Published on:

By

There are new laws on the books to regulate beach drivers in Florida.

The goal of these new laws is to help to protect beach pedestrians. According to the Miami Herald, vehicle-pedestrian accidents are likely on beaches that still allow motor vehicles to navigate on the sand.

Officials on the East Coast are working to reduce the risks, starting with Daytona Beach. Recently, county officials passed an ordinance that requires beach drivers to turn on their headlights, roll down a window and stop texting behind the wheel when driving on the sand. The county also created new zones under this ordinance that allows for only one-way driving.

Our Fort Lauderdale accident attorneys understand that county officials had the right idea, to tackle the beach driving problem. But the only way to truly prevent these kinds of accidents is to make sure that vehicles are staying off of our beaches.

Unfortunately, these halfhearted attempts from county officials may have come a little too late, since they were the result of two separate beach pedestrian accidents that happened back in 2010. In these accidents, two children were hit and killed while playing in the sand. These kinds of accidents happen to adults, too. Most times, the victims of these accidents are innocent women lying on the beach working on their suntan.

Recently in Miami, a police officer in a four-wheeler ran over someone lying in the sand.

Driving on the beach has been a tradition in many of our south Florida areas for years now. In many areas, beaches are for fishing, surfing, swimming and even sunbathing. Much of this would never be possible if we didn’t allow beach driving. Unfortunately, this can produce some serious, and even fatal, accidents. Not only does it threaten beachgoers, but it can also threaten ecological systems like the local birds and sea turtles. It can even cause shore erosion.

Those who beach at New Smyrna Beach and even Daytona Beach are allowed to drive along the sand, but have to be careful while doing so. Drivers should take extreme caution behind the wheel and be on the lookout for pedestrians, sun tanners, and bicyclists. When driving on our beaches, the speed limit is a mere 10 miles per hour. This is a limit that’s strictly enforced. If you’re busted breaking this speed limit, then you can face fines starting at $41.00.

Drivers are only allowed on most beaches from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. This is usually only allowed from May through the end October. You can then drive from sunrise to sunset during the rest of the time.

Not just anyone is allowed to do this though. You’ve got to buy a beach driving pass. This pass is only $5 per vehicle or $3 after 3:00 p.m. If you live in the state of Florida then you’re allowed to purchase a seasonal pass for $20. These passes for nonresidents run about $40. All passes can be picked up at beach toll booths.
Continue reading →

Published on:

By

Parasailing is a popular activity for both Florida residents and for visitors to our area. Unfortunately, it’s not one of the safest activities to do around here. There is no government regulation of any of kind and safety concerns abound as dozens of operators take to the coastline to make a buck.

Because of the lack of oversight, consumers continue to be at high risk of accident. Residents and visitors are strapping to unsafe equipment that hasn’t been inspected or properly replaced, and it’s threatening lives.

According to ABC News, one of these horrific accidents claimed the life of a young women celebrating her anniversary in Pompano Beach. This accident took the life of a 28-year-old woman from Connecticut. She was parasailing with her husband off of Pompano Beach when she slipped from the harness. She fell close to 200 feet to the water below.

Our Pompano Beach personal injury attorneys understand that there have been close to 450 people who have been seriously injured in parasailing accidents over the last 30 years. According to the Parasail Safety Council, more than 70 people have died during this period. Most of the fatalities were the result of them drowning in the water after falling from their harness as well as from getting entangled in the ropes.

“There’s no mandated rule that a person has to change his rope at a certain cycle period or change a canopy at a certain cycle period or even change a harness or any of the equipment,” said Mark McCuloh, head of the Parasail Safety Council.

The truth of the matter is that these companies and operators should never be allowed to profit from thrill-seeking beach goers without being required to meet specific safety regulations, or without having someone regularly verify this compliance.

The state of Florida currently has an inspection program in place for carnival rides, but nothing on the books for parasailing. The carnival ride safety inspection program was enacted after a number of deaths on carnival equipment. Still, there’s nothing for parasailing and injuries and fatalities continue on.

Unfortunately, agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard still only have limited jurisdiction over this industry and they don’t have the proper resources to overlook or inspect these operation. Back in 2007 and 2008, Florida Legislature considered regulatory proposals, but all were denied.

County governments can do this though! They’re in the best position to provide a reasonable degree of protection by simple regulations, inspections and licensing. County officials are already spending their time and money on making sure that our beaches are properly groomed and attractive, they can and should do more to them safer for everyone too — and start by regulating parasailing safety!

Until then, professionals in this industry should remember that they have an important responsibility to make sure that they’re conducting business in a safe, responsible and respectable manner.
Continue reading →

Published on:

By

You can take the cell phone away from the driver, but it’s probably not going to help make them much safer. According to a recent study published in Accident Analysis & Prevention, cell phone-using drivers are going to behave badly behind the wheel no matter what.

In the recent studies, researchers looked at more than 100 drivers and their habits without a phone. These drivers were divided into two groups; those who use cell phones often behind the wheel and those who rarely do. According to ScienceNow, drivers who oftentimes talk on their phone behind the wheel are nearly as prone to a car accident without the device. Officials think that this is why state laws banning this behavior have had little effect on accident rates.

Our West Palm Beach accident lawyers understand that distracted driving car accidents take the lives of thousands each and every year. As a matter of fact, there were more than 3,000 people who were killed in these kinds of accidents in just 2010.

Drivers have the ability to completely avoid these accidents and save lives. Drivers continue to take their hands off of the steering wheel and their eyes off of the road and jeopardize the safety of not only themselves but innocent motorists as well. No phone call or text message should be worth it!

In the study, both groups of drivers were given a Volvo SUV that was equipped with devices to record their in-car habits. There were on-board sensors, cameras facing in and out of the car, skin and heat monitors and even eye trackers.

The drivers who were considered frequent cell phone-using drivers were observed engaging in more dangerous habits behind the wheel. They were more likely to speed, to change lanes more often, to step on the gas more and to brake abruptly, compared to the drivers who didn’t usually use a cell phone behind the wheel.

“The fundamental problem may be the behavior of the individuals willing to pick up the technology,” said Bryan Reimer, a leader of this study.

It’s clear that cell phones hinder a driver’s safe driving habits behind the wheel, but the fundamental problem is that drivers might just be dangerous to begin with.

Unfortunately, we’ve got bad drivers with and without cell phones here in the state of Florida. There are still no laws on the books in the Sunshine State banning drivers from using these devices behind the wheel. We’re asking you to do what’s right and to leave the phone and to focus on your safe driving habits instead. These habits can help to keep you safe and out of a potentially fatal car accident.

And, of course, drive defensively because you never know what the driver in the next car is doing.
Continue reading →

Published on:

By

Men are paying more than women for car insurance. Typically, male drivers are involved in more car accidents, more DUI accidents and more traffic stops than female drivers, according to Yahoo.

“Men traditionally have been paying more for decades,” said the Insurance Information Institute’s (III) Loretta Worters.

Our Wilton Manors injury attorneys understand that car insurance can be difficult. You want to make sure that you’ve got coverage that suits your needs at a cost that you can afford. It can be tough sometimes with so many options and so many companies. But having enough coverage is critical in the event of a serious or fatal accident.

According to the “Sex of Drivers Involved in Crashes 2000-2009” study conducted by the National Department of Transportation, male drivers were involved in about 18 million more car accidents than their female counterparts.

We all want to save some money and we want to be protected. Read and review discount options to help you to get the most for your premium. Remember that you’re going to have to shop around to find the best policy. You should know that not all insurance companies offer these discounts. Just do your homework and make sure you go in sufficient knowledge.

Common Car Insurance Discounts:

-Get older. As you age, insurance companies recognize that your risks for car accidents decrease. One of the biggest drops in insurance costs happens when a driver turns 25. This is when companies feel that you’ve matured enough and you’ve gained enough driving experience to drive safely.

-Drive less. Drivers who don’t drive very much are oftentimes offered lower premiums. The less you drive, the lower your risks for a car accident. !

-Pay up front. Drivers who pay for their policy in advance are oftentimes offered a discount. This means that the company gets their money and you eliminate the risk for late fees. Everyone wins in this situation.

-Take some classes. The more driving experience and certifications you have, the better the driver. One of the popular classes that can offer you a discount on your insurance policy is the Defensive Driving Course.

-Bundle your insurance. If you insure your home and other items with the company, bundle the policy. Companies like to keep customers and will reward your for staying with them.
Continue reading →

Published on:

By

You know what you’re supposed to do when you get into your car: sit down and buckle up! Unfortunately, drivers aren’t buckling in and many of them aren’t buckling in their young children. That’s one of the main reasons why there are close to 150,000 children who find themselves in an emergency room every year because of car accidents.

Experts with the University of Michigan recently examined the issue. They looked into how often parents were improperly buckling in children or not buckling them in at all.

Our Fort Pierce injury lawyers understand that parents, guardians and childcare providers are the saving grace for these children in the event of a car accident. They need to make sure that their child passengers are properly buckled in during every car ride. Their bodies can’t sustain the impact of a car collision as well as an adult.

Officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) previously released new child car seat recommendations for adults to review and to practice. According to the recent study, which was posted in the American Journal or Preventative Medicine, illustrated that large numbers of parents and guardians probably never looked at this information.

Unfortunately, car accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for children who are under the age of 3. They can do nothing about it either as they rely on parents and guardians to properly buckle them in during every car ride.

Within the study, officials found that not many children stayed in a rear-facing car seat after the age of 1-years-old. According to the most recent recommendations from the NHTSA, a child should remain in this seat for as long as they meet the size and weight requirements set forth by the seat’s manufacturer. Researchers also found that less than 2 percent used a booster seat after the child turned 7-years-old. Again, children are suggested to stay in a booster seat until they can properly fit into an adult seat belt.

In the study, researchers looked at nearly 21,500 children who were riding in vehicles. They located these kids at fast food restaurants, at childcare centers, at gas stations and at other areas. They tracked what kind of family was in the vehicle and who all was buckled in.

The study concluded that as children aged, they were less likely to be buckled at all.

Our young passengers rely on us to keep them safe in the car. Make sure that all children are buckled in during every car ride. There’s never an excuse to improperly seat these fragile passengers!
Continue reading →

Published on:

By

A South Florida visitor was killed in a parasaling accident at Pompano Beach. According to NBC6, the woman fell about 200 feet when she was parasailing with her husband. The accident occurred just after 3:15 p.m. when her harness broke.

According to Sandra King, the city’s spokeswoman, the man’s harness didn’t break, so after the woman fell, the boat operators were able to reel him back down to the boat after losing the woman.

They later found his wife face-down in the water. Boaters attempted to perform CPR on her while they called 9-1-1 and brought her into the Hillsboro Inlet. Officials with the Pompano Beach Fire-Rescue continued CPR and administered “advanced life support” to the woman. At that point, she was in cardiac arrest. She was then taken to Broward Health North and was immediately listed in critical condition. Later that afternoon, she was pronounced dead.

Our Broward County personal injury attorneys understand that a fall to the water from 150 to 200 feet in the air is just like hitting a brick wall. Vacationers and visitors to our east coast beaches look forward to these kinds of attractions to bring some excitement to their day in the sun. Unfortunately, many overlook the dangers and the risks that are associated with these kinds of activities. This particular couple was vacationing in the area from Connecticut.

The company that was operating the boat is based in Pompano Beach. The company’s website promoted parasailing in particular while emphasizing safety.

Officials with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and with the Broward Sheriff’s Office are looking into the accident. Officials spent hours talking with workers from the company.

Back in 2007, another tourist was killed in a woman in a similar accident in the city. But did you know that parasailing is actually an unregulated watersport that is not overseen by any government agency? Companies aren’t required to report any sort of specific information to authorities.

Because of this lack of enforcement, Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher has been rallying legislators.

“And so here we are today, losing another life, because of no inspections and no opportunities to make sure that this equipment is safe,” said Fisher.

Statistics that deal with parasailing accidents, injuries and fatalities are tough to come by because this sport is not federally regulated. One report concludes that there have been close to 350 who were injured or killed in these accidents from 1980 and 2010.

Common causes of parasailing injuries:

-Falls, oftentimes from great heights, like the recent Pompano Beach accident.

-Drowning.

-Collisions with buildings and other large objects.

-Mechanical failure of boats or other towing vehicles

-Failure of parachutes, harnesses and other safety equipment.

Both residents and visitors are cautioned about these companies. We’re not saying they’re bad, we’re just saying that they’re not federally regulated. It’s important to make sure that you do your homework before selecting a company to do business with. Ask for inspections, background information and any other related safety information necessary to make an informed decision.
Continue reading →

Published on:

By

Green = Go.
Yellow = Slow Down.
Red = Stop.

It’s a simple concept, but many drivers just don’t seem to be getting the hang of it. For this reason, officials with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) are working to raise awareness about the risks of intersection accidents and the importance of stopping on red.

Every year, the month of August recognizes National Stop on Red Week. During this time, officers across the country work to target drivers who fly through intersections on red. Not only are they putting other motorists at risk, they’re putting pedestrians and bicyclists at risk, too. There’s nothing you’re going to gain from running a red light, except many a minute or two on your trip. It’s definitely nothing to risk your life over.

Our Tamarac car accident lawyers understand that red-light running accidents are completely preventable. The problem is that many drivers are in too much of a hurry and toss safety out of the window. As a driver in the state of Florida, you have a responsibility to drive responsibly, to practice your safest driving habits and to stop at all red lights.

“Troopers will take the appropriate enforcement action on those driver who place themselves and others in danger by running red lights,” said Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Director Col. David Brierton.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) launched a red-light running program back in 1995 to help to educate drivers about the dangers of this irresponsible driving habit. The program was also launched to work to increase enforcement at a grassroots, community level.

Drivers have an obligation to follow safe road laws. Many of these laws involve abiding by traffic control devices. With traffic lights, drivers are assumed to know when to make the appropriate maneuvers. Do you know?

To help you to navigate your way safely through our state’s intersections, officials with the FHP offer your the following safety tips.

Red-Light Safety Tips:

-Remember that intersections come with some serious dangers. If your lane’s light is green, you should still look in all directions for other red-light runners. You should do this when you’re a motorist, a pedestrian and even a bicyclist.

-Never speed through a yellow light. When your light turns yellow, apply the brakes and safely come to a stop before you reach the intersection.

-Remember that when you run a red light, you’re running the risks of more than a traffic citation. You run the risk of an accident, injuries, death, hospital bills, hiked insurance rates and even some serious irreversible consequences.

-Make sure that you obey the posted speed limit. This limit was created so that you can safely navigate our streets, and safely stop at a red light when needed.

-Never tailgate other vehicles. Sometimes, drivers may slam on their brakes when the light turns yellow. Rear-end accidents are also common at intersections. Allow yourself with plenty of time to react to other driver’s maneuvers.
Continue reading →

Published on:

By

When crossing the road, your best bet is to cross at a crosswalk.

According to recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you’re most likely to be injured or killed in a traffic accident if you choose to cross the road at a non-intersection.

According to CNN, more and more pedestrians are at risk of being injured or killed on our roadways. After about 10 years of declining pedestrian fatality statistics, the United States experienced a near 5 percent increase in the number of these fatalities, despite and overall decrease in the number of traffic deaths.

Our West Palm Beach pedestrian accident attorneys understand that there were close to 4,300 pedestrians killed in the U.S. in 2010. An additional 70,000 were injured. As a matter of fact, Florida continues to be ranked one of the most dangerous states in the nation for these accidents. According to the NHTSA, the Sunshine State ranked second place for having the most pedestrian fatalities in 2010. We only followed the state of California.

In 2010, a pedestrian was killed in a traffic accident every 2 hours and one was injured on an average of every 8 minutes. Many of these accidents could have been prevented had drivers of taken than extra second to actually look for pedestrians along our roadways.

According to the NHTSA, about 80 percent of these fatalities occurred at non-intersection areas. About 90 percent of them happened in clear weather, meaning there was no rain or other poor condition to blame it on. Nearly 70 percent of these fatalities occurred at night and more than two-thirds of the pedestrians who died during the year were males.

There are some dangerous days to be a pedestrian, too. Close to half of the pedestrian fatalities from 2010 occurred on a Friday, a Saturday or a Sunday, according to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. Alcohol was involved with the driver or with the pedestrian in just about 45 percent of the fatal accidents, too.

“Most people are pedestrians at some point in their day,” David Strickland, NHTSA Administrator.

Top Five Most Dangerous States for Pedestrian Fatalities in 2010:

-California: 599 deaths.

-Florida: 487 fatalities.

-Texas: 345 fatalities.

-New York: 303 deaths.

-Arizona 146 deaths.

In 2010, pedestrian fatalities accounted for close to 15 percent of all of the traffic fatalities in 2010.

We would like to remind everyone that the safety of pedestrians is a two-way street. It requires participation from both drivers and walkers. It’s not too late to help to bring these stats back down in 2012.

Drivers are asked to be cautious, especially here in Florida. States with nicer and warmer weather typically experience more pedestrian fatalities because walkers are welcomed outside all year round. Be cautious near schools and near neighborhoods, but always be on the lookout for pedestrians as they can be found virtually anywhere.
Continue reading →

Published on:

By

Fall accidents are a common hazard in the workplace. Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys understand that falls can happen when simply walking, climbing a ladder or as a result of a number of workplace hazards.

The truth is we’re all at risk. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 600 workers who were killed and another 212,800 injured because of fall accidents to the same level or to a lower level in 2009.

These kinds of accidents are more likely to happen in the construction industry. This field has the highest frequency of fall-related fatalities of all industries. The retail and wholesale industries have the highest counts of nonfatal fall injuries. Other industries that are likely to experience a lot of fall accidents are material moving and transportation, maintenance and building cleaning, healthcare support and even extraction occupations.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a workplace’s risks for fall accidents. Some of these factors can include floor holes, unstable walking and working surfaces, slippery floors, unprotected edges, misused fall protection and unsafely positioned ladders.

According to federal safety standards and regulations, there are specific measures and performance-based recommendations to help to keep workers safe and out of fall accidents. Unfortunately, workplaces across the country continue to unnecessarily expose workers to hazards. This overall low safety priority, leaves injury risks and rates alarmingly high.

Fall accidents and injuries are costly, too. Some of the costs associated with these accidents include medical costs, workers’ compensation and loss of productivity. These costs are estimated to be about $70 billion each year. This isn’t only a problem in the U.S. either. The international public health community has a strong interest in developing strategies to reduce the toll of fall injuries.

As a matter of fact, the problem hasn’t gotten any better in recent years. According to Liberty Mutual, the number of these accidents has increased by more than 25 percent from 1998 to 2005. This time period was, ironically, a time when most other causes of workplace injuries experienced a substantial reduction in their rate of growth.

Tips to Prevent Fall Accidents:

-You’ve first got to understand how these accidents happen, identify your workplace’s trouble areas and work to eliminate or minimize these risks.

-Make sure that all spills are cleaned up immediately.

-Keep walkways well lit.

-Always use the proper fall protection for the job.

-Replace burnt out or flickering bulbs.

-Cover all cables and wires that cross walkways.

-Remove all obstacles from walkways and always keep floors free of clutter.

-Pay attention to what you’re doing at all times.

-Make sure the things you’re carrying do not obstruct your view.
Continue reading →

Published on:

By

If you live in a house, it’s a pretty normal occurrence to be out cutting the grass, especially during the summer season. Do you ever think about your risks for a pedestrian accident during this time?

A Sarasota woman wasn’t thinking about it either when she was hit by a car while mowing her grass. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the woman was mowing the grass on a median across the street from her home when she was hit by a passing vehicle. She died in the accident. The Republic reports that charges are pending on the driver involved in the accident.

The truth of the matter is that many residents spend time outside, whether it’s mowing the lawn, playing with kids in the yard or taking a stroll or a bike ride to get some healthy exercise. Whenever you’re near motor vehicle traffic, you’ve got to keep in mind the risks for an accident. Other travelers may not be looking out for you. You’ve got to fend for yourself out there!

Our Lake Worth pedestrian accident attorneys understand that Florida was ranked as the most dangerous state in the country for pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians and bicyclists need to always be aware of nearby motor vehicle traffic. You can’t rely on the driving habits of others to keep you safe. You’ve got to take the necessary safety precautions and practice your safest and most alert traveling habits to stay safe out there.

Luckily, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is here to offer you some pedestrian tips to help keep you safe.

Pedestrian Safety Tips:

-If you have to cross the street, make sure that you do so by using a crosswalk or by crossing at a street corner.

-Stay off of the part of the road that’s used for vehicular traffic.

-Avoid walking after it gets dark. Motorists are less likely to see you during this time.

-If you’re out walking while the sun is setting or as it’s rising. Make sure that you wear brightly-colored clothing and reflective materials to help motorists to see you better. You should also carry a flashlight during this time, too.

-Never allow small children to walk near traffic alone. Always supervise children playing outside.

-Remember that a pedestrian may not cross an intersection diagonally except where and when crossing is authorized by official traffic control devices.

-Avoid playing on your cell phone or listening to music while walking. You want to keep all of your attention on the road and on your surroundings.

-Walk facing oncoming traffic if there’s no sidewalk available. Stay as far away from traffic as you can.

Regardless of why you’re walking outside, if you’re doing it then you need to be safe and aware of your surroundings. Accidents, especially with motor vehicle traffic, can strike at any time. Be on the lookout to help to keep yourself safe out there.
Continue reading →

Contact Information
WEST PALM BEACH
5 Harvard Cir #110
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
Phone: 561-999-9999
Fax: 561-689-4310
PLANTATION
8751 W Broward Blvd #106
Plantation, FL 33324
Phone: 954-999-9999
Toll Free: 800-561-7777
Fax: 954-979-1225
MIAMI
7685 SW 104th St #200
Miami, FL 33156
Phone: 786-517-9774
Toll Free: 800-561-7777
Fax: 954-979-1225
ORLANDO
258 Southhall Ln #140
Maitland, FL 32751
Phone: 407-999-9999
Fax: 407-956-3820

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2025, Freeman Injury Law
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design