Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog

Published on: April 10, 2014

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Florida

Distracted driving is a major problem in Florida, with the state highway patrol reporting nearly 40,000 crashes, 33,000 injuries and more than 200 deaths each year can be attributed to drivers who weren’t giving the road their full attention.

As Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys, we know that distraction comes in many forms, and novice drivers tend to be most vulnerable. The most common distraction, however, is the use of cell phones. As April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it’s a good time to debunk some of the more common misconceptions surrounding the combination of cell phones and driving.

Texting behind the wheel gets a lot of attention, but reportedly “safer” alternatives, such as hands-free and voice-to-text options are equally risky. Some might even argue that these technologies are more dangerous because people mistakenly believe they are safe.
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Published on: April 4, 2014

Florida Lawmakers Wrangle Over Red-Light Cameras

By Dean Freeman

As Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys, we note that one of the most common causes of serious and fatal crashes is red-light running.

Red-light cameras were born of the idea that because this action is so dangerous, there had to be a way to enforce the law, even if we couldn’t station a police officer at every intersection. The cameras, which are now used by some 77 county and city governments across the state, work by sensing violations, snapping photographs of the incident and then mailing a ticket to the vehicle owner.

While proponents say these devices save lives, opponents say they are nothing more than a revenue source for local governments, and there is even some evidence to suggest they heighten the crash risk at some intersections.
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Published on: April 2, 2014

Florida Troopers Crack Down on Distracted Driving With “Staying Alive on I-75”

By Dean Freeman

Florida state troopers and local law enforcement agencies are bolstering their presence on Interstate-75 in April as part of the national “Staying Alive on I-75” initiative, which seeks to slash deaths by 15 percent along one of the nation’s longest highways.

Dozens of fatal crashes occur along the highway every year, attributed to a variety of risky behavior by drivers, including intoxication, fatigue and general recklessness. However, our Broward car accident lawyers know a growing problem in recent years has to do with behind-the-wheel distractions, which is why it’s going to be a top focus for troopers.

I-75 is one of the lengthiest stretches of highway in America, measuring some 1,800 miles from the east coast of Florida up through five other states, ending in Michigan at the border of Ontario. Troopers and law enforcement officials in other states are on board with this effort as well.
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Published on: March 21, 2014

Fatalities Highlight Risk of Wrong Way Accidents in Broward, Miami-Dade

By Dean Freeman

Wrong way accidents are one of the deadliest causes of collision on the nation’s highways. Many of these accidents occur near on-or off-ramps, where improper signage can mislead drivers; however, a substantial number of the accidents have also involved drunk drivers or drivers under the influence of narcotics or prescription medications. Among the most recent tragedies, 11 people died on a February Sunday in two separate highway collisions—both involving wrong way accidents. The accidents occurred on opposite sides of the country, but both have confounded law enforcement officials who are seeking to understand and prevent these fatal collisions.

Deadly car accidents involving wrong way accidents are making headlines nationwide. Law enforcement agencies and other safety advocates have continued to study the cause of wrong way collisions, because they pose such a significant risk to motorists. Our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale are committed to providing sound counsel to victims and families of auto collisions. In addition to helping uncover the cause of any accident, we will also work aggressively to maximize compensation for victims and families.
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Published on: March 11, 2014

Palm Beach Motorcycle Accidents a Risk During Daytona Beach Bike Week

By Dean Freeman

March is the biggest month of the year for Florida motorcyclists. March 7 through the 16th is official “Bike Week” in Daytona and nationwide.

With riders are eager to descend upon the city, now is the time to consider safety to prevent accidents and injuries on the road. Whether learning defensive driving techniques, ensuring that your bike is operating safely, or simply remembering the rules of the road, being prepared and aware can help keep you safe through Bike Week and throughout this motorcycle season.

Bike Week 2014 in Daytona Beach had barely officially begun, when a spate of injury accidents were reported.The 10-day event has been profitable for local businesses, but bikers and other motorists should be aware of the danger of accidents during this busy time. Our Palm Beach motorcycle accidents attorneys encourage motorists to give riders a break as they arrive in the area.
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Published on: March 7, 2014

Insurance Dispute in Chain-Reaction Collisions – One Collision or Two?

By Dean Freeman

The recent case of Wright v. Turner, reviewed by the Oregon Supreme Court, centered on the issue of underinsured motorist coverage.

Our Miramar car accident attorneys know that no matter what state you’re in, insurance companies will aggressively battle to reduce their liability. Ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve means you must be prepared to fight back.

In this case, the plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck multiple times by two other negligent drivers. The big question for insurance purposes was: How many accidents were there? Was there one, multi-vehicle collision, or were there two separate crashes?
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Published on: March 3, 2014

School Bus Accident Illustrates Florida’s Comparative Fault Law

By Dean Freeman

Many times when we talk about school bus accidents and related injuries, we are focused on the well-being of the children aboard the bus or who are on the ground in the vicinity.

However, there are a fair number of cases in which other drivers and passengers – often in much-smaller vehicles – are harmed as a result of a run-in with a school bus. These large vehicles require an operator who exercises great care and caution, particularly when approaching intersections, negotiating turns and initiating stops.

When they fail to do this, both the school bus driver and employer may be held responsible, making the victims eligible to receive compensation.

Our Delray Beach school bus accident attorneys note one such incident recently came before the Louisiana Supreme Court. In Purvis v. Grant Parish School Board, the case was prompted by injuries sustained to a motor vehicle driver and passenger involved in a collision with a school bus.
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Published on: February 28, 2014

Hollywood Car Accident Lawyers Prepared to Battle Insurance Companies

By Dean Freeman

Car insurance is supposed to be a safety net, not only for those who purchase the policy, but for others on the road as well.

There are underinsured and uninsured motorist benefits for those injured by an uninsured driver or an at-fault motorist who lacks adequate insurance. But in some cases, even those who purchase decent plans may not realize they are not as fully covered as they might presume. Those injured in a car accident in West Palm Beach – may learn that “safety net” is in fact riddled with holes.

The reality is, many auto insurance policies have scores of exclusions in the fine print. These exclusions limit who is covered, when they are covered and to what extent they are covered.
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Published on: February 23, 2014

Marijuana Impairment an Increasing Threat in West Palm Beach Roads

By Dean Freeman

A recent study showing a dramatic increase in the number traffic fatalities involving drivers who smoke marijuana is sure to provide ammunition to those opposing a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana, which goes before Florida voters in November.

Our West Palm Beach accident attorneys are experienced in handling the often very difficult cases brought by those seeking compensation for injuries caused by drivers impaired by drugs and alcohol.
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Published on: February 20, 2014

Teens Face Deadliest Risks for Car Accidents in South Florida

By Dean Freeman

Public health experts, safe driving advocates and insurance representatives in the UK have expressed their concern in a letter to the BMJ over young driver safety policies and called for “a frank and open public debate” on the issue.

According to The Information Daily, government officials promised back in January of last year that they would release information on young driver safety in the spring. Subsequently, the government admitted in December 2013 that officials were still “wrestling with issues” and would not be able to publish findings.

Our car accident lawyers in Coconut Creek know auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the UK, just like they are here in the U.S. At all levels of blood-alcohol content (BAC), the risk of being in a car accident is greater for teens than for older drivers. The effects are a lot stronger for teens than for adults because teens are still growing and developing. Young people ages 15-24 represent less than 15 percent of the U.S. population. However, they account for roughly a third ($19 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and close to 30 percent ($7 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among females, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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