Buses are used in many environments. In Florida theme parks, buses are used to transport tourists to attractions. Around cities, they are used as mass transit. Church groups, schools, airports, and other organizations all rely on these motor vehicles to transport people.
Yet while bus accidents are less common than car accidents, these collisions do happen. Common types of bus accidents in Cooper City and the surrounding area include:
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), about 400 people die in wrong-way accidents each year. While this is a relatively small percentage of the over 30,000 car accident fatalities that happen across the country each year, wrong-way accidents are notable for two reasons: they are almost always entirely preventable and they have a much higher-than-average rate of fatalities.
Taken at Fairfield Waters Townsville Qld.© 2010 I retain Copyright.
Across all collisions, the rate of fatalities is under one percent. For wrong-way collisions, that jumps to 22%. Being in a wrong-way accident in Hollywood or your community is more likely to lead to fatal or serious injury, in part because speeding is often a factor in these crashes. In many cases, these are drunk driving accidents and can be prevented.
March is Sleep Awareness Month. Promoted by the National Sleep Foundation, Sleep Awareness Month is meant to raise awareness about the importance of sleep for health and safety. Experts and researchers have long maintained that quality sleep is important because inadequate sleep can lead to:
The problem is that even when we think we are getting enough sleep, our quality of sleep can still leave a lot to be desired and can leave us feeling tired or unwell. This month, there are several things that you can do to ensure a good quality sleep in your Hollywood or Florida home:
Driving alone is a fact of life, whether you are running errands, heading to classes, or simply going for a drive along the coast. When you don’t have passengers, however, you may be more at risk of certain crimes, such as muggings or theft when you exit or enter your car. If you are in a car accident in Miramar or your community when driving alone, you may not have someone else on hand to call for help if you are too injured to call emergency services.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make driving alone a little safer:
Many drivers know that if they have been in a serious car accident or have lost a loved one in a fatal traffic accident in Pompano Beach or another community, it is important to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney for legal advice. However, what happens if you are in a minor accident with injuries such as a partially dislocated joint or other injuries which a doctor deems minor? Should you still consult with a personal injury attorney in Pompano Beach or your community?
In almost all cases, the answer is yes. If you have sustained an injury in a car or truck accident in Pompano Beach or anywhere in Florida, there are many reasons to speak with a qualified lawyer:
1) It will not hurt your situation. Speaking with an attorney will not mean that you embark on a course of action that you can’t undo. Most attorneys in Southern Florida will speak with you with no obligation, so you will not be pressured into any action you don’t want to take. Some will also not charge you anything for your first consultation, so you really risk nothing in getting a legal opinion.
2) Speaking with an attorney will give you important information about what to do next. One of the big advantages in speaking with an attorney is that they can help you see your situation from a legal professional’s point of view. They can review all your options, so that you can consider solutions you didn’t even realize you had. Knowledge is power, and a lawyer can help you understand your situation more clearly, so that you can take the right steps in your case.
3) You don’t need to pursue legal action to speak with an attorney. Even if you decide not to pursue a lawsuit, there will be many legal issues to work out after most traffic accidents. A qualified attorney can guide you through the legal process and may even be able to negotiate with insurance carriers.
4) Your injuries may be more severe or expensive than you realize. Even if a doctor tells you that your injuries are minor, keep in mind that even a small injury can mean expensive treatment and weeks of lost income. An attorney can help you understand the likely costs of your injuries and can work to build a case so you don’t have to pay all these costs yourself. In some cases, misdiagnosis in Pompano Beach also leads to problems in car accident cases. If you are incorrectly diagnosed after your car accident, you may need an attorney to help show insurers and other liable parties that your injuries were in fact more severe than initially supposed.
Davie motorcycle accidents can be among the most devastating types of Davie traffic accidents you can be involved in. The difference in size and force between a passenger vehicle or truck and a motorcycle is substantial. This means that in any collision involving a motorcycle, it is likely that the motorcycle and rider will sustain more serious damage. In addition, motorcyclists are far less protected in the event of a collision when compared with truck drivers and passenger car. While most traditional vehicles protect passengers with layers of glass, plastic, metal, there is often little or nothing between the motorcyclist and the road.
One of the most common injuries sustained in Davie motorcycle accidents are head injuries. When a Davie car accident involving a motorcycle occurs, the motorcyclist is often thrown from the motorcycle or dragged along for some time. When the head comes into contact with pavement or the roadway, serious injury will result, especially if the motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet or if the helmet becomes dislodged during the accident. Davie head injuries resulting motorcycle accidents are often fatal or leave permanent injury.
There many types of head injuries that can occur in a motorcycle collision. For example, the brain can become swollen, bruised, or can bleed inside the skull. When this happens, it can result in fatalities or serious injuries as brain tissue is damaged or destroyed. Most often, this type of injury happens when the head strikes a hard surface during a Davie motorcycle crash. When this occurs, the brain ricochets off the inside of the hard skull, causing serious injury.
Another common type of injury occurs when the skull is actually cracked or fractured during a Davie motorcycle collision. Most often, this occurs when the motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet. When the skull was fractured, the brain inside is also damaged, leading to swelling and other injuries. Surgery is often required as is an extensive rehabilitation and recovery time. Wearing a helmet can help prevent the more serious types of brain injuries that can occur with a motorcycle accident. Although not required by law in every state, motorcycle helmets save lives and should always be used by motorcyclists.
A less common but equally devastating type of Davie brain injury occurs when the skull is penetrated by an object during a Davie traffic accident. This can occur if the motorcyclist is thrown from the motorcycle and an object traveling at a high speed becomes impaled in the skull. When this occurs, surgeons often have to carefully remove the object in order to allow the brain to heal. In many cases, however, these types of accidents can prove fatal as they damage large portions of the brain.
Much has been written in recent years about the dangers of driving while fatigued. Tired drivers not only contribute to many Florida car accidents and traffic accidents, but they often make errors that lead to pedestrian accidents, too. Fatigue is common during the holiday season, when many of us face daunting to-do lists and hectic schedules, but fatigue can be a danger during the holiday season because it can lead to many types of accidents and injuries:
1) Injuries to minors and children. Children need constant supervision, especially during the holiday season, when they are home from school. Tired parents simply cannot keep up with smaller children, leaving children to their own devices – and free to get into any number of accidents.
2) Burn injuries. Being too tired and out of focus can mean leaving candles burning or a stove on, which can all too easily lead to a fire. Every holiday season, some Florida burn injuries and fires are caused by individuals who simply forget to unplug holiday decorations or blow out that candle.
3) Premises liability claims. With more guests arriving at our doors, it is important to keep our homes safe – no matter how long our to-do list is already. Clearing sidewalks, keeping our walkways well-lit and generally maintaining our property helps prevent Florida slip and fall accidents as well as other incidents which can easily lead to a lawsuit.
Sleep may be at a premium during the holidays, but it is important to remember that fatigue clouds our judgment and slows our response times. In fact, this is why driving tired can be as dangerous as driving drunk. When we’re tired, we also have a hard time keeping a handle on the minor dangers in our lives and we sometimes forget to take the small steps that can help prevent an accident or injury.
The holidays generally mean travel, and since more people are on the move to attend holiday gatherings and family events, added congestion can mean more accident risks. To travel safe this holiday season, consider:
1) Taking public or alternate transit. If you are tired or will be driving in unfamiliar surroundings, especially, it can be safer to travel by something besides car. Florida train accidents, bus accidents, and plane accidents are far less common than Florida car accidents, so consider alternate travel.
2) Know how to travel safe. If you must travel by car, make sure that you are prepared to do so. Do not drive tired or distracted. Get a good night’s rest and turn off your mobile device before getting in the car. Consider sharing the driving with someone else and take frequent breaks to rest.
3) Assess the dangers of your mode of travel. If you are traveling by car, Florida car accidents are your biggest risk. If you are traveling by plane, you will need to follow airline safety rules. If you are taking a long flight or train trip, consider making a plan to take frequent breaks in order to stretch your legs. When you sit for long periods of time, especially in a cramped space such as an airplane seat, you may be more at risk of blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.
4) Familiarize yourself with your route. The more you know about your route, the more likely you are to predict possible dangers and problems before you encounter them. For example, if you are traveling to a remote area of the world by plane, consider the special safety precautions you will need to take as well as the insurance you may need to get to your destination safely.
5) Wear the right clothing. Comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes that offer plenty of support are important. Each year, Florida slip and fall accidents take place on trains, airplanes, buses, and in driveways. Good shoes and sensible clothes allow you the freedom of movement you need to get to your destination safely – no matter how you are getting there.
The Florida Court of Appeals is allowing a driver to sue the Florida city of Boca Raton for negligence, potentially creating a precedent for other drivers injured in a similar manner. The case, Marion v. City of Boca Raton, involves driver Elizabeth Marion, who was driving through the intersection of Glades Road and Renaissance in Boca Raton when she was involved in a traffic accident. The traffic control lights were in “safe mode” because they were malfunctioning and it was these lights, Marion successfully argued, which contributed to her accident.
During the case, it emerged that city workers were called to the intersection twice during the 36 hours before Marion’s Florida car accident. Both times, workers simply reset the lights rather than investigating why there way a problem and rather than finding another solution for the malfunction. As a result, Marion claimed that the city was negligent because they had an obligation to maintain the lights but failed to do so, leading to the accident.
The city has claimed that its duty to drivers does not involve well functioning traffic lights, but rather only requires the city to warn drivers about hazards. The city has claimed that the safe mode accomplishes this. The city also alleges that poor driving, rather than the lights, are what in fact caused the accident. If all drivers noted the safe mode of the lights and proceeded with care, the accident would likely have not happened.
The Florida Court of Appeals decided that the city does have an obligation to drivers to keep traffic devices operating as intended. The court also found that simply having warnings does not negate the city’s obligation to drivers. The ruling may send a strong message to drivers and cities alike: cities have a duty to maintain traffic lights and may be held liable if they fail to do so. It is unknown whether the judgment will impact Florida pedestrian accident cases and other cases involving traffic light malfunctions.
The link between texting and traffic accidents has been well established. Studies have shown that distracted drivers who are texting rather than looking at the road run a higher risk of causing traffic accidents. In a bid to help prevent Florida pedestrian accidents, trucking accidents, car accidents, and other traffic collisions, Florida and other states have moved to ban texting while driving. However, recently questions have been raised about whether such bans are really effective at preventing injuries, accidents, and fatalities.
Currently, about 30 states make it illegal to text and drive. While many experts have suggested that Florida truck accidents, car accidents, and other accidents could be reduced by banning texting and driving, however, so far Florida has not taken the legislative step. However, studies have suggested that traffic accidents and fatalities have not significantly dropped in the states that have adopted texting bans.
The news is getting mixed reactions. Some people claim that texting bans are too specific. While studies have found that 5,500 fatalities across the US in 2009 were related to distracted driving, some experts note that texting is not the only distraction behind the wheel. Many people talk on cell phones, have conversations with passengers, focus on their music, or even spend time eating and drinking – all activities which distract them for driving. For families who have lost loved ones to Florida bicycle accidents and traffic accidents caused by distracted drivers, however, the texting ban remains a goal. Families note that preventing even a few fatalities would make the new legislation worthwhile.
The debate continues. Meanwhile, the study questioning the effectiveness of the texting ban is undergoing scrutiny. The study, by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), ran a limited study of four states — Louisiana, Minnesota, California, and Washington. These four states were four of thirty that has passed texting bans. The study examined the rate of accidents in these states following texting bans and found that texting accidents increased by between 1 and 9 percentage points following the bans.
The president of the IIHS postulated that drivers may be holding their mobile devices in their laps in states where texting is banned to avoid a ticket. Unfortunately, this position averts their eyes from the road even more, potentially putting them – and others around them – at even greater risk. However, so far no study has been completed to prove this hypothesis. As well, some lawmakers and enforcement agencies are challenging the findings, arguing that texting bans can be a way to keep streets safer.
Florida Injury Lawyer Blog