Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog

Anyone considering purchasing a vehicle in the next few months should probably wait to review the results of crash tests that are being conducted on 2012 models. According to Automotive Discovery, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be putting 81 percent of the 2012 models being sold on the market through the ringer to see how they fare with crash testing and safety standards. The results will be posted online. Last October, the NHTSA started testing vehicles more stringently but the results were not positive despite manufacturers wanting to achieve a 5-star rating on each vehicle they put onto the assembly line for mass production.

Considering how much time most of us spend in our vehicle each day, purchasing a vehicle that meets federal standards and is rated with 5 stars should be a pretty high priority in reducing the risk of injury in a Coral Springs car accident.

Car accident lawyers in Coconut Creek, Vero Beach, Cooper City and Davie know that most vehicles are being built with safety features and are more structurally sound than in previous years, but too many deaths are still occurring on Florida roadways. Consumers are advised to do your research and know what you're buying to help prevent tragic accidents from taking your life or that of a loved one. However, manufacturers have a responsibility to keep consumers safe, so if you are injured in an accident caused by a defective vehicle seek the advice of a legal professional immediately.

The NHTSA has recently released the list of 2012 models to be crash-tested. The 74-item list contains two minivans, eight pickup trucks, 22 SUVs and crossovers, and 42 passenger cars. Some of the vehicles being tested include: Acura TL, BMW 328i, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Durango, Ford Expedition and Honda Pilot. For a full list of the 2012 models being crash-tested for safety, click here.

New for this year, the NHTSA's restored testing program will provide consumers with recommendations on which vehicles have the most effective "crash avoidance" technologies. Manufacturers are equipping newer model vehicles with lane departure warnings (LDW) and forward collision warnings (FCW) to help reduce the risk of veering off the roadway or rear-ending a vehicle or object in front of you. Last year only 45 models offered these protective devices as an option. There are 68 vehicle models for 2012 that have LDW (12), FCW (18) or both (38) features already installed in the vehicle.

In a statement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reiterated that by raising the bar from crash testing last year, manufacturers are being held accountable for building safer cars. Consumers purchasing a vehicle should remember the more stars found next to the name, the safer it has been found to withstand a crash.

The results of the crash testing and recommendations for the vehicles with the best crash avoidance technologies will be posted on safercar.gov.

Remember, if you are purchasing a new vehicle visit this website before you buy. You can also check back for defective vehicle recalls to make sure the car you are driving is safe.

Continue reading " Consider Vehicle Safety Ratings to Reduce Injuries in a Car Accident in Coral Springs, Coconut Creek " »

Earlier this month, Gov. Rick Scott declared a week in October as "Register Your Emergency Contact Information Week," according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In submitting a contact name and number, law enforcement officials will know who to contact if a motorist is involved in a serious or fatal car accident in Hollywood, Sunrise, Tamarac or elsewhere in the state.

Port St. Lucie car accident lawyers know that providing a contact number in case of an emergency could be crucial to saving a life in the critical stages following a severe car crash. Sometimes life-saving decisions need to be made in a split second, so notifying a loved one can play an important role in making the right decisions about medical conditions, especially if the accident victim is unconscious.

The Emergency Contact Information Program originated a few years ago when a mother was unable to say her last goodbyes to her failing daughter who was involved in a fatal motorcycle crash. It took several hours for the victim's mother to be contacted after the accident -- time in which she could have spent with her daughter before she died. As a result, the mother pushed state officials to allow emergency information to be placed on a driver's license or identification card. Instead, authorities conceded by creating a program that emergency contact information could be documented and saved in the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (D.A.V.I.D.)

Florida residents are encouraged to register emergency contacts with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, if you aren't one of the 5 million licensed drivers who have already done so. The Emergency Contact Information Program permits identification card holders and licensed drivers to submit two names and contact information to be notified in case of an emergency. The information will be accessed only by law enforcement officers in the event of a tragedy or an emergency.

We posted previously on our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog about another program that could be beneficial in saving lives in the crucial moments following a car crash. Though Florida still has not adopted the program, the Yellow Dot Program helps first responders know of any medical conditions or other pertinent information that they should know before treating a victim who may be severely injured or unconscious following a car accident or other tragedy on our roadways. Obtaining medical information along with emergency contact information is an important step, and may play a key role in saving a victim in the first few minutes or hours after a crash.

Registering emergency contacts is free and easy. You can register online or visit any driver license office throughout the state and ask about the Emergency Contact Information Program. To register online, visit FLHSMV and fill in a few boxes with simple information.

Continue reading " Emergency Contact Alert Program Can Help Save Lives in a Port St. Lucie Car Accident " »

Our Delray Beach car accident attorneys want to remind motorists to give other drivers a break as we head into the busiest travel and snowbird months of the year. By driving safely we can help ensure everyone enjoys the holiday and starts the new year off on the right foot.

Car accidents in Margate, Plantation, Pembroke Pines and elsewhere in South Florida are commonly caused by a driver speeding, driving under the influence, becoming distracted or driving aggressively. Motorists who keep these unsafe behaviors in check can make a difference in keeping traffic-related deaths and injuries to a minimum.

Guardrails were recently mounted along State Road 80 to help keep motorists from veering off the side of the road and drowning. Several deaths have occurred because a driver was driving too fast for the road conditions, became distracted or was driving under the influence and lost control of the vehicle headed right for the canal. The Palm Beach Post News reports traffic fatalities were down for our area in 2010 when compared to 2009. Palm Beach County reported 123 traffic deaths in 2010 compared to 151 in 2009.

Florida Highway Patrol officials are guardedly optimistic about the number of deaths on roadways because the numbers for 2011 are keeping pace with last year. Palm Beach County has recorded 94 deaths as of October 4, up four from last year at this time. Much of the blame is still directed to the fact that Florida still doesn't have laws prohibiting texting or talking on mobile devices while operating a vehicle.

Let's consider the leading contributing causes for crash fatalities in 2010 throughout the state. According to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles crash statistics report, careless driving caused a total of 332 deaths or more than 18 percent of traffic fatalities in 2010. Drunk drivers caused almost 15 percent of traffic deaths on Florida roadways last year. In total, 389 people were killed by a motorist driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both at the time of the accident. Speed-related accidents were a contributing cause in almost 12 percent of traffic fatalities in 2010.

Driver distraction is noted to have caused only seven deaths in Florida in 2010 but the reality is that law enforcement rarely reports when driver inattention causes an accident. Failure to report this factor in most accidents leads to the misconception that distractions aren't a contributing factor in fatal crashes. We all know how distractions make us lose our focus on driving and lead to more close calls than we care to admit.

Make a commitment to drive distraction-free, follow speed limits, never drink and drive, and drive defensively to help make it safer for everyone over the holidays and the following months.

Continue reading " End-of-Year Brings Increased Risk of Car Accidents in Hollywood, Plantation, Elsewhere " »

National Teen Driver Safety Week will be held in the state of Florida during the third week of October, according to MSNBC. Officials, law enforcement agencies and safe driving advocates will be using this time to help educate our teens and parents about safe teen driving habits. Car accidents in Weston and elsewhere continue to be the number one cause of death for teens in the United States. The risks of these accidents can be greatly reduced with more teen driver education and supervision.

The campaign urges moms, dads, and even older siblings to ride along with teens to help them to make smart and safe decisions behind the wheel. According to recent studies, including the most recent one released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, teens who live in households that have clear driving rules and supportive parents are less likely to get into a car accident.

Our Davie car accident attorneys understand how important it is to make sure that parents provide supervised driving practice to their teens in a number of driving conditions. Exposing them to various driving conditions will help to prepare them for the unexpected when they're driving alone. Parents should also continue on the discussion of safe driving habits long after their teen receives an unrestricted license. Keeping these habits fresh in their mind will help them to make safe driving decisions and will help to reduce their risks of a car accident.

"The first six months after getting your license are the most important," said Vincent Payne of the Florida car insurance provider AGIC Insurance, Inc.

AAA's recent teen driving study examined the habits of teen drivers in North Carolina to determine which dangers were the most likely scenarios for a teen to be involved in a car accident. These drivers had in-vehicle cameras installed into their cars to record their every move. The study concluded that speeding, passenger distractions and failing to yield were the three most common causes of accidents for these teens in which they were determined to be at least partially at fault.

“We know that young drivers’ crash rates decrease quickly as they gain experience,” said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger.

Teens are most likely to be involved in an accident during their first 30 days of obtaining an unrestricted license, according to the study. With more experience comes decreased risks. Teens are 50 percent less likely to get into an accident with a year of unrestricted driving and two times less likely with two years of unrestricted driving.

AAA recommends that parents consider the following for their teen driver who no longer requires their supervision:

-Never enough practice. Try to ride with your teen driver whenever possible to monitor their driving habits.

-Limit passengers. The more passengers in the vehicle the higher the risks are for an accident.

-Set a curfew. Limit the amount of nighttime driving that your child does. Their risks for an accident greatly increase during this time.

-Consider creating a parent-teen driving contract to help to solidify these rules and to lay out the consequences for breaking them.

Continue reading " AAA Studies Teens to Determine Most Common Cause of Car Accidents in West Palm Beach, Nation " »

According to Insurance Information Institute, the average annual cost of automobile insurance in our state is $1,055, which ranks Florida fourth highest among all states.

Automobile insurance can be costly but motorists who drive on a regular basis need to bite the bullet because you won't discover how important a policy's coverage is until you have been involved in a severe or near fatal car accident in Lake Worth, Margate, Fort Pierce or elsewhere in the state.

Port St. Lucie car accident attorneys want to reiterate the importance of understanding what is included in your automobile policy because trying to cut costs on monthly premiums could have severe consequences later.

Medical costs for injuries sustained in a car accident can be astronomical so it is important to know your coverage and not to fear going after an insurer to get the compensation needed to recover from serious injuries. If you are involved in a serious car accident, you do have options and should contact an experienced attorney to explore what avenues can be taken to receive the compensation you deserve.

Victims in accidents may not be able to solely depend on compensation from the at-fault driver. You may need to consider collecting from your own policy or filing against policies held by other drivers in the household.

A victim in a 2006 motorcycle accident was recently awarded almost a million dollars in restitution but may never see a penny of it. Marco News reports a drunk driver, who was driving three times over the legal limit, has spent three years in prison and has now been ordered by a Collier County court judge to pay the victim. The at-fault driver claims she has no income or assets following the tragedy that severely injured the motorcyclist.

In a recent restitution hearing the victim testified to the accumulation of medical bills in excess of $1 million and over $200,000 in lost wages over the last five years since the accident. The victim before the accident enjoyed athletic activities and was known to bench 350 pounds and squat 500 pounds in the weight room. Following the accident, the victim suffered a shattered pelvis, collapsed lung and kidney failure and lives in constant pain managed by painkillers. The last surgery performed on his leg caused permanent damage and the victim is forced to now walk with a cane.

The victim's insurance coverage was for $1 million, of which he blew through in two months' time following the accident; he was forced to leave the hospital. By being kicked out of the hospital prematurely, his pelvis was not able to heal properly. To make matters worse, his insurance company cut him off with almost $35,000 remaining in medical bills. The victim can't work and by the time he reaches the age to collect social security he will lose in excess of $500,000 in annual income that he would have earned in salary before the accident happened.

The charged drunk driver is now serving probation and must pay $52 a month. The victim has the option of hiring an attorney in a civil action case that would garnish the at-fault driver's wages among other things to finally get the compensation he deserves.

This is a prime example and a lesson to be learned that it only takes a split second for your life to change forever. If you are the victim of a car accident that changes your life forever, don't be short-changed. Contact an experienced attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.

If you have questions about auto insurance or need clarification about Florida coverage, visit Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles online.

Continue reading " Restitution for Medical Costs and Damages Requires an Experienced Port St. Lucie Law Firm " »

A recent article in St. Petersburg Times reports that fewer drivers are using the roadways because of the economic turmoil facing many families.

Weston car accident attorneys know that times are rough, but we are approaching the busiest travel time of the year with extra caution. Tourist season and holiday travel always makes Florida roadways more congested and therefore more dangerous for everyone who travels.

Roadways are less populated in Hillsborough County, according to the article and more importantly, citations for bad driving fell dramatically in 2010. Noncriminal moving violations, which include speeding, running red lights and careless driving decreased by 43 percent in Hillsborough County in 2010 when compared to 2007. Drivers arrested for driving under the influence dropped by 18 percent.

According to the 2010 crash statistics report by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the mileage death rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled decreased by more than 4 percent statewide but the daily average of car accidents in Sunrise, Tamarac, Riviera Beach and throughout Florida essentially remained unchanged, reporting 1 fewer a day when compared to the 2009 daily average.

The Florida Department of Transportation surveyed different locations between 2007 and 2010 to determine if traffic congestion was more or less compared to previous years. The survey indicated that congestion in the bay area decreased by 5 percent in 19 of the 21 locations surveyed.

Florida Highway Patrol reportedly logged the same amount of DUI and traffic patrols in 2010 as they did in 2009. The decline in citations is supported by the suggestion that fines have increased, policy strategies have changed, and driver education programs are improving with stricter graduated driver licensing laws for young drivers. According to the 2010 crash statistics, there were fewer teen crashes in 2010 but the same number of teen drivers killed compared to 2009. No law has been passed as of yet in Florida to eliminate texting, the most dangerous behavior exhibited behind the wheel so how much have policies changed to really make an impact on crashes occurring throughout the state.

Authorities may be optimistic about the future given the fact that crashes were reportedly less for 2010 but Florida remains one of the nation's deadliest states.

We all hope that the economy improves so that jobs will once again be plentiful and families can get back on their feet. One thing we probably can't rely on is the price of gas ever plummeting to $2 a gallon again. Is the high price of fuel a saving grace to reducing roadway fatalities? The Congressional Budget Office conducted a study on the impact that gasoline prices have on driving behavior. Researchers found that higher gas prices resulted in freeway motorists driving at lower rates of speed and making less frequent trips, especially in areas where rail or commuter transportation was available for travel.

Motorists driving at lower speeds in order to save money on fuel should have a positive impact on the number of deaths and injuries occurring on roadways.

Florida motorists may reduce the number of trips to the supermarket each week or outings with friends to help cut fuel costs and traffic congestion but nothing keeps motorists more safe than being responsible and attentive behind the wheel.

Continue reading " Fewer Drivers, Fewer Car Accidents in Weston, elsewhere " »

It's "Heads Up Driving Week!" and every day this week the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is campaigning to raise awareness about the risks of distracted driving. This is the third year for the event as it continues to push to find ways to eliminate this dangerous habit for drivers. Residents are asked to make the pledge to put away all diversions for the week to reduce the risks of distracted driving-related car accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys understand that we've all got a lot of responsibilities and obligations, but using driving time to complete these tasks is a dangerous decision. This campaign week aims to remind drivers about the number one task at hand in the vehicle -- driving!

We see about 8,000 distracted driving-related accidents every day in the United States. These are accidents that are completely preventable with a little bit of responsibility and prioritizing.

Distracted driving accident statistics:

-Car accidents have taken the lives of more than a million people in the U.S. throughout the last 25 years. In 2010 alone, more than 33,500 people died on our roadways. Researchers believe the increase is attributable directly to advancements in technology.

-Passengers are the most frequent report of accident-causing distractions.

-Distractions refer to a plethora of activities, including using a cell phone, text messaging, interacting with other passengers, eating, smoking, applying makeup, reaching for radio controls or playing with web-surfing device.

-Recent statistics reveal that drivers spend about half of their time in a vehicle trying to drive while distracted.

-Drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a serious traffic accident when using a cell phone behind the wheel.

In a recent survey, the AAA Foundation’s 2011 Traffic Safety Culture Index, more than 90 percent of drivers stated that using a cell phone, texting or surfing the web while driving was completely unacceptable. Nearly 90 percent of these individuals said that they support laws banning the activities. Ironically, more than a third of these drivers reported that they had engaged in the dangerous driving behavior at least once within the last 30 days.

This proves a common theory that has recently been examined by these researchers. It's a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude. This means that drivers are quick to lecture about the dangers of this behavior, but won't make changes themselves to correct the situation.

We ask that you take the opportunity during "Heads Up Driving Week" to review your driving habits, and talk about the risks associated with distracted-driving with friends and family members. Curb all distractions, just for a few days, to see how much your driving skills improve. The Foundation offers you 10 quick and easy ways to minimize distractions while driving. Good luck and happy safe driving!

Continue reading " "Heads Up Driving Week" to Help Reduce Risks of Distracted Driving-Related Car Accidents in Broward County, Nation " »

AT&T and the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) are joining together to fund the 2011 Distracted Driving Summit. On October 17th, the event is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., to raise awareness about distraction-related incidents such as teen car accidents in Delray Beach and elsewhere. This has been a popular topic of discussion among many safety experts as the number of distraction-related accidents continues to climb.

Our Tamarac car accident attorneys understand how beneficial this event can be. Teens are more likely than any other drivers to be involved in a distracted-driving car accident. With the new school year in full swing, this is a good time to bring up the importance of safe driving skills among newly-licensed drivers. It is important to keep safe driving skills as a frequent topic of conversation in your household because let's face it, driving skills aren't on the top of our teen's priority list.

According to distraction.gov, there were more than 5,000 individuals killed on U.S. roadways because of distraction-related car accidents in 2009. Approximately 448,000 additional injuries were sustained because of distracted drivers on our roadways. About 20 percent of all accidents nowadays involve a distracted driver. Cell phones were the most commonly reported source of distraction in fatal accidents. Cell phone-using drivers contributed to nearly 1,000 roadway fatalities in 2009. Teens under the age of 21-years-old are most likely to be involved in a fatal accident with reports of distracted driving.

Recent studies have concluded that drivers who use a cell phone behind the wheel have the same reaction time as a driver who is legally drunk with a blood alcohol concentration of .08. Drivers who use a hand-held device while driving are four times more likely to get into an accident resulting in a serious injury.

The 2011 Distracted Driving Summit will include the following:

-The commencement of the new NOYS Teen Distracted Driving Prevention Team (TDDPT). This team will consist of 10 advisers and 40 youth members.

-Numerous sponsorship opportunities.

-Presentations from national organizations including the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

-TDDPT training sessions and workshops will be conducted by some of the top safety companies and organizations.

-Opportunities for companies and organizations to showcase products, programs and resources related to distracted driving.

Through this seminar, teens will also be taught important tips to keep their vehicle running smoothly. These tips include:

-Keep your coolant, transmission, brake, engine and power steering fluids fresh and filled. All of this information can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual.

-How to properly check and maintain the vehicle's battery.

-How to properly change a tire.

-How to check the tire's air pressure.

Continue reading " Teen Car Accidents in Boynton Beach and Elsewhere Discussed at 2011 Distracted Driving Summit " »

Our West Palm Beach pedestrian accident attorneys want you to know that today is International Walk to School Day. This yearly event started back in 1997, and is designed to raise awareness about safer roadways and safer pedestrian habits among children.

In 2002, there were more than 3 million people who participated in the event, with every state joining in to conduct activities and walks to help raise awareness. Because of International Walk to School Day and Safe Routes to School programs, the federal government has allotted a significant amount of money to be distributed to local and state governments to help fund safe-walking programs and pedestrian-safer roadways.

In 2009, there were approximately 1,300 youngsters under the age of 15 who were killed in traffic-related pedestrian accidents in Pompano Beach and elsewhere. Another 179,000 individuals in this age group were injured in the same types of incidents. International Walk to School Day is a good time to increase awareness about the presence of these young pedestrians and to reduce their risks for injury.

Schools participating in the 2011 International Walk to School Day:

-Grassy Waters Elementary School

-Charles R. Drew Elementary School

-Norwood Elementary School

-Virginia A. Boone Highland Oaks Elementary School

-Verde Elementary School

-Whispering Pines Elementary School

International Walk to School Day promotes the four E's; education, enforcement, encouragement and engineering. Education refers to creating programs and activities that help children to learn safe-walking habits. Encouragement means helping children to want to follow safe, regular and healthy walking habits. Enforcement has to do with making sure that law enforcement officials enforce the current traffic laws and posted speed limits, especially in areas where young pedestrians are present. Encouragement efforts can be executed through public relations efforts, regular announcements, special events and incentive programs. Through the last "E," engineering, the campaign urges traffic departments to upgrade roadways, signs, road lighting and sidewalks. Enhancing these road characteristics can help to enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety for residents statewide.

Parents are urged to talk with children about how to be safe when walking. Tips should include: looking both ways before crossing the street; never running across the street; wearing bright-colored clothing during evening and early morning hours; and making eye contact with drivers before crossing the roadway. Walking to school is a task that requires responsibility and maturity, so parents are urged to discuss the dangers and the importance of safety during each walk to school.

Effectively reducing the risks of child pedestrian accidents means that we need to continue to teach our young ones safe traveling habits. Make it a regular topic of conversation in your household. Without concerned parents' involvement, young pedestrians may be unable to comprehend the dangers of traffic. We can all chip in to help keep school-aged pedestrians safe and injury-free on our roadways.

Continue reading " International Walk to School Day Raises Awareness of School-Aged Pedestrian Accidents in Port St. Lucie, Nation " »

More than 200 employees died in 2010 because of work accidents in Margate and elsewhere throughout the state of Florida. While this is a decrease in the number of fatal work accidents by about 30 deaths from the previous year, transportation accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for workers in Florida, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly 100 workers in Florida died in 2010 of transportation-related work accidents. These types of accidents took the lives of more workers than falls, explosions, fires, violent acts, assaults, equipment-related accidents and harmful exposure accidents.

To help to reduce the risks of work-related car accidents in Miami, we invite you to participate in Drive Safely Work Week. This awareness campaign is taking place this week through Oct. 7. The event is used to encourage employers to push for safer driving habits among workers, which includes addressing the dangers of distracted driving. This year's campaign has been titled “Focus 360°: Getting there safely is everyone’s business.” It is being presented by Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The 2011 campaign affects everyone on our roadways. Officials are reaching passengers, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to discuss the little things we all can do to help prevent distraction-related car accidents. Employers have the ability to share the message with nearly half of U.S. residents. Employer support in this campaign is critical to spread the word and to help prevent these accidents.

NETS suggests your company follows one of the following paths this year:

-If you don't have a policy in place already, create and enforce a cell phone policy in your workplace. Drivers should refrain from using their cell phones while driving on the job.

-If you already have a policy, share safety tips and conduct activities that can help reinforce your plan.

-If you don't wish to enact some sort of cell phone policy, you are still urged to talk with your employees about the dangers, consequences and risks associated with distracted driving.

The 2010 Drive Safely Work Week recruited the participation of approximately 5,000 organizations. Since then, nearly 90 percent of them have enacted some sort of cell phone policy kit at their workplace.

In 2009, there were approximately 5,500 people killed on U.S. roadways because of traffic accidents that involved a distracted driver. Another 448,000 people were injured in these incidents. These types of accidents account for roughly 20 percent of all reported fatal accidents in the country. Drivers who use a cell phone while driving have the same reaction time as a driver who is legally drunk. These accidents are completely preventable with a little knowledge and responsibility.

As technology continues to advance, unfortunately so do in-car distractions. Drivers are urged to get involved in this year's campaign and help the push for safer roadways. Drivers should be focused on one thing and one thing only -- driving!

Continue reading " Traffic Accidents Continue to be Leading Killer in Work-Related Accidents in Port St. Lucie and the Rest of the State " »