Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog

Speeding is a common cause of rollover accidents in West Palm Beach. WPTV reports about the recent fatal rollover accident that occurred on I-95 in West Palm Beach when a young man collided with a tractor-trailer. The driver causing the accident was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control of his vehicle, which caused the vehicle to rollover following impact of hitting the large truck. The Boynton Beach man was thrown from his vehicle and died at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer sustained minor injuries.

Our car accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach want to remind motorists that rollover accidents are among the deadliest types of accidents on the nation’s roads. If not death, then life-changing injuries like paralysis, severe head trauma, or internal injuries can result from a rollover accident.

Early this year we posted on our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog about several common causes of rollover accidents Obstacles in the road like trees, ditches or curbs can ‘trip” the vehicle and cause it to rollover. Driving aggressively by speeding or changing lanes too fast can cause a rollover accident.

Another cause is failure to control your vehicle. Top heavy vehicles with a high center of gravity are also more likely to rollover in an accident than a lower center of gravity vehicle.

By next year, new regulations set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will require all new passenger vehicles to come equipped with electronic stability control (ECS). If loss of steering is sensed by the technology installed in the vehicle, brakes will automatically be applied. Maintaining better control should reduce the number of rollover accidents in the future.

Starting in 2013, automakers will need to start phasing in a new protection system or device in light trucks that prevents an unbelted passenger from moving more than 4 inches past the side window opening when a crash occurs. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the rule for the new ejection mitigation system earlier this year and expects it will be fully implemented in all new model light trucks by 2018.

Even the best laid government plans and technologies won’t totally prevent rollover accidents from happening. However, if motorists slow down and remember to wear their seat belts at all times, it could prevent a serious or fatal injury in a rollover accident in South Florida.
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Motorists need to be reminded that if your vehicle becomes disabled or you are involved in a Fort Lauderdale car accident, use extra caution if you need to cross the roadway to get help. Drivers in passing vehicles don’t always see someone crossing the highway because they are distracted by the accident scene, something in their vehicle or aren’t expecting pedestrians.

Personal injury attorneys in Fort Pierce have a growing concern about victims being struck after an accident, considering the number of families who have been dealing with the aftermath of similar tragedies in the last few months. The Sun Sentinel reports there have been 4 separate incidents in recent months involving a victim who was struck by passing traffic after exiting their vehicle on a busy South Florida Highway.

The most recent accident was a truck driver who was struck and killed when he tried to cross the highway during pre-dawn hours after being involved in a rear-end crash with another tractor-trailer. Earlier this month a 15-year old boy from Miami was hit by a passing car while helping to push a disabled car off of I-95. The incident was a tragedy as he was fatally injured in the accident. In early March, four victims who survived an early morning crash exited their vehicle to go check on other victims involved in the crash. All four survivors were killed while crossing I-95 after being struck by oncoming traffic. The fourth tragic accident, similar in nature, occurred in January when a young woman was struck by a police officer in a moving vehicle as she left her disabled vehicle and tried to cross the highway.

Many times motorists who are involved in an accident want to get out of their vehicle to seek help or check on the other vehicles involved. The impact of the crash leaves victims emotional and stressed about what to do. If you are involved in a highway accident or your car becomes disabled, the Florida Highway Patrol offers a few suggestions to help keep you safe after the accident or once your vehicle is stopped.

First, pull your vehicle over to the shoulder of the road if it is safe to do so. Removing your vehicle from the middle of flowing traffic reduces the chances of a pile-up occurring involving other vehicles. If your vehicle is disabled and can’t be driven, put on your flashers and stay in your vehicle until help arrives.

Another suggestion if you must get out of your car is to find protection like a guardrail or solid wall to stand behind. Never stand directly behind your vehicle while facing oncoming traffic. If your vehicle is disabled or involved in an accident, it is best to remain in your vehicle, call the police, and wait for officers to appear at the scene. Exchanging information with another driver does not need to be done prior to the police arriving.

Last, never try to cross a major highway with speeding traffic to get to the other side. Vehicles that are traveling at 60, 70 or 80 mph have very little reaction time to stop in order to avoid hitting you or be hit by another vehicle behind them. Driving conditions like sun glare, inclement weather, or darkness can impair their vision and will likely not allow them to see someone who is trying to cross the highway where it isn’t typical to find pedestrians.

Florida motorists should have the common sense to slow down if they witness a disabled vehicle or vehicles involved in a crash along the road. Slowing your vehicle down could save a life or prevent a senseless tragedy.
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Florida experienced nearly 3,000 motor vehicle fatalities in 2009, according to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles— a 3 percent decrease from the previous year. With tourism season ending and the South Florida summer beginning — and with a fourth-quarter uptick in fatal crashes — this summer may not be as quiet as the last few summers. A recovering economy may very well lead to an increased number of West Palm Beach car accidents.

West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers urge you to stay alert on our roadways as the most recent evidence suggests the risk of fatal car accidents will continue to increase. The increase during the fourth-quarter of last year was credited to the recovery economy.

“As encouraging as it is to see fatalities decreasing on our nation’s roads, the 2010 rate of decrease is less than a third of the previous year’s decrease,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council (NSC). “We must remain vigilant in addressing roadway safety issues where the greatest impact can be made, such as distracted and teen driving. As miles traveled start to rise again from recession lows, we want to ensure the continuance of this downward trend.”

The number of fatal accidents isn’t the only fluctuating statistic. The total cost of motor vehicle deaths, including property damage and injures, was estimated at roughly $236.6 billion in 2010, also a 3 percent decrease from 2009. These costs include medical expenses, wage and productivity losses, administrative expenses and employers costs.

NSC would also like to recognize other influences contributing to the decrease in fatal accident victims. Greater visibility and enforcement of traffic safety laws and newly improved safety features in vehicles are believed to have made an impact on the decreased numbers as well.
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This week, Florida is celebrating National Work Zone Safety Week. This year’s theme, provided by The National Work Zone Safety Awareness Information Clearinghouse, is “Safer driving. Safer work zones.”

The Florida Department of Transportation and other agencies are urging Floridians to practice safe driving habits not only through our construction zones, but around emergency responders as well in attempt to reduce the risks for a West Palm Beach car accidents.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys urge drivers to be on alert in these areas as nearly 700 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in highway work zones in 2009, according to the National Work Zone Safety Awareness Information Clearinghouse. In the same year, more than 30,000 people were injured. The ones mostly affected by these work zone accidents are motorists, accounting for 85 percent of those killed. Florida experienced nearly 100 fatalities from these work zone car accidents.

Florida’s Move Over Law, was put into effect back in 2009 to help protect our emergency responders and road workers in construction areas.

How do you protect yourself and others in work zones? The National Work Zone Safety Awareness Information Clearinghouse offers you these safe driving tips:

-Think ahead. If you know you’ll pass through a work zone during your journey, leave earlier to allow more time or find a different route.

-Watch out for workers and other vehicles in these work zones. Be sure to keep a safe distance between you and all obstructing objects.

-Merge as quickly and as safely as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute. Getting in the proper lane well in advance will only decrease your risk of experiencing a compromising situation.

-Put away all potential distractions. It is especially important for you to avoid driving while distracted in these zones as any small, unexpected movement can cause injury to you, other motorists or workers.

The Florida Department of Transportation offers this public service announcement to share with friends and family in attempt to raise awareness of work zone safety in our local motorists.
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Strong advocates for raising awareness of distracted driving, Bob and Eilene Okerblom, are currently cycling cross-country to get their message across about the dangers of traffic accidents caused by motorists who aren’t paying attention.

They would know. They’ve chosen to alert young drivers of the dangers of operating a vehicle while distracted after they lost their son, a 20-year-old University of California at Berkeley student, who was killed by a texting truck driver traveling at 60 MPH.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers understand the dangers of distracted driving, too. Too many motorists, teens especially, are involved in unnecessary accidents caused by distracted driving. These crashes are avoidable by practicing safe and focused driving habits.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,000 people were killed and an additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle accidents that involved distracted driving in the United States in 2009. Statistics consistently show that the under-20 age group reports the greatest number of distracted driving incidents.

The Okerblom’s continue to spread the word about the consequences of distracted driving. The “Faces of Distracted Driving” video is now helping them to do so. The video, released by the NHTSA, is part of a series aimed at exploring the effects of distracted driving. It features people from across the U.S. that have experienced the consequences firsthand.

“Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on America’s roads, and teens are especially vulnerable because of their inexperience behind the wheel and, often, peer pressure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Behind the statistics are real families who have been devastated by these tragedies. We’re pleased to be working with Consumer Reports to raise awareness and help communities fight this problem.”

A national representative survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center found out just how widespread distracted driving is, especially among our younger drivers:

-94 percent have observed drivers using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

-64 percent have witnessed other drivers texting or using another hand-held devices while behind the wheel in the last 30 days.

-40 percent admit to texting while driving.

-63 percent fess up to using a hand-held phone while driving in the last 30 days.

-58 percent had witnessed a distracted driving related incident in the past month.

-Only 36 percent were concerned with the problems of distracted driving.

“My message is as personal as it can get: my son is dead because a driver was not focused on the road,” said Eilene Okerblom. “All I can do now is stand up for the protection of other lives.”
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Weather may have been a factor in the death of a 21-year-old Fort Lauderdale resident, according to the Sun Sentinel. The Florida woman reportedly lost control of her vehicle and crashed head-on into an oncoming delivery truck.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office says the driver attempted to avoid the oncoming truck but was unable to escape the Fort Lauderdale car accident.

West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers urge you to be extra cautious while driving in the unpredictable Florida weather. Heavy rain, wind and even fog can greatly decrease your ability to control your car on our Florida roads.

The Fort Lauderdale car accident occurred as the young driver was returning home from work at approximately 7 p.m. Heavy thunderstorms rested over the east coast of Florida at that time. A section of Powerline road was closed shortly after the crash as authorities investigated.

SafeMotorist.com offers you these tips to help you drive safely in the unpredictable Florida weather:

-Avoid using your brakes when possible. It is recommended that you ease off the gas pedal, when possible, to slow down or stop.

-Don’t follow large trucks too closely. The spray from their tries can make it virtually impossible for you to see out of your windshield.

-Try to drive in the tracks of the car in front of you. This will help to avoid hydroplaning.

-Keep up on your equipment. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition.

-Drive slowly. It takes longer for vehicle to stop on wet, slippery roads.

-Stay towards the middle lanes. Water tends to gather on the outside portion of the road where the pavement dips.

-Most importantly, try your best to avoid driving all together if you know a thunderstorm is approaching.
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Slow drivers who drive in the left lane are a common cause of road rage on Florida roadways for other temperamental drivers who are in a hurry and don’t have any patience. Aggressive driving behaviors often lead to car accidents in Margate or West Palm Beach.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers have been reporting about the dangers of road rage this time of year in Florida on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog.

Senator Mike Bennett is taking another crack at proposing the “left-lane” bill to penalize slow left-lane drivers according to The News-Press.

A similar bill passed the Legislature back in 2005 but was vetoed by Governor Jeb Bush at the time because he felt the bill supported driving at high rates of speed at the expense of cautious drivers. AAA Auto Club shares a similar view that the bill will attract more speeders by penalizing drivers who adhere to the speed limit and choose to drive in the left lane while doing so.

Senator Bennett’s school of thought is that incidents of road rage will minimize if slower drivers are forced to stay out of the left lane. Refusing to pass cars in the right lane or clogging up roadways with a slower pace often leads to incidents of tailgating, cutting motorists off, and distractions like honking or hand gestures made to get drivers to move out of the way. Tempers flare which often escalate to fits of road rage. Penalizing drivers in the left lane is one way to avoid this chain reaction.

The bill proposes that drivers who are passing, slowing to make a left-hand turn, or blocked from getting in the right lane due to heavy traffic will not be penalized for driving in the left lane. The bill is not proposing that aggressive drivers who tailgate or change lanes swiftly to maneuver around left lane motorists be free and clear from penalty as they too will be fined for aggressive or careless driving.

If passed, the bill proposes a $100 fine for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders would be issued a $500 penalty for violation of the left-lane law.

Public opinion is mixed about the proposed left-lane bill. Supporters feel the bill would reduce road rage incidents and force drivers to use common sense on roadways. Those who are opposed feel safe drivers are being punished in order to excuse impatient drivers who speed and are likely to cause accidents on Florida roadways. One thing is certain, if all drivers used common sense, road rage would rarely play a role in motor vehicle crashes.
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Spring Break, proms and graduations are all exciting events that teens are about to embark on during this time of year. A previous post on our Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog reported the about the dangers teens face because it is high traffic season in Florida and they frequent the roadways more often attending these kinds of events.

Our car accident attorneys in West Palm Beach, Miami and elsewhere in South Florida want to remind teens not to succumb to peer pressure by drinking and driving, driving distracted, or driving aggressively.

Teen car accidents in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere in the country are typically caused by irresponsible driving behavior. Tampa Bay Online reports that events like proms and graduations are an invitation for irresponsible driving behaviors so law enforcement and school officials are reaching out to remind teens of the dangers faced this time of year.

Hosting events like mock crashes and funerals, and “scared straight” lectures is a way to speak to teens in hopes of having them sign a pledge to not drive distracted or drive under the influence.

In 2009, statistics show that on average of eight teen’s ages 16 to 19 died every day from injuries in motor vehicle crashes. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there are several factors that can contribute to teen fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.

-Teens are the least likely age group to wear a seat belt.

-They have the least amount of driving experience.

-Teens are easily distracted by cell phones and texting while they are driving.

-Passengers that are riding with them, especially other teens, distract their attention from driving.

-Drugs and alcohol often play are role in teen crashes.

Mock crashes are performed at high schools throughout the state this time of year as painstakingly real events that should hit home with teens. The events rely on police, firefighters, paramedics, funeral homes, and others in the community to make them real. For example, firefighters cut bloodied teen actors out of smashed-up cars, who are then carried away by emergency crews. Another approach is to dress teen students in black “ghost” t-shirts which symbolized teens that had been killed in a car crash. The teens entered the auditorium with candles before paramedics and firefighters showed gruesome photos from accident scenes involving teens.

The message being conveyed is pretty clear. Communities are trying to keep teens safe by demonstrating the dangers young drivers can face while driving. It only takes a second for a crash to occur so drive responsibly and save the celebrating with friends for when you aren’t behind the wheel.
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