Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog

There were thirteen people and an unborn child killed in recent car accidents in South Florida. What's most alarming about these fatalities is that they all happened within a 24-hour period.

According to The Miami Herald, the deadliest accident killed four people in Miami-Dade in an accident on the Gratigny Expressway.

As we recently reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, these fatalities included a mother and her unborn child. The woman was in a cabana at her hotel when a vehicle left the road and ran directly into it.

Our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers understand that there were two more people killed by a hit-and-run driver on the shoulder of Florida's turnpike. This accident happened in the middle of the day -- the two were killed attempting to change a tire on the side of the road. With the height of tourist season being right now, risks for car accidents in the South Florida have skyrocketed!

Broward County was included in these fatal accidents, too. A parishioner was ran over and dragged through a church parking lot. There was also a 14-year-old kid killed as he was skateboarding. Lastly, a 5-year-old girl was killed in a hit-and-run accident.

In total, there were six fatalities in Miami-Dade, three in Palm Beach County and four in Broward.

Florida deals with a fluctuation in roadway traffic year round. Right now we're dealing with Spring Breakers and visitors from throughout the country. With these travelers, we see increased risks for accidents. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles(FLHSMV), nearly 240,000 car accidents happened in the state of Florida in 2010. There were nearly 200,000 people who were injured and another 2,445 people who were killed in these accidents. In 2010, there were more alcohol-related car accidents than the year before. The number of pedestrian fatalities also increased during this time. That's not all. There were more bicyclists killed and motorcycle passengers killed during this time than the year before. The number of teen drivers killed remained the same from 2009 to 2010.

Drivers are asked to be safe on our roadways and to follow these few simple safety tips to help to avoid an accident:

-Always wear a seat belt. Make sure passengers are buckled up, too!

-Avoid using cell phones and text messaging devices behind the wheel.

-Keep your windshield clean to maximize vision.

-Never drink and drive.

-Never ride with the gas tank on E. Keep it at least half full.

-Always obey road signs, including stop signs, traffic lights and speed limit postings.

-Never tailgate other vehicles.

-Keep music at a reasonable volume.

-Keep chitchat with passengers to a minimum.

-Avoid using cruise control.

-Be cautious and slowdown in shoddy weather.

-Be a courteous driver at all times.

Continue reading "Thirteen Killed in South Florida Car Accidents in 24-Hours" »

Florida pedestrians are some of the most endangered in the country.

As The New York Times put it in an article last year:
"Any pedestrian in Florida knows, walking in this car-obsessed state can be as tranquil as golfing in a lightning storm."

And yet, less-than-accurate information is being peddled to the media about who is most frequently at-fault in pedestrian deaths and injuries in Vero Beach and beyond.

Our Vero Beach car accident attorneys know that Florida communities earned the top 4 slots in the ranking of most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians last year. Orlando-Kissimmee ranked first, followed by Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and then Jacksonville in third, followed by Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach. Those are national rankings - meaning our pedestrians are at even higher risk than those in New York City, Los Angeles or Chicago.

In a comprehensive study conducted by Transportation for America, it was found the state often lacks adequate sidewalks, and further that drivers tend to be more careless and aggressive.

And yet, conclusions from a new study originating from the University of Maryland Children's Hospital have been published by various media outlets. The study essentially blames pedestrians' use of headphones as a catalyst for the crashes that lead to their injury and death.

The Times Union, in New York, for example, published the findings that in a five-year span, the number of headphone-wearing pedestrians who were killed tripled. Sure, that sounds like a startling figure at first.

The researchers were essentially saying that pedestrians who decided to enjoy music along their route were putting themselves at greater risk. No mention was made of those careless drivers who struck them, many of whom were likely also blaring their stereos or were otherwise distracted.

But let's look a little closer at the numbers being used here. Researchers pointed to 16 deaths that fit this scenario in 2004-2005. Then they looked at numbers from 2010-2011, and found 47 deaths that fit that same pattern.

Yes, that means the numbers tripled, but in fact, it's a very miniscule number of the total pedestrian deaths and injuries every year. Consider that between 2000 and 2009, more than 47,000 pedestrians were killed in the U.S.

As pointed out in a recent blog by Transportation for America's Stephen Lee Davis, that means the number of deaths the University of Maryland researchers are talking about accounts for 0.03 percent of all pedestrian deaths.

"Spending our time focused intently on this tiny aspect of pedestrian deaths is like coming across a person who’s been stabbed in the chest, and worrying about finding the Band-Aid you need to patch the scrape on his elbow," Davis wrote.

Our Vero Beach car accident attorneys agree: Blaming the victim gets us nowhere.

Continue reading "Don't Blame Florida Pedestrians for High Injury Risk" »

As the holidays draw near, more and more residents are flocking to the malls and other shopping centers to get those last-minute gifts for friends and family. Be careful when parking at these places though because parking lots are commonly the backdrop for serious accidents. There are high risks for car and pedestrian accidents in Wellington parking lots through the holiday season.

"With the holiday season coming up and more shoppers expected to park in lots later at night, it's important to be aware of the surroundings and choose a safe place to park," said Anndee Soderberg, ADT marketing manager.

Our Wellington car accident attorneys ask motorists and pedestrians to be safe while traveling through parking lots and parking garages outside of busy stores. Pedestrians are not only warned to be safe around vehicular traffic in these lots, they're also warned to be cautious of cracked sidewalks and other hazardous debris. By following a few safety tips, we can all help to make sure that we make it in and out of the stores safely this year.

Parking Lot Safety Tips:

-Be aware of your surroundings. Refrain from distracting activities, such as cell phones, bags and packages, car keys, pedestrians and other cars. Keep your eyes on the parking lot.

-Always hold the hands of small children.

-Be careful when crossing the path of vehicular traffic. Look both ways when crossing a parking lot lane just as you would crossing the street.

-Park in open spaces. Never try to squeeze your vehicle into a tiny spot.

-Be extra careful when backing up. Keep looking around your vehicle for nearby pedestrians. Backup slowly just in case someone darts out behind your vehicle unexpectedly.

-Lookout for defective sidewalks and parking lot debris.

-Walk when and where pedestrian traffic is signaled to.

-Drivers should always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.

-Drivers should never block or park in crosswalks.

Property owners are required to keep parking lots clean and safe for everyone. as well By following a few safety measures, property owners can help to prevent any accidents or legal matters regarding their parking lots.

Tips for parking lot owners:

-Make sure that all areas of the lot are well lit.

-Deal with flooding areas immediately after the rain to avoid any fall hazards.

-Clearly mark areas where pedestrian and vehicular traffic are expected.

-Clearly mark steps and changes in level on sidewalks.

-Clear the lot of all trash and other debris.

-All signs should be visit and legible.

As the stores fill up with holiday shoppers, the parking lots are expected to fill as well. Shoppers are urged to be cautious when parking as these areas can produce a number of accidents if you're not cautious and careful. Property owners are required, by law, to ensure that these areas are safe for all visitors. Let's all do our part to be smart, polite, careful and courteous in parking lots to avoid an accident. Happy Holidays and safe shopping!

Continue reading "Parking Lot Accidents in Wellington Common through Holiday Season" »

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" »

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" »

A 73-year-old woman was run over by a 19-year-old driver in a Fort Lauderdale teen car accident. The woman was walking through her neighborhood around 6:30 a.m. when the young motorist struck her, according to New Times BPB.

Officers report that the teen had been drinking. After the accident, he left the woman's body lying in the street and parked his car at his house down the road. His mother called the Sheriff's Office after discovering her son's bloody car with a shattered windshield and dented hood. The boy was later taken into custody and charged with the woman's death. He's facing charges of vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash involving death and DUI manslaughter, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

After hearing stories like this, about teen drivers endangering Florida residents, it's no surprise that these young, inexperienced drivers have been placed on the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) "most wanted" list. Our West Palm Beach car accident lawyers encourage parents to get involved with their teen's driving. It is important to teach them safe and cautious driving habits while monitoring their driving abilities. With education and enforcement from parents, driving organizations and government, we can help to properly trains our newly licensed drivers and make our roadways a little bit safer.

The NTSB recommends that state government enforce some sort of graduated driver licensing (GDL) system. This is a driving program that allows young, novice drivers to learn and practice skills a little bit at a time before earning full driving privileges.

Back in 1996, the state of Florida established the Graduated Licensing System. The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles requires that young drivers demonstrate responsible driving habits and behaviors in each stage of licensing before they're able to advance to the next.

In Florida, teens have to drive under the following restrictions as they venture towards obtaining a full driver's license:

-15-years-old: A teen is allowed to get their learner's permit. Under this license, a teen must always have a licensed driver 21years of age or older in the passenger seat. During the first three months of this stage, driving is limited to daylight hours only. After three months, the driving hours are extended 10:00 p.m.

-16-years-old: Drivers can drive without a licensed driver over the age of 21 in the passenger seat. They are only allowed to drive alone between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. If they are to drive outside of these allotted hours, they must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21-years-old in the passenger seat, or be traveling to or from work.

-17-years-old: Teens can now drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. Again, they must be accompanied by a licensed driver that is at least 21-years-old if they wish to drive outside of these hours, or be traveling to or from work.

-18-years-old: A teen is now eligible to be fully licensed. They are allowed to drive during any hour of the day without a licensed passenger requirement.

According to a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, states with a strong teen driver safety program typically sees 40 percent lower rates of injury accident involvement among 16-year-old drivers. Still, Florida saw nearly 400 teen driver deaths in 2009 alone. Parents are urged to get involved and be active in their teen's driving experience to help reduce these fatality numbers.

Continue reading "73-Year-Old Woman Killed in Fort Lauderdale Teen Car Accident" »

My Fox Tampa Bay reported recently about the near tragic pedestrian accident on Florida Avenue. The female pedestrian was struck by a car while crossing the street. The driver fled from the scene but was tracked down by police after a witness called 911, followed the escaping vehicle, and gave directions to dispatch for the police to track him down.

It's a problem across Florida. But nowhere is it more accute than the Fort Lauderdale-Miami region.

Pedestrian accidents in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere occur far too frequently but being the victim of a hit-and-run accident is inexcusable. Medical costs associated with pedestrian accidents can be overwhelming so contacting a Palm Beach pedestrian accident lawyer to fight for the compensation you deserve is the first step to making a full recovery both physically and financially.

Transportation for America recently released the 2011 pedestrian safety report. The Dangerous by Design 2011 report indicates that Florida contains the top 4 most dangerous metro areas which include: Orlando-Kissimmee, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Jacksonville and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach.

From 2000 through 2009, almost 48,000 pedestrians have been killed in the United States. This is equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing once a month over the course of a 10-year period. It is also reported that another 688,000 pedestrians have been injured in motor vehicle accidents during the same time period which equates to someone being struck every 7 minutes by a vehicle of some sort.

Our region remains one of the most dangerous parts of the state. From 2000-2009, Broward County reported 463 pedestrian fatalities, Hillsborough County reported 375 walkers killed on roadways, and Miami-Dade County reported 753 pedestrian fatalities during that time period. Florida's overall Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI) is 182.8 which is top in the nation.

Much blame is being put on state departments for not putting the resources towards pedestrian safety and improving ways to create a safe alternative for walkers. Of the federal funds available to state departments, only about 1.5 percent actually gets allocated toward projects that would improve pedestrian safety on roadways.
Most pedestrian deaths are deemed as 'accidents' but the truth of the matter is they are all considered preventable. A common denominator for most pedestrian accidents is that they occur on poorly designed roadways or streets manufactured for speeding traffic. From 2000-2009, 67 percent of the total pedestrian fatalities occurred on federal-aid roadways where something could be done by the state to make them safer.

Transportation for America is offering the following recommendations for the next federal transportation spending bill:

-Keep the two largest funding resources for bike and pedestrian safety, Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School programs in tact that Congress is considering eliminating.

-A national complete streets policy should be put in place in which federally funded projects should take into account all roadway users including pedestrians, bicyclists, children, adults and disabled individuals.

-Create a network of sidewalks, trails and bicycle paths that residents can use throughout a community which would keep them from sharing roadways with vehicles.

-Federal, state and local governments should set goals to spend Highway Safety funding entirely, rather than a small percentage, on pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist and motorist safety.

-Hold states accountable for the improvements being made (or lack thereof) to create a safer environment as well as a more active population.
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It is evident that pedestrians are at high risk in our state so motorists need to keep a watchful and use extra caution in areas where pedestrians are prevalent.

Continue reading " Miami, Fort Lauderdale lead nation in most dangerous metro areas for pedestrian accidents" »

Just shy of 7 a.m. on Jan. 18, a Florida East Coast Railway train engineer reported spotting a body alongside the track just south of Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. Cops believe the victim – a white male – was side-swiped by a southbound train late Monday night. Details determining the exact time and cause of death are still being investigated.

As our West Palm Beach injury lawyers noted in an earlier post to our South Florida Injury Lawyers blog, a full investigation into the cause of death or injury in a pedestrian-related Florida train accident is a critical step in protecting the rights of the injured.

In 2009, Operation Lifesaver reports, there were 1,916 reports of highway-railroad crossing collisions nationwide. More than 60 percent of them happened in just 15 states. Of those, Florida ranked 13th with 50 reported railway-related collisions.

Another 246 highway-railroad crossings were fatal. Again, nearly three-quarters of those deadly accidents happened in just 15 states. Florida ranked 7th with 10 deaths linked to railroad accidents. Florida also ranked 7th for pedestrian-railway crossing fatalities with 19 pedestrians killed by trains in 2009. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that overall in 2009, Florida railroad crossings were the site of 199 traffic crashes; 29 fatal and nearly 2,000 with injuries.

Pedestrian-railway crossing accidents remain the leading cause of railway-related fatalities at an estimated 500 pedestrian deaths each year. A three-year investigation by the Federal Railroad Administration revealed that the average victim of a pedestrian-railroad crossing death is most often a white male in his late 30s.

Operation Lifesaver offers some tips to help pedestrians avoid becoming a railroad fatality statistic:

~ First and foremost, even if you can’t see or hear one, ALWAYS expect a train is heading your way. Trains are fast and can approach from any direction at any time.

~ The safest place for a pedestrian is well off the track and well outside the overhang zone that extends at least three feet beyond the tracks on both sides. Tracks may appear inactive, but most times they are not.

~ Never try and beat the train. Even if you don’t slip and fall, it is an optical illusion that a train seems further away and to be moving slower than it actually is. A 100-car train traveling 55 m.p.h. requires 18 football fields in length to come to a complete stop.

~ Only cross at designated locations when you know the rail is clear to cross. Never walk over rail bridges or through tunnels or climb on or between moving or non-moving rail cars. Of course, never try to hop onto a moving train or jump from train to train if astride along a railway.

Continue reading "South Florida train accidents a risk for pedestrians and motorists" »

From Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, to Miami and Fort Lauderdale, pedestrian accidents are a year-round danger in South Florida. In fact, NBC2 reports that Orlando is the worst city in the nation for pedestrian accidents.

The Florida Highway Patrol also reports hit-and-run accidents are occurring with increasing frequency. Troopers recorded a total of 691 hit-and-run reports for the month of December alone. Our Port St. Lucie car accident attorneys are frequently asked whether a victim should bother to consult an attorney in cases where hit-and-run causes injury or property damage. We believe strongly that legal representation is your best option for protecting your rights in such cases, as well as those cases in which an uninsured motorists accident causes serious or fatal injury.

In cases where the driver is identified, it may be possible to file a claim against his or her personal assets, or against the insurance policies in place on other vehicles in the household. You may also be entitled to collect damages from your own insurance carrier.

Pedestrian accidents in South Florida may also involve a hit-and-run driver, either because a driver was intoxicated, lacked a driver's license or insurance, or had other reasons for not stopping at the scene of the crash.

The recent ranking of Orlando as worst in the nation for pedestrian accidents by Transportation for America is not surprising. Millions of tourists and year-round nice weather are both leading contributors to the pedestrian accident problems in Orlando and elsewhere in South Florida.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports Florida pedestrian accidents claimed 490 lives in 2008 -- more than anywhere in the nation except California.

About 1 in 10 of the nation's pedestrian accidents occur in Florida.

Florida cities took the top four spots. Orlando was followed by Tampa, Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville.

Continue reading "Orlando cited as worst city for pedestrian accidents -- Miami-Fort Lauderdale third-worst " »

The Fort Lauderdale injury attorneys and staff at the Law Offices of Freeman & Mallard wish each of you a Merry Christmas, a happy holidays and a safe and enjoyable New Year.

It’s this time of year that Florida becomes alive with the spirit of Christmas -- whether holiday travel, boat parades, or time around the backyard pool with friends and family. We spend almost every weekend enjoying all South Florida has to offer.

In fact, Fort Lauderdale plays host to one of the largest one day event extravaganza’s in the country with Winterfest Boat Parade each year. The event draws thousands to the city, even if it’s for one day, and our Fort Lauderdale accident attorneys know such large gatherings usually pose a risk of accidents for those who participate or attend.

Holiday boat parades are popular all over the state of Florida during the holiday season so safety is a concern whether you are on the boat or just a spectator driving or walking to the event. Due to the growing popularity from recent years there can be up to a million people who attend these events to take in the lights, music, decorations, and entertainment which often extend over a 14 mile stretch.

According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System used but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, December is one of the worst calendar months for traffic fatalities over the last few years in Florida. In fact, last year March was the only other month that accounted for more traffic fatalities than the 548 recorded in December. There may be no direct correlation to holiday parties and parades in December but the number of people attending them certainly enhances the risk of serious injury or fatality to occur.

If you find yourself headed out to attend a holiday parade or gathering this year, the following safety tips could be helpful as a spectator or participant:

-Enjoy the fantastic views but don’t overindulge with too much drinking as driving a vehicle or boat is never safe after alcohol consumption.

-If you step on a parade boat as a spectator or participant you should always make sure you wear a certified life jacket.

-Allow extra time for travel on the highly populated roadways. It’s better to be late than sorry.

-Be courteous to the spectators or participants around you who are enjoying the same décor, no one likes a holiday scrooge.

Continue reading "Heavy traffic, boat parades, increase risk for accidents in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding area" »

Car accidents in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere continue to be the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14, according to the latest information released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Our West Palm Beach injury lawyers know there are many reasons for these tragic accidents, including lack of proper seat belts, safety seats and booster seats, speeding, distracted driving and even, tragically, accidents involving drunk drivers.

Buckle up your kids…it makes a difference. In an effort to save lives, child safety seats or seat belts should be used at all times when traveling in passenger vehicles with children accompanying you. The Florida Highway Patrol requires any child under age 18 to be secured while traveling in a passenger vehicle.

The NHTSA reports infants who are secured in safety seats can reduce the risk of fatality or serious injury by 71 percent. In addition, toddlers who are secured can reduce risk by 54 percent.

In 2009, approximately 309 children avoided fatal injuries due to the fact they were restrained by child safety seats or seat belts. Reports also show in 2009, children under the age of 14 accounted for 4 percent of the fatal accidents in the United States.

Other findings of the new report:

-Florida car accidents claimed the lives of 110 passengers under the age of 4 from 2005-2009

-42 fatalities occurred in Florida for unrestrained children riding in a passenger vehicle

-Estimated 90 lives were saved because of child restraints and safety seat belts in the state of Florida.

-244 kids under the age of 14 were killed in pedestrian accidents last year.

-74 children were killed in bicycle accidents in 2009.

Continue reading "Fatal Fort Lauderdale car accidents involving children a continuing cause for concern" »

The bus driver blamed for a Palm Beach school bus accident has twice been disciplined and has received three speeding tickets in his three years as a bus driver for the school district, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

The 54-year-old driver struck a 17-year-old as he was crossing Seminole Pratt-Whitney Road, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. The youth was listed in fair condition at S. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach on Thursday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than half of all fatal accidents involving school buses are pedestrian accidents or accidents that occur while a passenger is getting on or off the bus. It is incumbent upon school districts and busing companies to be proactive in protecting the safety and welfare of passengers and the public, and that includes properly monitoring the driving records of bus drivers.

Our Palm Beach injury lawyers note it is the second bus accident in Palm Beach this week. On Wednesday, a school bus was involved in an accident with a car at Boynton Beach Boulevard and Jog Road.

Continue reading "Pair of Palm Beach school bus accidents a reminder of dangers faced by motorists and passengers" »

There are many unknowns and much uncertainty swirling around an early morning South Florida car accident on Palmetto Expressway that left one pedestrian dead and found a stunned driver flagging down a state trooper in the pre-dawn hours of Sept. 28, the Miami Herald reports.

What detail are known are sketchy at best. It is believed the Spanish-speaking foreigner flew into Miami International Airport from Laredo, Tex. and that around 3 a.m. he hailed a cab. He asked the driver to take him to a Hialeah Gardens address that authorities have determined doesn’t exist.

The cab driver, who said the victim asked to sit up front, said his passenger quickly became agitated – flailing his arms and speaking to himself in Spanish. The Florida Highway Patrol reports the victim was talking on a cell phone before he began screaming and unbuckled his seat belt and tried to open the passenger door.

The cab driver pulled off to the shoulder and scrambled to call for help. The victim then fled the vehicle and dashed blindly into traffic and then lay face down in the road. Several cars dodged the victim as the cab driver and couple other drivers attempted to divert traffic. The driver of a 2008 Nissan pickup was unable to avoid striking the man. He has not been charged.

While this case is a bizarre example, most cases handled by Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorneys involve the death of a pedestrian that could have been prevented by the at-fault motorist. In fact, Florida has one of the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities in the nation. Most pedestrian-involved traffic fatalities happen in urban areas, at night, under normal weather conditions and at non-intersection locations along roadways. That in 70 percent of cases, the victim is a man.

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department recently reported that more pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties than anywhere else in the state, claiming 150 lives in 2009. Throughout the state, 8,248 pedestrians were involved in Florida car accidents that left 7,676 pedestrians injured.

Continue reading "South Florida pedestrian accident on Palmetto Expressway yields more questions than clues" »

As we mentioned in an earlier post to our South Florida Injury Lawyers blog, 2009 was a banner year for safe driving across the country. The number of people killed in fatal car accidents dropped to its lowest since 1950, reaching almost a 10 percent decline in car accidents fatalities compared to 2008. Motorists injured in car accidents are down as well.

In fact, across the board, riding in or driving a vehicle – four wheeled or two wheeled, motorized or not – even walking on or near roadways in the U.S. is the safest it has ever been, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. In Florida alone, the number of fatal Florida car accidents has dropped more than anywhere else in the country, reporting 422 fewer fatalities in 2009 than in 2008. Texas, California, Pennsylvania and Georgia also saw more than 200 fewer fatalities. Overall, just 9 states saw the number of fatal car accidents go up.

However, Florida remains one of the nation's three deadliest states, along with Texas and California. And motorists are more at risk of a serious or fatal car accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Miami than anywhere else in the state.

Throw alcohol into the mix, and again, numbers are down in 33 states and Puerto Rico. Fatal car accidents in which alcohol played a factor declined by 7.4 percent, claiming 10,839 lives in 2009 – 872 fewer than in 2008.

Among the findings:
Total Traffic Fatalities: 33,808 -- down 9.7 percent from 37,423
Passenger Vehicles: 23,382 -- down 8.2 percent from 25,462
Large Trucks: 503 -- down 26 percent from 682
Motorcycles: 4,462 -- down 16 percent from 5,312
Pedestrians: 4,092 -- down 7.3 percent from 4,414
Bicyclists: 150 -- down 12 percent from 188

Injuries were also down across the board:
Total Injuries: 2.217 million -- down 5.5 percent from 2.346 million
Passenger Vehicles: 1.976 million -- down 4.6 percent from 2.072 million
Large Trucks: 17,000 -- down 26 percent from 23,000
Motorcycles: 90,000 -- down 6.3 percent from 96,000
Pedestrians: 59,000 -- down 14 percent from 69,000
Bicyclists: 51,000 -- down 1.9 percent from 52,000

Continue reading "Florida motorists less likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents" »