South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog

As we recently reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is putting its best efforts forward to propose a nationwide ban on the use of all portable electronic devices for drivers across the country -- including hands-free devices. Earlier this month, the NTSB made a recommendation for all local and state governments to prohibit this behavior to help reduce the risks of distraction-related car accidents.

States have enacted some laws to stop driver distraction, but no state has completely prohibited the use of all electronic devices -- including hands free. Some lawmakers say that this type of law is a form of government intrusion, while others feel it's an invasion of personal freedoms, according to CNN.

Our Riviera car accident lawyers understand that recent studies from the National Safety Council (NSC) prove that hands-free phones are just as much of a distraction as hand-held phones are. Still, no state has enacted a law to prohibit this behavior. Maybe legislators are taking the problem too lightly. According to Barbara Harsha with the Governors Highway Safety Association, lawmakers can't expect these laws to start producing safer results right away. Once they're enacted, it takes time to enforce them and an even longer time for drivers to start changing their behavior behind the wheel. Still, lawmakers need to take that first step to help get us on the right path to safer roads.

The truth of the matter is that hands-free cell phone use is just as dangerous as a drivers talking on a hand-held phone. According to the NSC, the use of cell phones, hand-held or hands-free, causes drivers to "look at" and not "see" the roadway. Many legislators would argue that hands-free cell phones pose less of a distraction that hand-held. That's not true. Drivers don't multitask well. Drivers are unable to focus the same amount of attention on driving when talking on a cell phone as they are when they're just driving alone.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 10 percent of drivers are using a cell phone at the wheel at any given moment. The NHTSA's studies also concluded that about a quarter of all car accidents involve a driver using a cell phone at the time of the collision.

The problem with current distraction-related laws:

-Almost all legislation addresses the banning of only hand-held phone or of text messaging devices. None focus on the use of hands-free devices.

-Every state's distraction-related driving laws allow the use of hands-free device by drivers. The same is true for employer policies.

-Recent polls conclude that driver recognize and understand the risks associated with hand-held cell phone use and text messaging devices usage, but not for hands-free devices.

-Many drivers think that they're safer using a hands-free phone at the wheel than a hand-held phone.

"If it shows both are unsafe, then a total ban may make the most sense," said Harsha.

Continue reading " Hands-Free Just as Dangerous as Hand-Held Cell Phones in Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Riviera and Elsewhere " »

There's a new bill on its way to Florida's House and Senate that is designed to keep parents in the know regarding their teen driver's habits on our roadways, according to NBC2. With parents overlooking teen driving habits, officials feel these young drivers will be more conscious of their driving habits. Under the bill, parents can sign up to receive notifications regarding their teens' driving habits, including tickets, warnings and car accidents in Wellington and elsewhere.

"I think it's a great idea, I think the more info you know about your children, the better," says a South Florida parent.

Our Wellington teen car accident lawyers understand that parents could choose to sign up for the new program, if it passes the House and the Senate, and could receive text messages and e-mail alerts directly from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Parents would know when their teen driver got a speeding ticket, another traffic violation, got into a traffic accident or if their license had been suspended. Many officials think that this program will get teen drivers to pay more attention to their habits behind the wheel.

Parents would no longer receive these notifications once their teen driver turns 18. The bill is sponsored by Senator Greg Evers (R-Baker) and Representative Richard L. Steinberg (D-Miami Beach).

As we are in the thick of the holiday season, we're seeing more visitors and residents out on our roadways. Millions are expected to make Florida their holiday destination. With this increase in traffic volume, our risks for car accidents will increase significantly. This is the ideal time for parents to sit down with the young drivers in their lives and talk about the importance of safe driving during this time of year. These young drivers possess much less driving experience than older drivers and are less able to handle the danger that accompanies holiday traffic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is here to offer parents with a few safe driving tips to discuss with their young drivers before the new year.

Teen Safe Driving Tips:

-Be sure to offer your teen plenty of supervised practice driving time on a variety of road and traffic conditions so that they're better equipped to hand real-life driving.

-Make sure your teen drivers always wears a seat belt. Seat belts may be one of the best measures to help prevent injury in the event of an accident.

-Limit the amount of time they spend driving at night. Teen's risks for an accident increase significantly during this time. Consider enacting a curfew.

-Restrict the number of passengers that they can have in the vehicle at one time because the more passengers in a vehicle, the greater the risk for an accident.

-Although teens aren't old enough to drink legally, the sad truth is that many of our young ones drink and drive. Talk with your teen about the risks and consequences that are associated with drunk driving.

Continue reading " Parents May Soon Have a New Way to be Alerted of Teen Car Accidents in Wellington and Elsewhere " »

Although Christmas Day has come and gone, many residents and business owners will keep their Christmas trees up for at least another week, if not two. Many of these trees were probably put up weeks ago, but it's not too late to check them thoroughly this week to be sure everything is safe. You may not realize it, but Christmas trees can quickly turn into hazards, causing injury, death and costly property damages if not taken care of properly.

Emergency response teams respond to roughly 240 Christmas tree fire accidents in Hollywood and elsewhere every year. Over the last six years, there has been an average of 13 fatalities, 27 injuries and more than $16 million in property damages each year as the result of these types of accidents.

Our Hollywood injury attorneys understand that in about one out of every 20 Christmas tree fire reports, a fatality occurred. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that most of these accidents are the result of poor planning and careless decorators. About a fifth of all Christmas tree fires are the directly result of someone putting it too close to a heat source. If that is the case in your home or office, now's a good time to relocate it if you plan on keeping it up for another week or so.

About half of all Christmas tree structure fires that are reported happen in this month. Another third of these incidents are reported in January, while more than 40 percent are reported during the 12 days from December 23rd through January 3rd.

Causes of Christmas tree fires:

-Nearly 35 percent of Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical failures or malfunctions.

-About 20 percent of these fires occur because a heat source was located too close to a tree.

-More than 10 percent happen because lit candles were placed too closely to the tree.

-Nearly 15 percent happened because of a malfunctioning string of lights or other electrical issue.

Residents are urged to be cautious when taking down this year's Christmas tree. If you have an artificial tree, before you put it away for the year make sure it is labeled as either flame-resistant or flame-retardant.

If you've got a real tree, make sure the needles aren't falling off every time you touch it, because that means it's too dry. Remember to water live trees daily. When you're done with your tree, you should contact your recycling facility or household waste removal company to determine how to dispose of it. You never want to leave your old, dry tree laying anywhere around your house. That's a fire hazard in itself!

We hope you are enjoying the holiday season, and wish you all the best in 2012.

Continue reading " Christmas Tree Fires in Hollywood More Likely than you Think! " »

As we recently reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, the Christmas and New Year's holiday periods serve as a time where we see an alarming increase in the number of drunk-driving car accidents in Cooper City and elsewhere throughout the state. In 2010, about 40 percent of the accidents we witnessed during this time period were alcohol-related.

The National Safety Council (NSC) recently released its predictions regarding the number of traffic accident fatalities we're going to see nationwide during this year's holiday periods. Our Cooper City drunk driving car accident attorneys understand that the holidays are a time to gather and celebrate with friends and family. Time off from work and away from school allows time to re-energize. Unfortunately, our roadways are also overflowing with snowbirds, residents and visitors. The increase in traffic is tough enough to deal with as it is, but add the increased amount of drunk drivers over the holidays and your risks increase.

According to the NSC, the Christmas holiday period starts at 6 p.m. on the 23rd of December and goes through 11:59 p.m. on the 26th of December. The council is predicting that we're going to see more than 280 traffic accident fatalities during this 3.25-day period. The NSC goes on to predict that another 28,700 individuals will be injured in car crashes during this time.

The number of roadway fatalities during any time of the year could be greatly reduced if all motorists were to wear a seat belt. According to studies, seat belts are more than 40 percent effective in saving lives during car accidents. This information indicates that more than 100 people may potentially be saved in car accidents over this year's Christmas holiday period because of seat belts. If all motorists were to wear a seat belt during travel, experts conclude that another 75 people could be saved.

The NSC also reports that there are going to be close to 300 people killed in traffic collisions during the New Year's holiday period. This time period officially begins on Friday, December 30th at 6 p.m. and goes through Monday, January 2nd at 11:59 p.m. In addition to these predicted fatalities, the NSC is estimating that another 29,700 people will require medical attention from injuries resulting from car accidents during this time.

According to the NSC, more than 105 people may be saved in car accidents during this holiday period because of seat belt usage. If all motorists were to wear a seat belt during this time period, the NSC predicts that an additional 75 people could also be saved.

Drivers are asked to be careful on our roadways during the upcoming holidays. Be safe, exercise defensive driving habits and always wear a seat belt. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Continue reading " Safety Council Predicts Hundreds of Fatal Car Accidents in Cooper City and Elsewhere Through Holidays " »

According to Governor Rick Scott, December is "National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month." During this time, local and state officers are on our roadways in search of intoxicated drivers through the holiday season. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and thousands of other local law enforcement departments are also pushing the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, according to WCTV. The campaign began last week and is running through January 2nd, and is aimed at helping to decrease the risks of drunk driving car accidents in Boynton Beach and elsewhere throughout the state.

Drug-impaired and alcohol-impaired accidents are some of the deadliest ones, especially during the last part of every year and through the holidays. In 2010, nearly 40 percent of car accidents during the New Year's and Christmas holiday periods were alcohol-related.

Our Boynton Beach drunk driving car accident lawyers understand that FHP Reserve and Auxiliary troopers also will be patrolling our roadways throughout the rest of the year. With the holiday season, residents and visitors venture out to gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. Many of these gatherings involve alcohol, and all too often drivers hop behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after drinking.

"Safety is our focus year round at DOT. But this holiday season, we're stepping up our efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads and reminding Americans 'drive sober, or get pulled over,' " said USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood. "We're making gains in our fight against drunk driving, but we cannot and will not let up."

FHP is asking drivers to practice the following safety tips to avoid a drunk-driving accident:

-Plan head. If you're going to go out drinking, make sure that you have a sober driver who can get you home safely.

-Designated driver doesn't mean someone who is "less drunk" than you. It's someone who has had nothing to drink.

-If you've been drinking and you don't have a sober driver, call a friend or family member to help get your home, call a cab, use mass transit or stay at a hotel or friend's home.

-If you think you've spotted someone on our roadways who is drunk, dial *FHP (*347) to help to get them off the road. You can also use this number to request assistance if your car has broken down.

"Impaired driving continues to be a priority for law enforcement in the state, and the Florida Highway Patrol will be intensifying enforcement during the holidays," said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. "Our goal is to create the safest possible driving environment by modifying driver behavior - and helping drivers make better decisions."

We ask all drivers to be cautious at the wheel and to be patient with the heightened volume of traffic. Practice responsible driving habits and ring in the near year injury free.

Continue reading " FHP Joins National Campaign to Reduce Risks of Drunk-Driving Car Accidents in Boynton Beach and Elsewhere through Holidays " »

Drivers in the state of Florida are still allowed to talk on cell phones and text message at the wheel. In fact, we're one of the few states left in the U.S. that hasn't enacted any laws to regulate such dangerous behavior, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. That could all be changing soon.

At a meeting earlier this week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended a nationwide ban to stop drivers from using portable electronic devices behind the wheel, according to CBS Miami. If this recommendation makes it into office, drivers would be able to use these devices only in emergencies or to help aid safe driving. Regulating distractions for drivers could help to significantly cut down on the number of car accidents in Lauderdale Lakes and elsewhere throughout South Florida.

“According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents,” said NTSB chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices while driving. No call, no text, no update is worth a human life.”

Our Lauderdale Lakes car accident attorneys understand that many states have trouble enforcing distracted driving-related laws. In many states, drivers are permitted to make phone calls at the wheel, but aren't allowed to send or receive text messages while driving. These laws make it hard for law enforcement officials to determine what a driver was actually doing at the wheel; talking on the phone or composing a text message. A federal ban on these behaviors may be a better way to reduce the risks of car accidents across the U.S. and help officials to better enforce distraction-related driving laws.

Throughout the years, lawmakers in our state have made several attempts to pass bans on text messaging at the wheel. There's even another proposal on the lineup for the upcoming 2012 legislative session. If this law makes it through, drivers could face a $30 fine for texting while operating a motor vehicle. This would only be a secondary offense and still cell phone use wouldn't be regulated.

"Needless lives are lost on our highways, and for what? Convenience? Death isn't convenient," Chairwoman of the NTSB, Deborah Hersman said. "So we can stay more connected? A fatal accident severs that connection."

The NTSB isn't the only organization that agrees with these measures. The National Safety Council (NSC) is applauding the NTSB for making such a move to make our roadways safer. The NSC reports that more than a million traffic accidents occur every year because of distracted drivers.

“Making citizens safer is one of the most important roles of government,” said the president of the NSC, Janet Froetscher. “We are hopeful that legislators across the nation will recognize the value of NTSB investigations and recommendations and take the necessary actions proposed by NTSB to make our roadways safer for everyone.”

Continue reading " NTSB Urges Full Ban on Drivers Using Electronic Devices to Reduce Risks of Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Lauderdale Lakes, Nation " »

The National Safety Council (NSC) and The Allstate Foundation recently started the HEARTS Network, also known as Honoring Everyone Affected, Rallying The Survivors, and is asking victims and family members affected by teen car accidents in Lauderhill and elsewhere to step forward. These organizations are asking for these individuals to join Network to help raise awareness about the serious consequences that result from accidents involving these young, inexperienced drivers.

David Teater, senior director of transportation initiatives at National Safety Council, says that the stories from victims will help prevent or at least reduce accidents. Car accidents continue to be the number one killer for teens. With more awareness, we can help to turn this statistic around and help make our roads safer for everyone.

Our Lauderhill car accident attorneys understand the dangers that teen drivers face on our roadways, and that these young drivers have higher accident rates than any other age group of drivers. The HEARTS Network was launched to allow accident victims and participants with the chance to speak with organizations throughout the community, to help their communities to improve teen driving problems, and to recruit the help of community leaders and traffic safety leaders to raise awareness about the epidemic. The group also serves as a support system for those who have experienced similar tragedies, offering them a place to turn to in difficult times.

John Farrace became a member of the HEARTS Network after his 17-year-old son was killed in a car accident in 2007. Farrace says that he hopes the program will help to enlighten parents and teen drivers about the importance of driver road safety.

The HEARTS Network has shared stories with audiences at the NSC New York Teen Driving Forum, the National Conference for State Legislators and the N.J. Governor’s Teen Drivers Study Commission. Awareness is the number one step to help reduce the risks of these types of accidents.

Of course teenagers aren't the only people who are suffering in these accidents. In fatal car accidents that involved drivers between the ages of 15 and 17, nearly 70 percent of the victims aren't the drivers but those in other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Nearly 6,000 fatal accidents happened in 2009 that involved a teen driver.

HEARTS Network participants are also serving on various traffic safety groups. One of the main groups is the Teen Safe Driving Coalitions funded by The Allstate Foundation. The coalitions are overseen by the National Safety Council in 10 states, including Florida.

If your teen driver has been in an accident or you've been in an accident with a teen driver and would be willing to to share your story to help raise awareness about the issue, you can e-mail the NSC or call them at (630) 775-2411.

Continue reading " HEARTS Networking Asking Victims of Teen Car Accidents in Lauderhill and Elsewhere to Raise Awareness " »

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Chevrolet Volt runs a serious risk of bursting into flames after a serious side-collision, as could potentially happen in a car accident in Stuart City. Recently, the NHTSA conducted a number of crash tests on the vehicle to determine how well it could protect the vehicle's occupants in the event of a side collision. During one of the tests, the car's battery was damaged and a coolant line cracked. Afterward, the car faced increased risks of a fire and eventually experienced one. The NHTSA is working with the Department of Energy (DOE), General Motors (GM) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct thorough tests to determine what exactly happened, how to prevent these incidents and how to correct them.

The findings from the NHTSA have consumers worried. GM is helping by offering to buy the car back from owners. Our Stuart City defective vehicles lawyers understand that the chief executive of General Motors, Dan Akerson, said the company will happily purchase back the Chevy Volt from any concerned consumer. The NHTSA has not completed its investigation into the incident and an official recall has not been made, but GM is willing to ease the minds of consumers before a real problem happens.

"While the investigation is going on, we will do whatever it takes to allay concerns and keep our customers happy," said GM spokesman Greg Martin, "and if that includes repurchase, we will work individually with any customer."

Martin says that if GM's engineering team and NHTSA finds out what exactly is causing the fires then the motor-vehicle company will recall and retrofit those who already own the vehicle.

There have been nearly 10,000 sold so far. About 30 owners have already hit up the company for loaner vehicles until the investigation is complete. The details of the repurchase plan haven't been determined yet.

Jessica Caldwell, an auto analyst, says that GM is fortunate to have only sold about 10,000 of these vehicles. Results could have been much worse both financially and logistically if the Chevrolet Volt was a more popular vehicle. Experts don't expect many consumers will likely sell back the vehicle, considering it offers roughly 40 miles per gallon and that the fires happen weeks are a side collision.

"There are a couple of mistakes that have been made, but we all trying to do the right things," said Mark Reuss, GM's North America chief. "We are moving fast."

Consumers are urged to do their research before purchasing a new vehicle. Everyone should visit the Safecars.gov website to check out the latest safety recalls. You can also check out vehicles' safety ratings and other cool features. Be a smart consumer and do your homework to help prevent an accident from a defective vehicle.

Continue reading " Chevy Volt Safety Problem Could Lead to Injury in Stuart and Elsewhere " »

With the holidays right around the corner, residents throughout the state are out and about combing store shelves for the perfect gifts for family, friends, business associates and others. With the purchase of these presents, however, comes the risk of potentially buying a defective product in Oakland Park. That's why consumers are urged to take a look at the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) latest recall lists to make sure no faulty items sneak their way into your house this holiday season. Many household items are on the recall list and you may not even know it.

Our Oakland Park defective product attorneys understand that many common household items are found faulty every day. Residents should keep an eye on the latest recalls to avoid injury that could result from one of these items. Household cleaning items, children's toys, clothing, electronic devices and many other items that are deemed dangerous have been recalled by the CPSC. Do you know which ones they are?

Golf Cars recalled by Club Car LLC:

Nearly 1,000 Golf Cars have been recalled by the golf car manufacturer because the fuel tank seal is known to separate and cause a fuel leak that poses a fire hazard. All 2011 Precedent golf cars fall under the latest recall. The serial numbers are as follows:

CF1139-233925 - CF1147-250173
PR1139-233918 - PR1147-249956
PY1144-244648

The golf cars were sold at authorized dealerships across the country from April to May of 2011. If you own one of these cars, call Club Car at (800) 227-0739, extension 3580, to schedule a free inspection.

Schwinn Elliptical Exercise Equipment Recalled by Nautilus:

Nautilus Inc. has recalled approximately 10,000 Elliptical Exercise Trainers because the foot plates on the machine can fall off, posing a fall hazard to users. Nine incident reports have already been submitted to the company and one injury has been reported. The model name "Schwinn 460" is the item that is being recalled. They were sold at various sports stores from July 2008 through May 2011. If you have one of these elliptical machines, contact Nautilus at 800-259-9019 to receive a free repair kit.

Family Dollar Stores Recalls Kidgets Animal Sock Top Slippers:

Nearly 200,000 pairs of these children's slippers have been recalled by Family Dollar Services Inc. because the animal's eyes can come off the slippers and pose a choking hazard. Incidents have been reported. Item number "FD9619108020690611" is the style that's been recalled. They were sold at Family Dollar stores across the country from September 2011 until October 2011. If your child has a pair of these slippers, bring them to a Family Dollar store for a full refund.

Residents should always keep an eye on the CPSC's recalled item website. It's especially important to do so before heading out to pick up those holiday presents this year. Have a safe and Happy Holiday!

Continue reading " Consumers: Check CPSC's Recall List to Prevent Defective Products Injury in Oakland Park " »

More than 6.000 teenagers are killed because of alcohol-related car accidents in Hollywood, Florida, and elsewhere every year. The consumption of alcohol contributes to more fatalities among this age group than all illegal drugs combined.

To help reduce the risks of these types of accidents, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is teaming up with the National Football League (NFL) in an attempt to urge teenagers to pledge to never drink and drive and to never ride with a driver who has been drinking. To reward those who are responsible and those who take the pledge, MADD and the NFL are offering official NFL prizes. All you have to do is visit MADD’s Power of You(th) Facebook page, sign the pledge and invite your friends to do the same. Children and other young people between the age of 12 and 21 are eligible to win.

Our Hollywood teen car accident attorneys understand that car accidents are the number one cause of death for teens in the United States. Many of these accidents can be prevented by talking to our young drivers and discussing the consequences of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel. As a matter of fact, drivers who are 16-years-old have the highest accident rate of any age group of drivers. They're three times more likely to get into an accident than any other group. Frequently discussing the dangers that drivers face on our roadways and the proper way to handle them can help our young drivers to navigate more safely behind the wheel.

In 2008, nearly 2,750 teens died in car accidents on U.S. roadways. These accidents cost the country nearly $35 billion for property damage, medical costs and other various costs, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Of these fatalities, more than 30 percent were killed in a traffic accidents in which they had been intoxicated, about a quarter of them were considered legally drunk.

Why are teens at such high risks for fatal accidents?

-They are more likely to underestimate roadway dangers than older drivers.

-They're more likely to exceed the speed limit.

-They're more likely to follow the vehicle in front of them too closely, or tailgate.

-When passengers are present in the vehicle, drivers are likely to increase their display of risky behavior behind the wheel.

-Teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use.

In a recent survey, nearly a third of all surveyed teens admitted to riding with a driver who had been drinking alcohol within the last 30 days. A tenth of those who were surveyed admitted to drinking alcohol at least once in the last 30 days.

Although teenagers may not be able to drink legally in the U.S., it doesn't mean they're not going to. Remember to talk to the young drivers in your life about the dangers, risks and consequences of both driving drunk and riding with an intoxicated driver.

Continue reading " MADD and the NFL Team Up to Prevent Drunk Driving-Related Teen Car Accidents in Hollywood and Elsewhere " »

We typically see a drastic increase in the number of car accidents in Vero Beach and elsewhere throughout the last quarter of every year and through the holiday season. These accidents don't always happen on streets though, as many of them occur on driveways and in parking lots, too.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation is pushing on in its campaign to require the installation of rear-view cameras on all new-model vehicles. Drivers' blind spots hinder the visibility of pedestrians behind a vehicle. The use of back-up cameras will help a driver to see behind the vehicle and pedestrians before it's too late. Still the most beneficial safety precaution to avoid one of these accidents is driver awareness.

Our Vero Beach pedestrian accident attorneys understand that nearly 300 people die and another 18,000 injured because of back-over accidents in the U.S. every year. As Christmas and New Year's draws closer, millions of people will be traveling throughout our state to attend holiday gatherings with family and friends. As we visit and friends' houses and shopping malls statewide, drivers are urged to be extra cautious when backing out of the driveway or out of a parking space as pedestrians are oftentimes overlooked.

"There is no more tragic accident than for a parent or caregiver to back out of a garage or driveway and kill or injure an undetected child playing behind the vehicle," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The larger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spots are. While the NHTSA is looking to push these back-up cameras to help prevent accidents, driver awareness is still the most effective preventative measure to avoid a back-over accident. Even with cameras, an inattentive driver can miss a passing pedestrian.

Of the near 300 fatalities that are estimated to occur every year because of back-over accidents, nearly 230 of them were committed by the drivers of vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds. More than 40 percent of these victims were pedestrians under the age of 5, which is alarmingly high for any type of accident. Nearly 35 percent of the victims were pedestrians who were 70-years-old or older.

For this reason, families are urged to discuss these incidents with their elderly and children family members. To help to prevent these accidents, drivers are urged to be extremely cautious when reversing a vehicle, but especially when reversing out of a driveway or from a parking spot. Make sure that you look completely around your vehicle before jumping in and reversing. For drivers with larger vehicles, you're urged to roll down your windows before backing up so that you can hear what's going on outside your vehicle. Lastly, remember to always back up slowly just in case someone darts behind your vehicle unexpectedly.

Continue reading " Back-Over Car Accidents in Vero and Elsewhere Can Increase During Busy Holiday Season " »

Talking with your elderly parent or spouse about your concern for their diminishing motor skills is no easy task. But taking the first step to help a loved one who no is longer able to safely navigate our roadways can help to reduce their risks of a car accident in Davie and elsewhere.

According to Florida's traffic data, the number of drivers who had their licenses taken away because they were deemed as unable to safely drive has doubled over the last 10 years. Most of these licenses were revoked because of physical or mental health challenges related to age, including strokes, dementia and seizures, according to News 4 Jax.

Our Davie car accident attorneys understand that drivers' risks for an accident drastically increase once they reach the age of 60. To help prevent these types of accidents, Florida lawmakers have decided to promote a longstanding, but little-known Florida law that allows residents to contact the state regarding motorists who may be suffering from mental of physical conditions that could affect road safety. We're not asking you to go report you elderly family members to the state. We would just like to raise awareness about the dangers they face behind the wheel and head off that problem before it gets here.

Family members are urged to speak with their elderly loved ones face to face, but if nothing seems to work then you can report the driver to the state. Reports are confidential.

"There's a lot wrapped up in having a driver's license, in terms of identity and dignity," said
Linda Levins, of ElderSource.

Florida drivers are required to get their eyes checked every six years once they've reached the age of 80. Since 2004, about 7,000 drivers' licenses have been taken based on these vision tests alone.

"We know that Florida's older adult population has positively impacted our state, both socially and economically," said Terry White, secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and council member. "We are committed to addressing the safety and self-sufficiency of Florida's elder drivers."

Signs from AARP that a driver should start limiting his or her time behind the wheel:

-Having near-misses, close calls or almost accidents on our roadways.

-Discovering dents and scrapes on your car or on the property around your driveway.

-Getting lost on routes that should be familiar.

-Have a tough time seeing road signs, road markings and traffic lights.

-A slow response time to road hazards.

-Underestimating gaps in traffic.

-Receiving many honks from other drivers.

-Easily becoming distracted.

-Having a hard time turning to look at your vehicle's surroundings.

-Receiving numerous written and verbal warnings from officers.

Take the time to examine your elderly loved one's driving abilities. Make sure they're not endangering themselves or anyone else on our roadways. If not, consider sitting them down and talking to them about their safety behind the wheel. Your concern could help to save their life.

Continue reading " Elder Drivers Face High Risks for Car Accidents in Davie through Holiday Season " »