraction.gov, which has all kinds of resources and statistics about distracted driving. To read more information about distraction.gov, read our blog from earlier this month.

I am personally involved in a campaign with other lawyers around the country to stop teens from texting while driving. It is called TADD, Teens Against Distracted Driving. I am currently partnering with local high schools to get students to sign a pledge card that says they will not text and drive. In return, they receive a free wrist bracelet. The student council that has the highest percentage of their student body sign the pledge cards will receive $500 dollars from my office.

I urge you to join Oprah on Friday for “No Phone Zone” day. The more awareness that is raised about this subject the better!

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. For a free consultation with the Anderson Law Firm please fill out our contact form online.

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

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

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

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

A Grapevine, Texas utility worker crashed their city vehicle into a power pole and then fled the scene late Tuesday night. The employee who caused the car accident has not been identified. The Fort Worth Police Department is investigating what could have caused the utility worker to flee the scene in a single vehicle crash.

Bruno Rumbelow, the Grapevine city manager, stated that they had made contact with the employee, and he was meeting with his supervisors this morning. The utility worker also faces any criminal charges filed from the City of Fort Worth.

There is speculation about whether alcohol could have played a role in the wreck, but no official statement has been made.

The wreck left a large area around the Camden Apartments without power.

I think there is a very short list as to the reasons a worker would flee the scene of a single vehicle wreck like this one. Since the worker was driving a city vehicle, he would be easily identified by the City of Grapevine. If drunk driving is the culprit in this case, the worker could have been in an altered state of mind, causing them to flee the scene because they were impaired. There have been many drunk driving accidents in the Fort Worth in the past few weeks. It is very disheartening to continue to hear of such problems week after week.

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 questions about a car accident or a personal injury case please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

A series of emails between a former Toyota Vice President and another employee show that Toyota knew about the accelerator pedal problems long before a recall was issued in the U.S.
Last week, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, announced that the government was seeking to fine Toyota $16.4 million.

To read about the details of the $16.4 million dollar fine against Toyota please read our blog from last week.

The New York Times reported that Irving Miller sent an email to another Toyota employee stating that they needed to come clean about the accelerator problems and specifically noted the issues with the accelerator pedals.

There are over 70,000 pages of interviews and documents surrounding Toyota’s response to issuing recalls. Toyota issued the recall of floor mats in the fall, and did not issue a recall for the accelerator pedals until January.

James Lentz, the president of Toyota in the United States, stated that he was not aware of the accelerator issues until January. However, Toyota’s own documents show that the engineering department was aware of the problem as early as April 2009.

As this disaster continues to unfold, we have to ask why Toyota was willing to risk safety for all of its customers for almost 8 months before issuing a recall. What will it take for corporations to act ethically? The government will never be able to make laws around every loophole; it is the responsibility of companies, like Toyota, to make sure integrity and concern for their customers are the number one priority.

It is important to know how to protect your family and stay up to date on auto safety recalls. Being informed is the best way to prevent yourself from becoming the victim of a car accident due to an auto part defect.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer 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 that happened due to an auto part defect please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched an initiative to increase awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. The website lists numerous campaigns around the country that have started as a result of so many car accidents related to texting and talking on cell phones while driving in the car.

DOT has also launched a “Put it Down” campaign that simply encourages drivers to put their phones down upon getting in their vehicle. They have materials for school and community groups to urge drivers to not be part of over 6,000 people that are involved in distracted driving wrecks each year.

In addition to listing campaigns, the Distraction.gov also has a news ticker that lists all kinds of relevant news articles about laws and tickets involving distracted driving, as well as articles on car wrecks that occur as a result of texting or talking on the phone in the car.

I am part of an initiative to help end distracting driving as well called Teens Against Distracted Driving. It is a program that is designed to have teens sign a pledge to not text and drive and in return they will receive a wrist bracelet that shows that they have signed the pledge. If you would like to help me with this campaign in Fort Worth area schools, please do not hesitate to call me at 817-294-1900.

This information and commentary is provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark Anderson. You can reach the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. For a free consultation about a car accident or personal injury please fill out our contact form online.

Gerardo Lorenzo-Moreno was westbound on Main Street in Grand Prairie, when he attempted to make an illegal pass by a 1991 Camaro. The fatal motorcycle accident happened late Thursday evening. Moreno did not have a motorcycle license.

When he attempted to change lanes, Lorenzo-Moreno’s 2005 Yamaha motorcycle slammed into the side of the Camaro, causing him to be thrown from the motorcycle and onto the pavement. Lorenzo-Moreno was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center, where he died later that night.

In addition to not having a motorcycle license, Lorenzo-Moreno was also not wearing a helmet.

The driver and passenger of the Camaro were not injured.

The outcome of this motorcycle accident could have been much different had Lorenzo-Moreno been a licensed rider and had his helmet on. It is so important for motorcyclists to be aware of safety procedures so that their favorite form of transportation does not become the most dangerous thing that they do every day. The Texas Department of Transportation has several motorcycle safety programs that are available to riders. In addition, TxDot also has a Look, Learn, Live campaign which makes both motorists and motorcyclists aware of many safety tips that help keep drivers and riders safe.

Commentary and Information 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 questions about a motorcycle or car accident, the Anderson Law Firm gives free consultations online by filling out our contact form.

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.

Sisters Wynesha and Wykeila Deanes were Eastbound on Lancaster Avenue when the vehicle lost control and ran into a utility pole on Friday night. The two sisters, ages 16 and 20, were pronounced dead around 11:00 p.m.

A front seat passenger was taken to the hospital and is listed in critical condition.
According to a report from the Fort Worth Police Department, Wynesha Deanes was driving a green Hyundai Sonata well over the speed limit when she lost control of the car and ran into and broke a utility pole. The vehicle rolled over before coming to a stop.

The sisters are both residents of Arlington, Texas, and were on their way home from a church event when the fatal car accident occurred.

My sincere condolences go out to the friends and family of Wynesha and Wykeila Deanes. This accident is a tragic loss to the community. There were 6 million reported car accidents in the United States last year. It is vital to always follow road safety rules to avoid injury while driving. My hope is that by informing people about easy tips to stay safe while driving, there will be less traffic accidents in our area.

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 questions about a personal injury or car wreck, please fill out the contact form on our website for a free consultation.

There are many things we do not typically think of when involved in a car accident. It is important to be aware of what you need to do in the case that you are in any type of car wreck. I encourage you to print out the Car Accident Checklist from my website and keep it in your glove box so you are prepared if you have an car accident.

Here are some helpful pointers on the steps to take immediately following a car wreck:

•Call the Police and insist on filing a police report, even if the officer does not want to issue one
•Ask for an Ambulance if there is someone who has been injured
•Talk to witnesses who were there during the car wreck and record their names and information
•Take pictures of the accident with your cell phone or with a camera if you have one
•Record date, time, and location of the wreck
•Use your Car Accident Checklist to fill out all the necessary information about the other parties involved in the wreck
•Report the wreck to your own insurance company
•Research your legal options and Hire The Right Attorney For Your Case
•Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company

These are just a few basic guidelines to help you form a quality accident investigation in the case that there is a dispute about your accident. Obtaining this information will also help you have fewer issues with your insurance company.

This information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000 or in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900. For a free consultation with The Anderson Law Firm about your car accident case please fill out our contact form online.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Evenflo have recalled their “Top of Stair Plus Wood Gates” due to the slats on the gate detaching. The recall is for about 150,000 units in the United States and includes model numbers 10502 and 10512.

The product can be purchased for around $40 dollars at mass retailers, including Toys R’ Us, Kmart, and Amazon.com. The recall occurred after about 142 reports of slats breaking from the gate. Several injuries to children occurred including bruising and bumps to the head, as well as a few more minor personal injuries.

For more information on this recall please contact Evenflo at 800-233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

It is so important for parents to be aware of updates on recalls in order to keep their children safe and out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, something as simple as a slat breaking from a baby gate could severally injure a young child. It is my hope that all parents stay as informed as possible by checking the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s list of recalled products.

Information and Commentary provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a car accident or personal injury case you may also contact us online.

There are several companies starting to come up with ideas of how to warn or block drivers from using their cell phones while driving. The programs range from producing a simple warning stating the dangers of being on the phone while driving (similar to a seat belt warning light), to more complex technology that actually quarantines text messages when the car has reached a certain speed. The software companies are hoping to prevent car accidents associated with distracted driving.

Though the ideas behind the applications are for safety, there are several problems with these new software programs. The first is that there is no way to tell if the person is the driver or passenger of the car, or if they are a passenger on a train or bus. Due to the applications being activated by sensing a certain speed, the program could mobilize on a person’s phone that isn’t even driving.

The second problem that has been noted about the new technology is the price. Some applications cost as much as $40, plus a monthly fee that may cost about $4. Critics say that the importance of price may depend on the price parents are willing to pay to ensure safety and security of their newly driving teen.

For right now, there is not a clear solution to the problems associated with being on the phone while driving. These new software companies are on the right track to figure out a solution to a growing problem. It is obvious that there are still a few problems that have to be figured out before the technology can be widely implemented and accepted. I applaud these technology companies for their efforts.

I am currently part of an initiative to stop texting and driving. The program is called TADD (Teens Against Distracted Driving). I am encouraging teens to get online and sign a pledge to not text and drive, and in return will receive a cool wrist bracelet! I feel as though the movement to stop distracted driving is growing, and I am glad I am a part of it.

Information and commentary provided by Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. You may also contact us about your personal injury or car accident case online.

Last year, our Texas Legislature passes a new law that prohibited medical professionals from contacting people who have been injured in an accident for at least 30 days after the accident. The law was aimed at a few unscrupulous chiropractors who would call and mislead people who had been injured in car wrecks. Usually, the marketers, as they are called, working on behalf of the chiros would obtain the information from the publically available crash reports completed by the local police department. The marketers would then call the injury victims and mislead them that the insurance company had authorized a medical visit.

A chiropractor from Houston filed a federal lawsuit challenging the new law and on Friday, a federal judge from Austin overturned the law saying the law violated the chiropractor’s right to free speech. The Texas Attorney General’s office has 30 day to decide if it wants to appeal this ruling. I certainly hope the AG’s office files an appeal, as this law seems to me to be a reasonable restriction on free speech. After all, it is done to protect the consumers from this misleading conduct while they recover or possible grieve the loss of a loved one.

On a related topic, The Texas Department of Public Safety recently enacted a change in the way crash reports are written in order to address this issue. No longer are phone numbers included on the accident reports. While this is a small deterrent, it has caused some marketers to resort to going to the home of the accident victims. While that makes the marketers’ job harder, ultimately it makes the contact more invasive.

I think the best way to handle this is to make the crash reports unavailable to anyone accept the people involved in the accident. That way, the reports could never get into the marketers hands and the phone calls (or door knocks) could never happen. Of course, there is always the possibility of someone selling the reports out the back door of the police station, but that is a whole different problem.

Commentary by Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at 817-294-1900 or through his website at www.maafirm.com.

On Monday a Georgia Supreme Court removed limits on the amount of money a medical malpractice victim can win in that state. Tort reform passed in 2005 had placed a $350,000 cap on noneconomic damage, otherwise known as compensation for pain and suffering. The Georgia Supreme Court deemed that previous tort reform unconstitutional.

The previous law capping damage awards "clearly nullifies the jury's findings of fact regarding damages and thereby undermines the jury's basic function," Chief Justice Carol Hunstein wrote for the court. "The very existence of the caps, in any amount, is violative of the right to trial by jury."

Too bad we live in a State where there is ZERO chance that out Supreme Court would ever issue such a ruling. The right to trial by jury here in Texas does not mean as much as in other states. According to our Texas Supreme Court, it is only about what is best for the insurance companies. And my experience is that what is best for the insurance companies is always bad for the consumers.

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

Graco Children’s Products, a popular brand of children and baby products, has recalled 1.2 million Harmony highchairs.

These highchairs pose a danger due to two defects that can cause the chair to tip over unexpectedly. The screws holding the front legs in place can loosen and fall out, and the plastic brackets on the legs can crack and cause the chair to tip over without warning. So far these defects have resulted in 464 reports of chairs falling over, with 24 reported cases of injuries to children, including everything from minor bumps and bruises to cuts and even a fractured arm.

The Harmony highchairs are no longer in production, and were manufactured from November 2003 to December 2009. If you have one of these chairs, you should stop using it an once and contact Graco for a repair kit, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

For more information, contact Graco at (877) 842-3206, or visit their website, www.gracobaby.com.

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

On Sunday afternoon, an Amtrak train was in a collision with a semi-truck due to the truck being stuck on a railroad crossing. The truck accident occurred in the 1000 block of Erie Street in Fort Worth, Texas around 3 p.m.

The truck driver was not inside of the truck at the time, so he was not injured. However, one passenger in the train was injured, but is considered to have non-life threatening injuries. The name of the passenger has not been released.

The Fort Worth Police Department stated that when the train hit the 18 wheeler, it split the trailer in half, and dispersed the insulation it was carrying on the roadway.

In Texas, tractor-trailer accidents are a major problem. Last year, 10% of all fatal accidents involved semi-trucks. Nationwide, almost 5,000 people are killed each year in accidents that involve trucks. In this particular case, it is very fortunate no one was more seriously injured. I wonder why the truck got stuck? Is it something the truck driver did wrong? Was there something wrong with the tracks or the crossing? Could a passenger car have also got stuck? It is still scary to think how much worse the accident could have been if the train had been moving faster, or if more passengers would have been on board.

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

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.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said that a mini-van heading East on Highway 290 near Bastrop, Texas collided with a pickup truck, when the driver of the mini-van did not yield the right of way to the pickup truck.

Three children, all under the age of 9 were killed in the accident. None of them were wearing seatbelts. Two other children were also injured. The two adults in the van have non-life threatening injuries.

The van flipped whenever the pickup hit them. Paul (9), Noel (8), and Leah (5) Gonzalez were all killed in the car crash and were declared dead at the scene. Angie Gonzalez, who is 6-years-old, is listed in critical condition at a local hospital.

A 19-year-old, Texas A&M student was the driver of the pickup truck. Bastrop area police officials say he is not at fault for the accident because he had the right of way.

Any accident involving children is absolutely heartbreaking to hear about. My heart goes out to the families of the children killed and injured in this tragic accident. The other true tragedy in this case is that the children could have possibly been saved if they had been wearing their seatbelts. It is imperative that we make sure everyone is buckled up in the car before you even put the car in reverse. For a list of driving safety tips please click here.

Information and commentary provided by Texas Car Accident Lawyer Mark Anderson. Mark can be reached Toll Free across Texas at 1-877-294-1115 or online by clicking here.

Seattle accident attorney, Jason Epstein founded TADD (Teens Against Distracted Driving) to educate teens of the dangers of texting and driving, and hopefully put an end to the problem all together. Click here for a link to the TADD website. Teens are invited to sign their name on the pledge online, and in return receive a free wrist bracelet. Jason had no idea how much energy and enthusiasm would be generated by this program, but he has seen the commitment teens have to making a change.

I have teamed with Jason, along with ten other attorneys from around the country, to build awareness of the problem of teens texting and driving in our communities. Jason has been asked to speak at schools in his community and has encouraged me to do the same.

The program is in its critical growth stage and is expected to continue to grow exponentially and gain more support in the next few months. The idea is that if you can educate teens and stop the habit early, we can help save many young lives.

I will do my share in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Please call my office if you or someone you know would be interested in arranging a speaking engagement anywhere in the DFW metroplex. After being a personal injury lawyer for 18 years, I have seen my fair share of tragedies caused by things just like texting and driving.

Take a stand and pledge not to text and drive!

Mark Anderson is a Personal Injury Attorney in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

A car wreck involving 77-year-old Waynoka Ricord happened right before 1:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. The accident occurred near the 1800 block of Shady Oaks Drive in Southlake, Texas. Ricord was on her way home from work at the DFW Airport hotel.

Police are still investigating the cause of the wreck. Ricord’s car, a Toyota Corolla, is on the list of over 8.5 million recalled in the past month. It is possible that the car wreck is related with the accelerator pedal problems associated with Corollas; however it could also have been a driver error.

What is apparent is that something happened to make her lose control. When her car veered off the road it hit a tree, then repelled off and hit another tree. The cause of death was from blunt-force trauma to her chest.

This is not the first car accident in Southlake involving a Toyota. A driver and three passengers were killed in December when driving their Toyota Avalon on Lonesome Dove Road. I blogged about this in February and in December, to read more please click here or here.

My sincere condolences go out to Ms. Ricord’s family and friends. The Toyota recall has turned into a giant question mark of the safety of the vehicles, and the car manufacturer’s promise of quality. It seems like every couple of days there is another wreck involving a question about the malfunction of a Toyota or another investigation of a possible new recall.

This information is provided by Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. Mark can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 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.

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

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

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

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

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

There is a campaign going on today through Sunday focusing on enforcing Texas’ seat belt laws with young drivers. The Texas Department of Transportation’s “Click it or Ticket” campaign has decided to quite literally “buckle down” on making sure new drivers are following the seat belt laws.

Though the campaign focuses on young drivers, police officers will be looking for anyone not wearing their seat belt. In Tarrant County, the cities of Fort Worth, Arlington, and North Richland Hills are participating in the campaign.

In Texas, it is required that all drivers and passengers wear their seat belts at all times or risk a fine up to $200. TxDot has recently been to high schools with materials to help teens be motivated to buckle up when driving or riding in a car. The incentives have included everything from Valentine’s Cards to Whataburger coupons.

With February’s theme of “Love,” the campaign is being nationally marketed by the saying “When you love somebody, everything clicks.” In Texas, 47% of young drivers killed in motor vehicle accidents did not have seat belts on. Many of these deaths could have been prevented had a seat belt been used.

I sincerely hope that this will help make teens, and everyone for that matter, more aware of the importance of wearing a seat belt. Even in the most minor collision, a seat belt can make the difference between minor and serious injuries. In serious wrecks, seat belts can make the difference between life and death.

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

The Look, Learn, Live campaign was launched last year to help improve motor vehicle driver’s awareness of motor cycle safety for both themselves and for the motor cycle rider.

According to TxDot, Texas has over 431,000 motor cycle riders. Unfortunately as the amount of motorcycle riders increase, so do crashes. The message of Look, Learn, Live is to make both motorcycle riders and vehicle drivers aware that 50% of motorcycle wrecks involve a motor cycle and a vehicle.

The “Look” portion of Look, Learn, Live is for motorists who share the road with motorcyclists. There are several key safety tips TxDot emphasizes for motorists:

-Look twice for motorcyclists —at intersections, entering
highways and whenever turning or changing lanes. The small size
of motorcycles often makes them hard to see, and motorcyclists can
get lost in blind spots.

-Always maintain a safe following distance. Motorcycles can stop
more quickly than passenger vehicles.

-When passing a motorcyclist, move to the other lane and allow a
full lane for the motorcycle. After doing so, avoid re-entering the
lane too quickly.

The “Learn” portion of Look, Learn, Live is a course for motorcyclists that goes over everything from the basics to defensive driving skills that can help you in a number of situations. The course is primarily for inexperienced riders who are under 18, riders who have just purchased a motorcycle, or riders who are unaware of new legislation pertaining to motorcycles.

The “Live” segment challenges motorcyclists to “Ride sober, not impaired.” Over half of motorcycle crashes involve alcohol or drugs. Of this 50%, most of the crashes involve impact with an off-road object such as a tree or other roadside hazard. To show its support for the motorcycle riders, the Anderson Law Firm sponsors a free motorcycle towing service for impaired riders called "Ride Safe, Ride Sober."

I applaud TxDot for challenging the entire driving population to increase motorcycle safety. Awareness is often the best form of education. I know after reading this I will think twice before changing lanes, and I will surely “look twice” for motorcyclists.

Information and Commentary provided by Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. Mark has represented many motorcycle riders and is an advocate for motorcycle safety. Mark can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

Four people died in a car wreck the day after Christmas in Southlake due to alleged acceleration problems with a Toyota Avalon. A lawsuit was filed on Thursday against the Japanese automaker for the death of one of the four passengers of the car. I blogged about this accident here.

This is at least the third law suit filed against Toyota in Texas. All suits involve the vehicle speeding or accelerating out of control. For more information about the recalls specifically please click here or here.

According to the Southlake Police Department’s report, Monty Hardy was driving the car on Lonesome Dove Road and failed to stop at a T intersection with Burney Lane. The vehicle crossed the road, went over an embankment, went through a mental fence, and ended up being up-side-down in a six foot deep pond.

My deepest sympathy goes out to all four lives lost in this tragic accident. I sincerely hope that these recalls are resolved and taken more seriously before there is even more of a problem with fatal accidents around the country. It seems like every day there is a new problem involving Toyota. I hope justice is served in their case, and can help bring the families some closure.

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

Around 8 am Wednesday morning a 14 year old girl was struck by a pickup truck in North Fort Worth while skating. The pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Basswood Boulevard and Buttonwood Drive.

The girl is a student at Fossil Hill Middle School; she was one her way to school when the accident occurred. She was taken to Cook Children’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to Fort Worth police.

She was hit by a 35 year old man driving a Nissan Frontier. The man said that he could not see her after going through an intersection because the sun was partially blocking his view.
Officers chose not to issue a citation.

According to the Pedestrian Safety Guide, an estimated 70,000 injuries occur to pedestrians in motor vehicle accidents each year. Of these accidents, they typically happen during rush hour traffic periods in the morning and early evening. My thoughts are with the victim and her family, what an unfortunate accident to happen to such a young girl on her way to school. I am glad to hear that her injuries are not too serious.

Commentary provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Area Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. Mark can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or online by clicking here.

There is now a possibility that Toyota will be recalling its popular Corolla due to growing power steering complaints. This is now the third car on the list of safety recalls for the Japanese based automaker.

President Akio Toyoda has not disclosed which model years would be affected by the recall, but he did say that there have been less than 100 complaints. Toyota sold over 1.3 million Corollas last year.

It is also unclear why drivers felt as though they were losing control of the steering. Mr. Toyoda stated that it could be to underlying break or tire problems.

Toyota’s once flawless reputation has now been damaged, with no sign of returning to its former glory anytime soon. For the first time since 1998, Toyotas total monthly sales plummeted to below 100,000 vehicles.

US Federal Safety officials are currently examining the complaints about the steering in the Toyota Corolla. It remains questionable whether another recall will take place.

I think it is safe to say that if you own a Toyota, you should be very cautious when driving. With the increasing list of recalls and reports of safety problems I not only question Toyota’s promise of high quality automobiles, but their sincerity in fixing these problems as well.

If you would like more information on other Toyota recalls please click here.

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

In my book 15 Mistakes that Will Wreck your Texas Accident Case, I address some of the most important issues I have observed over the years while helping thousands of injury victims. I believe that with this information, you can take control of your unfortunate situation.

Mistake No. 2: Failing to promptly obtain medical treatment

If you are hurt in an accident, it’s absolutely crucial that you seek medical attention immediately. If you do not seek medical treatment soon after an accident you probably will not have a viable injury claim. Insurance companies and juries assume that if you are hurt you would have gone to the doctor.

It is vital that you do not try to “tough it out” or “hope it gets better” because it not only delays your recovery from the injuries but it negatively affects the success of your personal injury claim. Depending on the extent of your injuries, your initial treatment might very well be taking an ambulance ride to the hospital or visiting the emergency room on your own.

Do not let a lack of health insurance stand in your way to cause you to endure pain unnecessarily. A good place to start is by visiting an urgent treatment car facility near you. You can also rely on the local public health system.

Another option is to contact an attorney who specializes in injury cases. When requested, I will happily provide the names of various doctors who will provide proper treatment and delay billing patients until their case is resolved.

No matter which option you choose, it is extremely important that you seek medical attention promptly. Failing to do so will almost certainly “wreck” your case.

Hopefully, this helps to educate and inform you about how and when to seek medical treatment after an injury. I hope this makes you more aware of how important it is to not make a mistake that can “wreck” your case!

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

In the spirit of the snow day in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, I thought it might be useful to share a few tips for avoiding car accidents in the snow. The best advice is to avoid driving all together, but if you must face the weather, it is important to have some basic knowledge about how to alter your driving habits for the winter weather.

Here are some winter driving tips from AAA:

Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, and turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.

Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.

Don't stop going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Stay home. If you really don't have to go out, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate: If you don't have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

I hope everyone is enjoying the break from the typical North Texas weather pattern. I think snow days bring back many great memories. Stay warm and stay safe!

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted 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.

I recently blogged about Toyota’s 4.2 million vehicle recall after concerns that the floor mats were getting caught up beneath the accelerator pedal; this defect causes uncontrollable acceleration which caused several wrecks and killed four people in San Diego. Now, they are recalling 2.3 million vehicles due to a similar problem; however, this time, the defect is in the pedal itself, not the floor mat.

The cars affected in the recall:

2009-2010 RAV4
2009-2010 Corolla
2009-2010 Matrix
2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry
2010 Highlander
2007-2010 Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia

The cars affected by this recall AND the floor mat recall:

2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry
2007-2010 Tundra

According to Toyota, these vehicles are at risk for the accelerator pedal to become stuck even without a floor mat present. The problem is that the pedal mechanism can wear down and in some cases causing the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to return, or even stuck. Toyota thinks the problem is caused by build-up of condensation on sliding surfaces in the accelerator system.

Unfortunately, the company does not yet have an actual fix for the problem, although they say they are working on one. The company will be contacting drivers affected by the recall immediately.

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, problem is "a serious safety issue and we are pleased Toyota is taking immediate action to address it."

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, or toll fee anywhere in the state at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

I was in Court yesterday in Tarrant County, Texas and the hearing before mine was about a lady who wanted to sell her structured annuity to one of those companies you see on TV, JG Wentworth. I don’t know the full history, but what I gathered is that she had been injured on the job with the railroad and had received a structured annuity as part of her personal injury lawsuit settlement. The lady was there alone and the only lawyer present was representing JG Wentworth. I learned that the lady received around $500 a month from the settlement (tax free) and that she was due to receive a lump sum payment of around $30,000 in 2017. Including that lump sum payment, she would receive a total of $72,000 over the next seven years. But in all her wisdom she had decided to sell her annuity for the whopping sum of $29,000. Wow, that was less than 50% of its present value.

The Judge quizzed her on her needs and it was not very clear why she needed the money. She had a job, had a car and had a house. The Judge made it very clear to her that he thought she was making a huge mistake. And he was absolutely right. She was truly making a horrible mistake and just giving away half her money. But ultimately, the judge approved it as she was an adult and if she wanted to make huge mistake, then that is her right.

My advice is to stay away from these type of companies. If you own a settlement and also need more money than the settlement stream provides, then do everything in your power to not sell the annuity—as you will lose over half its value in a sell. What can you do? Borrow money from others. Put a second lien on your house. Just don’t sell the annuity.

As an aside, I think structured annuities are great as they help make sure that the settlement money will still be there later. I encourage my clients that are receiving large settlement to at least consider the benefits of annuities. I refer them to Dirk Weeks at Structured Annuities, Inc. Dirk is extremely knowledgeable on these products and can provide lots of options depending on the future financial needs of the injury victim.

On a related topic, click here for my thoughts on Lawsuit Loan Companies.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson, who can be contacted at 817-294-1900 in Fort Worth, at 214-327-8000 in Dallas and at 1-877-294-1115 across Texas. Also, please click here to contact online.