Articles Posted in Auto Accident

Authorities will be out in force over the Fourth of July weekend, looking for drunk drivers and other dangerous motorists in an effort to reduce Fort Lauderdale car accidents and serious and fatal traffic accidents throughout South Florida.

While New Year’s frequently gets most of the attention when it comes to drunk driving and dangerous travel, the truth of the matter is that Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July have been the deadliest holidays on the nation’s roads in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers urge motorists to drive responsibly and allow extra time to reach their destination. Traffic is expected to be heavy throughout the Fort Lauderdale, West Palm and St. Lucie/Fort Pierce areas.

Nationwide fatal holiday traffic accidents in 2008:

New Year’s: 104

Memorial Day: 370

Fourth of July: 437

Labor Day: 423

Thanksgiving: 439

Christmas: 364

New Year’s Eve: 37

Fatal Florida car accidents occurred most frequently on Thanksgiving and New Years in 2009. But Fourth of July proved third-deadliest, with 30 fatalities. More than half (17) involved alcohol, according to new statistics just released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety.

2009 fatal holiday traffic accidents in Florida:

New Year’s: 34

Memorial Day: 22

Fourth of July: 30

Labor Day: 23

Thanksgiving: 36

Christmas: 28

AAA South has announced a “Tow to Go” program through the holiday weekend. Available Friday through Monday, the program offers rides and tows home from bars or restaurants to members and nonmembers alike.

“No one intends to be a drunk driver, it just happens, whether they’ve had way too many drinks or just one too many,” said Ed Schatzman, senior vice president, Automotive Services, AAA Auto Club South. “Call volume steadily increases every Independence Day weekend and we are happy to get as many drunk drivers off the road as possible so everyone on the road can get home safely to their families.”

Those in need of a ride can call 1-800-AAA-HELP.

AAA also encourages motorists to:

-Select a designated driver before going out to celebrate with friends.

-Program the numbers for several cab companies into your cell phone.

-Always keep some extra cash for a cab ride when you need it.
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A Fort Lauderdale scooter accident claimed the life of a rider on Tuesday night when a Jeep Grand Cherokee reportedly collided with the scooter while making a left turn at an intersection, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

The accident happened about 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Davie Boulevard and Southeast Third Avenue. The 2010 Jeep was making a left turn onto Third when it collided with the 2008 KNRO Scooter, which was westbound on Davie Boulevard. The rider was pronounced dead at Broward General Medical Center.

Scooter and motorcycle accidents are a common danger in the Fort Lauderdale area and throughout Florida. As we reported recently on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, more fatal motorcycle accidents occur in California and Florida than anywhere else in the nation. In 2008, a total of 523 riders were killed in Florida accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Federal statistics show that more than half of all accidents are caused by motorists. Frequent causes include a motorist turning in front of a rider or failing to yield the right-of-way. Rider inexperience is another common cause and anyone injured on a rented motorcycle or scooter should contact a Fort Lauderdale injury lawyer to discuss their rights.

MotorWorks offers the following scooter safety tips:

-Wear bright reflective clothing and a helmet.

-Avoid riding in another motorist’s blind spot.

-Obey the speed limit and never driver faster than your skills or weather conditions allow.

-Signal well before you turn or make a lane change. Consider using hand signals in addition to electronic turn signals.

-Use extra caution at intersections and entrances to parking lots and driveways — don’t let another motorist’s actions take you by surprise.

-Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet in appropriate locations while riding.

-Never leave a scooter unattended with the engine running.

-Reduce speed when riding on bumpy roads.

-Be especially aware of traffic behind you. Different speeds can lead to a rear-end collision.

-Don’t rely on mirrors, which allow for only a partial view. Be aware of blind spots.
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State officials report that Florida traffic deaths have reached an all-time low. When the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Department of Transportation release the state’s detailed traffic reports later this summer, the results will likely show fewer car accidents in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce.

Fatal Florida traffic accidents declined to 2,563 in 2009, nearly a 1,000 fewer than the 3,533 recorded in 2005. The 9 percent decline from the 2,983 deaths reported in 2008 brings the fatality rate to 1.3 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, the lowest rate ever recorded in Florida.

“The safety of our residents and visitors is a top priority, and reducing fatalities on our roadways is a step in the right direction,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist. “I commend our safety advocates and law enforcement officers who ensure that Florida remains a safe place to work and play.”

Officials touted increased safety efforts, including the state’s new primary enforcement seat belt law, while acknowledging fewer visitors and the economic downturn also played an important role.

The entire report for 2009 will be released later this summer. Meanwhile our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers share some key facts from the 2008 report:

-Florida drunk driving accidents claimed 1,169 lives.
-Motorcycle accidents killed 532 riders and 8,519 were injured.
-118 riders were killed in bicycle accidents and 4,380 were injured.
-Pedestrian accidents resulted in 502 deaths and 7,878 injuries.
-A total of 193 teen drivers and passengers died in car accidents.

-A total of 346,610 drivers were involved in 243,342 crashes, or an average of 665 crashes per day. Those figures mean that a traffic accident occurs every two minutes somewhere in Florida.

-More than 111,000 people were injured, including almost 24,000 who suffered incapacitating injuries — 25 people are seriously injured in a Florida car accident for every person who is killed.

Most frequent causes of fatal Florida traffic accidents:
-Careless Driving: 504 fatalities.
-Alcohol Use: 428 fatalities.
-Failure to Yield: 250 fatalities.
-Left of Center: 161 fatalities.
-Excessive Speed: 161 fatalities.

Traffic Accidents by County:
-Miami-Dade: 43,376
-Broward: 26,417
-Palm Beach: 13,831
-St. Lucie: 2,288
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Distracted driving is a leading cause of West Palm Beach car accidents and traffic accidents throughout South Florida. Now, the National Safety Council has pulled together a report that compiles more than 30 studies looking at the dangers — giving us one of the first comprehensive looks into just how dangerous it has become.

Distracted driving joins alcohol and speeding as the leading causes of serious and fatal car accidents. As we reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, 1,169 people died in Florida drunk driving accidents in 2008.

Authorities continue to focus on the dangers of cell-phone use and text messaging while driving as a primary threat to motorist safety.

“Cell phone use while driving has become a serious public health threat,” said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO. “Several states and municipalities have passed legislation allowing hands-free devices while driving. These laws give the false impression that hands-free phones are a safe alternative, when the evidence is clear they are not.”

Among the findings of the report:

-28 percent of all crashes in 2008 were the result of driver cell-phone use, leading to 1.6 million crashes and 645,000 injuries. Drivers who are on the phone are four times more likely to crash.

-11 percent of drivers are on the phone at any given point during the day. Eighty-one percent of motorists admit to using a cell phone while driving.

-18 percent of drivers admit to text messaging while driving. Teen (36 percent) and Gen Y (39 percent) drivers are the most likely offenders.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has established a distracted driving website aimed at educating motorists about the dangers. The government is particularly concerned about cell phone use and text messaging by drivers because it includes all three forms of driver distraction: visual, manual and cognitive.

Other forms of driver distraction include:
-Eating and drinking
-Grooming
-Talking to passengers
-Reading or looking at maps
-Using on-board electronics, including stereos and GPS devices

The government reports that using a cell phone, whether hands-free or hand-held, delays a driver’s reaction time as much as driving while intoxicated.
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As a Personal Injury Law Firm that deals with motor vehicle accidents everyday in Florida, we are constantly reminded of the unfortunate sequence of events which can follow if proper preparedness is not taken on behalf of the insured. Prior to an accident, you may not feel that car insurance is very important and purchasing the cheapest auto insurance, or or driving illegally without insurance, is good enough for you; because, hey you’re a safe driver…right? Having that type of thought will only take you so far until you’re sitting at a red light minding your own business and an uninsured driver slams into the back of you. Now what? Incidents happen like this everyday in Florida. Statistics have shown our roads are crowded with some of the worst drivers in the country so why take the chance! The bottom line is lack of proper car insurance will only cause you more aggravation and stress, not to mention, the possibilty of being left without proper medical treatment, lost wages, and a car. The car insurance you purchase and the specific elements of it, such as personal injury protection (PIP) can become pinnacle should you become involved in a crash. PIP coverage on your car is basically what pays for lost wages and medical bills if you are involved in a crash and is the minimum policy a driver must carry in the state of Florida. Make sure you do your due diligence and research when you’r e looking for auto insurance. A good place to start for basic auto insurance information is the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

As we are all too familiar with, auto accidents in South Florida can occur in many forms and types; on any given day, our vehicles are exposed to potentially dangerous driving situations due to unique circumstances. As we enter our busiest roadway time of year, the Florida tourist season brings more drivers, more pedestrians, and more bicyclists to our already congested roadways. So it’s up to us, the people who live here, to make sure we are patient and considerate to visiting drivers as we approach the busy tourist season ahead. But, if something should occur out of the ordinary, such as a relative driving a rented vehicle while visiting, I’ve listed a few pointers that could help you out.

If you or someone you know is involved in an accident involving a rented or leased vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist, or an animal, the following may be some good suggestions for you to consider.

For example, in the event you are involved in an accident with a rental or leased vehicle: In Florida an individuals’ own insurance policy will protect them for any automobile that they are driving. There is no need to purchase additional insurance from the automobile rental or leasing company unless they wish to increase their coverage, e.g., add collision coverage.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) traffic deaths on a national level were down 7 percent in the first half of 2009 compared to last year. This stays in line with Florida’s stastics, which for the third year in a row Florida has seen a decrease in traffic fatalities. According to the Florida Performs website, the state holds a fatality rate decrease of 1.5 deaths per vehicles miles traveled (VMT) in 2008 from 1.57 deaths per 100 million VMT in 2007. This year Florida Legislature passed the primary seat belt law which took effect this past June. This law requires all drivers and passengers to be secured with a seat belt. This will hopefully assist in keeping the decrease of traffic deaths seen throughout the country consistent within the state of Florida.

There’s no doubt in Florida we have a fair share of attorneys, especially personal injury attorneys. So, how does one go about choosing a good attorney for their potential accident case. To start, when choosing a personal injury attorney there are several factors you may want to consider. For example, if a friend or relative has referred you to a personel injury attorney, then you will most likely benefit from that recommendation. Otherwise, if you need to locate an attorney on your own, you may find yourself in a vast universe of who to choose and how to go about choosing them.

With that being said, there are a few things to keep in mind; Firstly if possible do your research online. This will give you great insight to the firm you are considering. Most attorney websites, if not all will list the backgrounds of the firm’s attorneys, their level of experience, and a list of settlements they have received.

However, as everyone is aware, there are many times than not that during an accident things are confusing and hectic and research is not an option. In situations like this the individual involved in the accident will typically make the call to the first phone number available to him or her. This is ok to do keeping in mind that you can always do your research after you have retained the law firm to represent you. If you decide that the firm you chose on impulse is not a good fit, you can cancel your agreement with the firm within 72 hours of your signing with them and not incur any fees. You want to locate an attorney that is going to have your best interests at heart and is going to communicate with you on a regular basis. But every client should beware; Just like in any business, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many personal injury attorney scams out there, unaccredited lawyers and other schemers who try to extort large amounts of money from people or companies to make themselves rich.

For several years now, the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners have been advocating the installations of cameras at intersections to protect the public. The Sheriff’s office also supports the idea, and so does the Florida Legislature, or at least they seem to in theory for now. Without the support of statewide legislation, Palm Beach County has decided to take matters into their own hands by developing it’s own ordinance.

The determination coming from the Board of County Commissioners is that running a red light is a major issue and needs to take priority in order to provide safety, efficiency, and proper use of the county roads and to effectively reduce the significant dangers presented to motorist and pedestrians by drivers who run red lights everyday.

In 2006, there were approximately 8,000 crashes in Palm Beach County of which many of the crashes were results of people running red lights.

If you are driving and feel that you are doing something you shouldn’t do, like texting for example, chances are your feelings are correct; it’s that simple. In Florida during the constant rush of our lives, many of us lose sight of common sense practices especially when it comes to driving. Texting while driving is not something you should do…period. For that matter, anything that involves taking your eyes off the road for a second, you shouldn’t do.

While driving, we are constantly distracted by everything from other careless drivers, to pedestrians, to noise pollution, and construction detours just to name a few. So why do people continue to do something wrong such as texting when they know they shouldn’t? The answer – because they can get away with it, that is, until an accident happens. Let’s face the facts; looking at a small screen and pushing buttons while driving will eventually cause a person to get into wreck. Which is exactly why a CNET report shows that texting while driving puts a person in the same danger as drunk driving!

According to a CNET report on texting, a driver is 8 times more likely to be in an accident while texting and 4 times more likely if they are just talking on a cell phone. So that means,according to recent studies, that talking on a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of .08 level of intoxication, and texting while driving puts a person right up there with the same danger as driving drunk.