Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Car accidents cause many injuries each year, from minor injuries such as broken bones to permanent injuries such as burn injuries and spinal cord injuries. Everyone wants to avoid car accidents in Florida, but many of the tips offered in order to prevent crashes are fairly obvious advice. Here are some expert tips that can really help you in avoiding a car accident in the future:

1) Think ahead. Many drivers keep an eye on the car in front of them, but moving your eyes periodically to the car in front of the car in front of you lets you see potential problems – and react to them – sooner. This simple habit can help you avoid rear-ending another car.

2) Stick to the center or right lane. The “fast lane” gives you fewer options for switching lanes and also gives you less time to respond. That’s one reason why many highway accidents take place in the left lane.

3) Keep your hands on the 9 and 3 o'clock position on the wheel, as you were taught in driver’s education. This helps you maintain best vehicle control. If you are in a possible accident situation and your hands are on the 9 and 3 o'clock position you will have an easier time responding quickly to avoid the accident.

4) Consider your blind spots. After adjusting your side mirrors and rearview mirror as precisely as you can, be sure that you still turn around to look into lanes beside you. Also, consider the blind spots of cars around you – you may be able to see them, but they might not be looking or turning around to check their blind spots.

5) Look out for cars that are drifting in the lane. Drivers in such cars may be tired, distracted, or intoxicated. Steer clear of these drivers or at least keep an eye out for sudden lane changes or other dangerous behavior.

6) Move your seat closer to the steering wheel – position it so that your wrist could rest on the top of the wheel if your arm were outstretched and your back was against the seat. This is the wheel position that race car drivers use, because it allows them to make evasive manoeuvres. This wheel position can help you if you need to act fast to avoid a car accident.

7) Keep your car in good condition. Check the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule and follow it. It may cost a little more, but it can save your life in the event of an accident. A car in poor repair simply will not respond the way you need it to in an accident.

Continue reading "Top Tips to Prevent a Florida Car Accident" »

If you have been in a car accident that has resulted in burn injuries, broken limbs, property damage, brain injury, or other serious injuries, you may not be fully protected by your insurance provider. You may need to follow these tips to ensure that you are truly covered:

1) Treat all accidents as serious accidents. Even a minor fender bender can leave you with pain for months as well as lost wages. Always file a police report and exchange information with the other driver as well as any possible witnesses.

2) Contact your insurance company very soon after the accident, even if you do not want to make a claim. If you think that the other driver was at fault, contact the driver’s insurance provider as well. Contacting your insurance company and the other insurance company ensures that you can still make a claim if you notice an accident-related injury or some property damage after the fact. If there is a problem or disagreement about fault in the accident, file your claim with your insurance provider. Your insurance company will work out fault with the other company.

3) If your car has sustained damage, ask for reimbursement for a rental car or a rental car. Make sure that you get a car that is similar to your own. You should not have to pay for transportation or drive a junker if you have coverage. Also, if your insurance company asks you to take your vehicle to the insurer's preferred auto shop, make sure that there is a lifetime guarantee on the repairs to prevent disputes over shoddy work.

4) Eventually, the insurer will want to be released of final responsibility. You should only agree to this when you are perfectly sure that your car is fully fixed and you have found and fixed all problems related to the accident. If you notice any problems after you release your insurance company of final responsibility, you will need to pay for the repairs yourself. You may wish to hire an independent company to evaluate your car after repairs to ensure that the car is in good working order. After all, you might not be able to see unfinished repairs and other dangerous problems yourself.

5) If your vehicle cannot be repaired, you may need to work harder to get a fair settlement. If you are looking at a large settlement, consider hiring a Florida attorney to represent you with your insurer. Resist accepting your insurer’s first offer.

If you are in a car accident in Florida, hopefully you will not sustain any serious injuries, such as burn injuries or spinal cord injuries. Even a car accident that does not result in fatalities, though, can leave you with injuries that cause you pain or create lost income or huge medical bills for you. If you have been paying car insurance, you may believe that you will automatically have all the help you need in an accident. Unfortunately, if you have been in an accident, dealing with an insurance provider can be difficult. The insurance provider will want to not spend more money than necessary. If you have been in an accident, therefore, you should:

1) Report any car accident to the police if there are any injuries or substantial damage. If there is any possibility of criminal charges, it is important to alert the police. Alerting the police is also important in more serious car accidents because it starts a paper trail that can help you in the event of a lawsuit.

2) Take reasonable steps to protect others and your car at the scene of the accident. Call for emergency help for anyone who has been injured and try to help anyone who has been hurt. Move your car out of traffic to prevent more damage. If your car is damage after the accident because it is in traffic, it may be hard for you to make claims about damage.

3) Start documenting right away. Exchange identification with anyone involved and get the names and badge numbers of any emergency personnel on the scene. Write down the details of the accident and take pictures if you can. Get the phone numbers and names of any witnesses. This can be invaluable in the event that an insurance provider tries to dispute the specific details about an accident.

4) Never accept money or gifts after the accident and do not sign anything. Do not verbally agree to anything and do not admit fault.

5) Contact your insurance provider right after the accident and file a complete claim. Do not complete any body work until your insurance company agrees to pay for all the repairs. When you do get repairs completed, check the repairs to make sure they are completed correctly. Get a receipt from the auto shop and make sure that the address and name of the auto repair shop are on the receipt. Your insurance provider might need this piece of information in order to process your claim. Make sure you understand any other documentation your insurance company needs for your claim. Also, ask your provider what their policy is about supplemental repairs. If the repair shop finds more damages after the original estimate, the policy on supplemental repairs might help you get coverage for these repairs.

6) If you feel that a dispute might occur with your insurance company, avoid signing anything and contact a qualified Florida attorney right away. An attorney can help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve to cover all medical costs and property damage.

Apnea literally translates as "without breath." As the name suggests, people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea momentarily stop breathing in their sleep. This causes their oxygen levels to drop, which in turn robs the brain and heart of the oxygen needed. Those who suffer from sleep apnea generally experience severe fatigue during the day, which can impair their ability to drive. In fact, some people who suffer from this ailment fall asleep for very short periods during the day, even while driving. Even when not asleep, someone with sleep apnea may suffer from impaired alertness, which can cause them to respond slowly to a traffic situation which may lead to an accident.

Anyone who drives with this condition is putting themselves, their passengers, and other drivers at risk for personal injury and even fatal injury. Trucking companies who do not screen their employees for sleep apnea are as reckless as drivers who get behind the wheel knowing that they suffer from this condition. Knowingly operating heavy machinery and vehicles with this condition can lead to injury and death.

Almost twenty million people suffer from sleep apnea. The condition is most likely to affect overweight middle-age men, although anyone can be affected. Currently, airline pilots are screened for the condition. Most truck drivers and all licensed private drivers are not. In addition, many with sleep apnea go undiagnosed for years. Worse, some trucking companies actively lobby for unsafe conditions, allowing drivers to receive only 8 hours of rest in every 24 hours so that fewer drivers can meet more schedules. Evern for drivers not suffering from sleep apnea, 8 hours of rest is not enough for safe driving.

Anyone who has not received enough rest – whether due to sleep apnea or other causes – is a hazard on the roads. Inadequate sleep can lead to severe fatigue, depression, sexual dysfunction, grogginess, loss of concentration, memory loss, and headaches. Over long periods of time, lack of good sleep can cause extreme fatigue, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and other ailments. In fact, some experts suggest that the loss of concentration and grogginess associated with lack of good sleep has similar effects on the body as excessive alcohol.

Sleep disorders have many symptoms. Excessive fatigue, snoring, or gasping for air while sleeping can all be symptoms of a sleep disorder and should be investigated promptly. Testing for a sleep disorder usually is quite simple – the patient will sleep overnight at a special facility while their muscle activity, breathing, blood pressure, heart, oxygen level, and periods of REM sleep are measured. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, the relatively simple treatment involves a small pump which ensures that air is passed through the airway while the patient sleeps. This simple treatment can help prevent many car accidents and fatalities. In sever cases, a thirty minute nasal surgery under local anesthetic can help correct the sleeping problem permanently.

Unfortunately, many drivers who know they are exhausted continue to get behind the wheel, and this causes much tragedy on Florida roads each year. If you or a loved one have been injured by a truck driver or car driver who fell asleep at the wheel, Florida law protects you. You can seek damages to replace your lost income and to get the medical treatment you deserve. At the same time, you can work to ensure that the unsafe driver does not harm others in the same way. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a qualified Florida lawyer at once by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN). Your initial consultation with our experienced Florida attorneys is at no cost and does not obligate you in any way.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that between December 30, 1987 and the end of 1991, more than 1033 deaths and 224,500 injuries could be attributed to ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles). In this time period, 40% victims were under 16 years of age. While the number of injuries related to three-wheeled ATVs decreased in this time period – largely because manufacturers stopped making these models – the number of injuries and fatalities from four-wheel ATVs experienced a 70% increase in the 1987 to 1991 time period. In 2004 alone, ATVs killed at least 130 children and injured over 44,000. That same year, serious ATV injuries requiring emergency room treatment numbered 136,100.

Legislators have spent some time trying to regulate ATVs, but with minimal success. Since ATVs are not considered cars, children can easily ride them, even unsupervised. In fact, most states do not even have laws requiring children wear a helmet when riding ATVs. Worse, most ATVs are operated on private property, which means that regulating use of these vehicles would be difficult, even if laws were in place.

ATVs are sometimes driven under the influence and at high speeds, and this only leads to more accidents. Florida residents love ATVs and sometimes operate them on very rough terrain, where the vehicles can easily overturn. To help prevent accident, manufacturers and the CPSC both recommend that riders use common sense, low speeds, and goggles and helmets when operating ATVs.

ATV injuries can be severe and even life-threatening. Many of the same injuries that customers experience in car accidents can also be experienced in an ATV crash. Victims of ATV accidents may experience burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken limbs, brain injuries, and other forms of trauma. Unfortunately, since many ATVs are ridden in remote locations or on private property, it sometimes takes more time for paramedics to arrive. If you operate an ATV, it might be a good idea to invest in a GPS device and a cell phone. Having this equipment with you at all times when you ride your ATV can ensure that you can seek help should you need it.

Another problem associated with ATVs is that there have been many recalls, stemming from unsafe products. Some ATVs have been found to be defective, and these defects have been linked to injuries and even deaths. Some models, for example, have been found to easily rollover, causing serious injury to the driver. If you own an ATV, you will want to check with your manufacturer regularly to ensure that your ATV model is not affected by a recall.

If you or a loved one have been injured by an ATV that is defective or have been injured due to poorly maintained property, Florida law protects you and ensures that you can seek assistance. A good Florida attorney can help ensure that you get the settlement you are entitled to, which can help you pay for excellent medical care. . If you need to speak to a Florida attorney, arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified Florida lawyer by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN).

In Florida and across the country, brain injuries occur every day. As a result of slip and fall accidents, car accidents, construction accidents, industrial accidents, and other types of unfortunate events, brain injuries affect thousands of victims every year. Just as each individual is different, so too, the ways that the brain reacts to injury vary. In general, brain injuries can be divided into various types:

*Traumatic brain injuries. These types of injuries occur when an outside force impacts the head in such a powerful way that the brain moves within the skull. Since the brain is made up of soft tissue, when the brain impacts against the inside of the skull, damage can occur. In addition, traumatic brain injury can also occur when an outside force impacts the head strongly enough to crack the skull and directly injure the brain. These types of brain injuries are often the result of physical violence, firearms, car accidents, falls, and other serious injuries.

*Shaken baby syndrome. In this type of brain injury, the head is shaken so hard that the brain moves rapidly back and forth, damaging brain tissue and ripping apart the fibers. Although physical violence is most often the cause, adults can get this injury too, often as a result of violence or car accidents. This type of injury is also considered a traumatic brain injury.

*Diffuse Axonal Injury. This type of brain injury is also caused by strong shaking of the head, either through violence or through a car accident. In a Diffuse Axonal Injury occurs because the brain and the skull do not move together (the brain stays still or lags in movement as the skull moves) and this causes some brain structures – including nerve tissue -- to tear.

*Concussion. This is the most common kind of brain injury and can occur with a direct blow to the head, violent shaking, a gunshot wound, or from whiplash. A concussion can lead to stretched blood vessels and cranial nerve damage.

*Contusion. This type of injury occurs when a bruise (or bleeding) forms on the brain. Usually, this is caused by a direct impact to the head. If a contusion is large, surgery may be needed to remove it.

*Coup-Contrecoup Injury. This type of injury is essentially a contusion which occurs on both the site where the impact occurred and on the opposite side of the brain. This type of injury occurs when a direct impact is so severe that the brain hits the skull on the site of impact and then slaps against the opposite side of the skull, causing two sites of bruising.

*Second Impact Syndrome. Also known as "Recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury," this type of injury occurs when someone incurs another brain injury before the first has had time to heal. Even if the second injury is less severe, it can lead to widespread damage because the brain is already injured and therefore more vulnerable. Recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury is a medical emergency, even if the injury does not seem severe, because a victim can die quite suddenly from this type of injury.

*Penetration Injury. As the name suggests, this injury occurs when a sharp object pierces the skull and impacts the brain.

*Anoxic Brain Injury. This type of injury occurs when the brain’s supply of oxygen is cut off, and the cells which need oxygen to function and survive are affected.

*Hypoxic Brain Injury. This type of brain injury occurs when not enough oxygen reaches the brain so that cells can function properly.

If you or a loved one have sustained a brain injury, it is important to speak to a Florida attorney. In cases where someone’s negligence has caused the injury or worsened it, Florida law protects you and ensures that you are eligible to receive help so that you can afford the best treatment possible. If you need to speak to an attorney, you can enjoy a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified Florida attorney simply by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN)

According to the CDC, brain injuries are most often caused when a jolt or blow to the head causes a mild brain injury known as a concussion. The CDC advises that anyone who has suffered a blow to head to look out for symptoms of a concussion, which can include:

1) Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions.

2) Fatigue and headaches

3) Unusual emotional symptoms, such as listlessness anxiousness, sadness, irritability, and so forth. It is especially important to be on the look out for these symptoms when they appear for no reason. Unexplained emotional upsets can often be a sign of brain injury.

It is best that if you have suffered a jolt or blow to the head for any reason -- including a car accident, slip and fall accident, or any other personal injury -- that you seek medical help right away. A physician can examine you and determine whether you have been injured. However, it is also important not to depend entirely on an initial medical examination by a physician. Even if a doctor has said that you seem okay, if you develop symptoms after experiencing a blow to the head, get re-evaluated or ask for a second opinion. Sometimes, it takes time for the symptoms of a brain injury or concussion to manifest themselves. Also, medical mistakes do occur and sometimes a physician will simply miss some of the symptoms and signs of a brain injury.

Brain injuries are as unique as the individuals who suffer from them. There are many types of brain injuries that can occur and each patient tends to recover from a brain injury differently and display different symptoms. This is one reason why diagnosing brain injury can be challenging. If you suspect that you have a brain injury, seek medical help right away, even if a physician has already stated that you likely do not have a brain injury.

If you've suffered a brain injury because of someone's negligence or reckless behavior, contact an attorney as well as a doctor. A qualified Florida attorney can help ensure that you get all the legal protection you are entitled to. This can be important, since brain injuries can take a long time to recover from. Some brain injuries can be permanent, and can affect your income level, medical bills, and much more. A qualified Florida attorney can ensure that you have the financial resources you need so that you can rebuild your life after an accident. If you need an experienced Florida attorney, arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN).

According to many studies, car crashes are among the leading causes of death for US children, even though these fatalities are largely preventable. According to the NHTSA, something as simple as placing children in age-appropriate and size-appropriate car safety or restraint systems reduces the risk of fatalities and injuries by more than half.

According to the NHTSA, 1,451 children under 14 years of age died automobile crashes, and another 203,000 were injured in 2005 alone. On average that is about 4 deaths and 556 injuries daily. Almost half of the fatalities involving children in car accidents involved children who were unrestrained in the car.

Car accidents involving injuries to minors and children are an especial concern during the summer, when Florida parents are transporting children to camps, child care, summer programs, friends homes and so forth. Children simply spend more time in cars during the summer, on average, and that means a bigger chance for children to be injured in Florida car accidents.

According to the NHTSA, there are several things that parents can do to avoid childhood fatalities, burn injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries that can occur to child passengers in motor vehicle accidents. The NHTSA recommends that all passengers ages 12 years old and younger be placed in the back seat and properly restrained every time they ride in a car. Even on short trips, proper restraints such as rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats, and booster seats can save lives in the event of an accident.

The NHTSA also recommends that parents read car seat instruction manuals and vehicle owner’s manuals when properly installing and using restraints and seats for children. According to one study, up to 72% of child restraint systems are used incorrectly at least part of the time, dramatically increasing the chances of injury in the event of an accident.

Parents should contact the manufacturer of child restraints and seats periodically and contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regularly to find out about any product recalls. Defective child restraints and child seats can cause serious injury and harm. If your child has been injured by a defective restraint or seat system, contact a good Florida attorney in order to get help and in order to prevent other families from suffering through similar tragedy.

In a perfect world, anyone injured in a car accident would get immediate and full help with their injuries. Any driver whose negligence caused the injuries would be held responsible. As Florida attorneys know, however, the world is not perfect, and in some car accidents, victims have trouble getting the legal help they need. Even in cases where one driver was clearly negligent, certain issues can affect the income of a case:

1) Hit-and-run accidents. In cases where a driver does not stop at the accident scene, it is difficult to launch a lawsuit. The driver who left the scene must first be found and positively identified. Witnesses or evidence needs to be provided to prove that the driver left the scene of the accident.

2) Accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians. When a car strikes a pedestrian or bicyclist, the injuries to the pedestrian or bicyclist can be very severe. These sort of accidents have a high rate of fatality and many pedestrians and bicyclists struck by cars suffer serious injuries such as spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and brain injuries. Despite this, injured parties often have a hard time making claims against drivers, since drivers will often attribute the accident to the behaviour of the pedestrian or bicyclist. Motorcycle drivers can face the same problems.

3) Accidents involving buses. Since buses often are used by large and well-insured companies, launching a claim is often difficult. The fact that passengers often do not wear seatbelts on buses also can complicate the case.

4) Car accidents caused by road conditions. In cases where road debris, road design or road condition causes an accident, it is often very challenging to prove who is at fault. In some cases, agencies responsible for road repair and maintenance may have immunity which limits lawsuits.

5) Vehicle Modifications. In cases where a car has been modified with powerful or tinted headlights, foglights, window tinting, or other modifications, these changes can affect the safety of the car. Despite this, proving that a car modification caused a car accident can be tricky.

Continue reading "Issues That Can Affect Florida Car Accident Claims" »

Automobile crashes – both minor and major – occur every day in Florida. Some are no more than small fender benders. In these accidents, damages are often covered by insurance. However, larger car crashes sometimes lead to serious injuries, including brain injuries, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, permanent disability, and even death. In these cases, insurance often will only cover a fraction of the total cost of the accident. Victims of such accidents often need to turn to a good Florida attorney to get the help they are entitled to under the law.

According to studies, most car accidents are caused by driver errors such as disregard of traffic signs, failure to yield the right of way, following too closely behind another car, unsafe passing, and speeding. In these cases, distractions are often a contributing cause of accidents. When a driver is attempting to do something other than drive to when attention is distracted by something inside or outside the vehicle, a bad car crash can result.

Another common cause for car accidents has to do with a diver’s condition. If a driver drives while ill, for example, he or she may be too fuzzy-headed to respond to traffic correctly. If a driver drives while intoxicated, response times are often too slow for safety. Drivers who drive while very tired also run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel and causing a serious accident.

Environment plays a key role in some accidents. Bad weather can impair visibility, diminish traction and generally pose challenges for the driver. Poor roadway design or poor road maintenance can also add to the risks of car accidents. A driver is responsible for slowing down and taking extra precautions when the weather is bad. However, poor road conditions may be partly the fault of a city or government agency.

In some cases, vehicle defects can cause accidents or injury in an accident. Poorly designed or manufactured cars may be subject to tire blowouts, brake failure, rollover, or other problems. In a case where a passenger or driver is injured because of product defect, an attorney may need to pursue a case against the manufacturer of a vehicle or part of a vehicle or even against a service center that left a vehicle in dangerous condition.

According to statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2004, 3,355 car occupants ages 65 and older were involved in fatal car accidents. More than 177,000 seniors aged 65 and older across the country suffered injuries in car accidents in 2005. In 2004, more than 28 million licensed drivers in this nation were 65 years of age or older.

In Florida, the rate of car accidents among older drivers is an especial concern. Many senior citizens choose to retire in Florida or travel to the state in order to enjoy a vacation or some time in the sun.

Across the country, the rate of fatality and injury in car accidents is a concern. Older car occupants and drivers who are in car accidents can face longer recovery times than younger passengers and drivers. Hip fractures and bone fractures may take longer to heal. In cases where an elderly person is already having difficulty with mobility, nonfatal injuries such as burn injuries and brain injuries can prove incapacitating. Injuries that to younger drivers might require extended recovery time might prove fatal to older victims. The CDC has reported that older drivers are more likely than younger drivers to die from their injuries after a car accident.

Another problem is that elderly drivers are sometimes blamed for car crashes. Some people feel that elderly drivers pose a risk on the roads. Statistics do not support this idea. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the motor vehicle death rate among drivers ages 70 and over has remained steady, at roughly 23 per 100,000, for more than ten years.

Some studies have suggested that age-related decreases in physical mobility, vision, and cognitive functions can affect the driving ability of some drivers, but there is no conclusive evidence that the elderly make poorer drivers than their younger counterparts. In fact, the CDC has released findings that show elderly adults are more likely to wear seat belts than other age groups except young children. CDC has also released findings that elderly drivers are more likely to drive only when driving conditions are safe and tend to drive fewer miles that other motorists. The CDC has also released studies that prove that elderly drivers are less likely to drink and drive than their younger counterparts. All of this suggests that while older drivers are more likely to suffer serious injury and even death in car crashes, they are less likely to cause accidents.

Continue reading "Are Elderly Florida Drivers At Higher Risk of Injury in Automobile Accidents?" »

Now that summer has hit Florida, more drivers may be on the roads. Families will be shuttling back and forth between summer camps, jobs, and summer attractions and more high-school-aged motorists will be on the roads rather than in the classrooms. This, combined with the consumption of alcohol during summertime parties and events can create a potentially deadly combination.

Although programs to raise awareness about DUI have been in existence for years, thousands of Americans each year continue to die from DUI-related car accidents and tens of thousands of Americans of all ages continue to suffer injuries caused by these accidents. Serious brain injuries, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other injuries result from car crashes each year. Some of these injuries require months or even years of recovery. Some of these cause permanent disability.

There is some good news. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over the past two decades, fatal crash accidents involving DUI and drivers between 18 and 20 years of age have decreased by 60%. In the past few years, though, the CDC reports that the reducing accident rate has slowed. To lower the rate even more, more steps will have to be taken.

The CDC also recently reported that when sobriety checkpoints are used, less DUI-related automobile accidents occur. Research has shown that these checkpoints consistently reduce car accidents by to 10%. Interestingly, the study found that the checkpoints were effective whether they were implemented over time or used in short-term bursts.

Another CDC report suggests that DUI legislation, enforcement, and education can reduce car accidents caused by alcohol. The study found that states where MADD has assigned low grades for DUI prevention activities were 60% more likely to have DUI-related accidents that states with high grades from MADD.

Continue reading "DUI Still Causing Car Accidents in Florida and Other States" »

Among US teens, car accidents are the leading cause of death, representing 36% of all teenage death, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). When teenagers are in car accidents, they often sustain serious injuries, including burn injuries, fractures, facial injuries, spinal cord injuries, trauma, head injuries, and other serious wounds.

Sadly, some younger drivers have their entire lives cut short or hampered as a result of injuries sustained in car accidents. Injuries from car accidents can affect a teenager’s ability to attend school or hold down a job. The permanent injuries caused by some car crashes can affect a young driver’s future chances of employment. Worse, teens do not always fare well when seeking help. Since teen drivers are minors, they often have fewer chances to pursue legal action against other drivers’ negligence.

The statistics surrounding minors and car accidents are alarming. In 2004, 4,767 teens between the ages of 16 and 19 died of personal injuries caused by car crashes. In 2005, according to the CDC, almost 400,000 teen car occupants suffered injuries requiring emergency department treatment. Per mile driven, teen drivers are four times as likely as their older counterparts to crash. This makes car crashes one of the leading causes of injuries to minors and children.

There are many risks associated with teen driving. According to the CDC, teen drivers with teen passengers have a greater risk of crashing. Not wearing seat belts, being distracted by a cell phone, being tired behind the wheel, and driving while impaired can all affect a driver’s ability to drive safely. However, teenagers do not have to be driving in order to be at risk. Studies have shown that teenagers will knowingly be a passenger in a car with an impaired or unsafe driver at least some of the time.

Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely to be in a car accident during the first year they are on the road. Studies have revealed that this is partly because younger drivers are more likely than their older counterparts to dismiss or underestimate dangerous situations. Teen drivers have also proven to use excessive speed and to allow shorter headways when driving. Teens also have lower instances of seat belt use. The CDC reports that in 2005, 10% of high school students surveyed admitted that they rarely or never use seat belts when riding with someone else.

Luckily, the CDC reports that drivers licensing programs can reduce fatal car accidents up to 38% and can reduce car accident injuries by up to 40%. Good education can help teenagers and other drivers stay safer on the roads. Awareness of risk factors can also help minors make better decisions when operating a vehicle.

According to materials published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), alcohol-related car crashes kill an American every 31 minutes and cause a non-fatal personal injury every two minutes. In 2005 alone, 39% of all car-accident related deaths involved car crashes that were alcohol-related. This means that 16,885 Americans died that year in fully preventable alcohol-related car accidents. In that same year, almost 1.4 million divers were arrested for driving under the influence. According to studies, that is less than one percent of the drivers who were impaired behind the wheel but were not caught.

Tragically, in 2005, 48 children were killed as pedestrians or as bicyclists when they were hit by impaired drivers. It is estimated that alcohol-related car accidents cost the country about $51 billion annually. In addition to the many fatalities that impaired driving causes, car accidents caused by impaired drivers cause property damage and lead to serious brain injuries, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-altering injuries.

These statistics paint a grim picture, and many law enforcement groups as well as non-profit organizations have become involved in trying to stop these accidents. Among the tools used to stop car accidents caused by impaired drivers are the following strategies:

*Strict enforcement of current rules. Enforcement of laws concerning 0.08% BAC and legal drinking age as well as strict enforcement of traffic laws can help prevent car accidents. Also, implementing zero tolerance policies for drivers younger than 21 years old can help. Some experts have suggested lowering the BAC (legal limit for blood alcohol concentration) to 0.05% to further prevent fatalities and injuries.

*Immediate suspension of driving privileges for anyone who drives while intoxicated. Experts suggest that this can help stop drivers who routinely drive while impaired.

*Sobriety checkpoints that randomly check motorists for impairment.

*Community awareness campaigns and educational programs that teach motorists about the dangers of DUI.

* Mandatory treatment and assessment for substance abuse for motorists found to be driving under the influence.

Continue reading "Impaired Driving a Key Cause of Florida Car Accidents and Nationwide Crashes" »

This summer season, the CDC is working with law enforcement agencies across the country to promote a summer campaign called “Click It or Ticket.” This US-wide seat belt enforcement program hopes to reduce the personal injuries and deaths that are caused by car crashes. Running from May 21 to June 3, the program will try to get everyone to buckle up each time they get into a car. Campaign organizers say that they hope the lessons learned will last far past June 3.

During 2005 alone, safety belts are estimated to have saved the lives of 15,632 Americans over 4 years of age. According to the same 2006 NHTSA findings, child-restraints helped to save 420 children ages 4 years and younger. Studies show that passengers and drivers alike have halve their risk of dying in car accident just by wearing a seat belt.

According to the CDC, personal injuries caused by car crashes kill more Americans between 1 and 34 years of age than any other cause. According to the NHTSA, 31,415 car occupants died in the United States in 2005 in car accidents. More than half of these victims were not wearing seat belts.

In addition to the fatalities, many more occupants sustained serious burn injuries, scarring, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, brain injuries, and other disfiguring and disabling injuries. Just as seat belts can help prevent deaths, so the CDC points out that seat belts and child restraints for younger passengers can dramatically reduce the instances of serious injury.

Now that the summer means more children home from school, the CDC and law enforcement officials across the country hope that more parents and children will buckle up. More children will be driven to camp, stores, and extracurricular activities at all hours of the day and night in the summer. It is imperative that everyone in every car is using seat belts to help prevent tragedies this summer.

If you or a loved one have been inured in a car accident, contact a Florida attorney today. Qualified Florida lawyers can help you get answers about the accident and can help ensure that you get all the assistance you are entitled to by law. If a seat belt or car part is proven defective, Florida attorneys can help ensure that other families do not suffer because of the unsafe product.