Fort Worth Injury Attorney Blog

It's been a very busy couple of weeks here. I've settled five cases for good money. One was concluded just before trial. Four were automobile/ truck collisions, one involving a drunk who crashed into my wonderful client at 3 pm then fled the scene. The other involved a pedestrian who was struck and critically injured on the side of an interstate. I'll post more details when I get a chance.

The best part was hearing how pleased my clients were with their financial recoveries. I took one client (and now a friend) to lunch today at a favorite restaurant, The Wood Shed, and I loved hearing him tell me "You've made me rich." (This was their second crash, and their third recovery of money.) Two others said I was "awesome." No, I said they were the ones who were awesome, going through all of the pain they had endured with such grace.

Please contact my office if you need help with a collision.

Have a great weeekend.

Today the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that states lower the legal blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.05 percent from the 0.08 percent. I applaud this action.

More than 10,000 Americans are killed and 170,000 people are injured each year due to drunken driving crashes. Every hour one person is killed and 20 people are injured. Over 440,000 Americans have been killed by drunk drivers in the last three decades. That's shocking.

Continue reading "Are DWI Blood Alcohol Limits Too High In Texas?" »

Here's a heartbreaking story: early this morning in Springtown a fourth grader tripped and fell running for a school bus and was tragically run over. The poor boy, 10 year old Haven Norton, was a student at Springtown Elementary School. It is not clear why the bus driver did not see the boy. My prayers go out to the family.

Continue reading "School Bus Runs Over and Kills Parker County Child " »

Lawmakers in Austin have considered passing bills targeting drunk drivers but without any success. The session is almost over. I don't understand why it is so easy to drive drunk -- and maim and kill other drivers -- in Texas.

At least one bill sponsored by a Republican from Dallas, freshman representative Stefani Carter, passed the House almost unanimously on Friday and moves to the Senate. It would suspend the driver's of anyone convicted of his fifth DWI offense for 10 years.

Wait, his fifth DWI? We let people drive with four convictions?

Continue reading "Texas DWI Law To Be Tougher?" »

Noone expects to be in an accident, but one happens every 83 seconds in Texas. The above photo shows what just happened to a client of mine.

Here are some tips on what you should do if you are involved in a wreck.

1. Be safe. Move your car off the road if you can and turn on your hazard lights and get out if the car if you can't.

2. Notify the police. Tell them how the other driver is at fault. Make sure the police make an official report. Do not accept a form where you mail in some info to the DPS in Austin.

Continue reading "What To Do If You Are In A Collision" »

If you are covered by health insurance and it pays your medical bills from your automobile or truck collision, under certain circumstances it may be entitled to subrogate (get reimbursed from the other driver's liability insurance policy). These plans normally pay only a portion of the entire bill and the balance is usually written off, so that saves you a lot of money. Each plan is different and we examine them to see if they have complied with federal law, and if so, we negotiate to reduce the remaining balance. It's a win-win for my clients.

As a local personal injury attorney who graduated from SMU Law School in 1979 and has practiced here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for over 33 years, this is one way I help my clients get the maximum recovery of money. I personally meet with them, answer their questions, work their files diligently, and either fight for good settlements or file lawsuits to obtain the most money that I can. This is a winning strategy that pays off.

Continue reading "Do You Have To Repay Your Health Insurance Company?" »

Neck and back spinal cord injuries are among the most serious injuries you might experience if you have been injured in a Dallas-Fort Worth automobile or truck accident.

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer who has been practicing law here for over 33 years (over 31 in the same office building, the River Plaza Tower on University Drive), I have seen countless spinal cord injuries as the result of automobile, truck, cycle and pedestrian collisions.

Here's a photo of a wonderful client of mine who was side swiped by an 18 wheeler in east Fort Worth and had to undergo a three level cervical fusion. The only good thing is that this led to a substantial court recovery of money and he could retire from his job. Then my client got hit in Burleson and even though I got the maximum insurance amounts for him and his wife from three different policies, he wishes the wrecks had never happened.

The best personal injury attorney is critical if you are to obtain justice and full compensation.

Continue reading "Spinal Cord Injuries From Motor Vehicle Crashes" »

Here's one of those terrible stories you hate to read: The Star Telegram reports that three people -- a 15 year old boy, an older man, and a middle-aged woman -- going to a church event were tragically killed yesterday afternoon. Their vehicle struck a minivan crossing Jacksboro Highway near the Fort Worth Nature Center and exploded.

Fortunately two others, including the driver and front seat passenger of the vehicle, were able to escape the fiery collision. The two occupants of the minivan were not seriously injured.

There's obviously never a good time to be in a motor vehicle accident but it breaks your heart to read that these people were going to church, doesn't it? My prayers are with the deceased and their families. I have handled many wrongful death cases and they are all terrible.

I was asked this morning by a new client why the other driver who crashed into her couldn't see that she was at a complete stop. I think he was looking down texting while driving. And new vehicle dashboards offer even more distractions.

The Texas House of Representatives just passed a new distracted driving bill last week and it is expected to pass the Senate. Texas would join 40 other states with these bans -- but our governor has indicated he will veto the law -- again.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving -- New Law On Its Way?" »

As a long time member of the board of directors of the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, I try to attend all of the monthly luncheons at Joe T. Garcia's. Today's was informative -- and had surprising news.

Judge Terry Means, after discussing procedures, rules and new cases in his court, announced that he had just decided to take senior status. For the first time in 22 years, we will only have one full time federal judge in our busy Fort Worth Division. Cases will be referred to judges in other cities.

It may take a long time to seat a new judge. Due to political infighting, judgeships across the country have remained empty for years.

Continue reading "Federal Judge Means' Talk Today" »

I am representing several people who were injured while driving on the job. This happens all the time to truck drivers and delivery persons, of course, but also to sales people, real estate agents, home health workers, and office workers buying supplies. Today I was meeting a new client, an 18 wheeler driver hurt in a collision on I-20 who is now facing back surgery, and he wanted to know the answers to these questions:

(1) Can he pursue the other driver for damages and also be reimbursed by his company's workers compensation policy?

(2) Will he have to repay the compensation carrier for the money and medical treatment he receives?

(2) Should he even elect to file under that comp plan?

I closely examine the facts of each case in an effort to maximize the financial recovery my clients will receive. Often it is in my client's best interest to file for comp and also pursue

Continue reading "Texas Vehicle Collisions and Workers Compensation " »

Texas isn't the most expensive state (we're #19) but we all know how high rates are, so here are some tips on how you can get lower rates on your car and truck insurance:

1. Drive safely; a good driving record reduces your premiums;

2. Drive a car that's cheaper to insure, usually a mid size, standard car. Make sure you are being given credit for your vehicle's safety features like air bags and anti-lock brakes;

3. Drive as much as you can for non business reasons;

4. Apply for all available discounts, including defensive driving courses, driver education

Continue reading "How To Save Money On Your Auto Insurance" »

Almost 50% of adults questioned in a recent survey admit that they text and drive, even though nearly all of them know the habit is dangerous. Only 43% of teens acknowledged doing this. The numbers were pretty close and there's no way to know how honest the responses were, but the numbers are on the rise. Ever notice how many people around you are texting or dialing?

I was hired on another one of these cases yesterday to help a man who was rear ended by a teenager who admitted "I never even saw you." The kid got out of his truck holding his cell phone. Think he was looking down and texting at the time? I'm going to subpoena his cell phone records and find out. Another new client is coming in later and told us the same thing on the phone.

Continue reading "Texting While Driving: Adults The Worst Offenders" »

I am pleased that I just settled this car crash for favorable amounts of money for the father, mother and their two children. And I represented this very nice family several years ago when they were unfortunately crashed into by another vehicle and I appreciate the chance to be of service again. Thank you, Chris and Sara.

The best way to decide who to hire is word of mouth. If you are shopping around for the best Fort Worth personal injury attorney, please read over 200 positive client reviews here. Another way is to compare credentials and mine are listed here.

Continue reading "How To -- And How Not To -- Hire A Good Injury Attorney" »

Thank you very much for your wonderful card and your kind words, E____. It meant a great deal to me. It was truly an honor to have the opportunity to represent you and I'm delighted that your case turned out so well, and that I was able to get you the additional UIM proceeds.