Car Accidents Category Archives - Page 10 of 16 - South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg Published by Miami Accident Attorneys

Roadway Fatalities on the Rise Due to Tech-Related Distractions

Published on: March 14, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

The rise of technology has been convenient for a lot of day-to-day tasks. With the click of a button, we can figure out the nearest restaurant and how to get there. But there is a downside as well. Technology-related distractions, such as the use of cell phones, have contributed to many accidents on the road. If a driver who was using their cell phone behind the wheel has injured you, you may be entitled to compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami distracted driving accident lawyers are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable for the harm that they cause.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the United States has seen a 14 percent spike in roadway fatalities over the last two years. It has also seen the biggest back-to-back increase in auto accident death rates per mile driven in more than 50 years. In 2016 alone, over 37,000 people died in roadway accidents. This group includes drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Many blame the increase in accidents on technology-related distractions, such as cell phones. Official figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation rebut this sentiment, showing that only about 9 percent of traffic deaths are caused by distracted driving in general and even fewer specifically by phone use. However, the National Safety Council (NSC) has challenged this data, pointing out that police reports often lack the ability to record technology-related distractions as the cause of an accident. Additionally, many times, the report is contingent on the driver admitting to the distraction, which leads to systematic undercounting. Both the NSC and a recent study by Cambridge Mobile Telematics claim that cell phones play a much larger role in accidents than official figures show. In fact, the NSC claims that based on the under-reporting of distracted driving crashes, the number of fatal crashes that actually take place each year could be double what is recorded in federal data.

Halloween Accidents and Injuries in Florida

Published on: January 29, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Halloween is an entertaining occasion for both children and adults as they get to dress up, participate in trick-or-treating, and attend Halloween parties. While Halloween can be exciting, the reality is that accidents and injuries do occur on this day. If you or someone close to you was injured in an accident that was not your fault on Halloween, we can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami personal injury attorneys have the skill, experience, and determination to handle your case.

While we have heard horror stories about poisoned candy and razor blades hidden in apples, the biggest danger on Halloween is that of car accidents. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that between 2009 and 2013, 43 percent of all motor vehicle deaths that took place on Halloween night resulted from a drunk driving-related crash. In addition, 26 percent of pedestrian fatalities on Halloween involved a drunk driver in 2013. According to the Safe Kids USA organization, children are more than twice as likely to be killed by a car while walking on Halloween night than at any other time of the year.

Just because it is Halloween does not mean that drivers do not need to follow the rules of the road. Drivers who cause an accident by driving carelessly will likely be liable for any resulting harm under the theory of negligence. Negligence occurs when a person causes injuries or death because he or she failed to act as a reasonably prudent person would act under the same or similar circumstances. For example, a reasonably prudent driver would not speed in residential areas in Halloween, understanding the risk of hitting children who may be trick-or-treating. As a result, a driver who causes an accident in this way would be liable for the resulting harm.

Accidents Caused by Animals on the Road in Florida

Published on: January 29, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

There are many factors that can cause accidents on the road in Florida and throughout the United States. Collisions with animals and wildlife can have catastrophic, even deadly consequences. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident involving an animal on the road, it is important to reach out to a skilled Miami car crash attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are available to analyze the facts of your case and help you understand your legal rights and options.

Car accidents involving wildlife are more common than you may think. According to the Defenders of Wildlife’s fact sheet that there are approximately 725,000 to 1.5 million wildlife-vehicle collisions each year in the United States. Some of these accidents occur in Florida, which is why it is important for drivers to know their rights in the aftermath of such crashes.

Earlier this year, a crash with an alligator sent a woman’s car into a wipeout on I-75. The driver of the car survived the deadly encounter, although the accident left her with a cut under her eye and some bruising. By the time she saw the alligator in front of her Ford Escape, there was no chance of avoiding it. She hit the gator, and her vehicle went into a counter-clockwise spin before overturning at least half a dozen times.

Car Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers in Florida

Published on: December 28, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

For many elders in Florida, driving allows them the freedom and independence to get where they want to go without having to ask anyone else. If you are an elder who has been hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we can help. Alternatively, if you have been injured in an accident caused by an elder’s negligence, we can also help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami car accident attorneys have the experience and dedication to handle your case. You can rest assured that we will vigorously advocate for your rights at every step of the way.

The reality is that elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in a car crash. The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) also found that 40.1 million licensed drivers were aged 65 and older across the United States in 2015. That same year, 6,165 people age 65 and older were killed in traffic crashes. This represents approximately 18 percent of all Americans killed on the road. Furthermore, 240,000 older individuals were injured in traffic crashes in 2015.

For elder drivers, a number of factors can make it challenging to drive, such as a natural decline in vision and reaction time, which can contribute to errors behind the wheel. In Florida, drivers over the age of 80 must pass a vision test before renewing their license. The NHTSA reports that older drivers sometimes have a hard time recognizing still objects and moving objects, which can affect their perception of vehicles and pedestrians.

Tropical Storms and Hurricane-Related Auto Accidents in Florida

Published on: December 28, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Heavy winds, rain, and flooding that take place during a tropical storm or hurricane in Florida are nothing to take lightly. These weather conditions often lead to serious car accidents that result in long-term injuries and even death. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a weather-related accident in Florida, you need to reach out to a skilled Miami auto accident attorney who can evaluate the facts of your case. You can rest assured that we will advise you on a sensible course of action so that you can get the compensation you deserve for your harm.

Each year, there are 5,870,000 auto accidents across the United States. According to the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, approximately 23 percent of those accidents are caused by hazardous weather and poor visibility. This means that over a million crashes a year are weather-related. Weather-related crashes are defined as crashes that take place in adverse weather, such as rain, sleet, snow, fog, severe crosswinds, blowing sand, or slick pavement. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that almost 6,000 people are killed each year and over 445,000 are injured in weather-related crashes on an annual basis.

Tropical storms and hurricanes can create dangerous conditions due to the following factors: poor visibility, decreased traction on road surfaces, lane obstructions, and lane submersions. These factors significantly increase the potential of an accident. When adverse conditions exist, it is the responsibility of each motorist to use additional care behind the wheel. For example, drivers should keep their headlights on and maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel at all times. Drivers should also move slowly and give other drivers plenty of space. Of course, if a motorist is caught in the center of a tropical storm or hurricane, there may be some things that are out of a motorist’s control, no matter how much care and caution that motorist uses.

Injuries Caused by Mechanical Malfunctions in Cars in Florida

Published on: December 28, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Car accidents can cause serious injuries and even death, resulting in high medical costs and other significant expenses. If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by a mechanical defect or malfunction, we can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami car accident attorneys will aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve for your harm. With years of experience, we have helped many South Florida clients resolve their injury claims and can help you as well.

While many car crashes are caused by driver negligence, some accidents occur because of mechanical issues. Mechanical problems can cause a driver to lose control of the car and get into an accident. Many types of mechanical defects or malfunctions can cause car accidents, including:

Seat belt injuries;

Examinations Under Oath in Florida

Published on: October 19, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our firm helps clients through every part of the legal process, including preparing clients for statements and Examinations Under Oath (EUO). Our firm has extensive experience in handling insurance cases for Florida clients. An EUO could have serious consequences for your case, which is why you should reach out to a seasoned Miami car accident attorney regarding the matter and even take that attorney with you to the proceeding.

After an automobile accident, if an insured party files a claim for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits under an automobile insurance policy or a policy for medical payment coverage or uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, that party is very likely going to have to attend an EUO. Similarly, if you were a passenger in someone’s car at the time of an accident and are seeking UM coverage, you will likely be required to give the insurance company a statement of EUO.

The EUO is a proceeding in which the insured is asked questions by the insurance company’s representative, typically an attorney, in the presence of a certified court reporter under oath. Put another way, after an automobile accident involving injuries, an EUO gives an opportunity for a representative of a car insurance carrier to get answers from the insured under oath. As a policyholder, you are required to comply as part of the auto insurance company’s accident claims investigation process.

Florida Underride Accidents

Published on: October 4, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Truck accidents can have devastating consequences for people in the smaller vehicle involved. If you or your loved one was injured in an underride accident, it is imperative to seek the help of a Miami truck accident attorney without delay. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we can help you hold negligent parties accountable and recover the compensation you deserve for your harm. For years, we have vigorously advocated for South Florida victims and can do the same for you.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 400 people die each year due to underride accidents. The NHTSA further estimates that more than 5,000 occupants of passenger vehicles sustain severe injuries in these types of crashes on an annual basis.

Underride accidents typically occur when a passenger vehicle collides with a truck and runs under it. Even at relatively low speeds, these accidents can lead to serious injuries and even death to drivers and passengers in the car. There are two types of truck underride accidents that may happen: side underride collisions and rear underride collisions. A side underride collision happens when a passenger car slams into the side of a truck and then slides under it. A rear underride collision occurs when a passenger vehicle runs under the rear of a truck or semi-trailer.

Broken Glass Injuries in Automobile Accidents

Published on: March 20, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Broken glass injuries can be some of the most serious injuries suffered in a car wreck. When broken glass flies through the air, it poses a serious threat to everyone in the vehicle. If you have been injured by broken glass in an accident that was not your fault, you need to seek the help of a Miami car accident attorney who can determine whether or not you may be entitled to compensation.

A broken windshield and broken windows can cause pieces of glass to dangerously fly in every direction in the car. Newer vehicles are equipped with windshields that are designed not to shatter on impact. However, these designs are not always effective in high-velocity wrecks. Broken glass can cause a variety of injuries, including surface level cuts, deep level lacerations, severed limbs, and shock. In the most serious cases, a person could bleed to death due to a broken shard of glass striking a main artery.

The Crashworthiness Doctrine in Florida

Published on: February 10, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

If you have been injured in an accident due to the negligence of another party, it is important to speak to a seasoned Miami injury attorney who can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your harm. We can thoroughly scrutinize the facts of your case and provide you with an honest assessment of your claim.

The crashworthiness doctrine is a legal theory under which an automobile manufacturer may be liable through either negligence or strict liability for injuries a plaintiff sustained in an accident in which a manufacturing or design defect caused or enhanced their injuries. It is important to note that the crashworthiness doctrine essentially says that the manufacturing or design defect caused additional harm in an accident, although those defects did not cause the initial accident itself.

The term “crashworthiness” refers to how a car’s design reacts to an accident. Since collisions are reasonably foreseeable in the life of a vehicle, manufacturers are obligated to make vehicles that can withstand the rigors of “reasonable use.” Put another way, automotive manufacturers have a duty to create vehicles that can endure a crash as safely as possible. For example, a windshield glass that is not shatterproof may spray glass all over the passengers of a car, causing serious injuries.