Articles Posted in Car Accident

Officers with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), local law enforcement agencies and those with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) are on the hunt for intoxicated drivers.

It’s all a part of “Drive Sober Get Pulled Over” drunk driving campaign. Officers will be out in force on our roadways in search of dangerous and drunk drivers during the remainder of the year as November and December are two of the most dangerous months out of the entire year for these kinds of accidents.

Our Port St. Lucie injury attorneys understand that there’s a lot going on during this time of the year. It’s football season, we’ve got the end to Daylight Savings Time, there are a handful of holidays we get to enjoy and we have to worry about teenage drivers. Unfortunately, each of these issues come with some serious risks for car accidents, making the last 8 weeks of the year as some of the deadliest on our roadways — especially when talking about drunk driving car accidents.

Drunk Driving:

Each year, there are approximately 10,000 people who die in car accidents that involve a drunk driver. These accidents make up a third of all roadway deaths. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 700 people in the state of Florida were killed in these crashes in 2010. The Sunshine State was ranked in 3rd place for these accidents. Drivers are asked to be safe and responsible throughout the rest of 2012. There’s never a reason to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

“FHP troopers will aggressively look for impaired drivers during the crackdown,” said Colonel David Brierton, FHP Director.

Football Season:

It’s college football time. And that means tailgate parties and cookouts. Unfortunately, that also means booze. Football season is one of the most dangerous times for drunk driving car accidents. It’s important that each resident recruits a designated driver for their team. A designated driver isn’t someone who has had the least to drink, but it’s someone who has had nothing to drink!

Daylight Savings Time:

With the time change, we’re going to get an earlier night. With nighttime comes increased risks for drunk driving car accidents. That’s right. Drunk drivers are more commonly found along our roadways during the evening than during the day. Be safe out there, stay sober behind the wheel and report any drivers who you may suspect are intoxicated.

Teenage Drivers:

You might think these drivers aren’t a threat because they can’t legally consume alcohol, but you’d be wrong. About a third of all teen drivers who are killed in car accidents return a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test. Make sure you talk with your teen today about the risks involved with intoxicated driving. It’s a talk that could save their life.
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That time of year is upon us once again — all of the snowbirds are flocking down to the Sunshine State.

It’s no secret that Florida is one of the most popular destinations for winter residents and vacationers alike. Many of them make our home their temporary home. Unfortunately, they’re increasing the risks of car accidents for everyone.

The snowbird population is on the rise as well. Tons of Baby Boomers are stepping into the age of retirement now. With that, Florida is going to see a population surge, reports the U.S. Census Bureau. As a matter of fact, about one out of every five people in the state of Florida is expected to be a senior citizen by 2025. From now until then, we’re expected to gain nearly 7 million residents.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers understand that there are snowbirds of all kinds — and there’s a lot of them. Snowbirds can range from the hip 30-something New York City investor, to the baby boomer from Chicago simply looking forward to active twilight years, to even the family of four from Syracuse that’s looking for a refuge from the snow. Regardless of who these people are, the cold hard fact is that they’re here — and they’re increasing risks for car accidents.

If you’ve been out on the road lately, you’ve seen it. We’re talking about that increase in traffic. In addition to the traffic, we have to deal with distracted drivers, teen drivers and aggressive drivers.

Distracted Drivers:

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), there are 39 states that ban drivers from texting and 10 that stop drivers from using a cell phone. Florida doesn’t fall under any of those categories. It’s estimated that at least 20 percent of all car accidents involve a distracted driver. Keep your attention on the road and your hands in the wheel. Drive in good faith and avoid distractions of all kinds.

Teen Drivers:

Each year, there are about 2,000 young drivers who are killed in car accidents every year. Another 200,000 are injured in these incidents. Parents are asked to talk with their teen about safe driving habits, especially as we head into the holiday travel season. Car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for this young age group. Teach them safe driving habits early to help to provide them with a lifetime of traveling safety.

Aggressive Drivers:

With the increase in traffic, everyone’s getting a little irritated behind the wheel. It’s important that we’re all in this together. You’re reminded to abide by all road laws and stay calm. Remember that aggression can lead to speeding, failure to use turn signals, tailgating and even neglect in obeying traffic control devices. All of these dangerous driving behaviors increase your risks for an accident.
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On the 4th of November, we’re going to close out Daylight Savings Time. Okay. Maybe it’s not going to be that exciting as most of us will be sleeping when it happens, but quietly during the night your risks for a car accident will increase.

Our Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers are asking all drivers to be more attentive for pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers along our roadways when driving during the evening and early-morning hours.

In November of every year, we notice a significant increase in the number of traffic accidents. Experts conclude that this is largely the result of Daylight Savings Time ending. As the sun sets early, more drivers will be out in the dark. It’s not that drivers don’t know what they’re doing, it’s that they forget to focus when the sun sets. The truth of the matter is that drivers are less likely to see roadway hazards at night. When drivers don’t see hazards, many of them tend to forget they’re there.

Officials with The Weather Channel are here to offer you some helpful driving tips for when you venture out during the evening or during the early morning hours.

The first thing you’re going to want to do, before the time change happens, is to get your car ready. By this we mean that you’re going to want to make sure your headlights, taillights and blinkers are working properly and are clean. You should also clean your windows (inside and out) along with your mirrors. This is going to help to ensure that you see everything around you.

We oftentimes talk about the risks associated with drinking and driving. We’ll they’re still prevalent now, meaning that you need to remain sober behind the wheel during all hours of the day. As a matter of fact, alcohol-related car accidents are more likely to happen at night.

Did you know that smoking cigarettes and other nicotine products while driving can be dangerous, too? That’s right. Smoke’s nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night vision.

If you have any doubt in your mind about your headlights — turn them on! You should even drive with your headlights on during the day. Headlights help you to see your surroundings and they help others to see you!

If an oncoming car does hot lower beams from high to low, avoid glare by watching the right side of the road and using it as a steering guide.

Interesting Daylight Savings Time Facts:

-Residents in both Hawaii and Arizona don’t observe Daylight Savings Time.

-The U.S. Territories of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico don’t observe Daylight Savings Time.

-There’s no federal rule that mandates that a state has to observe Daylight Savings Time.
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A driver who ran a red light caused a three-car accident in St. Lucie County. Officers report that she has been cited for the accident. One of the other drivers involved in the accident has been charged with neglecting to use a child restraint for a 10-year-old and for driving without a driver’s license, according to the TC Palm.

Four of the motorists who were involved in the accident were treated for injuries. It all happened at the intersection of Edwards Road and 25th Street near Fort Pierce.

Reports indicate a 17-year-old driver was heading north along 25th Street and ran through the light at Edwards. When she did that, she slammed into the vehicle of a 49-year-old driver. The vehicle of that second driver was thrown into another vehicle, driven by a 39-year-old man, and then flipped over. The driver who was hit by the red-light runner was cited twice. The teen driver is currently in West Palm Beach at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Our Fort Pierce car accident attorneys understand how critical traffic control devices are. When these devices are not obeyed by drivers, accidents result. They’re not there to slow you down or to hold you up. They’re there to help traffic to flow smoothly and to help to keep motorists safe.

Red-light cameras have been in the hot seat for quite some time now. Some argue that these cameras help to prevent car accidents at intersections. Others say that they’re actually increasing the number of accidents — rear-end accidents. Some even claim that we have them only to generate cash flow for local government.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), we need red-light cameras to help to stop the close to 700 intersection-related fatalities that the country sees each and every year. In 2010, there were another 120,000 people injured it intersections. Motorists aren’t the only ones affected either, as bicyclists, pedestrians are at high risk for injury, and even death, when passing through intersections.

According to recent studies, close to 40 percent of people say that they’ve ran a red light at least once in the last 30 days.

Officials say it’s not about the money, it’s about getting drivers to stop and to be safe! Officials say that the main objective of these devices is to serve as a deterrent — to get drivers to stop on red before citations even have to be issued! Officials also argue that these cameras can’t continue to make the money that they’re making now. As more and more drivers catch on, the number of citations will decline and therefor the money generated will eventually dwindle.

Regardless of why there are cameras and regardless of where they are, drivers are asked to be cautious at all intersections. These are some of the most dangerous spots on our roadways. Approach them with caution and keep an eye on the traffic around you. Drive defensively and alertly to avoid a potentially fatal intersection crash.
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Recently, residents in the area released balloons on the Loxahatchee Road in Parkland near the Everglades. This is the site where a car accident took the life of five teenagers about 20 years ago. According to The Miami Herald, the accident happened back in September of 1992 as three cars the teens were in were heading down Lox Road and were going to a bonfire to celebrate a birthday. The teens hooted and hollered for each other to catch up. It was a race to the celebration.

It was all fun and games until one of the teens swerved her vehicle through an S-curve on the roadway and went barreling into the Hillsboro Canal. Several cars were involved in the accident. The teens in the other vehicles rushed to her aid, but were unable to make the rescue. Three passengers made it out alive. Five were killed, all 15- and 16-years-old.

Our Parkland car accident lawyers understand that these teens will never be forgotten. These kinds of accidents leave horrifying memories in mind’s of friends and family members across the country each and every day. Car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for teens in the United States.

At the recent tribute in Parkland, more than 50 people showed up. One of the teen’s classmates decided to organize the memorial and wanted to celebrate their lives. The informal service included the reading of poetry, giving four crosses and one Star of David a fresh coat of paint as well as a releasing of balloons.

This is an unfortunate reminder for parents, guardians, teachers and other leaders to focus in on our newly-licensed driver’s safety.

Teens and Speeding:

Teens are more likely to speed behind the wheel than any other age group of drivers. Many of them feel that they’re invincible behind the wheel and have little to no regard for highway safety. With every mile per hour you travel over the speed limit, you increase your risk for death in the event of an accident. Slow it down.

Teens and Distracted Driving:

Teens are also more likely than any other age group to engage in distractions behind the wheel, especially when a cell phone is involved. Each year, distracted driving takes the lives of thousands of people — thousands of lives that could be saved with responsible and alert driving habits.

Teens and Impaired Driving:

Every 22 minutes, someone is killed in a traffic accident. On any given weekend, there are 10 people killed in alcohol-related car accidents. Most horrible of all, a disproportionately high number of these fatalities and accidents come from the 15 to 24 age group.

Talk with your teen today. Make sure that they understand the risks that are associated with dangerous and irresponsible driving habits. Your talk could save their life. After all, you are one of the most influential people in their driving career. Make it count!
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You never know what you’re going to get with the Florida weather. One minute it’s storming and the next minute the sun is shining through. Because of the fickleness of Mother Nature, we’re asking all drivers to be prepared for the worst as rainy season comes to an end.

Officials with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) are asking the same thing after a multitude of accidents during a recent stormy weekend.

There were a number of car accidents that happened both on Interstate 10 and Interstate 75 over past weekends. Now, officers with the Florida Highway Patrol and asking motorists statewide to consider roadway and weather conditions before heading out and to adjust their driving habits to accommodate whatever they may encounter out there.

“Incidents such as these are a reminder of the precautions motorists should take while driving in extreme weather,” said the director of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Col. David Brierton.

Our Lantana car accident attorneys understand that weather is a frequent contributor to car accidents, as is driving too fast for conditions. It’s important for drivers to remember that we can’t drive like it’s clear and sunny all the time. When Florida’s skies open up, we need to adjust our driving habits to accommodate it. When it’s wet and slippery out, it’s important that we slow down, make sure our headlights are on and pay extra attention to our surroundings. Officials with the FHP are here to offer drivers with some extra safe diving tips to help prevent accidents during rain and thunderstorms.

Safe Driving Tips for Rainy Weather:

-Slow it down. You need more time to react to dangers out there and it also takes longer to stop on slick roadways.

-Make sure you keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Your vehicle is more likely to skid on slippery and wet streets.

-If the rain is coming down too hard and you’re having a tough time seeing out of your windshield, you should pull over and wait it out.

-Make sure you’re driving with your headlights turned on.

-Make sure that your tires are in good condition. Make sure that the tire tread depth is significant. Worn tires increase your risks for slipping and sliding out there.

-Keep an eye on your windshield wipers. Test them periodically to make sure they’re working well. A rain storm is not the time to figure out that you need to replace them.

-Make sure that you always wear a seat belt. Buckling up can mean the difference between life and death in the event of an accident.

As you know, rain in Florida can be year round and we can’t always predict when we’re going to run into these conditions. Make sure you’re always ready by not only keeping an umbrella with you, but by making sure your car is in good-working condition for the weather and that you adjust your driving behaviors accordingly.
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Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol are targeting unsafe drivers on our roadways. It’s all a part of Operation Safe Driver, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). This campaign is taking place from the 14th through the 20th of October. It’s a nationwide campaign that’s pushing awareness and education of unsafe driving habits.

Both commercial and non-commercial drivers are targeted through this effort. One of the main driving behaviors that is targeted through this effort is aggressive driving. During this week-long campaign, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers will be out combing our roadways for unsafe drivers and will be conducting commercial vehicle driver safety inspections — all to make our roadways safer for you.

“The campaign aims to educate all motorists of the risks involved with aggressive and distracted driving around large trucks.” said Col. David Brierton with the FHP.

Our Tamarac car accident lawyers understand the risks that accompany driving in South Florida. Many of our streets are designed to handle fast-moving traffic, yet are too antiquated to handle today’s volume. It’s important that we all travel together and travel cautiously to help to reduce the risks of accidents. All too often, large trucks are treated just as any other passenger vehicle is. The truth of the matter is that semis, tractor-trailers, big-rigs and other commercial vehicles require special treatment. We all need to adjust our driving habits around these vehicles as accidents with them can produce some serious, if not fatal, results.

Funding from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) helps make programs and campaigns like the Operation Safe Driver a reality. Each year, officials with the FHP conduct more than 100,000 commercial vehicle inspections. In 2011, there were close to 20,000 vehicles and drivers who were put out of service because they did not pass these inspections.

Safety Tips for Driving With Commercial Vehicles:

-Never cut off a truck. These vehicles take longer than our passenger vehicles to come to a complete stop. You’re also less likely to be seen when driving in front of a truck.

-Never travel in a truck driver’s blind spots. If you can’t see the driver, then they’re not able to see you. These are the no-no zones.

-Stay away from trucks. Never follow too closely, or tailgate, commercial vehicles. When passing one, do so swiftly. Never linger alongside or near a truck. Stay away and stay safe.

-Trucks take wide turns. Remember that these vehicles need more space to make a turn than our vehicles do. Make sure you allow them with plenty of room. You never want to get caught in a tight squeeze with a truck. More than likely you’ll lose.
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From the 14th through the 20th of October, our nation will be recognizing the dangers that teen drivers face on our roadways. It’s all a part of National Teen Driver Safety Week. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), this week-long campaign takes place during the third week of each October.

After all, car accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for these young Americans. Currently, there are roughly 700,000 teens in the Sunshine State who have a driver’s license. Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers understand that there were close to 30,000 teen drivers in the state of Florida who were involved in car accidents in 2011. In these accidents, there were close to 200 teens (15- to 19-years-old) who were killed. Many of these accidents can be prevented with a little more young driver education and awareness.

To help to spread the word, officials with the DHSMV recently sponsored presentations at high schools in Tallahassee, Apopka, Tampa and Miami. These presentations aimed to provide dramatizations of car accidents as they would be viewed through these young viewers’ eyes. The non-profit organization, Stay Alive From Education (S.A.F.E.) headed these presentations. Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) also talked to young drivers about the importance of wearing a seat belt, of making sure that we’re sober behind the wheel, about the risks associated with distracted driving and of the risks associated with having teen passengers in our cars.

“It is important that teens learn to be safe drivers from the beginning, and we encourage parents to be involved and set good examples for their children,” said Julie L. Jones, the Executive Director with the DHSMV.

For each day of this year’s campaign, officials nationwide will be focusing on one point of safe driving for these young drivers, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

Seven Days of Safe Driving:

1.) Seat Belt Use: Seat belts can save lives. Make sure you buckle up during every car ride, whether you’re the driver or a passenger.

2.) Curb Distractions: Cell phones and text messaging devices only increase your risks for an accident. Keep your attention on driving.

3.) Nighttime Driving: Don’t drive at night if you don’t have to. Your risks for an accident during this time are much higher than during the daytime hours.

4.) Passenger Safety: Younger passengers increase your risks of an accident. Keep the young passengers to a minimum.

5.) Florida GDL Laws: Make sure that teens are aware of the state’s graduated driver’s licensing (GDL) program’s laws.

6.) Make the Rules: Set your own driving rules in your home to increase roadway safety where the state’s laws lack.

7.) Know the Risks: Talk with your teen often about the dangers of unsafe driving habits. Become an active member in their driving career.
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Elderly drivers and those of the aging Baby Boomer population might be able to stay behind the wheel a lot longer if technology continues to advance at its current rate. According to U.S. News, California became the third state in the country to legalize driverless cars. The state of Florida and Nevada have also approved the technology. Google has been getting most of the attention for this kind of technology, but even auto manufacturers are getting in on the action and have their own projects underway.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers understand that giving up your car keys because of old age can be a seriously emotional move and comes with a heap of negative connotations. Many people believe that this move serves as a forfeit of control and independence. The truth of the matter is that giving up the ability to drive when necessary can not only save the life of the driver, but can help to save other drivers on our roadways. What could be more independent?

Google might be jumping the gun a bit on the driverless-car technology, but auto makers are taking their time tweaking their systems to protect their franchises. It’s still not clear when this kind of technology is going to hit our roadways, but officials say that it’s inevitable.

Regardless, there are some who may never trust the technology. Many are still reluctant to cede control of their vehicles to computers.

Technology developers say this this technology not only has the ability to save lives, but it’s also going to save drivers time and money. These computers are going to be able to react quicker to any road danger than even the best drivers could. They’re going to be locked into traffic grids and are going to be able to help to eliminate traffic congestion, too!

Top 10 Technologies Helping Drivers:

-Smart headlights that are able to adjust their workings to accommodate the traffic around, reduce the glare and work to improve a driver’s vision at night.

-Emergency response systems help to get medical responders to the scene, in the event of a collision or another medical emergency, a whole lot sooner.

-Reversing systems are able to alert a driver about dangers behind their vehicle.

-Blind-spot warnings help drivers to get a better feel about what is in their blind spots.

-Lane-departure systems help to keep drivers in their own lanes.

-Vehicle stability systems help to keep drivers to their intended line of travel, especially in driving situations in which a driver underestimates the angle of a curve or experiences dangerous weather.

-Assisted-parking systems help drivers to park a heck of a lot easier and keeps their vehicles away from others.

-Voice-activated systems help drivers to interact with in-car technologies without ever having to take their eyes off of the road.

-Crash-mitigation systems help to determine when the car might be in danger of an accident and can help to minimize injuries to passengers.

-Drowsy-driving alert systems help to keep an eye on a driver’s action behind the wheel and can help to keep them alert when the technology senses that they might be drowsy.
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Your child may ride in a 15-passenger van to and from their daycare center, church and even a number of other activities. But now, federal law prohibits their use by public school systems. The truth of the matter is they’re still being used to transport kids to other places and we need to make sure that they’re safe!

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 15-passenger vans aren’t like smaller passenger vans. These bigger vans have a higher rollover rate under certain conditions. Because of these risks for rollover accidents, it’s important that owners and drivers are paying attention to the maintenance on the van and on the condition of the road. It’s also important that the driver has experience and is knowledgeable in driving these vehicles.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys understand that these kinds of rollover accidents are most likely to happen because of tire failure. NHTSA research concludes that these accidents are most commonly the result of underinflated tires. They’re also likely to happen when tires are worn. The owners and the drivers of these vehicles need to be especially diligent in keeping the proper air pressure in these tires and must remain aware of the condition of the tires. They should always be replaced when instructed by the tire manufacturer.

Top Safety Recommendations for 15-Passenger Vans:

-Tire Pressure: Be sure that you check the tire pressure before each time you get behind the wheel. Make sure they’re properly inflated and that the tread on the tires is not worn. When conditions are poor, drivers can easily lose control of the vehicle. It’s also important that you make sure that each tire has the same amount of pressure.

-Spare Tires: Make sure that these tires are also properly inflated. Remember they can weaken with age, even when they’re never used.

-Pay Attention: Drivers should always pay attention and should be well-rested behind the wheel. Keep cell phones out of the driver’s seat, too.

-Don’t Speed: The faster you’re going the higher your risks are for an accident.

-Overloading: Know how much your van can hold and make sure to stay under those limitations. Over-packed vehicles are more prone to rollover accidents.

If you’re planning on driving one of these vans, you don’t have to have a special driver’s license. Only vehicles with 16 or more occupants required a commercial driver’s license (CDL). However, driving these vans is much different than driving an ordinary passenger vehicle. Drivers who are not familiar with driving vans of this size may be unfamiliar with the way the vans handle and how they should be maintained. Drivers are asked to be safe and aware of all of the safety precautions that need to be taken to help to insure that they, and all of their passengers, make it to and from their destination safely!
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