Florida Injury Attorney Blog

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 32,855 motor vehicle traffic accidents in the US last year—that’s the lowest number since 1949 and a 2.9% drop from the 33,883 people who died in 2009. The number of Florida traffic deaths also went down by 4.5%, at 2,445 fatalities. There were 115 more in 2009.

Our Miami motor vehicle crash lawyers represent clients throughout South Florida that were injured in car accidents, truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, bicycle collisions, and bus crashes. Please contact us right away if you think you may have grounds for a claim.

Nationally, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood applauded the decline in traffic deaths. He spoke about the progress made toward improving traffic safety while acknowledging that there was more to do to protect motorists.

More US Traffic Death Facts for 2010:
• 22,187 passenger vehicle occupant deaths,1,976,000 injuries
• 12,435 passenger car deaths, 1,258,000 injuries
• 9,952 light truck deaths, 732,000 injuries
• 529 large truck fatalities, 19,000 injuries
• 4,502 motorcycle crash deaths, 82,000 injuries
• 4,280 pedestrian fatalities, 70,000 injuries
• 616 pedalcyclist deaths, 51,000 injuries

Drunk driving was a factor in 31% of fatalities. Also, not all types of traffic crashes saw a drop. The number of large truck-related deaths went up from 2009 by 6%, and there was a slight increase in the number of motorcycle crash deaths as well. There was also an increase in pedalcyclist fatalities and pedestrian deaths. Regarding accident victims that survived with injuries, NHTSA estimates that the total number of motor vehicle injury victims went up in 2010 to 2.24 million people, which is a 1.2% jump from the 2.22 million that were injured in 2009.

Even though Florida provides Personal Injury Protection, if you or your loved one suffered serious injuries in a Palm Beach car accident, you should immediately explore your options by contacting a South Florida injury lawyer. Recovering from a car crash can be tough and costly, as is losing someone you love in a collision. You may not know the extent of your injuries right away, which makes getting a good sense of how much you may ultimately owe in medical and recovery bills tough. This is another reason why you should have an experienced Hollywood, Florida car accident law firm helping you.

Obviously, any decline in Florida traffic deaths is a step forward in terms of improving vehicle safety. Unfortunately, every day, someone is involved in a car accident in this country. As experienced Boca Raton personal injury lawyers, it is our job to make sure that our clients receive all the money owed to them by all negligent parties.

Updated 2010 FARS data includes new measure of 'distraction-affected' fatalities; national attitude survey offers additional insight into problem of distracted driving, NHTSA, December 8, 2011

NHTSA 2010 US Traffic Crash Facts (PDF)

More Blog Posts:
Pro Golfer’s Son Sustains Head Injuries in Palm Beach County Semi-Truck Crash, Florida Injury Attorney Blog, December 2, 2011

Coral Gables Wrongful Death Lawsuit Seeks Damages from 19-Year-Old Allegedly Drunk Driver, Florida Injury Attorney Blog, November 3, 2011

Teen Drivers Continue to Text Despite Knowing the Dangers, Reports Liberty Mutual and SADD Study, Florida Injury Attorney Blog, October 20, 2011

Continue reading "NHTSA Reports 2,445 Florida Traffic Deaths in 2010" »

A bill has now been approved by both the House and the Senate that will likely alter the landscape of who is held liable in Florida auto products liability lawsuits. SB142 requires juries to “consider the fault of all persons” who played a role in causing the traffic crash when trying to determine damages in this type of case. Governor Rick Scott is expected to sign the bill into law.

The new law would neutralize and overturn a Florida Supreme Court ruling from 2001 when the justices said that evidence of what primarily caused the crash, such as a drunken driving or driver error, cannot be brought into defective product cases. In D’Amario v. Ford Motor Co, the justices reversed the decision of the jury in siding with automaker. Ford had claimed that a teenage passenger sustained severe burns and lost three limbs because the driver of the car had been drunk and speeding and crashed the car. The victim's mother Karen D ‘Amario, however, contended that the blast wouldn’t have occurred if the relay switch on the fuel pump hadn’t been defective. When issuing their ruling, the justices determined that evidence of driver negligence confused the jury and should not be brought into cases in the future alleging “enhanced” injuries.

Florida Auto Products Liability
Now, more than ever, it is important that you are represented by an experienced Miami personal injury firm that knows how to make sure you obtain the maximum recovery possible from all liable parties. Car manufacturers are supposed to ensuring that their vehicles and accompanying parts have no defects that could cause serious injuries or deaths during a traffic crash. Examples of common auto defects include those involving:

• Sport utility vehicle rollovers
• Tire blowouts
• Roof crush
• Seatback collapse
• 15-passenger vans
• Faulty seat belts
• Air bags

That said, there may be other parties who should also be held liable for your Palm Beach car defect injuries.

Fla. lawmakers limit lawsuits against auto makers, Miami Herald, May 4, 2011

Fla. House passes bill changing fault rules in liability cases, Naples News, May 4, 2011

Florida Senate Moves to Curb Liability Suits Against Car Makers, Insurance Journal, March 17, 2011

Related Web Resources:
SB142, The Florida Senate

Florida Governor Rick Scott

Florida Supreme Court

More Blog Posts:
Deadly South Florida Crash Near the Palm Beach County Line Claims the Life of Three Children, Injures Two Others, Florida Injury Attorney Blog, April 6, 2011

Mother Awarded $330 Million Florida Car Accident Verdict Over Daughter’s Wrongful Death, Florida Injury Attorney Blog, November 10, 2009

Continue reading "Florida Products Liability: Bill Could Make It Harder for Victims to Win Damages from Auto Manufacturers " »

Three children were killed in a catastrophic South Florida car crash on Sunday. The driver of the vehicle, Steveroy Hansen from Broward County, is the father of two of the kids. According to Florida Highway Patrol, the traffic accident occurred on Florida’s Turnpike when the 1998 Ford Explorer they were riding experienced a tire blowout, causing the vehicle to strike the retaining wall and another SUV and rolled over.

The names of the children that died are brothers Steve Hansen Jr., 11, and Stephaune Sean Hansen, 1, and family friend Laura Miller, 12. All three of them were ejected from the vehicle. Steveroy Hanson, Abigail Hansen, 8, and family friend Oliva Scott, 14, were transported to a West Palm Beach hospital for treatment of their injuries. Another driver, Barbara Ellen Allen, 50, was taken to a hospital after her Ford Escape was struck by debris from the car crash. Also treated for non-life threatening injuries was Satnarine Burton, 39. His Toyota Highlander was the vehicle struck by Hansen’s car.

Police say that the kids who were ejected may have been improperly belted. The authorities are still trying to determine what happened.

Rollover Accidents
Every year, over 10,000 people are injured in rollover crashes. For many of those fortunate enough to survive, they may be left with severe head trauma, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, paralysis, mental trauma, emotional anguish, or other debilitating injuries. Not only is it a motorist’s responsibility to drive safely to avoid involvement in a Palm Beach rollover accident, but also, the car manufacturer must make sure that the vehicle is designed in a way that doesn’t make it likely to rollover and, if rolling over is a risk—as is common with SUV’s and 15-passenger vans—then adequate safety measures must be put in place in the vehicle protect passengers.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding a Palm Beach car colllision, a number of parties can be held liable for injuries or death. Possible responsible parties may include a driver, a car manufacturer, the government entity responsible for the road where the collision happened, the manufacturer of a defective tire or another faulty auto part, and/or others.

Tire blow out causes fatal accident on Florida Turnpike, ABC Action News, April 4, 2011

3 children killed in turnpike crash, Miami Herald, April 4, 2011

Three Kids Killed, Dad Critically Injured In Turnpike Crash, CBS Miami, April 4, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Rollover, PBS

Tire Defects, Safercar.gov

Related Blog Posts:
Ft. Lauderdale Car Crash on I-95 Leaves Couple that was Ejected from Vehicle in Serious Condition, Florida Injury Attorney, March 9, 2011

Woman Struck by Van Dies in Lauderhill Pedestrian Accident, Florida Injury Attorney, August 11, 2010

Family of Naples Woman Files Collier County Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against School Teacher Over Fatal Florida Truck Accident, Florida Injury Attorney, June 17, 2010

Continue reading "Deadly South Florida Crash Near the Palm Beach County Line Claims the Life of Three Children, Injures Two Others" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that with 2,558 Florida traffic deaths occurring last year, the state saw a 30% decline in highway fatalities from the year before when there were 2,980 Florida motor vehicle crash deaths. Alcohol was a factor in 770 of the 2009 Florida auto crash deaths.

Our Miami car accident law firm considers it good news any time there is a decrease in the number of Florida motor vehicle deaths. This decline in fatalities was also reflected nationally last year in what U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is calling the lowest highway fatality number since 1950. Highway deaths dropped from 37,432 in 2008 to 33,808 in 2009.

According to David Strickland, NHTSA’s administrator, anti-drunk driving initiatives and educating people about the importance of seat belt use have contributed significantly to the declining traffic death toll. Law enforcement and safety officials also began taking more aggressive measures to discourage distracted driving, which causes thousands of US traffic crashes annually.

More 2009 US Traffic Safety Facts:
• 2,217,000 Traffic crash injuries
• 17,000 Large truck injuries
• 503 Large truck deaths
• 90,000 Motorcycle accident injuries
• 4,462 Motorcycle crash deaths
• 59,000 Pedestrian accident injuries
• 4,092 Pedestrian accident deaths
• 51,000 Pedalcyclist accident injuries
• 630 Pedalcyclist crash deaths
• 10,839 Drunk driver-related deaths
• 770 Florida drunk driving deaths

Even if you are covered under Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP), you should still explore your Ft. Lauderdale personal injury options. Many Palm Beach car crash injuries are catastrophic and costly and you may want and need to hold any liable parties responsible to help cover your associated damages and costs.

2009 Data Show Major Across-the-Board Declines in all Categories, September 9, 2010
Despite a Slight Increase in Road Travel, NHTSA

Highlights of 2009 Motor Vehicle crashes, NHTSA, August 2010 (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Florida Department of Transportation

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

According to a report issued by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2009, the number of Palm Beach County traffic deaths went down 30% from 2008, while the number of Broward County traffic fatalities dropped 20%.

More 2009 Traffic Statistics from the Report:

• 151 Palm Beach County traffic fatalities
• 189 Broward County traffic deaths
• 2,563 Florida traffic deaths in 2009 (down from the 2,983 traffic fatalities from the year before)
• Traffic deaths in Broward County have been dropping since 2005
• 153 Florida teen driver-related deaths (193 fatalities in 2008)

Our Miami car accident lawyers are always happy to hear about any decline in traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths. That said, if you or someone you love was injured in a Broward County car crash or a Palm Beach County motor vehicle collision, it is important that you explore your legal options right away.

Also, there is more good news in terms of declining South Florida traffic deaths. Two years after the state launched a safety campaign to decrease the number of Florida motorcycle fatalities, these efforts are continuing to pay off. In 2009:

• Florida motorcycle deaths dropped 24%
• Broward County motorcycle fatalities involving passengers and drivers saw a 38% drop
• Palm Beach County motorcycle deaths declined by 47%
• There are 30,990 registered Palm Beach County motorcyclists
• There are 44,349 registered Broward, County Florida motorcyclists

Traffic injuries can be life-altering for the victim and his/her family. While Florida’s Personal Injury Protection provides some coverage, it may not take care of expenses that can be incurred from living with a permanent traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, or another type of catastrophic injury, as well as cover any loss of income and/or benefits that a person would have earned if only he/she would have been able to keep working. We know that no amount of money financial recovery can make up for losing your loved one but it can provide some relief for damages, injuries, losses, and expenses.

raffic fatalities in Palm Beach, Broward counties drop, Sun-Sentinel, July 15, 2010

South Florida motorcycle deaths down after more than a decade of increases, Sun-Sentinel, July 14, 2010

Traffic Crash Statistics Report 2009, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Florida Department of Transportation

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

It took a jury less than one hour to issue a $330 million Florida wrongful death award to the mother of a 13-year-old girl who was killed in a drunk driving accident in April 2007. Shelby Taylor Hagman sustained fatal injuries when the minivan she was riding in was struck by a pickup truck that ran a stop sign in a residential area. Her grandparents were in the motor vehicle with her.

According to police, Christopher Marcone’s blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit at 0.207 when the tragic Florida car accident happened. The 27-year-old motorist is serving 13 years in prison for the fatal incident. He pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter and other charges.

Shelby ‘s mother, Angela Stone, is also suing Kia Motors Corp. Her Florida products liability lawsuit accuses the carmaker of having a defective passenger restraint system in the minivan. Stone contends that the defective seat belt and shoulder harness played a part in causing her daughter’s fatal injuries.

The 13-year-old’s head got caught in the seat belt and she landed with her feet in the air.

People say this is one of the largest Florida awards to ever be issued. The jury decided that Marcone should pay Stone $275 million in punitive damages and $55 million in compensatory damages.

For anyone to die in a car accident is tragic. It is even more tragic when the death could have been prevented if only the liable motorist hadn’t been behaving negligently.

2008 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Accidents (Per the NHTSA):
• 11,733 alcohol-impaired driving deaths in the US
• At least 216 of the victims were kids under age 15
• More than 1400 Florida drunk driving-related deaths

Filing a Florida car accident lawsuit won’t erase what happened or make your injuries go away or bring back your loved one. It is, however, a way to hold the liable parties accountable for their actions and can allow you to obtain financial recovery for the harm that was suffered.

Hernando jury awards mother $330 million in drunken-driving death of teen, Tampabay.com, October 1, 2009

Alcohol-Impaired Driving, 2008 Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA

Related Web Resources:
This story was written from prison by Christopher S. Marcone, Safe Teen Driver

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

For 48-hours, police in Florida are taking part in an aggressive campaign to promote seat belt use. Until Thursday night, over 300 police officers from Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County will look to apprehend any driver for not wearing a seat belt and consider this a primary offense. No other infractions are required in order for the driver to get written up.

Palm Beach County’s seat belt violation fine is $101, Miami Dade County’s fine is $114, and Broward County’s fine is $115. The state and counties also impose additional fees.

The 2-day seat belt campaign, called "Staying Alive on 95 & Florida Roadways,” kicked off on Tuesday when the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law went into effect. The law, named after two teens that were not wearing seat belts when they were killed in Florida car crashes, lets police pull motorists over just because they aren’t wearing seat belts.

The Florida Highway Patrol says the new law is expected to prevent 6,200 serious auto accident injuries and save 262 lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Florida motorists had a 79% safety belt compliance rating for 2007.

Nationally, in 2008, the NHTSA reported seat belt use at 83%—an increase from 2007 when 82% of US motorists wore seat belts. In May, the US Department of Transportation reported that if seat belt use in every US state was at 90%, 22,372 serious injuries and 1,652 deaths could be prevented every year.

Florida Car Accident Lawsuits
Regardless of whether or not you were using a seat belt, you could be entitled to receive Florida car accident compensation if your injuries occurred because another motorist or another party was negligent. If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, or Palm Beach County because the seat belt you were using was defective or malfunctioned, you may be able to file a Florida products liability claim against the vehicle maker or the seat belt manufacturer.

Examples of sea belt defects that may be grounds for a defective seat belt lawsuit:

• Inertial unlatching
• Defective webbing
• Too much seat belt slack
• Seat belt retractor defects
• Seat belt failure
• Poor seat belt design or placement
• Seat belt system failure

Law enforcement plans 48-hour seat belt blitz, Sun-Sentinel.com, June 30, 2009

'Stay Alive on 95' Program Kicks Off Before Holiday Weekend, WOKV.com, June 30, 2009

New Study: Higher Seat Belt Use Could Save Many Lives, NHTSA, May 14, 2009

Related Web Resources:
The Dori Slosberg Foundation

Florida Highway Patrol

Continue reading "Florida Police in Broward County, Palm Beach County, & Miami-Date County Take Part in "Staying Alive on 95 & Florida Roadways" Blitz Promoting New Seat Belt Law" »