South Florida Injury Lawyers

Starting this week the Florida Highway Patrol is delivering the message to buckle up as the 2011 national Click It or Ticket campaign gets underway. Law enforcement will be cracking down on motorists who disobey Florida’s safety belt law with zero tolerance, meaning click your seat belt or expect a ticket.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers want to remind you to “Click It” or risk the chance of serious injury in a car accident. Drive safely this holiday weekend.

“Many traffic deaths can be prevented if more motorists simply buckle up. That is why the Florida Highway Patrol is strongly supporting enhanced enforcement of safety belt laws during the upcoming Click It or Ticket campaign,” said Major Timothy Ashley, commander of FHP’s Troop H, which covers eight counties in the Big Bend area. “We will be out in full force to remind drivers and passengers to always fasten their safety belts.”

It is the requirement of Florida law that front seat passengers wear a seat belt, as well as, anyone under 18 must be belted in. The fine for not buckling up is $30 in addition to court costs if convicted. After last years campaign seat belt use rose to 87.4 percent.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reminded motorists about the severe risks of not wearing a seat belt.

“We are reminding Americans to buckle up before they hit the road for the long Memorial Day weekend,” said Secretary LaHood. “Seat belts are a lifesaver, but too many people are failing to buckle their seat belts at night, and it’s costing lives.”

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that fewer people buckle up at night, making driving at night particularly dangerous. The NHTSA reports for 2009, 62 percent of vehicle occupants killed at night were not wearing seat belts. By comparison, 44 percent of vehicle occupants killed during the day were unrestrained. David Strickland an NHTSA Administrator warned that holiday weekends like, Memorial Day weekend, are extremely dangerous for motorists not buckling up. The 2009 Memorial Day period saw 306 people killed on U.S. roads, 55 percent were unbelted.

“Statistics tell a powerful story about the fate of unbelted motorists in crashes. That’s why law enforcement is exceptionally vigilant at this time of year,” said Administrator Strickland.
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Temperatures rise high during the summer months, so caregivers, babysitters and daycare centers should be aware of the risk of children suffering from hyperthermia in Miami, West Palm Beach, Margate and elsewhere throughout the state. Children under 14 are most at risk of hyperthermia when left in a vehicle alone, which is a common cause of death for children throughout the country.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys know that hyperthermia often leads to more serious symptoms like heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or heat-related illnesses, which can be fatal. Keeping the body cool is often achieved by sweating, but small children don’t cool as easily in most cases. Life-threatening temperatures in idle vehicles can be reached pretty quickly. Child caregivers of any type have a responsibility to keep your child safe. Schools, daycare centers, babysitters and au pairs could be considered negligent if your child experiences a heat-related illness under their watchful eye, so contact a legal professional to get all your questions answered.

The Department of Geosciences reports on hyperthermia deaths of children in vehicles. The department reports two heat-related deaths in 2011 from children left in cars. In 2010, there were 49 fatalities. From 1998 until 2010, 496 children died from hyperthermia after being left in an unattended vehicle. There are three leading circumstances in which children have been left in the vehicle unattended. It has been found that 51 percent of deaths (253 children) have occurred because the caregiver forgot the child. In 30 percent of incidents (150 fatalities) children were found playing in an unattended vehicle. Sadly, 17 percent of fatalities (86 children) were when a child was intentionally left in the vehicle by an adult.

Last year, Florida reported six hyperthermia deaths of children left in vehicles. In 2009, there were nine reported heat-related deaths of children in vehicles. Florida is the second most dangerous state behind Texas in reported child vehicular hyperthermia deaths. From 1998 to 2010, Florida reported 56 fatalities, while Texas reported 71.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips to reduce the risk of hyperthermia:
-Call a local emergency number or 911 if you see a child left alone in a vehicle without supervision.

-Cool the child quickly if you see any of the following symptoms: red, hot or moist skin, nausea, slow weak pulse, rapid heartbeat, or an inability to sweat.

-Children should never be permitted to play in or near unattended vehicles.

-Always check the front and back seat before locking your door and walking away.

-Instruct the school or daycare center to call you if your child does not arrive on time.

-Never leave your child alone in the vehicle while you run an errand. Cracking windows or leaving the air conditioning on still puts them in danger if left unsupervised.

Hyperthermia is a serious danger when children are left alone in vehicles as the average temperature inside the vehicle is typically 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. The costs associated with treatment of a heat-related illness can be unbearable, so contact an experienced child injury law firm to help get you the compensation you deserve if your child suffers a heat-related illness at school, church or daycare center.
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Automobile technology is helping to reduce pedestrian fatalities, reports the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Our Fort Lauderdale accident attorneys warn that relying on technology isn’t the best way to avoid a Palm Beach pedestrian accident.

According to the IIHS study, the two most likely scenarios for a vehicle hitting a pedestrian are when pedestrians cross the street and when vehicles are coming straight at them. The Institute feels strongly that vehicles equipped with forward collision warning systems with pedestrian detection can greatly reduce these types of collisions. This technology exists and can be found on several models including the Volvo S60 sedan. Volvo feels this technology has the potential to decrease pedestrian deaths by about 24 percent if installed in all vehicles. Several European automakers including Subaru, BMW, Audi and Mercedes are making vehicle design improvements to help reduce injuries to pedestrians. Technology is available today that recognizes bicyclists and pedestrians and applies the brakes automatically if the driver doesn’t react to a situation. There is even night vision technology that will protect pedestrians at night.

In 2009, pedestrian’s deaths accounted for 12 percent of all traffic fatalities according to
the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). They report that 4,092 pedestrians died in traffic accidents and an additional 59,000 were injured. Of Florida’s 2,558 traffic fatalities, 466 were pedestrians, ranking them second only to California for being the deadliest state for pedestrians.

Here are some helpful safety tips to remember from walkinginfo.org:

Make yourself visible to drivers.

-Wear reflective material and bright colored clothing.

-Always carry a flashlight if go you for a walk at night.

-Always cross the street in an area that drivers can easily see you.

-Never let obstacles like parked cars or hedges block your view before crossing the street.

Avoid dangerous behaviors.

-Always use the sidewalk.

-Never walk if you are impaired, get a ride.

-Make eye contact with the driver; never assume a driver sees you.

-Always look before you cross the street; you should not rely totally on pedestrian signals.

-Pay attention to backup lights or engine noise in or near parking lots and on-street parking spaces.

Look before you step.

-When possible cross streets at marked intersections or crosswalks.

-Obey WALK/DON’T WALK signs.

-Before crossing any road look left, right, and left again.

-Make sure ALL lanes you must cross are safe before proceeding. Never assume all drivers see you when there are multiple lanes to cross.

-Never talk on the phone or wear headphones while crossing the street
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