Jacksonville Personal Injury Blog

Brunswick is a city in southeastern Georgia located about 30 miles north of Florida. Home to the fourth-largest automobile port in the eastern United States, the city's economy encompasses manufacturing, agricultural processing, and bulk cargoes. Nicknamed “the shrimp capital of the world” the region is also famous because it is the center of Georgia’s shrimp and crab industries. In 2007, the city proper had an estimated population of 16,235 and an estimated metropolitan population of 101,792.

Brunswick’s metropolitan area is the twelfth-largest in the state of Georgia and includes the counties of Glynn, Brantley, and McIntosh. With a region that encompasses such a large, varied area and a population that is on the rise, residents and visitors alike require medical attention for a variety of reasons. A lot of people don’t want to believe or admit that medical malpractice in Brunswick, Georgia occurs, as it does across the nation, resulting from failure to diagnose, birth injuries, hospital negligence, and surgical injuries, just to name a few. The knowledge and skills of a medical malpractice attorney is needed when taking on insurance companies, big hospitals, and/or doctors who will do anything like cover up mistakes so that they aren’t held responsible for their negligent actions that put innocent people at risk for suffering life-changing injury or wrongful death.

As patients and consumers who often rely on the aid of pharmaceutical products to help recover from or treat an illness, we expect that the products we are prescribed or buy over-the-counter are safe and don’t pose a risk to our lives. When a manufacturing company distributes medication that causes dangerous side effects to its users, those who are injured may receive compensation; however, this is no easy task. Pharmaceutical litigation is a complex process that requires an experienced Brunswick, Georgia pharmaceutical litigation attorney to help evaluate your case and the evidence involved so that justice can be attained. Contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today for a confidential consultation:

4216 Coral Park Drive,
Suite 107
Brunswick, GA 31520
Phone: (912) 466-8896

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Posted In: Medical Malpractice , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation

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Last week, we remembered nine teenagers who decided to cut the last day of school, pile into a 1997 Ford Explorer and go to the beach. On the way there, the 15-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle, which rolled, tossing everyone out, except the driver who was the only one wearing a seat belt. Three teens died that day; now a recent report states that a fourth, a teenage girl, has died as a result of the Florida rollover accident.

The 15 year old girl died Monday morning, June 15, at Shands Hospital. All but one of the teens attended Ed White High School in Jacksonville. Other students are still listed in critical condition.

Our condolences go out to the parents, friends, and teachers of these young people.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the tire in the overloaded vehicle either lost its tread or blew out. Someone reconstructing the accident would want to know what type of tire this was.

Tires on the vehicle could have been recalled, had no tread, or been improperly inflated. More than 200 deaths and 700 injuries have been blamed on the Explorer rolling after the tread separated from Firestone tires, which were standard equipment on the Explorer.

The Explorer is notorious for rollovers, especially the older models. A 1997 model did not have the stability control that is added today after thousands of passengers lost their lives in the unstable vehicles. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report in 2005 found that Explorers made between 1999 and 2002 had the fourth highest rate of driver wrongful death of all of the 47 SUVs in the study.

Continue reading " Fourth Student from Ed White Dies Following Explorer Rollover " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Rollover Accident , Wrongful Death

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The St. Johns County Sheriff’s department is releasing details about what happened to a one-year-old who was left inside a car to die.

According to a report, on Sunday, June 14, a young one-year-old was left in the automobile after her father dropped her mother off at work. She was in her car seat in the back and her father assumed she was with relatives. Long remained for several hours inside the car, parked outside her St. Augustine home. When she was finally found, she was blue and not breathing. The little girl later died at Flagler Hospital.

Our hearts go out to the family and to the little girl who suffered so.

Already this year there have been 12 wrongful deaths of children left inside a hot vehicle, reports Jan Null, a professor of Meteorology at San Francisco State University.

Add this to 35 and 42 child deaths, in 2007 and 2006, due to hyperthermia or heat stroke. Hundreds have died over the last ten years and children can die in a hot car even when the weather is relatively mild.

Under Florida law, it is illegal to leave a child unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle for any longer than 15 minutes, but even that is too long for the Florida heat. Under Florida sun, even a temperature of 70 degrees can rise twenty degrees in ten minutes. The state can take custody of any child if you are found to be in violation of this law and you can be charged with a crime for inflicting the risk of death or personal injury on a child.

Continue reading " 1 Year Old Left Inside Car Dies in St. Augustine " »

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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We’ve all seen drivers who take chances like running a yellow light and passing through a busy intersection after the light has turned red. Not only do they risk being injured and injuring others in a Florida auto accident, but they put pedestrians in danger as well. This is usually when you with law enforcement officers were around. Well in Orange Park in North Florida, you’ve got your wish.

According to an article, cameras will soon catch red-light runners at busy intersections. That was voted in by the city council.

The camera is triggered when the car enters the intersection after the signal changes and records the time of day, the vehicle speed, and license plate. If you enter within a half second you will probably get a break because of the limits of the technology.

The state legislature would like to mount cameras at busy intersections statewide, but failed to figure out how to divide up the proceeds. Each ticket, which the offender receives in the mail, generates about $125.

Cameras have been shown to substantially reduce red light running, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. When they were installed in Fairfax, Virginia and Oxnard, California, cameras reduced red-light running by about 40 percent, and reduced intersection crashes by up to 30 percent.

Some suggest that they are primarily a revenue generator for a city, but often the ticket revenues don’t even pay for the purchase of the cameras and the billing system that generates the tickets.

Continue reading " Traffic Cameras in Orange Park " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury

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Lake City is located in Columbia County, Florida and is known as the “Gateway To Florida.” With a population of about 12,000 and in a county whose population is on the rise (Columbia County has close to 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006), Lake City has become a popular tourist destination as well as a stop for those on route to Southern Florida. Lake City got its name as the “Gateway to Florida” because two major highways, Interstate’s 10 and 75, converge within city limits. I-10 is one of the major east-west thoroughfares in the United States running from Santa Monica, CA all the way to Jacksonville, Florida.

With so much tourist and commuter traffic traveling through Lake City, truck accidents and auto accidents are an all too common occurrence. Unfortunately, tractor trailer and commercial truck accidents on I-10 and I-75 happen quite often. When these accidents are fatal due to another driver’s negligence, a Lake City wrongful death lawyer can help a family receive compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other expenses.

Truck accidents truly present the largest danger on our highways today. If you are involved in a full speed crash with a semi-truck, it is equivalent to colliding with 20 cars - all at the same time. This is very serious and can have catastrophic consequences. In the aftermath of serious large truck accidents and tractor-trailer accidents, the Lake City tractor trailer accident attorneys of Farah and Farah in Florida are prepared to represent victims and help them receive the compensation they are owed. Due to the deadly nature of truck accidents, the advice of an experienced attorney is invaluable to accident victims or surviving family members. Contact Farah and Farah today to speak with a member of our legal team or contact us at our Lake City offices:

212 N. Marion Ave Suite 208
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 754-7534

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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A young driver hit a teenage dog walker and left the scene of the pedestrian accident in St. Augustine. According to a report, 16-year-old Allison Almon was walking two dogs when the car hit her from behind Friday evening. One of the dogs was also hit. The other ran home and alerted the owner.

Our prayers for a speedy recovery go out to Almon, who was hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries. Pedestrians often have serious injuries from vehicles, including head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones.

State law says that walkers should stay on the left side of the road and stay out of the area marked for vehicles. When a sidewalk is not available, the pedestrian is to walk as far on the shoulder as is safe. No word here on whether Almon was following the law, but the law is very clear for drivers responsible for a hit-and-run. They are supposed to stay at the scene of the crash until help arrives.

Regardless of any law, there is the rule of human compassion.

Leaving someone on the side of the road during daylight (the accident happened around 5 p.m.), is a lowly act, even though neighbors on Cornell Road say the area is unsafe since it is often a speedway for those who live nearby.

We are grateful that her injuries are not more serious, but being hit by a vehicle can cause serious personal injury in Florida and require expensive long-term medical rehabilitation.

Continue reading " St. Augustine Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accident Injures Teen " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury

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A fight between doctors and consumer groups has been settled by Gov. Charlie Crist. He signed a bill into law Wednesday that requires insurance companies to send a payment directly to an out-of-network doctor, instead of first to the patient.

Doctors’ groups and insurers supported the measure. BlueCross and consumer groups opposed sending the payment directly to an out-of-network doctor, bypassing the consumer.

According to an article, the governor believes this move is good for consumers as it will encourage the out of-network doctors, who are sometimes a bit hard to access depending on your medical coverage, to accept insurance without demanding payment from the patient on the spot.

But consumer groups are concerned that Senate Bill 1122 will undermine the cost-savings that insurers negotiate. Generally your preferred provider networks or PPOs demand that doctors provide a discount in exchange for the business. With a direct payment, you are removing any incentive to discount, according to the Florida Public Interest Research Group, and that means consumers may be unpleasantly surprised when they get a bill from a doctor who is out-of-network.

Continue reading " Governor Health Insurance Bill in Florida " »

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Posted In: Law & Information , Personal Injury

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Orange Park is a suburb of Jacksonville located in Northeast Clay County, Florida, just south of Jacksonville, Florida. Rich in history and a thriving community, Orange Park has a great deal to offer. Being in such close proximity to Jacksonville makes Orange Park’s roads and highways well traveled with locals and tourists alike.

Clay County, which Orange Park is located in, is also a bustling region of Florida. With a population in excess of 180,000 and a very high population density, trucks frequent Orange Park’s roads to deliver a variety of goods. As a result of 303 people per square mile in the region, busy roads, fatigued drives, and negligent acts, car and truck accidents in Orange Park are a frequent occurrence and can cause serious personal injury. When these accidents are catastrophic due to another driver’s negligence, an Orange Park wrongful death lawyer can help a family receive compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other expenses.

Truck accidents truly present the largest danger on our highways today. In the aftermath of serious large truck accidents and tractor-trailer accidents, the Orange Park tractor trailer accident lawyers of Farah and Farah in Florida are prepared to represent victims and help them receive the compensation they are owed. Due to the deadly nature of tractor-trailer accidents, the advice of an experienced attorney is invaluable to accident victims or surviving family members. Contact our firm today:

1534 Kingsley Avenue
Orange Park, Florida 32073
Phone: (904) 264-0700

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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It is a standard that hasn’t been updated for 35 years, despite the fact that every year about 10,000 passengers die in rollover crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has now agreed to double the requirement for the roof strength that a vehicle must be able to withstand to three times the weight for cars that weigh up to 6,000 pounds. This is essential if a passenger has any chance to survive a rollover accident. It is also an improvement from the 2.5 times a vehicle’s weight, which was previously proposed.

The proposed improvement should save lives and prevent at least 1,000 injuries a year, according to federal estimates. Previously, the law required the roof withstand only 1.5 times its weight.

Consumers may not understand it, but before the final rule was issued, very restrictive language was included that would have preempted or restricted lawsuits filed in state courts against automobile manufacturers. That language was removed from the final rule.

And while dynamic testing was left out of the rule - that is, testing roof strength when the car is in motion- the testing protocol will now include both sides of the car. Previously a test was conducted in less than real-world circumstances with a metal plate pressed against the vehicle’s roof on one side, then the other. Experienced Florida car accident attorneys understand from the cases they’ve seen that this is not what happens when a vehicle rolls. When a vehicle leaves the road and begins to roll, the pressure hits one side and weakens the roof causing it to crush in; then as the vehicle continues to roll, the other side receives the pressure, leading to the roof crush.

Continue reading " Car Roof Strength Standards Updated " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Rollover Accident

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Kids and their cell phones have taken pictures in schools of everything possible- just use your imagination.

But now schools in Northeast Florida are considering banning the use of cell phone pictures after one student captured something that has Duval County schools embarrassed - what appears to be a teacher choking and holding down a 16-year-old-student.

According to a report, the incident actually happened at the end of May before school was let out, but is just coming to light now. It’s currently under investigation by the school district and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

At the end of school, the teacher, Michael Brown, was removed from the classroom. But it doesn’t end there. In a move that appears like a shift away from transparency, the school district is considering banning all photography by cell phones or any video cameras in school. This has the attacked student’s mother furious. Tina Wilson, mother of Clyde Wilson, says without the camera in the classroom, she would have never known what happened.

Continue reading " Duval Teacher Caught on Cell Phone Video Choking Student: A Ban on Taking Pictures May Follow " »

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Those out there who drive Chrysler and General Motor cars have a real fight on their hands.

On June 1 when a bankruptcy judge decided to override a group of injured victims of Chrysler and approved the sale of the company to Fiat, he essentially cut the legs out from under Americans injured by the vehicles by leaving them with no assets to pursue the car company for their injuries. A victim’s fund would cost about $300 million a year, but the money was not put aside.

Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety says Fiat even agreed to take on the liability. Instead the bankruptcy judge sailed through a prepackaged plan to leave thousands of Americans out in the cold.

Consumers just spent $57 billion of tax dollars to bailout Chrysler and GM.

Bob Dinnigan is left in a difficult and heartbreaking situation. His daughter, Amanda is a paraplegic after a seat belt injury of her spinal cord. She is 12-years-old. The family has spent about $1 million on her care so far and the insurance is running out.

There are thousands of victim stories being told by consumer groups and General Motors reportedly has $1.25 billion in pending product liability claims and with 40 million GM and Chrysler cars currently on the road. The federal government reports nearly half of all death and injury claims filed against auto manufacturers involve Chrysler and General Motors.

The best advice experts have for consumers is to sell your GM or Chrysler car now, because if you are injured, there will be no remedy for you.

Continue reading " Chrysler Leaves Injured Customers In The Cold " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Product Liability , Wrongful Death

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June marks the beginning of Hurricane season in Florida. Northeast Florida says a little prayer every year that we will be spared and so far we have been.

Surveys show only half of us are ready for Hurricane Season stocked with supplies. Last year the state legislature decided to end the Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday that saves us all money when we buy bottled water, flashlight batteries, and canned goods and gets us in the spirit of preparedness.

Last year there were 16 named storms and five major hurricanes between June 1 and November 30th.

This year, forecasters say that there could be nine to 14 tropical storms and up to seven hurricanes with a few major ones among the group, which is normal.

Emergency preparation plans are in place to turn all of I-10 into a westerly direction, away from the east coast of Jacksonville, to allow traffic to leave the coastal areas quickly. Everyone will have to be especially conscientious to make that happens safely so that Jacksonville car accidents don’t happen at all or are at least limited, and we can do that.

Besides supplies, also keep ice chests, portable radios, TVs and generators accessible. Figure out where you pets can go and how long a lead time you would need to safely leave town before the rush. Of course, have a plan on where you will go, or if you plan to stay, know where the nearest safe shelter is located.

Following Hurricane Katrina there were lots of lessons on how insurance works or doesn’t work and the additional policies you need for wind and flood damage. Now we have to assume that the state, which writes much of the hurricane insurance after the industry pulled out, has enough money in case we aren’t lucky this time around.

The state’s insurance industry warns there is about a $12 billion shortfall in the fund which provides money for claims if the maximum is required. Most consumers don’t realize that the insurance industry is heavily invested and when the markets go down, so do their profits.

Some insurance companies suspend writing new policies when a storm is brewing, so know what you have now. Renters may need flood insurance in Florida in addition to the landlord to cover water damage.

Just last month, Gov. Charlie Crist said that the property insurance rates will go up by ten percent for more than one million customers of the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Higher rates were expected if lawmakers didn’t agree to the 10 percent increase.

At Farah and Farah, or Florida hurricane dispute attorneys are well versed in all areas of flood insurance and windstorm coverage for your home. We are dedicated to helping victims of hurricanes move on by holding insurance companies to their word and getting our clients the compensation they deserve under their policy. Contact Farah and Farah for a case evaluation today.

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Posted In: Hurricane Insurance , Personal Injury

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St. Augustine is home to the oldest port in the continental United States – in fact, St. Augustine is commonly referred to as “the nation’s oldest city.” In 2004, the population was estimated to be 12,157. Home to beautiful beaches, museums that depict life for the early Spanish explorers who settled there and classic architecture from an era long past, St. Augustine continues to be a popular tourist destination in Northern Florida.

Located about 40 miles south of Jacksonville and 60 miles north of Daytona Beach just 5 miles east of Interstate 95, St. Augustine is also a well traversed location. With hundreds of trucks passing through delivering goods and on their way to other destinations mixed with residents and tourists, auto accidents involving trucks happen far too often. These truck accidents can cause serious personal injury and in the most severe cases - death. When these truck accidents are fatal due to another driver’s negligence, a St. Augustine wrongful death lawyer can help a family receive compensation for loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and other expenses associated with the loss of a loved one.

Truck accidents truly present the largest danger on our highways today. In the aftermath of serious tractor-trailer accidents and large truck accidents, the St. Augustine tractor trailer accident lawyers of Farah and Farah in Florida are prepared to represent victims and help them receive the compensation they are owed. Due to the deadly nature of tractor-trailer accidents, the advice of an experienced attorney is invaluable to accident victims or surviving family members. Contact Farah and Farah today at:

1301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 206A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Phone: (904) 797-7977

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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It was early Sunday morning about 2: 30 a.m. 42-year-old Chuck Carter and his 39-year-old wife, Susan were driving on the Hart Expressway. It was raining. According to a report, the Carters’ vehicle careened off the left wall then smashed into a concrete guardrail before rolling several times.

Chuck was wearing a seat belt but was killed in the Jacksonville auto accident. Susan did not have her belt on and made it to the hospital, but died several hours later.

The entire neighborhood of Saint Nicholas in Jacksonville is devastated about the news of the passing of this popular couple who were parents to Charlie, 11 and Caroline, 9.

Chuck worked for the Duval County School System as a groundskeeper and Susan was a guidance counselor. Susan had plans to spend the summer off with her children. Accolades are coming in from the community on how special she made children feel at the elementary school where she worked.

As the investigation is conducted, all that remains is a grieving community, lots of questions and accolades for the individuals who lost their lives. Our condolences go out to a grieving community for the loss of these special people.

Jacksonville car accident attorneys hear this unfortunate kind of story many times a day. Following too closely to the car in front, not adjusting your speed for wet road conditions, having tires that are bald or blow out, and not wearing your seat belt – all of these are factors that make your travel more dangerous.

The investigation is not complete in this report, but all anyone can do at this point is to learn from this tragedy and make sure that you are as safe on the road as you can be by taking care of the conditions that are under your control.

If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident in Florida caused by another driver’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for any injuries sustained in the accident that lead to hospital bills, treatment, or loss of time on the job. Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Farah and Farah today for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Almost a week doesn’t go by when we report on a child who has been injured or killed by an SUV. These vehicles offer terrible rear vision and are the cause of too many car accidents and pedestrian accidents in Jacksonville. With no cameras or safety audio beeps, children are accidentally run over in cities and neighborhoods across the country, and often it is a member of the drivers’ own family.

To be proactive and keep kids safe, Safe Kids of Northeast Florida staged a demonstration to prove just how limited your vision is behind an SUV. Channel 4’s reporter backed up while a woman held the hand of a two-foot high mannequin. This is one of those demonstrations that television loves, but in this case, it is effective.

The reporter couldn’t see the mannequin eight feet behind the car and not again at 16 feet when relying only on mirrors. Bottom line - do a quick walk around your car before you back up. It takes five seconds and could save the life of a child or a pet, not to mention children’s toys that may be in the driveway that get destroyed or mangle your car.

You never want to have to go through the guilt of running over someone you love, or for that matter, a neighbor or stranger. You may want to even consider purchasing a back-up camera system for about $100. They are small enough to plug into a cigarette lighter for power, and when the camera is wired to the reverse light and attached to the license plate, the price is well worth the peace of mind of knowing there isn’t a child or animal behind you.

We would much rather you be safe than need the services of an attorney for this largely preventable accident and we hope that everyone has a safe summer. However, if you or someone close to you has been injured in a car accident or pedestrian accident involving an SUV or any other vehicle, Jacksonville’s skilled auto accident lawyers will launch a thorough investigation and help you hold those accountable for causing injuries or property damage. Call Farah and Farah today at 800-533-3555 for a case evaluation.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Brunswick is a city in southeastern Georgia located about 30 miles north of Florida. Home to the fourth-largest automobile port in the eastern United States, the city's economy encompasses manufacturing, agricultural processing, and bulk cargoes. Nicknamed “the shrimp capital of the world” the region is also famous because it is the center of Georgia’s shrimp and crab industries. In 2007, the city proper had an estimated population of 16,235 and an estimated metropolitan population of 101,792.

Brunswick’s metropolitan area is the twelfth-largest in the state of Georgia and includes the counties of Glynn, Brantley, and McIntosh. With a region that encompasses such a large, varied area and a population that is on the rise, it is no wonder that so many auto accidents involving trucks occur in the region. With such a high commercial demand for products and goods, the potential for being injured due to the negligence of others in a truck accident is prevalent, as it is in all metropolitan regions. These accidents can cause serious personal injury or death. When these truck accidents are fatal due to another driver’s negligence, a Brunswick, George wrongful death lawyer can help a family receive compensation for loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and other expenses associated with the loss of a loved one.

Truck accidents truly present the largest danger on our highways today. In the aftermath of serious tractor-trailer accidents and large truck accidents, the Brunswick tractor trailer accident lawyers of Farah and Farah are prepared to represent victims and help them receive the compensation they are owed. Due to the deadly nature of tractor-trailer accidents, the advice of an experienced attorney is invaluable to accident victims or surviving family members. Don’t hesitate to contact Farah and Farah today at:

4216 Coral Park Drive
Suite 107
Brunswick, GA 31520
Phone: (912) 466-8896

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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The Coast Guard and Navy responded to the distress call from a 22-foot boat Friday afternoon. The four people aboard the boat reported they were sinking about 10 miles off the coast of Jacksonville. According to a story, Mayport’s Coast Guard Station sent a 47-foot rescue boat to the scene to help the boaters as their vessel was taking on water. Luckily no one suffered any personal injuries due to this incident.

This reminds us of similar scenes that are repeated often off Florida’s coast. A sudden storm pops up and rain and lightning hamper a quick return by the boaters. It is mandatory to know the weather before leaving the dock.

In this case, the engine broke off the boat, so time was of the essence.

Fortunately these boaters had life jackets on. Statistics show that boaters who wear their life jackets have a better chance of surviving a private boating accident in Florida at sea.

The Coast Guard estimates that about 80 percent of boating fatalities could have been prevented if those aboard wore life jackets. Requirements are that there should be a Type I, II, III or V life jacket for each person aboard.

If you are unconscious, a jacket is designed to keep your head above water and keep you in a position for proper breathing. And in freezing water, a jacket can keep you buoyant longer than without one, increasing your visibility and chances you’ll be picked up sooner. There are also boating safety courses offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which oversees our shores and manages fish and wildlife resources.

Luckily in this case, despite the engine quitting and the sudden weather, no lives were lost and everyone was safe. As we are at the start of the summer boating season, it is essential to remember to insist on your own life jacket and one for every member of your party. It could save your life.

The aftermath of a boating accident can be frightening and emotionally straining, especially when a family member is seriously injured or killed. When watercrafts are operated recklessly, those who are negligent should be held accountable for any injuries or wrongful death that they cause. Contact the skilled Jacksonville boating accident attorneys at Farah and Farah for a free and confidential evaluation of you or a loved one’s boating accident case.

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Posted In: Boating Accident , Personal Injury

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When private plane pilot, Gary Tillman of Rome, Georgia decided to leave for a pre-Christmas holiday in the Bahamas, he didn’t know his engine would quit. Tillman had just left from the Craig Airfield in Jacksonville in December 2005. On board were his daughter Hannah, and her friends, Anna Kipp, and Rachael Hostetler, according to an article.

Not long after takeoff, an engine quit.

Tillman asked air traffic controllers for help in making an emergency beach landing nearby as he was about one mile off Vilano Beach, just north of St. Augustine. But he followed the FAA directions to travel south to the St. Augustine Airport, a few miles south.

The Federal Aviation Administration has agreed to pay $3.75 million for failing to help the pilot make the emergency landing. Instead, Tillman, his daughter, Hannah, and her friend Anna Kipp died in the Atlantic off Vilano Beach when they couldn’t make it safely to the airport. Tillman told the FAA after the instructions, “We’re not going to make it,” just before he crashed.

The other teen, Rachel Hostetler, was pulled from the water and was the only one to survive the crash.

Out condolences go out to all of the family members of those lost in this crash, which could have been prevented if Tillman been directed to the beach instead of south.

As attorney Woody Wilner told the jury, the air traffic controllers were at fault for the Florida wrongful death accident because Tillman had requested a beach landing.

“He had one request. You know where I am, you have radar, I don’t,” Wilner said. Instead, the controllers sent him over water.

The FAA is the authority, empowered by Congress, to promote aviation safety and the public. What happened here indicates they did not act fast enough in ascertaining the seriousness of the situation to save these three precious lives. Also indicative was that the controllers were slow in notifying the U.S. Coast Guard to the scene after the crash.

The FAA did not admit any fault in the accident.

At Farah and Farah, our experienced Florida aviation accident lawyers understand the pain, stress and confusion that families must endure when a plane crash takes the life of a loved one. For those who are lucky enough to survive an aviation accident, very often steep hospital bills await them for treating serious injuries. With our knowledge of air transportation laws, we will begin an investigation into your accident immediately to get you and your family the compensation you deserve. Call Farah and Farah today for a free consultation at 800-533-3555.

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Posted In: Aviation Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Nine teenagers decided that they’d end the school year by cutting out and heading to the beach. So the teens from Ed White High School in Jacksonville got inside a 1997 Ford Explorer last Friday morning for a day in the sun. Instead, their family, friends, and schoolmates are mourning the death of three, and the injury of six after the SUV rolled several times and crashed on I-295.

According to a report, 15-year-olds Kimber Krebs and John Kiely, and 17-year-old Dennis Stout were all killed in the SUV rollover in Jacksonville. Three others remain in critical condition when they flew out of the rolling car. Only the driver, 15-year-old Brandon Hodges was wearing a seat belt. He walked away while two others are in fair condition at a local hospital.

It’s almost hard to believe, but at a church service Saturday, the parents didn’t blame the driver, instead they recognized that their children all made some bad decisions. Our hearts go out to these parents at their time of grief.

Florida law says that if you have a learners permit, you must be with a licensed driver over the age of 21. It’s not known if Hodges had a learner’s permit but no one in the car was older than 17. Charges are reportedly pending against the young teen.

Florida also has a mandatory seat belt law, but teens are notorious for not wearing their seat belts. Among the 4,540 teenagers killed in a vehicle accident in 2007, more than half were unbelted at the time of the Florida auto accident. At night, the rate of use is even lower with nearly two-thirds of 16- to-20 year olds killed in a car accident unbelted at the time.

An experienced law firm also has to inquire about the type of tire that was on the Explorer. Lawsuits have been filed against Ford for the Explorer’s Bridgestone/Firestone tires that were unsafe and had a tendency to de-tread. In this case, the Florida Highway Patrol reports that a rear tire blew out and the driver lost control.

Many of those recalled Firestone tires are still on the road. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you should look into what kind of tire your vehicle has and seek a skilled Jacksonville car accident attorney to help you determine what happened to cause the accident. At Farah and Farah, our personal injury and product liability lawyers are dedicated to defending the rights of those injured by another person’s negligence. Let us help you hold those accountable for your injuries. Contact us today for a free evaluation.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Rollover Accident , Wrongful Death

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Palatka, Florida houses a population of 10,804 (as of July 2007), and has experienced a 7.5% rise in population since 2000. More residents translate to more people out and about and on the road. Located in Putnam County, Palatka is 6.96 square miles in size, and has a population density of only 1553 people per square mile, relatively low in comparison to other cities that are comparable in size.

Only slightly more than 20% of Palatka residents both live and work in the city. Consequently, there are a large number people who commute outside of the city limits each day; all rushing to make it to their jobs on time. With so many people present on Palatka roads, accidents, particularly those involving trucks, are of concern. Combine impatient residents who are rushing to work with truck drivers who are trying to deliver goods on time, and you have a less than desirable combination that can lead to truck accidents in Palatka. Regardless of whose fault it is, it is of extreme importance that you have a skilled Palatka truck accident attorney on your side so that you don’t have to sift through the legal waters alone.

Every city across the country has its own risks. Unfortunately for residents and visitors, wrongful death occurrences are a risk that Palatka is not immune to. When wrongful death rears its ugly head, it is important that skilled Palatka wrongful death attorneys are on the case, ensuring that negligent parties are punished and those seeking retribution are duly compensated. The wrongful death attorneys at Farah and Farah are knowledgeable and prepared to examine every aspect of your wrongful death case to ensure that your compensation is enough to help pay off the brunt of hospital bills, funeral fees, and other costs associated with the loss of a loved one. Call the wrongful death attorneys at Farah and Farah today for a consultation, and allow us to assist you with all your wrongful death legal needs. Contact us today at:

417 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, Florida 32177
Phone: (386) 328-2889

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A firstcoastnews.com article reported that children were tased during “Take Your Child to Work Day” at the Martin Correctional Institution in Indiantown and the Indian River Correctional Institute in Vero Beach. This story has outraged residents who live near the prison.

What began as a group of prison employees bringing their children to work ended with those 10 employees on administrative leave for allegedly using stun guns on the kids.

The employees wanted their kids to feel the sensation of the stun gun. The kids ranged in age from 8 to 14 and luckily none were seriously hurt. But one has to wonder about the mindset and judgment of the parents.

According to a Canadian study, taser stun guns used by law enforcement can cause brain-problems such as seizures, a loss of consciousness, and suspended breathing and confusion. Adults have had these reactions, so using a stun gun on the small body of a child could have even more devastating and permanent effects. Additionally, traumatic brain injury and concussion can occur if someone falls to the ground.

Tasers have been responsible for the wrongful death of individuals with heart conditions by delivering a jolt so strong it causes the heart to beat irregularly. Lawsuits have been filed when taser guns have been used without adequate caution. In fact, in 2007 a University of Florida student was tasered at a campus forum for Sen. John Kerry, bringing renewed attention to the use of the stun guns. Other incidents have involved the mentally ill or autistic who have been the victims of tasers when police didn’t understand their actions.

In the last five years, law enforcement agencies have increased stun guns up from 2,000 to 11,500, according to a spokesman for Taser International. With widespread use comes additional opportunity for the abuse of the stun guns. Amnesty International reports that there have been 270 deaths in the U.S. following the use of tasers.

A personal injury attorney in Florida might want to discuss your case with you to see if there was justifiable reason for you to be tasered. At Farah and Farah, we aggressively defend the rights of our clients who have been injured as a result of another person’s negligence. Our dedicated personal injury team will discuss what led to your injuries and help you get compensation for hospital stays, treatment, or any lost wages from not being able to work due to your injury. Contact us today for a case evaluation.

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Imagine actually being there throughout the first year that your child drives. It has come close to happening. Parents have more parental control with new Ford innovation “My Key,” which debuted in Detroit, according to a report.

Here’s how it works. A special key allows the parent to limit the speed the car can travel, control the stereo volume and freeze the car from operating until the seat belts are fastened. Obviously this is not great news for teenage drivers, but it does allow some control to limit the extremes they might exhibit on the road.

There may be one problem – in some circumstances, car accidents in Jacksonville are caused when someone cannot get out of the way of a collision they see unfolding. Generally an experienced driver might be able to avert an oncoming out-of-control vehicle for example, or pull away fast if they are about to be hit from behind. If a teen cannot put the pedal to the metal, there are certain limited circumstances where they might be in danger, even though they are not an experienced driver.

Teens- don’t worry too much- the maximum speed is 80 mph. The radio maximum volume is about 44 percent of the maximum limit.

By the end of this summer the Ford Focus will be the first model with the “My Key” technology, then expect to see it in the Escape, Ford-150 and Lincoln MKT crossover before being available in all models.

Remember- car accidents are a leading cause of death for young drivers, so encouraging seat belt use, limiting speed, and reducing distractions, can all help save teenage lives. Please do everything you can to keep your kids safe and remind them that driving is a privilege and not a right.

If you or your teen has been in a car accident in Florida caused by another driver’s negligence, the experienced Jacksonville auto accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury attorneys will work together to give your case the dedication and resources it needs. Call us today at 800-533-3555.

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Amelia Island, known as the “Isle of Eight Flags”, is part of Nassau County, and is home to both Amelia City and Fernandina Beach. It is part of the Sea Islands, a grouping that stretches from the north easternmost point of Florida to the South Carolina coast. Amelia Island has a population of about 68,347 people, and is only 18.2 square miles in size. Its principle industry is tourism, with attractions centering-around beach-going, sailing and camping. In such a small community setting, it is always important for visitors to treat the locals with all due respect, and vice versa. In particular, safe driving practices are of utmost importance.

With tourism such a vital part of Amelia Island’s economy, the transportation of goods is undoubtedly a common occurrence on any given day. Trucks or other large vehicles pose a risk to tourists who are not as familiar with the area. That is, truck drivers may exercise negligence in their travel routes, putting unsuspecting tourists and even locals at grave risk. When Amelia Island truck accidents do occur, it is important to have legal counsel and representation from someone who will fight for your rights and ensure you are duly compensated. The Amelia Island truck accident lawyers at Farah and Farah are here to help in all matters of the road.

In any tourist town, above all else, it is imperative that caution be taken to ensure safety. Sometimes, safety is taken for granted and wrongful death accidents can occur. At Farah and Farah, our Amelia Island wrongful death attorneys will expose negligence and seek retribution for the losses you have suffered. Whether wrongful death occurred due to an automobile accident, a pedestrian accident, or any other personal injury accident, the attorneys at Farah and Farah are skilled and ready to assist you with all matters pertaining to wrongful death cases. For an evaluation of your case, contact our Amelia Island office today at:

501 Centre St.
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
Phone: (904) 261-4440

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Imagine- a hospital that doesn’t find a single problem with a doctor over a period of 17 years. Sound improbable? It is and that’s what makes this report so upsetting.

Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, found that half of Florida hospitals never reported having a problem with any doctor committing medical malpractice in Florida for over nearly two decades. Apparently, the hospitals failed to report “problem doctors” to the National Practitioner Data Bank, which looks out for that information in an effort to help protect patients from harm.

These cases not being reported amounts to about 105 of 227 Florida hospitals and is roughly similar to the nationwide lack of reporting 48.9 percent of hospitals never having a doctor problem over 17 years when in fact there were negligent and problematic incidents.

Legally, we know that a small percentage of doctors, about five percent, commit the bulk of medical malpractice. The medical review boards routinely let doctors slide without facing he consequences when there has been an error. Medical errors are not always put into writing. Bad doctors are just allowed to resign or given a leave of absence and Florida personal injury continues to take place. That’s just the way it is and has been for years.

A new state law was aimed at keeping the public in the loop with more information, but it may have had the opposite effect with hospitals becoming even more secretive.

Florida still ranks 35th in the nation regarding the rate in which it disciplines doctors. With the growing elderly population and our general population growing in Florida, is that good enough?
You may require the skills of a personal injury attorney to look into whether a patient was put in a dangerous situation with a doctor who has faced internal disciplines. Please know that any claim must be filed before a statute of limitations takes effect. Contact the experienced Jacksonville medical malpractice lawyers at Farah and Farah for a free consultation regarding your case.

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The injury suffered by a sunbather is just one of several Jacksonville Beach personal injury accidents involving police cars. After the May 1 run-over of Ann Marie Giffin, the Florida Times Union’s Shorelines newspaper, which covers the beaches, conducted a review of auto crashes involving city police.

The report found that 25 crashes involved police over a one-year time period from 2008 to 2009. Among them, the beach run-over of Giffin, and also in May, Cpl. Robbie Bacon collision with a motorcyclist. The biker fractured his left femur after he was ejected from his bike in the motorcycle accident in Jacksonville Beach. That officer is still on the job, however and is on administrative duty.

Police officers are expected to uphold the law and show model behavior on the road. During the survey period, eight crashes involved officers who were at fault in Jacksonville Beach. The other eight involved no injuries and just minor damage.

The public is slow to forgive when officers do not protect but instead harm the public. In regards to the motorcycle accident, Cpl. Bacon had returned from a forced probation after showing up at the department off-duty but drunk. He returned to work one week after the accident. Alcohol or drugs were not involved, according to Police Chief Bruce Thomason. From a legal point of view, Bacon could be considered a liability unless his force can vouch for him.

Interestingly, the review shows that the majority of auto accidents occur when a police car is backing up, usually when someone runs into them. Overall, with at least 50 to 75 miles per shift, Jacksonville Beach police cars are relatively problem free with very few police chases, which definitely endanger the public. Let’s hope they stay this way.

If you have been injured by another person’s negligence in a pedestrian accident, car accident, or motorcycle accident, the skilled Jacksonville Beach auto accident lawyers at Farah and Farah have the knowledge and resources to get you the compensation that you deserve. Call us today at 800-533-3555 for a free consultation.

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The Florida Department of Children and Families, or DCF, in the past has had a terrible reputation of covering up and denying reports of child abuse within the foster care system. The recent Florida wrongful death of a little boy in foster care has been handled much differently this time around.

Seven-year-old Gabriel Myers had been put on several psychiatric drugs for depression, and ADHD. After parents, family members and a system let him down, the little boy is assumed to have killed himself in the shower of his Broward County home.

Based on Gabriel’s death, DCF set out to find out exactly how many kids are placed on psychiatric mind-altering medications, many of which have dangerous side effects that can include suicidal thoughts. This kind risk imposed on children would require the counsel of an experienced Jacksonville pharmaceutical litigation lawyer who can help determine through an investigation who is responsible for the defective drug.

The Florida Times Union report finds that hundreds of kids in foster care have been placed on psychiatric drugs by their caregivers in Northeast Florida - 205 kids in Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties were found to be on at least one psychotropic drug. In St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and Volusia counties, 136 kids are medicated and 76 are on drugs in Baker, Union, Bradford, Gilchrist, Alachua and Levy counties.

What’s especially shocking is that no one gave authority for these drugs to be used on the children, and most of the drugs are not even approved for child use.

Under Florida law, parental or guardian consent must be granted in writing before children in foster care can be given psychotropic drugs to modify behavior. Oversight by a psychiatrist is required, along with court orders. DCF will now aggressively seek out those parents or guardians to get consent where it was missing in about 16 percent of the cases. According to the report, kids who stayed with family members were medicated about 4 percent of the time, while kids in group homes were medicated about 30 percent of the time.

At Farah and Farah, our skilled Jacksonville personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have been defending the rights of those injured or killed by the negligence of pharmaceutical companies and other large parties. Call us today for a free consultation at 800-533-3555.

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability , Wrongful Death

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Jacksonville Beach, Florida is the largest town in the Jacksonville Beaches community, housing a population of 21,849 as of July 2007. Since the year 2000, the population has grown by 4%. The area is referred to by locals as “Jax Beach” and is a part of Duval County. As is common in most coastal locales, Jacksonville Beach attracts numerous tourists to its sandy shores. With tourism being a substantial part of its economy, Jacksonville Beach is easily accessible via highway. It is the eastern terminus of U.S. Route 90, which culminates a mere three blocks from the Atlantic Ocean.

Tourism always provides increased traffic congestion. Not only do Jacksonville Beach roads consist of shoreline enthusiasts, but also delivery trucks and other large vehicles that transport goods and materials to the surrounding area. Truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, whether out of negligence on the part of the truck driver, dangerous road conditions, or manufacturing defects in the truck itself. Regardless of the reason, it is important that you have an experienced Jacksonville Beach truck accident attorney on your side in the event of an accident.

Accidents often times lead to serious injury, and may even result in death. If a loved one has recently been the victim of a fatal accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the wrongful death lawyers at Farah and Farah. If negligence played a significant factor in the loss of your loved one, the wrongful death attorneys at Farah and Farah are prepared to get you the compensation you need to help cover steep medical costs, funeral arrangements, and other expenses. Our knowledgeable and skilled Jacksonville Beach wrongful death lawyers have been aggressively representing clients for over 25 years. Contact us today at:

472 Osceola Avenue
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250
Phone: (904) 249-2585

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Depending on where you live in Florida, there are different policies allowing vehicles on the beach. Currently, the Jacksonville Beach police department is tightening some standards after a police SUV ran over a sunbather in a rather different auto accident in Jacksonville Beach than is usually seen.

According to a firstcoastnews.com article, professional musician, 41-year old Ann Marie Giffin, was pulled out from under the Trailblazer semi-conscious and bleeding from her head. She is just now out of the hospital and able to speak. We hope that she has a speedy recovery.

After the Jacksonville Beach auto accident on the sand, Mayor Fland Sharp ordered a review of beach-driving policy. As it stands now:

• All newly hired employees and contractors must receive training on beach driving and safety


• Current employees and vendors will have to receive refresher training on beach driving


• Drivers will be required to maintain distance from the public and drive at a safe speed


• Drivers will be required to walk around a vehicle in a counter-clockwise direction before turning around. (Witnesses say the SUV turned around on Giffin, likely increasing her injuries. The fact that the officer was making a U-turn on an incline also makes it less likely that he would have seen Giffin.)

An investigation shows Officer Lewis Keller did not see Giffin and that a laptop computer on a stand in the vehicle may have partially blocked his view, yet that obvious problem is not addressed in the new policy guidelines. Other options adopted on different beaches include a complete ban on beach driving, limiting the hours of beach-driving, or allowing only Segues, scooters, or ATV’s, which would offer more visibility to an officer.

Does Jacksonville Beach really think that training officers to drive the beach more carefully is an adequate change and the only change that should be made to the current policy to protect the public? Jacksonville Beach Mayor Fland Sharp said that with all of the vehicles driven by lifeguards, trash collectors, and public works vehicles, he’s surprised this hasn’t happened before.

Without any new substantial policy change, it is likely this type of accident will happen again, although we hope that it doesn’t. However, if you have been injured in an auto accident on the beach or on Florida’s roads, a skilled Jacksonville Beach personal injury attorney can determine who is liable for the beach or street auto accident. To ensure that you don’t miss your opportunity to file a claim or find out if you have a claim, call Farah and Farah today at 800-533-3555 and we would be happy to answer your questions.

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On July 1, 2007, the United States Census Bureau reported Jacksonville, Florida as having a population of 805,605 people. By population, Jacksonville, is the largest city in the state of Florida, and, as of 2007, had the 12th largest population of any major U.S. city of at least 100,000 people. The city of Jacksonville has a total area of 874.3 square miles, making it the largest city in land area in the United States. Located in the First Coast region of northeast Florida, Jacksonville is centered on the banks of the St. Johns River 340 miles north of Miami and 25 miles south of the Georgia border.

As a result of location, Jacksonville is a prime tourist spot, in addition to permanently housing a vast number of people. Because there are so many inhabitants and mere passers-by, transportation and its resulting traffic play a significant role in the life of any Jacksonville resident. A hub of industry in the state of Florida, Jacksonville is host to countless motor vehicles, some transporting passengers and others transporting goods. With such a high volume of traffic, auto accidents and other personal injury accidents that result in Jacksonville wrongful death cases are extremely prevalent.

At Farah and Farah, we are dedicated to helping injured victims of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and truck accidents in Florida get the medical treatment and money they need to recover properly. We will aggressively represent you in negotiation with insurance, with the truck driver and trucking company, and if necessary, in court. Our skilled Jacksonville truck accident attorneys have vast experience in truck accidents and are familiar with the law regarding negligence on the part of truck drivers. At Farah and Farah, we understand that every accident is different and has unique circumstances that deserve to be fully examined to get the best results. Contact us today for a free consultation at:

10 West Adams Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: (904) 396-5555

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