Articles Posted in Auto Accident

As the clocks are set back one hour and the fall light turns to early dusk and dark, drivers are at a higher risk of night time accidents. In addition to reduced vision, drivers may also suffer drowsiness and reduced awareness when driving at night. While the risks of night time driving are well-documented, new headlight systems are being explored to improve vision and night driving safety.

Accidents are often the result of negligence and unpreventable; however, there are some safety features that can help keep you and your family safe. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys are dedicated to driver and vehicle safety. We are abreast of current safety and market trends to help you when making the decision to purchase a vehicle. In the event of an accident our legal team can investigate the facts, identify responsible parties, and pursue compensation on your behalf.

The Lighting Research Center at Rensslaer Polytechnic Institute is developing new headlight systems to improve vision and prevent accidents and injuries. Reports indicate that even though night driving increases the risk of accidents, most U.S. roadways do not have appropriate lighting to keep drivers and their passengers safe. Many city, state, and other local governments are having difficulties paying to install and maintain road lighting. Despite the lack of funding to improve lighting conditions on American roads and highways, it is unlikely that the proportion of nighttime driving will go down anytime soon, especially in today’s economy which requires workers on the job 24-7.
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Two people were taken to Delray Medical Center after they got into a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 95. Unfortunately, one occupant didn’t make it. The female in the accident had to be removed from the wreckage with “Jaws of Life.” She was later pronounced dead at the Medical Center. The male in the accident, also the driver of the van, remains in critical condition, according to News Channel 5.

It happened around 10:00 a.m. when two vehicles (including the van) went off the road and rolled into a bushy area. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.

Passenger vans handle very differently from smaller passenger vehicles because they are typically longer, higher, and wider. Our Delray Beach accident attorneys understand that large vans require additional reliance on the side mirrors for changing lanes, as well as more space, additional braking distance and they also have a higher risk of crashes and rollovers if not properly driven and maintained.
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We’ve all been there before — driving down the road, struggling to keep our eyes open. Did you know that it’s that exact scenario that led to more than 11,000 fatalities in the last decade?

According to Yahoo News, it’s a problem that can’t really be detected. We’ve got breathalyzers and blood tests to determine if a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But there’s nothing to detect sleepiness. And what’s even worse is that drivers aren’t likely to admit that they were in fact drowsy when an accident happened.

Our Stuart City car accident lawyers understand that officials have tried to combat this problem by enacting laws to limit the number of hours drivers spend behind the wheel in one day. The problem here is that it’s the same drivers who are reporting their work hours. Authorities had long known many aren’t willing to be truthful in reporting.

In the state of Florida, we have the “Ronshay Dugans Act” proclaiming the first week of September “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.” During the week, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Department of Transportation are encouraged to educated the law enforcement community and the public about the relationship between fatigue and performance and the research showing fatigue to be as much of an impairment as alcohol and as dangerous while driving a motor vehicle.

But, with the topic in the news, the beginning of summer is an apt time for this important reminder.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are small fixes for this problem. If you start to feel sleepy behind the wheel, you can refresh your energy by drinking two cups of coffee and then taking a 15- to 20-minute nap. This can refresh some drivers for a short period of time. On the other hand, many believe that opening the window or cranking up the music is enough to wake them up behind the wheel. And they couldn’t be more wrong.

Your best way to avoid getting drowsy behind the wheel is to make sure you’re getting regular, scheduled rest. This is especially important before taking a long road trip. You should be getting at least 8 hours of sleep each and every night. It’s for your health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that close to 40 percent of U.S. adult drivers have nodded off or fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once in the last 30 days.

“It’s just as bad as drinking and driving. As far as public awareness, drowsy driving is in the dark ages compared to that, but it’s just as dangerous,” said Mark Rosekind with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

It’s important that we raise awareness about this issue. A sleepy driver is a danger on our roadways. Sleepiness behind the wheel is a quick and sure way to get into an accident. Be safe and be alert out there as the summer travel season gets underway.
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Our Oakland Park injury lawyers know many people are aware of the benefits of reviewing safety-rating information when purchasing a vehicle.

However, there is often a great deal to decipher and it’s hard to know what’s truly relevant.

Now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is recommending the creation of two additional safety ratings, one of which would be specifically geared toward families and another for senior drivers.

This would be a change made to the organization’s New Car Assessment Program. The rating for older drivers would be a “silver rating” and the one for families would be simply a “family rating.” The former would look at how specific elements of a vehicle would aid older drivers. The latter would look at things like protection for rear-seat passengers, particularly children.

The NHTSA said these other two ratings would be in addition to the one it currently provides, which measures new vehicle safety on a scale of 1 to 5 stars – and has done so since the late 1970s.

This kind of overhaul, the NHTSA said, would be a process that could take anywhere from three and four years.

Part of the decision comes from the fact that the baby boomer generation is rapidly creating a phenomenon that has been termed the “silver tsunami.” The AARP reports that as of today, more than 15 percent of all drivers in the country are 65 and older. By the year 2025, one-fifth of all drivers will be at least 65 years-old. By the year 2030, some 57 million drivers will be considered elderly. That’s 20 million more than we have today.

The idea behind a silver rating is that older people are generally less able than younger occupants to withstand the impact of a violent crash. Older drivers account for the highest death rate in car crashes.

The focus for the new silver rating would be to offer older drivers information that would help them choose vehicles that would be safer for them. Some of those options might include inflatable seat belts as well as certain features that might help prevent low-speed pedal misapplication. Additionally, older drivers with arthritis might find that push-button start systems, easy-grip steering wheels and automatic seat belts would be helpful. Those who are shorter might find relief with telescoping steering columns and adjustable brake and gas pedals.

There is concern, however, that such a rating may backfire. As the AAA director of traffic safety advocacy and research pointed out, seniors don’t want “old people cars.” Marketing may be an important investment if the effort is to be effective.

As far as families, it’s no secret that parents want to know which vehicles are going to provide the most protection for children. A rating for crashworthiness on the basis of safety for rear-seat child occupants is going to be critical.

The NHTSA is opening up the forum to the public, in hopes of getting feedback on what kinds of features might be important to them in each of these categories.
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If you’ve been here for a while, you may have noticed the increase in the number of roundabouts that keep popping up along our roadways. They’ve been spreading like wildfire out there over the last 15 years. Officials see them as an easy and cost effective way to try and slow down drivers. Unfortunately, county officials are noticing that they’re throwing drivers for a loop — oftentimes confusing drivers more than helping them. So, are they working?

According to the Sun Sentinel, Broward officials find that slower is safer, which is true but getting the drivers to slow down is another battle. Areas that have roundabouts typically see fewer accidents, reports the Transportation Research Board. But that’s not in all locations.

Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys understand that there were two roundabouts removed from the area because they didn’t decrease driver’s speeds at all. On the other hand, there are areas with roundabouts that have seen the number of accidents decrease by about 75 percent. Currently, there are about 3,000 roundabouts in the U.S. Close to 1,000 of them were added in the last 10 years.

We can only expect more in the future, too. They’re one of the most cost effective ways to help to eliminate congestion, according to experts. There are already plans for roundabouts on Lyons Road just west of Lake Worth to help to keep the traffic flowing around a nearby school.

What are the pros and cons of these traffic devices?

-They don’t require a lot of maintenance. Traffic lights on the other hand require a lot of attention and funds to keep working properly.

-Roundabouts force drivers to slow down. They also work to reduce delay by forcing drivers to yield instead of stop.

-Unfortunately, they don’t work everywhere — like the two roundabouts that were removed in the Fort Lauderdale area.

-These areas also cause confusion. Sometimes drivers even freeze when they get to a roundabout. Experts say that this is only common to new users though and drivers typically warm up to the idea after they get used to how they work.

-Roundabouts can be dangerous if an oncoming driver doesn’t anticipate others in the roundabout.

The truth of the matter is that roundabouts are here to stay. In most situations, a modern roundabout can handle higher traffic volumes with less delay than traffic signals. Even with drivers slowing down to 15-25 mph. Motorists aren’t always stopping for traffic lights.

Researchers also say they’re here to stay because they help to reduce the risks of accidents for other kinds of travelers. They help to reduce the risks of pedestrian accidents by up to 40 percent, the risks of bicycle accidents by close to 10 percent and they are able to increase traffic capacity by enhancing traffic flow by up to 50 percent. It’s a win-win for everyone if we can all use them properly.
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We all know it’s a little tougher to drive at night. In fact, about 7 out of 10 drivers in the country actually fear driving at night because of a lack of visibility. In South Florida, we may not have to deal with winter, but early darkness and heavy tourist traffic make for dangers that are uniquely their own.

Roughly 40 percent of drivers even say that they fear crashing into a person or an animal while another 25 percent say they’re just worried they won’t see the road markings, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Our Boynton Beach car accident lawyers understand that about 90 percent of our maneuvers behind the wheel are made based on what we see. Driving becomes a whole lot tougher when you take sight out of the equation. And that’s exactly the problem when visibility is reduced in the nighttime dark.

Although there’s about 60 percent less travel that takes place at night, this time still sees about 40 percent of all fatal car accidents. For this reason, we’re asking drivers to be cautious out there and to take all of the proper safety precautions to prevent these kinds of accidents. Stay awake and stay alert while driving at night.

Nighttime Safe Driving Tips:

-Prepare Yourself. Make sure that your mirrors are clear and in place. Check your side-view mirrors and your rear-view mirror. Make sure that your windshield and other windows are clear and clean to help to maximize visibility.

-Check Headlights. Make sure they’re adjusted regularly. For the ones that are adjusted on the fly, make sure they’re aimed lower for city driving and higher for country driving. If you’re driving toward a vehicle that has bright headlights, move over a lane to get them out of your direct view. If there’s a vehicle behind you and the lights are too bright, find a safe place to pull over and let the vehicle pass, or move to the right-hand lane.

-Watch Your Windshield. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape. You want to also make sure that your windshield wiper fluid is full. If you’re traveling up north, make sure you’ve got an ice scrapper with you.

-Stay Alert. Don’t turn to mobile devices to keep your eyes moving. You want to keep your eyes on the lookout for pedestrians, other vehicles, reflectors, animals’ eyes and even debris on the road.

-Stay Within Your Headlights. You want to always be able to step within the area that’s illuminated in front of you. If you can’t do that, you’re driving too fast.

-Keep It Low. You want your dashboard lights to be set at a safe low setting. Since the contrast between bright and dark will impede your vision, limiting the brightness in your car should help you see at night and avoid car accidents.

-Rest Up. Before heading out on any road trips, make sure you get plenty of rest. The last thing that you want to be behind the wheel is sleepy. Ultimately, you should avoid driving when your body is usually sleeping, but if you have to — make sure you’re ready and well rested.
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After a recent traffic accident, a barrier wall was left with a gaping 10-foot hole. One person was killed in this accident, and it wasn’t the driver of the truck. According to the Sun Sentinel, repairs on the Interstate 95 barrier could not be made until after the hydraulic fluid that leaked from the truck was cleaned up.

The accident happened at the tri-level interchange at State Road 84 and Interstate 95. This area has a history of traffic accidents. The accident caused a headache for commuters, causing delays during the morning rush hour for hours. Firefighters, paramedics and tow wrecks were all on the scene. It happened at about 5:30 a.m.

Our Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers understand that our roadways, especially the Interstate and the turnpike, can be dangerous and confusing. This is especially true for unfamiliar drivers and those driving large or unfamiliar vehicles. Unfortunately, it’s us who are in passenger vehicles who experience a brunt of the injuries.

The victim in this accident was a passenger in the truck. The 43-year-old man was pulled from the cab during rescue efforts. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was treated for cuts on the knee, reports Broward Health Medical Center.

The north side of the barrier on 84 will need extensive repair. It has been delayed as inspectors with Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection found the hydraulic fluids near the scene. The fluids leaked into the grassy area located next to 95.

So far, only sheets of plywood cover the hole and cones are helping to direct traffic. That’s the best way officials can work to direct traffic while repairs await.

That particular interchange has two flyovers. Unfortunately, it’s an odd ramp with warning signs, concrete barriers, signals and turns. It’s been the site of many accidents since it was first opened back in 1990. The barrier’s walls are scarred with tire and paint marks.

Back in 2008, there were 3 men in a passenger vehicle who were killed in an accident when the driver failed to make that very same westbound turn. That car flipped over the wall and fell down onto 95.

Last year, a 23-year-old driver was attempting to get off on the southbound ramp of I-95, he slammed into a wall and fell to the road below. That driver survived, but was severely injured.

“You have to go very slow,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Detective DeAnna Garcia.

We understand that our roadways can get a little hectic. There’s traffic heading in every direction at some of our interchanges. We’re asking you to be on your best behavior behind the wheel to help to reduce your risks of an accident. Travel cautiously, know where you’re going and stay one step ahead of the traffic around you.
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A recent accident between a charter bus and a pickup truck at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport left one person injured. According to The Miami Herald, the accident caused a traffic headache for airport travelers.

Those who use economy parking were advised to leave nearly an hour earlier than normal. According to a spokesman with the airport, the buses that usually use that route are in charge of bringing people from economy parking to the terminals. Because of the accident, all of the buses were forced to use alternative (and longer) routes.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys understand that the accident happened about 3:00 p.m. The problem with areas like the airport is that drivers are much more interested in getting to where they have to go — and they forget about the traffic around them. In the recent crash, a charter bus heading north crashed with a pickup truck that was heading south on West Perimeter Road.

The bus driver was not injured in the accident, reports the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Luckily, there were no passengers on the bus at the time. These shuttle accidents are frequently quite serious because of unbelted passengers and the risk of injury from loose baggage. The truck driver involved in the accident was extricated from his vehicle. Thankfully he was alert and conscious. He was transported to Broward Health Medical Center.

When traveling to and from the airport, it’s important that you have a plan. That plan’s number one goal should be safety! These areas can be awfully confusing and hectic. We’re all trying to get in and out of there quickly. Unfortunately, that’s a lot easier said than done with all of the traffic as we enter high season. There are lane changes, speed reductions and pedestrians all over the place. You’ve got to be on the ball behind the wheel to ensure a safe trip. Put the cell phone down and drive.

When you approach the airport, it’s important that you keep your eyes on the lanes and on the signs — and also on the vehicles around you. You want to get your vehicle in the lane that it needs to be as soon as you can. Waiting until the last moment to change lanes is only going to increase your chances for an accident. Make sure that you’re always using your blinker. You want to be able to alert traffic around you of your intended maneuvers. This is a must in keeping safe.

When you’re pulling near arrival and departure areas, it’s important that you slow it down! There’s a lot of pedestrian traffic here. If you’re not ready to stop your car and pick up/drop off someone then you should remain in the lane farthest from the building.

Be sure to stop at all crosswalks!

Once you leave these areas, keep a lookout for increased speed limits and for lanes merging in. Always be one step ahead of the traffic around you!
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You can come up with all of the excuses you want, but the truth of the matter is that car accidents are largely preventable.

But if you’re looking for excuses, you need look no further than a recent story out of St. Lucie. According to the TC Palm, the driver in question rammed his car into another vehicle in a parking lot on Pine Lakes Boulevard. He said he was just in a rush to get some coffee and his windows were foggy.

He also said that he forgot to put his contacts in that morning. But officers became suspicious of the driver after they allegedly witnessed the driver slurring his speech and smelling of alcohol. Because of these suspicions, the driver was arrested.

In addition to these violations, the vehicle’s registration sticker was not valid, he had no proof of insurance, he was driving on a suspended license and he had already been convicted of DUI. He was arrested and charged with causing property damage, refusing a breath test and driving on a suspended license. He was also cited for failing to have proof of insurance and the proper car registration.

Our Port St. Lucie car accident lawyers understand that there were close to 235,500 motor vehicle accidents reported in the state of Florida in 2010. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), there were close to 340,000 drivers involved in these accidents. We’re sure that many of them had some interesting excuses for the collisions, but the truth of the matter is that a good majority of them were caused by poor driving habits, like distracted driving and speeding.

Drivers without insurance also make it more difficult for accident victims to collect damages and is an all-too-regular occurrence on Florida roads.

In the state of Florida, there were close to 650 traffic accidents reported in the Sunshine State each and every day. In these accidents, there were close to 2,500 people who lost their lives and another 200,000 people who were injured.

To break it down a little farther — there were close to 800 people killed in car accidents that involved a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. These accidents are 100 percent preventable. Never should a driver get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. There are multiple options for residents and visitors to get home after consuming alcohol. You can call a taxi, take the bus, call a friend or a family member or even stay put and sleep it off. These 800 fatalities were the result of driver irresponsibility and were 800 lives we didn’t have to lose.

Officers can only do so much. In 2010, there were more than 4 million traffic citations written in the state of Florida. According to ABC News, these citations brought it more than $100 million to the state.

The truth of the matter is that officers don’t want to write citations and no one wants to get into an accident. That’s why we’re calling on you to help make the roads safer in 2013. Practice safe and cautious driving habits with the New Year and help to keep our roadways safe for everyone.
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New Years is a time to make resolutions, and one of the best resolutions you can make is a promise to avoid dangerous driving behavior. Auto accidents happen every day, but there are certain behaviors that can increase your accident risk greatly. Speeding and distracted driving are two of those behaviors. Failing to pay proper attention to pedestrians and bike riders is another big issue that drivers should focus on in order to improve safety.

To help you avoid these top accident causes, our Broward injury attorneys are offering a four part New Years safe driving series. We’ve already discussed speeding and distracted driving and today we’ll be focusing on pedestrian and bicycle accidents.

Avoiding Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents is a Key Goal for 2013
Tragically, the number of pedestrian and bicycle riders injured in accidents is on the rise. According to 2011 data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• There was an 8.7 percent increase in the number of fatalities among cyclists between 2010 and 2011
• There was a 3 percent increase in the number of fatalities among pedestrians between 2010 and 2011

2010 statistics published in the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Traffic Crash Statistics report also show that a large number of pedestrians and bike riders are killed or injured each year. According to the Florida data for 2010:

• There were 7,290 pedestrians injured in crashes statewide in 2010.
• There were 499 pedestrians killed in crashes statewide in 2010
• There were 76 bicyclists killed in crashes statewide in 2010
• There were 4,600 bicycle riders injured in crashes statewide in 2010

Pedestrians and bicycle riders may be at risk for many reasons, including drivers choosing to engage in distracted driving and failing to pay proper attention. Pedestrian and bike riders can also be injured when drivers fail to yield to them or when drivers misjudge the speed that the biker or pedestrian is going.

How to Avoid Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Drivers, pedestrians and bike riders all share responsibility for preventing bicycle accidents. In order to avoid these accidents

• Drivers should refrain from drinking and driving, driving distracted or driving drunk.
• Drivers should yield to bikers and pedestrians who have the right of way.
• Pedestrians and bike riders should obey the “Walk” sign at intersections and should cross at dedicated walkways.
• Bike riders should use designated bike lanes whenever possible and should remember that they are subject to the rules of the road just as drivers are.
• Bike riders and pedestrians should wear reflective gear at night time.

By focusing on becoming a safer driver in 2013, you can help to solve the problem of increasing pedestrian and cyclists accidents and you can help everyone to stay safer on the roads in 2013. Avoiding the other dangerous behaviors of speeding and distracted driving discussed during our New Years safe driving series will also help you to become a better driver who may be less likely to become involved in a serious crash.
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