South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

On Friday evening, an accident involving four vehicles on State Road 54 killed one person and injured several others. The car accident victim, a 52-year-old man from Palm Harbor, was riding in a 2001 Honda Accord that got rear-ended while stopped at a traffic light.

According to investigators, a 2003 Ford Sport Trac was headed east on State Route 54 when the driver failed to slow down for a traffic signal. The Ford struck the Accord while it was stopped at the light and then hit a 2003 Infiniti G35 in the northbound lanes of Seven Springs Boulevard. The impact pushed the Honda into the intersection and it was hit by a 2003 Ford Explorer.

In addition to one fatality, two people were taken to St. Peterburg's Bayfront Medical Center in serious condition and one was listed in critical condition. Another driver was taken to Community Hospital in New Port Richey, where he was listed in serious condition. Several more drivers and passengers also sustained minor injuries in the auto accident.

Source: Troopers: 1 dead in 4-car crash in Pasco, The Suncoast News, December 19, 2009

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South Florida police say a car crash injured three people when a car jumped a curb. The car was reportedly driven by an elderly woman who police say may have hit the wrong pedal while in a parking spot. Her car apparently accelerated out of the parking spot and careened through some bushes before it jumped the sidewalk and injured three people.

According to police, one of the people sustained serious injuries, but the injuries to the other two people were more minor. They have not released the names and ages of those involved in the auto accident.

Officers are still investigating the motor vehicle crash.

Source: 3 people injured when car jumps curb in South Fla., Miami Herald, December 11, 2009

Continue reading "Pembroke Pines Car Accident Injures Three People " »

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On Thanksgiving night, Tiger Woods was involved in a single-car crash near his mansion in Windermere, Florida. According to police, Woods had lips on his lips and blood in his mouth when they arrived at the scene of the crash.

However, while initial media reports that the tennis superstar was "seriously injured" turned out to be overblown, Woods' reputation has certainly suffered as a result of the auto accident. Woods' and his attorney have remained tight-lipped about the crash, leading some to speculate about a possible scandal surrounding it.

Woods did not charged in connection with the motor vehicle crash, but the Florida Highway Patrol issued Woods a $164 citation for careless driving. They do not believe that alcohol or drugs were a factor.

Sources: No criminal charges for Woods, Washington Post, December 2, 2009
Tiger Woods injured in car crash, MercuryNews.com, November 27, 2009

Continue reading "Tiger Woods Injured in Florida Car Crash, FHP Issues Citation" »

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Three Florida teens died in an auto accident early Sunday morning when the red Volkswagen they were riding in hit guardrail and turned over into a canal. The 16-year-old driver and two of his passengers, also 16, were removed from the vehicle by police and transported to Coral Springs Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead.

A third passenger, age 15, managed to escape the Volkswagen and survive.

According to Coral Springs police, the motor vehicle accident occurred just after midnight, when another vehicle driven by a 59-year-old Miami man T-boned the Volkswagen carrying the teens. The impact of the auto collision sent the Volkswagen careening off the road and into the canal. So far no charges have been filed in this fatal car accident.

Teens Drown in Car That Plunged Into South Florida Canal, WOKV.com, November 16, 2009

3 teens killed after car crashes into canal, Miami Herald, November 15, 2009

Continue reading "Coral Springs Crash Kills Three Teens After Car Lands in Canal" »

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In downtown Lakeland, a two-vehicle collision injured six people and blocked the southbound lanes of South Florida Avenue for several hours. The auto accident occurred around 9:45am at South Florida Avenue and Lemon Street when a PT Cruiser collided with a Ford Focus. According to police, the PT Cruiser turned sideways, rolled over, and ended up in the southbound lane of Florida Avenue.

Five of the six people in the PT Cruiser were sent to the hospital, including three adults, an infant girl, and a toddler. Emergency responders had to pry the door off the passenger side of the PR Cruiser in order to free one of the injured women. One person in the Focus was also taken to the hospital and treated for injuries.

The car accident remains under investigation.

Crash Hurts 3 Adults & 3 Small Kids, TheLedger.com, October 12, 2009

Continue reading "Two-Car Crash in Lakeland, Florida Injures Six People" »

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In Florida, a 58-year-old woman from Ormand Beach died after being thrown from her golf cart. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the woman was ejected from her golf cart while driving it in the Plantation Bay Golf Club. The cart tilted as she made a turn onto a bridge around 6:25pm last Thursday.

Authorities say they do not know how she lost control of the vehicle.

The woman was transported to Florida Hospital Flagler and later pronounced dead. Troopers say they are waiting for the results of an autopsy to determine whether the golf cart accident was related to alcohol consumption. They also hope to find out the cause of death.

Golf cart accident victim identified, News-Journalonline.com, October 17, 2009

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On Saturday morning, a two-vehicle car crash on Interstate 10 Florida killed four residents. All four of the car accident victims who died were riding in a 2000 Nissan Sentra and were from the Defuniak Springs, Florida area. The driver and three passengers died, but their identities and ages have not been disclosed.

According to a state police report, the driver of the second vehicle was a 22-year-old from Blountstown, Florida. The driver of a 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck suffered severe injuries in the motor vehicle accident, which occurred around 6:25am. That auto accident victim was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the car crash and any contributing factors.

Four killed in Jackson County Florida car crash, Dothaneagle.com, October 10, 2009

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In September, a chartered bus carrying 32 South Florida Baptist senior adults was part of a 19-vehicle pile-up on Interstate 75. There were several injuries involving passengers in the other vehicles, but none of the seniors were injured in the bus accident. According to one of the bus passengers, the motor vehicle accident occurred in the mid-afternoon as light rain fell on the roads and "ballgame traffic" clogged the interstate.

The passengers were on their way from Florida to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where they were to attend Johnny Hunt's annual Jubilee. The group apparently continued to their destination after boarding another bus.

Reports from the Tampa Tribune indicate that northbound lanes of I-75 at State Road 60 were closed for approximately three hours after the multiple vehicle crash.

Baptist seniors’ charter bus involved in 19-car accident, Florida Baptist Witness, October 8, 2009

Continue reading "South Florida Seniors Injured in 19-Vehicle Accident " »

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Earlier this year, a 9-year-old boy suffered severe burns and lost all ten fingers in a go-kart accident at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida. His go-kart flipped over and burst into flames after he allegedly hit a patch of uneven pavement. The boy's family has filed a negligence lawsuit against the raceway and the manufacturers of the go-kart and its engine.

The family's negligence lawsuit accuses the raceway of not having adult supervision, fire extinguishers, or phones nearby for emergencies. It also alleges that the raceway had poorly maintained surfaces and accuses the go-kart company of making a product that dangerously leaks fuel when inverted. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating the go-kart's design.

The family of the injured boy has not spoken publicly about the go-kart accident, but their attorney said that based on the accident victim's suffering, the judgment could be as high as the eight figures.

Family sues raceway over son's go-kart crash, South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 5, 2009

Continue reading "Pompano Beach Family Files Suit After Go-Kart Accident " »

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According to a new study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hybrid electric vehicles are twice as likely to be involved in accidents with cyclists and pedestrians, who may not hear the hybrid's quieter engine.

Researchers examined almost nine thousand hybrid and 600,000 internal combustion engine vehicles in 12 states, including Florida. They found that the car accidents usually occurred at low speeds, when the sound different between the two types of engines is greatest. However, accident rates were similar when the cars were going straight. None of the car crashes studied were fatal.

As hybrid cars gain in popularity, automotive engineers and manufacturers are examining ways to address this safety concern. In the future, they may add a device that would generate noise under certain circumstances to alert pedestrians or bicyclists when the vehicle is backing up or performing other maneuvers.

Broward County is working on a pilot project to give 15 new licenses to fuel-efficient taxis and luxury sedans, and the county's consumer protections administrator says she may ask drivers about safety concerns when the licenses are awarded in 2010.

Study: Hybrids twice as likely to crash into pedestrians, cyclists, South Florida Sun Sentinel, September 30, 2009

Continue reading "Study Finds Hybrid Vehicles Pose Higher Risk to Cyclists, Pedestrians" »

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Our South Florida motor vehicle accident lawyers recently read about a car accident on Interstate 75. According to a release from the Florida Highway Patrol, a 30-year-old man was hospitalized with critical injuries after a car crash Friday morning. He was transported to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida.

The accident occurred on I-75 south of Lake City around 9:55am. The victim was traveling southbound in a 1995 Chevrolet Geo behind a lot drunk when a portion of the log truck's drive shaft fell off and hit the car. The driver swerved into the center median and hit the guard rail. After hitting the guard rail, the car traveled back into the traffic lanes, rolled over, and ended up upside down in the center of I-75.

The driver of the log truck was not injured, and the condition of the Chevrolet driver was listed as critical.

Driver injured in I-75 accident, Gainesville.com, September 18, 2009

Continue reading "Florida Man In Critical Condition After Car Accident on I-75" »

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On Sunday afternoon, a Florida police cruiser collided with another vehicle, forcing authorities to shut down Northbound Interstate 95 for several hours as investigators examined the site of the rollover crash. According to a Fort Lauderdale police spokesman, the police officer was responding to a report of a man with a gun when the cruiser hit another vehicle.

The unidentified officer sustained neck and back injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was rushed to Broward General Medical Center, and the interstate reopened around 7:30pm Sunday evening.

The cause of the car crash and the details surrounding this accident are still being investigated.

Fort Lauderdale officer hurt in roll-over crash, Orlando Sentinel, September 20, 2009

Continue reading "Roll-Over Car Crash Injures Fort Lauderdale Officer and a Driver" »

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In Tampa, two auto crashes on Sunday morning injured four people and caused the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to temporarily close parts of Interstate 75. All four motor vehicle accident victims were taken to Tampa General Hospital. One of the people was listed in critical condition.

According to the FHP's website, the accident was reported at 10:47am and troopers were on the scene less than ten minutes later. The driver of a Ford F-250 was traveling north on I-75 when he lost control of the vehicle and swerved, entering the exit lane for Fletcher Avenue. The truck and trailer went into a ditch, sustaining $11,000 worth of damage.

The two accidents involved a car, semi-tractor trailer, and a truck towing a fifth-wheel RV. FHP did not have a report on the other traffic accident.

I-75 reopens after multivehicle accident, TBO.com, September 13, 2009

Continue reading "Two Florida Motor Vehicle Crashes Temporarily Close I-75" »

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On Friday, a Sebring man was seriously injured in a car accident after his 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix veered off the road and hit a tree. The 23-year-old man was traveling northbound on SW Welles Avenue in Nocatee when the auto accident occurred around 10:45pm.

The cause of the motor vehicle crash is unknown, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), but the vehicle went onto the northbound grass shoulder rotating clockwise.

The driver was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital, where he died the following day of injuries sustained in the accident. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and the FHP is awaiting test results to find out if alcohol or drugs were involved.

DeSoto County accident claims the life of 23-year-old Sebring man, NewsSun.com, September 1, 2009

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Last Thursday night, a pedestrian was hit and killed by a vehicle at Roosevelt Boulevard and Waverly Street in Largo. The pedestrian was reportedly crossing the highway. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the fatal accident happened just after 9:30pm.

A 2003 Isuzu Rodeo, driven by a 44-year-old Tampa man, was heading east when it struck the pedestrian. Emergency responders pronounced the accident victim dead on the scene.

The FHP is still investigating the fatal pedestrian accident. As of last Friday, no charges had been filed and the pedestrian's name had not been released.

Troopers investigating pedestrian's death in Largo, TBO.com. August 21, 2009

Authorities respond to fatal pedestrian accident near Largo, St. Petersburg Times, August 20, 2009

Continue reading "Florida Troopers Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Accident" »

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On Tuesday, six separate traffic accidents forced a temporary closure of Interstate 595. The Miami Herald reports that a total of 18 vehicles were involved in the accidents, but only two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

According to Florida Highway Patrol officials, the first auto accident occurred around 7am in the westbound lane near Davie Road. A car lost control and hit two other vehicles, causing a chain reaction of five cars.

Four separate crashes occurred in the eastbound lanes around Flamingo Road. All of those crashes were rear-end collisions.

Lanes reopened after 6 separate accidents on I-595, Miami Herald, August 18, 2009

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Over the weekend, three accidents in Florida's Okaloosa County resulted in two deaths and six injuries. The first car accident happened on Friday just before midnight when a driver turned left in front of another vehicle. The 49-year-old woman behind the wheel was killed, while the other driver was seriously injured. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said neither driver was wearing a seatbelt when the collision occurred.

Then around noon on Saturday, another auto accident occurred on Interstate 10 near mile marker 65. According to a FHP release, a 47-year-old driver was traveling east when she hit standing water in her lane and lost control of her vehicle. She hit the guardrail before her car overturned. The driver and three of her passengers sustained minor injuries, but a 62-year-old woman was critically injured in the crash. No charges are pending in that car accident.

The third auto accident occurred on Saturday at 10:30pm when a pedestrian walked into the path of an oncoming car near Beasley Park. The 58-year-old man died after being hit by two vehicles. Neither driver is thought to been under the influence of alcohol, but the toxicology report is still pending for the man who died. According to reports, one of the drivers was charged for having a valid driver's license.

Series of weekend crashes kills two, injures six, Northwest Florida Daily News, August 3, 2009

Continue reading "Trio of Florida Car Accidents Result in 2 Deaths, 6 Injuries" »

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Our Florida personal injury attorneys have been following a bus accident at Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The bus crash occurred when a southbound World Drive bus rear-ended another Disney passenger bus around 2:40pm last Thursday afternoon. The driver of one bus crashed into the back of another vehicle, which had stopped while it was trying to merge from the three lanes to two lanes on World driver.

Of the 50 people who were traveling on the two buses, twelve were injured and taken to Disney area hospitals. The drivers were reportedly unharmed. This marks the second serious accident at Disney World in the past two weeks. Earlier this month, a monorail pilot was killed in an accident.

2 Walt Disney World buses crash, JusticeNewsFlash.com, July 20, 2009

Continue reading "In Florida, Bus Crash at Disney World Injures 12 " »

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According to a report recently released by the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida drivers are more likely to get into a car accident in Jacksonville than anywhere else in the state. With a total of 14,000 crashes last year, Jacksonville topped the list of Florida auto accidents in 2008, beating Miami by roughly 50 percent.

Another reported released from the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test showed that Florida ranks 43rd in the country based on driver's exam scores. Florida drivers averaged a 74.1%.

Despite this data, there were fewer Florida motor vehicle crashes last year compared to 2007. The number of fatalities fell below 3,000 for the first time in eight years. Pedestrian fatalities fell about 5%, while injuries climbed more than 4%. The data shows that Pedestrians were less likely to be killed in a car accident, but they were more likely to be hit and injured.

Jacksonville tops Florida for car crashes, BizJournals.com, July 9, 2009

Continue reading "New Stats Show Jacksonville Has Highest Rate of Car Crashes in Florida" »

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In Florida, Emmanual Carry has been charged with first-degree murder for the death of Coral Springs resident Patrick Dameus. Carry, also from Coral Springs, is accused of “intentionally” hitting the 48-year-old man with his 2005 Honda Element more than once before using the vehicle to drag his body 2 ½ miles.

The alleged attack reportedly occurred right before 5am on Sunday in a parking lot on Riverside Drive. Coral Springs Police say that the two men had been arguing.

Police accuse Carry of not only striking Dameus and dragging his body under his motor vehicle as he left the scene, but also of backing the car over him and driving over him again. Dameus’s body was found on State Road, where he was pronounced dead.

Carry, who was arrested at 6:15 pm at a family member’s house in North Miami Beach, is being held in the Dade County Jail without bond. He will be extradited to Broward County.

Wrongful Death
In Florida, the family of a victim who was killed by another person’s negligent or reckless act may be able to file a Florida wrongful death lawsuit to obtain compensation for the loss of their loved one and the harm suffered by the family as a result of that loss. The kinds of recovery that surviving family members can claim may vary. For example, a child who has lost her mother or father in a car accident may be able to claim damages for loss of parental support.

Family members may seek economic and noneconomic compensatory damages. In certain cases, they may have grounds to file a Florida wrongful death claim that also seeks punitive damages.

Punitive Damages
Punitive damages in a Florida wrongful death case may be awarded if there is evidence to prove that the defendant acted intentionally and/or with gross negligence to cause the victim’s death.

Coral Springs man runs down another man, drags him 2 1/2 miles, Sun-Sentinel, October 27, 2008

Man Dragged To Death, Suspect Arrested, Local10, October 26, 2008

Related Web Resource:

Types of Personal Injury Damages, Justia

Continue reading "Florida Man Dies After Being Run Down Several Times and Dragged 2 ½ Miles Under an SUV " »

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Wrongful Death

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In West Palm Beach, Florida, five people died on the Florida Turnpike on Friday night when the sport utility vehicle they were riding in rolled over after it blew a tire. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver lost control of the Ford Expedition and rolled into a 15-foot canal.

Eight people were in the SUV, which was completely submerged in the canal when police arrived. Troopers say that bodies had been ejected from the vehicle and children were crying at the crash scene.

Three people, a boy and two women, were pronounced dead at the crash scene. A dive team found the body of another boy the following morning. Another victim, a girl, was pronounced dead at Delray Medical Center, where the three survivors were also treated for their injuries.

Only four of the eight people riding in the SUV —driver Moline Etienne and the three injury victims that survived the crash—were wearing seat belts. The children were not riding in child safety seats or wearing seat belts.

The victims that died were Etienne, 23, Roodandray Louis, 3, Shelley Peters, 30, Natayel Meyer, 10, and Malesha Louis, 5. The victims that were injured but survived the crash are Gina Merceron, 41, Enichka Maurice, 15, and Shadrack Gustave, 6.

Tire Blowouts
There are many reasons why tire blowouts can happen. Defective tires is one reason that tire blowouts occur.

Examples of tire defects:

• Valve stem cracks
• Breaks in the tire fabric
• Damaged or exposed cords
• Knots and bumps resulting from tire damage

Tire blowouts can cause a motorist to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in motor vehicle collisions, SUV rollovers, and other catastrophic accidents.

5 dead in Turnpike crash,, Sun-Sentinel.com, October 18, 2008

5 Killed When SUV Rolls Over On Turnpike, WPBF, October 18, 2008

Related Web Resources:

The Hidden History of the SUV, PBS.org

Tire Blowouts on the Highway, Safety.com

Continue reading "Five People Killed in West Palm Beach After Tire Blowout Causes SUV Rollover" »

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Products Liability , SUV Rollovers , Wrongful Death

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A jury in Palm Beach, Florida has awarded the family of Pompano Beach resident Claudia Avila $6.98 Million for her wrongful death. Avila died on February 17, 2004 in Delray Breach when a 34-pound metal plate crashed into the windshield of the motor vehicle she was riding on I-94 and struck her on the head.

Avila went into a coma. She died a few weeks after the accident when doctors took her off life support.

The Palm Beach County jury found company Tarmac America 28% liable for the tragic accident. Tarmac America was the company that packaged thousands of metal plates for shipping and then loaded them onto a number of flatbed trailers for transport to Fort Lauderdale.

Avila’s children had filed a wrongful death lawsuit suing Tarmac America, Ft. Lauderdale scrap metal company IGM, and Miami truck company EM Transfer. IGM and EM Transfer settled with Avila’s family out of court.

During the trial, the plaintiffs accused Tarmac of negligence because it failed to properly secure the metal plates to the wooden pallets that they were stacked on. The metal plate struck Avila after falling off the truck.

The Palm Beach found EM Transfer 72% liable. Because the truck company had already settled the case, the resulting judgment for the family is $1.7 million. The wrongful death award includes damages for loss of parental support and pain and suffering.

Road Debris
According to a 2004 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Study, 25,000 motor vehicle accidents occur every year because of road debris, with almost 100 deaths resulting.

Because of road debris, motor vehicle accidents can occur when:

• A driver loses control of the vehicle.
• Brakes suddenly to avoid debris.
• Injuries from debris crashes through the windshield.
• The driver becomes distracted.

Road Debris Can Be Fatal, CBS News, July 13, 2004

Jury awards $1.7 million to family of woman killed by metal plate on I-9, Sun-Sentinel.com, October 13, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Highway Debris, Long an Eyesore, Grows as Hazard, New York Times, May 11, 2007

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Study

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents , Wrongful Death

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Seven people suffered burn injuries in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday following a deadly gas pump explosion at the BP station located at the intersection of Southwest 27th Avenue and Davie Boulevard. The blast happened after a 2008 Dodge pickup truck collided with a 1992 Buick before crashing into the pump. Following the explosion, the pickup truck and a nearby Toyota caught on fire.

One victim, Fort Lauderdale resident Ricardo Mottley, was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami in critical condition. Another victim sustained moderated burn injuries, while five other victims sustained minor injuries. Pickup truck driver Roy Donald Link is one of the people that suffered minor burns.

While no criminal charges have been filed, some witnesses say that Link ran a red light before the crash.

2007 Burn Injury Facts from the American Burn Association:
• Some 4,000 people a year die from burn injuries.
• 3,500 of these fatalities occur in fires at residences.
• 500 burn deaths occur in aviation and motor vehicle rashes.
• Some 500,000 people receive medical care for burn injuries each year.

Kinds of Burns
First-Degree Burns: The top layer of skin has burns.
Second-Degree Burns: Involves the first two layers of skin.
Third-Degree Burns: Penetrates all layers of skin and causes permanent tissue damage.

Burn injuries can be serious injuries. If you or someone you love suffered burn injuries in a Florida accident that was someone else’s fault, it is important that you explore your legal options.

Man critically burned in gas pump fire, Miami Herald, October 7, 2008

Related Web Resources:
American Burn Association

Burn Emergencies, Phoenix.gov

Continue reading "Seven People Suffer Burn Injuries After Florida Motor Vehicle Crash Causes Deadly Gas Pump Fire at Ft. Lauderdale Station " »

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Posted In: Burn Injuries , Car Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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Six men were killed in a deadly Florida motor vehicle crash in Glades County on Monday when a tractor-trailer struck the van carrying them. The crash is being called one of the deadliest auto accidents to ever occur in Southwest Florida.

The accident occurred after a sand truck driver failed to stop at a stop sign, crashing into the van. All six victims were killed on impact. Four of the victims were ejected from the van and only two of the six men were carrying identification.

Ewing Saunders, the 66-year-old tractor-trailer driver, was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital where he was reportedly in serious condition on Monday night. The truck he was driving is owned by West Coast Aggregate Haulers.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s "Large Truck Causation Study," major causes of crashes involving large trucks and passenger vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles, cars, pickup trucks, and vans, include:

• Improper surveillance
• Speeding
• Illegal driving maneuvers
• Exhaustion
• Illness
• Driver inattention
• Not anticipating other motorists’ maneuvers
• Driver distraction

Deadly truck crashes continue to be a potential danger for motorists on US roads. Injuries from truck crashes are usually catastrophic—especially for other drivers and pedestrians—and the costs for recovery and ongoing medical care can be very expensive.

6 killed in Fla. tractor-trailer crash with van, AP, October 1, 2008

Truck hits van, kills six in rural Glades County, News-Press.com, September 30, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Deadly Southwest Florida Crashes, News-Press.com, September 29, 2008

FMCSA

Continue reading "Southwest Florida Tractor-Trailer - Van Accident Claims Six Lives" »

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Truck Accidents

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Following reports that the number of red-light running traffic violations have decreased significantly in the Florida cities of Apopka and Gulf Breeze since red-light cameras were installed on certain busy roads, more Florida cities (including Sunrise, Ft. Lauderdale, and Hollywood) are considering installing the devices on their own roads. Pembroke Pines and Hallandale Beach have said that they will install the cameras, which photograph a motorist as he or she drives through a red traffic light.
Not only does getting caught running a red light lead to a traffic violation and an expensive fine for the owner of the vehicle, but the cameras are intended to prevent people from running a red light and striking a pedestrian or another motor vehicle.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that 22% of all US motor vehicle accidents are a result of drivers running red lights, with at least 800 traffic fatalities occurring as a result each year. In the Broward County city of Ft. Lauderdale alone, there were 3,201 auto crashes caused by drivers running red lights last year that lead to 23 fatalities. Between 1998 and 2006 in Florida, 110 of the traffic deaths that occurred in the state happened because motorists ran red lights.

There are, of course, reports that argue that red-light cameras also increase the number of auto accidents, such as when a driver slam on the brakes in an effort to avoid running a red light and causes an auto crash instead. This is more likely to happen when other motorists are following too closely behind the vehicles in front of them.

According to a seven-year Virginia Transportation Research Council study, the number of motor vehicle accidents increased at intersections after red-light cameras were installed by 29%. Meanwhile, an Urban Transit Institute at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University study found that the number of auto accidents at intersections with red-light cameras grew by 40%, with injury crashes increasing by 40-50%.

Success with red-light cameras should earn green light from state, Sun-Sentinel.com

How Red-light Cameras Work, HowStuffWorks

Red-Light Cameras Increase Accidents, USF Study Says, 2.Tbo.com, March 12, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Continue reading "More Florida Cities Consider Installing Red-Light Cameras to Decrease Number of Motor Vehicle Accidents" »

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Presidents from about 100 colleges and universities across the United States are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the legal drinking age. They believe the current drinking laws actually encourage rather than discourage college students from drinking heavily. The current legal drinking age is 21.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• There were 3,490 teen driving deaths (ages 15-20) in 2006.
• 31% of the teen drivers killed that year had been drinking.
• Auto accidents are a main cause of teen deaths.

• Nationally, 12,998 people died in alcohol-impaired motor vehicle collisions in 2007.
• 890 of those fatalities took place in Florida.

The college presidents are part of the Amethyst Initiative. Members of the movement believe that college students are more likely to drink if alcohol consumption is illegal for them.

Statistics Regarding College Drinking:

• Over 40% of college students exhibit at least one sign of alcohol dependence or abuse.
• Over 500,000 college students a year are involved in alcohol-related accidents.
• Some 1,700 students a year die in accidents where drinking was a factor.
• Many college students drink heavily on their 21st birthdays—with men drinking an average of 12 drinks and women consuming 9 drinks to mark the occasion.

Not everyone is in agreement that lowering the legal drinking age will save more lives and prevent injuries. Mothers Against Drunk Driving say decreasing the legal drinking age will lead to more deadly motor vehicle crashes.

Drunk driving accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries for the driver, passengers, and others on the road. Drunk driving is a crime and it is also negligent driving.

College Presidents Want Lower Drinking Age, NYSun.com, August 19, 2008

Students mark 21st birthdays with 'extreme' drinking binges, USA Today.com, August 27, 2008

Related Web Resources:
Amethyst Initiative

2007 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment-Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities (PDF)

Continue reading "College Presidents Want Lawmakers to Reduce Legal Drinking Age" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents

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According to results from the inspection conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation following the deadly Burhap, Walton County truck accident that left one man dead and a young girl seriously injured, the tractor-trailer driven by former Walton County Commissioner Herman Walker was overloaded with cattle feed by about 1,000 pounds( over the 80,000 limit). DOT inspectors also found that two breaks on the truck were out of adjustment and that the truck had not undergone its latest inspections.

The deadly crash, which happened on July 11, killed Eric S. Burhap, injured his wife Shannon and two children, and left family friend Katie Johnson, 9, with catastrophic injuries. The tractor-trailer collision occurred on State Road 2A north of DeFuniak Springs when Walker lost control of his truck on a curve and struck Burhap’s SUV. While blood alcohol test results show no proof Walker had alcohol in his system at the time of the crash, toxicology results are still pending.

In August, Shannon and Johnson filed a lawsuit against Walker for wrongful death and personal injury caused by the deadly Florida truck crash. The lawsuit also notes that Walker and his wife filed and finalized their divorce soon after the collision and that over $7 million in assets were transferred to his wife as part of their settlement. The lawsuit contends that Walker filed for divorce to avoid paying the money as compensation to the injury victims. Johnson and Shannon are seeking unspecified damages.

There are specific federal and state regulations that large truck operators must abide by when driving on US and state roads. For example, truckers must make sure that their vehicles are properly maintained, that all cargo is properly secured, and that the load they are carrying does not exceed weight requirements. Failure to meet these regulations and others can lead to deadly truck accidents and be grounds for a truck collision lawsuit.

FHP: Truck in fatal Buharp crash was overloaded, NWFDailyNews.com, September 3, 2008

Piecing together Buharp crash; lawsuits ahead?, NWFDailyNews.com, September 3, 2008

Walker sued in fatal Buharp crash (with LAWSUIT), WSOWAL.com, August 20, 2008

Related Web Resource:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Truck Accidents , Wrongful Death

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In Florida, 24-year-old Miramar resident Errol Michael Etosha Dodd died on Sunday when he lost control of his motorcycle on I-95 and fell down 60 feet onto the riverbank. The deadly Florida motorcycle accident happened around 3:30 in the morning as Dodd was making his way from I-95s to the New River bridge. He was riding toward the bridge overpass when he struck an SUV that he was trying to pass. Dodd’s motorcycle then hit the concrete barrier before plunging off the road.

This is not the first time that someone has died on or close to one of the many ramps on I-95. In April, a 30-year-old man jumped over the low-lying barrier to relieve himself and fell. In February, three men died when their car fell onto the riverbank after vaulting the exit ramp.

The Florida Department of Transportation Is taking a new look at the ramp design. They are also taking steps to improve the signs and lighting. A 4-foot chain link fence will be installed onto the I-95's barrier walls close to the New River overpass.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 5,154 motorcycle deaths in 2007, which is the highest number of motorcycle accidents to occur within a year since the NHTSA began collecting crash statistics 28 years ago. This means that of the 41,059 motor vehicle deaths that occurred in 2007, motorcycle fatalities made up 13% of the overall total. The NHTSA also reported a significant increase in motorcycle injuries from 88,000 in 2006 to 103,000 in 2007.

While some motorcycle crashes happen because of a motorcyclist’s negligence, there are many catastrophic accidents that occur because another motorist was negligent, there was an unsafe condition on the road, or the motorcycle was defective.

While Florida’s PIP (personal injury protection) provides drivers some coverage when they are injured in motor vehicle accidents regardless of who was at fault, this coverage does not extend to motorcyclists.

Motorcyclist's 60-foot plunge renews calls for safety at I-95 ramp, Sun-Sentinel.com, August 25, 2008

Related Web Resources

Florida Department Transportation

Bodily Injury Locations in Fatally Injured Motorcycle Riders (PDF)

Continue reading "Florida Motorcyclist’s Fatal Fall Off I-95 Renews Calls for Better Safety Measures" »

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents

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In Fort Pierce, Florida, one man died and three others sustained injuries on Sunday in a two-vehicle auto collision on Avenue K and North 16 Court. The accident happened about 3 am when the 1988 Mercury Grand driven by 22-year-old Jarrell Housing collided with a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. Local authorities say the driver of the Toyota ignored a stop sign.

Raythez Flowers, who was a passenger in The Mercury, died in the car accident. Housing and another passenger, Sarmeca Johnson, were taken to local hospitals in serious condition. 23-year-old Jermaine Kearse, a passenger in the Toyota, sustained minor injuries.

Failure stop at a red light or traffic stop sign is considered a negligent action if a pedestrian, a bicyclist or another motorist is injured at a result. Many times, other motorists and pedestrians that think they have the right of way are caught unaware when they are struck by a vehicle that was supposed to have stopped before crossing an intersection. Injuries to these accident victims can be catastrophic and costly.

According the Federal Highway Administration, intersection collisions are among the most common kinds of traffic accidents in the United States accounting for 6,700 deaths and 2 million accidents each year . Injuries can range from minors cut, scrapes, and bruises to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful death.

Our South Florida car crash lawyers can help you determine whether you have grounds to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. We can also determine whether there is more than one negligent party that can be held liable for your injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 3,214 motor vehicle deaths in Florida in 2007, a slight decrease in number compared to the 3,357 Florida traffic accident fatalities that occurred in 2006. Any motor vehicle accident that causes injury or death is one crash too many.

Crash in Fort Pierce kills one, sends four to area hospitals, TCPalm.com, August 17, 2008

One killed, three injured in crash, PalmBeachPost.com, August 16, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Federal Highway Administration

Continue reading "Deadly Florida Car Accident in Fort Pierce Leaves One Victim Dead and Three Others Injured" »

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents , Wrongful Death

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The Florida Highway Patrol says that Kevin Bunsie, the 32-year-old man who was injured in a car crash on the afternoon of July 12 at the junction of Forest Hill Boulevard and Congress Avenue, has died of his injuries. Bunsie passed away on July 31.

He sustained serious injuries after a van driven by Lake Worth resident Pedro Perez struck another car close to Summit Boulevard before hitting Bunsie’s car at Forest Hill. Perez also sustained serious injuries, while a passenger riding with Bunsie was treated for minor injuries.

If you or someone you love is seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash, you should contact our South Florida car crash lawyers and ask for your free case evaluation. Many motor vehicle collisions happen because at least one motorist was negligent on the road. While a person cannot control other drivers and their actions, there are preemptive steps a motorist can take to avoid collisions.

Suggestions offered by Property Casualty of America include:

• Do not talk on the cell phone while driving.
• Do not drive after drinking alcohol.
• Keep a safe driving distance between you and other vehicles.
• Make sure that your vehicle is up-to-date on all required maintenance checks.
• Check your side and rear view mirrors frequently.
• Drive defensively.
• Ignore the actions of rude or obnoxious drivers.
• Drive defensively.
• Obey all traffic laws.
• Cross intersections carefully.
• Adjust your driving to the changing road conditions.

While Florida’s mandatory PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage offers some insurance protection, it may not cover all your injury costs. Our West Palm Beach car crash lawyers can work to help you obtain the maximum recovery possible.

Palm Beach County: West Palm Beach man dies from injuries in July crash, Sun-Sentinel.com, August 11, 2008

Easy Ways To Avoid Auto Accidents, Insurance.com

Related Web Resources:

Car Insurance Primer, DMV.org

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Continue reading "West Palm Beach Man Dies from Motor Vehicle Crash Injuries in Florida" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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The Florida Highway Patrol has charged a Kenworth tractor-trailer driver of violation of the right of way in the wake of a Florida truck crash that left a 10-year-old Lake Wales boy seriously injured. Charles Geim was taken to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando following the motor vehicle accident.

The FHP says that trucker Sonia Mcgaha turned her Kenworth tractor-trailer left from US 27 into the path of a Chevrolet that was coming from the opposite direction. Her rig struck the car’s left side. Lorine Jones, the driver of the car that Geim was riding in, sustained minor injuries.

Mcgaha wasn’t hurt in the crash, but Jermie Mcgaha, 9, sustained minor injuries.

Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Common causes of tractor-trailer crashes

• Tailgating
• Exhausted drivers
• Failing to obey road signs
• Speeding
• Aggressive drivers
• Talking or text messaging on the cell phone
• Drunk driving
• Forgetting to check blind spots

An 80,000-pound truck can be a huge danger to car passengers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists if they are involved in a truck accident with one of these large vehicles.

Boy, 10, critically injured in accident, Newschief.com, July 30, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Florida Highway Patrol

Truck Accident Laws, Justia

In South Florida, our truck crash lawyers are familiar with the federal and state regulations that govern truck drivers and we know how to deal with truckers and trucking companies to help you obtain the maximum recovery for all your personal injuries.

Continue reading "10-Year-Old Boy Sustains Serious Injuries In Florida Tractor-Trailer Accident" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Injuries to Minors , Motor Vehicle Accidents , Truck Accidents

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With families and other groups headed on vacation or other activity-related outings throughout the summer months, federal safety officials are reporting the increase of 15-passenger van rollover accidents from June through August. New data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that 31% of all deadly 15-passenger van rollovers occur during this time period. Officials are warning van drivers to execute the proper safety measures to prevent these auto crashes from happening.

The NHTSA says that the chances of a 15-passenger van rollover increases when the vehicle is fully loaded with people and cargo. 50% of 15-passenger van deaths in 2006 occurred in vans that were loaded to full capacity. 59% of those who died were not using seatbelts. While the number of deaths involving 15-passenger vans has decreased over the years, there were still 58 fatalities in 2006.

15-Passenger Vans
While 15-passenger vans are supposedly made to safely transport large groups of people and cargo to and from their destinations, federal safety studies show that the more passengers and cargo are loaded in the van, the greater the chances of a rollover accident happening.

15-passenger vans have a high center of gravity. This gravity center moves up and back the more occupants there are in the van, which increases the chances of the van turning over.

Once a 15-passenger van rollovers, occupants tend to be even more prone to injuries because:

• There is insufficient crash padding to protect passengers when they are thrown against the van
• Lack of emergency exits
• Insufficient structural integrity to prevent the van from collapsing

Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, major internal injuries, and death can result in rollover accidents.

In South Florida, our 15-passenger van rollover accident lawyers can help you file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against a negligent driver, or, if we find that you operated and loaded the van correctly and you were still involved in an auto crash because of defects in the van’s design or due to vehicle malfunction, we can pursue a case against the van’s manufacturer.

Fatalities to Occupants of 15-Passenger Vans, NHTSA, May 2008 (PDF)

Related Web Resources:

Reducing the Risk of Rollover Crashes in 15-Passenger Vans, NHTSA.gov

15-Passenger Vans: High-Riding Death Traps, SafetyForum.com

Continue reading "Number of 15-Passenger Van Accidents Often Increases in the Summer Months" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: 15-Passenger Van Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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In Broward County, Florida, Marie Arsenault-Langlois, a 38-year-old pregnant woman from Pembroke Pines, lost her 17-week-old unborn baby when the car she was riding in was struck by another motor vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle, Miami Gardens resident Renee Greene, failed to stop at a stop sign.

Arsenault-Langlois was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital where she was treated for serious injuries. Her baby was declared dead. The Broward Medical Examiner’s office pronounced cause of death to be intra-uterine demise resulting from blunt force trauma from an auto accident.

Although Florida’s mandatory Personal Injury Protection (PIP) provides all drivers with $10,000 coverage for medical costs for auto accident injuries, this amount often does not cover all medical expenses and recovery costs for serious personal injuries. It certainly cannot compensate for the death of a loved one.

With offices in Miami, Port St. Lucie, and West Palm Beach, our Florida car accident lawyers will work with medical experts to assess the immediate and long-term effects of your injuries. If your loved one was killed in a car crash, we know how to prove negligence. Our motor vehicle crash lawyers have an excellent track of getting the necessary results—whether through negotiation or a jury verdict.

Causes of driver negligence that can lead to serious car accident injuries:

• Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
• Speeding
• DUI/DWI
• Driver fatigue
• Failure to pay attention to the road, motorists, and pedestrians
• Driver negligence
• A defective or poorly maintained motor vehicle

Contact one of our Florida personal injury law offices to schedule your free consultation.

Pembroke Pines woman loses unborn child in crash, Sun-Sentinel, June 5, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Florida Motor Vehicle Insurance, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

What To Do After a Car Accident

Continue reading "Unborn Baby Dies When Pregnant Broward County Woman is Injured in Florida Auto Crash" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents , Wrongful Death

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In Florida on Saturday, two Florida teenagers died when their bicycles were struck by motor vehicles in two separate accidents.

17-year-old Justin White, a Masaryktown resident, died at 9pm when a 1998 Ford pickup crashed into his bike near State Road 50. An hour later, 17-year-old Scott Avery, was killed in a hit and run accident in Brooksville. The driver, Spring Hill resident Leo Salvato, was later apprehended.

According to the Helmets.org Web site:

• 85 million people ride bicycles in the United States.
• 773 bicyclists died in 2006..

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a bicycle accident that was caused by a careless driver or another negligent party, you should contact our South Florida bicycle crash law firm immediately.

Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries for pedalcyclists. Injuries may include, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, road burns, internal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

It is important that drivers pay attention when on the road. While it may be easy to keep an eye on cars, trucks, and buses, motorists must remember that they share the roads with motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists—the ones that are most susceptible to serious injuries when they become involved in a motor vehicle crash.

Common causes of bicycle accidents caused by other motorists or negligent parties include:

• Driver inattention
• Drunk driving
• Speeding
• Driver inexperience
• Motor vehicle failure or defect

You may be entitled to personal injury compensation for your injuries, medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.

Teen boy's death on bicycle puzzles mother, Tampabay.com, June 3, 2008

Hundreds Mourn Death of NCTHS Student, 2TBO.com, June 1, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Bicyclinginfo.org

Bicycle Safety Facts & Statistics, Federal Highway Administration

Continue reading "Two Florida Teen Bicyclists Killed in Separate Motor Vehicle Accidents" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Bicycle Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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