South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg

Drowsy Driver Causes Accident with Pick-Up Truck in Florida

Published on: December 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Sadly, drowsy driving is the cause of many preventable accidents every year. If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by drowsy driving, it is essential to contact a reliable Miami car accident attorney without delay. We will work tirelessly to help you make the financial recovery you rightfully deserve for your injuries.

Just last month, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers said a drowsy driver caused a serious accident at a toll plaza in Winter Haven. Toll both cameras captured the wreck and showed the pickup truck being pushed forward after an SUV crashed into the back of the truck, causing the truck to slam into a camera, light display and two control panels at the toll booth plaza. The victim who was driving the truck broke his leg as a result of the accident and had a seizure that led him to be put in intensive care. Law enforcement highlighted that accidents at tollbooths are rare since the posted speed limits are low.

Drowsy Driving Accidents in Florida

Drowsy driving, also known as tired driving or fatigued driving, refers to the operation of an automobile while being cognitively impaired due to lack of sleep. Just like drunk driving, drowsy driving can result in impaired judgment and delayed reactions, which can substantially raise the risk of accidents on the road. Unfortunately, drowsy driving accidents injure too many Floridians every year. FHP data shows that there were 4,329 accidents caused by drowsy driving in 2017, which led to 28 deaths. Across the country, data reveals that drowsy driving is responsible for 100,000 collisions.

New Survey Highlights the Need for Parents to be Better Driving Role Models in South Florida and Nationwide

Published on: December 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in auto accidents than any other age group due to inexperience behind the wheel. If you have been injured in an accident involving a teen driver, our Miami auto accident lawyers can advise you of your options. If we accept your case, you can trust that we will tirelessly protect your rights through the entire legal process.

Car accidents are still the leading cause of teen deaths in the US. Given this reality, it is vital for parents and teenagers to have ongoing discussions about how to be safe and responsible behind the wheel. Last month, a survey released by Hum by Verizon during National Teen Driver Safety Week shed some light on how parents need to be an example of safe driving for their children. The evaluation, which surveyed 1,000 US teen drivers, revealed that 79 percent of these drivers stated that they depend on their parents or guardians beyond any other figures to be role models for their driving.

Unfortunately, parents do not always set the right example. The survey found that 80 percent of teenage drivers have seen their parent or guardian drive in an unsafe manner in the past year alone; 57 percent of teenage drivers have seen their parents drive over the posted speed limit; 46 percent of teenage drivers have seen their parents slam on the brakes; and 25 percent have seen their parents drive while not wearing a seat belt or make an illegal maneuver while driving.

Florida’s Medical Malpractice Notice Provision

Published on: December 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Medical professionals have an obligation to deliver competent care to each and every patient. When this does not happen, the consequences can be devastating for a patient’s health and future well-being. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a medical professional’s error, misconduct or negligence, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries through a medical malpractice lawsuit. Medical malpractice lawsuits in any state are complex and Florida is no exception; but, you can take solace in the fact that our reputable Miami medical malpractice attorneys will investigate the facts of your case and determine the viability of your claim.

Medical Malpractice in Florida

In Florida, you can sue a doctor or other medical professional for medical malpractice if you believe you suffered an injury due to that medical professional’s error or misconduct. Medical malpractice takes place when a medical professional, through an act or omission, causes injury to a patient by failing to adhere to the generally accepted standard of care. This standard of care refers to the level of care that a medical professional practicing in the same specialty of medicine would have used under the same circumstances. You should be aware that there is no need to show intent in medical malpractice claims. Rather, you must simply show that the medical professional’s failure to adhere to the standard of care (for whatever reason) was a direct cause of your injury.

Florida Supreme Court Tosses Wrongful Damages Cap Applied by Lower Court

Published on: December 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

A number of people in Florida and across the country suffer from a serious nicotine addiction, which they satisfy by smoking cigarettes. If you or your loved one has developed an illness due to a nicotine addiction after using cigarettes, you may be able to recover compensation for the injury. Our highly reputable Miami injury lawyers have represented numerous smokers and their families in personal injury cases, and can represent you as well. These cases are extremely tricky so having an experienced attorney advocating for you can be the difference between winning and losing a case.

Products Liability Cases

Consumers expect products to be safe. While it is now commonly understood that smoking is bad for your health, this was not always the case. People were already addicted to cigarettes long before tobacco companies began warning smokers of the risks on the packages. This intentional disregard for public health often makes tobacco companies and cigarette manufacturers susceptible to products liability lawsuits. These lawsuits intend to hold manufacturers accountable for placing hazardous products into the stream of commerce.

Wrongful Death Case Caused by Dangerous Product

Florida’s highest court recently published an opinion rebuffing a lower court’s ruling to enforce a seemingly clear-cut rule pertaining to the extent of compensation a party filing a wrongful death claim in the state is allowed to recover. The Supreme Court determined that the court had made a mistake in failing to defer to the jury decision and the trial court ruling in not allowing the defendant’s request to lessen the total compensation given by the jury to the plaintiff.

58-Year-Old Driver Killed After Pulling Over on a Florida Highway

Published on: November 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Highway accidents can be particularly devastating as all vehicles are traveling at high speeds. If you have been harmed in a highway accident, you must contact a Miami personal injury attorney immediately. We will get to the bottom of what happened in your case and help you understand your legal rights and options. Accident victims only have a limited time to file claims in Florida courts so it is imperative to get legal help as quickly as possible after the wreck.

A 58-year-old man recently died after being struck by a car on the Florida Turnpike. C.F. had pulled over to the side of the road when his 2010 Ford Escape began to overheat, according to an accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol. As C.F. exited his car, he was hit by a 2017 Jeep Renegade that had drifted into the emergency lane and died on the spot. The accident took place around 8:30 a.m. in Summerfield. The Ford’s passenger and the Jeep’s driver were not injured. Law enforcement said that charges are pending against the driver of the Jeep. So far, there is no known reason for why her car drifted but authorities have confirmed that alcohol did not play a part in the accident.

Common Causes of Highway Accidents in Florida

The highway is usually a quick and convenient way for a person to get from one place to another but it can also be a dangerous place if drivers do not exercise caution behind the wheel. Highway accidents can have a variety of causes, including but not limited to:

Drunk driving;
Excessive speeding;
Adverse weather conditions;
Unsafe lane changes;
Distracted driving; and/or
Poorly marked construction zones.

20 Dead in Limo Crash

Published on: November 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Limousines are often used to transport a large group of people to and from special occasions such as proms, weddings and birthday parties. Limo accidents can change a person’s life in an instant. In many cases, limo accidents lead to death. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a limo accident cause by a limo driver’s negligence, our Miami injury attorneys can help you build a solid case so you can recover the compensation you are rightfully owed for your harm.

Earlier this month, 20 people died in a limousine crash as they headed to a birthday celebration in New York. Among the deceased were four sisters, other relatives and friends. The accident occurred when the limo ran a stop sign and crashed into the parked SUV outside a store, killing all 18 people inside the vehicle, including the driver and two pedestrians on the road. It was later discovered that the limousine operating company had been cited with a variety of safety violations, and had failed an inspection. In fact, the vehicle had been declared “unserviceable” last month. In addition, the limo driver did not have the commercial license the law requires.

Liability in Florida Limo Accidents

While the incident took place in New York, limousine accidents also lead to devastating injuries in Florida. As a limousine passenger, you may have special legal protections. There are complex rules and regulations that pertain to the operation of limousines, which are considered “common carriers” under Florida law. A common carrier is defined as an individual or company that offers transportation of people or goods for money. A common carrier is held to an extremely high standard and is required to provide safe means of transportation passengers.

NHTSA Data Shows Spike in Large-Truck Occupant Deaths

Published on: November 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents on the road. Unfortunately, these accidents routinely impact people in Florida and across the United States. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a tractor-trailer, you might have the right to recover damages for your medical bills and other losses. With extensive experience in Florida personal injury law, our Miami truck accident attorneys have the skill, experience and compassion to handle your case.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while roadway fatalities decreased 2 percent year-over-year in 2017, that trend was not true for occupants of large trucks. In fact, NHTSA data shows that truck occupant deaths jumped 16 percent from 2016 to 2017 – from 725 to 841 deaths with approximately 40 percent of these occupants not wearing seat belts even though there has been an ongoing effort to educate on the issue. As it stands, there are no precise reasons that were identified for the rise in deaths.

School Bus Ends up in Florida Backyard Swimming Pool After Accident

Published on: November 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Bus accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries. If you have been injured in a bus accident, you need to contact a Miami bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. With years of experience, we know how to uncover the cause of the accident and help you pursue compensation in your case. We know that it is very stressful to deal with a bus accident, which is why we will make every attempt to resolve your case with compassion.

Last week, a school bus wound up partly inside a backyard swimming pool after a separate accident involving a Jeep. The wreck took place in in the Pine Hills area where the driver of the Jeep veered to stop from hitting a lifeless cat on the road and collided into the bus, causing the bus to crash into the fence and ultimately careening into a backyard pool. The bus was carrying nine children, but fortunately no one was hurt in the wreck. The owner of the house was able to help everyone inside the bus exit the vehicle through its rear door, which stayed elevated above the edge of the pool.

Liability in Florida School Bus Accidents

Due to the sheer size and weight of buses, the injuries caused by a collision are often severe and debilitating. This is especially true on school buses where children are often young and more susceptible to harm. In the vast majority of cases, a bus accident is caused by negligence either on the part of the bus driver or another driver on the road. Negligence is the failure of one person to take reasonable care to avoid causing injury or loss to another person. The behavior typically consists of actions but can also consist of omissions when there is some duty to act. Essentially, negligence consists of any error or inattentiveness behind the wheel that leads to a preventable accident. For instance, if a truck rear ends a bus because the truck driver was texting and driving, the truck driver will likely be liable for the resulting harm.

Accidents Caused by Keyless Ignition in Florida

Published on: October 31, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a keyless ignition, you need to contact an experienced Miami car accident attorney who can assist you in securing the compensation you need to deal with your injuries. Whether you were injured due to carbon monoxide poisoning or a rollaway accident, we will evaluate the circumstances of your case and help protect your rights every step of the way.

Keyless Ignitions and Potential Problems

Keyless ignition systems in automobiles have been increasing in popularity over the last decade, presumably due to their convenience and ease of use. A keyless ignition allows a car to be started without a physical key being placed in the ignition. Rather, a key fob is a small device with built in authentication protocol that allows whoever possesses it to start the car.

While key fobs are undoubtedly very convenient, they can also pose safety concerns. The two biggest problems reported by drivers with a keyless entry relate to carbon monoxide poisoning and rollaway accidents. If a car is not turned off, it will continue to run even if the key fob is far away from it. This can lead to a deadly build of toxic fumes in an enclosed space, such as a garage, and may ultimately lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Keyless ignition cars can also cause serious rollaway accidents when they are turned off but not put in park. In other words, if drivers forget to turn off their car and simply exit the vehicle, the car can roll away and cause serious injury and even death to other people.

Olympic Swimmer Involved in Florida Rear End Accident

Published on: October 31, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Rear end collisions may not immediately result in catastrophic injuries the way some other types of accidents do. However, the injuries can manifest later, after some time has passed. If you or someone you know has been injured in a rear end accident, you should consult a Miami rear end accident attorney who can help protect your rights. We will help you seek the maximum possible amount of compensation in your case.

34-year-old Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte informed the police that he had been involved in a car accident last week in Florida, according to a 911 call. In the call, Lochte can be heard telling the 911 operator that he caused a rear-end accident, striking the vehicle in front of him. Lochte was driving a Porsche at the time of the incident and the car he hit was a Nissan. Apparently, the driver in front of Lochte slammed on his breaks and while Lochte tried to veer right, he still ended up striking the vehicle. The Nissan driver was rushed to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Lochte was cited for careless driving but there is no mention of alcohol in the police report.

Fault in Rear End Accidents

All drivers in Florida have a responsibility to behave in a careful and reasonable manner while they are operating a motor vehicle. Overall, this is achieved when the driver obeys traffic laws and drives in a safe way. This includes changing lanes appropriate, abiding by the speed limit and giving other drivers the right-of-way then it is appropriate. When motorists fail to obey the rules, dangerous accidents can take place, including rear end accidents.