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

Injuries in Miami Beach: How Likely Are They?

Published on: September 17, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Research studies and statistics help us make important safety decisions. For example, knowing that researchers have proven the dangers of drunk driving, we can make the decision to avoid driving after drinking and we can take steps to curb drunk driving in Miami Beach or our communities.

In some cases, though, research seems to contradict itself. For example, the website miaminewtimes.com recently pointed out that Miami Beach has been picked as one of the most livable cities in Florida and as the most dangerous city in the state. Livability.com ranks Miami Beach as the best city in Florida out of 2000 American towns. The website looked as cities with populations of 20,000-350,000 and determined livability according to education, health care, the local economy, housing, and other factors. Miami Beach was selected as 38^th out of 2000 and the top city in Florida. Coral Gables also made the list, at number 100.

Another website, HomeSecurityShield.net, used FBI data to analyze the number of property crimes and violent crimes in cities across the country. Based on this information that website determined that Miami Beach is the most dangerous city in the state, with violent crime rates of 10.33 per 1000 residents and total reported crimes of 109.47 per 1000 residents.

Continue reading →

When a Vacation Turns Sour: What to Do if You Are Injured as a Tourist in Miami or anywhere in Florida

Published on: September 12, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Florida draws many tourists each year, and while most people enjoy their stay in a few instances tourists find that their vacation turns into a nightmare and they return home with serious losses and injuries rather than an album full of fun memories. Personal injuries in Miami and other Florida cities can happen in many ways during a vacation. Cruise ship accidents, for example, are a common cause of injuries for tourists. One of the most common causes of accidents for tourists and residents alike are traffic collisions. Slip and fall accidents, tour boat injuries, and other injuries are all too common.

No one goes on vacation thinking that they will be injured. Even those who research tour companies and check for safety precautions on their trip may find themselves injured on an amusement park ride or injured in some other way. These situations not only cut a vacation short, but they can be deeply intimidating.

Continue reading →

Boating Accidents in Miami and Florida Getting Worse as Bigger Boats and Crowded Bays Become a Reality

Published on: September 10, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Over the Fourth of July weekend this year, a 32-foot boat and a 36-foot boat collided on Key Biscayne, killing four people and seriously injuring three boaters. While the investigation is still ongoing, there is evidence to suggest that alcohol may have been on board one of the boats. The boating accident, one of the worst to occur in Florida, has once again put the focus on boating safety in Miami and Florida.

The state is already known for its high number of boaters and boating accidents. In 2013 alone, there were 62 boating fatalities in Florida, as well as 420 injuries and 736 boating accidents. Florida authorities say that changing conditions – especially more crowded bays and faster boats – may be contributing to more boating accidents than ever before and say that a serious strategy is needed to curb injuries and deaths.

Drinking and Boating: A Deadly Mix

One of the major contributors to boating accidents in Miami and other Florida communities is alcohol, and several lawmakers are looking for ways to crack down on boating under the influence. Carlos A. Gimenez, the Miami-Dade County mayor, has been looking to create a task force to tackle the issue, for instance. Other lawmakers have been hoping to use some of the same strategies used to curb drunk driving in Miami to curb boating under the influence.

Continue reading →

Swimming and Boating Safety Tips for the Long Weekend in Florida

Published on: August 29, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Labor Day weekend is a popular time to head out to Florida’s many waterways. Whether you are heading out to the rivers of Southern Florida or the beaches of Miami, boating accidents and other water-related accidents remain a concern. According to the Coast Guard and other authorities, holiday weekends tend to have higher rates of water-related injury, and Labor Day is a weekend that usually involves many of these types of injuries. The Coast Guard and other authorities have a number of tips to keep you safer around the water:

1) Never head near the water after drinking.

When you’re out on the water, you already have to deal with the sun, the glare off the water, and the Florida heat. When you add alcohol or drugs to the mix, you have the potential for a truly dangerous situation, especially since alcohol and drugs can exacerbate the effects of the sun. Alcohol and drugs can also affect your mobility and your ability to think clearly, which can result in drowning and other water-related tragedies. Boating under the influence is also illegal and can result in criminal charges.

2) Wear a life jacket.

Each person on board a boat should have a Coast Guard approved life vest. In the event of a boating accident, these vests can help keep you above the water, even if you hit your head or lose consciousness. Life jackets also make you more visible if you do go overboard, increasing the chances that emergency responders can find you.

Continue reading →