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A recent car accident in Suburban West Pam Beach just off Interstate 95 sent three people to St. Mary’s Medical Center after the vehicle exited onto 45th street and hit a panhandler. According to The Palm Beach News Post, officials with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and West Palm Beach Fire Rescue were called out to the scene shortly after 2:00 p.m. The exit ramp was closed for investigation after the accident.

The driver who was involved in the wreck was reportedly in his 30s and was operating a Ford SUV. He was exiting I-95 and drove into the median of 45th Street. His vehicle struck a panhandler in his 20s. The panhandler was seriously injured, according to Sgt. Kevin Strickland.

Our West Palm Beach car accident lawyers understand that the SUV landed on its side in front of the Days Inn after striking the panhandler. Another panhandler that was standing near the victim was able to avoid the accident. He was not hit. After the accident, the SUV driver tried to flee the scene, but the unharmed panhandler “tackled” him before he could get away.

Both panhandlers and the SUV driver were transported to St. Mary’s. The driver has submitted a blood sample for testing. Results determining if he was impaired at the time of the accident have not been yet released.

According to Lt. Tim Frith, spokesman with the FHP, it is likely that the driver will be charged with hit-and-run leaving the scene of an accident. If the blood results conclude he was impaired at the time of the accident, he will also be charged with driving under the influence.

Accidents in the area aren’t an uncommon sight. I-95 in Palm Beach County has been ranked as one of the deadliest roadways in the county by AllStays Travel. Over the last 5 years, nearly 150 people have died along this roadway.

Here are some Q&As to help you to help make I-95 safer for everyone.

What’s the safest way to exit the interstate? As you exit on an exit ramp, you want to make sure that you slow down to a safe exit speed. Generally, suggested exit speed signs are posted along the exit roadway. Make sure you meet this reduced speed limit because many exit ramps make sharp turn and quick stops. Slowing down will help you to maintain control of your vehicle. Losing control of your vehicle can easily cause a rollover on these roadways.

What should I do if I miss my exit? Never back up if you miss an exit. Never stop in a lane and try to figure out your next move. Just go to the next exit. I may take a few minutes more, but it’s your safest bet. Turning around can cost you a ticket, a huge fine and potentially a fatal accident.
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A recent car accident near Fort Lauderdale left a pregnant woman trapped in her vehicle. After three vehicles collided at West Sunrise Boulevard and Northwest 24th Avenue, the pregnant passenger had to be extricated from one of the vehicles, according to 7NEWS. Two others were injured in the accidents. The driver allegedly responsible was cited by officers.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers understand that parents are urged to properly buckle in young children during every car ride, but do parents know how to properly secure unborn children? There are critical steps that an expectant mother must take during every car ride to help ensure the safety of herself and her child.

Currently, states are not required to report fetal fatalities when submitting traffic accident data. But officials believe that anywhere from 300 to 1,000 unborn children are killed in car accidents every year. The fatal car accident rate for unborn children is nearly five times higher than the fatality rate for children under the age of four.

Why are pregnant passengers at a special risk during an automobile accident?:

The biggest risk for death in the event of an accident for an unborn child is placenta uterine attachment. This is a delicate attachment that doesn’t take a lot of force to detach inside the womb. When it does detach, an unborn child loses much-needed oxygen. These incidents account for about 80 percent of all fetuses lost in car crashes. In most of these cases, it happens when the abdomen hits the steering wheel.

Are there special instructions for pregnant women and seat belts?:

The normal seat belt is best for everyone, pregnant of not. Pregnant woman oftentimes misuse these devices, however. A lot of pregnant woman feel discomfort when wearing a seat belt and will allow both the shoulder portion and the lap portion to ride to the midsection of the stomach. Seat belts are designed to lie across bony sections of our body. You always want to keep the seat belt on your pelvis. If you’re sitting correctly, the combination of the seat belt and the air bag will work best in the event of a collision.

Are pregnant passengers or pregnant drivers at higher risks?:

In most accident scenarios, pregnant drivers are at higher risks for injury and death in the event of an accident. Pregnant women are better off in the passenger seat because a steering wheel isn’t close to the torso and the stomach.

Car accidents are the number one cause of death for pregnant women, according to The New York Times. More expectant mothers die in traffic accidents than in birthing complications. In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of death among individuals age 4- to 35-years-old.
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The family of a 39-year-old Florida man is grief-stricken, following a fatal crash that happened in Tampa this month.

According to the Tampa Tribune, the victim was traveling southbound on U.S. 41 when his sport utility vehicle collided with a semi-truck and, horrifyingly, became wedged underneath.

For hours, traffic snarled to a halt on the highly-traveled Florida highway.

While the state highway patrol continues to investigate the fatal Florida crash, our Hollywood car accident lawyers have been keeping a close eye on statistics regarding deadly crashes throughout the state.

Encouragingly, a new report by the Florida Highway Patrol indicates fatal crashes in Florida were the lowest reported since 1978 – and that’s even considering the state’s population has doubled in the same time frame.

According to the report, 2,373 people died in car accidents throughout the state last year. That figures is preliminary, as investigation into some of those crashes is ongoing. Final results are expected later this year.

Julie Jones, executive director of The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, reported the decrease is part of a downward trend that has been ongoing for six years. Still, she added her agency remains highly invested in continuing to see those numbers fall.

And as the Tampa crash tragically illustrates, one death is still too many.

According to the Tribune, the man was driving his Ford Explorer just after 6 a.m. when a semitrailer, driven by a 41-year-old man, reportedly crossed into his path.
The victim tried to brake and swerve, but his SUV became pinned underneath the larger truck.

Deputies said he was not wearing a seat belt. He died at the scene.

The investigation is continuing.

As the highway patrol’s new report shows, more than 5,000 people have been killed in Florida crashes over the last two years, underscoring the critical importance of vigilance every time you get behind the wheel.

One must also factor in that motor vehicle crashes are the top cause of death for people ages 4 to 34, the agency reports.

Causes behind many of these accidents include distracted driving, speeding and failure to wear a seat belt or proper safety restraints.

Addressing some of these issues is the National Safety Council, which offers the following tips to motorists:

–Put your cell phone away. The NSC estimates 24 percent of all accidents involve a cell phone, and someone using a phone behind the wheel is four times more likely to crash. It’s simply not worth it.

–Teach your teen responsible and safe driving habits, including limiting night driving as well as the number of passengers in the car. Several states already have laws prohibiting teens from using a phone behind the wheel. Make sure your teens know the law and instruct them to pull over if they need to make a call or send a text.

–Make sure you use or seat belt and that your child is properly strapped in. The council estimates that 63 percent of fatal car accident victims between the ages of 13 and 15 weren’t wearing a seat belt.

–Don’t drive drunk or impaired.

–Learn to keep your cool behind the wheel. Aggressive driving – whether by speeding, running through yellow lights or tailgating – has been found to be a factor in about 60 percent of all fatal crashes, the council reported.
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Parents concerned for their child’s safety on the road now have a comprehensive resource to get facts, research statistics and debunk myth.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia earlier this month launched the Car Seat Safety for Kids site, with the Keeping Kids Safe During Crashes as part of an outreach program designed to educate parents about car seat safety and prevention car accidents in South Florida and across the country.

The site features easily understandable, straightforward advice about car seats and car seat safety for parents of infants, toddlers and those ages 4 to 8 and older. It even offers tips for expectant moms and dads on everything from seat belt safety during pregnancy to how to prepare for your baby’s first ride home.

Our Pembroke Pines car accident lawyers have seen firsthand the immense pain, suffering and guilt that results when a child dies in a crash – especially if the death was preventable.

We know child car seats can be somewhat complicated to properly install, especially if you are a novice or first-time parent.

We also understand that motor vehicle accidents are sometimes unavoidable.

However, serious injury and death don’t have to be inevitable if parents and other caregivers take the time to learn about the correct installation and positioning, as well as what aspects to look for when purchasing a child car seat.

In the state of Florida, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that children under the age of 3 are required to be placed in a car seat – every trip, without exception. Failure to follow this law can result not only in fines and points on your license, it could lead to a tragedy.

In fact, motor vehicle accidents are known to be the No. 1 cause of death for children between the ages of 3 and 14. That’s a terrifying statistic for every parent.

It doesn’t end there.

In 2008, researchers determined four children were killed every single day in car accidents and more than 500 were injured.

Now the good news. The NHTSA reports that the lives of nearly 9,000 children were saved between 1975 and 2008.

Our Pembroke Pines car accident attorneys want to make sure that if you’re in an accident, your child will be protected.

Suzanne Hill, director of Advocacy Outreach at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention, said her office partnered with the hospital to publish not just articles on the new website, but updated videos to offer visual guides. She added that the site will soon offer Spanish translations to all of its material as well.

While the Keeping Kids Safe During Car Crashes site offers a plethora of resources for parents, four main tips are spotlighted:

–Make sure your child is either in a car seat or buckled in every time, no exceptions.
–Keep your child in the back seat.
–Use the best safety restraint for your child’s size.
–Make sure that either the car seat or seat belt is being properly used.
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Debate rages on among Florida lawmakers, who continue to wrestle with the merits of enacting a statewide ban on texting while driving.

It’s a two-sided coin.

A ban would likely mean a sharp decrease in the number of distracted driving crashes across the state – an obvious plus.

But how easy will it be to enforce?

Our Coral Springs car accident attorneys have seen the devastating aftermath that can result when drivers don’t pay attention to the road.

Texting behind the wheel was known to cause nearly 5,500 deaths in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Florida is among the few states that have yet to approve any sort of ban on texting while driving. Throughout the country, 39 other states have passed some form of legislation regarding the issue.

But it’s not for lack of trying.

Capitol News Service reports that Florida state Senator Nancy Detert has made three previous failed attempts to adopt such a law.

This time may be different.

Just a few days into the current legislative session, the new bill, known as SB 416, needs the rubber stamp of just one more committee before it will head to the Senate floor. A companion bill in the House of Representatives, HB 299, has not yet been opened for discussion.

In multiple media interviews, Detert likened texting while driving to drunk driving, saying the results are just as deadly.

While the outlook is positive, the measure is not without dissenting opinions.

Republican Senator Joe Negron, for example, took issue with the enforceability aspect. In an interview with the Miami Herald, Negron wondered how a police officer could accurately tell the difference between a driver texting and, say, checking their calendar on their phone.

He also argued that such a law would be redundant because the state already has laws against reckless driving.

Other lawmakers, meanwhile, wonder if the bill goes far enough. Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla wants to add language in the bill that would increase the penalties if the offender was texting behind the wheel while in a school zone.

“Schools should be safe havens, and that includes the area where people drop off their children or where children walk to school,” the senator told a Miami Herald reporter.

A recent study by Monash University found that drivers who used handheld devices were four times as likely to be involved in an accident. Further, the NHTSA reports that drivers who text are 23 times as likely to crash.

This is also alarming when you consider that there were 196 billion text messages sent in June 2011 alone — and that’s an increase of 50 percent from two years prior.

That means your risk of a distracted-driving crash in Coral Springs and elsewhere is escalating dramatically.

For each text, the NHTSA found, drivers took their eyes off the road an average of 4.6 seconds, or roughly the length of a football field if you’re going 55 miles per hour.

Perhaps that’s why some groups, such as the Florida Sheriffs Association, are now coming forward to back Detert’s efforts.
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You get into your car.

You automatically check your mirrors.

You make sure the seat is in the correct position.

But you don’t expect that you’ll have to assess whether the car has major mechanical defects. That’s the government’s job, right?

A new report from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) suggests motorists are wrong to assume full faith in government oversight of vehicle defects.

Our Deerfield Beach car accident lawyers have been closely following the news about the recall of millions of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, amid reports of faulty accelerators that were to blame in a number of accidents.

It was originally believed that faulty electrical wiring was responsible for pedals that jammed or got stuck, leading to unintentional acceleration. However, the National Highway Safety Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) hired scientists from NASA to research the issue. No electrical problems were uncovered.

But now, the NHSTA is facing scrutiny of its own from the NAS for the fact that an outside firm had to be brought on to conduct the research.

The NAS criticized the federal traffic administration for not having enough in-house expertise to address the issue, according to CNN.

The NAS agreed with the agency that there was a lack of evidence to support a claim of electrical malfunction in the vehicles. But it also determined NHSTA should have been able to reach that conclusion on its own.

“It is troubling that the concerns associated with unintended acceleration evolved into questions about electronics safety that NHTSA could not answer convincingly, necessitating a request for extensive technical assistance from NASA,” CNN quoted the report as saying.

Considering that auto manufacturers rely on high-tech electronic systems for their own purposes, the NAS said the agency tapped to act as a government watchdog of the industry should employ at least the same level of expertise.

That’s why it’s critical that drivers in South Florida and throughout the country be proactive in their own research regarding their vehicle’s safety.

Our West Palm Beach car accident lawyers know that not everyone is a natural mechanic. Still there are steps that car consumers can take when purchasing a vehicle that will improve their chances for safety and potentially avoid crashes in Deerfield Beach and elsewhere.

To start, Safercar.gov, a division of the national Department of Transportation, annually rates most vehicles on the market for safety standards. This includes how each make and model withstands frontal crashes, side crashes and rollovers.

In response to a high number of fatal crashes over the years, many manufacturers are building vehicles with safety standards that exceed the minimum federal guidelines.

But you can improve your chances by asking the following questions, suggested by the federal DOT, when purchasing a vehicle:

–What features does this car have that will help me avoid a crash?
–If I am in a crash, how well will this vehicle protect me? For example, will the side airbag protect my front passenger’s head and abdomen?
–If I’m in a single-vehicle crash, what is the likelihood this car will roll over?
–What are the additional advanced safety features of this car?
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A recent car accident in Royal Palm Beach sent two motorists to the hospital. The accident happened on Belvedere Road. One of the motorists had to be extricated from the vehicle and was taken by Trauma Hawk helicopter to St. Mary’s Medical Center, according to News Channel 5. The passenger was taken to the same hospital by an ambulance. No information has been released involving the motorists of the other vehicle.

Our Royal Palm Beach car accident lawyers understand that overall, traffic accidents decreased from 2010 to 2011. We recently discussed this announcement from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. But it’s important to point out that the number of accidents only dropped by about 70 deaths and that there were still roughly 2,400 people killed on our roadways during the year.

In light of the recent announcement and of the New Year, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is asking all drivers to make the switch to safe driving habits. According to a recent study conducted by AAA, U.S. drivers desire a greater level of safety on our roadways. Most drivers say they support government action to achieve this. Still, with all this support, many drivers are not willing to change their own habits first.

“Even one death on our roads is unacceptable,” says AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety President and CEO Peter Kissinger. “Something is terribly amiss in our traffic safety culture when…on average there is still one needless death every 16 minutes.”

According to the AAA 2011 Traffic Safety Culture Index:

-Drivers frown upon drinking and driving. About 97 percent of those who were surveyed said that drinking and then driving was completely unacceptable. Still, about one out of every five drivers admits to getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol at least once in the last 30 days.

-Drivers find distracted driving to be a serious threat on our roadways. About 95 percent of those who were surveyed said that, yet still nearly 40 percent of all drivers admitted to doing so themselves.

-Drivers don’t like speeders. Nearly 95 percent of those who were surveyed said that they find it unacceptable to go more than 15 mph over the speed limit. But again, more than half of drivers admitted to doing it themselves.

-Driver’s don’t like red-light runners either. Almost 95 percent of surveyed drivers feel it’s irresponsible and dangerous for a driver to run a red light, but nearly 40 percent said that they are guilty of doing it.

-Drowsy driving is a no-no. Nearly 100 percent of drivers said there’s no excuse for drowsy driving. Roughly 30 percent of driver said they’ve done it in the last month though.

-Only about one out of every four drivers said that they have driven without a seat belt in the last month.

Motor vehicle accidents can be prevented with cautious and responsible driving habits. Drivers are urged to start practicing what they preach. It’s like the saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Practice safe driving habits. Maybe it will catch on.
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As we recently reported on our South Florida injury Lawyers Blog, the Florida Highway Patrol and many other law enforcement departments across the state joined together over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday to crack down on drunk drivers through the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

We also previously warned drivers about the dangers to be expected on our roadways through the holidays. In 2010, about 40 percent of all car accidents during this season were alcohol-related. Well, the results are in. They conclude that, once again, drunk drivers were still out in full force during the 2011 holiday period.

Our Indiana River County drunk driving accident attorneys understand that enforcement efforts were increased throughout the 18-day holiday period. According to the preliminary results, officers throughout the state issued nearly 40,000 traffic citations and made nearly 510 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during this time. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FHSMV) another 2,000 motorists were issued traffic citations for failing to buckle up. To help to make our roadways safe for everyone in 2012, we’re asking all drivers to stay sober behind the wheel, to wear a seat belt to reduce the risks for injury and to abide by all traffic devices – especially speed limit signs. We can have safer roads if drivers across the state make one of their New Year’s resolutions for 2012 to be a better driver. It’s a simply resolution that everyone can benefit from.

If these holiday-period citations and arrests aren’t enough, preliminary results conclude that more than 110 people were killed in traffic crashes during this short time.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign was exercised by law enforcement officers around the state as a part of the nationwide campaign that is put on by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Drivers are asked to be even safer in 2012. With the New Year, we’re asking residents to make safe driving as a New Year’s resolution. Again, safer roadways start with you. Talk with your friends and family members about the dangers and consequences associated with impaired driving and with other irresponsible driving habits.

According to the FHSMV, there were nearly 20,000 alcohol-related accidents Florida in 2010. Of these accidents, nearly 1,000 people were killed. This is the most recently available detailed statistics regarding traffic crash statistics in the state. In these accidents, there were more than 12,000 people who were injured.

Residents are reminded to drive carefully in 2012. We understand that there is a lot to celebrate with every passing year and many toasts will be made with friends and family members throughout that time. We ask that all drivers be safe and avoid driving after consuming alcohol. Alcohol significantly increases your risks for a fatal accident on our roadways. Let’s all work together to make 2012 safer than any other year!
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According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were nearly 2,400 people who died in car accidents in Jupiter and elsewhere throughout the state in 2011. The FLHSMV is already patting themselves on the back for the slight reduction in the number of traffic fatalities from 2010 to 2011. The truth of the matter is that while fatalities have decreased by about 70, we’re still losing far too many lives on our roadways. Car accident fatalities may have gone down, but a number of other traffic accident fatalities increased significantly. Still, the 2,400 fatalities we saw in 2011 was the lowest number of traffic accident fatalities on record since 1978.

“While the six-year downward trend is encouraging, we continue our strategic efforts to drive down the number of crashes in Florida and the number of injuries and fatalities that come as a result,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Julie L. Jones.

Our Jupiter car accident lawyers understand that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among residents between the ages of 4 and 34 in the United States. And despite the decrease in fatal car accidents reported by some areas in 2011, the truth of the matter is there are still too many people killed in these needless accidents. Also, while the number of car accidents may have decreased, Florida continues to be the most dangerous state in the country for fatal pedestrian accidents. We’re asking for help from residents to help to make these numbers even lower. Your safe driving habits can help to increase roadway safety.

According to the Director of the Florida Highway Patrol, Col. David Brierton, he and his law enforcement team is working at a strategic approach to make our roadways safe for everyone. Through these enforcement efforts, the Department is helping to educate drivers and advance the use of safe-driving technology. Still, the most effective way to help to prevent accidents on our roadways is to practice safe, alert and defensive driving habits.

According to FLHSMV, there were nearly 340,000 car accidents in the state of Florida in 2010. These are the most recent, detailed accident statistics available in the state. Complete statistics for 2011 are not yet available. This means our state witnessed more than 640 car accidents every day during 2010. Of these accidents, more than 2,440 people died during the year. In addition to those fatalities, another 124,850 were injured. Yes, there were fewer accidents in 2011 than in 2010, but that doesn’t mean we can afford to lose vigilance.

For example, pedestrian fatalities increased by 4 percent just in the last year. And pedestrians weren’t the only ones to see an increase during this time. The number of bicycle accidents and injured bicyclists increased. Also the number of property damage accidents increased. Teen driving fatalities, meanwhile, remained stagnant.
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Recently, a Miami police officer, Fausto Lopez, was issued a traffic citation by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, Donna Jane Watts. The ticket was issued because Lopez was allegedly traveling along a Florida Highway at roughly 120 miles per hour, according to the Huff Post. Law enforcement is now taking sides in the case, as Lopez says that he was just late for work while the highway patrol says Lopez lead the trooper on a brief high-speed chase.

Many officers, including Watts, say that no one is above the law. Others are standing behind Lopez. Some are saying that Watts used excessive force in the incident after allegedly pulling a gun to get the speeding officer to pull over. Officers continue to worry about the influence of speed in many car accidents around Hollywood and elsewhere throughout Florida and feel that no one should be able to endanger innocent drivers like that.

This is the third entry of a six-part blog in which we are asking Florida residents to take the New Year to pledge to be a safer driver. New Year’s resolutions oftentimes consist of losing weight or trying to quit smoking, but we’re asking you to make a resolution to help keep everyone safe. We would like you to make a New Year’s resolution to abide by Florida’s speed limit. These limits are posted to help keep motorists safe on our roadways.

Our Hollywood car accident lawyers understand that speeding is a significant contributor to the outcome of traffic crashes. The faster a vehicle is traveling at the time of impact, the higher the risks are for injury. The amount of speeding tickets in the state has dropped recently after we were ranked as one of the top states for speedy drivers in the U.S.

In 2007, nearly 25,000 drivers in Florida got their driver’s license suspended because they accumulated too many points. Many of these points were from speeding.

Traffic Violation Points Assessed:

-Non-Moving violations: 0.

-Moving violations (this means non-speeding and non-accident): 3.

-Speeding (less than 15 mph over the speed limit): 3.

-Speeding (traveling faster than 15 mph over the speed limit): 4.

-Passing a stopped school bus: 4.

-Moving violation (not speeding) in which an accident occurs: 4.

-Unlawful speed that results in an accident: 6.

-Reckless driving (considered a criminal offense): 4.

-Leaving scene of an accident with property damage: 6.

-Littering: 3.

-Violation of child restraint laws: 3.

If you get 12 points on your license in 12 months, you may be ordered to serve 30 days in jail. If you get 18 points in 18 months then you can get three months in jail. If you get 24 points on your driver’s license in 36 months then you can get one year in jail. Drivers who are ages 15- to 17-years-old who get six points on their driver’s license can be restricted to a business purposes only driver’s license for a year or until they turn 18.

Drivers are asked to be cautious of posted speed limits and of road laws in the state. Breaking the law and driving irresponsibly can land you with traffic tickets, fees, fines, jail time or worse — a fatal car accident. Make this year’s New Year’s resolution to be a safe driver!
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