A 43 year old woman was killed in Dallas over the weekend after being struck by a patrol car. The woman was leaving her daughter’s home in Dallas at 3 a.m. Sunday morning and attempting to cross the street when she was stuck by a police cruiser.

 The police car did not have its lights on. According to police, the officer behind the wheel was following an ambulance to the scene of a disturbance. The ambulance did have its lights and sirens on. The speed limit on the road where the accident occurred is 35 miles an hour. Police have not publicly said how fast the car was going when the accident occurred, although a witness said it was speeding.

 Although this tragic accident probably could not have been avoided by the victim, there are rules you should follow in order to avoid accidents with police and other first responders. If you are driving and see an emergency vehicle, such as a police car, fire truck or ambulance with its lights or siren on, pull to the right edge of the road and stop, if possible. If traffic is too congested for that to be a safe option, or if there is nowhere to safely stop, slow down and leave a path for the vehicle.

 Have you been injured in an accident due to the negligence of another driver in the Dallas/Fort Worth area? If so, contact the Barber Law Firm at 817-329-5095. Our experienced attorneys will help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and/or damage to your vehicle.

A tragic accident occurred in southeast Dallas on New Year’s Eve. A minivan was waiting to make a turn when a sedan slammed into the right side of the van. An eight year old boy and his seven year old brother were sitting in the cargo area of the van when the accident occurred. When the sedan slammed into the van, it knocked a jack into the head of the eight year old, killing him.

This horrible tragedy illustrates how vitally important it is to use child safety seats. It’s estimated that between 1975 and 2008, almost 9,000 lives were saved by child restraints. Unfortunately, crashes are still the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 3 and 14.

 Under Texas law, anyone under the age of eight must be secured in a safety seat. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends keeping children in a car seat for as long as possible, as long as they fit the seat’s height and weight requirements. Children under 13 should always ride in the back seat.

 When you are selecting a car seat for your child, choose it based on your child’s age and size, and choose one that fits well in your vehicle. Read your vehicle’s owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system, and also consult the car seat’s instruction book. If you are uncertain whether it’s installed correctly, locate a child car seat inspection station. 

 Have you or your child been injured in an automobile accident in the Dallas area? If so, contact the Barber Law Firm at 972-231-5800. Our attorneys will help you pursue your legal options.

Just before midnight last night, a driver failed to see a road construction crew that was working on I-635 just west of Midway Road. At the scene of the construction, there were flares, flashing lights and cones surrounding the area. The driver drove through the construction zone and crashed into an empty police car. No one was hurt in the accident.

At the time of the accident, it was raining heavily and the streets were slippery, which could have contributed to the accident. The police are still investigating the crash.

It’s critical that drivers be alert near construction areas. When driving through construction zones, slow down and proceed with caution. Tragically, road construction workers are killed every year in construction zones. If you have been involved in an accident in a construction zone, call Dallas automobile accident attorney Kris Barber at 972-231-5800.

Tragically, a motorcyclist was killed on Monday afternoon on the ramp that connects US 75 and I-635. The man hit the guardrail on the ramp and was thrown 150 feet to the ground. His motorcycle kept moving for another quarter of a mile before stopping. According to police, it’s unclear what caused the crash.

Motorcycling can be very dangerous, because a small mistake by either the motorcyclist or another driver, or a minor condition on the road, such as a pothole, can be deadly for motorcyclists. Have you been involved in a motorcycle accident due to another driver’s negligence? If so, contact Kris Barber, Dallas motorcycle attorney, at 817-329-5095 to learn more about your legal option.

The police are attempting to locate a suspect in a hit and run accident that occurred in Irving. The accident occurred on Sunday. Police suspect Marvin Perez, age 27, drove a green Mazda 626 onto the sidewalk on East Grauwyler Road, hitting a seven year old girl and a 57 year old woman. The vehicle was then abandoned about a mile from where the accident occurred.

Both accident victims were transported to area hospitals, where they are listed in serious and critical condition. A warrant has been issued for Perez’s arrest. Police are asking anyone who knows of his whereabouts to call the Irving Police Department at 972-273-1010.

Have you been the victim of a hit and run accident? If so, you may be entitled to recover from the driver for your injuries. Call Dallas accident attorney Kris Barber at 817-329-5095 to learn more.

Police just confirmed the identity of the Dallas man killed just after 1 a.m. today. The 31 year old man has been identified as Dexter Walpool. The accident occurred in Van Zandt, on Interstate 20 near mile marker 538.

The accident occurred when Walpool lost control of his Kia Sorento and crashed into the concrete median. Unfortunately, he was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown into the road and run over. Following the impact, his car burst into flames. Interstate 20 was closed for several hours following the crash.

Have you been involved in a car accident in the Dallas area? If so, contact Dallas accident attorney Kris Barber at 817-329-5095. You may have legal rights in connection with the accident.

Early this morning, a driver going the wrong direction on a divided six-lane street crashed into a motorcycle. The accident occurred on Robert B. Cullum Boulevard, north of Grand Avenue. The motorcyclist was taken by ambulance to the hospital. The driver was given a field sobriety test and failed and is expected to face criminal charges later today. The driver may have also been involved in another recent crash, because his vehicle had damage not related to the accident with the motorcycle.

Drunk drivers are a danger to everyone on the roads. This tragic accident could most likely have been avoided if the vehicle’s driver had chosen to call a cab, used a designated driver, or waited until sober to drive. Now, the driver faces criminal charges and the motorcyclist is recovering in the hospital. If you have been injured by a drunk driver in the Dallas area, contact Dallas automobile accident attorney Kris Barber at 972-231-5800.

Texas House Bill 242, which imposes harsh penalties for texting, sending instant messages, or checking emails while driving, may soon become law. The bill is awaiting Governor Perry’s signature.

Under the new law, anyone who violates the ban on texting, messaging, and emailing could face a fine of up to $200 and up to 30 days in jail. If their actions cause serious injuries to, or the death of, another person the driver could face 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Currently, Austin, San Antonio and El Paso already have bans on texting while driving.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2009, 3,308 crashes were caused by cell phone usage while driving in Texas alone. Among those crashes, 41 people were killed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that distracted driving, which includes cell phone use, was to blame for 20 percent of traffic deaths in the U.S. in 2009. In 2005, distracted driving was to blame for only 10 percent of traffic deaths. Currently texting while driving has been banned in 33 states.

Texting while driving is especially dangerous for teens, most of whom are not experienced enough drivers to handle any outside distractions while driving. However, 50 percent of teens admitted to texting while driving in a survey. Some studies have shown texting and driving to be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.

Have you been involved in an accident with a driver who was texting at the time of the accident? If so, the driver could be held legally responsible for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Call Dallas personal injury attorney Kris Barber at 817-329-5095.

Most of us have driven while we were sleepy at one time or another. However, recent studies show that driving while drowsy is much more common and dangerous than previously thought.

A 2010 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drowsy driving was a factor in one in six deadly crashes. Drowsy driving was also a factor in one in eight crashes in which a vehicle occupant was hospitalized. These numbers are much higher than previous estimates.

According to the study, sleepiness can cause drivers to have slower reaction times, impaired vision, and delays in processing information. Previous studies have found that being awake for more than 20 hours can cause an impairment equal to a blood alcohol level of .08 percent, or the equivalent of being legally drunk.

About one-third of Americans have admitted they have fallen asleep behind the wheel in the last year. Over half have said they have driven while drowsy. Shockingly, over a quarter of adults have admitted to driving despite being so tired they had trouble keeping their eyes open in the previous month.

Experts recommend that you quit driving if you have trouble focusing, keeping your head up, an inability to remember the last few miles driven, if you are yawning repeatedly or are missing exits or traffic signs. If you are exhibiting those behaviors, stop driving and if possible, take a short nap. Drinking caffeinated beverages can also help.

Have you been involved in a Dallas accident that was caused by a sleepy driver? If so, contact Dallas automobile accident attorney Kris Barber at the Barber Law Firm at 817-329-5095 to explore your legal rights.

On April 1^st at about 1:00 a.m., two people were killed in an overnight motor vehicle collision located off Interstate 20 in Dallas TX.

Officials from the Sheriff’s Dept. stated that the driver was travelling at a high rate of speed while attempting to exit from eastbound I-20 at Lancaster Road. He subsequently lost control of the car and crashed into a fence, knocking down a 20-foot tree. He and his passenger, James Funaro, 28 were killed almost instantly.

Car accidents that occur as a result of speeding are a serious threat to motorists in Dallas, and its surrounding areas like Garland, Plano, and Mesquite TX. If you’ve received an injury or experienced property damage as a result of a DFW or surrounding area auto accident, then you may wish to consult with an experienced local personal injury lawyer.

A free initial legal consultation will be provided by our personal injury law firm regarding your potential injury case. If you, or someone you know, has been injured you should contact a Dallas, Texas personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights regarding potential compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. Call Texas Personal Injury Lawyer Kristopher Barber at (972) 231-5800 for more information or you can click here to contact him by email.