Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

What to Do – And What to Avoid – After a South Miami Truck Accident

Published on: July 24, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

The upset of a South Miami truck accident can be enormous, especially if there is someone injured in the accident. However, the steps you take immediately after an accident can determine your options later on. According to experts, after a South Miami traffic accident, it is important to:

1) Remain calm. While it is normal to panic after a serious South Miami motorcycle accident or truck accidents, you need to focus in order to help others and yourself.

2) If anyone is injured, call for emergency help. Assist others at the scene. If you are trapped in your car, turn on the hazard lights to indicate that you need help.

3) If you are in danger of obstructing traffic and no one has been seriously injured, pull over to the side of the road. Florida law demands it and if your failure to get away from the road causes a secondary South Miami car accident, there could be more injuries.

4) Exchange information with the truck driver involved. Get their license information, address, phone number, name, insurance and truck carrier company name as well as the number of the vehicle. Get the names and contact information of any emergency personnel or witnesses on the scene.

5) Take photos of the accident scene and surrounding area if at all possible – and as soon as possible after the accident. Even photos from a cell phone can be helpful. Photos can help attorneys and insurance carriers determine exactly what happened and what factors – including weather or road conditions – could have contributed to the South Miami traffic collision.
6) Contact your insurance company. If you are injured, contact a personal injury attorney as well. Your insurance company can help you start a claim while a South Miami personal injury attorney can protect your rights and ensure that you get the fairest compensation possible for your injuries. It is important to call soon after your injury, as both insurance carriers and attorneys will want to gather evidence in the case and evidence tends to disappear quickly after the clean up after an accident.

7) Avoid moving anyone at the scene who has been injured. In some cases, South Miami brain injury and spinal injury patients may actually be hurt more if they are moved. Wait for emergency personnel for help.

8) Stay at the scene of the accident until the matter is resolved. If police are on the scene, wait until they tell you to leave. If the accident is relatively minor, stay until you have offered help to anyone who needs it and have exchanged all important license and contact information with the other drivers.

9) Avoid accepting cash from the other driver in lieu of an insurance claim.

10) Avoid signing any documents until you have had them reviewed by a South Miami personal injury attorney. Just sign the police report and wait for legal advice before signing any papers from an attorney, insurance claimant, or the other driver or their employer.

11) Avoid getting your car repaired at once. If you decide to file a claim, your insurance carrier or a personal injury attorney may need to look at the vehicle to assess the damage.

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Common Mistakes After a Hollywood Truck Accident

Published on: July 19, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Being in a serious Hollywood traffic accident can be frightening and upsetting, and this is even more so if you are involved in a Hollywood truck accident. The accident generally will take place in just a few seconds and while you are still reeling you may need to deal with the other driver, witnesses, police, insurance company employees, emergency personnel, and others, all asking you questions. Many people injured in Hollywood car accidents and truck accidents make a few key mistakes immediately after the accident, and these mistakes can adversely affect the chances of recovering fair compensation for any injuries:

1) Saying “I am sorry” or making any simple admission of fault. It may feel natural to apologize after an accident, but this simple statement can adversely affect your claim. It may be seen as an admission of fault by the other driver and by the insurance company. These simple words may be held against you, so after a Hollywood truck accident, stick to the facts and exchange information. Keep in mind that immediately after an accident is may be impossible to determine fault. It can take professional investigators some time to determine what caused an accident, so avoid jumping to conclusions.

2) Not contacting police and insurance carriers right away. If anyone is seriously injured or you believe that the other driver may be under the influence, it is important to contact the police and file a report. Failure to do so can create problems down the line if you decide to file a claim. In addition, many people assume that if they contact their insurance company, their rates will increase. However, contacting your insurance company to ask for advice does not mean that you have to file a claim.

3) Signing documents too quickly. After a Hollywood motorcycle accident or car accident involving a truck, it is common to get a claim offer quite quickly. The insurance companies working for truck carriers and truck driver unions are quite powerful and often want to resolve claims quickly. However, it is important to avoid signing anything until you have had a chance to discuss the document with an attorney, or you may end up signing away some of your rights to fair compensation. After a Hollywood truck accident, the only thing you should be signing is a police report.

4) Failing to speak with a personal injury attorney if a serious injury has occurred. If your injury is serious and will result in medical costs and lost income, it is important to speak to an experienced Hollywood personal injury attorney. An attorney with experience in truck accident claims can help you understand your rights and the likely total costs of your injuries, which can make it easier for you to understand how much your claim may be worth. This can be substantially higher than the claim amount being offered to you. An experienced attorney can launch a claim for you or can negotiate with insurance carriers on your behalf so that you get fairer compensation to help pay for your injuries.

5) Failing to document. After an accident, it is vital to exchange as much information as possible with the other driver or drivers involved. It is also important to take photos of the accident scene and surrounding areas and to get contact information for witnesses. Getting copies of medical reports is also helpful. The more information you gather, the easier it can be for an attorney to help you find all liable parties and the answers you need.

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Can Red Light Cameras Prevent Miami Truck Accidents and Car Accidents?

Published on: July 17, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Some experts believe that installing red light cameras can help prevent serious Miami car accidents and traffic accidents because these cameras push drivers to slow down – even when no police are present. If drivers are caught speeding on camera, they get a traffic ticket. Red light cameras are used around the country and throughout the world. Manufacturers of the cameras claim that they reduce accidents, save lives, and even help communities save money by freeing police up for more important duties. In addition, the revenues from tickets generated from the cameras go towards the city.

The premise behind red light cameras is simple. The cameras are installed above intersections and they are programmed to take photos in situations where a car speeds through an intersection. When this happens, the camera takes a photo of the car’s license plate number and the system sends the owner of the car a ticket. The revenue from the tickets are shared between the makers of the cameras and the city. Today’s red light camera manufacturers can also create cameras that can automatically detect other traffic violations, including illegal turns.

Those who support the use of red light cameras claim that the cameras ensure that drivers are caught when they break the rules and are held accountable – whether or not a police officer is nearby. The idea is that the cameras are always on, ensuring that no one can speed through a designated intersection.

Those who oppose the cameras, however, say that there is evidence that these cameras may not be as useful in preventing accidents as many believe. For example, after red light cameras were installed at intersections in Australia, the number of accidents increased. At one intersection in Windang, average yearly collisions increased by over 200% while at another intersection in Figtree accidents increased by over 100% after red light cameras were installed.

According to experts at the Monash University Accident Research Centre, the increases in accidents may be caused by a number of reasons. First, some drivers may go through the intersection at normal speeds while other drivers may slow down speeds significantly in the presence of a red light camera, and the variance in speeds can lead to accidents. Research has suggested that it is variance in speeds, rather than speeding alone, that is most likely to lead to an accident. Another problem is that drivers may feel additional pressure and stress when entering an intersection with a red light camera, and this can prove distracting, possibly leading to a Miami traffic accident. Drivers may be more focused on the camera and on their speed, for example, rather than on their driving.

There may be other possible problems with the cameras. For example, some drivers have successfully contested their tickets in court and most communities cannot afford to have the cameras at every intersection, so that there are still many areas where drivers can speed and cause a Miami motorcycle accident or car accident. Whether or not cameras are installed, it is ultimately up to drivers to work to prevent Miami truck accidents and car accidents.

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South Miami Dump Truck Accidents

Published on: July 12, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

South Miami truck accidents are always devastating, and dump truck accidents are no different. Dump trucks are used to haul debris, sand, asphalt, and other materials to and from construction sites, mining sites, and other industrial areas. When these vehicles are involved in South Miami car accidents, the results are often devastating. An average 5-axle dump truck can weight more than 65 000 pounds when fully loaded. The size and force of this vehicle during a South Miami traffic accident can easily crush a smaller car or truck.

Another problem with dump truck accidents is that the bumpers on these types of trucks are either left out or placed high for ground clearance. Bumpers are often important in order to prevent override accidents, or South Miami car accidents in which a smaller passenger vehicle slides underneath a dump truck and is either sheared or dragged along until the truck can come to a complete stop. An override accident usually causes devastating injuries, including serious South Miami brain injuries and even fatal injuries, since the passenger vehicle is crushed under the truck.

An additional problem that can lead to dump truck accidents has to do with dump beds. Dump trucks are unique in that they have beds which can be raised in order to remove a load of cargo from the truck. The beds can be raised high enough to give workers access to the area under the dump bed. However, when a dump truck bed crashes unexpected from the raised position, serious South Miami construction accidents and workplace accidents generally occur. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asks employers to create lockout procedures during the times that employees are working under the dump body of these types of trucks, but not all employers follow these standards. OSHA also suggests using an additional truck bed brace bracket to keep dump truck beds secure when being held in an upright position.

Survivors of dump truck accidents who have sustained a serious injury should consult with an experienced South Miami personal injury attorney soon after their accident. The financial losses of this type of accident can be significant. Injured parties can lose income and face serious medical bills. If the accident has been caused by a wrongful act or by negligence, Florida law permits injured parties to seek a legal claim in order to recover compensation that can help pay for quality medical care and other needed expenses.

Since dump trucks are commercial vehicles, there are often multiple liable parties involved in an accident involving this type of truck. In addition to the driver of the truck, the manufacturer of the truck, contractors, insurance companies, trucking companies, and other liable parties can all be held liable for the accident. Since commercial trucks are held to stricter traffic standards and rules, this can often benefit the victim of a devastating accident. A patient can have a better chance of recovering more of the hospital and medical costs as well as related expenses in situations where there are more liable parties, and this can ensure that an innocent victim is not in a position where they have to make up lost income and large medical costs out of pocket.

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Early July Storms Highlight the Dangers of Miami Truck Accidents

Published on: July 5, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Summer storms in the Mid-Atlantic region have caused power outages and Florida Power and Light workers as well as workers from other states have been sent to the area to help restore power. The massive amounts of crews and trucks sent to the area, as well as the damage caused by the storms, however, do increase the risk of truck accidents for utility workers. In fact, Florida resident and utility worker Jacqueline Green was killed earlier in the week as part of her job. Summer storms are a reality for the Florida region, but they can lead to an increase in Miami truck accidents in a number of ways:

1) Downed power lines, debris, and fallen trees can create obstacles that can lead to Miami car accidents and truck accidents. Storms create a lot of damage and this can lead to poor road conditions as well as unexpected obstacles. If possible, stay off the roads during a storm, as poor visibility as well as blowing debris can easily result in a Miami traffic accident. If you need to venture out after a storm, make sure that you stay extra alert for possible obstacles on the road. If you see power lines or trees down, wait until you are pulled over or back home before reporting them.

2) Power outages can lead to malfunctioning traffic signs and lights. This can cause traffic congestion as well as accidents if drivers do not treat an intersection with downed traffic lights as a four-way stop. If traffic signs and lights are not working correctly after a storm, make sure that you yield right of way.

3) Serious storms can lead to more utility trucks on the roads – especially utility trucks from other areas. This can mean more traffic on the road but also more truck drivers who may not be familiar with the area. This can easily lead to Miami car accidents involving these trucks. It is especially a problem since utility workers may need to make frequent stops or may need to park in the middle of the street in order to fix power lines and other utilities. After a serious storm, stay alert for extra truck traffic and give utility trucks extra room to work to restore power.

4) Serious storms can lead to utility work on the roads, resulting in road closures and detours. Utility workers often work around the clock after a storm and are under pressure to get services up and running again. This puts utility workers at risk, especially if they need to work on a busy road. Of you see utility workers trying to restore power or working on lines, slow down, give them extra room and follow any signs you see. Utility workers are at risk of Miami pedestrian accidents on the job, and using extra caution can help keep these workers safe as they restore essential services to the city.

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Are We Doing Too Little to Prevent Hollywood Motorcycle Accidents Involving Trucks?

Published on: July 3, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to a recent report published by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the number of motorcyclist fatalities nationwide remained stagnant between 2010 and 2011. Both years, there were 4500 motorcycle accident fatalities across the country, something that experts claim shows that too little is being done to help prevent these types of accidents. However, there are many things that can be done to help prevent these serious types of traffic casualties:

1) Get stricter about distracted driving. Florida is one of only a few states with no laws against texting and driving or mobile use and driving. Distracted driving of any type has been shown in studies to lead to serious traffic accidents, and the use of texting and mobile devices by drivers is significant. Getting serious about getting rid of distracted driving is important in ensuring that drivers focus on the road.

2) Improve awareness campaigns to help motorists share the road safely with motorcyclists. Motorists need to understand that they need to always give motorcyclists the full lane and never share a lane with motorcyclists. Motorists also need to be made aware about the importance of checking blind spots and mirrors to help prevent Hollywood bicycle accidents and motorcycle accidents. Since motorcycles can stop more quickly than many passenger vehicles, it is important to also alert motorists of the importance of leaving more space when following a motorcyclist.

3) Get tougher about motorcycle accident injuries. In many cases, drivers who cause a serious motorcycle accident are not held accountable. As with Hollywood bicycle accidents, with Hollywood motorcycle accidents, the blame is often placed on the motorcyclist. In many cases, victims need to work with a Hollywood personal injury attorney in order to get answers about what has caused an accident and in order to get the compensation they are entitled to under the law.

4) Write to your elected representative to get traffic safety laws passed to improve safety laws. Better laws can help reduce the risk of Hollywood car accidents and traffic accidents and can ensure that victims of these accidents get the compensation they deserve. If you have an idea about ways to improve the laws, write to your elected representative with your suggestions. Support laws that protect victims and reduce the risk of accidents.

5) Alert your community about any poor road conditions. Slippery surfaces and potholes are far more dangerous for motorcyclists than for most motorists. Keeping roads in good repair can help prevent many types of Hollywood traffic accidents – not just motorcycle collisions.

6) Seek legal help if you have been injured in a Hollywood motorcycle accident or traffic accident. Unfortunately, in some cases liable parties causing accidents only make safety changes if there is legal pressure and a financial reason to do so. Many positive safety changes have occurred because victims have pursued legal action and have held those liable accountable for negligence.

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How One Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Leads to Others: Secondary Accidents

Published on: June 28, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Everyone knows the devastation that Fort Lauderdale truck accidents can cause. We have all seen the news reports of a tractor-trailer on its side, blocking traffic, caught on fire, and causing devastation on the roadway during rush hour. However, what many people do not realize is that one Lord Lauderdale truck accident is dangerous because it can cause secondary Fort Lauderdale car accidents and traffic accidents. There many reasons why secondary accidents take place:

1) Spills. In cases where a commercial truck is carrying a full load, that cargo may spill during a Fort Lauderdale truck collision. When this occurs, the substance can spill out over the surface of the road, causing obstructions to traffic and possible secondary Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accidents and car accidents. If the substance spilled is toxic or dangerous, breathing in the fumes can cause serious personal injury for any innocent bystander and for any emergency personnel in the area. In cases where the substance is slippery, it can easily lead to slip and fall accidents, cars spinning out of control, and other types of accidents. In situations where the substance is flammable, the result can be a devastating fire and secondary accidents as drivers try to swerve out of the way the flames.

2) Curiosity. Unfortunately, many secondary accidents are completely preventable, and they occur because people slow down to take a look at an accident. While curiosity in the wake of an accident is natural, rubbernecking and slowing down suddenly can lead to even more accidents. If you are driving when you see a Fort Lauderdale truck accident, it is important to stay calm, keep your eyes focused on the road, and to obey the directions of any emergency responders at the scene. Getting out of the way of the accident should be your first priority. If someone is in need of assistance, pull over to the side of the road before calling for emergency help.

3) Blocked roadways. Due to the size of commercial trucks, when they are involved in a Fort Lauderdale traffic accident, they can block off entire lanes of traffic. When this occurs, it can prevent traffic from flowing normally, which can lead to road rage, congestion, and others issues which can lead to a Fort Lauderdale car accident.

4) Fires and structural damage. In some cases, devastating Fort Lauderdale truck accidents can lead to explosions, fires, and collisions that cause road damage and structural damage. This type of damage, when not cleaned up properly, can easily lead to a Fort Lauderdale car accident down the line.

5) Fallout leading to damage to a second vehicle. A truck accident can cause debris to spill on the road or to fly at other cars. In some cases, other cars are struck or are damaged by the debris, and this damage can lead to an accident.

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Causes of Coral Gables Truck Accidents

Published on: June 26, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Coral Gables truck accidents are among the most devastating Coral Gables traffic accidents to occur on the city`s streets. In addition to causing significant injuries, these types of traffic accidents often result in catastrophic damage, and in some cases environmental disaster if the truck was carrying any sort of flammable or dangerous material. In some cases, big rigs block off entire lanes of traffic for hours or cause devastation to city streets. There many possible causes for these types of devastating accidents, and in many cases an accident is caused by a number of factors:

1) Driver fatigue. Commercial truck drivers often work long hours. Although federal laws regulate that commercial truck drivers must take certain amounts of time for rest, in many cases drivers can become fatigued even with adequate rest. This is especially true in cases where drivers must work irregular hours or in cases where drivers have an illness or a condition, such as sleep apnea or insomnia, prevents them from sleeping correctly.

2) Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, or illicit drugs. Any type of substance that affects a drivers level of fatigue or motor skills can be potentially dangerous. From simple over-the-counter allergy medication to illicit drugs and prescription medication, many types of drugs have side effects that can be dangerous for commercial drivers.
3) Speeding. An 80,000-pound truck, fully loaded, already has the size and force to do serious damage to a passenger vehicle or any smaller vehicle. When a truck is involved in a Coral Gables motorcycle accident or car accident, the smaller vehicles are often crushed. When speed is a factor, the damage sustained to the smaller vehicle is often devastating and generally leads to fatalities.

4) Unfamiliarity with the route. Commercial truck drivers may have a regular route, but in many cases commercial truck drivers must make deliveries to unfamiliar areas. Being unfamiliar with a street can be challenging for number of reasons. For one thing, drivers may not be aware of hazards that can lead to a Coral Gables traffic accident. Another problem is that drivers who are in an unfamiliar route may be distracted by trying to find a specific location.

5) The driver’s failure to check blind spots properly. Commercial truck drivers are taught to check blind spots regularly. However, when they failed to do so accidents are a common result, especially since commercial trucks have so many blind spots.

6) Driver error. Drivers sometimes underestimate the level of evasive action needed to avoid an accident, or overcompensate in a situation. When drivers make these types of errors, accidents are common result, especially since large trucks cannot break or react as quickly as passenger vehicles.

7) Traffic violation. Running red lights, disobeying traffic signals, and doing other illegal activities on the road easily lead to accidents for any driver.

8) Distracted driving. Roadwork and construction are common distractors, but there are many possible distractions on the road. From mobile devices to other distractions, there are many things that can cause a driver to take their eyes and mind off traffic.

9) Road rage and aggressive driving. Aggressive driving affect all drivers, but when the driver is sitting behind the wheel of an 80,000 pound commercial truck, the results of aggressive driving can be much more devastating.

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CSA Data Could Reveal Possible Issues That Lead to Coral Gables Truck Accidents

Published on: May 24, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Gathering information about truck safety and truck accidents is one of the most important ways to help prevent Coral Gables truck accidents as well as truck accidents across the country. Data gathering helps the industry make changes that improve safety. In 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) launched an initiative to gather just this type of data. The Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) program gathers several types of trucking industry data, including many types of data that relate to safety compliance.

In May 2012, new CSA program data was released and it suggested some worrying trends about trucking safety. According to the data, for example, in April 2012 there were 166,810 active commercial carriers in the trucking industry, up 7.5% from the 155,240 registered in 2011. While experts may disagree about the impact of the increase, there may be some concerns about this increase when it comes to Coral Gables traffic accident statistics. More carriers can mean more trucks and therefore more traffic on the roads, which can increase the risk of accidents. More carriers also means more work for authorities charged with ensuring safety compliance. Checking on more carriers may stretch resources even further as authorities aim to ensure compliance for more companies.

Another worrying statistics released by the CSA program involves fatigued driving. The CSA program uses a statistical tool known as Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) scores to evaluate the performance of carriers and drivers. In April 2012, 34% of carriers who were given BASIC scores were found to have an alert for fatigued driving. In most cases, the fatigued driving was caused by violations of Hours of Service (HOS) rules. The fact that there were so many instances of fatigued driving could be bad news for Coral Gables car accidents, since studies have shown that fatigued drivers are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents.

Since the CSA program is new, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has not made firm plans about what to do with the statistics and data gathered through the program. Currently, the organization has not said that it has any plans to propose new rules based on the CSA data, for example.

In the meantime, however CSA data and other data collected about the trucking industry can perhaps at least provide a better insight into the industry – and into why Coral Gables car accidents and truck accidents occur. Information can help authorities and policy makers determine which issues require attention and which issues need more focus in order to prevent Coral Gables traffic accidents in the future.

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PTSD and Miami Truck Accidents and Car Accidents

Published on: May 15, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Does PTSD play a role in Miami truck accidents and traffic accidents? The USAA, an insurance carrier for military families, has a new study which suggests it does. According to the USAA study, which examined the car accident rates after 171,000 deployments over a period of three years, US military personnel have 13% more at-fault car accidents in the six months after coming home when compared with the six months before deployment.

According to the USAA, one reason may be because military personnel require a different style of driving in Kabul and other deployment areas to stay alive. When they return home after duty, they may be used to this style of driving and may struggle to adjust to driving at home. Many members of the military, for example, need to drive heavy vehicles during combat situations and need to drive in order to deal with the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as well as other road hazards. As a result, perhaps, the USAA found that most car accidents found to be caused by military personnel after deployment were caused by objects in the road.
Some members of the military have higher rates of accidents than others. Members of the military had 23% more at-fault car accidents within the first six months of coming home, while members of the Marines had 12.5% more accidents. Members of the Navy and the Air Force had rates of 3% and 2%, respectively. Those who were deployed at least three times had 36% more accidents than those deployed less often while those who were deployed twice has 27% more car accidents and traffic accidents when compared with those who had been deployed just once. The same study found that seniors who were over 29 years of age and who had more seniority when compared with those who were younger and with less training.

The study adds to a growing number of studies showing the effects of war trauma on returning soldiers. Other studies have shown that brain injuries and chronic headaches, among other issues, are becoming more common with soldiers and members of the military.

The USAA study is significant in that it sheds some important insight on Miami traffic accidents and some of their causes. Members of the military clearly sacrifice a great deal to protect their homes, and knowing that these issues exist will hopefully ensure that members of the military get more support after deployment. The study also suggests that more can be done to prevent Miami car accidents and truck accidents.

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