South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, intersection car accidents in Palm Beach Gardens and elsewhere throughout Florida are a huge cost to society in terms of property damage, lost productivity, injury and even death.

Statistics reveal that roughly 40 percent of all traffic accidents in the state happen at intersections or as motorists approach intersections. In 2003, there were nearly 100,000 intersection accidents in the state. In these collisions, nearly 1,000 people died and another 107,500 were injured.

Our Palm Beach Gardens car accident lawyers understand that intersections can be dangerous for everyone, not just motorists. Pedestrians and bicyclists also face serious accident risks in these areas if travelers aren't cautious. Motorists are especially cautioned to be careful at intersections during rush hour when traffic volumes are at their highest and accidents are more likely.

This is the fourth entry of a 6-part blog in which we are asking Florida drivers to make one of their New Year's resolutions to be a better driver in 2012. By making a resolution to be more careful and cautious behind the wheel and when traveling through intersections, we can all do our part to make our state's roadways safer for everyone. Traffic collisions at intersections oftentimes are the result of high speeds, reckless drivers, inattentive drivers and because of visibility reductions. Knowing what your risks are for an intersection accident and ways to avoid these dangers can help to reduce your risks of a potentially fatal intersection car accident.

Safety Tips for Drivers at Intersections:

-Make sure you always make a complete stop at stop signs. During your stop, be sure to look for oncoming traffic from all directions before proceeding.

-Check for oncoming cars twice before continuing through an intersection. Even if you have the right of way at the intersection, be cautious of other motorists in case they fail to yield for your vehicle.

-Always expect the unexpected. You should never assume that other vehicles will stop for you.

-Drivers don't always abide by traffic signals. Be on the lookout for red-light runners.

-If you're making a turn at an intersection, keep your eyes out for bicyclists and pedestrians who may be using the crosswalk.

-Always use your turn signals when turning at an intersection. This will help to alert drivers of your desired movements.

At an intersection, you never want to:

-Run a red light.

-Roll through a stop sign.

-Follow another vehicle.

-Rely on other vehicles giving you the right of way.

-Make unsafe left-hand turns.

The second most common traffic ticket issued to drivers in the state Florida is red-light running, In 2006, there were more than 391,000 traffic tickets issued for this violation. Intersections continue to be some of the most common places for car accidents.

Continue reading "Intersections a Top Spot for Car Accidents in Palm Beach Gardens 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" »

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" »

Motorcycle accidents in Hollywood are less likely if a motorcycle has antilock brakes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The institute recently released a new brochure for consumers to inform riders about this safety feature. The newly released pamphlet, "Motorcycle ABS: Why you want to ride with it" informs riders all about the safe braking system, including how they work, what specific benefits they provide to riders and why they're safer than traditional brake systems.

The IIHS has created this pamphlet for vendors and safety advocates to hand out at motorcycle shows, rider training events and other motorcycle-related venues. The IIHS is encouraging motorcycle riders to consider this new safety technology. The brakes already come standard on some bikes, while others offer it as an upgrade option.

Our Hollywood motorcycle accident attorneys understand that motorcyclists face serious dangers and risks on our roadways. Traffic accidents involving our two-wheeled friends oftentimes turn deadly because riders have much less protection than occupants of passenger-vehicles. We need to travel cautiously around these vulnerable drivers to help to keep everyone safe on our roadways. Motorcyclists are urged to check out the new pamphlet to see if antilock brakes are right for you.

"Research shows that motorcycle antilocks dramatically cut the risk of a deadly crash," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

Braking on a motorcycle is no easy task. Braking in a passenger vehicle is much easier and much safer. Most motorcycles have two different brake controls, a brake for the front tire and a brake for the back. Either of these wheels can stop spinning and lock up when a biker brakes hard. When braking hard on a passenger car, it may skid when tires lockup. When tires lock up on a motorcycle, a driver can lose his or her balance and fall, which can turn fatal in an instant.

With antilock brakes, motorcyclists can brake without the fear of their tires locking up. This brake system reduces braking pressure when the tires are about to stop and increases it when traction is again restored between the tire and the pavement. This system only steps in when it senses that the wheel is about to stop spinning and lock up.

Motorcycles with this type of technology are nearly 40 percent less likely to be involved in an accident than a rider with the same model bike without the brake system. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, there has been a reduction of more than 20 percent in the number of insurance claims from bikers with the antilock brake system.

More than 400 motorcyclists died in accidents in 2009. More lives can be saved with the use of antilock brake technology.

You can request a copy a of "Motorcycle ABS: Why you want to ride with it" by sending an email now.

Continue reading "Antilock Brakes: Reducing Risks of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Hollywood and Elsewhere" »

As we've previously reported on South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, the state of Florida is committed to preventing drowsy driving-related car accidents in Pompano Beach and elsewhere. We told you about this condition and how it greatly increases your risk of an accident. Unfortunately, this is a condition that many drivers may not even be able to recognize. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Department of Transportation have previously teamed up to create Florida's Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.

Now, the campaign is going nationwide. The National Sleep Foundation and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety have recently partnered to support Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, which is ongoing all this week. These organizations are raising awareness among drivers across the country about the dangers of driving while drowsy or otherwise weary. This driving condition is more common on our roadways than you may think.

Our Pompano car accident attorneys urge you to learn more about how drowsy driving has become a problem that must be addressed. A recent study from AAA revealed that although more than 95 percent of drivers find drowsy driving as completely unacceptable, more than a third admits to doing it at least once in the last 30 days. These types of accidents kill roughly 1,550 people and injure another 71,000 every year. Drowsy drivers cause more than 100,000 traffic accidents annually.

"Many don’t realize that driving while drowsy is very dangerous. If you’re so tired that you can hardly keep your eyes open, you could fall asleep for just a few seconds and not realize it," says David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation.

AAA reports that about one out of every six traffic accidents is caused by a drowsy driver. About one out of every 10 drivers age 16 to 45 reportedly drive while drowsy at least once a week. Regardless of age, though, every driver can be subjected to this type of driving and should learn ways prevent it. With drowsy drivers on our roadways, innocent people are getting hurt.

Drowsy driving:

-Impairs vision.

-Slows reaction time.

-Causes lapses in judgment.

-Causes a delay in processing information.

Recent studies have concluded that being awake for 20 hours straight gives a driver the same reaction time as one who is legally drunk.

We are happy to help to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of this habit and ultimately get drivers to stop and rest if they feel sleepy at the wheel. Powering through fatigue may be one of the worst things a driver can do behind the wheel. Be sure to get plenty of sleep before venturing out, stop driving if you feel sleepy, and take frequent breaks to help stay as alert as possible. These accidents are completely preventable with a little education and awareness.

Continue reading "Drowsy Driving Prevention Week Raises Awareness of Preventable Car Accidents in Pompano Beach and Elsewhere" »

Back in June, Governor Rick Scott signed a new law into office aimed at strengthening Florida's "Silver Alert" program, which helps find missing elderly throughout the state. Scott signed the bill, SB 644, at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office in West Palm Beach, according to NBC Miami. The law says that police, news media representatives and others have the responsibility of complying with requests to release Silver Alert information promptly, accurately and in good faith.

Each year, hundreds of seniors and others with Alzheimer's or dementia will wander away, on foot or driving. If they're not found within 24 hours, at least half of these elderly residents will suffer death or injury in Miami or elsewhere, according to the Alzheimer's Association. As baby boomers age, that toll is expected to multiply.

While the law says that only a the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over a case can request activation of a Silver Alert, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys ask that everyone cooperate with the alert and keep an eye out for the missing person. Information pertaining to these alerts is publicized on electronic flashing road signs.

Our state's Silver Alert Program has been in place for three years now. Since the initial launch of the program, more than 40 senior drivers have been located through the program.

The Silver Alert program first began in Oklahoma in 2005, according to the Sun Sentinel. Florida decided to pick up the program because of its overwhelming elderly population. Our state currently houses 4.45 million people over 60, with 1.7 million of them over the age of 75, says Ashley Marshall, spokesperson for the state's Department of Elder Affairs.

“The beauty of Silver Alert is that it’s something people can remember. If you just say ‘Silver Alert,’ people know there’s a confused elderly person out there who needs help,” Carlos Higgins of a senior advocacy group, the National Silver-Haired Congress.

There are at least 5.2 million Americans that currently suffer from dementia. Research shows that 6 out of 10 of those with the condition will wander. Only 4 percent of those who leave home alone are capable of finding their way back without help. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 60 percent of Alzheimer's patients will, at least once in their lifetime, wander and become lost.

"This tragedy unfortunately highlights the very real problem of older residents, many of whom suffer from diseases which leave them easily confused and disoriented, wandering away from their homes or care-giving facilities and meeting harm because family, friends and authorities could not find them in time," said U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.).

For there to be a Silver Alert issued in the state of Florida, the missing person must be 60-years-old or older and there must be "a clear indication" that the person has suffered some deterioration of "intellectual facilities."

Continue reading "Silver Alert Program Rescues Elderly Residents from Injury in Fort St. Lucie and Elsewhere in Florida" »

David Strickland, Administrator for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently spoke to a group of people at the Telematics Detroit 2011 conference about in-vehicle technology and the dramatic effect it has in causing distracted driving accidents in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere in the country. Facebook and Twitter are common methods of communication these days but they both require web access. Is life so short that we can't wait until we are parked to correspond with friends, family, co-workers or bosses via the internet?

Our Palm Beach car accident lawyers understand the dangers that social media plays on drivers because we help victims everyday get compensated after being hit by a distracted driver.

With almost 5,500 distracted driving-related deaths each year, the Government Computer News reports that Strickland was pretty adamant that he wasn't going to ease up on his opposition to devices placed in cars that can add to a drivers' distraction. "I'm just putting everyone on notice," Strickland said, choosing his words carefully and ironically, "A car is not a mobile device."

The government has sought to communicate its concerns about distracted driving the last few years with national campaigns, public service announcements, teen contests and the induction of Distraction.gov, a website designed to inform the public about the dangers of distracted driving. The focus has been on hands-free devices, of which car manufacturers are happy to oblige with voice-activated technology but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has presented studies that hands off the wheel is not the only distraction that puts drivers in danger.

Distractions are caused both physically and cognitively so talking or listening to a voice-activated device in your car distracts a driver just as much as removing their hands from the wheel to punch a button or taking your eyes off the road to look at a screen.

The Denver Post reports that the automobile industry is only giving consumers what they want in terms of bigger and better technology installed in vehicles.

"Consumers are wanting, expecting and you could say demanding more technology in their cars," said Tim Jackson, president and CEO of Colorado Automobile Dealers Association. "As their lives have become more technologically driven, they want those same creature comforts in their cars."

Hands-free social media technology is what consumers are getting. The following are some examples of in-vehicle technology being offered by different car manufacturers:

-2012 Chevy Volt and Equinox will offer Chevy MyLink which is a hands-free Internet radio site which links Pandora and Stitcher Smart Radio.

-Limited models of Toyota's Entune offer a multimedia system in which a driver's cell phone can be linked to their vehicle.

-Ford's Sync technology offers a system that allows drivers to hear a text message and respond back to them, get vehicle diagnostic updates, recall information, and reminders for scheduled maintenance, among other things.

-Kia and Microsoft have teamed up to create Uvo, a new hands-free entertainment system which has Bluetooth technology available. This option is now standard in 2011 Optima Hybrid and 2012 Sorento models and will soon be offered in other Kia vehicles.

New and improved, in most cases, is a good thing. When it comes to in-vehicle technology, consumers should choose and use their toys wisely in order to reduce the risk of a distracted driving accident. Distractions are a common cause of vehicle crashes and no amount of bells and whistles can guarantee highway safety.

Continue reading "Social Media Devices in Vehicles Lead to a High Risk of Distracted Driving Accidents in Fort Lauderdale" »

Florida drivers, your days of using a handheld cell phone while driving may soon be numbered. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y. has proposed a House bill that would bring under federal control driving and cell phone usage, according to an article in Auto Trends Magazine.

Our West Palm Beach injury lawyers know that cell phone use is one of the leading causes of distracted driving accidents in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere. We are aware that in 2009 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported almost 5,500 people were killed in crashes caused by distracted driving.

Individual states currently mange their own cell phone usage laws. If the bill passes the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) would be tasked with making a national standard, to ban cell phone use while driving. Drivers calling for help in an emergency situation would be the only exception.

"Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common," Rep. McCarthy said. "With some basic commonsense rules that are already in place in some parts of the country, we can reduce injuries and save lives in America."

Some exclusions are included in the proposed legislation. Drivers could still use vehicle-integrated and voice-operated devices and GPS systems that are voice-operated. It is recognized that many of today's vehicles have the technology for hands-free cell phone use.

But, cognitive distractions still exist with hands-free devices. If passed, the bill would require the DOT to do a distracted driving study with an emphasis on cognitive distraction particularly as it relates to young or inexperienced drivers. DOT, within two years of the study, would have to present their findings to Congress, give suggestions for updating the minimum distracted driving exclusions and penalties states must observe. After all that, states would be allowed two years to abide by the law or face a reduction in federal highway funding of 25 percent.

Currently, there are a wide variety of state laws on preventing distracted driving. Florida doesn't have any restrictions at all regarding cell phone use while driving. But in Illinois there is a ban on texting for all drivers; all cell phone use is prohibited for bus drivers and all drivers under 19-years-old; and cell phones can't be used while driving in school and construction zones.

Other distractions that can lead to crashes:
-Talking with passengers: Keep conversations to a minimum so you stay focused on driving
-Changing the radio station or adjusting temperature control: Wait to do this when you are stopped or ask your passengers to do this.
-Eating or drinking: Give yourself plenty of time to finish your food and beverage.

Continue reading "New Legislation Slated to Reduce Distracted Driving Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Nationwide" »

As the school year comes to a close, parents have a legitimate concern for their children who ride on school buses. Children tend to get spring fever around this time of year so it is important to remind them about school bus safety in order to prevent them or other pedestrians from being involved in a school bus accident in Port St. Lucie or elsewhere in the state.

Not only do we trust the school system to educate and care for our children during school hours, but most of us rely on them to transport our kids safely to and from school. Palm Beach injury lawyers know that the highest risk of a school bus accident is from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. time periods. Pedestrians in and around schools and walking children are also at high risk.

A recent 6:30 a.m. bus accident at Lake Worth High School has parents thankful their children are safe. The Examiner reports that a bus driver employed by Palm Beach County School District suffered a heart attack and lost control of her bus while going to pick up some kids on her route. Fortunately she didn't have any students on the bus but a bus attendant was on board at the time of the accident. The driver drove into some hedges, through a fence and around a pole before hitting the fence again. The bus attendant managed to pull the emergency break to get the bus stopped. The attendant was not hurt in the accident but the driver was taken to JFK Medical center in critical condition.

In this instance, a poor health condition was the contributing factor causing the accident in which no one but the driver was hurt. However, in many cases the common causes of a bus accident are related to driver inexperience, mechanical issues related to poor maintenance of the bus or driver carelessness. Serious injury and even fatality can occur from these kinds of causes which direct negligence towards the school bus operator or the school system who employs the drivers.

Continue reading "School bus accidents in Port St. Lucie often caused by operator negligence, contact an experienced law firm immediately" »

Throughout April, the National Safety Council (NSC) and FocusDriven are asking American's to be considerate of other motorists on our roadways and request that drivers stop using their cell phones behind the wheel during the inaugural National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. It is estimated that nearly 30 percent of all accidents -- roughly 1.6 million crashes each year -- are the result of drivers using cell phones and texting while driving.

Distracted driving significantly contributes to the number of West Palm Beach car accidents.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers recognize that cell phone usage and the use of other hand-held devices cause the greatest number of accidents. We urge you to practice safe and focused driving this month, and every other month of the year.

Both organizations, the NSC and FocusDriven, are encouraging motorists to commit to putting away their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle for the entire month. They're suggesting drivers put their phones away, in the glove compartment or in their trunks, to reduce the temptations of using their device while driving. Motorists are also encouraged to change their voice mail to alert callers they may be driving.

National Distracted Driving Awareness Month was created last month as a resolution by Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO). It was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in a 410-2 vote on March 23. It was greatly influenced the 9-year-old Erica Forney who was hit and killed by a distracted driver in 2008.

According to Distraction.gov, there are three types of distracted driving:

-Visual Distraction. This occurs when you take your eyes off the road for any reason at all, whether it's because of the radio, another passenger or a hand-held device.

-Cognitive Distraction. This is when your mind is focused on something else besides driving. This can happen when a driver is irritated, tired, upset, etc.

-Manual Distraction. This is when you literally take your hands off the wheel. This is common with the use of cell phones and hand-held devices. With manual distraction, cognitive and visual distraction usually follow.

“If drivers can go one month without using their phones while driving, they will find out – as many of us have – work still gets done. Many drivers realize most of the calls they thought were so important, really aren’t. It is our hope drivers will decide to make the change permanently. Doing so will make our roadways safer for everyone,” said Jennifer Smith, FocusDriven president and founding board member.

Police-reported accidents provide alarming statistics:

-In 2009, there were nearly 31,000 fatal accidents in the United States. In those accidents 33,808 vehicle occupants died.

- In 2009, approximately 5,500 of those 33,808 motorists were killed in accidents involving driver distraction.

-The number of accidents involving drivers that were reportedly distracted at the time of the accident increased from 7 percent in 2005 to 11 percent in 2009

-Drivers under the age of 20 had the highest proportion of distracted drivers that were involved in fatal accidents. The younger age groups also recorded the most fatal distracted driving incidents.

Continue reading "April Marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month - Risk of Miami Car Accidents Increases with Distracted Driving" »

Just weeks after the Federal Railroad Administration ranked Florida among the ten worst states for train accidents at railroad crossings, a 34-year-old Edgewater man was struck and killed by a Florida East Coast Railroad freight train, according to a New Smyrna Beach media report.

In 2009 alone, Florida railways accidents included 48 crossing collisions that left 10 dead and 19 injured. Another 19 were killed and 8 injured in trespass incidents, according to the non-profit railway safety organization Operation Lifesaver.

According to the National Safety Commission, there are a handful of causes that frequently contribute to railroad crossing accidents.

First, trains look like they are moving slower than they really are which can lead a driver or pedestrian into making a judgment error when approaching a railroad crossing.

Second, trains are big and heavy. So even if they are traveling at a relatively slow rate of speed – say about 35 mph – they still pack close to a million tons of force.

Third, it takes about 1.5 miles to bring a freight train to a complete stop, and with only about half of public rail crossings controlled by electronic signals, and many private crossing unmarked and without any signaling, a distracted driver may, quite literally, drive onto an active railway and never see the train coming.

The safest rule is the simplest: before crossing any railroad track, assume a train is coming, whether you see or hear one or not.

In cases where a crossing accident occurs, it is important to consult with an experienced Port St. Lucie accident lawyers, or a personal injury or wrongful death attorney in your town. Investigating the cause of the accident is a critical step to protecting the rights of you and your family.

Continue reading "South Florida train accident a reminder of Florida's deadly railroad crossings" »

Through the Labor Day weekend, the Florida Highway Patrol announced this week it will again participate in the national traffic-safety enforcement program "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." The program aims to target drunk drivers and hopefully save lives by diminishing the number of South Florida drunk driving accidents.

The Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers at Freeman & Mallard aggressively represent victims of DUI accidents. We understand how distressing, disruptive and catastrophic being involved in an alcohol-related car crash can be and will work tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected to the fullest extent of the law.

In 2008, 875 motorists were killed in alcohol-related crashes in Florida with Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach ranking as the top three deadliest counties, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported. The NHTSA found that nearly 700 motorists were killed in crashes in these counties, with 174 fatal crashes specifically alcohol-related.

Historically, Labor Day ranks as one of the Top 10 deadliest days for drivers and September ranks in the Top 5 deadliest months, according to the American Safety Council.

“Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but also the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving can be significant,” said FHP Director, Colonel John Czernis. “Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, time away from work and dozens of other expenses. Do not take the chance. Remember, if you are over the limit, you can expect to be under arrest.”

The patrol will also participate in the nationwide Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) over the four-day holiday weekend starting Sept. 3. The goal of this program is to deter unsafe drivers, enforce safe traffic conditions and more quickly assist motorists in need.

Operation C.A.R.E. is a coordinated effort involving all 50 state police and highway patrol units and will include all uniformed personnel and officers who are otherwise normally assigned to administrative duties. An additional influx of volunteer troopers from both auxiliary and reserve teams will supplement the workforce.

While celebration with friends and family is encouraged during this last summer holiday, the FHP in presence and enforcement practices plans to aggressively monitor and cite or remove from all State roadways distracted, otherwise impaired and drunk drivers.

Continue reading "Increased enforcement aimed at reducing drunk driving accidents in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm" »

In South Florida, our roads can turn from hot and dry to wet and slippery in a matter of seconds making for dangerous driving conditions! As we approach summer, afternoon thunderstorms are certainly headed our way and with that we can find ourselves in dangerous driving conditions rather quickly. Also, if you plan on drivng to your summer vacation destination, make sure your tires are in good shape for the trip.

With that said, here is a little background on your tires.

In North America, regulations require tire manufacturers to grade passenger car tires. These regulations are based on treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. Treadwear is based on the wear rate of the tire. A wear rating of 300 to 400 is considered good; 500 to 700 is very good. Further, a tire graded 200 would wear twice as long as one graded 100. Traction grades (from highest to lowest: AA, A, B, and C) represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement. Temperature grades (from highest to lowest: A, B, and C) represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat.

If you're only buying one or two tires at a time, always put the new tires on the rear axle. It's a myth that putting the new tires on your drive-wheel position will give you the most protection; instead, doing so will make your vehicle more susceptible to oversteer (fishtailing or swinging out during fast cornering).

Under-inflated tires wear more on the outside edges. Over-inflated tires wear excessively in the center of the tread.

You may think in today's economy pennies have lost their use and value. Not so fast; use a penny to determine if the tread on your tires is too low. Take a penny and put Abe's head into one of the grooves of the tread. If part of his head is covered by the tread, you're ok. If you can see all of Abe's head, it's time to replace the tire. When the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, your tires should be replaced.

Most manufacturers put "P" (passenger car) rated tires on 4WD trucks as well. Some put "LT" (light truck) tires on SUVs and four-wheel drive trucks, but most do not.

The "T" on your tire's sidewall does not stand for Truck, it stands for "temporary" spare.

The "recommended" tire pressure is almost always lower than the "maximum" tire pressure printed on the tire's sidewall. Check your owner's manual to find out where to look on your vehicle for the recommended amount of air (usually on the driver's door, the glove compartment, or the gas filler door).

Since tires can harden and crack with age, you should steer clear of old tires and buy the freshest ones available. Here's how to tell: Every tire carries a U.S. Dept. of Transportation serial number on the sidewall (EX: DOT M6 RV T1HR 499). The last 3 digits are a date code indicating the week and year the tire was made. (EX: the 49th week of 1999).

Most punctures, nail holes or cuts up to 1/4 inch and confined to the tread may be satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods.

For the most accurate reading, tire pressure must be checked when tires are cold. You can check tire pressure any time of the day, as long as the tires have been sitting for a few hours or haven’t been driven for more than a few miles.

Under normal loads, you should inflate tires according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, NOT the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall.

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If you have a teen driver in your family, make sure that they have the proper car insurance coverage. The number 1 cause of death among teens in the U.S. are auto accidents. There is a huge increase in fatality rates for teen drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 compared to drivers between the age of 25 to 69 years old. According to a recent article in the Miami Herald, teen drivers are 4 times more likely to get into a fatal accident between the ages of 16 to 19.

So what are ways to help save on your teen's car insurance? First, make sure that your teen is aware of the importance of keeping a clean driving record. By having only one offense, such as a ticket or and/or accident, a teenager's insurance rate could take their premium to an all time high. That being stated, a record of an accident or ticket can stay with them for years and their record can only be wiped clean over time. For example, if a driver receives one ticket a year that drivers record will usually carry at least 2 to 3 tickets at a time which causes rates to go up quite a bit. Teenage drivers who care about their driving records will always prevail when it comes to getting lower insurance rates.

Other factors to consider for your teen driver are what type of vehicle your son or daughter may drive. When the time comes, whether it's a new car, a car for a graduation gift, or your own car you've been driving as a "hand me down," it would be wise not to turn the keys over to them if the vehicle if it is a sports car, luxury car, or other type of vehicle that is expensive and has the image and feel it needs to be driven fast. Teenagers are statistically shown to drive faster whether they're in grandma's car or any car for that matter. Allowing your teen to drive a safe and modest vehicle could help decrease their changes of being tempted to speed or show off.

As every parent is aware, communication is vital at this age and so are driving rules. It's imperative that your teen understands the importance of good common driving habits and ethics.
Giving the teen driving guidelines and words of wisdom from your own past experiences; this is a great way to start.

Another suggestion to keeping rates low is the amount of driving they will be doing. Insurance companies know the estimated milage of the vehicle the teen will be driving, and as a result insurance rates can increase as the estimated mileage increases. Making small steps like taking the bus to school or work will help and they can still gain driving experience throughout the summer or on weekends.

Floridians are making it a priority to buckle up more than ever. Since the implementation of Florida's new primary seat belt law which took effect on June 30th of this year, a survey has shown that seat belt usage is at an all-time high of 85 percent in Florida.

What's remarkable about this increase is it marks the first time Florida's rate has excceded the national average of 84 percent.

The the new law set in place allows for police officers to pull drivers over soley for not wearing a safety belt.

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) estimates the primary seat belt law will assist in saving approximately 125 lives per year and will prevent more than 1,700 serious injuries from occuring.

Interestingly, surveys also show that drivers in South Florida use seat belts more often than drivers in other parts of the state.

Although the rate of women buckling up is greater than men (89 percent of women use seat belts, the rate for men is 84 percent,) the fact that overall seat belt usage is on the upswing is a significant improvement in Florida's safety belt statistics.

The cost for a seat belt violation is $30.00 for adults and $60.00 for a child.

The bottom line is, if you crash your car or truck, you are more likely to survive if you are wearing a seat belt.