Read the latest news about Dallas car and truck accidents, construction site injuries and defective products

Everyday something happens in Texas that is relevant to your personal injury case. Read Guajardo & Marks' News about work accidents, truck wrecks and defective products.

News Category: All CategoriesCar WrecksConstruction Site Accidents18-Wheeler WrecksMotor Vehicle DefectsGeneral

Car Wrecks

• Drunk Driver Drives Off Airport Freeway in North Richland Hills
  May 09, 2012

  While many cars frequent the parking lot of the Best Western Hotel in North Richland Hills, they don't often crash land in it by way of the nearby freeway.
  
  A suspected drunk driver, Fredrick Douglas, age 26, was driving on Airport Freeway in North Richland Hills just after 2 a.m. The driver crashed, sending the car flying off the freeway and into the parking lot of the hotel. Two passengers, both unnamed females, were ejected during the accident.
  
  The injured passengers were taken by helicopter to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth. At the time of this report their conditions were listed as critical. No other information was released.
  
  Lucas Armstrong, the manager of the hotel where the car landed, didn't see the accident, but he certainly heard it. "It was like an explosion, a loud boom," said Armstrong.
  
  Armstrong rushed to the scene of the crash and helped keep one of the injury victims awake as they waited for police and EMS personnel to arrive.
  
  

  North Richland Hills Car Crash Leads to Arrest

  Douglas, the suspected drunk driver, was arrested on two counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing bodily injury. He is currently being held on a $75,000 bond for each count.
  
  The staff and attorneys at the Dallas personal injury law firm of Guajardo & Marks hope that the two injured women are on their way to recovering from their injuries. We are heartened to hear that no lives were lost as too many Dallas drunk driving accidents cause needless injuries and deaths.
  

• Yet Another Wrong-Way Crash on Dallas North Tollway
  Apr 30, 2012

  Unfortunately, wrong-way accidents have become the rule, not the exception, on Dallas North Tollway.
  
  The most recent accident involved a drunk driver in a Toyota 4Runner and a semi-truck. According to Trooper Lonnie Haschel, the driver of the 4Runner, 22-year-old Alexandra Flecker, has been arrested by police on drunk driving charges. Trooper Haschel, of the Texas Department of Public Safety, spoke of the role of drunk driving in wrong-way crashes in Dallas.
  
  "The common thread in the majority of wrong-way crashes in the metroplex is driving while intoxicated," stated Haschel.  
  
  Flecker entered an off ramp and continued onto the tollway the wrong way. Another driver saw the 4Runner entering the freeway and called police. Despite the caller’s efforts, seconds after the call came in, the wrong-way driver caused a serious accident.
  
  Serious Accident Causes Only Minor Injuries
   
  When Flecker entered the freeway, she struck an 18-wheeler traveling in the opposite direction. This caused her to lose control of her vehicle as it flipped over the median. The car was left on its side, hanging from the concrete barrier.
  
  Fortunately, neither the truck driver nor Flecker was seriously injured during the accident.
  
  This was certainly not the only recent accident involving a wrong-way driver in Dallas. In fact, the Texas Department of Transportation is getting ready to begin a study to find the best ways to prevent wrong-way drivers from entering the freeways in Dallas and across Texas.
  
  The Dallas semi-truck accident attorneys at Guajardo & Marks hope that the accident victims are well on their way to making a full recovery and that this is the last Dallas wrong-way accident we have to report on for quite some time.    
  

• Multiple Wrong Way Crashes in Dallas a Cause for Concern
  Apr 29, 2012

  It seems that more people in North Texas are finally expressing concern over the number of wrong-way crashes occurring in and around Dallas. The most recent wrong-way accidents happened in Irving and Fort Worth.
  
  The accident in Fort Worth—a head-on crash between a car and a truck—was very serious. The driver who was traveling the wrong way is now facing drunk driving charges.
  
  Drunk Drivers Often Responsible for Wrong Way Accidents
   
  It is not uncommon for drunk drivers to cause a Dallas wrong-way accident. In fact, Mark Pettit of the Texas Department of Transportation, states that the drunk driving rate in wrong-way accidents is "as high as 75 percent...."
  
  One mother has suffered the terrible effects of wrong-way accidents caused by drunk drivers. Gwen Edwards' son was just 22 when he died during a head-on accident. The driver of the car he was in was legally drunk; her son was the only person who died during the crash.
  
  "Losing a child is a lot different than losing a mother, a father, a sister or a brother," said Edwards.
  
  Hope for the Future
  
  In response to the recent rash of accidents, Edwards—along with safety experts and TxDOT officials—have been discussing ways to stop drivers from entering the freeway the wrong way. While Edwards is calling for stricter drunk driving laws, TxDOT is doing their part by beginning a research project to study the most effective wrong way driving countermeasures.
  
  The Dallas car accident attorneys at Guajardo & Marks hope that officials are able to identify ways to prevent wrong-way accidents. We hope that those injured during a wrong way accident in Dallas are able to recover from their injuries, and we extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost a loved one.       
  

• Lubbock and Other Texas Cities Top the List of Terrible Drivers
  Apr 29, 2012

  It's a combination of factors that lead Lubbock to be named one of the most dangerous cities in the nation to drive in. While that's bad, it gets worse.
  
  Men's Health recently released a list of cities with the most dangerous streets and Lubbock was not the only Texas town to make the list. Austin, Dallas and Houston are also near the top, giving Texas a bad name as far as motor vehicle safety goes. 
  
  Why Texas Cities Top the List
   
  There are various theories as to why some Texas cities have so many bad drivers. One factor that many agree on is the rapid growth of the state. Cindi Garrett is the director for Drive Trainers. She cites the influx of non-native drivers, the lack of infrastructure to deal with the increased traffic, and the fact that Texas allows parent taught driver training programs.
  
  "In the last 25 years we have quadrupled the amount of cars on the roadways," said Garrett. "With that, we have an influx of construction. All roadways have changed since those parents that are teaching have learned to drive. "
  
  Another factor that safety experts site is the high rate of drunk driving accidents in Texas. Men's Health also listed Lubbock as the #1 city in the nation for accidents involving a drunk driver.
  
  Moving Forward
   
  All involved agree that something must be done to lower the accident rates in major Texas cities. While plans differ, many revolve around decreasing the number of drunk drivers on Texas roads and providing better driver education for young drivers.
  
  The staff and attorneys at the Dallas personal injury law firm of Guajardo & Marks hope that the terrible grade for the safety of the streets of Texas will spur the growth of driver safety programs in Lubbock and across Texas.   
  

• Many Lucky to be Alive After Accident on Dallas North Tollway
  Mar 04, 2012

  A serious accident can happen in a heartbeat. This was certainly the case during a recent accident on the Dallas North Tollway. The crash happened near Galleria just after 10 a.m. A fully loaded semi-truck sped onto the tollway as it traveled the westbound ramp from Interstate 635.
  
  Crossing three lanes of traffic, the semi-truck tipped onto its side, crushing a car beneath it as it slid across the road. The car remained trapped under the large truck as the trailer hit an SUV, flipping it over the concrete lane divider and into oncoming traffic.
  
  North Texas Tollway Authority Camera Captures Accident
  
  Video of the accident is now widely available. The footage clearly shows the truck speeding onto the tollway and tipping onto its side; crushing a car beneath it. Miraculously, the driver of the flattened car, while injured, did not sustain life-threatening injuries and is expected to survive. The driver of the SUV was injured and this driver too was expected to live. The driver of the 18-wheeler was uninjured.
  
  At the time of the crash the truck was carrying 30,000 pounds of cardboard. While the driver of the truck was charged by police for "failure to control speed" it was reported that an improperly loaded trailer may have played a role in the accident as well.
  
  If the load of a semi-truck is top heavy or unevenly loaded, it can make a truck more likely to tip over when navigating turns at a high rate of speed. 
  
  As a Dallas car accident lawyer, I know all too well that this crash could have ended much worse. The staff and attorneys at Guajardo & Marks hope that the accident victims are well on their way to making a full recovery from their injuries.
  

• DUI Accident in Dallas Almost Turns Fatal
  Feb 21, 2012

  One man is being hailed a hero for saving the life of a woman who was trapped in her burning car. According to eyewitness and police reports, the driver of the car was four times over the legal limit when she caused the drunk driving accident on Highway 67 in Dallas. The man in the pickup truck was able to escape his vehicle as the flames started to spread, but the woman in the car was unable to free herself. 

  Quick Thinking Security Guard Saves Driver

  Brad Bowman was working as a security guard at Christ for the Nations Institute when he looked out the window and saw the accident occur. Acting quickly, Bowman ran out of the building to see if anyone needed help. 

  "My first reaction was, 'I'm the first one here, and there's nobody else around," he said. "I was very afraid. It was a scary situation."

  Despite his fears, Bowman saw that the woman was still in the burning car. At this point flames were shooting high in the air and had already engulfed the front of the vehicle and the truck. Initially Bowman tried to get the woman out through the driver side but it was too hot. The security guard found the passenger door locked but was able to kick out the window. Not a moment too soon, Bowman pulled the woman out of the burning car and to safety.   

  "Within just a few seconds after that, the blaze entered into her car, so had we not been there, she wouldn't have made it," stated Bowman. 

  Rescued Woman Arrested on DUI Charges

  The rescued woman was not free for long. It was quickly determined that she was drunk at the time of the accident; her BAC was over four times the legal limit. Dallas police arrested her on suspicion of drunk driving. At the time of this report charges were pending. 

  As a Dallas car accident lawyer, I have seen many instances of close calls, this being one of the more dramatic. The staff and attorneys at Guajardo & Marks would like thank Mr. Bowman for his act of bravery. Your selfless act surely saved the life of the woman.   

• Watery Car Crash in Dallas Blamed on Lack of Proper Signage
  Feb 20, 2012

  Lake Ray Hubbard is a prominent landmark in Dallas. While many enjoy the lake, routinely using it for boating and fishing, a recent car accident has some wondering if the roads leading to lake are as safe as they should be.

  Driver Accidently Crashes Into Lake Ray Hubbard

  It was late at night when two women, attempting to find the entrance ramp for I-30, suddenly found themselves in Lake Ray Hubbard. The driver and her passenger reported that it was very dark when they mistakenly took a paved road that leads to a boat ramp. 

  The road had no streetlights and there were no visible signs warning of the streets watery end. Days after the accident, work crews found a sign alerting driver to the upcoming lake entrance. The sign had been bent over and was buried in the ground beside the road. 

  While some believe that the driver was not paying enough attention, Lt. Dave Davis of the Rockwall County Sheriff's Department stated that he has been concerned about this particular boat ramp for some time. He has expressed this concern to the city of Dallas, asking that they add lights surrounding the boat ramp to alert drivers at night. 

  "You're certainly not going to see there's water in front of you if it's really dark, there's no moon and there's no white caps and it's still. And you'll just drive right off because it looks like a flat surface to you and it's not," stated Lt. Davis.    

  Will Dallas Make the Needed Changes?

  Fortunately, a police officer was able to rescue the women before they were seriously injured. However, many in the community would like something done about the virtually unmarked ramp. According to reports, the city of Dallas is investigating the ramp and will be looking into adding reflective signs, pavement markers, road bumps and even barricades.

  As a Dallas auto accident attorney I have seen too many car accidents caused by a lack of proper safety measures on city streets. Our Dallas personal injury attorneys hope that the city takes action and improves the safety of this road and others like it. We hope that the accident victims are well on their way to recovering from their harrowing incident.    

• Family of Dallas Woman Hit by Police Car Want Answers
  Feb 10, 2012

  Recently, a Dallas police officer was involved in a late night accident on Burton Road in Dallas, TX. The officer was reportedly following some distance behind an ambulance when a woman stepped into the road.  

  Dallas resident Beverly Kirk was leaving her daughter’s house that night and as she attempted to cross the street she was hit by the police vehicle. While the Dallas police have not released the officer’s speed at the time of the crash, they have admitted that neither the car’s flashing lights nor sirens were on when the accident occurred.

  Similarities to Another Fatal Dallas Accident

  In 2008, a police officer, again without lights or sirens activated, struck and killed a 10-year-old Dallas boy as he rode his bike.

  In response to this terrible tragedy, a new policy was enacted in Dallas. This policy requires that officers turn on their lights and sirens when speeding. The police chief at the time, David Kunkle, gave the following statement after the accident in 2008.

  "We do not want our officers speeding, violating any traffic laws, unless they're doing it with their red lights and sirens on," stated Kunkle.

  While this policy seems clear, after the most recent tragedy, a Dallas police spokesperson stated that, "the officer did not have his lights and sirens activated because it is not required for this particular call assignment."

  Family Waits for Answers

  The family of Ms. Kirk now wonders why the officer that hit woman was not following the previously enacted policy. The police investigation into the incident is ongoing and hopefully sooner, rather than later, friends and family of Ms. Kirk will have answers to their questions.

  The Dallas auto accident lawyers at Guajardo & Marks would like to send our condolences to the family of Ms. Kirk. 

• Study: Drivers With Road Rage Often Emotionally Unstable
  Dec 22, 2011

  Researchers and scientists have been looking at a possible connection between road rage and emotional disorders. Psychiatrist Emil Coccaro believes that the overly aggressive outbursts seen in drivers with road rage may be a sign that the person is suffering from more than driver frustration.

   

  Coccaro and others note that one cause may be Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Coccaro says that the disorder may be present in up to 6 percent of the population of the United States.

   

  "These outbursts can be temper tantrums, throwing things around, breaking things, pushing, shoving, hitting people," said Coccaro.

   

  Linking Road Rage and Emotional Disorders

   

  Scientists are looking into whether those who frequently drive aggressively have a chemical imbalance that makes them prone to angry outbursts. Those suffering from Intermittent Explosive Disorder have been found to have lower than average serotonin levels. The lack of the "happy hormone" increases the risk that a person will not stop themselves before getting angry or upset.

   

  In addition, people with the disorder produce too much of other brain chemicals. These chemicals can promote aggression. The reduction in behavior inhibition and addition of aggressiveness is a dangerous combination.

   

  Treating Emotional Disorders May Lower Road Rage Incidents

   

  Many a Dallas car crash has been caused by an angry driver. Now, scientists are hoping that those who often get angry while driving will take a closer look at the possibility that they may be suffering from an emotional disorder. Psychiatrists believe that antidepressants and mood stabilizers can help restore the brain's chemical balance and that cognitive behavioral therapy may help patients better control their anger.

   

  The Dallas car accident lawyers at Guajardo & Marks hope that the information being gathered by the medical community will help reduce incidents of road rage in Texas and across the nation. If you have been hurt during an accident with an aggressive driver please do not hesitate to contact an experienced car accident attorney at 877.290.1382 for your free consultation.

• Santa Helps Texas DOT Discourage Drinking and Driving
  Dec 22, 2011

  In any given year, December is the most dangerous month for motorists. In December alone, approximately 2,400 alcohol-related accidents occur on Texas roadways. These accidents cause an average of 89 deaths meaning that every December over 80 families lose a loved one.

   

  How Santa and His Reindeer Can Help

   

  In order to bring attention to the very real threat that drunk drivers present during the holiday season, the Texas Department of Transportation has launched its annual drunk driving campaign. This campaign uses the familiar faces of Santa and his team to try and remind drivers to avoid getting too "cheerful" at holiday gatherings. One such ad features three of the sleigh team members and tells drivers, "Don't drive if you're tipsy, Buzzed or Blitzen. Call a cab or get a sober ride home."

   

  In addition, the TxDOT Facebook page features Santa, who releases new games, recipes, and holiday driving tips each day of December. In order to access the interactive "31 Days of Holiday Cheer" campaign just visit the TxDOT Facebook page. "Like" it to get the information sent straight to your news feed.

   

  Doing Your Part to Save Lives

   

  As always, the staff and attorneys at the Dallas auto accident law firm of Guajardo & Marks ask that you make a plan for a safe ride home. Don't drink and drive. Arrive alive.