Jacksonville Personal Injury Blog

Fort Myers Man Ejected From Truck

2010-03-10T12:00:00Z

A 20-year-old Fort Myers, Florida, man lost control of his truck on Interstate 75 and lost his life. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the man was heading south at a high rate of speed when the vehicle hit a curve north of the Bayshore Road exit. Because of the speed, the 20-year-old’s vehicle skidded onto the west side of the highway and then overturned four times. The young driver was ejected when his driver’s door opened. Despite the fact that he was wearing his seat belt, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Our condolences go out to the family of this young driver.

Young Driver Traffic Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, young drivers, ages 15-to-20, represent 9 percent of the U.S. population in 2007, and 6 percent of the licensed drivers. But they also represent 19 percent of the fatalities in the United States in 2007.

Approximately two-thirds of the people killed in fatal young-driver crashes are the young drivers themselves or the passengers (of all ages) of the young drivers.

Of the passengers killed riding in vehicles with young drivers, 67 percent are in the same 15-to-20-year-old age group as the drivers. And 56% of the fatal crashes and 57 % of the fatalities involving young drivers occur on rural road-ways.

]]> Defective Products
Since this driver was wearing his seat belt, I would want to know whether there was a failure of the seat belt. When a driver is thrown from the vehicle it increases the chances of a fatal outcome. Often injuries or death resulting from a crash are really due to failure of some safety restraint built into the vehicle.

The family of this young man, who had so much life ahead, should be sure an accident investigation includes determining whether there was an auto product defect in the seat belts that may have failed to keep him in the vehicle and led to his fatal injuries.

Driver Arrested at Orlando International for Vehicular Manslaughter

2010-03-09T12:00:00Z

A 24-year old driver was arrested at Orlando International Airport Tuesday, January 12, 2010 and accused of causing a crash that killed two women in 2008. Authorities had “flagged” his passport after he went to Lebanon last year. The man is facing two counts of DUI manslaughter and two counts of vehicular homicide for a July, 2008 crash that killed a 20-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman.

The driver was trying to reenter the country when he was arrested on an active warrant. He is being held in jail since FHP considers him a flight risk.

Vehicular Manslaughter
The two young women were traveling north on Dean Road after leaving SR 408 exit, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The man reportedly had a blood alcohol level of .085 when he ran a red light driving his 2008 Infinity south on Dean road. He was speeding according to troopers, going 68 mph in a 45 mph zone. The speed literally split the Acura in two, killing the two women at the scene.

Friends of the male driver say he was not leaving the country to avoid prosecution, but to visit his relatives. Our condolences go out to the families of these two girls who have had to wait for justice for so long.

Florida Accident Statistics
Florida drivers ages 15 to 19, have the highest rate per 10,000 licensed drivers of crash involvement (399.04) and drivers 20-24 have the highest rate in fatal crashes (4.24), according to 2008 statistics from the Florida Highway Patrol.

]]> In deciding to charge this man with DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide, a review of the facts of the case indicated that the driver failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection and from his blood-alcohol level, we know he was over the limit considered intoxicated, which is .08.

Did that cause the accident, or were there dangerous conditions on the roadway that may have led to the accident? Was any one of the drivers distracted, speeding, under the influence, or otherwise negligent at the time of the crash? All of those questions will be decided before a jury, now that the male motorist is in custody.

Liability Issues
If one of the drivers was negligent and caused this crash, he or she could be held liable for the accident and resulting deaths and spend up to 15 years in prison for each charge.

In such cases, victims could seek compensation to cover medical and other related expenses. A reputable Jacksonville car crash injury lawyer will be able to guide the victims through what can be a complex legal process and help them secure the compensation they rightfully deserve.

Source article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-opd-arrests-dui-suspect-fatal-crash-20100113,0,6514189.story

Emergency Response to Miami Bike Accident Delayed Because of Budget Cuts

2010-03-08T12:00:00Z

Some budget changes apparently are needed in Miami. But budget cutbacks have also cut back the response time of emergency personnel. In this case, a bicyclist was hit by a car on the busy South Florida causeway into Key Biscayne Sunday, January 17. The car was driven by a man who is facing DUI manslaughter charges. His driving record has previous incidents and he has been accused of battery. But it took rescue personnel 12 minutes to respond. The nearest fire rescue station at Key Biscayne is only opened part time. So Miami-Dade sent rescue personnel from its open station, which is in South Miami, which explains the 12 minute wait.

Unfortunately. that time was too much for the cyclist who did not survive the crash. Both Key Biscayne and the City of Miami Fire Rescue are closer to the scene of the accident. The family issued a statement, “Lives were changed forever, and two families are grieving and going through an extremely difficult time.” The county is launching an investigation.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of the affected individual. The response time is a strong factor in survivability of a bicycle crash with an automobile.

Florida Bicycle and Passenger Fatalities
While bicycle and passenger fatalities decreased 2.5% from 121 to 118 in 2008, 118 bicyclists were killed in 2008 in Florida. There were also 4,380 injuries during that time period from 4,775 crashes. Unfortunately, car drivers will often tell you they did not see a bicyclist or a motorcycle. That is often because they are not looking.

]]> Based on this newspaper report, it seems to me that the driver of the car did not yield right-of-way to the bicyclist. He could find himself at fault for this accident, both criminally and civilly. If I was a member of the deceased bicyclist’s family, I would want to know whether the car driver was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol, or was speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent and would be consulting with a Florida personal injury attorney.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has kicked off a public awareness campaign called “Share the Road” to remind motorists to use courtesy when driving and watch out for pedestrians, bicyclist, and motorcyclists. The road belongs to everyone.

Source report: http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI141562/

Chrysler Recall Expanded

2010-03-05T12:00:00Z

The Chrysler Group is recalling 24,000 Dodge and Jeep automobiles because of a defect that could cause the brakes to fail. The bulk of the recall applies to the Dodge Ram pickup truck, model years 2009-2010 as well as the 2010 Chrysler Sebring, the Dodge Avenger and Nitro, the Jeep Liberty, Commander and Grand Cherokee.

The problem is a rod-retaining clip that has been fitted incorrectly and in some Ram trucks the part has not been fitted at all. No accidents are reported as a result of the brake issue, but Chrysler says the problem with the braking system could result in brake failure without warning, “which could cause a crash.” As auto defect attorneys in Florida and throughout the U.S. are monitoring recall updates, Chrysler is working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the recall.

The auto giant is in the midst of trying to rebuild its image after going through bankruptcy last year and receiving federal bailout money. NHTSA is encouraging consumers to call Chrysler to obtain the fix.

Source report: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703837004575013263719462230.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

19-Year-Old Killed in Daytona from Flat Tire, Rollover

2010-03-04T12:00:00Z

A 19-year-old from Atlantic Beach near Jacksonville suffered fatal injuries when the pickup truck in which he was riding got a flat tire and rolled over. The crash happened Thursday afternoon, January 14, 2010 at about 4:15 p.m. on Interstate- 95 and LPGA Boulevard in Daytona Beach.

The teen was one of two passengers ejected from the vehicle, a 2005 Ford, after the driver lost control and the car went into the grass median before overturning twice. He was not wearing a seat belt. The other passenger, a 21-years-old, also of Atlantic Beach, was not wearing his seat belt and was hospitalized. The 29-year-old driver from Atlantic Beach was wearing a seat belt and sustained minor injuries.

Our prayers go out to the family members of the young man who did not survive and the other injured man who was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach and is recovering. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Florida’s New Seat Belt Law
Many people argue that they should not have to wear a seat belt if they do not want to and they refuse to buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 20% of drivers are still not buckling up.

]]> But consider the facts. The Florida Department of Transportation estimates that 3 out of 5 motor vehicle fatalities are directly due to the failure to wear a seat belt. So Florida joined 28 other states plus the District of Columbia last June in passing a primary seat belt law.

The fine is relatively small, $30, but officers can now pull you over for no other reason than not wearing your seat belt. NHTSA estimates Florida's primary safety belt law will save 124 lives a year and prevent 1,733 serious injuries saving $408 million in associated costs each year.

Most injury from car accidents in Jacksonville and throughout the state of Florida results from not wearing a seat belt, more than any other factor. Follow the law and stay safe.

Source article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-fatal-volusia-crash-i4-20100114,0,3947060.story

Palatka Birth Injury and Hospital Malpractice Lawyers

2010-03-03T21:48:10Z

The city of Palatka rests in the county seat of Putnam County, Florida and currently approximates a population of 10,796 - a significant rise in births since the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2000 count. Many attractions involve Palatka residents, including a bluegrass music festival that occurs biannually, and Ravine Gardens State Park, which students of nearby St. Johns River Community College can visit to enjoy the scenery or study at. With two available Amtrak services and a local public-use airport to accommodate residential travel, the population of Palatka is an educated, busy city that continues to grow. However, from time to time, an accident can occur, such as birth injury or hospital malpractice, and these traumatic incidents can permanently affect the well-being of an individual or a family.

Birth injury will devastate a significant number of families each year, with an estimated six to eight newborns out of 1,000 having difficulty during the birthing procedure and suffering an injury. A certified physician has the responsibility to provide adequate and proper care for a patient about to give birth, including accurate diagnosis, identifying a future child at risk of stroke, and taking measures to prevent premature birth.

An annual estimate of 200,000 patients will experience grief from acts of hospital malpractice by medical professionals who have not given proper treatment or correct dosage of medication to their patients. Mistakes from negligence can be irreversible and drain the earnings of those who have suffered mistreatment. In cases of neglect, a skilled Palatka hospital malpractice attorney is available to help anyone in need of repairing medical damages due to the negligence of a doctor, nurse or employed medical practitioner.

If you or a family member has experienced emotional trauma, physical pain, birth injury or personal loss at the expense of a medical negligence, the skilled and confident Palatka personal injury attorneys at Farah and Farah can help protect your rights. Loved ones and victims of neglect have trusted our lawyers for many years in hospital malpractice and birth injury cases. For a free and confidential consultation of your case, call the Palatka office of Farah and Farah today:

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

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Crib Recall Policy Revised by CPSC

2010-03-03T12:00:00Z

A new crib recall policy could be part of the newly beefed up crib safety rules initiated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). When consumers find that they own a defective crib that has been recalled, CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum recently told congress that her “Safe Sleep Initiative” would require a crib maker to offer a refund or store credit to the owner of the defective crib. That is, as long as it does not force a company into bankruptcy. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) says what is most shocking about this is that all of the recalled cribs were certified as meeting the industry’s safety standards.

The problem with many recalled cribs is that they continue to resurface in the second-hand market, whether it is through a garage sale or consignment store.

Tenenbaum says she plans to ratchet up the public outreach for baby and toddler products by using multimedia tools, print, radio, television and social media to find the recalled items. Also CPSC is partnering with Safe Kids USA, Keeping Babies Safe, and the National Safety Council.

Recently the CPSC recalled more than 2 million Stock Craft drop-side cribs as well as 600,000 Dorel Asia cribs. Be sure to visit the CPSC Web site if you are planning to purchase a used baby crib or toddler equipment to check that it is not a defective product that has been recalled.

Source report: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/cpsc_cribs.html

OSHA Recommendations for Late-Night Workers

2010-03-02T18:39:35Z

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its guidance for people who work late-night in retail establishments due to the number of people killed on the job. According to federal statistics, 167 retail trade workers were killed behind the counter in 2007 with nearly half working in gas stations, liquor and convenience stories. 39 were killed in convenience stores, 32 worked at gasoline stations, and seven worked at liquor stores. And while retail outlets experience a disproportionate amount of violence in the workplace, those premises that made any changes to improve conditions is fewer than 2%.

The only good news to report here is that the number of retail workers who died at workplace violence has declined over the past 10 years from 286 in 1998 to 167 in 2007. OSHA recently updated its guidance report, Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments, which was published in 1998. The updated Recommendations identify risk factors and feasible solutions.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, all employers are required to provide a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. Otherwise, someone injured on the job through no fault of their own, may have a premises liability case against the owner of the place of business.

In terms of other types of dangers on the job, OSHA reports that 5,071 workers died on the job in 2008. Employers under federal law are required to report any work-related deaths or in-patient hospitalization of three or more employees to their OSHA area office or call OSHA toll-free at 1-800-321-6742.

Source report: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=17115

Truck Crash Kills Merritt Island Woman

2010-03-01T22:10:22Z

A 24-year-old Merritt Island, Florida woman was killed when the truck she was riding in was struck by an oncoming truck on South Tropical Trail. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the young woman was pronounced dead after the crash, which happened at 5:36 a.m. near Crooked Mile Road.

Traffic investigators say the woman was riding in a 2001 Toyota truck driven by a 26-year-old man from Orlando. According to troopers, the motorist was speeding north on South Tropical Trail. He overcorrected when he drove onto the shoulder of the road, veering into the path of a southbound 1997 Ford truck. A 45-year-old Merritt Island resident was driving the Ford. Both she and the driver were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The crash is under investigation and charges are pending.

We offer our condolences for family and friends of the young woman and our prayers for a full recovery for the injured parties.

Speeding Vehicles Cause Accidents
We do not know the specific causes of this accident or who will be held responsible. But we do know that speed kills. Federal statistics from 2008 indicate that speeding is one of the most prevalent factors in traffic fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says speeding was involved in about 31% of fatal crashes in 2008, causing 11,674 deaths.

]]> Help With Your Personal Injury
With the few details available about this tragic accident, it is difficult to say why the truck would drift onto the shoulder of the road. Perhaps the driver was distracted, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or maybe he dozed off at the wheel. Maybe there was something wrong with the truck. If he is found responsible for this fatal crash, he could be held liable for damages, medical cost, and lost wages. The consequences for the death of his passenger could be even greater.

Victims in accidents should get in touch with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable attorney can investigate the accident to determine if there is any negligence. Many accident victims also need advice on how their insurance policy works in the case of an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Source report: http://www.topix.com/forum/city/merritt-island-fl/TAOBB45TMVJA6DFVC

Clewiston Man DUI Hits Bus

2010-02-26T20:06:09Z

A Clewiston, Florida man faces 12 counts of DUI and causing bodily injury as well as possession of marijuana after the car he was driving hit a Palm Tran bus carrying 13 people. The Naples News reports that the 41-year old man was arrested on January 20, 2010 when his car ran a stop sign, slamming into the bus. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office says the deputy at the scene reported smelling alcohol coming from the man’s car and that the man’s demeanor indicated he was under the influence. According to the deputy, a search of the man’s car uncovered a small bag of marijuana. The bus driver and passengers as well as a passenger in his car were taken to a nearby hospital with injuries.

Our prayers for a speedy recovery go out to all injured in this accident.

Alcohol-Related Accidents in Florida
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that state and local law enforcement agencies in Florida issued almost 65,000 DUI violations in 2008. While alcohol-related fatalities in 2008 were down from 2007 by 6%, 39.5% of all traffic fatalities involved alcohol, the highest it’s been in years. While no one was killed in this accident, one man is accused of driving under the influence and causing the injury of 14 people.

]]> Contacting an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reports that one in three Americans will be affected by impaired driving in their lifetime. Every 32 minutes someone in the U.S. is killed in an alcohol-related accident. Someone is injured every two minutes. The cost of alcohol-related accidents runs in the billions when considering medical care, insurance costs, and the cost of litigation resulting from such accidents. Despite rigorous and consistent education campaigns as well as legal consequences, people continue to drink and drive, putting us all at risk.

If you or a loved one has been in an accident that involved a drunk driver, or a driver under the influence of drugs, you will want to contact an experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorney who will be at your side throughout the entire process, follow-up with the investigation and help determine if there was negligence and who was at fault. A skilled accident attorney can also advise victims and their families how to access their auto insurance policies and how that might apply to a car accident case if there are uninsured drivers involved.

Source report: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jan/24/florida-man-charged-dui-after-crash-bus-injured-14/

Gainesville Birth Injury and Hospital Malpractice Lawyers

2010-02-25T22:51:40Z

The city of Gainesville, Florida, is the largest in Alachua County with an estimated population of 114,375 and also is home to one of the biggest national universities, the University of Florida. Gainesville scenery is highly regarded, according to the 2007 edition of Cities Ranked and Rated, which named it the #1 place to live, and National Geographic Adventure noted it as one of the “best places to live and play.” As a top city and an education landmark, the Gainesville community may be publicly regarded as a safe environment. However, from time to time, incidents of hospital malpractice in Gainesville take place in which birth injury may be a result.

A birth injury is one of the most grief sustaining incidents that no family should every have to experience, especially when a family is under the impression that they can trust professional medical staff to provide adequate hospital care. When a hospital official, physician, or nurse practitioner fails to handle a critical birthing situation, the newly born baby may sustain serious health problems, mental defects, physical disfigurement, or even death under the most traumatic circumstances. In addition to the baby potentially suffering from medical negligence, the mother may also endure serious harm as well. In such conditions of suffering from the improper care of a negligent professional, a family may want to seek the help of a skilled Gainesville birth injury lawyer to find out their legal rights and possible options for compensation.

Not only is birth injury an unfortunate occurrence, but hospital malpractice is a serious form of negligence that causes people seeking treatment unnecessary physical pain and avoidable emotional grief. Common forms of hospital malpractice include improperly prescribed drugs, misdiagnosis, error during surgery, and even ignoring a patient in a desperate condition. Though a doctor or staff member may have caused irreversible errors, these parties may be held liable for any pain, expenses or unfulfilled responsibilities as medical professionals.

Farah and Farah personal injury attorneys have been working with families and the victims of medical malpractice and birth injury for several years and have the experience necessary to help protect the rights of mistreated patients. If you or a family member has experienced financial, emotional, or physical grief or loss due to medical malpractice or birth injury, contact the Gainesville offices of Farah and Farah for a free and confidential consultation:

(352) 375-3393
2233 NW 41st. St.
Suite 700-1
Gainesville, FL 32605

Tallahassee Man Killed in I-10 Semi Truck Crash

2010-02-25T12:00:00Z

A Tallahassee, Florida man died on January 9, 2010, when he crashed into the rear of a semi-tractor-trailer rig on I-10. The 48-year-old man was traveling on I-10 just west of SR 77 near Chipley in Washington County.

The Florida Highway Patrol says he was heading east just before noon when he hit the rear of the tractor-trailer. The driver of the truck said he was on cruise control at 68 mph when he felt a large explosion. When he looked into his rear view mirrors all he saw was dust and debris. The 48-year-old man’s vehicle was actually stuck under the trailer rig. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from Washington County.

Our condolences go out to the family of this motorist.

When a fully loaded tractor-trailer weighing in at over 80,000 pounds collides with an automobile weighing about 3,000 pounds, even if it is a rear-ender, 98 percent of the fatalities occur to people in the passenger vehicles. It sounds as though there was nothing the driver of the big-rig could have done to be safer on the road.

Distracted Driving
Almost weekly we are reporting about people who collide into the back of the vehicles. Dialing a cell phone and texting can contribute to distracted driving. But also, reaching into the back seat, changing the radio, having an argument in the car, and being sleep deprived, may all contribute to a less than safe driver.

According to a study by Virginia Tech last year, dialing a cell phone made the risk of crash or near-crash event 2.8 times as high as non-distracted driving; while talking or listening to a cell phone made the risk of crash or a near-crash event 1.3 times as high as non-distracted driving; and reaching for an object such as an electronic device made the risk of crash or near-crash event 1.4 times as high as non-distracted driving.

In Florida, there were 243,342 traffic crashes in 2008, which averages 665 per day. The type of crash, rear-ending the vehicle in front, tops the list of types of crashes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol in its 2008 statistics. In that year, there were more than 29,000 car accidents in Florida of this nature that resulted in more than 74,000 injuries and 318 deaths.

Nationally, NHTSA finds that at least 25% of police-reported crashes involve some form of driver inattention. That means more than 4,300 crashes each day across the country. And many suspect that estimate is low.

Source article: http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/81075122.html

Medical Malpractice Record Cost Should Be Reasonable

2010-02-24T18:27:09Z

A former patient at University Community Hospital (UCH) in Tampa underwent back surgery but instead of relief he suffered complications.

The patient, male, filed a Florida medical malpractice lawsuit against his surgeon. In order to proceed, records would be needed from the hospital. Florida law gives patients a right to access any adverse incident records of doctors and hospitals. The person requesting the records is supposed to pay a reasonable cost for their retrieval.

The Million Dollar Search
However, the hospital says it will cost the defendant $1 million to retrieve the records. Hospital officials say that searching through years of records for adverse incidents related to the accused surgeon would require manual record searches and names will have to be redacted to protect privacy.

So the patient has sued UCH in an attempt to have the records costs lowered and to determine the actual cost to produce the documents.

His lawyer says the cost is unconscionable and designed to stall and prevent patients from obtaining information on their doctors.

Patients Have Rights to Medical Records
The Agency for Health Care Administration says each hospital is supposed to keep track of how many incidents every doctor has because reporting is mandatory. The health care provider owns a patient’s medical record, but the patient has a right to see it and get a copy.

]]> Hospitals are required to keep the records for at least seven years after the patient has been discharged, and doctors in Florida must keep medical records for at least five years after their last contact with the patient.

What are they allowed to charge? Part of the problem is how far back the search would have to go. The UCH surgeon has been operating on spines for more than 20 years. The hospital says the documents requested would cost almost $75,000 per year for every year searched before 2008 and $68,000 per year after 2008, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Under HIPAA rules, a hospital is supposed to provide documents within 90 days after receiving a request, and the maximum copying fee for doctors and chiropractors is no more than $1 per page for copying the first 25 pages and 25-cents per page for additional pages, according to a summary on patient rights done by Georgetown University. Under HIPAA Privacy rules you are not supposed to be charged for retrieving or handling fees.

The public is put in danger if this cost estimate is accurate. It shows the hospital has no idea about the adverse incident reports and there could be a bad doctor on staff that they themselves may not know about. What kind of message does that send to the patient about care and safety?

Source article: http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/civil/patient-sues-after-learning-uch-records-search-could-top-1-million/1064147; http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0456/SEC057.HTM&Title=-%3E2001-%3ECh0456-%3ESection%20057

Fiery Semi-Truck Crash Near Orlando

2010-02-23T12:00:00Z

Two big-rigs were involved in a fiery collision the early hours of Tuesday, January 12, 2010, shutting down the Florida Turnpike under the Boggy Creek overpass in Kissimmee, Florida. The crash caused a huge fire when it erupted around 12:30 a.m. filling up the space under the bridge as the flames shot up into the air.

The first vehicle was a Target store delivery big-rig. The driver and passenger in that truck were injured, and are hospitalized with serious injuries. Their survival was amazing considering the cab of the truck was engulfed in fire. Troopers say the fire might have actually started when the refrigeration unit that keeps food cool inside the trailer, was damaged. The food inside the Target truck was a complete loss, along with the cab of the truck.

A Good Samaritan jumped out of his vehicle and helped save the occupants of the first truck. We wish the drivers a swift recovery and are thankful that their injuries were not more serious.

So what happened here? The Florida Highway Patrol says that it appears an 18-wheeler in front of the Target truck blew a tire and was hit in the rear by the Target big-rig. Then a third big-rig hit debris from the initial crash and also sustained damage to its fuel system. Traffic was closed both northbound and southbound and was reopened just after 6 a.m. while crews cleaned up a 200-gallon diesel fuel spill caused by the crash.

The Orlando Sentinel reported the next day that damages to the Boggy Creek Road overpass are estimated to be about $300,000.

The Dangers of Semi Tractor-Trailers
In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that 11,674 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes.

Nearly one-quarter of all large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2008 had at least one prior speeding conviction, as did 18 percent of passenger car drivers.

263 people lost their lives in 2008 in Florida collisions with a large truck, a number that has been in decline since 2004.

]]> While one story talks about a tire blown, the FHP in this case is charging one of the semi-tractor trailer drivers with making an improper lane change. He was driving on the southbound shoulder when he suddenly pulled into the southbound lanes of the Turnpike, when he was struck by the second driver whose semi was sent into the center of the road, striking the guard rail and coming to rest at the Boggy Creek Road overpass where it burst into flames.
That’s when the third semi got involved.

A Florida Highway Patrol investigation is underway and in this case, it will take a skilled team of investigators to determine the true cause of the tractor trailer crash. It is likely that the insurance company for the first semi will be charged with the cost of repairs.

This is the second fiery crash on the Florida turnpike involving a semi and an overpass in less than one month.

In both cases, I would like to know from the truck driving records, log books and any black box recorder onboard whether the truck driver complied with state and federal laws in regard to driving time, rest and the maintenance of the vehicle.

Source reports: http://www.wesh.com/news/22213451/detail.html; http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-crash-turnpike-osceola-20100112,0,1191198.story

Eight Injured in I-295 Crash

2010-02-22T12:00:00Z

Eight people were injured Saturday afternoon, January 16, 2010, when three cars collided. The Florida Highway Patrol says a white pickup truck was traveling southbound on I-295 in Jacksonville, when it lost control. An 18-wheeler hit the truck and went into the median, spinning out of control and hitting a Cadillac that was traveling north. A van carrying eight people traveling northbound had to overcorrect to avoid hitting the collision and overturned in the median. It is reported by First Coast News that all of the injuries are non-life threatening. The injured have been taken to various hospitals.

We are very hopeful that those in the van were not seriously injured and thankful that there were no fatalities or serious injuries reported.

Big-Rigs
Large trucks, also known as tractor-trailers and semis, or eighteen-wheelers, make up only about 3% of the vehicles on the road. However, they account for far more traffic fatalities.

National statistics point to poor driver training, driver fatigue, speeding, overloaded and oversized trucks, brake failure, and poor driving conditions, the inexperience of the driver and a failure to yield the right-of-way, as a cause of trucking accidents.

But in fairness, those who drive 18-wheelers or big-rigs often complain that it is people driving in vehicles that cause accidents with big-rigs.

According to a 2002 study by the American Association of Automobiles, 80 percent of fatal truck-involved crashes are caused by passenger vehicles. A 2006 Virginia Tech analysis of two studies conducted for the Department of Transportation found that 78 percent of crashes were caused by passenger car drivers.

]]> Liability Issues in Accidents
In any accident where cars and large trucks are involved, the fault of course, may lie with either the car driver or the truck driver, or in some cases, both. Ultimately, the truck driver and his company could be held liable for the accident and injuries if they are found to be at fault. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased car accident victims may be able to file wrongful death claims seeking compensation for funeral expenses, loss of earnings and other related damages.

In such cases, it would be in the best interests of victims' families to contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Jacksonville who can make sure that they receive fair compensation for their injuries and losses. At the very least, consult with an attorney before talking to insurance adjusters. Insurance adjusters are typically not your good neighbor and do not have your back when it comes to signing any agreements or settlements.

Source article: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=150856&catid=3