Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Back to school means back to the school bus. While buses can be a very safe and environmentally-friendly way of ferrying children back and forth to school, school bus accidents, when they do happen, can be devastating. School bus accidents can cause brain injuries, broken bones, fatalities, and other serious personal injuries.

Parents can help prevent school bus accidents by teaching their children school bus safety. Teach your child to wait for the bus safely, for example. This means waiting for the bus away from the street and away from traffic. Teach your child to wait until the bus stops completely before approaching the bus. Teach your child to wait until the bus driver makes contact.

Many school bus accidents are in fact pedestrian accidents which occur when children are getting on or off the school bus. Therefore, teach your children to keep a safe distance from the bus when getting off the bus. Show children how to take five large steps and look back to ensure that the driver can be seen. Many children do not understand that drivers have blind spots, so ensure that your child understands this concept. Teach your children to look left and right before proceeding across a street after their hop off the bus. For younger children, accompany them to and from the bus and review these safety ideas until they become second nature.

In addition to teaching children how to ride the school bus safely, there are several things that parents can do to help keep their children safe on the school bus. Supervision is one of the most important factors to preventing school bus accidents. Supervision ensures that no child runs behind a bus, into traffic, or into a driver’s blind spots. Younger children, especially, need supervision to ensure that they don’t run into the street while playing. If you cannot supervise your child to and from the school bus each day, have an older sibling do this or organize a group of parents who can take turns watching the school bus stop.

In addition to supervising, parents can ensure that their children are safe when heading to the bus stop. Ensure that all your child’s possessions are securely stored in a backpack. If your child loses a paper, he or she may bend down to pick it up near the bus and this may prevent the driver from seeing your child. If your child is carrying items loosely and an item is carried away by the wind, he or she may chase after it into traffic. In addition to keeping all items in a backpack, ensure that your child doesn’t war anything with long straps or drawstrings that can get caught in the school bus door.

If you notice anything dangerous about a bus driver or a bus stop, talk to your school’s transportation director, school office, or school district. If the school bus stop is in a busy area, for example, you can request to have the stop moved to a safer and quieter location so that all the children will be safer.

Now that students are getting ready to return to school, parents may be worried about injuries to children and minors. Many children return home from school with scrapes and minor injuries. In some cases, these are caused by nothing more than schoolyard accidents. In some cases, however, personal injuries are caused by bullying.

Bullying is a serious problem in our schools. Bullies often taunt and assault their victims. In rare cases, bullying has lead to attacks that have resulted in head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even fatalities. Many victims of bullying become withdrawn and depressed. Victims often struggle with self-esteem and even their school work as a result of their bullying experiences. In some cases, victims of bullying have attempted or committed suicide as a result of their experiences. Obviously, this is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

Talk to your child about bullying. If your child becomes withdrawn, is suddenly reluctant to go to school, or comes home with any injuries or scrapes, have a talk with your child about bullying. Encourage your child to talk with you about what has happened and ensure that your child knows that the bullying is not his or her fault. Even if your child shows no signs of being bullied, talk to your child about bullying and make sure that your child knows he or she can talk to you about bullying or any other worrying subject.

If your child is being bullied or you suspect that your child may be bullied, talk to your child’s school. Speak to a principal and your child’s teacher. Schools have an obligation to prevent injuries to children in their care. Ensure that the school has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and takes appropriate actions to protect your child. Outline what you want to see happen to keep your child safe. Follow up to ensure that the correct steps are being taken and encourage your child’s school to show presentations or hold workshops about bullying to raise awareness about the subject.

If you are not satisfied with the school’s response and the bullying continues, you may need professional assistance. Talk to a qualified attorney. You should not worry about your child sustaining serious personal injuries in school and the school should be taking steps to keep your child safe. If this is not happening, a good Florida attorney can negotiate with the school on your behalf. If your child has sustained personal injuries as a result of bullying at a school, a good Florida personal injury attorney can help you get the full assistance you are entitled to under the law. This can help you pay for the best help and medical care for your child.

It is important to develop a no-tolerance policy towards bullying. Do not allow parents or school administrators to tell you that bullying is “normal,” “a phase” or the result of a bully’s broken home. Even if a bully requires help as well, that does not change the fact that your child is entitled to be safe and comfortable in his or her school environment. Pursue the matter until your child is no longer bullied.

Back to school can be an exciting time, but it can also mean new routines, less parental supervision, and therefore fewer bumps and scrapes. While small bumps are a normal part of childhood, serious personal injury shouldn’t be. Here’s how to keep your child safe when he or she heads back to school:

1) Get involved in the school. Getting involved in your child’s school is a great way to increase parental supervision in the classroom while also helping schools to stay safer. Working with schools also lets you notice any possible problems or potential injuries.

2) If you see a potential for injury, bring it to the attention of the school. If you do notice something that may cause an injury – such as a faulty gate or door, for example – bring it to the attention of the school via letter or at a meeting so that the school is accountable for making the change. Follow up to ensure that the problem has been resolved.

3) Make your child savvy about preventing accidents. Teach your child how to prevent basic personal injuries. If you need help, your school will usually have plenty of safety training materials that are child-appropriate. Local fire fighters, police and even emergency medical technicians sometimes have special child programs for schools. Talk to your child’s teacher to see whether some of these professionals can be guests in the classroom.

4) Keep track of product recalls. As you stock up on school supplies, clothes, and electronics for back to classes, keep a eye out for product liability cases and recalls. Keep your receipts so that if an item you buy turns out to be unsafe, you can return it easily.

5) If your child has a special need, bring it to the attention of the teachers and school authorities. If your child has an illness that makes them more prone to a specific accident, for example, or if your child has a life-threatening allergy, make sure that both teachers and administrators know about the situation. Ask for the facts to be included in the child’s permanent record. Have your child wear a medical alert bracelet in case a substitute teacher or new employee at the school is not made aware of your child’s circumstances.

Buses of all types transport people around cities and rural areas across the state of Florida and across the country. From tour buses to city buses, school buses, and chartered buses, buses are an economical and usually safe way to travel. However, buses are sometimes in accidents. Accidents involving buses can be pedestrian accidents, car accidents or bus-bus collisions. In every case, serious personal injury or even fatalities can occur.

If you have been in a bus accident, it is important that you visit a doctor or emergency room right away. Even if you are lucky and seem to be fine, keep in mind that some injuries are not immediately apparent. Some fatal brain injuries, for example, do not show symptoms for an hour or more. It is better to be safe. A visit to a medical professional can save you from serious complications.

In addition to seeing a doctor, you should begin to gather as much information as you can. If possible, write down the bus driver’s name, the bus vehicle or license plate number, insurance information for the bus, contact information for witnesses, and anything else you can think of. Take pictures if you can and be sure to get copies of any medical reports. All this information can help you make a claim. Even if you are rushed to the hospital and cannot take any information from the scene, get copies of the police report and medical reports and start to keep a journal of your injuries.

After a bus accident, it is important that you exercise caution when talking about the accident or signing any papers. Hire a qualified Florida personal injury attorney soon after the accident. A good lawyer will ensure that your rights and claims are safeguarded. Try not to discuss the accident or sign legal papers unless your attorney is present.

Bus drivers and owners have a duty to keep their buses safe. If you have been injured in a bus accident, one of the inevitable questions will be whether a bus company or driver has done everything possible to provide a safe form of transportation. Your attorney may wish to launch an investigation into the road conditions, weather, and bus maintenance or bus condition at the time of the accident. This can help determine whether negligence or mechanical failure contributed to the accident.

There are many difficulties and problems that can affect a person’s life after a personal injury caused by a car accident, trucking accident, or other injury. In addition to the emotional impact of a serious injury and the focus on recovery, far too many personal injury victims may face financial distress as well.

Many brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other serious injuries leave people unable to return to work for some time. Some personal injury victims are permanently injured and can never return to their normal income. Worse, many people suffering from a serious injury face considerable medical bills at a time when they have lost their income.

Even less serious injuries can mean time away for work as injured parties visit doctors or specialists. Since Florida is a no-fault state in terms of car insurance, in the event of injuries caused by a car accident, your own policy will pay for up to 60% of your lost wages which result from your injury. Even if the accident was not your fault, your insurance provider will pay up to your coverage limits. Unfortunately, if your policy does not cover the full cost of your treatment and lost wages, you may still have to pay for some of your costs. As well, living on only 60% of your income while you recover may create problems for you. Some insurance policies take some time to pay as well. If your injuries were not caused by a car accident, your case may be more complex.

If you are lucky enough to have a passive income or considerable savings, you may find that you are able to pay for your medical costs and lost income. However, if this is not the case for you, you may find yourself concerned about finances while you should be focusing on recovery. This is one reason why hiring a qualified Florida personal injury attorney is so important.

A good Florida personal injury lawyer can advise you on your case and can help you make decisions that protect your long-term and short-term interests. A qualified attorney can ensure that you get the benefits you are entitled to under the law as well as good medical treatment. Finally, a good attorney can help negotiate with insurance providers and other responsible parties to ensure that you get fair and prompt financial assistance when you need it.

If you have sustained a serious injury in Florida, you will need to contact your insurance provider promptly and fill out a number of forms. You may need to fill out an application for benefits, for example, as well as additional forms that your doctor may need to verify. In addition to contacting your insurance provider and keeping meticulous records regarding your injury and claim, it may be important to contact a good personal injury attorney soon after your accident. A good Florida attorney can help protect you as you recover and can help ensure that you lose as few wages as possible.

Today, many people are choosing to commute to work on bicycle. Bicycles save on car costs significantly and can provide a great source of exercise as well. However, trying to maneuver a bike through rush-hour traffic early in the morning can also cause bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and serious personal injuries. Here’s how to arrive at work safely:

1) Choose the right route. The route you take to work via car is likely not the route you want to take on your bicycle. Trying to weave around rush-hour traffic early in the morning is dangerous. Consider taking bike paths (which will likely get you to your destination sooner, thanks to minimal traffic) or less congested streets.

2) Build your bicycle know-how. If you haven’t taken your bike out for years, hone your skills with several afternoon rides before you try to make it to work. Consider taking a refresher course in bicycle safety. Get ready for your commute.

3) Give yourself extra time. Trying to rush to work because you might be late increases the risk of accidents. You don’t want to be taking safety short cuts on your bicycle just to beat the clock. Allow yourself plenty of extra time. It’ll come in handy if you want to freshen up before work, too. With time, you will become a better judge of how much time you need.

4) Obey the rules of the road. Just because you are on a bicycle, that does not mean you get to ignore all the habits and rules you have learned as a driver. Check your blind spots, obey all traffic signals, and signal turns, just as you would if you were in a car. You need to ensure that drivers can predict your movements.

5) Don’t carry items in your hands. It seems like common sense, but keep in mind that you can’t bicycle and drink coffee or bicycle and text. You need both hands on the steering wheel for control.

6) Wear your helmet. Head injuries are one of the most common and preventable injuries related to bicycle accidents. You can help prevent this common injury just by wearing a helmet each time you hop on your bike.

Brain injuries claim thousands of children’s lives each year and most are preventable. Many such injuries to children and minors occur when they fall from a bicycle or skateboard, and in most cases these injuries are completely preventable. A helmet can help prevent the vast majority of head injuries related to bicycle accidents and skateboard accidents.

The problem is that many children and teens refuse to wear helmets when bicycling or skateboarding. Many kids respond to peer pressure and abandon helmets or worry about appearing “nerdy.” Even children who wear helmets when their parents are watching may remove helmets when bicycling or skateboarding just with friends. No parent can ensure that their children are watched all the time, so how can parents ensure that children wear helmets – even when they’re out of sight? Some experts recommend that helmets can be more appealing if they’re cool. Here’s how to make helmets cool for your child or teen:

1) Let your child choose a helmet. Your child should be the one to choose a helmet, because that’s the only way to ensure that your child has a helmet he or she likes. Shop around for a helmet with the same care you would shop around for a bike – visit lots of different stores and try on the many different styles until you child finds one they like.

2) Gather pictures of cool helmets worn by athletes. Many professional bicyclists and skateboarders put out posters of themselves on the bikes or skateboards – with helmets firmly in place. Make sure that your child sees these types of pictures so that wearing a helmet seems natural. Look for PSAs or statements made by athletes about the importance of helmets and look at these announcements with your children.

3) Discuss the effects of not wearing helmets. If your child is reluctant to wear a helmet, consider asking a family doctor to discuss brain injuries with your child. Many police stations and hospitals have brain injury awareness programs which take children through the process of a brain injury. Your child might hear about accidents or meet someone who has sustained a brain injury. If your child is old enough and your area has such a program, it can be a great way to really emphasize the message about brain injuries and helmets.

4) Discipline your child for not wearing a helmet. If you do catch your child riding their bicycle or skateboarding without a helmet, take away privileges. It may create a conflict, but it is more important to prevent your child from taking part in risky behavior.

5) Invest in cool helmet accessories. Some companies now offer animal helmet covers. These furry covers come complete with ears and can make a helmet seem much more fun for a young bicycle enthusiast. For older children, consider fashion helmet covers. Some are designed to disguise the helmet as a trendy hat and can be a big hit with teens.

A few additional accessories can help you prevent a bicycle accident and injury. These items can make a big difference and can ensure that your bicycle is safer:

1) A bicycle helmet. You should never hop on your bicycle without a helmet. A helmet is inexpensive and helps protect you from one of the most common injuries associated with bicycle accidents. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, helmets can prevent up to 85% of head injuries caused by bicycle accidents. Since 75% of all bicycle accident fatalities are linked to brain injury, the helmet is the most important piece of safety gear for all bicyclists.

2) Lights. You should have a red read light and a white front light. These can be clipped onto your back, handlebars, and seat and are essential to ensure that drivers and pedestrians see you coming. For your front light, opt for a white LED light that will help improve your visibility, too.

3) The right shoes. Good shoes help your feet stay comfortably on the pedals and help you keep control of your bicycle. Shoes that slip or easily come off your foot can pose a serious danger. For heavy-duty bicycling or for bicycling in extreme conditions, invest in shoes with clips. These shoes keep you safer and even allow for faster bicycling and better control.

4) The right clothing. Have a few outfits you can wear while bicycling. This should include clothing that is not loose and does not contain drawstrings or laces that can get caught in your bicycle gears. Look for moisture-wicking clothes that help you stay comfortable and dry on your bike.

5) A rack. A panniers or rack does not cost very much but can help keep your hands free. This can be the perfect place to store your backpack or gear if you are bicycling to a picnic or out camping. While you can also carry a backpack, this can inhibit your motion and can cause you to become tired more quickly. A rack is usually the safer way to go.

6) A fender. A fender ensures that you are not sprayed with water. It also ensures that your rear tire is not splashed. This can help keep rust to a minimum and can ensure that your rear tire stays clean and free of debris.