Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog

A recent motorcycle accident in St. Lucie County took the life of a 69-year-old man from Martin County. The accident happened when a passenger vehicle took an improper turn on State Road A1A, reports the Florida Highway Patrol.

According to the TC Palm, the accident happened as the motorcyclist was heading north on A1A when the 17-year-old driver of a BMW passenger car made a U-turn right in front of the bike's path. Upon collision, the motorcyclist was thrown from his bike and landed on top of the BMW. It happened almost two miles north of Regal Road. Officials are still investigating the accident.

Our St. Lucie motorcycle accident attorneys understand that the number of motorcycle accidents is expected to increase as we make our way through the holiday season. During the end of every year, tourists, vacationers and seasonal residents flock to the Sunshine State to escape the wicked northern winter weather.

During this season, our roads are more congested than ever. Increased traffic means riskier roadways for everyone, but especially for motorcyclists. Drivers are urged to be cautious and considerate on our roadways through the holiday season and year round. Despite all the "Watch for Motorcycles" bumper stickers, drivers still often don't take their time and can cause major damage.

Florida's 2009 Motorcycle Statistics from Ride Smart Florida:

-There were more than 8,300 motorcycle accidents.

-There were nearly 7,500 resulting injuries.

-Nearly 400 motorcyclists' lives were lost.

-More bikers ages 45 to 54 were injured in motorcycle accidents than any other group.

-Motorcycle riders age 45 to 54 were fatally injured in motorcycle accidents than any other age group. Riders age 25 to 34 followed.

-The median age for those who were killed in a motorcycle accident was 42.

-Florida hosts the most motorcycle enthusiast events in the country.

-Nearly 95 percent of those who are killed in motorcycle accidents in the state are residents of Florida.

-Brevard, Lee, Duval, Palm Beach, Volusia, Broward, Pinellas, Orange, Miami-Dade and Hillsborough counties witnessed the most number of motorcycle accidents in 2009.

-Proximity and population have both been proven to be a significant factor in determining the number of motorcycle accident a location sees.

-Licensed motorcyclists made up more than 5 percent of Florida's motoring public, but accounted for nearly 20 percent of all accident fatalities.

-Nearly 50 percent of motorcyclists weren't wearing a helmet during a fatal accident.

-More than 30 percent of fatalities were related to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from 2007 to 2009.

-More than 30 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents happened between March and May.

-More than 40 percent of fatal accidents happened during weekends.

-The average cost for hospital stay for a motorcycle accident injury was nearly $54,000.

-The median hospital bill for a motorcyclist treated in an emergency room was nearly $3,000.

-The year's total hospital cost for the initial treatment of injuries was more than $385,000,000.

Continue reading " Life Lost in Car-Motorcycle Accident in St. Lucie County " »

Our Palm City car accident attorneys have been discussing the dangers that motorists typically face on our roadways throughout the holiday season.

With Thanksgiving here and Christmas approaching, traffic is expected to increase significantly. To help keep our roadways safe, the Florida Highway Patrol will be in full force in search of dangerous drivers on our roadways.

Hunting down irresponsible should no tough task for officials in Florida however. According to CarInsuranceComparison.com, Florida ranked in at 4th place for having the most dangerous drivers in the U.S. The Sunshine State handed out more traffic citations that any other state in the country.

Our Palm City car accident attorneys understand that the end of the year is a busy time for Florida roadways. Drivers are asked to be courteous and patient with one another while driving.

All officers from the Florida Highway Patrol will be out over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in an attempt to calm traffic and to reduce the risks for traffic accidents. Both auxiliary and reserve troopers will be helping to augment the Patrol during this time. This enforcement campaign will be taking place from November 23rd through the 27th. Enforcement efforts will be targeting speeders, tailgating, impaired drivers, aggressive drivers and those who aren't properly buckled in.

Florida drivers also ranked in at 49th place for careless driving habits and in 40th place for failing to obey traffic signals. All of these dangerous habits contribute to the high number of traffic fatalities in the state. With a little bit of patience, we can all help to reduce the number of these fatalities.

“The Thanksgiving holiday typically generates heavy traffic as people travel to spend time with their families, so we urge everyone driving on our highways, especially during the holiday season, to drive carefully,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the Florida Highway Patrol.

To help make your holiday travel a little safer, the Florida Highway Patrol offers these safety tips to travelers:

-Be sure to obey all traffic signs and posted speed limits.

-Check out your vehicle before heading out. Make sure your battery is charged, your fluids are full and your tires are in good condition and are properly inflated.

-Never drink and drive.

-Always wear a seat belt. Make sure that everyone in the vehicle is buckled at all times.

-Leave for your trip with plenty of time to spare to avoid rushing.

-Keep your focus on the road at all times. Curb distractions, including text messaging, cell phones, eating, talking with passengers, playing with the radio, etc.

-Drive defensively and expect the unexpected.

Remember that the Florida Highway Patrol will be looking over our roadways over the weekend. Be safe, cautious and alert to not only avoid a ticket, but to avoid a potential accident as well.

Continue reading " FHP Targets Holiday Traffic and Dangerous Drivers to Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in Palm City and Elsewhere " »

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, there was a recent three-car accident in Fort Pierce that killed one woman and injured another man. The accident happened just before midnight on Kings Highway, according to News Channel 5. Reports indicate that the male driver was under the influence of alcohol and the time of the accident. He reportedly rear-ended a truck and sent it flying into oncoming traffic. That vehicle then ran head on into another vehicle.

Upon the head-on collision, the truck flipped and was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The female, whose vehicle was rear-ended in the accident, died at the scene of the accident. The other driver was transported to the hospital at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute. Reports indicate the female driver was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the accident.

Our Fort Pierce car accident attorneys understand that there will typically be more serious accidents like this as we come to the end of the year. Each year, the holiday season brings an abundance of drivers to our state. We've got seasonal residents and tourists on our roadways in addition to residents. These visitors greatly congest our roadways and greatly increase our risks for accidents. Drivers are urged to be cautious, focused and patient to help avoid a potentially fatal accident.

Another serious accident happened just before 11 a.m. as a pickup truck flipped in the middle of the intersection at Sunrise Boulevard and Virginia Avenue. The pickup truck flipped after colliding with another vehicle at that intersection. Fort Pierce police report that responders had to pull the female driver from the truck, but she was OK.

Floridians share the roadways with more than 75 million tourists each year. Through the entire state students, retirees and families travel to explore and to enjoy some beautiful weather. Florida is the number one destination spot for Americans and it's the second most popular vacation spot for foreigners.

Many of these travelers fail to plan for this trip’s travel accordingly and drive erratically throughout our roadways. These unfamiliar drivers serve as serious hazards to everyone on our roadways.

Florida reportedly experiences more than a quarter of a million car accidents every year, which ranks our state at above-average for injury and deadly car accidents every year. The number of accidents typically correlates with tourism season.

According to the Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were nearly 2,500 car accident fatalities in the state in 2010. Road accidents can be avoided with preparation. Drivers are urged to travel with a plan. Be cautious and alert while traveling and curb distractions. Be patient with the out of town drivers and expect the unexpected. Floridians need to alter their driving habits to accommodate these unfamiliar drivers and to ensure safety on our roadways.

Continue reading " Car Accidents in Fort Pierce a Warning for Upcoming Season " »

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of our most dangerous times of our roadways. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 430 people are expected to die in car accidents in Cooper City and elsewhere over a more than four-day period surrounding Thanksgiving Day.

The NSC is also predicting that nearly 44,000 injuries requiring professional medical attention will occur because of traffic crashes during this time. Although these predictions are nearly 20 percent lower than the actual results of previous Thanksgivings, we ask all motorists to be cautious, alert and prepared on our roadways when traveling over the weekend.

Our Cooper City car accident attorneys understand that roughly 43 million American are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their home over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. This is about 5 percent more travelers than the 2010 holiday. Many of these vacationers include snowbirds and tourists who will flock to our Florida sunshine. Drivers beware; your risks for a traffic accident will be significantly increased during the holiday weekend.

The Thanksgiving holiday is the time period from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23rd to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 27th. About 2 million more travelers are expected to be on our roadways this year, according to CNN.

Travel experts believe that this increase in travel is because of the gas prices. We've typically seen higher gas prices this year compared to recent years, which have caused residents to stick around town for other holidays. Well, residents are sick of it.

This year's average gallon of gas costs $3.39. Last year's average was about $2.88. Earlier in the year, Memorial Day travel remained relatively similar to last year's travel numbers, whereas Independence Day and Labor Day's travel actually decreased. Experts believe that residents are tossing out their concerns for finances over the upcoming holiday weekend and are hitting the road for a much needed vacation over Turkey Day.

"Driving AAA's projected increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers is pent-up demand from Americans who may have foregone holiday travel the last three years," said Bill Sutherland, vice president of AAA Travel Services.

Most vacationers will be hitting the roadway over the holiday weekend. Airlines aren't sure how their companies will do over Thanksgiving. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is expecting a 2 percent increase whereas the Air Transport Association of America is predicting a 2 percent decrease in travel from 2010 to 2011.

Drivers are urged to travel safely and cautiously during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Florida typically experiences more traffic during this time of year with the seasonal residents and with vacationing tourists, but traffic during Thanksgiving increases even more.

From our Cooper City car accident attorneys to your family, have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Continue reading " Thanksgiving Holiday Could Increase Rise in Fatal Car Accidents in Cooper City, Nation " »

Car accidents in Weston and elsewhere are the number one killer of teens in the United States. With the holiday season approaching, teens are at an even higher risk for a fatal accident, but with parents' help, we can try to reduce these risks. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, teen drivers are at the greatest risk of an accident during their first year behind the wheel. During this time, one out of every five will be involved in a car accident. More than 300 teens died in Florida in car accidents in 2007.

The “Drive with Care – Courtesy, Attention, Responsibility and Experience” campaign is reaching out to young drivers and their parents to discuss the dangers of driving and to help keep our roadways safer. As seasonal residents venture south and vacationers flock to the beach, teens are facing congested roadways and serious risks for accidents. Parents are urged to discuss these dangers and safe-driving tips to keep them safe.

Our Weston car accident lawyers understand that Florida law requires that parents provide their teen drivers with at least 50 hours of supervised driving before they can apply for an operator's license. Ten of these hours must be completed at night. During this time, parents are asked to serve as a positive role model and coach. Teens are likely to mimic their parents' habits on the roadways. Parents are urged to get involved in their young driver's habits, especially during the holiday season when roadways traffic is expected to increase significantly.

Teen drivers are less likely than adult drivers to be able to understand the risks and dangers of driving. This is because they've been behind the wheel for such a short amount of time and they've been exposed to much less driving hazards. Teens' brains are still developing well into their 20s. This development affects their judgment while driving.

Drivers age 16 and 17 are nearly 50 percent more likely to be involved in an accident if there's another passenger in the vehicle. These drivers also face increased risks for accidents between 9 p.m. and midnight. Although our teen drivers make up only about 6 percent of Florida's driving population, they account for nearly 15 percent of all fatal accidents.

Safety tips for teens from the Florida Driver Handbook:

-Always wear a seat belt. It may be your best defense in the event of an accident.

-Make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted before starting your car.

-Always drive with your lights on for added safety.

-Be sure to come to a complete stop at all red lights and stop signs. Slow down before stopping to avoid having to slam on the brakes.

-Never tailgate. Keep a distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

-Be sure to look all around before moving forward from a stop.

-Don't rely on mirrors when backing up or making a turn.

-Stay at least 15 feet away from all trucks. Remember that if you can't see the truck's side-view mirror, the driver probably can't see you.

-Never drive faster than the posted speed limit. Your risks of serious injury or death doubles for every 10 mph you travel over 50 mph.

Parents are urged to discuss these pointers with teen drivers to help to prevent a car accident in Weston and elsewhere in South Florida.

Continue reading " Holiday Traffic Increases Teens' Risks for Car Accidents in Weston " »

A student from Palm Beach Atlantic was killed in a recent motorcycle accident in Boynton Beach. The accident happened when the 21-year-old motorcyclist attempted to avoid an accident. It all happened near the Boynton Beach Mall on North Congress Avenue shortly after 7 p.m. He tried to avoid an accident with a minivan when he swerved, nicked the bumper of that car and laid his motorcycle down to avoid the direct crash, according to The Palm Beach Post.

Accident reports indicate that the minivan swerved into the path of the motorcyclist while making a left-hand turn. Officers report that the young motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The man in the van was not injured and charges are pending.

Our Boynton Beach motorcycle accident lawyers understand the risks that motorcyclists face on our roadways. While other areas of the U.S. experience fluctuations in their motorcycle accident rates, Florida sees these brutal accidents all year long. Drivers are urged to share the road respectfully with motorcyclists. They're provided with much less protection in an accident than motorists in a passenger car, which is why motorcycle accidents oftentimes turn deadly in an instant.

According to Ride Smart Florida, there were nearly 8,500 motorcycle accidents in the state in 2009. These accidents injured nearly 7,500 people and killed nearly 400.

Injured motorcyclists in Florida in 2009 by age:

-Under 21: Nearly 700.

-21 to 24: About 830.

-25 to 34: More than 1,400.

-35 to 44: Nearly 1,400.

-45 to 54: Nearly 1,700.

-55 to 64: Nearly 1,000.

-65 to 74: More than 300.

-75 to 84: Nearly 50.

-85+: Less than 5.

In 2009, there were more riders killed in the 45- to 54-year-old age group than any other age group. This group was followed by the 24- to 34-year-old age group. The median age for fatal motorcyclist injuries was 42-years-old during the year.

Nearly 95 percent of the motorcyclist deaths in the state in 2009 were experienced by Florida residents.

Counties with the most fatal motorcycle accidents in 2009:

-Broward.

-Miami-Dade

-Orange

-Hillsborough

-Volusia

-Lee

-Duval

-Palm Beach

-Brevard

During that year, motorcyclists accounted for about 6 percent of the motoring public in Florida, yet their representation of fatalities accounted for more than 15 percent of all traffic fatalities over the entire year. About 45 percent of these Florida motorcycle accidents happened on weekends.

The devastating accidents can be costly, too. The average cost in 2009 for a motorcyclist who was involved in an accident and suffered nonfatal injuries was nearly $54,000. The total cost for hospital charges in the state Florida for motorcycle accident injuries during the year was more than $385 million. This is an unfortunate number considering that nearly 50 percent of motorcyclist hospitalizations were not covered by commercial insurance.

Continue reading " Palm Beach Atlantic Student Killed in Boynton Beach Motorcycle Accident " »

With Thanksgiving coming up this week, the holiday season is in full swing and 2012 is approaching quickly. During the holiday season, we typically see a drastic increase in the number of car accidents in Cooper City and elsewhere. With the Thanksgiving holiday, nearly 40 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home. About 90 percent of these travelers will be on our roadways. During the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday period, nearly 400 motorists died because of car accidents. Thousands more were injured.

Our Cooper City car accident attorneys understand that driver distractions are a top cause for vehicle accidents. Some motorists all too often engage in dangerous activities, such as placing calls, taking calls and text messaging while driving. These behaviors drastically increase the risks for accidents.

To help cut down on the number of accidents, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is pushing the "Faces of Distracted Driving" campaign, which offers stories from those who have been tragically affected by these types of accidents. Many residents lose family members because of careless drivers.

A recent story featured the family of a 19-year-old girl and her unborn child, both of whom were killed in a pedestrian-car accident in Naples with a distracted driver. The accident happened in 2010 when a cell phone-using driver rolled through a stop sign and hit the girl who was crossing the street not far from her home.

These public service announcements have been viewed by people across the country more than 100,000 times since the campaign launched in November 2010. The campaign aims to shine a light on just how dangerous this behavior is, and to let viewers know that these accidents are happening every day around the country.

“I thank all of the families of distracted-driving victims who have bravely chosen to share their stories of loss with the world,” LaHood said.

About 5,500 people lost their lives in distracted driving-related car accidents in 2009. These types of accidents accounted for about 20 percent of all accidents reported during the year. Nearly 1,000 of these fatalities were the result of an accident in which a cell phone was reported as the distraction. Nearly half a million drivers were injured in these accidents.

Many people don't think that talking on a cell phone or sending a text message while driving isn't all that difficult or distracting, but they couldn't be more wrong. Drivers who use a cell phone behind the wheel are four times more likely to get into an accident. This dangerous act gives drivers the same reaction capabilities as a driver who is legally drunk.

As we head into the holiday season and traffic picks up, we urge all drivers to curb the distractions and focus on driving.

Continue reading " 'Faces of Distracted Driving' Campaign Targets Holiday Car Accidents in Cooper City " »

One average, four people die in car accidents in Hollywood and elsewhere every hour of every day. The financial impact of a car accident can be just as devastating. According to a CBS News report, car accidents cost the country about $300 billion every year. That cost is now higher than the cost of traffic congestion.

Our Hollywood car accident attorneys understand that car accidents can be costly. The average fatal car accident costs around $6 million. This cost includes all of the medical expenses, legal costs, emergency services, lost earnings, etc. The cost for an average car accident causing injury is about $125,000, and some 33,000 people die on our nation's roadways every year.

"Traffic crashes really need to be moved to the forefront of the American discussion as the public safety (and) health threat that they are," said AAA spokesman Troy Green.

Unfortunately, car accidents are so common that these incidents don't even make it in the news anymore. Consider it this way: a small plane would have to fall out of the sky every day for 360 days in a row to equal the costs we pay out for car accidents. That would be unacceptable for aviation and it should be just as unacceptable for car accidents.

The fact that the cost of car accidents has surpassed the cost of traffic congestion is astonishing. Traffic congestion losses include the loss of motorists' time and gas wasted while idling in traffic.

A recent study concluded that the cost of accidents is roughly three times greater than traffic congestion, about $300 billion to nearly $100 billion. This is largely due to the increase in the costs of accidents in recent years. The most significant increase was experienced between just 2005 and 2011.

Officials recommend the following to help reduce the risks of accidents:

-Consider new safety technology like electronic stability control (ESC). This technology helps to keep a vehicle stable during skids by automatically braking when necessary. Some estimates conclude that this technology could save nearly 10,000 lives a year.

-Continue the development of short-range radar sensors. These sensors have the ability to warn a driver when he or she may be about to get into an accident. This system can also activate seat restraints and the vehicle's airbags.

-Continue to enforce distracted driving, drunk driving and speeding laws. Right now, only 35 states have laws banning text messaging behind the wheel. Florida is not one of these states.

According to Green, every state needs stricter laws, tougher enforcement and harsher penalties.

Right now, AAA is pushing a multi-year, long-term, nationwide transportation bill that focuses on roadways safety. According to AAA, this bill could save both lives and money. AAA is aiming to get the focus off of congestion issues and to get Congress to focus more on the serious and fatal accidents on our roadways.

Continue reading " Costs of Car Accidents in Hollywood and Elsewhere Exceed Costs of Traffic Congestion " »

Safety advocates around the country are still trying to get drivers off their cell phones in an effort to reduce the risks of distracted driving-related car accidents in Sunrise and elsewhere. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are pushing for safer roadways, too. The two organizations recently teamed up with state attorneys general to create and share a number of public service announcements (PSA) as a part of its “Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks.” campaign.

These PSAs are aimed at teen drivers, who typically have a higher accident rate than any other age group of drivers. The PSAs are being used to educate young drivers and to share with them the very real consequences of using a mobile phone behind the wheel, whether making calls or sending text messages.

Our Sunrise car accident attorneys understand how dangerous it is to text message while driving. Florida is still one of the few states that has absolutely no law in place banning drivers from text messaging. According to distraction.gov, distracted drivers caused accidents that killed nearly 5,500 people and injured an additional 448,000 in 2009. People who use a cell phone while driving are four times as likely to be involved in a serious accident.

The first PSA video shows a girl reaching for her phone as she heads through an intersection. Because of the distraction, she fails to see the stop sign and gets into an accident.

The other two PSAs show pedestrians who are walking and texting. While the scene is humorous for viewers, it illustrates a very real danger. Pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings just as much as drivers do. The end of the video shows teens texting behind the wheel and the dangers they face when distracted.

Both of the PSAs ask viewers, “How will you stop texting and driving?” At the end of the video, you'll be sent to Stoptextsstopwrecks.org for even more information about the dangerous habit.

Teens are about four times as likely to be involved in a car accident as drivers of any other age group. When you add in the texting distraction, their risks skyrocket to nearly 25 times more likely to be involved in an accident.

Parents are urged to talk with the teen drivers in their lives. It's important for teens to understand the risks that come with using a cell phone behind the wheel. Keep safe driving habits as a frequent topic of conversation in the household. Although the state of Florida doesn't prohibit teen drivers from texting behind the wheel, it doesn't mean that parents can't enforce their very own distracted driving rules with the drivers in their family.

Continue reading " NHTSA and Ad Council Release New PSA Targeting Teens' Distracted Driving Accidents in Sunrise and Elsewhere " »

According to Dr. Val Jones on Better Health, driving in the dark is a lot more difficult for some drivers than others. As she interviews optometrist Dr. Cristina Schnider, she discovers that the size of your pupil and your ability to focus directly correlates with available light. When it's dark outside, you have less to focus on and your eyes work overtime. Many drivers have a slight sight disability as they have a tougher time focusing on things. This can be extremely detrimental and can greatly increase their risks of a nighttime car accident in Oakland Park.

Our Oakland Park pedestrian accident lawyers recently discussed the dangers that nighttime driving brings about. These dangers are increased now that we've set our clocks back for Daylight Saving Time. Evenings fall upon us sooner as the sun sets earlier. Oftentimes it takes a while for travelers to adjust to the new settings. We are reminding everyone to be cautious on our roadways during the early morning hours and the evening hours as this is when we see a majority of our traffic accidents.

Drivers are urged to remember a few things to help keep their vision on point when driving a motor vehicle. Remember to blink. People will oftentimes hesitate to blink when they're focusing on something. It's also important to keep the wind at bay. Open windows and blasting air conditioning can dry out a person's eyes and can make it more difficult for them to see, according to Schnider. Drivers are urged to compensate for the lack or light or the difficulty focusing by slowing down. It typically takes drivers longer to react to things at night.

John Ulczycki from the National Safety Council says that nighttime driving negatively affects a driver's eyes. Peripheral vision and the ability to determine contrast are hindered. These factors vary depending on a driver's visual ability and age. No matter what your age though, drivers fail to see potential risks more so in the evening than they do in daylight.

Ulczycki reports that nearly 30 percent of travel occurs during hours of darkness and nearly 50 percent of fatal accidents occur during the nighttime hours. Not only does vision affect these statistics, but so does our perception of risk. Since it's harder to see other people and other vehicles, people fail to see risks.

Glare on windshields is also a common complaint from nighttime drivers. There is a way to reduce the effects of this glare, says Ulczycki. He says it's important to not look directly into that glare from the headlight of an oncoming car, but to look above it. He also says you should be scanning the roadways anyways instead of looking only in one spot. You need to be aware of what is around you at all times.

Remember that nighttime hours bring out more alcohol-impaired drivers, too. Be cautious of the driving skills of motorists around you. Always drive defensively.

As for younger drivers, the per-mile crash rate for teen drivers is three times higher after 9 p.m. than the rate of any other age group. Talk with your teens and other loved ones about the dangers and risks of driving while dark and perhaps we can all help reduce the number of traffic accidents in South Florida.

Continue reading " Dr. Val Jones Discusses Nighttime Car Accidents in Oakland Park and Elsewhere " »

Curbside buses may offer cheap rides for residents, but they also offer higher risks of busing accidents in West Palm Beach and elsewhere.

According to The Palm Beach Post, curbside buses are seven times more likely to be involved in an accident than conventional buses. The rates are much higher on these curbside buses because they're harder to regulate by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), states a newly released report.

Curbside buses are buses that navigate their way through the city, picking up and dropping off passengers in front of retail stores and at street corners. The more conventional buses use busing terminals to gather passengers. Half of the curbside busing companies have been in business for more than 10 years and nearly 45 percent of them have fewer than 10 buses. Newer companies had higher accident rates than these veteran companies.

Our West Palm Beach bus accident attorneys understand that these buses are difficult to regulate because they don't operate out of a typical terminal. It's more difficult for inspectors to track down these buses for en route inspections. To make matters worse, there are only about 900 FMCSA inspectors who are in charge of looking over 760,000 U.S. motor carriers. These inspections typically take about two weeks to complete. There's just not enough manpower.

Even worse, companies that are shut down for numerous violations can and do reopen under another operating name. The same buses are used, just with a new coat of paint. Officials call these vehicles "ghost buses."

FMCSA officials aren't able to keep tabs on ticket sales for these curbside buses either. Sales are made through online brokers, which don't fall under the Administration's jurisdiction. Most times, these brokers don't reveal the name of the busing company to a consumer who purchases a ticket, meaning that there's no way for you to check out a company's safety record beforehand.

"Business and safety practices within the growing curbside bus industry create challenges for enforcement authorities and consumers alike when it comes to separating the safe operators from the unsafe operators," said NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman.

The report was summoned by Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y. and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. back in March after our country witnessed the brutal bus accident in the Bronx that took the lives of 15 people and injured another 18. The owners company of that bus, World Wide Travel, was shut down after receiving a number of safety violations.

Later in May, a bus heading to Chinatown in New York from North Carolina got into a serious accident that ended up killing four and injuring another 50. Reports indicate that the bus driver fell asleep at the wheel. Sky Express Inc., the bus' operator, had received nearly 50 safety violations regarding driver fatigue within the last two years. That company was also shut down.

So far in 2011, there have been nearly 25 interstate busing accidents that killed about 35 people and injured more than 450.

The problem with these companies is that they're growing and sprouting up quicker than the NTSB and the FMCSA can keep track. For this reason, passengers are urged to look thoroughly into a busing company for potential safety warnings before purchasing a ticket.

"When travelers board a bus, they should feel safe, whether the trip starts in a terminal or at a Chinatown sidewalk," said Velázquez.

Continue reading " West Palm Beach Residents Most Likely to be Injured in Curbside Bus Accident " »

Our Coral Springs car accident attorneys recently told you about Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, which took place from November 6th through the 12th. Awareness of drowsy driving should never end though. As we recently set our clocks back for Daylight Saving Time, the risks for car accidents increased. A majority of car accidents occur during the evening hours. Nighttime accidents happen because people fail to adjust their driving skills, fail to recognize driving hazards and they're more likely to be sleepy during this time.

As we recently blogged, more than 95 percent of drivers find drowsy driving to be an unacceptable driving habit, but nearly a third of drivers admit to doing it themselves, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Driving at night provides enough strain on our eyes, but when drivers are sleepy, the risks for a car accident in Coral Springs increases.

Drowsy driving car accidents account for nearly 20 percent of all fatal accidents on our roadways. They also account for more than 10 percent of all injury accidents.

“Drowsy driving kills, just as sure as drunk, drugged and distracted driving does,” said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger. “Drivers have a tendency to underestimate the impact being tired has on their driving ability.”

Just as the number of drunk-driving accidents increases during evening hours, so does the number of drowsy driving car accidents. Sometimes sleep pulls in drivers and there's virtually nothing you can do about it. For this reason, it is important to stay off of the roadway during times when you'd normally be sleeping. If you'll be venturing out on a long road trip, be sure to get plenty of sleep before you head out. The worst thing a driver can do is push though the sleepiness while they're behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

Drivers are urged to pull over and rest if they are having trouble keeping their eyes open, yawning excessively, daydreaming a lot, having a hard time keeping their eyes open, swerving in and out of lanes, or having a hard time remembering the last few miles traveled.

2010 drowsy driving statistics:

-Drivers who are accompanied by a passenger are half as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving-related accident.

-Nearly 70 percent of drowsy driving accidents involved male drivers.

-Most drowsy driving accidents occur at night.

-Drivers age 16- to 24-years-old are most likely to be involved in a drowsy driving accident.

-More than half of drivers who have admitted to having fallen asleep while driving say they did it on a high-speed divided highway.

-Men are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel than women.

Continue reading " Daylight Saving Increases Risks for Drowsy Driving Car Accidents in Coral Springs " »

While Daylight Saving Time's "fall back" earlier this month gave us an extra hour, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says we are now in a time period of increased risks for pedestrian accidents in Pembroke Pines and elsewhere.

The NHTSA reports that there were more than 4,000 pedestrian fatalities and nearly 60,000 pedestrian injuries in 2009. About a quarter of these fatal pedestrian accidents happened between 4 and 8 p.m, and nearly 15 percent happened between 4 and 8 a.m.

Our Pembroke Pines car accident attorneys remind drivers to keep a heads-up for pedestrians on our roadways. Since night falls upon us much earlier in the evening now, pedestrians are harder to see this time of year. Adjusting to the new low-light environment can take a little while. We also ask motorists and pedestrians to curb the distractions. Everyone traveling along our roadways needs to put their full attention on the traffic around them.

Since it gets darker much earlier now, pedestrians are urged to carry a flashlight with them to help motorists to see them more easily. If you don't want to carry a flashlight, you're urged to wear reflective gear. Being visible to motorists may be one of the best ways to prevent an accident from dusk to dawn.

Here are some additional safety tips for motorists and pedestrians:

Motorists

-Be sure to travel slowly in residential areas during the evening hours. It takes more alertness to see a pedestrian when it's dark.

-Remember that pedestrians could be wearing headphones (although this is not a safe practice). These devices block out traffic noise and may prevent a pedestrian from hearing your vehicle approach.

-It's a good idea to keep your mirrors, windows and windshield clean. This helps to increase visibility when it's dark out. You should frequently check to make sure that your windshield wiper fluid is full, your wipers are in good-working condition and that your defrosters are working properly.

Pedestrians

-You should always carry a flashlight or attach reflective materials to your clothing. Try fluorescent tape. You can adhere this tape to your clothes, purse, briefcase, bike, shoes or backpack.

-Traffic signals won't always protect you. Unfortunately, drivers run red lights and turn when they're supposed to yield. This could be because they're distracted or because they haven't fully adjusted to the darker setting. Always travel defensively.

-Never jaywalk, especially from between two parked cars. It's best for pedestrians to cross at crosswalks or at street corners.

-Always use the sidewalk when one is available. If you have to walk along the street, do so facing oncoming traffic.

As the darkness falls upon us much sooner since we've set our clocks back, be sure to exercise caution on our roadways. Nighttime serves as a popular backdrop for serious accidents. Help to prevent one by driving cautiously, alertly and defensively.

Continue reading " Daylight Saving Time Brings Increased Risks for Pedestrian Accidents in Pembroke Pines " »

According to CNN Money, Rolls-Royce Motors Inc. is now recalling nearly 600 Ghost sedans in the U.S. They're being recalled because of a potential fire hazard. The circuit board could overheat and cause the car to go up in flames. This recall has been issued to prevent any injury in West Palm Beach and elsewhere caused by a manufacturer's defect.

This recall is just like the one that affected more than 30,000 BMW vehicles that came with both 8- and 12-cylinder turbocharged engines. The recalled Rolls-Royce vehicle is built just like the 7-series BMW sedan and is powered by a V-12, 563 horsepower 6.6-liter twin-turbo BMW-built motor.

Our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys understand that the price of the vehicle has nothing to do with recalls and potential defects. Even the most expensive vehicles can be manufactured with defects. The Rolls-Royce Ghost is the company's cheapest model, running about $250,000.

Still, with such expensive cars, nearly 2,000 are being recalled. Nearly 600 of these recalls are in the U.S. Motorists are urged to look into safety ratings and other car information before considering purchasing a vehicle. A safe car may be one of you best defenses against injury in the event of a car accident.

What can happen is the circuit board that controls the vehicle's water pump can overheat. This pump is used to cool off the turbocharger. Overheating can lead to smoldering of the water pump and, ultimately, to a fire.

"This may also lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire," said Rolls-Royce in a recent release.

When the car begins to overheat, the driver should be alerted by a warning light located in the vehicle's gauge cluster.

Since late October, there have been more than 100 incidents where water pumps have failed in BMW vehicles. Two of these reports resulted in fires. If you own one of these defective vehicles, you're asked to take your car into a BMW or a Rolls-Royce dealer to have the water pump replaced for free.

Typically during the fall season, new-model vehicles are released. This is when residents perk up to look into getting a new car. This year, the sales of General Motors Co. in the U.S. have increased by about 2 percent. The sales were headed by the Equinox crossover and the Chevrolet Cruze.

GM sold about 200,000 vehicles in October alone. The sales of cars have spiked by nearly 5 percent among passenger cars and about 2 percent among trucks during the month. Its sales of crossover sport utility vehicles dropped by about 1 percent though.

"There are still are some underlying consumer confidence issues," said Jonathan Browning, chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America.

Despite the increase in sales, some car companies have spent fewer hours perfecting their vehicles and making sure they go through rigorous enough testing. They have mandates to hit, but should go the extra mile to ensure their customers are safe.

Before purchasing a vehicle, you're urged to check our safety ratings on http://www.safercar.gov/. Consumers should always keep safety in mind when looking at a new car.

Continue reading " Vehicle Recalls Concern Motorists Hoping to Avoid a West Palm Beach Car Accident " »

City Council members are looking into enacting a new ban in Port St. Lucie. The new ordinance could potentially stop people, including charitable organizations and newspaper vendors, from using the medians on popular roadways to collect contributions and to sell newspapers from passing motorists, according to TC Palm.

The Council says that these roadside activities are impeding the flow of traffic, endangering the public and increasing the risks of Port St. Lucie car accidents.

Mayor JoAnn Faiella says that the Police Department will be monitoring these popular intersections for six months. He'll direct the officers to return to the area if the soliciting continues to be a problem.

Our Port St. Lucie car accident attorneys understand that the ban was first brought to discussion after a number of resident complaints. Drivers voiced their concern about these solicitors and the distractions they're providing. These distractions can drastically increase the risk of injury to drivers or the people themselves, who are unguarded from traffic. These solicitors or the companies they work for may be liable for these types of accidents.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department and many departments in the surrounding areas have agreed that a ban is needed to help ensure the safety of both motorists and these solicitors.

According to the Port St Lucie Police Chief Brian Reuther, there's no data supporting the claim that roadside solicitations contribute to accidents. These roadside businessmen are a relatively new trend. He still agrees though that no one should be standing on the side of the road, especially at some of our busiest intersections.

The St. Lucie County Commission is also considering a ban like this one, only it would solely affect its unincorporated areas. The ban would be enforced on every day but Sunday. This would allow vendors to distribute newspapers and organizations to collect charitable donations.

"It's an accident waiting to happen. If there's a death, it'll be penned on us," said Councilman Jack Kelly.

A similar discussion is taking place in Cape Coral, where city officials are looking into banning sign shakers in their city. If you drive down any main roadway in the Cape, you're sure to see tons of sign shakers. These workers are holding these signs in an attempt to grab your attention. Unfortunately, when these signs have your attention, the road doesn't.

To help prevent distracted driving and to reduce the risks of accidents on those Southwest Florida roadways, Cape Coral City Council is looking into completely banning these sign shakers.

"You hate to take a job from anybody but you don't want to put them in harm's way," said John Jacobsen, Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Director.

For many local companies, this is about the only form of advertisement they can afford right now to lure in the customers. One Cash for Gold location in the Cape currently employs 25 sign shakers and reports the investment is paying off.

There's one problem with the ban though, carrying a sign along our roadways is a First Amendment right, so there's only so much the Council is able to do.

Continue reading " Street-Side Vendors and Sign Shakers At Risk For Car Accidents in Port St. Lucie " »