South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg

Crane Collapses, Slicing Through One Florida House and Damaging Another

Published on: October 4, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Unfortunately, construction accidents have the potential to harm a variety of people including bystanders (i.e., non construction workers or employees). If you or someone close to you has been injured as a bystander due to a construction accident, you need to reach out to a seasoned Miami injury attorney who can help. At The Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we have the experience and skill to handle your case.

The roof on top of one Orlando house sustained significant damage after a truck carrying a crane tipped over, crashing through the roof. A second house was damaged as well. The Orlando Florida Department shared a picture of the crane accident on its Facebook page. Unfortunately, two people suffered injuries, including the crane operator. The other injury was suffered by a man who was inside the home of the damaged roof and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital.

The incident took place around 3:30 in the afternoon. The crane was there for a power pole installation by Florida Power & Light. Power had been knocked out in the area. There was no immediate information regarding the cause of the accident. The crane company has not promised the two families affected by the accident temporary housing while their properties are repaired.

Human Error is the Leading Cause of Self-Driving Car Accidents in Florida and Throughout the Nation

Published on: October 4, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

As self-driving cars become more popular, you may assume that faulty technology is the cause of a lot of Florida car accidents. However, this is simply not the case. Human error is still the leading cause of car accidents even when it comes to self-driving cars. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, you need to reach out to a seasoned Miami injury attorney who can assess the merits of your case. At The Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are committed to getting you the compensation you deserve for your harm.

Computers may be better drivers than humans after all. In a study of automobile incident reports in California, Axios discovered that humans were to blame for the vast majority of collisions on the road. The study, which examined cases from 2014 through 2018, determined that when self-driving cars were in autonomous mode and driving on their own, 38 incidents took place. In each of these accidents except for one, the accidents were the result of human error.

The study also revealed that there were 24 incidents when autonomous mode was on and the vehicle was stopped, none of which were caused by the self-driving technology. Even when the vehicles were in conventional mode (i.e., permitting human interaction), only six of the 19 accidents when the cars were moving were the result of self-driving technology.

Florida Man Killed in Propeller Accident

Published on: October 4, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

If you or your loved one has suffered a serious injury due to an aviation accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At The Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we understand the physical, financial and emotional toll such an injury can have on a person and their loved ones. Not only do medical bills start to pile up, it can be an incredibly stressful time considering you may not be able to work and may be relying heavily on your family to help you with day-to-day tasks. With years of experience, you can rest assured that we will zealously advocate for your rights every step of the way.

Last month, a Florida man was killed by a spinning plane propeller at the Cleveland Regional Jetport. According to Cleveland Police Department public information, L.K., age 69, was found near his private plane with a severe head injury. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died. The plane involved in the incident was a Cessna 182.

The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on the accident, which says that L.K.’s wife was outside of the plane as he performed a preflight inspection of the aircraft. According to the report, L.K.’s wife heard the propeller move and what sounded like the engine trying to start. When she looked up, she saw her husband tumble to the ground and she called for help.

Accident Results in a Truck Dangling over a Florida Bridge

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

Truck accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our skilled Miami truck accident attorneys understand the stress and confusion you may be experiencing, which is why we will handle your case with the utmost compassion.A traffic accident left a truck partially dangling over a Gulf Coast bridge when the driver crashed through a concrete guardrail and caused major traffic delays on one of Florida’s busiest highways. The crash, which occurred last month, left the cab of the truck dangling over the Trooper J.D. Young Bridge on northbound Interstate 75 north of Sarasota for about two hours, essentially blocking all northbound lanes of the highway.

According to one news source, the 49-year-old driver was driving his truck down the highway normally until a car suddenly switched lanes in front of him. In an effort to not hit the car, the driver lost control of the semi-truck and crashed through the bridge’s railing. Fortunately, he was able to get out of the car safely, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Florida Court Dismisses Personal Injury Case Because Plaintiff Concealed Prior Injury

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

If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our seasoned Miami car accident attorneys understand the nuances of Florida personal injury law and can help you navigate the case in an effective and efficient manner.Being forthright and truthful when providing testimony is critical to every personal injury case. When a person fails to provide honest testimony, there can be serious consequences for the case. In a recent Florida case, the state appeals court dismissed a personal injury lawsuit after the plaintiff concealed a history of lower back injuries.

In this case, the plaintiff was riding in a car owned by his girlfriend when the vehicle was hit by a white pickup truck. After the accident, the truck fled the scene. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit after the crash, claiming that the girlfriend’s conduct behind the wheel was negligent and caused him to suffer permanent neck and lower back injuries.

Florida Man Dies After His Motorcycle Strikes Utility Pole

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

Due to the lack of structural protection that a car offers, motorcycle riders are much more susceptible to serious injuries and death in the event of an accident. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you need to reach out to a seasoned Miami motorcycle accident attorney who can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are committed to providing aggressive legal counsel throughout the entire legal process.A Florida man recently died after his motorcycle went off Route 302 and hit a utility pole and a rock as he attempted to regain control and get back on the road. The victim, 69, was riding in the evening with his son and grandson on other motorcycles when the accident took place. Once he struck the utility pole and the rock, police said he was ejected from the motorcycle and died on the spot. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. While the accident is still under investigation, police do not believe that speed or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Florida has the second-highest number of registered motorcyclists of all U.S. states. Sadly, Florida also leads the country in the number of motorcycle accident deaths per year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists account for almost one in five of all of the motor vehicle fatalities in Florida (an estimated 19 percent). To put this into perspective, motorcyclists comprise approximately only 7 percent of all licensed motorists and drivers licensed in Florida.

When a driver fails to operate their motor vehicle in a reasonably safe manner, they may be deemed negligent. In Florida, negligence occurs when a person fails to exercise the degree of reasonable care expected of someone in order to minimize the risk of harm to another person. In order to prove negligence, you must establish the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence: i) the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care; ii) the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff; and iii) the defendant’s breach was a direct and proximate cause of the motorcycle accident and the resulting harm.

Study Determines What Makes Pedestrians More Likely to Die in Auto Accidents

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

Pedestrian injuries can have long-term effects. If you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident due to someone else’s negligence, you need to consult a seasoned Miami pedestrian accident attorney. With extensive experience in Florida personal injury law, we can analyze the facts of your case and provide you with an honest assessment of your claim.The University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research found socioeconomic status is not a statistically relevant factor when considering the likelihood of a pedestrian dying after being hit by a car. These findings refute the assumption that pedestrian crashes disproportionately affect lower-income residents in Tampa – a city that has consistently been rated one of the most dangerous places for walking and biking in the country.

The study found that pedestrians hit at night are more than two times more likely to die in an accident that those hit during the daytime, suggesting that lighting affects accident outcomes.

Florida Distracted Driving Accident Kills 2 Horses and Injures 2 People

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

Truck accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a truck accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence, our seasoned Miami truck accident attorneys can help you make a claim for compensation. At our Law Offices, we are committed to holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they cause.

Distracted driving occurs when the driver engages in any conduct that takes the driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Distracted driving continues to be a huge problem in Florida and across the United States. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that as many 40,000 people died in automobile accident crashes in 2016. That is a 6 percent increase over 2015 and a 15 percent increase over 2014, the most dramatic year escalation in 53 years. The NSC estimates that 25 percent of all crashes involve some type of cell phone use. Alarmingly, a new AAA study finds that more than half of millennial-aged drivers are aware of their dangerous driving habits but think they are acceptable.

Last week, a driver dropped his cellphone and was allegedly bending over to pick it up when his truck hit a 9-year-old girl and woman who were riding horses in Southwest Ranches. The two riders were crossing the road on their horses at the time of the accident and, sadly, both were ejected from their horses upon impact. After the crash, a pink riding helmet and two dead horses lay on the rural road. The young girl was airlifted the hospital and the girl’s guide was also taken to the hospital. Both riders suffered possible life-threatening injuries as a result of the collision.

Court Discusses Employer’s Liability in Pedestrian-Railroad Death Case

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

Losing a loved one is devastating, but it can feel even worse when you feel like the death could have been prevented. If you feel like your loved one’s death was due to another’s negligence, you need to reach out to an experienced Miami wrongful death attorney without delay. At our Law Offices, we are here to answer your questions and address your concerns.

In the recent case of Salerno v. Del Mar Financial Service, an appeals court issued an opinion regarding what duty an employer owes an employee. Ultimately, the court determined that the employer did not owe any duty to the employee and, therefore, could not be held accountable for the employee’s death.

The plaintiff, S.S., worked as a paralegal for a financial services firm. In June of 2013, S.S. became inebriated at work from the alcohol served by the employers. She started getting agitated at other employee and had to be escorted out of the building. As a result of her behavior, her access into the building was rescinded. S.S. began walking home, which was ten miles away. As she was walking along the railroad tracks, she was hit by an oncoming train and instantly killed.

Defective Gun Lawsuits in Florida

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

Sadly, thousands of Americans are injured or killed by firearms each year. While a number of these instances are due to poor judgment, some are caused by defective or faulty guns. If you have been injured or your loved one has been killed by a malfunctioning discharged firearm, you need to contact a seasoned Florida defective gun attorney. At our Law Offices, we will meticulously examine the facts of your case and provide you with an honest assessment of your claim.

Earlier this year, a Bloomberg article discussed how defective guns became the only product that cannot be recalled. The gun manufacturer Taurus sold almost a million handguns that could potentially fire without anyone pulling the trigger. When an injured man tried to get to the bottom of why his gun (made by Taurus) had fired for no reason, he saw that Taurus had a “replace or repair” offer on their site, offering to repair certain guns or buy them back from customers. Despite the man being injured due to the faulty gun, Taurus denied any negligence, wrongdoing or defect in its firearms and also denied that its offer to fix its gun was a recall.

Approximately 500 people are killed in the United States every year due to the accidental discharge of firearms and many more suffer severe injuries due to gun mishaps. A number of these causes are the result of a faulty firearm. Some of the most common types of firearms defects include, but are not limited to, the following: