Jacksonville Personal Injury Blog

The burned wreckage of this overturned vehicle makes it difficult to tell what model car it was. Two people died and two others were seriously injured in Ponte Vedra Beach early Saturday morning, January 21, when the 2005 Chevy Impala they were in crashed and overturned, causing the car to catch on fire. The single-vehicle crash occurred around 2:50 a.m. on A1A at Broken Pottery Drive. News4Jax.com reports the Impala was heading north when, for some reason, it ran off the left side of the road, then ran back across the road and went off the east shoulder where the Impala hit a tree, rolled over, and landed on its roof where it caught fire. The 23-year-old driver and his front seat passenger, a 24-year-old male, both from Jacksonville, were trapped in the burning vehicle and both died at the scene. The two back seat passengers, a 22-year-old female from Hortense, Georgia, and a 24-year-old from Jacksonville, escaped but were seriously injured. One woman was airlifted to Shands Medical Center in Jacksonville and the other went to Baptist Beaches Medical Center.

Comments to the Channel 4 site said two girls from nearby Ponte Vedra High School helped rescue the two young women from the burning vehicle.

A1A south of Mickler Road was closed for several hours after the crash. Our condolences go out to the two young men killed. Let’s pray the two women survive their injuries.

If I was a family member, I would want to understand what amount of fault the driver shared in this tragic accident. His estate could be held responsible for compensation to the family members of the two young women for their pain and suffering, as well as medical expenses and the cost of rehabilitation. The Florida car accident attorneys of Farah & Farah will always offer a complimentary consultation to discuss your options to seek justice for the injured.

Source: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/topstories/story/Two-killed-two-injured-in-fiery-crash/lwkPfLC3q02uS11Pjk4CiQ.cspx?rss=1; http://www.news4jax.com/news/Fiery-crash-kills-2-on-A1A-in-South-Ponte-Vedra/-/475880/8480576/-/10rs5f8/-/index.html

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has made no secret of his plan. He wants to reform the state’s personal injury protection, or PIP, insurance which requires every driver in Florida to have $10,000 in auto insurance to cover medical bills in case they are injured in a car crash. PIP goes back to 1972 and was intended to get a person medical benefits following an auto accident no matter who was at fault. But this is 2012 and some have seen PIP as a way to earn a fast $10,000 by staging accidents and fraudulently claiming injuries and lost wages.

Florida auto accident attorneys understand the reality that PIP still provides a safety net to keep some people afloat following an auto accident while traditional insurance may not.

Gov. Scott has been joined in his mission to overturn PIP by state Sen. Joe Negron who on Monday, January 9, filed a bill- SB 1860. The bill targets fraud which the Associated Press reports costs Floridians $1 billion every year. Some insured drivers who live in high fraud areas are paying several hundred dollars more in insurance premiums due to PIP fraud, according to the report.

SB 1860 would give hospitals the first chance at taking care of a PIP accident victim instead of clinics that are sometimes involved in the fraud. Some pain clinics with questionable practices would face losing their license. A recent Miami-Dade County investigation found regulatory violations in the majority of the 49 pain clinics visited. Among them, some clinics bill for medical services but have never seen a patient.

Stay tuned for changes to PIP during the 60-day legislative session.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/09/2581177/sen-negron-files-bill-targeting.html

This crash had all the potential to be very serious after a 31-year-old drove the wrong way into downtown Jacksonville with police following him. The man was in a 2005 Buick LeSabre heading west in the eastbound lanes of the Arlington Expressway and the Mathews Bridge when he hit a 27-year-old female driver, according to a report in the Florida Times-Union, who was not injured. The man kept driving after the crash and was finally stopped by officers at Addison Road following the use of stop sticks, which punctured the tire of the fleeing vehicle. Inside the vehicle, law enforcement found a small amount of marijuana and an open bottle of Crown Royal whiskey. The man was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving on the wrong side of a divided highway, as well as leaving an accident scene and being in possession of an open alcohol bottle and marijuana.

Fortunately, no one was killed by this reckless driver and police used sound judgment to stop the offender before he could travel any further and put the public in danger.

The citizen group Voices Insisting on Pursuit Safety was formed after many innocent civilians were killed over the years by police pursuits. The group estimates four or five bystanders are killed every week in the U.S. as the result of police chases. Ultimately, it is up to individual police departments to establish their own pursuit policy.

While Pursuit Safety endorses police chases only for violent crimes, the group also recognizes excellence by law enforcement and its officers to apprehend a suspect without hurting innocent victims. The group was established nine years ago by family members of those who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and found themselves run over by law enforcement or the person being pursued. The survivors of these innocent civilians had nowhere to take their grief until the group was formed.

Farah & Farah encourage you to visit the website and see the suffering that can result from a department without a public safety-minded police chase policy. It gives you something to think about. If you have been injured in an auto accident that you feel was caused by the negligence of another driver, such as the woman in this police chase-related incident, the experienced car accident attorneys in Jacksonville of Farah & Farah can help you hold the negligent parties responsible. For a complimentary consultation, please call (800) 533-3555.

Source:http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-12-23/story/car-chase-leads-collision-ends-after-jacksonville-police-use-stop-sticks;http://pursuitsafety.org/

There is a lot of tragedy to report this holiday season with a number of older folks killed on our roadways in cars or on foot. In this case, an 83-year-old Palm Coast man was killed and his wife, age 78, is in critical condition after their car left a St. Augustine road and hit a tree. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reports that for an unknown reason the couple’s Kia Soul drifted off U.S. Highway 1 near Shores Boulevard at the St. Augustine Shores neighborhood around 7:18 p.m. The vehicle first crashed into a concrete culvert, then a tree, before it rotated to a stop. The man died at the scene and his wife was taken to Flagler Hospital, then Shands Jacksonville.

The sad thing is that the man was not wearing his seat belt. His wife was wearing hers. There is no word in this story from News4jax.com about why the car may have left the road during the early evening hours. Our sincere condolences go out to the friends and family of this couple for their loss. Let’s all pray that the wife survives her injuries.

Florida Crash Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than half of fatalities from auto crashes in 2009 and 2010 resulted from single-vehicle crashes.

A single-vehicle accident can occur if a person has a medical condition or is distracted, if there is debris on the road or that falls on the road, during adverse weather conditions, or in a collision with an animal. While the assumption is often that the operator made an error or was driving drunk, it is important for an investigation to include all of the possibilities, including a determination of whether the vehicle, or some component of the vehicle, may have been faulty.

A car with a defective auto part, tire, or design may never be uncovered as the cause if the investigator doesn’t look for it. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced Florida auto accident law firm investigator on the scene to help determine what actually caused a catastrophic crash. A St. Augustine auto accident lawyer at Farah & Farah is available anytime of the night and day at (800) 533-3555.

Source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/Crash-on-US-1-kills-Palm-Coast-man-injures-wife/-/475880/5853588/-/l5x8rq/-/index.html

A North Florida man was trapped in a retention pond and called his wife begging for help on his cell phone hours before his body was found. The 39-year-old had returned from a party early Sunday morning, December 11, and decided to leave home around 2:30 a.m. to go to the store to get some milk and stop by a friend’s house. About six minutes after leaving home he called his wife and, according to The Florida Times-Union, he yelled for her to come help him. He had apparently missed a turn at Pilar Lane and Mount Pleasant Road and driven into a retention pond.

She spent several hours looking for his vehicle but was unsuccessful in finding his car, which was eventually spotted by a landscaping crew on Sunday morning. The man was found dead in the back seat. He was reported missing about 11 a.m. Sunday. He and his wife have four children.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family for the loss of this man, husband, and father.

Escaping a Retention Pond

This is a frightening scenario and not uncommon as there are about 5,000 retention pond accidents in Florida every year. With about two minutes before the car sinks, the Florida Highway Patrol recommends carrying a spring-loaded window breaker to smash the nearest window and get out quickly, such as LifeHammer and ResQMe. The Jacksonville auto accident lawyers at Farah & Farah recommend you carry them in the glove box as well as a device to cut through a seat belt if necessary in an emergency.

Farah & Farah is ready to help with a complimentary consultation following your auto accident. Call us at (800) 533-3555.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/12/2542777/north-fla-man-calls-wife-for-help.html; http://www.news4jax.com/news/East-Arlington-man-calls-wife-for-help-after-crash-into-pond/-/475880/5289086/-/dq135jz/-/index.html

The website Carinsurancecomparison.com compiled data from federal sources, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the American Motorists Association to find out which states have the worst drivers. As you might expect, Florida ranks highest in the number of tickets given out, which also means auto insurance is higher than in other states with safer drivers. Florida ranked 50 on the scale, a high number that indicates the number of bad drivers. Florida ranks fourth with 37 fatalities per million miles driven, and sits in seventh place for the number of drunk drivers and at the bottom for the carelessness of drivers. Florida also hands out more tickets per capita than other states.

The insurance group concludes the further south you travel, the worse the drivers and dangers on the road are, with the southern half of the country home to nine of the 10 worst states for drivers.

The top three states are Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas.

The Tampa car accident attorneys of Farah & Farah understand too well how quickly your life can change in an instant due to someone who should not have been behind the wheel at that moment. Lives change forever and you may not know where to turn. Farah & Farah will offer a complimentary consultation on your auto accident to lay out your options to try to get your life back on track following a devastating traffic accident. Call us at (800) 533-3555 so we can get started helping you.

Source: http://www.carinsurancecomparison.com/which-states-have-the-worst-drivers/

Most people know driving tired is a problem, but that still does not keep them off the road. A recent study by AAA finds that two in five adults admitted to falling asleep while driving. Detroit is coming to the rescue with new technology to awaken a fatigued driver and hopefully avoid an accident. According to an article in MSNBC, the 2013 Lincoln MKS sedan comes equipped with a Lane Keeping System that sounds an alert if the vehicle senses the driver is drifting out of his or her lane. Not only does an alarm sound, but the steering wheel will nudge the vehicle back into its lane. If it happens again, an image of a coffee cup will flash on the dash signaling its time to pull over and rest.

In 2013, a Lexus will come with a special camera that watches for the head movements of tired drivers. Also, a Mercedes-Benz will flash a warning if it senses a tired driver through the steering wheel inputs.

Tired Driving

Because of a greater emphasis on safe driving, the number of deaths on our nation’s highways is on the decline. While drunk driving awareness and even “buzzed driving” is a recognized societal problem, the recognition of the dangers of tired driving is catching up. The AAA survey found one in 10 adults had actually fallen asleep behind the wheel within the last year. A AAA Foundation spokesman says drivers tend to underestimate the effects of tired driving and its contribution to auto accidents.

If you are tired behind the wheel, AAA suggests:

• Take a break every 100 miles, or every 2 hours
• Share the driving with someone who is more awake
• Drink a caffeinated beverage
• Understand the signs of fatigue – Signs include rubbing your eyes, yawning, feeling restless, missing traffic signals, a bobbing head, hitting the rumble strips

Though you may take proper safety precautions behind the wheel, others may not, which can endanger other motorists on the road. If you have been involved in a car accident that was caused by another driver, call the car accident lawyers in Jacksonville of Farah & Farah for a free consultation. Our number is (800) 533-3555.

Source: http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/29/9089918-automakers-take-aim-at-drowsy-driving

One wrong move on the highway and two lives were lost in a tragic accident. It happened Sunday afternoon, November 27, when a couple from northwest St. Johns County was northbound on Interstate 95 with two passengers in their van. According to a story by News4jax, the 64-year-old driver and his 59-year-old wife were changing lanes to pass a pickup truck. The van hit the right rear bumper of the truck, causing the van’s driver to lose control. The vehicle then hit a tree in the median and the van rolled. The couple was killed in the crash, and the two passengers were taken to Halifax Hospital in serious condition. The crash happened just south of Daytona Beach around 3 p.m. in Osteen, Florida. The driver and passenger in the pickup truck were not injured in the crash.

Our sincere condolences go out to the friends and family members of this couple for their loss. Let’s pray that the other two injured victims have a speedy recovery.

Florida Auto Accident Causes

Statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) helped identify the leading causes of crashes in the state last year. Careless driving led to 332 fatalities in Florida in 2010, which was the leading cause of auto accidents. Alcohol consumption and driving under the influence were the second leading cause of accidents that led to 265 fatalities. A failure to yield the right-of-way caused 207 people to lose their life in Florida last year, and exceeding the safe speed limit took 118 lives. We know that many people follow the car in front of them too closely, especially young aggressive drivers, and that led to seven deaths in 2010.

If you or a loved one is involved in an auto accident in Florida, you may need representation to sort out the details of an investigation. The insurance provider for the other vehicle will have an investigator on the scene, or soon afterward, to point the blame at you so you should consider being represented as well. The auto accident attorneys in Florida of Farah & Farah have offices around the state and in south Georgia, and we are just one phone call away at 1(800) 533-3555. Let us offer you a complimentary consultation on your accident.

Source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/St-Johns-couple-killed-in-crash-on-I-95/-/475880/4832760/-/576n16/-/index.html; http://www.flhsmv.gov/hsmvdocs/CS2010.pdf

At a red light, everybody is supposed to stop their vehicle. This didn’t happen Friday night, November 25, and a 78-year-old Clermont man is dead as a result. Traffic was stopped on U.S. Highway 27 while elderly man was northbound and stopped with others at Citrus Tower Boulevard in Clermont at about 5 p.m., however, a 21-year-old driving a pickup truck didn’t see the red light and hit a car, which rammed into the van driven by the 78-year-old, which continued on to hit two more cars and an SUV, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

While five people had minor injuries, the 21-year-old driver was in Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. There is no word in this story from The Orlando Sentinel why the elderly man in the van died while others did not in this chain-reaction crash. The only explanation offered by the FHP is that the 21-year-old didn’t see the cars stopped at the red light.

Our condolences are extended to the friends and family of this man for his passing.

Distracted Driving

A traffic accident investigator will look at many factors to decide what caused an accident, but one of the more recent causes of car crashes can be determined if there is no attempt to stop the car before it crashed. Look for tire skid marks in the road. If there are none, check the cell phone records to determine if the young man was texting at the time of the crash.

There could be other causes, and that is where an experienced Lake County auto accident attorney with Farah & Farah can take the lead and determine what happened and identify who is the at-fault driver, responsible for compensating the other drivers for their losses. Farah & Farah is a phone call away at (800) 533-3555.

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/os-clermont-fatal-20111126,0,7317140.story

Channel 4 in Jacksonville reported that a single-vehicle car crash in Flagler County on November 16 took the life of a young female passenger. The car was southbound on U.S. 1 just north of Matanzas Woods Parkway. A 26-year-old man was behind the wheel when, around 2:30 a.m., he failed to round a curve, went off the road, and hit several trees. The Toyota Camry then rolled, ejecting both the driver and the passenger who were not wearing seat belts, according to the Florida Highway Patrol report. While the young woman was killed at the scene, the male driver was taken to the Halifax Trauma unit. We have no word on his condition.

There is no additional information in this story as to whether or not charges will be filed or whether blood-alcohol tests were taken, though that would be standard in a crash of this type.

Someone writing to Flaglerlive.com noted that the day before was the birthday of the young driver. His friends and co-workers have nothing but kind words for him and everyone commenting is very saddened by the loss of this beautiful and kind young woman. Our condolences are extended to all of her friends and family for her sudden loss.

Casualties Among Young Motorists

The Florida fatal auto accident attorneys with Farah & Farah understand that there is nothing sadder then the loss of a young life in a car accident.

While alcohol-related fatalities declined by almost 21% in 2010 on Florida roadways, there were still 794 deaths from alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes. According to state statistics, there were 43,007 drivers in crashes in Florida in the 20-24 age range, the highest number among all age groups. That age accounts for 3.05 crashes per 10,000 licensed drivers.

Unfortunately, that 20-24-year-old age group also had 388 drivers involved in fatal crashes in Florida, the group with the highest number of drivers involved in fatal crashes in Florida in 2010.

Source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/21-year-old-dies-in-Flagler-County-crash/-/475880/4766706/-/mw746xz/-/; http://www.newsdaytonabeach.com/Articles/Local-News/One-Dead-One-Injured-In-Early-Morning-Palm-Coast-Crash.html

There seems to be no explanation for why a St. Augustine man suddenly drove off of Interstate 95 in Volusia County and crashed his vehicle, ending his life. The auto accident happened Thursday, November 10, when the 56-year-old man was on the inside lane of the highway.

The Orlando Sentinel does not report which direction he was travelling but for some reason, his 2006 Hyundai drifted across three lanes of traffic and onto the shoulder, where he continued about 100 feet before colliding with a concrete embankment wall near the LPGA Boulevard exit. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man died at the scene. There is no other information as to what may have caused this horrific crash.

Our condolences are extended to his friends and family.

Emergency Contact Information

You may never think you are going to be in an auto accident but if you are, would your loved ones be contacted? In some cases, family members cannot find out if the accident victim is in the hospital or morgue due to privacy concerns.

There is one way to make sure your loved ones are contacted if you are in a crash and unable to speak. You can enter your contacts through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Their contact information is: https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/dlcheck/findcustomer

The Volusia County auto accident attorneys at Farah & Farah have been representing accident victims and their families ever since we opened our doors in downtown Jacksonville in 1979. One of the first calls following an accident should be to our offices so we can take care of the important business of determining who is responsible for your crash and who will be responsible for the costs associated with your medical bills and lost wages. Our number is (800) 533-3555.

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-i-95-fatality-20111110,0,2738746.story

Two men died when the pickup truck they were riding in on Interstate 95 collided with the back of another northbound vehicle. The collision happened around 2:10 a.m. Wednesday morning, November 9. The 40-year-old driver was from Lowell, Mass., and for some reason he rear-ended the SUV. Neither the truck driver nor his passenger, a 39-year-old from New Hampshire, were wearing seat belts. When the pickup hit the car ahead of it, it lost control, rotated, and then rolled. Both men inside the truck were ejected and the driver died at the scene. His passenger went to Shands in Jacksonville where he died. The woman driving the SUV was not injured. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), she was wearing a seat belt. The collision happened one mile north of U.S. 1.

Our condolences go out to the families involved. Fortunately, the woman whose vehicle was rear-ended was buckled in or we could be reporting on more casualties. This article in the Florida Times-Union does not say what may have caused one vehicle to drive into another. All three involved in this car crash were from out of town. Were they unfamiliar with the roadways outside of Jacksonville? Was there adequate lighting? Was distracted driving involved? Was DUI involved?

The Farah & Farah law firm has seen countless examples of one driver minding their own business when suddenly they are involved in an auto accident. Often it is not their fault. In fact, they may have no idea what happened. That’s when it is essential to have a personal injury law firm on your side to investigate the cause of the accident and to determine the at-fault party who will be responsible for compensating the victim for their losses. The Florida car accident attorneys of Farah & Farah are just a phone call away at 1 (800) 533-3555.

Source: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-11-09/story/2-killed-after-rear-end-collision-st-johns-county-according-fhp

When is it time to stop driving? That can be a troubling question for many Floridians as our state has more than its share of elderly Americans enjoying their retirement in the sunshine. By the time one turns 80 or even 90, often family members decide it is time for that person to stop driving. But how do you have that conversation? Driving signifies independence, and to lose a license might mean you are getting old.

News4Jax.com reports that Florida requires an eye test every six years for drivers age 80 and older, and based on those test results, the revocation of licenses for older drivers has more than doubled in the last 10 years from 3,559 in 2000 to 7,716 licenses revoked in 2011.

This could be due to the higher number of older drivers in our state. Statistically, older Florida drivers have fewer accidents. In 2009, state statistics show Florida drivers age 65 had a crash rate of 106.75 per 10,000 licensed drivers. By age 75, it was 98.27, and by age 85 it was 88.85.

The same cannot be said for younger drivers. Twenty-year-old drivers had a crash rate of 348.58 per 10,000 licensed drivers the same year.

Channel 4 reports that some elders have trouble driving because of a stroke, seizures, or dementia, and these folks definitely need to have their license revoked because of the dangers they pose on the road. For example, recently a car plowed into a Jacksonville fruit stand, killing both owners. The driver had reportedly experienced a “medical event.”

How to Take Away a License

A recommendation from a doctor can help ease the troubling conversation. Also, now you can make a confidential report to the state through a little-known Florida law. The form is on the website for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and is Form #72190. You can remain anonymous, and no penalty can be brought against a doctor or anyone else who provides this information to the state.

Channel 4 says the local resource, ElderSource, can help an older driver adjust to life without their wheels and find a way to map a route using public transportation. Please contact the auto accident attorneys in Jacksonville of Farah & Farah if you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident. Call (800) 603-3640 for a free consultation.

Source: http://www.news4jax.com/morning-show/State-pulling-licenses-of-more-elderly-drivers/-/1875838/4695568/-/rmmc8b/-/index.html; http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqmed.html

An early morning crash in West Jacksonville sent six people to the hospital Tuesday, November 8. The Florida Times-Union reports that five cars collided at the intersection of Melson Avenue and West Beaver Street around 8 a.m. Altogether, two SUVs and three cars were involved in the collision, which blocked the eastbound lanes during the morning rush hour. A Mazda 626 had to have the roof cut off to free a person inside. Two children and two adults were in one car, though the story is not clear which, and were taken to Baptist Hospital. Two other adults were taken to Shands Jacksonville.

A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue spokesman said none of the injuries suffered by the four adults and two children were life-threatening.

Let’s pray that everyone recovers from this pileup. From the look of the pictures it appears the Mazda had its roof crushed in. It is amazing that no one was seriously injured or killed.

Florida Auto Accidents

This is one of the thousands of traffic crashes that occur in the state every year. In 2010, Florida saw 235,778 crashes a decline by 3.1% in the number of crashes from the year before. That means there is an average of 646 traffic accidents every day in our state.

What to Do If You Are In an Auto Accident

If you are involved in a collision, the first thing to do is dial 911 to report the accident and make sure to tell the dispatcher if there are any injuries. Do not become involved in a discussion with the other party and stand away from the vehicles. Leave the vehicles where they are unless they pose an immediate danger.

You may want to exchange information but do not discuss fault for the accident. Look around for any witnesses. Make sure you do not feel pain and seek medical attention even if you believe the injury is minor. Following an auto accident, those involved are frequently suffering some form of shock, so err on the side of caution.

The Jacksonville auto accident injury attorneys at Farah & Farah would advise you at this point not to give a statement to the insurance company for the other side as that would not be to your advantage. Call us for additional information at this crucial time at (800) 533-3555.

Source: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-11-08/story/5-car-pileup-leaves-6-hurt-and-west-beaver-street-shut-hour-morning

It has taken investigators ten months, but now a 43-year-old man has finally been arrested and charged with the January head-on crash that killed a 39-year-old man from Atlantic Beach. The crash happened January 27th on County Road 210 in St. Johns County around 6 p.m. The man who was arrested is reported to have crossed a double yellow line in his 2004 Chevy Trailblazer and hit the accident victim, who was driving a 2000 Ford Explorer, on a dark section of the road.

A blood-alcohol test was taken at the time of the crash but News4Jax reports there was no alcohol in the driver’s system. The toxicology report did show he was under the influence of an unnamed narcotic found in his system. The article does not say if the drug was prescribed or obtained illegally. The man was arrested on Friday, October 28, and charged with DUI manslaughter. He will be extradited to St. Johns County from Duval County.

Our condolences are extended to the family of the accident victim for their loss.

The St. Johns County Traffic Unit believes narcotics impairment is on the rise, and it is as potentially deadly to be under the influence of drugs and behind the wheel as driving under the influence of alcohol. Fortunately, the unit is now trained and equipped to look for all types of intoxication.

Farah & Farah’s investigators are also trained to help uncover the cause of a crash so the at-fault party can be held responsible for the costs associated with the accident, including medical injuries, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. Call a skilled car accident lawyer in Jacksonville at the law firm of Farah & Farah at 1(800) 533-3555 so we can offer you a free consultation on your accident.

Source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/Man-charged-with-DUI-manslaughter-in-Jan-crash/-/475880/4025602/-/ga2wyoz/-/index.html

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has designated the week of October 2nd through the 8th as “Register Your Emergency Contact Information Week.”

Drivers can submit the names of two contacts to be attached to their driver’s license in case they are in a car crash and law enforcement needs to contact a loved one. Only law enforcement can access the information, which is kept private under the Driver Privacy Protection Act.

If you are incapable of making a medical decision following a Florida auto accident, a loved one can intervene and make that decision or can inform emergency workers what type of drug you are taking, whether you have any allergies, and about your pre-existing medical conditions. Entering the information can save time in an emergency that could make the difference between life and death.

So far, five million Floridians have registered with the program, which takes about 30 seconds to register. Anyone with a Florida drivers license or ID can register at www.flhsmv.gov/eci/.

The idea was proposed by Christine Olson, a mother who got a call the evening of December 7, 2005 that her 22-year-old daughter Tiffany had been a passenger on a motorcycle that had been in an accident. She arrived at the Manatee Memorial Hospital only to be told her daughter was not there. It wasn’t until the next morning that she found her daughter was in the medical examiner’s office.

She had passed away around 7 p.m. after being thrown from the bike driven by her boyfriend. He did not die immediately and his parents also were unable to find him after the motorcycle crash.

Christine did not want this to happen to any other family so she contacted her state representative to push for the Emergency Contact Information System, now used by most Florida law enforcement agencies. She started the group, To Inform Families First, to encourage others to register with the state. Our condolences are extended to Christine Olson and her family for their loss.

Source: http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/131019503.html; http://www.toinformfamiliesfirst.org/

It is not clear in this story from The Florida Times-Union why a 41-year-old Palm Coast man drifted off a Flagler County road and struck a tree early Saturday, October 1. The man is now in Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach in critical condition following the 12:30 a.m. wreck on County Road 302. The collision happened as he missed a curve in the road near the intersection with State Road 100 and hit a tree, which caused the vehicle to overturn. Fortunately, the motorist was wearing a seat belt and the Florida Highway Patrol had him airlifted to a hospital for treatment for his auto accident injuries. There were no other passengers in the vehicle at the time. The man was driving a Chevy 2500 pickup truck, which is a heavy duty vehicle that can have a high center of gravity.

Let’s pray that this man recovers from his injuries.

Seat Belt Use in Florida
The Florida Department of Transportation reported in June 2010 that the overall seat belt usage in the state was at 87.4 percent and nearly identical among drivers and passengers. However, the rate was lower among males (84.2%) than females (90.7%). Occupants under the age of 60 generally had lower usage rate than that of older occupants.

More people wearing seat belts is partially due to the state’s primary seat belt law that went into effect June 8, 2008. It was named after Dori Slosberg, and Katie Marchetti, two young women who were killed in separate traffic accidents when they were not wearing seat belts.

The car crash lawyers in Jacksonville at Farah & Farah would like to remind everyone to buckle up when driving on Florida’s roads. Not only are you safer, but it is the law.

Source: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-10-01/story/driver-critical-condition-after-one-car-accident-flagler-county; http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/Documents/SB%20Use%20Report%202010%20-%20%20FINAL%208-30-10%20%28new%29.pdf

The latest Florida crash statistics released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles gives us a snapshot of how we are doing as Florida drivers.

Among the statistics for 2010:

• Fewer teenagers are obtaining new driver’s licenses, possibly because they are staying in touch through Facebook and texting while they stay at home.
• The number of fatal crashes is down especially those involving teenagers, bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. The Florida mileage death rate is at the lowest number ever recorded – 1.25 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
• Traffic deaths dropped 4.6 percent from 2009 when there were 2,565 deaths, to 2,444 in 2010. The decline since 2005 has been 31 percent. Part of the reason may be there are fewer licensed vehicles in Florida than in the past.
• Pedestrian deaths meanwhile jumped 3.5 percent from 482 in 2009 to 499 in 2010.

The state attributes the low death rate to increased law enforcement, increased presence of safety advocates, and the increased number of safety laws such as the mandatory seat belt law.

Not to be overlooked is the struggling economy that may mean more people are staying home. The state has had its budget cut in compiling these statistics, which are usually released in June, so there is some guesswork going on as to “why” the numbers are down.

Farah & Farah’s Florida car accident law firm opened its doors in Jacksonville in 1979 to address any kind of personal injury resulting from an auto accident, motorcycle, large truck, pedestrian or bicycle accident. We will be your advocate and seek a just and fair compensation for your injury, no matter what type of roadway hazard you encounter.

Source: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110928/ARTICLES/110929466/1002/NEWS?Title=2010-crash-statistics-Fewer-drivers-lead-to-fewer-wrecks

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reports that two prisoners were injured when the two transport vans they were riding in were struck by an oncoming pickup truck on County Road 225 in Alachua County. It happened as the transport vans were northbound on CR 225 and a pickup, driven by a 60-year-old man from Brooker, was southbound on the same road around 6:50 a.m. The pickup began drifting left of the center and entered the vans’ paths. As the first van driver swerved toward the right, the pickup hit the first van’s driver’s side front then struck the second van’s left side. This all happened just north of Northeast 55 Place near the Alachua County Public Schools building.

There were 18 prisons on the two jail vans being taken to Lake Butler where the state prison is located. Two inmates were taken to North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville and those were the only injuries reported.

Distracted Driving
We have no idea from this story why the pickup truck driver left his lane.

A study published last year by the National Safety Council (NSC) reports at least 1.6 million car crashes a year, nearly 28%, were caused by a distracted driving talking on a cellphone or texting. The NSC breaks it down even further by estimating about 200,000 of those drivers are texting when they get into an auto accident. Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute found that texting kept eyes off the road longest – more than 20 times of those not using a phone – or 4.6 seconds over a six-second interval. That means at 55 mph, the driver could travel the length of a football field without ever looking up in those six seconds.

We hope you are never faced with an oncoming vehicle. But if an accident is not your fault, yet you have massive bills and cannot work as a result, Farah & Farah’s auto accident attorneys in Florida are on your side and will advocate for your interests so you can concentrate on getting better. Our number anytime is 1-800-533-3555.

Source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/29302766/detail.html

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) wants to know what caused a woman to drive into a flagger in Manatee Thursday morning, September 22, even though the man at the work site was holding a sign and wearing an orange safety vest.

The collision happened in a construction zone at 60th Street West and 42nd Avenue West around 8 a.m. The 23-year-old female driver from Bradenton was eastbound on 42nd Street in her 1998 Honda Accord when she failed to stop or even slow down for the flagger and hit him in the legs. The force of the collision landed the man on the roof of her car and into the windshield. He was seriously injured and taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

The woman has been cited for failing to yield to a flag person at a construction site. According to the trooper on the scene, she did not even apply the brake because there were no skid marks on the road, reported the Bradenton Herald, quoting the FHP report.

Let’s all pray that the man survives his injuries.

Drivers and Crash Rates in Florida
The latest statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles finds that drivers age 15 to 19 had the highest rate per 10,000 drivers of crash involvement in 2010 (363.97), but drivers in the 20 to 24 age range had the highest rate of fatal crashes at 3.05. There were 388 drivers in the latter age range who were involved in fatal crashes in Florida in 2010.

The truth is that you can be any age and involved in an auto accident in Florida. It may not be your fault. You may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. An experienced Florida auto accident attorney will always offer you a complimentary consultation to determine if there are some avenues to seek compensation for your injuries and property damage.

Source: http://www.bradenton.com/2011/09/22/3516944/flagger-struck-by-car-in-bradenton.html

Florida is one of several states that offer new teenage drivers a graduated program, restrictions on their first months and years behind the wheel. Now a new study published Wednesday, October 14, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that while the number of fatal crashes among 16 and 17-year-olds has declined, deadly accidents among 18 to 19-year-olds have risen.

JAMA study researchers found that states that restrict teen driving had a 26% reduction in the rate of fatal crashes among young teen drivers, but the fatal crash rate for 18-year-old drivers in those states jumped 12%.

Car Crashes- Leading Cause of Teen Deaths
Graduated driver licensing programs restrict young drivers from being on the road at night and driving with passengers and talking on cellphones.

With a goal of reducing the number of Florida car crashes involving teen drivers, Florida was the first state to implement a program in 1996 and since then all 50 states and the District of Columbia have added the program. One year after the program became law, Florida saw a 9% reduction in fatalities and injuries for teen drivers ages 15 to 17.

The theory behind the older accident rate may be that 18-year-olds are waiting to get their drivers license because of the restrictions imposed on a 16-year-old driver, therefore putting older teen novice drivers on the road.

One solution to these findings may be to extend the graduated driver licensing programs to older teen drivers. In fact, New Jersey has restrictions on a new license that lasts until the age of 21.

Sources: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-teen-driver-laws-20110914,0,7056006.storyS; http://www.flhsmv.gov/hsmvdocs/CS2010.pdf; http://www.lowestpricetrafficschool.com/driver-education/florida-graduated-drivers-license.html

A husband and wife were killed on Saturday, August 27, after they were hit by a car heading the wrong way on U.S. Highway 27 in Ocala. The 43-year-old man and 40-year-old woman died at the intersection of the highway with Northwest 154th Avenue Road just after 11 p.m. The woman was driving a 2000 Chevrolet sedan southbound in the left lane of U.S. 27 when a 35-year-old man from Williston driving a 1998 Jeep was northbound in the same lane. Everyone was wearing a seat belt and the Jeep driver suffered minor injuries. He was taken to Shands Hospital and could be charged with this deadly crash for being the at-fault driver that caused the death of these two people.

People writing into The Ocala Star-Banner report that the couple were parents to three children. Our condolences go out to the entire family and friends of this couple for their sudden passing. This crash marks the 44th and 45th fatalities for Marion County so far this year.

An experienced Florida car accident attorney will often look at DUI as a reason one driver might drift into the lane of an oncoming car. Farah & Farah reminds us that driving is serious business. Drive defensively and stay in your lane always watching to see if oncoming traffic is on their side of the line. If you must avoid a vehicle, act fast and try not to jerk the wheel which can result in a rollover, particularly if you are in an SUV or any vehicle with a high center of gravity. Try to keep at least two wheels on the pavement if you must swerve, which allows more control of the vehicle.

Source: http://www.ocala.com/article/20110829/ARTICLES/110829708/1001/news01?Title=Ocala-couple-killed-in-Saturday-crash

Allstate Insurance recently launched a national campaign to encourage teens not to text and drive and a local woman in Jacksonville is helping. She has decided to launch her own campaign after hearing the statistics on teens and auto accidents. Her husband used to work for Allstate in its claims office in Jacksonville and would tell her about accidents involving teens, reports The Florida Times-Union. So his wife, who owns a Jacksonville insurance agency, and her director of marketing decided to launch their own campaign to help stop the epidemic.

On a recent visit to Clay High School they handed out "txtng klls" rings with that message to students who take a pledge not to drive and text. A banner has the left thumb imprint of every student who pledged not to text while driving. Customers of the woman’s insurance company have signed a similar banner which hangs outside her office on St. Johns Bluff Road. She plans to take the program all around schools in Northeast Florida.

According to Allstate Insurance, more than 4,000 teenagers are killed in car crashes every year, making car accidents the leading killer of American teens. Reaching for a cellphone alone can distract a driver enough to raise the risk of an accident nine-fold. Consider the distance one can travel at 55 mph. Spend five seconds looking down at a cellphone while going that speed and you have traveled the length of a football field, totally blind.

Anyone who would like to participate in the "X the TXT" campaign can call 904-645-8880.

And if you or a family member has been involved in a car accident that was caused by a distracted driver, the distracted driving accident lawyers in Jacksonville at Farah & Farah are just a phone call away at 1-800-533-3555.

Source: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400799/charlie-patton/2011-08-23/one-us-first-coast-women-spread-message-txtng-klls

A young Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy lost control of his cruiser and crashed in a ditch off U.S. 1, just south of Palm Coast Parkway about 75 yards south of Palm Coast Parkway, Saturday evening, August 13, around 8 p.m.

The 20-year-old deputy was not hurt and was seen at the scene talking to other deputies. The Sheriff’s office, along with the Florida Highway Patrol, is investigating the accident. Flagler Live reports an FHP trooper was taking measurements of the accident scene.

The deputy was off duty at the time of the crash and his was the only vehicle involved. The paper reports that from the marks in the road it appeared the deputy failed to negotiate a curve in the road and the Crown Victoria flew into the ditch in a straight line before hitting a tree on the driver’s side. The young deputy was hired in January 2011. The news story does not say if he will remain on the job while an investigation of the car accident takes place.

In Florida many want to criticize older drivers for causing accidents, but according to federal statistics, the risk of a crash for a 16-to-19-year-old driver is about four times the risk for older drivers. In Florida in 2006, the state reports that 20-24 year-old drivers had the highest number of motor vehicle deaths at 4,577. Deaths have been on the decline since then but that age group consistently represents the highest number of car crashes, while drivers age 70 and older represent the age group with the fewest number of crashes.

Regardless of who was behind the wheel, fortunately, there were no serious injuries that resulted from this Florida car accident.

Source: http://flaglerlive.com/26662/flagler-sheriffs-deputy-crash

A report by CNBC grades the most dangerous driving cities with populations over 150,000 and one-third of the cities are in Florida. Jacksonville ranks #11 while Fort Lauderdale is #1. The data used to create the ranking is the most recent from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System and General Estimates System.

Fort Lauderdale was the most dangerous city to drive in with a population of 183,126 and a total fatality rate per 100,000 of 22.39. There were 41 fatalities and 24.4 percent of the fatalities were pedestrians. Compare that to Jacksonville with a population of 807,815 because the city is so spread out. There were 116 total fatalities, 13 of which involved pedestrians while the percentage of pedestrian deaths was 13.8 percent.

The survey says tourists often don’t know where they are going and may account for some of the vehicular hazards. Florida still has failed to enact any ban on distracted driving and the use of cell phones and texting while behind the wheel, which is believed to contribute to car accidents.

Los Angeles was the worst for fatalities at 293. And believe it or not, Pittsburgh was the worst state for pedestrian fatalities, representing half of total fatalities.

Here is the complete list of the top 15 places in America that are the most dangerous to drive in per 100,000 population, with their fatality rate listed in parentheses:

15. Oklahoma City, Okla. (13.41)
14. Birmingham, Ala. (13.55)
13. Tulsa, Okla. (14.00)
12. St. Petersburg, Fla. (14.27)
11. Jacksonville, Fla. (14.36)
10. Lubbock, Texas (14.97)
9. Memphis, Tenn. (15.08)
8. Jackson, Miss. (15.53)
7. Chattanooga, Tenn. (16.39)
6. Salt Lake City, Utah (16.51)
5. San Bernardino, Calif. (17.12)
4. Little Rock, Ark. (17.94)
3. Augusta-Richmond Co., Ga. (19.57)
2. Orlando, Fla. (19.95)
1. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (22.39)

Sources: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/214647/368/Jacksonville-Among-Top-15-Dangerous-Cities-for-Drivers, http://autos.yahoo.com/news/15-dangerous-cities-for-driving.html and http://www.cnbc.com/id/43948183?_source=yahooautos|dangerous|&par=yahooautos

Did Toyota make cars that accelerated suddenly leading to injuries and deaths? That question surrounding a Utah car crash will represent the first bellwether trial in national litigation a federal judge has ruled. District Judge James Selna has decided the trial will take place February 19, 2013. The case will set a precedent or benchmark for future cases that hinge on whether or not the Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s largest automaker, made defective vehicles that resulted in unintended acceleration.

The Utah case involves two families of one man and his passenger who were killed when the 2008 Toyota Camry they were riding in slammed into a wall on an exit ramp in Utah after accelerating, despite the fact that the driver applied the brakes.

Last April, a Long Island federal jury let Toyota off the hook saying an accelerating Scion that smashed into a tree was not the responsibility of Toyota. In a separate case in California, owners of Toyota can also sue for the falling value of their cars after news broke of the mass problems. Toyota has recalled 11 million vehicles over stuck gas pedals and defective floor mats since the problem of unintended acceleration surfaced in late 2009. Unintended acceleration has never been blamed on faulty electronics, but rather on driver error. As a fix, Toyota will install a brake override system in all new cars beginning in late 2011.

It will be an uphill climb for a product liability and wrongful death attorneys to prove the Toyotas were defective after NASA engineers, in a report issued earlier this year, found "no electronic flaws capable of producing the large throttle openings required to create dangerous high-speed, unintended acceleration incidents." The report too blames a sticky accelerator pedal and floor mats that trap pedals as the only known cause of unintended acceleration.

Sources: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2011/06/13/202306.htm, http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/10/us-toyota-acceleration-lawsuits-idUSTRE75965H20110610 and http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/11/AR2011021106400.html

The Florida Justice Association (FJA) reminds us that children were the losers this last legislative session. Florida remains one of only three states in the U.S. that has failed to enact a booster seat requirement. The Florida legislature failed to enact Senate Bill 238 which would have made the state compliant with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines for child safety in a motor vehicle.

What is a booster seat? A booster seat allows a seat belt to correctly fit a child who may have outgrown a forward-facing car seat with a harness. Check the seat to see the weight-height restrictions specified by the manufacturer.

Until a child is at least four feet nine inches tall and between 8 and 12 years old, most seat belts will not correctly fit them. An improperly fitted seat belt can cause spinal cord and abdominal injuries. The booster seat will allow the straps of the seat belt to be properly seated on a child usually between the ages of four and seven. Medical journal Pediatrics reports the booster seat reduces injuries to children in that age range by 59 percent.

This year the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called upon the 50 states to enact laws to require the use of booster seats, and for children age 12 and under to ride in the rear seat of the car.

It’s tough to understand why this would be such a tough sell to lawmakers. In states with a booster seat law, children ages four and five were 23 percent more likely to be appropriately restrained, reports FJA.

For younger children the recommendations stay the same:

• Infants and toddlers should ride in the rear of a car in a rear-facing car seat until they are about two or reach the manufacturers guidelines printed on the seat.
• Children ages two and older should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness. Again check the seat manufacturer guidelines for height and weight.

Sadly, auto accidents remain the leading cause of death for children and young people in the United States, which reminds us that it is critical that children be properly restrained when riding in a motor vehicle.

Sources: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/238, http://www.ntsb.gov/surface/highway/childseat.htm and http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/carseatsafety.cfm

Every year Florida lawmakers try to enact legislation that prohibits the use of a cell phone while driving, and every year the measure is defeated in the state legislature or vetoed by the governor. Even this year, a bill was defeated that would have prohibited hand-held mobile devices used by anyone under the age of 18 while behind the wheel in an attempt to prevent distracted driving in Florida.

As it stands, Florida is one of 17 states in the U.S. that allow you to text or talk on the cell phone while driving. Now, an unlikely group would like to change that including popular singer Justin Bieber, a congresswoman from South Florida, and an Orlando app developer, according to a report in The South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The three are involved in a public education campaign. Justin Bieber is promoting a software app, PhoneGuard, which is an anti-texting while driving app for smartphones. Expect to see the ads on television soon featuring Bieber and a company spokesman. The company that created the app is Media Options Group out of Boca Raton. At the same time, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, (D-Miami) will file two federal bills to stop drivers from talking on a cell phone or texting while driving. She has authored bills that failed in the past because, she says, lawmakers reject government intruding into individual behavior.

Florida had no data connecting the dots between cell phone use and auto accidents and fatalities, at least not until this year. Beginning in January, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles implemented a new crash report system which allows law enforcement, responding to the scene of an auto accident, to include information on whether texting, cell phones, DVD players, navigation systems, or other distractions played a role in car accidents in Florida.

About 500,000 people are injured in auto accidents involving texting and 1,000 die in cell phone-related crashes every year says Wilson, quoting Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics. Use of a phone while driving increases the risk of a crash or near-crash by about 23 percent. Her first bill, the Drive to Stay Alive Act of 2011, punishes states that have failed to enact anti-texting laws by withholding five percent of DOT federal funds.

The PhoneGuard app uses GPS tracking to lock the keyboard of a Blackberry and Android if the car is traveling at speeds in excess of 10 mph. A wireless Bluetooth will still work. And if the car travels faster than 65 mph, parents may program the app to send them a notice.

A Blackberry app from NOTXT Communications of Orlando called the NOTXT n' Drive app, will disabled a phone from any use when the vehicle travels faster than 10 mph. When the car stops, the phone’s function returns.

Text’nDrive for the iPhone will read aloud your electronic emails and one version will allow you to respond via voice command.

Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-anti-texting-law-vasquez-20110722,0,2982599.column

The media report everyone was wearing a seat belt when a two-vehicle collision took the life of a 15-year-old from Macclenny, Friday evening, July 15. The teen and her older sister were in a 2002 Lexus driving to church on U.S. Highway 90 west of County Road 121. The driver of the Lexus reportedly blacked out behind the wheel and lost control of the Lexus, then traveled into the oncoming lane where she hit a westbound Hyundai with three people inside on the passenger side of the Lexus.

The 30-year-old Hyundai driver from Baldwin suffered serious injuries and two children inside the car, ages 6 and 9, suffered minor injuries. The 15-year-old was taken to Shands Medical Center in Jacksonville where she lost her life. The Lexus driver had minor injuries. According to articles from Channel 4 and First Coast News, everyone was wearing their seat belts and alcohol was not a factor.

Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the student from Baker High School who loved reading, music, and computers. Please keep them in your prayers.

Charges are reported to be pending following a Florida Highway Patrol investigation of the fatal Florida car crash.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages two and up. Proper restraint can help reduce those deaths, but there are cases where airbags and seat belts fail to do their job.

Airbags can be dangerous to children who are sitting too far forward in the front seat. When the airbag discharges at 200 mph, it can cause injuries such as burns, broken bones, and trauma to the face and head. A seat belt that fails to properly latch gives a motorist a false sense of security.

Torn or ripped webbing, a retractor failure, and false latching allowing the latch plate to pull out of the buckle and can result in serious injuries and even death from a defective seat belt.

The family of this teen would be well-advised to initiate an investigation with the help of an experienced car accident lawyer in Florida to determine if there were other factors other than the impact from the collision that may have contributed to her death. If a seat belt or air bag failed to protect the occupant, the auto or component manufacturer can be held responsible for the wrongful death of this young teen.

Source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/28570794/detail.html, http://www.firstcoastnews.com/rss/article/211100/3/15-Year-Old-Macclenny-Girl-Dies-In-Accident, http://www.bakercountypress.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1326:teen-killed-in-us-90-crash-others-injured&catid=59:news&Itemid=57 and http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/child_passenger.html

On Wednesday, June 22, First Coast News reported that a 43-year-old man died from a crash near Normandy Acres on the westside of Jacksonville when his 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck left the road between U.S. Route 301 and Normandy Boulevard. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, the man was driving west when he drifted onto the shoulder and lost control, driving over an embankment where the pickup rolled over. The man died at the scene and a 9-month old girl in the truck was taken to Shands Jacksonville for treatment. The article does not say whether she was in a car seat and how badly injured she was, although in a 1997 pickup truck she had to be in the front seat next to the driver.

Our condolences go out to the friends and family members of this man. Let’s pray the little girl was not badly injured and pulls through.

Duval County had 14,102 crashes in the county in 2009 with 1,166 alcohol-related, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Additionally, there were 114 fatalities and 10,468 injuries resulting from traffic accidents that same year, according to the statistics.

There can be many causes of auto accidents sometimes having to do with driver error, but in an older model car there may be components of the vehicle that are defective and fail to keep the occupant safe. Additionally, a roadway will need to be analyzed to see if it possesses any inherent flaws that make it dangerous for motorists. The Jacksonville car accident lawyers at Farah & Farah understand the investigation that must take place to identify the at-fault party and find you the compensation you deserve following a car crash in Florida. Call our law offices so we can get started on your case now.

Sources: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/208376/3/One-Dead-One-Injured-in-Westside-Crash?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|t and http://www.flhsmv.gov/hsmvdocs/CS2009.pdf

WFTV-TV News reports the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is looking for the driver of a small passenger car, maybe a Honda, who may have been involved in a two-vehicle crash on Tuesday, June 14, that killed two 17-year-old parents and their one-year-old baby son. The teens were involved in the head-on crash on Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee when their car crossed the median and hit a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. The crash happened around 11 p.m. and rescue workers first on the scene immediately ascertained there was nothing they could to for the young family and instead pulled two people from the pickup and took them to a nearby Orlando hospital. The Toyota driver and passenger were treated for minor injuries.

FHP says the teens were wearing seat belts and the baby was strapped into a child car seat.

As part of an ongoing FHP investigation, troopers would like to talk to the driver of the small car, possibly red with a loud muffler. The vehicle's involvement is unclear from this story. The public is asked to contact FHP with any information.

Our condolences are extended to the friends and families of this young family for this tragic accident.

Head-On Collisions in Florida
We have no idea from this story why the car drifted into oncoming traffic but once you see an approaching vehicle coming your way, there may be very little time to react, even for an experienced driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 12,713 lives were saved because of the use of seat belts in traffic accident in 2009. But sadly, with or without a seat belt, injuries from a head-on collision can be the most deadly from neck injuries, cuts from broken glass, broken bones, traumatic head injury and death. It is important to avoid jerking the steering wheel to get out of the way because that action may cause the vehicle to rollover. Instead, try to drive to the right and graze the vehicle to avoid a full frontal impact.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash in Florida, an experienced Jacksonville car accident attorney will need to be involved in your case immediately to preserve evidence and interview witnesses to this devastating situation in order to determine the at-fault party so you can receive the compensation you need and deserve.

Sources: http://www.wftv.com/countybycounty/28255381/detail.html and http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811392.pdf

The Orlando Sentinel reports that a 54-year-old man from Altoona was driving southbound through the Ocala National Forest on State Road 19 on Saturday night, June 11, when he lost control of his Ford pickup truck at about 8:30 p.m. According to the article, the man died at the scene while his 40-year-old female passenger was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in serious condition. The fatal Florida car accident happened just north of CR 445. There is no word from this article why the driver suddenly veered off the road onto the west shoulder, but he reportedly then overcorrected the steering trying to get the pickup back on the road to the left. Instead, he crossed to the east shoulder where the left front of the pickup hit a tree, then another tree, causing the pickup to rollover onto its roof.

Our condolences are extended to this man’s family for his sudden, tragic passing.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that rollover accidents kill more than 10,000 people a year. Like the design for the sport-utility vehicles (SUV), pickup trucks have a high center of gravity, a defective design that makes them about three times more likely to roll than any other passenger vehicle.

Another aspect of defective design is an inadequate roof strength that allows the roof to collapse during a rollover, potentially causing traumatic head injuries or the passenger to be ejected. Finally in 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) required manufacturers to strengthen the roof-crush standard, but that will not begin until the 2012 model year and will be phased in fully beginning with the 2017 model year. However, even then the standard is inadequate.

Heavier vehicles weighting more than 6,000 pounds, which were previously exempt from the roof-crush standard, will have to withstand only 1.5 times their weight when applied to the roof, rather than three times the vehicles weight for lighter vehicles. The NHTSA turned down a request by safety groups to have the higher standard apply to vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds.

Sources: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-fatal-crash-sr-19-lake-20110612,0,6252256.story; http://www.safercar.gov/, http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7908.pdf and http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/04/nhtsa-declines-to-revisit-roofcrush-standard-.html

In the market for a new car? Be sure to check out the blue tooth, the GPS, the satellite radio, and the electronic monitor that talks to you and can calculate your car’s “health.” While these toys are tempting to anyone in the market for a new car, they offer distractions galore. However, the federal government isn’t going to press manufacturers - not yet. U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on Thursday, June 9, that more study is needed before the government decides whether or not to regulate all of the communications technology now built into new vehicles.

The government has issued campaigns to discourage motorists from driving distracted by sending out emails, texts, chatting on the phone, and even dialing while behind the wheel. LaHood says Subaru and BMW have added to the conversation by sponsoring public service ads warning against distracted driving. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is going the next step – questioning whether it is wise to build all this whiz bang technology into cars when common sense dictates it takes attention away from the road to change a channel or to put an address into a GPS. The NHTSA says safety matters more than a fast Facebook connection in the car.

Meanwhile, an extensive study is underway to determine how dangerous texting is while driving. Some of the research has already been done. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in 2009 found that for light vehicles:

• Dialing a phone increased the crash risk 2.8 times over a non-distracted driver
• Talking on or listening to a cell phone increased the crash risk 1.3 times
• Reaching for an object increased the crash risk 1.4 times

On the eve of a Distracted Driving summit last September, LaHood said that distracted driving-related crashes claimed 5,474 lives and led to 448,000 traffic injuries across the U.S. In 2009. NHTSA reports16 percent of all traffic fatalities are the result of some form of distraction.

The Jacksonville car accident attorneys at the Farah & Farah law firm encourages everyone to use common sense and keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. No phone conversation or tweet is worth a loss of life or serious injury. If you have been involved in a car accident in Florida that was caused by a distracted motorist, call our law offices to learn how we can help you.

Source: http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=14879528

As the summer travel season kicks off in June and families plan to hit the road, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is encouraging all motorists to check their car’s tires for wear and tear before they drive in hot weather. This is a problem around the nation in the summer but especially a problem in Florida year round because heat is known to degrade rubber tires.

Tire blowouts are frequently in the news. It was a Florida tire blowout accident that killed two teenagers last July in Jacksonville. Five teens died when a tire blew on their Ford Explorer SUV as they headed to the beach on the last day of school a year ago June.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2005 to 2009 almost 3,400 people died and 116,000 were injured in crashes related to tire issues.

The NHTSA encourages motorists to check tires in hot weather when there are additional people and luggage in the car increasing its weight. Motorists should check for underinflated or overinflated tires by checking the tire pressure before a long trip and regularly. A look on the side of the tire or in your automobile owner’s guide will specify the proper tire inflation for the front and back tires.

An aging tire and hot weather are a particularly bad combination. The sidewall of the tire will tell how old it is. The tire manufacturer or the owner’s manual will tell you how often to change tires. And consumers can save money if their tires are properly inflated. Check fueleconomy.gov to see how much underinflated tires will cost you (0.3 percent lower gas mileage for every 1 pound per square inch).

The numbers can really add up – just a 25 percent drop in tire pressure can reduce fuel economy by 8.8 percent or 2.6 miles per gallon for a vehicle that gets 30 miles to the gallon. Do the math: There is a substantial savings to have your tires properly maintained, not to mention a possible savings in human lives.

Source: http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2011/Consumer+Advisory:+Motorists+Should+Check+Tires+in+Hot+Weather+to+Improve+Safety

One man was killed and another seriously injured when the van they were riding in left the road in Osceola County and overturned on U.S. 192 Wednesday, June 1, around 5 p.m.

The Orlando Sentinel reports a 41-year-old passenger in the 2002 GMC van from Kissimmee was killed in the crash. A 40-year-old Kissimmee man was driving the van and was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in serious condition. The FHP says the westbound van was in the left lane when it hit a curb after drifted into the median, causing the driver to lose control and overturn the vehicle on the north shoulder of the road. Charges could be filed pending the outcome of an investigation, according to the FHP.

The article does not say whether or not the driver or passenger was wearing a seat belt. Let’s keep the man who passed in our prayers as well as the other man who is recovering from his injuries.

Unfortunately, some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road are vans, and scarily, they are commonly used by school, church and athletic outings and by hotels. The 15-passenger van is one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road, because it is top heavy with an extended back. Because four people sit behind the rear axle in a sudden move the rear can swing out.

CBS News reports that when fully loaded, these vans are three times more likely to roll over. With about 500,000 of these vans on the road, at least 424 people have been killed in rollovers involving 15-passenger vans since 1990.

While Ford builds most of the 15-passenger vans, GM does too, with a longer wheel base, which lowers the chance of a sideway skid. But the GM van is still top heavy just like the Ford van.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a 15-passenger van accident in Florida, contact Farah & Farah. Our Florida van rollover attorneys can help you understand your legal options during your free consultation. Call us today so we can get started on protecting your rights.

Sources: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-06-01/news/os-fatal-rollover-crash-on-192-20110601_1_van-fhp-crash and http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/17/60II/main506479.shtml

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) says it will have zero tolerance for motorists who do not wear their seat belt during the Memorial Day weekend, beginning Friday, May 27. This marks the 11th Click It or Ticket campaign in Florida and now with a primary safety belt law, officers can pull you over and issue you a ticket if you fail to buckle up.

The FHP reminds us:

• That Florida’s use of seat belts is now at 87.5 percent - an all-time high.
• In Florida in 2010, 64 percent of 21 to 24-year-olds who died in traffic accidents were not wearing a seat belt.
• While Collier County had the lowest rate of unbuckled passengers and drivers, Gadsden County had the highest in 2008. FHP invites you to see where you county ranks by visiting http://www.clickitfla.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/CountyByCountyFatalities-2008.pdf

Expect the FHP to be out all Memorial Day weekend beginning Friday, May 27 and ending midnight Monday, May 30. You should also expect to see FHP Auxiliary and Reserve troopers patroling interstate and major state roads.

Under Florida’s primary seat belt law, passed in June 2009, all front-seat passengers must wear a seat belt. Everyone under the age of 18 must wear a seat belt or be buckled into a child safety seat. It appears to be working. For example, in Volusia County wrote 3,231 citations the year after the new law, a 12 percent increase. Between May 2010 and May 2011, another 16 percent jump in citations was noted by the 3,775 citations or ten tickets a day, reports The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

The Jacksonville car accident lawyers at Farah & Farah law firm reminds you that you can report an aggressive driver by dialing *FHP (*347) from your cell phone to contact FHP. Also use the service to call in for someone who needs roadside assistance.

Stay safe this weekend!

Florida remains one of just three states that do not require the use of a booster seat by adolescents who have outgrown child safety seats in the car. Florida legislators allowed a bill to die before the 2011 session came to a close this month. This is reminiscent of 2001, when then Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed a child booster seat bill saying the seat would be too expensive for poor families and enforcement would be a burden to police officers.

Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for children, teens, and young adults ages 5 to 34, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The function of a booster seat is to allow the seat belt to fit the child in a similar way to how a seat belt fits an adult since seat belt configuration is based on an adult’s size and weight. The CDC recommends booster seats for young children but for now, use in Florida is voluntary.

When should a child transfer to a booster seat? When they grow out of comfortably sitting in their child safety seat and/or when their ears are level with the top of the seat’s back or when they reach the weight limit specified by the child safety seat manufacturer. Children should be in a booster until they are at least 57 inches tall and weigh 80 pounds with a sitting height of 29 inches. This describes most children age 10 and younger.

The Amelia Island car accident lawyers at the law firm of Farah & Farah reminds parents to always place their children in the back seat, the safest place to be in a crash, to reduce the chance of their child suffering a serious injury or death.

Accident investigators are revising their routine traffic report to a homicide investigation after a woman died from her injuries after being hit by a man who was texting on his cell phone and on prescription medication.

The wreck occurred in Brevard County on Tuesday, April 19. The woman was stopped in her PT Cruiser at a red light on U.S 192 when a 27-year-old man, driving a Ford F-150, reportedly slammed into the back of the car. The PT Cruiser then slammed into the back of four other cars. The driver, a 53-year-old mother of two, suffered a collapsed lung but her injuries were not considered life-threatening until she died Friday, May 13. The Brevard County Medical Examiner has ruled her death is attributed to injuries she received in the Florida car accident.

The initial report says there was no attempt to stop and the driver was arrested on charges of DUI with injury or damage and careless driving. He posted a $5,000 bond. The 27-year-old driver now faces additional charges.

In conducting a homicide investigation the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) normally requires a blood sample from the suspect, but because the woman did not appear seriously injured troopers were prevented by law from forcibly drawing blood. According to the FHP report, the pickup driver admitted he was texting while driving and had taken prescription medication. One trooper witnessed the man was nodding off and was clearly “messed up” after the collision.

In all, seven people were hurt but without the blood test results, there is no way of knowing exactly how much medication the man was on at the time of the collision.

Our condolences are extended to the friends and family of the woman who died in this entirely preventable auto collision.

While the Florida Legislative session for 2011 again failed to enact any limitations on texting while driving, Farah & Farah’s Jacksonville car crash lawyers strongly encourage everyone to put away the cell phone while driving. Distracted driving-related crashes killed 5,475 lives in 2009, according to the Department of Transportation, and led to 448,000 traffic injuries.

It is reported that 16 percent of traffic fatalities in 2009 were the result of distracted driving. These are devastating auto accidents that are totally preventable if the driver takes seriously his or her responsibility to pay attention to the rules of the road. Unfortunately, many do not, resulting in serious injury or even fatal accidents. If you have been injured in a distracted driving-related crash in Florida, please call our law offices so we can get started on your case today.

Orange County authorities believe a 32-year-old mother may have been intoxicated when she ran off of an Orange County road on Saturday, April 23, and hit a tree in a fatal accident that took the life of a 14-year-old girl riding in her vehicle.

The Orlando Sentinel reports the woman was behind the wheel of a 1998 Toyota sedan and was traveling southbound on Overland Road in Apopka and may have been driving without a license with her four children in the car. Authorities say around 5 p.m. she lost control of the vehicle and went into a ditch, causing the Toyota to roll and then strike a tree. The 14-year-old, who is not referred to as the woman's daughter in the story, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Three other children ages 10, 11, and 16 were taken to the hospital with minor injuries and released into state custody. The FHP says the mother was suspected of driving while intoxicated and under the influence of drugs. A blood test should confirm that suspicion. She was taken to Florida Hospital with serious injuries and is expected to be charged.

Our condolences are expressed to the friends and family of this young teen who lost her life so suddenly. Her family is in our prayers.

Florida now has a primary seat belt law that requires everyone in the front seat and all those under the age of 18 in the back seat to be securely strapped into the vehicle with a seat belt or child restraint system. There is a reason – a seat belt is the single most effective safety device in your car. When the seat belt law was enacted in June 2009, it was estimated that just buckling up would save more than 124 lives and prevent 1,733 serious injuries as well as save more than $400 million in related costs every year.

Research shows that properly worn lap/shoulder belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent.

The Florida auto accident attorneys at Farah & Farah are also experienced in the rare cases when a defective seat belt fails causing injury and death. Car accidents can be very complex and that’s why we offer a complimentary consultation to get you started on considering your options following a collision.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that traffic deaths in 2010 in the country fell to 32,788, the lowest number ever recorded, according to a story in USA Today. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began keeping highway fatality deaths in 1949. The death rate of 1.09 per 100 million miles in 2010 is also the lowest on record. Compared to 2005, when 43,510 deaths were recorded, the latest figure represents a 25 percent drop in traffic fatalities. All of this is happening at a time when Americans are driving more than ever. So what is contributing to safer roads?

More attention is being paid to drunk driving. States have more check points and education efforts appear to be working. More people are wearing seat belts, the most effective safety device in an automobile. There is more enforcement of traffic safety laws, reports the NHTSA.

Florida is part of the five states in Region 4 which had a drop of 3 percent in traffic fatalities from 6,573 deaths in 2009 to 6,375 fatalities in 2010.

Region 1; which encompasses Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island; had the largest drop of 17.7 percent or 1,157 deaths. Region 2; which includes New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; had the lowest decline of 2.4 percent or 3,067 deaths.

The Farah & Farah law firm applauds these numbers. For more than 30 years, safety advocates have been calling for additional safety features to be added to vehicles including seat belts, air bags, stronger roofs, and a lower center of gravity to reduce rollover accidents. Citizen groups have also been calling for increased crackdown on drunk driving and improved child safety seats and enforcement. Too often the auto industry has resisted change because of the cost. The industry does a cost-risk analysis and finds it is cheaper to settle accident or death cases than to improve safety. So while things are improving, there is still more to do.

If you have been injured in an accident with a negligent driver, you may be able to hold the at-fault party responsible for the costs associated with your injuries. Don’t try to go it alone. The Florida car accident lawyers at Farah & Farah offer complimentary consultations. Call us at 1-800-533-3555.

The Orlando Sentinel reports on a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which says that passenger deaths for SUVs have fallen to become the lowest among all passenger vehicles, about 115 deaths per million vehicles. However, that was not always the case. In 1980, sport utility deaths were among the highest - 494 deaths per million vehicles, twice that of other cars, which dropped to 134 deaths per million in 2000.

The IIHS study of 2001 traffic deaths included vehicles from the 1998 to 2000 model years. Pickup trucks had the highest number of deaths at 170 passenger deaths per registered vehicles.

This is the first time SUVs have had a lower death rate than other vehicles. With a high center of gravity, sport utility vehicles were more prone to fatal rollovers. The IIHS reports in 2001, SUV rollover accidents led to 47 percent of deaths compared to 36 percent in trucks and 20 percent in passenger vehicles. Since then, stability control has been added and the center of gravity has been lowered in SUVs, many of which now sit on a car not a truck frame. SUVs also offer more protection and in a collision with a passenger car, the IIHS report finds. At 4,000 to 5,000 pounds, a smaller compact car’s passenger is most likely to suffer injuries or death.

The IIHS and common sense dictate that in a collision, a heavier vehicle is most likely to protect passengers from injury and death. With more than 30,000 fatal crashes in 2007, the Florida car accident lawyers at Farah & Farah encourage passengers and drivers of vehicles to avoid becoming a statistic by always wearing a seat belt, the most cost-effective safety equipment on any car.

A tragic accident occurred one year ago and led to the death of a 54-year-old St. Augustine social worker. Now, a 20-year-old Gainesville man, charged with DUI manslaughter, is set to go on trial May 16, just days before his 21st birthday. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to the accident on March 12, 2010. Daniel Doyle Rocca, 19, was southbound on U.S. 1 near Estrella Avenue around noon and reportedly had a blood alcohol level of .212, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent for an adult driver when he allegedly slammed into the side of the woman’s Lexus, forcing it over a concrete median and into oncoming traffic where her vehicle was T-boned by another vehicle driven by a 66-year-old retired Duval County school board employee. The Lexus driver died at the scene. The other woman had to be extracted from her vehicle by the Jaws of Life and was in a coma for 10 days. She lost one leg below the knee, has had 15 surgeries, and spent months in rehabilitation. Rocca, who was driving a Pontiac Vibe, and his 22-year-old passenger received minor injuries.

Our condolences go out to all of the friends and family of these two accident victims.

The young man was 19 at the time of the collision and still considered a minor under the legal drinking age of 21. A DUI manslaughter conviction can bring a driver up to 15 years in prison.

The Florida car accident lawyers at the Farah & Farah law firm reminds drivers that the only thing worse than causing an auto accident is to leave the scene, especially when there are injuries or a fatality. Call our offices immediately following an accident at 1-800-533-3555 so we can begin to advocate for you in your time of need.

A North Florida man will spend the next 20 years behind bars for causing a fatal crash in Lake Butler while being pursued by deputies, according to a report in The Miami Herald. The 26-year-old was before a Union County judge recently and he received the sentence after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident with great bodily harm, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement officers. The original Florida car accident occurred last July when a deputy spotted the driver in Lake Butler and lit his emergency lights to pursue the driver, who sped away, ran a stop sign, and struck an SUV driven by a 23-year-old female, who died at the scene. Even though he ran from the crash because his license was suspended, the driver turned himself into troopers two days later.

Our condolences go out to the family of the young woman who died in this crash. The article does not say whether or not officers had probable cause to pursue this young man, which led to the chain reaction and a fatal outcome.

According to Pursuit Watch, a group formed after the death of an innocent bystander due to a police pursuit, 40 percent of all police car chases end in a collision, 1 percent result in death, and 20 percent in serious injury. On average, police chases kill at least three innocent bystanders each week. And the public is not the only one in danger. Once every 11 weeks, a police officer is killed in such a collision.

Even if someone has a suspended license, is driving a stolen vehicle, or had drugs or alcohol in their possession, many citizens and police agencies are re-evaluating whether that is worth the life of an innocent civilian. Some agencies have amended their pursuit policies to include pursuit only if there is a violent crime. Unfortunately, with about 70,000 police chases every year in the U.S., there is still no national database to track the outcomes.

The Florida car accident lawyers at the personal injury law firm of Farah & Farah suggest without that data and knowledge of the outcomes, it is difficult to control or amend a pursuit policy. Please contact our office if you have been injured in one of these actions. We may be able to help you seek compensation for your injuries and medical care, as well as lost wages and pain and suffering.

Five people remain hospitalized after a car crash that shut down portion of U.S. 19 in Palm Harbor in Pinellas County, on Tuesday morning, March 15. Tampa Bay.com reports a 2005 Pontiac struck a Toyota as it turned north onto U.S. 19 from Colonial Boulevard around 10:15 a.m., causing it to spin into a light pole and knock it down. Witnesses report the Pontiac, driven by a 28-year-old man from Tarpon Springs, was northbound when it hit a Toyota Highlander driven by a 68-year-old man from Palm Harbor. The FHP believes the crash did not involve alcohol but may have involved excessive speeding. Both drivers are hospitalized in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa in serious condition.

The Pontiac driver’s two passengers are in Bayfront Hospital in serious condition. Everyone involved was reportedly wearing their seat belts. Let’s hope all involved in this tragic crash recover from their injuries.

Although this story does not mention it, it is possible that a traffic ticket could be issued to the Pontiac driver if it is determined he ran a stop sign or light. A moving violation not only adds points to a license but it may cause the driver to lose his license.

Florida Statute 316.123 says that every driver must stop at a clearly marked stop line, and a failure to do so mandates the driver enroll in a basic driver improvement course. If you have questions about a moving violation that involves speeding, running a light, or a stop sign, Farah & Farah’s experienced Florida auto accident attorneys will be able to answer questions in a free consultation on your accident.

The Detroit News reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking more time to finalize rules that require automakers to have rear visibility cameras in all new cars by 2014. The NHTSA says the new rules could prevent almost 300 backup accidents and save the lives of more than 100 people a year, most of them young children, but want more time to finalize the rules, which were supposed to have been ready on Saturday, February 26.

What’s the holdup?

The auto industry claims it will cost up to $2.7 billion annually with a cost per vehicle between $150 and $200 for the rear visibility cameras. If the vehicle already has a screen in the dashboard, it will cost about half. The Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers asked the NHTSA for more time.

Using a risk versus benefit calculation, the NHTSA estimates the cost of the new regulation will outstrip the cost of lives saved if you calculate that one life is worth about $6.1 million. This cost-benefit analysis is how laws are frequently made, regardless of the value of the life of your loved ones.

The parents of Cameron Gulbransen felt the new legislation was worth saving one life. The little boy was killed in the driveway when his father accidentally backed over him. The Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act required the backup cameras on 40 percent of new cars by 2013.

The other part of the Act was the requirement of adding an auto-reversing mechanism to power windows so that little heads and hands would not be crushed, saving about 2 lives and preventing 850 injuries a year, according to the NHTSA.

In a further concession to the auto industry, Bloomberg reports that the plan for the automatic reversal on electric window has been scrapped by the NHTSA. The auto safety group Kids and Cars had pushed for the rule but the auto industry said implementation would cost from $6 to $8 a window.

The Florida car accident lawyers at Farah & Farah feel that a few extra dollars per car are worth the life of a child. If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective automobile or were involved in a car crash, either as a passenger or a pedestrian, our personal injury attorneys will offer you a free consultation on your case. Call us today at 1-800-533-3555.

Progressive Insurance wants to know how you drive and in return it is offering a discount on your auto insurance premium of 10 to 30 percent, reports The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Progressive is one of the country’s largest insurers and the program in Florida is called Snapshot.

Here’s how it works – a driver agrees to install a device in his vehicle which calculates the speed of the vehicle, the time driven, and braking. The palm sized device is installed under the steering wheel and Progressive can measure in real-time, as you drive, what you are doing for up to six months, at which time you mail the device back and receive a discount. The insurer insists there is no GPS system in the device and it cannot track where you are going in response to critics who fear they will be tracked.

Florida is the 30th state to receive the Snapshot program. While low-mileage drivers may benefit from Snapshot, it is probably not the program of choice for those who choose to speed or drive long distances.

The newspaper reports that a 2008 study by the Brookings Institution showed that about two-thirds of American households would pay less for insurance if there was some way to monitor the usage of their automobile. But consumers beware - Progressive says if you drive poorly your rates will not go up; however, insurance companies are not always known to have the consumer’s best interests in mind.

The Florida car accident lawyers at Farah & Farah have daily interactions with insurance companies and we consistently find that big insurers would rather the consumer take the lowest amount offered to settle an auto accident claim. Our experienced attorneys and case managers make it their business to advocate on your behalf in a language that the insurance companies understand in order for you to receive the most advantageous settlement in your favor. That’s our job and we take our job seriously on your behalf.

A 21-year-old woman from Titusville, FL was killed early Saturday morning, February 26, when her Honda Accord went off a seawall and sank to the bottom of a canal in Brevard County, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

The young woman was alone in the car when she drifted at a curve on Mullet Road and went off the edge of the seawall around 2:30 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The car rolled onto its right side and sank in the canal. The young woman was pulled out of the Honda by divers but was pronounced dead at Cape Canaveral Hospital. Tests will be taken to determine if alcohol or any other substances may have contributed to this tragedy.

Our condolences are extended to the family and friends of this young woman for her sudden passing.

The article does not say what may have happened to cause this tragic fatal Florida car crash. While a blood test should show if alcohol or drugs were present, an experienced personal injury attorney will also want to look at the phone records to determine if this person was texting or talking on the cell phone or otherwise distracted. Farah & Farah investigators will also back track her activities that night to determine if the young woman might have been served alcohol at a bar. The bar or liquor store might not be liable for injuries unless the driver was under the age of 21, which would be verified, or if the alcohol supplier knew the person was addicted to alcohol. In that case it could be predicted that there was a foreseeable risk of injury and that individual or establishment could be responsible for compensation for a wrongful death.

There are many avenues for investigation in an unfortunate accident such as this one, from a defective automobile, to road debris, or the involvement of another vehicle. Let an experienced Florida car accident lawyer from a reputable personal injury law firm help you in your search for answers.

The law firm of Farah & Farah secured a $1 million verdict for client, Angela Scarberry, 30, following a three-day trial in Duval Circuit Court. Scarberry, now 30, was traveling in her Toyota Camry on November13, 2008, when her car was rear-ended by a Honda Accord being driven by Richard Vanderhoof. The Accord submarined under the Camry and Scarberry was taken to St. Vincent Hospital by her husband.

At trial, counsel Eric. S. Block and Randall Rutledge established that Vanderhoof was negligent and traveling at least 30 mph at the time of the collision. The jury returned the verdict after three hours of deliberations.

Scarberry is the mother of two children and more than two years after the accident, she finds it difficult to do everyday tasks without excruciating pain. “The injuries greatly challenge her ability to be active with her family and have significantly limited her ability to perform everyday activities,” said Rutledge. Scarberry receives injections at the pain points and will need extensive pain treatments in the future, including radio frequency lesioning (RFL).

State Farm, the defendant, had offered $35,000 pre-trial to settle the case, but Farah & Farah counsel thought the cost of the injuries far exceeded that amount, but State Farm declined settling for a greater amount. Because the insurance giant passed on settling, Mrs. Scarberry’s attorneys plan to seek the attorney fees and costs associated with going to trial that have accrued since the settlement talks in July 2010, which are predicted to be significant.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident, do not let any time lapse before calling the experienced Florida auto accident attorneys at Farah & Farah to consult on your case. A collision can deliver a lifetime of pain and suffering and the responsible party should be the one to shoulder the costs.

Florida is behind the times. That was the basic message of the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Debbie Hersman, to the Tallahassee Democrat’s editorial board on Tuesday, February 8. A report on Tallahassee.com reports that Florida is one of only three states that doesn’t have a booster-seat requirement and Hersman, a mother of three, would like to see that changed. The other two states are Arizona and South Dakota.

The NTSB chair was in town to encourage and meet with legislative leaders on the issue. The basic problem is that seat belts are made for adult bodies and a small child is likely to have a belt hit them improperly. In the case of a collision, a belt not correctly placed can sever a spine or lacerate a liver. The recommendation is for children ages 4 to 8 to sit in a booster seat that allows the belt to restrain them properly.

Child Passenger Safety Statistics
According to the NTSB, motor vehicle crashes still cause about one of every three injury deaths among children ages 13 and younger. An auto crash is the leading cause of death of children ages 2 to 12. Every year about 1,800 children ages 14 and younger die in car crashes and more than 280,000 are injured.

Parents are encouraged to place all children in the rear seat of the vehicle in order to reduce the risk of a fatality by about one-third.

Farah & Farah’s Florida auto accident lawyers recommend the booster seat be placed in the back seat. You will know when the adult seat belt is fitting properly when the belt lies across the chest between the neck and the arm and the lap belt lies on the upper thighs, not the stomach. Children can usually use an adult seat belt when they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

This is a sad story to report out of St. Mary’s, Florida. Two teenagers died and four others were injured when they crashed and rolled their Ford SUV on Sunday, February 6 around 11:30 a.m. on Interstate 4 north of Orlando. The Orlando Sentinel reports that the crash occurred near the Lake Mary exit. The 2003 Ford SUV was being driven by a 17-year-old high school female and her 19-year-old passenger, who was her boyfriend. Both were killed when the SUV swerved toward the shoulder of the road and then overturned ejecting both teens from the vehicle. Neither was wearing a seat belt. Three other teens in the vehicle received minor injuries and an 18-year-old female passenger was critically injured.

All of the teens either attended or had graduated from Boone High School and were part of a close circle of friends who were on their way to New Smyrna Beach. The FHP has no idea why the female driver would lose control of the vehicle but an investigation is underway.

This is a particularly tragic story for the families of all of the teens involved, especially the two killed as they had dated for many years and are described as good kids who were well liked. Our sincere condolences are extended to the friends and families of the deceased and we wish a speedy recovery for those injured.

A total of 4,054 teenagers ages 13-19 lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2008, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That number represents a 54% drop from 1975 and 19% drop from 2007.

Auto accidents remain the leading cause of death for teenagers. That’s one of the reasons that 46 states, including the District of Columbia, have graduated license programs for new teen drivers, which are believed to be responsible for a 10 to 30% reduction in teen crashes, according to federal statistics.

If you or your teenager is involved in an auto accident in Florida, the experienced Florida car crash lawyers at Farah & Farah can help you during this difficult time. Call us and we can get started by offering you a complimentary consultation on your accident to explore your legal options.

There is new information to report on a missing hit-and-run vehicle that may have killed a pedestrian in Jacksonville Beach on January 22, according to The Florida Times-Union.

The car allegedly involved in the fatal Florida hit-and-run car crash has been found in Topeka, Kansas by the Topeka Police. Investigators from Florida have made the trip there to recover the vehicle and to look for its owner who is wanted for questioning in the death of a 35-year-old man who was killed in a pedestrian accident in the 1300 block of Shetter Avenue in Jacksonville Beach. The owner of the car has been missing since the hit-and-run crash and he was last observed leaving the scene. He had connections to the Topeka area. The pedestrian who was killed was from nearby Lawrence, Kansas.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Leaving the scene of an accident turns a possible misdemeanor into a felony and criminal act. In this case, leaving the scene where there is a death is a felony of the first degree, which carries a prison term of up to 30 years.

Why do people run? They may have an expired license or may be driving under the influence. There may be a warrant for their arrest on another offense. Federal statistics indicate almost 11 percent of all car crashes are hit-and-runs, and the numbers appear to be increasing, especially in Jacksonville. Florida ranks third in the nation for hit-and-run accidents.

If you have been involved in a hit-and-run, you should know that Florida law mandates you stay and answer questions and offer your help.

Because this is such a problem in our state, the Florida car accident lawyers at the Farah & Farah law firm are members of Hit-and-Run Reward, a national program financed exclusively by U.S. personal injury attorneys. You could receive a financial reward of $1,000 for reporting anyone later convicted of the hit-and-run accident. The number for Hit-and-Run Reward is 1-800-644-8678.

Channel 4 reports that one person died on County Route 210 after a head-on collision with another vehicle on Thursday night, January 27, just before 7 p.m.

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Department is trying to confirm what led to the fatality and the injuries of another person who had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital with injuries. So far law enforcement has not identified anyone involved in this car crash. CR 210 is a major east-west roadway through the county that runs all the way from the beaches to the western portion of the county. This article does not say where on CR 210 the accident occurred.

Head-On Car Accidents
According to federal statistics, head-on collisions resulted in 10.1 percent of U.S. fatal crashes even though they made up only 2 percent of collisions. An experienced Florida auto accident attorney will often look at driving under the influence as one of the more common reasons a driver will drift out of his lane and into trouble. Depending on the speed of the approaching vehicle, there may be very little time to react, even for the experienced driver. Try not to jerk the steering wheel to avoid causing a rollover.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a head-on collision, an experienced lawyer will need to be involved in your case immediately to preserve evidence and interview witnesses. At Farah & Farah, our Florida car crash attorneys will always offer a confidential and comprehensive review of your case to fight for your rights and help you recover from this devastating situation.

Where you live might determine how safe you are behind the wheel. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a research group funded by the insurance industry, finds the safest places to drive are Washington D.C. and Massachusetts, reports USA Today. Among the most dangerous places to drive are Mississippi, Wyoming, Montana, and Louisiana. The federal data was collected on traffic fatalities per 100,000 population and per 100 million miles driven.

Why do rural areas have twice the death rate? Rural roads have higher speed limits and there are fewer roads with safety engineering features such as a divided highway. In terms of medical access, distance from emergency medical personnel may decrease survival following a crash. And trees and obstructions contribute to many fatal traffic crashes in rural areas. Whether or not a state has a motorcycle helmet law and a primary seat belt law (Florida does) also seems to determine safer roads.

Florida had 2,558 car accident-related deaths in 2009 and 13.8 deaths per 100,000 population, according to the IIHS data. It ranks only behind Texas (3,071) and California (3,081) in the number of highway deaths. Nationwide, there were 33,808 people killed on U.S. highways in 2009.

The National Transportation Safety Board is urging states to adopt the five “most wanted” measures to keep motorists safe. They include:

1. Addressing extreme drunken driving
2. Seat belt use
3. Child-occupant protection
4. Eliminate distractions for young drivers
5. Motorcycle safety

Florida still does not have a requirement for adolescents to sit in booster seats to make adult seat belts more effective. And there is not a mandatory motorcycle helmet law in Florida or any laws regarding electronic messaging while driving, even though there are a host of bills introduced every year.

The Florida car crash lawyers at Farah & Farah advocate the use of child booster seats and laws that address or restrict the use of cell phones while driving. We’ve seen too many times when the state’s failure to enact laws has hurt some of our youngest drivers and passengers.

No one quite understands in this story in The Florida Times-Union how a 26-year-old woman narrowly missed being hit by a Norfolk Southern Railroad train on Monday, January 17, at about 5:20 a.m.

Apparently the woman crashed her car on a San Marco Boulevard crossing, where a 52-year-old witness pulled her from the car as the train was approaching. It stopped about 15 feet before impact. The woman was arrested and charged with DUI, careless driving, driving with a learner's permit, and leaving the scene of another accident, according to the article.

Earlier in the morning she had allegedly been involved in a hit-and-run on Prudential Drive when she rammed her Hyundai into a fence and palm tree.

The passerby courageously helped the woman get out of her wrecked car as the train approached. Our commendations go out to the passerby. The driver told police she had a beer and a vodka and Red Bull but did not remember anything about an earlier accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured by an intoxicated driver, the experienced Jacksonville car accident attorneys at Farah & Farah have been representing people injured by DUI drivers for more than 25 years. Proving a DUI car crash can be complicated, especially if a breath test or blood test was not taken at the time of the collision. We have the resources and the experience needed to handle this type of car accident litigation.

As the old saying goes – “justice delayed is justice denied” – and that has to be what one Tampa area family is thinking. Three people from one family were killed in a Christmas Day 2007 crash in northwest Pasco County. The family says the accused man from Spring Hill was speeding and intoxicated when he struck the family car stopped at a red light at U.S. 19 and Little Road. He is facing three counts of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide but is out on $330,000 bail. The Tampa Tribune reports a trial date has now been set for June. In this article, the family of the three killed say they haven’t celebrated Christmas since that day.

The mother and stepfather, sister, and brother-in-law were leaving a Christmas day celebration in Pasco around 2 p.m. heading to Brooksville when they were rear-ended by the driver. The sister, brother-in-law, and mother all died that day or shortly afterward. The driver was going between 75 and 98 mph when he struck the Chevrolet Tahoe with his pickup truck. His blood alcohol content was 0.045 percent, which is below the 0.08 percent level for intoxication, but he also had Xanax and cocaine metabolites in his system.

This article says the 37-year-old man has a history of DUI arrests and speeding tickets. He also spent 17-months in jail for selling GHB or the date rape drug, and he struck a pedestrian on U.S. 19. She later died but he was never charged.

Why has the case been delayed? Prosecutors say they have more than 70 witnesses including medical personnel and reconstruction experts.

Injured individuals or family members of those killed should never have to experience this kind of delay in justice. Although auto accident cases involving fatalities and especially those involving multiple parties are complex, it is important for them to be handled in a timely manner. At Farah & Farah, our Tampa car accident attorneys work with accident reconstructionists to gather physical evidence and witness statements immediately after the accident while memories are fresh and people can be found. Call our office so we can get started on your auto accident case.

A report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that about 6 out of 7 U.S. drivers buckle up when they get behind the wheel, although regional differences seem to dictate how often. For example, in North Dakota, seat belt use is the lowest in the nation at 59 percent, while most frequent users can be found in Oregon where about 94 percent of drivers use seat belts.

However, the survey finds that the 1 in 7 still not wearing seat belts results in one emergency room visit every 14 seconds for injuries related to the crash. Buckling up can cut in half the chance of being seriously hurt or killed in an automobile crash.

In June 2009, Florida enacted a primary seat belt enforcement law which allows law enforcement to pull over and issue a ticket solely because the driver or vehicle occupants are not using a seat belt. This study finds states with the primary enforcement law tend to have more seat belt use (88 percent) compared to states with no primary enforcement law (79 percent). The CDC reports that 19 states do not have a primary enforcement law.

The national average for seat belt use is 85 percent.

Farah & Farah’s Florida auto accident attorneys remind you that car crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 5 – 34. Seat belts are the single most effective tool a driver and passenger can use to avoid traumatic injuries and the associated costs that can last a lifetime.

We also recommend all children ages 12 and under sit in the back seat and that older children use a booster seat. Unfortunately, Florida does not require children who have outgrown a child car seat to sit in a booster seat so the seat belt better fits to hold them in place in case of a crash.

The Farah & Farah law firm hopes you and your loved ones are never in a car accident in Florida, but if you are, we have the experience and the team to fight for your rights at no cost to you. Call us so we can get started at 800-533-3555.

The study “Prescription Medicines and the Risk of Road Traffic Crashes: A French Registry-Based Study” recently published by the Public Library of Science finds that certain prescription drugs increase the risk a motorist may become involved in a serious traffic accident, reports The Wall Street Journal. The study looked at 72,685 French drivers who were involved in serious traffic accidents with injuries between 2005 and 2008. The researchers find that 27 percent of the drivers had taken some type of prescription medicine on the same day as the crash.

Researchers then attached a level 0 to drugs with little effect on driving ability, and a level 3 to those with the greatest effect. The effect of a level 1 drug may depend on the individual tolerance.

Drugs in the level 2 and 3 categories include antihypertensives, diabetes drugs, antidepressants and opioids. Medicines classified as level 2 include muscle relaxants, anti-Parkinson drugs, antihistamines and antihypertensives. Level 3 medicine effects were found to be such that users should not drive, say researchers.

Surprisingly, alcohol use and medication did not yield any interaction as reported by law enforcement however, alcohol use is not always tested in drivers when there is a crash that results in a minor injury.

With about 1.3 million fatal traffic accidents worldwide every year, the study says that 90 percent of those accidents are happening in developing countries.

The study concludes that prescription medications are associated with a number of road traffic crashes in France and that warning messages are relevant for level 2 and 3 medications and are questionable for some level 1 medications. Researchers urge health care workers to warn patients about the potential effects of any medication they are prescribed for its affect on their driving abilities. The research will be used as the European Union standardizes its drug classification systems.

The chances of two people driving in the same direction and colliding as they both talked on their cell phones is remote, but that is what the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) states likely happened Sunday night, January 2, in St. Augustine. The Florida Times-Union reports that one man had to be airlifted to a Jacksonville hospital after he had been driving southbound on Dixie Highway near Shore Drive in the left lane and talking on the phone when his SUV drifted into the right lane and clipped the left front of another vehicle, driven by a man also on his cell phone. The second vehicle was forced onto the shoulder of Dixie Highway and into a ditch, according to a report by FHP. The driver of the first vehicle was not wearing his seat belt and was taken to Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine with serious injuries after his vehicle flipped twice and he was ejected. The second vehicle’s driver was wearing his seat belt and was not seriously injured. The first driver was cited with careless driving.

Distracted Driving
Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute reported in 2009 that dialing a cell phone made the risk of a 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 a crash or near-crash event 1.3 times as high as non-distracted driving. Even reaching for an object such as a cell phone, made the risk of a crash or near-crash event 1.4 times as high as non-distracted driving.

The St. Augustine auto accident attorneys at Farah & Farah wish both drivers well in their recovery from this apparently preventable accident. If you or a loved one has been hit by a distracted driver or truck driver, we are here to offer you a complimentary consultation on your case to determine the at-fault driver and the amount of fault each party shares in the accident. Let our experienced auto accident attorneys handle your case and speak to the insurance companies in the most effective way possible for a positive outcome for you.

News4Jax.com reports that police want to hear from anyone who witnessed a fatal hit-and-run accident on Sunday evening, January 2, that left a 68-year-old pedestrian dead after being hit by three cars while crossing Soutel Drive in Jacksonville.

One of the drivers failed to stop after hitting the man at 7:20 p.m. near Clyde Drive. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says the man was hit by the first car and lay in the road before being hit by two other vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The man is reported to walk with a cane and was heading home after disembarking a bus. He was reportedly a beloved handyman, known around his neighborhood for being a friend to everyone. Our condolences go out to his friends and family for their loss.

Police would like anyone to come forward with information on the first car, reported to be a maroon or burgundy large SUV. Crime Stoppers will take your call anonymously and you can receive a cash reward of $1,000. The number is 1-866-845-TIPS.

The Farah & Farah law firm is a member of Hit-and-Run Reward, a national program financed exclusively by American personal injury attorneys who believe if you report a hit-and-run driver you will not only feel good by keeping a dangerous driver off the road, but you could receive a financial reward of $1,000 for anyone you turn in who is later convicted of the hit-and-run. This program is offered in addition to the Crime Stoppers reward program, so doing the right thing could yield you $2,000. The number for Hit-and-Run Reward is 1-800-644-8678.

The Jacksonville car crash lawyers at Farah & Farah believe fewer offenders will leave the scene of a car accident if they know they will be turned in by witnesses.

The mother of a University of Miami Hurricanes sophomore running back was killed Monday, December 20, in a Haines City two-vehicle crash that also injured his sister and her 5-year-old son.

Fox News reports that Mike James’ sister was driving the Ford Explorer in the Polk county town when it was hit at an intersection by a Toyota Corolla. The mother, Elgusta James, 47, who was not wearing her seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle, as was the 5-year-old. The boy was hospitalized in Orlando and is reported to be in serious condition, and his mother was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. There were no charges immediately filed against the Toyota driver, who was not seriously injured.

James left the Coral Gables campus to be with his family and is uncertain whether he will play in the bowl game on December 31.

Our condolences go out to the friends and family of Ms. James.

Florida Seat Belt Laws
When Florida passed a seat belt law in June 2009, which allows officers to pull over drivers for the sole reason of not wearing their seatbelt, the federal government estimated that it would save 124 lives every year and prevent 1,733 serious injuries.

As of June 2010, the overall use of seat belts in the state was estimated at 87.4%, even higher than the national average of 85.2%. That is thought to be, in part, due to the Department of Transportation’s 2009 Click It or Ticket campaign and the state's primary enforcement law.

Florida car accident attorneys encourage everyone to buckle up. A seat belt is the single most effective piece of equipment a motor vehicle occupant can use to stay safe and help prevent serious injury or death from occurring in the event of a collision. However, even if a person was not wearing their seat belt when an accident took place, the person who is determined to have been responsible for the accident still may be held liable.

A University of Central Florida student was killed in a head-on car accident on her 21st birthday in Orlando on Sunday, December 20, according to a report on WFTV-TV.

The young woman was on the wrong side of Vineland Road when she struck another car head-on about 3:15 a.m. near a Florida Turnpike overpass. According to her Facebook page, she was studying hospitality and tourism at UCF.There is no word in this story where she was going or where she had come from, but police report she was not wearing a seat belt. The man in the other vehicle was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

Her friends said there were many people who loved her and they will have a party in her honor. Our condolences are extended to the family and friends of this young woman.

Young Adult Driver Accidents Statistics
The story does not say whether a blood alcohol test was taken at the scene.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, young drivers in the 20-to-24 age group had the highest number of fatal crashes in 2008 (2,788). When it came to alcohol consumption, 21-year-old drivers had the highest rate in all crashes (23.13) while 23-year-olds had the highest rate in fatal crashes (1.16).

Drunk driving accidents are some of the most devastating occurrences, especially since they could have been prevented. Far too many people are seriously injured or killed because of a driver was operating a vehicle while under the influences of alcohol. As Orlando drunk driving accident attorneys, we know all too well how tragic these accidents are. Do your part, don't drive drunk or let anyone you know do so.

With the holiday season comes a surge of travelers on Florida roads and an increased potential for auto accidents. If you were to be involved an accident - who would be contacted and when? Four million Floridians have made sure that someone close to them is contacted when seconds count following a traffic accident. When you register two emergency contact names with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a loved one will be contacted immediately following any sort of crash on the road.

The program was initiated in 2006 after Christine Olson of Brandon, Florida, couldn’t locate her daughter, Tiffany, who had been critically injured in a motorcycle crash. Christine searched six hours for her daughter, when finally she was tipped off that her daughter had been taken to an area hospital only to learn that Tiffany had passed away. Christine never got to say goodbye to her daughter. After the agony she went through, Olson vowed no other parent would have to suffer what she experienced trying to find her daughter. Olson founded TIFF (To Inform Families First), a program that uses the two names that are registered with a person's driver's license or state identification card that can be contacted in an emergency such as an auto or motorcycle accident.

Farah & Farah’s Florida car accident attorneys remind readers to be sure to have two names registered with every family members' driver's license to give some peace of mind.

It is quick and convenient to register at www.flhsmv.gov/eci or at any Florida DMV office. There is no cost.

It’s something we write about all the time. Kids playing in a driveway or running up to an SUV to say goodbye to a parent, only to be run over by the driver who just couldn’t see the child behind the large SUV. It has happened far too often, with 292 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occurring every year from back-up accidents, that the government is requiring auto manufacturers to increase the visibility behind large vehicles. The proposal by the Department of Transportation (DOT) will expand the field of view behind SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks, by requiring a rear-mounted video camera with an in-vehicle display on all new vehicles by September 2014. The proposed rule was part of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007, named for a two-year-old who was killed by his father behind the wheel of an SUV in the family driveway.

Kids and Car Back-up Accident Statistics
The consumer advocacy group www.kidsandcars.org has supported and managed the aforementioned proposal for rear visibility so that vehicles meet a standard that allows a driver to see what is in the blind zone. The group says at least 50 children are backed over by vehicles in the U.S. every week. At least 70% of the backup incidents involve children.
“Expanding the field of vision for all passenger cars, pickup trucks, and minivans is necessary so drivers can see directly behind the vehicle when backing,” said Janette Fennell, founder and president of KidsAndCars.org. “The quality of rearview camera technology has advanced to the point where you can see if there are leaves on the ground when backing. We have the technology to prevent these deaths; and now we are going to use it” she added.

The Jacksonville injury lawyers at Farah & Farah remind parents that no technology can make up for being mindful of the possibility that a small child, an animal, or an elderly person may be around the rear of your vehicle as you back out of a driveway. It is the person who is in a hurry and distracted who is most likely to be surprised by what they can encounter when they are not paying attention.

A Polk County Sheriff's Office sergeant was killed on Sunday, December 12 when an SUV struck him at a central Florida 7-Eleven store in Winter Haven about 10:30 in the morning, reports WPBF. The sergeant had just exited his vehicle when a Cadillac Escalade driven by a 79-year old rammed into his police vehicle, causing it to spin 180 degrees. The Escalade also crashed a metal barrier and hit a store and the owner of the store as she stood outside. Investigators are attempting to determine what happened to cause the Escalade to travel out of control.

Florida Elderly Drivers
Many people assume that an older driver must be the at-fault driver, but statistics in the state tell a different story. Drivers age 20-24 had the highest number of crashes in our state in 2009 at 44,788 with 15-to-19 year olds responsible for 29,482 crashes. There were 2,000 crashes involving 85-to-89 year olds, and drivers age 90 plus were involved in 675 crashes.

The death rate for older drivers in Florida decreased after a vision screening law passed in the state for anyone over the age of 80. Between 2001 and 2006, federal statistics show the overall death rates for all drivers rose slightly, while the fatality rate for older drivers fell 17 percent.

When there is some question about the at-fault driver, an experienced Florida auto accident attorney can ask the right questions to determine how an insurance policy will apply in an accident case that involves an uninsured or underinsured driver. The best Florida personal injury law firm will always offer a free and comprehensive session with the injured victim and his family.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for issuing statistics regarding many aspects of transportation, including distracted driving. Last year, distracted driving killed nearly 5,500 people and injured 500,000 more. Now the DOT is doing more than releasing statistics – it is telling the stories of the men, women, and children who died in an accident caused by someone else was talking on a cell phone, texting, reaching for the radio, or was otherwise distracted while behind the wheel.

The DOT began a website titled "The Faces of Distracted Driving" and features a video that begins with the story of Margay Schee of Ocala, who was just 13 when she, along with 21 other students were on their way home from school, when they were stopped and rear-ended by a semi-truck traveling at 60 mph.

The driver said he never saw the school bus. A subsequent investigation found the driver was talking on a cell phone at the time of the crash and it later turned out, he had driven more than 16 hours, well in excess of federal safety rules which limit driving to 11 hours. Margay was under the seat of the bus and was not able to get out when the bus caught on fire. She was the only student who did not get out alive. Her mother says a big part of her died with Margay.

In the video, Margay's mother says, “No texting, no talking, hands-free, just put it down. I ask people if they feel the urge to pick up their phone they think of Margay laying on the bottom of a school bus.”

The DOT asks anyone who has a distracted driving story to share to upload a video to YouTube and email the link to faces@distraction.gov.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Florida, the experienced Florida truck crash lawyers at Farah & Farah will work hard to hold the responsible party accountable in a court of law as well as obtain compensation for you for your injuries.

She was a mother of two who was on her way to pickup her children at daycare on January 12, 2009, when a fleeing carjacking suspect was being chased by a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) deputy crashed head-on into the woman’s car, killing her. News4Jax.com reports the family says it plans to sue JSO for “negligently initiating” a chase at speeds that exceeded 100 mph in rush-hour traffic on busy Deerwood Park and Southside Boulevards in Jacksonville.

The suspect lost control of the van he was driving on Deerwood Park Boulevard and struck the vehicle being driven by the 24-year-old mother, who died at the scene of the Jacksonville car crash. The suspect has since been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Police Chases
The question of when police should pursue a suspect is an ongoing and unresolved issue that unfortunately has resulted in the deaths of many innocent bystanders who were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

According to the citizen’s group Pursuit Safety, 40 percent of all police car chases end in a collision, while 20 percent result in serious injury and 1 percent end in a death. On average in the United States, police chases kill at least three innocent bystanders a week, and once every 11 weeks, a police officer is killed.

Many counties, such as Orange County, have adopted a policy that allows for a police pursuit only to apprehend a suspect involved in a violent crime. No doubt, the more citizens push back with personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, police departments will have to reevaluate their pursuit policies.

If a loved one has died in a Jacksonville car accident, the Jacksonville car crash attorneys at Farah & Farah attorneys will carefully review your case to determine if negligence by another motorist was a factor in the accident and help you obtain the compensation your family deserves.

In its first ever analysis of drug use and driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released data that says 1-in-5 drivers who were killed in car crashes last year tested positive for drugs, both illegal and over-the-counter.

The report highlights the growing problem of people driving vehicles after having taken medication, some being legally obtained. There is little information on how medication affects driving, although some prescriptions say they may cause drowsiness and caution against operating heavy machinery.

Many people assume only illegal drugs can be dangerous behind the wheel. In 2009, the data show that drugs were found in nearly 4,000 drivers killed in auto accidents, an increase of about 5% from a study done five years ago.

The types of drugs being tested for included narcotics, stimulants, depressants, anabolic steroids, inhalants, and hallucinogens, among others.

As more and more people find drug use acceptable, NHTSA will continue its drug research to try and determine their impact on car crashes. Increasingly, law enforcement in 46 states is being trained to recognize the symptoms of a drugged driver as distinguished by someone driving under the influence of alcohol.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident and don’t know where to turn, the Florida auto accident lawyers at Farah & Farah can get you started on thinking about your next step. It may all seem overwhelming, but the insurance representative for the other side may make a gesture to offer you some money if you sign a waiver and promise never to sue. This is not something you should do without first consulting with an experienced auto accident law firm because you may be signing away your rights.

The rollover of a Ford Explorer took the life of a man on Sunday, November 21, at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Otis Stone Hunter Road in Daytona, reports First Coast News. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) states the Ford Explorer was northbound around 2 a.m. when it suddenly left the road onto an unpaved shoulder at which time the driver then over-corrected the Ford and it rolled several times. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the Florida car crash and his passenger was taken to a Daytona Beach hospital with critical injuries. FHP officials took blood tests at the time to help determine why the vehicle might have left the road in the first place.

SUV Rollover Accidents
While we don’t know the year of this Ford Explorer, in May 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) upgraded the standard for roof strength, which is important to the vehicle’s occupants during a rollover so their heads are protected. These were the most widespread changes in 38 years. Vehicles weighing in at 6,000 pounds and less have to be able to withstand a roof crush standard three times their weight. Heavier vehicles between 6,000 to 10,000 pounds only will be required to withstand a crush weight of 1.5 times the vehicle’s weight.

The tougher roof strength standard, which will be phased in between 2012 and 2026, are predicted to save 13 to 44 lives a year at a minimum. Ten-thousand people die every year in rollover accidents, and about a quarter of occupant deaths in motor vehicles involve rollovers. For SUVs that number jumps to 59 percent.

The Florida SUV rollover accident lawyers at Farah & Farah are up-to-date on the standards required for vehicles concerning rollover safety. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida SUV rollover crash, we can offer advice that is complimentary and comprehensive to get you started on the road to recovery and obtaining compensation.

U.S. traffic safety groups, along with the federal government, have been applauding the significant reduction in highway deaths that seems to be a nationwide trend over the last few years. However, other nations have even a better record of traffic safety and two new government reports say we could be doing more in the U.S. to save lives on the nation’s roadways, according to Consumer Reports.

The National Research Council lists several improvements, including frequent sobriety checkpoints to find drunk drivers (saving 1,500 to 3,000 lives); enforcement of speed limits (saving 1,000 to 2,000 lives); making the motorcycle helmet laws universal (saving 450 lives); and increasing seat belt use from 85% to 90% (saving 1,200 lives).

The National Transportation Safety Board also recommends universal helmet laws for motorcyclists. Florida opted out of a law mandating helmets in 2000 and saw an immediate sharp increase in the number of motorcycle deaths. A universal helmet law would mean all 50 states adopt some requirement for helmets.

Another top priority is eliminating distracted driving by young drivers, improving the use of child and booster safety seats, getting tough on habitual drunk driving offenders, and enacting tougher seat belt laws.

While the U.S. has been making steady progress on all of these fronts, there remains more to do to save lives on the roadways. The Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at Farah & Farah have been representing victims of Florida auto and truck accidents for more than 25 years and offers a free and comprehensive consultation on your accident case. If you don’t know where to begin following an accident, give us a call at 1-800-533-3555.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging anyone who rides in or drives a 15-passenger van to use special caution to keep occupants safe while traveling in this dangerous vehicle. Because of the high center of gravity, a 15-passenger van has a tendency to rollover and coupled with a weak roof structure, the 15-passenger van has been called the most dangerous vehicle on the road.

There have been two recent 15-passenger van accidents, one in Georgia and one in New York, that led to 10 fatalities. The NHTSA is warning drivers to be especially wary of defective tires that will cause a vehicle to rollover. Because tires degrade, it is advised NOT to use the spare tire as a replacement tire for any distance other than to get to a tire store.

Unfortunately, churches and schools use these vans to transport children and school systems even use them to transport students. Facing tight budgets, some organizations may be keeping older 15-passenger vans in service longer than recommended. The NHTSA advises pre-primary to secondary students never be placed in the van because they’re not as safe as a traditional school bus. The problem is becoming so widely-recognized, that it is now illegal for schools to purchase new 15-passenger vans to transport children. The same federal law does not apply to private schools or parent-hired buses and vans.

The Florida car accident attorneys at Farah & Farah hope your school or church does not use these dangerous vehicles to transport any of your loved ones. If you must, make sure the driver is experienced in operating these vans. They should not be overloaded in any circumstance because they become even more difficult to handle. If you or a loved one is injured in a 15-passenger van, you will need the assistance of an experienced Florida 15-passenger van rollover attorney to help you recover and hold the responsible parties at-fault. Too many have died in these vans – Don’t let your family member be one of them.

Expect to see more and more elderly drivers on the road over the next three decades, reports online news outlet FairWarning.com. The National Transportation Safety Board says it’s difficult to predict whether that will translate into more car accidents. The number of people age 65 and older with a driver’s license is expected to make up around 20 percent of the total driving population in about 15 years.

People who drive often are less likely to be involved in a traffic crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In order to reduce the number of traffic accidents among the elderly, two states, Illinois and New Hampshire, require road tests for drivers over the age of 75. Other states require vision tests and do not let drivers renew their license by mail. Other safety precautions that have been discussed are larger warning signs along the side of the road, and seatbelts that inflate if someone is in a car accident, similar to an air bag.

Florida Accident Statistics
Drivers in the 20-24 age group were involved in the most fatal car crashes in Florida in 2008, while drivers over the age of 90 were involved in only 18 fatal crashes in 2008, reports the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). Alcohol-related crashes were far more prevalent among young drivers (158) than among elderly drivers over the age of 90, who had no alcohol-related accidents.

Despite the assumptions that are made about Florida car collisions and who causes them, the Florida car crash lawyers at Farah & Farah will look at the facts of an auto accident to determine who the at-fault driver is and how their insurance policy will apply in a case that involves an uninsured or underinsured driver. Call any of our many Florida offices so we can discuss your Florida car crash case, regardless of your age.

An elderly man was killed in a hit-and-run crash Friday night, November 12, following a three-vehicle collision on State Road 44 near Ridgewood Avenue in DeLand, Florida about 7:25 p.m., according to The Orlando Sentinel.

The driver of the first vehicle, a 2006 Dodge pickup, was westbound on SR 44, also known as New York Avenue, when he crossed into the oncoming eastbound lane traffic where he sideswiped a 2000 Dodge Stratus and then struck the left front of the eastbound 2002 GMC truck driven by the 77-year-old man.

The elderly driver of the GMC truck died after being taken to a local hospital. The female driver of the Dodge Stratus suffered minor injuries. There is no word in this article on the identity of the driver of the first vehicle, however charges are pending in the multi-vehicle Florida car crash.

Our condolences go out to the family members and friends of the elderly man who was killed in this tragic Florida car accident.

The violent nature of a Florida head-on car collision can result in serious head and neck injuries, cuts from broken glass, and broken bones. Always drive defensively looking for a car that may be crossing into your lane from the opposite direction, but if you must avoid a vehicle, avoid jerking the steering wheel which can cause the car to rollover. Try to keep two wheels on the pavement and side-graze the oncoming vehicle, if possible.

If you or a loved one has been in a head-on auto accident in Orlando, you will need time to recover from your injuries. Orlando personal injury lawyers will be by your side and take care of the investigation and all of the paperwork so you can concentrate on getting well.

A study released his week by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety states that almost 17% of fatal crashes are caused by drivers who are drowsy, reports The Patriot Ledger. The AAA believes drowsy driving is under reported and up to 41 percent of drivers have nodded off behind the wheel at some time. The study concludes that falling asleep behind the wheel is responsible for 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 crashes every year.

Other interesting points:

• Drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driver crash as older drivers ages 49 to 59.


• Two-thirds of these crashes involve men.


• Some of the drowsy drivers have been drinking with a blood-alcohol level of 0.10, just over the level considered legally intoxicated.

Signs of Drowsy Drivers
Look for signs such as trouble keeping your eyes open, yawning, a lack of focus and daydreaming behind the wheel. Defensive driving reaction time will be impacted in a sleepy driver as will judgment, and can possibly cause a Florida car accident.

If you feel you are getting too sleepy to drive, pull the car over and take a 10 to 15 minute nap. Drink a caffeinated beverage and get at least six hours of sleep before you take a long trip.

The Jacksonville car crash attorneys at Farah & Farah would like you to consider traveling with an awake passenger if you are tired, and make sure to take a break every 2 hours on a long distance trip to help prevent more Florida car accidents from occurring.

A 32-year-old woman was found guilty and sentenced to 30 years in prison for DUI manslaughter when she forced the car of a mother of two off the Buckman Bridge in February, reports The Florida Times-Union.

On Tuesday, November 9, Sasha Pringle was convicted of several felonies – DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of the accident on February 27 that ran Luma Kajy’s SUV off of the bridge. Tests after the collision showed Pringle had pain killers, marijuana, and an anti-anxiety drug in her system while behind the wheel.

Florida Hit-and-Run Car Crashes
Jacksonville’s Duval County is the seventh largest in the state, but statistics show it follows only Miami-Dade and Broward counties with the third highest number of hit-and-run car collisions in 2008.

Leaving the scene of a auto accident that results in an injury or fatality is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The number of prosecutions for hit-and-run drivers has skyrocketed from 349 in 2006 to more than 2,000 in 2007 and 2008.

Drivers who cause a Florida car accident could leave the scene of the crash because they are intoxicated, driving without a license, have outstanding warrants, or were driving distracted.

If you or a loved one has been in a Florida hit-and-run car crash and don’t know where to begin, the Florida car accident attorneys at Farah & Farah are experienced in initiating an investigation into the at-fault party to help you seek recovery and get back on your feet. Give us a call at our many Florida offices to let us help you.

A Jacksonville man was killed and another man was critically injured when their pickup truck overturned on Heckscher Drive near Somer Road around 6:15 on Sunday morning, November 7, reports Channel 4 News.

It is unclear in the article who was driving the motor vehicle, but the Florida Highway Patrol reports the driver lost control of the Nissan pickup and it rolled several times across all of the lanes of traffic. The man that died at the scene of the fatal Florida car crash was not wearing a seat belt, and the other occupant of the vehicle was taken to a hospital in Jacksonville and is in critical condition.

Our condolences are extended to the family of the man killed in this fatal Florida truck rollover accident. Let’s pray for the recovery of the other man in this tragic crash.

There is no mention as to why the vehicle went off the road, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates at least 25% of crashes reported to police involve some form of distracted driving or inattention. That amounts to more than 1.5 million crashes a year, which is roughly 4,300 collisions every day.

If I was a family member of either of the men involved in this Florida car crash, I would want to know if another vehicle was involved; for example, was another vehicle speeding and caused the pickup truck to swerve out of the way? Was there debris on the road or was the vehicle faulty in some way? Did the seatbelt or tires on the vehicle fail?

An experienced Florida car accident attorney can launch an investigation and get answers that can lead to monetary compensation for the injuries and rehabilitation needed by victims following a Florida car crash.

The St. Augustine Record reports that two Palm Coast residents of Flagler County died on Wednesday morning, November 3, when their motor vehicles were involved in a Florida head-on car collision on Colbert Road near Beverly Beach around 6 a.m.

The Florida head-on car accident occurred when a 52-year-old male driver of a 2004 Nissan SUV crossed the center median line on Colbert Road and drove head-on into a 2001 Honda SUV driven by an 83-year-old woman. The resulting crash totaled both vehicles and both drivers were killed at the scene of the fatal Florida car accident.

The Florida Highway Patrol does not know who the at-fault driver was in this tragic Florida car crash, but the FHP does say that alcohol was not a factor. The female driver was wearing a seat belt while the man was not.

Our condolences are extended to the families and friends of both drivers who died in this tragic Florida car accident.

Florida Head-On Collisions
Depending on how fast each car is traveling, there may be very little time to react in a head-on collision. It is advised you drive with your lights on during the day to make sure others see you. Drive defensively.

An SUV with a high center of gravity is not stable enough to stay on the road if you jerk the steering wheel suddenly. The Florida car accident attorneys at Farah & Farah suggest you try to keep two wheels on the payment and quickly move out of the way.

In the unfortunate event you are involved in a head-on collision, our experienced Florida car crash attorneys can quickly get involved in the investigation that will be necessary to determine the at-fault driver in the accident while you concentrate on recovering.

A St. Augustine man went on a wild ride Wednesday night, November 3, crashing a truck belonging to his boss into a telephone pole after fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run at U.S. 1 and West Castillo Drive, reports The Florida Times-Union.

St. Augustine police jailed the 47-year-old man around 9 p.m. after he hit the power pole, knocking out power to residents in one block around San Marco and Myrtle avenues. The man told police he left the first crash where he side-swiped another vehicle because he was driving a truck belonging to his boss. He is being charged with reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident causing about $25,000 in damage.

Liability Issues
Police consider the reckless driver to be at-fault in the first crash.

According to Florida Statute 316.192 – Reckless driving is defined as disregarding the safety of persons or property or fleeing a law enforcement officer. The punishment can include jail for up to 90 days and a fine not to exceed $500. A subsequent conviction can lead to jail time of up to 6 months and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

Damage to property or a person is a misdemeanor of the first degree, while serious bodily injury is a felony of the third degree.

In Florida, if the court believes the use of alcohol or chemical substances contributed to the reckless driving, the individual may be sentenced to a DUI school by the court.

Fortunately, there were no serious injuries in this case of reckless driving, which is unusual considering the well-trafficked roads of St. Augustine.

If you have been injured by a reckless driver through no fault of your own, the Florida car crash attorneys at Farah & Farah will take the time to talk to you about your case and discuss your options for recovery so you don’t have to go it alone.

A Toyota Camry reportedly turned in front of an oncoming Jeep on Anniston Road at Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville Friday morning, October 8, leaving two people with life-threatening injuries following a collision, according to News4Jax.com.

The vehicle accident occurred around 9 a.m. when the Camry turned into the Salvation Army Store on Beach Boulevard and right into the path of the Jeep. The Jeep then T-boned the Camry which left the car’s occupants trapped underneath the vehicle. Rescue crews extricated them from the scene and they were taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. The driver of the Jeep suffered only minor injuries.

There is no information as to whether or not the driver and passenger of the Camry were wearing seat belts.

Car Accident Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration predicted when Florida initiated its new seat belt law last June, 124 lives would be saved and more than 1,700 injuries would be prevented. According to the State Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 2,983 people were killed in motor vehicle related crashes in 2008 and of those deaths, 60 percent of people in cars equipped with seat belts, but who were not wearing them, were killed.

Liability Issues
Auto accidents often result from careless driving or a failure to yield the right-of-way. Improper lane change and driving under the influence also contribute to car crashes in Florida.

The reputable Florida car accident attorneys at Farah & Farah would want to explore all of the possible causes of this auto accident including the condition of the roadway, the ability of the driver, the possibility another vehicle was involved, the safety of both vehicles, including a check of the brakes and whether speeding or driving under the influence might have contributed in some way in order to determine the at-fault party.

The result of a recent survey is startling – teens do not see texting while driving as a big deal.

State Farm Insurance surveyed 697 teens nationwide. It finds that many teen drivers, inexperienced behind the wheel, do not think texting while driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving. The survey finds just over half of teen drivers, ages 14 through 17, strongly agree they could be killed if driving under the influence. Only 36 percent believe that can happen if they text while driving.

We’ve reported these statistics previously:

• Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teen drivers both in Florida and across the country. In 2007, 306 teenagers died in Florida distracted driving car crashes.
• Teens face the greatest risk of being in an auto accident during their first year of driving. About 20 percent – one in five teens will be in a car crash.
• Teens are not experienced behind the wheel. Their brains are still in the developmental stage.

Studies show that distractions of any kind, from arguing to texting, changing the radio, eating, and reaching for something in the back seat, increases distracted driving and increases auto accidents.

According to the Florida Times Union, Lt. Bill Leeper of the FHP says he goes out and talks to schools about the dangers of texting and driving. He says when he talks about texting, “They’re looking at each other and grinning like, ‘I do that.’” He says drinking and driving is not as common as texting while driving.

However, overall crashes involving teens have been on the decline for three years.

While teens don’t think texting while driving is as big a deal as drinking and driving, our state legislators don’t either. This year our lawmakers again failed to vote to create any laws against texting or cell phone use by teens or any other drivers while driving.

Florida car crash attorneys are available to answer any questions that auto accident injury victims may have regarding distracted driving.

St. Augustine police are looking into a crash that occurred early Sunday, September 26, around 2:30 a.m. Channel 4 reports that an SUV was traveling westbound on State Road 206,when the driver lost control and the vehicle crashed into the woods, ejecting two people out of the SUV near U.S. 1. The two vehicle occupants have not been identified but both were taken to Shands Medical Center in Jacksonville. Both are reported to be in critical condition.

Seat Belt Use
Although it is unclear from this report, generally speaking, when someone is thrown from a vehicle, it is because they were not wearing their seat belt. Florida’s new seat belt law went into effect June 8, 2009, making it mandatory for all motorists to buckle up. It was named after Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti, two young women who were killed in separate traffic accidents when they were not wearing seat belts.

Florida joined 28 other states that require seat belt use making it a primary law.
Federal estimates were that the seat belt law should save about 125 lives a year and prevent more than 1,700 serious injuries.

Our condolences go out to the family members of the people injured in this crash. Florida auto accident injury attorneys would like to remind all motorists to buckle up when driving on Florida’s roads.

It’s very sad when young teens have to say goodbye to one of their own after a car crash. That’s what happened in Satellite Beach, Florida where friends of Darren Devoe, 16, remembered him Tuesday morning, September 14, in a memorial service, an article on FloridaToday.com stated.

Devoe died Sunday, September 12, when he was a passenger in a car driven by his friend Jason Duprey. It was Duprey’s 17th birthday the morning of the crash. The 1993 Toyota was northbound on State Road A1A about 6:40 a.m. Sunday, September 12, when it hit a concrete utility pole. Duprey went to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The teens marked the utility pole with flowers and held their memorial service at the site.

Our condolences go out to all of the friends and family of this young man who certainly left this world too soon. Devoe’s 17th birthday was Thursday, September 16. Friends say he always had a smile on his face.

Teen Drivers
Florida has a graduated drivers license rules that delay obtaining a license until the age of 16. The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection, (STAND UP Act), proposes raising the age of obtaining a learners permit to 16 and delaying an unrestricted driver’s license until the teen turns at least 18.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that raising the age to obtain a permit would reduce fatalities among 15 to 17 year olds by about 13%. When tougher restrictions were imposed in Massachusetts, the fatality rate dropped 75% and injuries fell 38% according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

IIHS finds that half of parents surveyed support raising the minimum learners permit age.

Florida fatal car crash attorneys would once again like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this teen.

Florida is one of the worst states in the nation with regulations that consistently fail to protect young children in motor vehicle accidents, reports the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

While the federal government, through the NTSB, recommends children up to the age of eight use specially designed child car seats or booster seats, Florida only requires child safety seats up to the age of three.

The NTSB says “laws in Arizona, South Dakota, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico are only slightly more protective, covering children age 4 years or younger. Twelve states (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and South Carolina) mandate child restraints for children age 5 or younger and six states (Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, and North Dakota) only cover children age 6 or younger.”

The NTSB names Florida specifically as having the “most lenient child passenger safety law in the nation” reports First Coast News.

The NTSB is calling on Florida and 20 other states plus American Samoa and Puerto Rico to have laws that require safety seats be used for children up to the age of six. Booster seat laws are needed in Arizona, Florida and South Dakota, according to an NTSB news release.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles does require children up to the age of four or five be secured by a child safety seat or a seat belt. But seat belts, engineered for adults, are notoriously unsafe if not fitted properly on the smaller body of a child. That’s where the booster seat comes in, so that adult seat belts restrain the child in his lap and shoulder at the proper position for maximum safety in a Florida car crash.

An unidentified woman has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being thrown from her pickup truck which landed on top of her. It happened Saturday, September 4, on County Road 16A about two miles east of C.R. 210. The woman was found on the side of the road under a 1986 Chevy pickup. The truck was overturned in a ditch. The woman was reportedly not wearing her seat belt. St. Johns Sheriff’s deputies had her airlifted to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center where she remains hospitalized.

Our sincere condolences go out to this woman and her family along with wishes for a speedy recovery from her injuries.

Seat Belt Safety
Traumatic head injury often results when a vehicle occupant is thrown from the car or truck. The assumption by readers of News4Jax is that the driver was not wearing her seat belt, but we do not know that to be true. In some rare cases, the seat belt can experience a design or manufacture failure, allowing the vehicle occupant to be ejected.

If I were a family member, I would want a St. Augustine personal injury attorney to examine all aspects of this vehicle to see if there was any product failure. The seat belt may have frayed or broken. The belt could have come loose from the bolts which anchor it to the floor. In some rare cases, the seat belt latch can come unbuckled, something known as false latching.

Older seat belt designs have a release button on the side that could inadvertently release in an Florida auto accident. An older seat belt likely is missing a shoulder belt to keep the person in the driver’s seat, and certainly did not have an airbag to keep the driver safe.

What appears to be a simple auto accident could actually be a defective product case but a careful examination of the vehicle is needed immediately while the evidence still exists.

A report just issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that motor vehicle accidents cost every licensed driver in the U.S. about $500 a year. Car crashes cost about $99 billion annually in medical care and lost productivity.

Of the total, $3.6 billion goes toward treating children who are injured in car crashes, according to the report, published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention.

In looking at car crash statistics from 2005, the CDC report finds that every ten seconds someone is treated in an ER for injuries suffered in an auto accident. Nearly 40,000 lives are lost every year as a result of car crashes.

The costs break down like this:

• Occupants of cars and light trucks: $70 billion
• Motorcyclists: $12 billion
• Bicyclists: $5 billion
• Pedestrians: $10 billion

Jacksonville is one of the top cities for pedestrian and bicycle accidents, many of which are severe, and make up about 6 percent of all injuries and fatalities. Motorcycles make up 12 percent of all of the injuries and related expense. Young people make up 28 percent of all of the fatalities and non fatal motor vehicle injuries as well as almost one-third of the cost ($31 billion), even though they represent just 14 percent of the population.

What is cutting down on the number of accidents?

• The Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) policies which phase in driving privileges as the teen gets older and more responsible behind the wheel. The GDL is thought to have reduced crashes among 16-year-olds by 40 percent.
• Florida’s primary seat belt law now allows law enforcement to cite motorists for not wearing seat belts.
• Child safety seat distribution and education programs have ensured seats are correctly installed.

A woman from Fort White, Florida, died Monday, August 16, after her vehicle crossed the divided highway and was then involved in a head-on collision with another car.

Nancy Vituli, 57, was heading northbound on U.S. 41, about seven miles south of Lake City. Her Honda Civic crossed the center line at approximately 2:45 p.m. near Southeast Gabe Street and struck a Ford Expedition. Barbara Chastain, 65, of High Springs, Florida was behind the wheel. Both cars then rotated counter-clockwise.

Vituli was killed at the scene. She was not wearing her seat belt.

Chastain suffered serious injuries and was taken to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Her passenger, Joanne Duffy, 51, was taken by air ambulance to Shands Hospital with critical injuries. Both Chastain and Duffy were wearing their seat belts.

Continue reading "Woman Killed in Lake City Head-On Auto Accident Not Wearing Seat Belt" »

Shawn Tyler Pugh told Gainesville police that opiates might show up in his system after he rear-ended a car Monday, August 9. He was arrested on charges of DUI, even though his breath test registered .000, reports the Gainesville Sun.

Pugh was driving a 2005 Pontiac when he ran into a car in the 1000 block of West University. The impact did about $14,000 damage to two cars. One person ended up in the hospital with injuries. Pugh has been charged with driving on a suspended license, careless driving, and damage to property.

The young man told police that opiates, THC, or Percocet might show up in his test. A look at the records shows his license has been suspended four times. Unable to perform any sobriety tests, Pugh appeared confused when an officer spoke to him. He was booked into the Alachua County jail.

Continue reading "20-Year-Old Charged with DUI Following Crash" »

If the light is red, you better stop.

Beginning Monday, August 2, the Florida Highway Patrol and multiple law enforcement agencies across the state are teaming up to enforce National Stop on Red Week. The focus is to remind drivers to stop at the red traffic signals, not run them.

Red light running is a real problem in Florida. More than 5,000 people suffered injuries last year in crashes that involved a red light runner. Fifty-six people were killed.

There were 1,400 Florida intersection accidents where at least one driver was impatient, not paying attention, driving distracted, or aggressively driving and ran a red light. Not only does that put other motorists in danger, but it endangers pedestrians and bicyclists.

On August 1 in Pinellas County, a red light runner killed a family of four from Orlando.

From August 2 through the 8th, the Florida Highway Patrol will be stationed at traffic signals to make sure that drivers stop at red traffic lights, the FHP announced in a Florida Department of Highway Safety news release. While this is called “National Stop on Red Week” it appears to be a Florida initiative.

A big component of the National Stop on Red Week is the new enforcement tool that Governor Charlie Crist signed into law. House Bill 325 gives local government the right to use cameras at red lights to take a picture of the offender. The driver will then receive a picture in the mail of himself speeding though a red light at an intersection. He will also receive a citation for $158.

The new law took effect one month ago and is named after a Bradenton man killed by a red light runner. The Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act memorializes Mark Wandall who was killed in 2003. His wife championed the bill and got it passed.

The news release also says that the red light citation will not affect your auto insurance rates or add points to your driving record.

Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford has been a big advocate of installing red light cameras at some of the busiest intersections in town. A red light camera is designed to take a picture of the license plate of a red light runner who sails through an intersection, sometimes after the light has already turned red. The driver, whose license is caught on camera, would then face a steep fine of about $250, according to a Florida Times-Union article.

Florida intersection accidents are some of the most common and deadliest, and the hope is that a camera at the intersection will cut down on these T-bone and mid-intersection crashes.

Now Sheriff Rutherford says he’d like to go one step further. Rutherford wants to install crash avoidance technology at intersections as well. This technology senses when a vehicle is traveling too fast to stop and it prevents the red light from changing to green for the other side waiting at the intersection.

When Sheriff Rutherford spoke out however, the state Department of Transportation contradicted him. There is no company currently making crash avoidance hardware, said a spokeswoman for the agency. A discussion erupted in the Florida Times Union that the technology does exist and does what Sheriff Rutherford described. Nestor Traffic Systems is reportedly a company that does take photos of the intersection from several angles, which is useful when determining the at-fault party in an intersection accident.

Whether this technology is also incorporated into Florida intersections, remains to be seen, but expect the red-light cameras, at a cost of up to $5,000 per camera, to soon be installed at the 10 intersections with the most auto accidents in Jacksonville. They include Atlantic and Kernan Blvd, Blanding and Argyle Forest Blvd., Atlantic at Southside, Atlantic at Monument, and Atlantic at University, among others.

Family and friends are mourning Christopher Tucker, 33, who died in a single vehicle accident, according to an article on News4Jax.com. Tucker was the passenger in a car being driven by Meaghan Parmenter, 25 of Starke, Florida. The Keystone Heights man and his fiancé were traveling early Saturday, July 17, around 4 a.m. when the Dodge Caliber, heading south on Blanding Boulevard, left the road and hit a tree. Tucker died at the scene. Parmenter was taken to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. She is reported to be in stable condition.

Our condolences go out to the friends and family of Tucker who was also was the father of a nine-year-old boy. Our prayers are extended to that boy for his loss.

Florida Car Accident Statistics
Clay County had 1,574 crashes in 2008, a drop from the previous year. Sixteen people lost their lives in those auto accidents, a slight increase over the 15 fatalities in that county in 2008.

Crash Liability
The cause of this crash remains a mystery but blood tests were taken on the driver, Parmenter, to determine if she may have been driving intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. Others speculate that a deer might have come out of the wooded area causing the car to go off the road.

An experienced Florida auto accident attorney would want to know if there was a defective tire that might have caused the crash or seat belts that failed to protect its occupants. In that case, a product liability lawsuit can be filed on behalf of the injured or in the case of a wrongful death.

One thing we have learned through our experience at Farah and Farah is never to assume. The truth as to the cause of the accident and the at-fault party may not be obvious.

Katie Mathews is just like other 20-year-olds. She wants independence, her own apartment, and is working toward attending college. But Katie is not like other young people just starting off in life. A car crash on Interstate 75 four years ago almost ended her life. For the Venice High School athlete, it did end her mobility. Mathews is partially paralyzed from the chest down.

Tampa Bay Online reports that since the car accident, life has been a series of small victories. First, she lived. She finished high school and was homecoming queen. Then she learned to dress and feed herself. She now lives in an apartment complex filled with others who are recovering from brain and spinal injuries. Mathews has accomplished something else. She is Ms. Jr. Wheelchair Florida.

"Everything in life, whether good or bad, is for a reason," she says optimistically.

Teen Auto Accidents
Florida statistics from 2009 show that auto accidents are the leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 19.

Distracted driving is blamed for the May 6, 2006 vehicle accident that almost took her life. In an SUV at 80 mph, Mathews was a passenger in a car driven by her friend Chloe West, 16. When they found they had overshot an exit, West turned suddenly but lost control of the vehicle which rolled four times.

Continue reading "Life for Ms. Jr. Wheelchair Florida Following Auto Accident" »

A wreck on Interstate 95 in Brevard County turned deadly for a family on this Fourth of July holiday according to an article on FloridaToday.com.

Three people died in a rollover traffic accident Sunday afternoon, just north of State Road 407. It happened around 2:30 p.m. when the family swerved into the shoulder to avoid hitting a barbeque grill that had fallen into the road from another vehicle. Titusville police say the car hit the shoulder, spun, rolled, and struck a tree, killing three family members.
Jeff Cain, 60, Terri Cain, 58, and Ruth Dye 53, of Melbourne were all wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, but that did not save their lives.

Our hearts go out to the family members of the Cain’s and Ms. Dye for their loss in this tragic accident.

Law enforcement reports that charges may be filed in this case.

I-95 has just been named one of America’s most dangerous roads for the number of fatalities reported per mile, and debris in the road is a contributing factor to the death toll. The Florida Department of Transportation urges that drivers secure a load in a pickup truck or dump truck. It only takes a small piece of metal, concrete, or wood to fall from a truck to create a dangerous situation for a motorist. A survey from the AAA Auto Club South in 1999, reveals that 76 percent of club members in Florida believe that road debris is a problem in our state. The most common type of debris found on the roadsides are old tires.

The Florida Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (1998) reported that the number of crashes caused by tire debris in Florida rose from 648 in 1993 to 931 in 1996.

If you have encountered road debris on the highway and it contributed to an accident, you may have a case to make against the at-fault driver for property and bodily damage. Police need to be called onto the scene to investigate. So does an experienced Florida auto accident attorney to make sure your rights are preserved.

In an effort to cut down on auto accidents from distracted driving, Georgia and five other states have just enacted new texting while driving bans.

The Department of Transportation found that in 2008, almost 6,000 people died in crashes related to distracted driving, while 500,000 others were injured.

As of July 1, Thursday, Georgia banned cell phone use for all drivers under the age of 18, and prohibited text messaging for drivers of any age.

Twenty-eight states have now adopted laws that prohibit texting for everyone behind the wheel.

Georgia violators will find themselves facing a $150 fine as well as a one point assessment against their driver’s license. It was determined a higher fine sent a clearer message to violators. Fines around the country rage from $20 to $750.

In the Florida 2010 legislative session, several bills were proposed in both the House and Senate to prohibit texting while driving and help lower the amount of cell phone accidents in Florida. All were tied up and died in committee on April 30th. Even Heather’s Law died in committee. It was named after a young woman who was killed by a texting driver and prohibited the use of a cell phone while driving except for those drivers using a headset or hands-free device.

Heather’s Law would have allowed enforcement only as a secondary offense. Even with all of those stipulations and restrictions, the cell phone lobby kept Florida in the ranks of the shrinking number of states that still allow texting while driving.

Others include South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

A new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) finds that older Americans are becoming safer drivers, leaving middle-age drivers behind in the dust according to an article on FoxNews.com.

The IIHS looked at the rate of fatal crashes. For drivers age 70 and older, the fatal crash rate dropped by nearly half while for drivers ages 35 to 54, the fatal crash rate dropped 23 percent. That means about 10,000 older drivers who were predicted to be in fatal accidents, were not.

Crashes that result in injury were down too for older American drivers.

For those age 80 and older, there was a 34 percent reduction in the injury crash rate, while middle-age Americans had a 16 percent reduction in injury rate.

It may surprise many that the number of older drivers is on the rise. That may be due to Americans holding onto their licenses longer. The licensure rate increased 20 percent for drivers age 70 to 74. It could also be that more Baby Boomers are now moving into their senior years.

This is good news overall. Jacksonville car accident lawyers are pleased that more people are becoming aware of highway safety. It is possible that older Americans are restricting their own driving at night or avoiding high-speed highways.The safety of cars and highways has improved over the years and all new cars are made with airbags. Roof strengths are improving which is important in a rollover to avoid traumatic brain injury.

In some states, a vision test is required for license renewal. In 2004, Florida passed a requirement that all drivers age 80 and older pass a vision test before they renewed their license. The law required visual acuity in the weakest eye to be better than 20/200, and at least 20/70 in the other eye.

After that law went into effect, federal statistics showed that the death rate among drivers age 80 and up declined about 17 percent.

A 38-year-old woman is in critical condition after driving between 78 and 83 mph in a Julington Creek neighborhood and crashing into a tree and power pole. It happened Tuesday night, July 1 on Flora Branch Road where the speed is 35 mph according to an article on News4Jax.com.

The driver is identified as Donna McCulloch. She is in critical condition at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. There were no other vehicles involved. For hours after the crash, McCulloch was trapped inside her car with live electric lines down threatening the rescuers. JEA had to arrive to cut the power from the live wires before they could get her out of the car.

McCulloch was wearing her seat belt. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.

Our prayers go out to this woman for a full recovery. Investigators have no idea at this time why she was speeding in a quiet neighborhood.

What Caused This Accident?

Further tests will be conducted on the driver to see if any substances were involved.

Because there is so little information in this news report, it is difficult to know why this accident occurred. If I was a member of her family, I would want to know what led up to this excessive speeding. It is possible she had a medical condition or that the car was faulty in some way. The family should know if her accident was caused by a Florida vehicle defect or a mechanical malfunction. It is also possible that another driver may have cut her off on the road or there was something she was trying to avoid, perhaps an animal or debris in the road.

If the vehicle failed to protect this woman, or was defective in some way as to cause the accident, a third-party claim can be filed against the auto maker. A reputable Jacksonville auto accident attorney will always be willing to meet with family members and help them find the answers to these troubling questions and begin an investigation while evidence is still available.

The state has just released new traffic accident figures for 2009 and they show a continued trend downward for traffic fatalities. The number of deaths on our roads dropped 14 percent from the previous year, the fourth consecutive year of declines.

Motorcycle deaths declined even more – 24 percent in 2009 from the previous year.

The report is called the “2009 Florida Traffic Crash Statistics Report” which is generated annually by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and is available online. The report card on traffic accidents of all sorts in our state is issued every year after statisticians compile all of the data from law enforcement agencies around the state.

Other positive highlights of the report include:

• Traffic fatalities dropped from 2,983 in 2008 to 2,563 in 2009 in Florida.
• The number of deaths per 100 million miles traveled dropped to 1.3 in 2009. That is the lowest the state has ever reported.
• There were 402 motorcycle fatalities in Florida in 2009, 532 in 2008. In 2003 the number was lower – 358 deaths. In 1999 there were 164 deaths but after the repeal of the helmet law in 2000 the number of fatalities jumped sharply to 241.
• Fatalities involving teen drivers fell significantly – more than 20 percent from 193 in 2008 to 153 in 2009.
• DUI fatalities fell by 14 percent. Even with the improving picture, more than 1,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes.
• Fatalities for pedestrians and bicyclists dropped four percent
• Fatal bicycle accidents dropped 15 percent

Even with cars designed to keep us safer, safety campaigns that are reducing deaths on the road, accidents still occur. If you or a loved one is injured in a traffic or motorcycle accident, a Florida accident attorney can help preserve your rights and thoroughly investigate the cause and the at-fault party. A consultation is free and comprehensive.

A Jacksonville attorney says it was a defective tire that caused a crash that killed four teenagers on the last day of school in June of last year. He has filed a lawsuit against Cooper Tires. A News4Jax article reports that on Tuesday, June 22, a judge in the case denied a gag order requested by the tire company that would have prevented any information on the case from reaching the media. Even though the gag order was denied, the parties were reminded that they must follow the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct which prevents them from seeking out an audience from the media.

Attorney Eric Block has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Shannon Broome, who was injured on the Interstate 295 crash that killed four teens. Cooper Tires is named for allegedly selling a defective tire which experienced a tread separation before the Florida auto crash. Also named is Ford, the maker of the 1997 Explorer that rolled, Big Chief Tire that installed two tires on the SUV, (neither one which blew). Block says Big Chief Tire should have been alert enough to warn the car’s owner about the faulty tire when it was in their shop just two weeks before the crash. Also named is Imagine Tour, based in Orlando, that sold the SUV.

The driver of the Ford Explorer was Brandon Hodges, 15, who did not have a driver’s license at the time of the crash. He was the only one wearing a seat belt and not surprisingly, the only person not injured. He did manage to steer the Explorer with the blown tire to an emergency lane where it overturned. He is facing manslaughter charges and a trial.

More lawsuits on behalf of all eight in the vehicle are expected to be filed says Block, including on behalf of the four teens who died - Kimber Krebs, 15, Erin Hurst, John Kiely, and Dennis Stout, all 17, who died in the crash.

None of the vehicle’s occupants was wearing their seat belts.

There seem to be a lot of these cases lately.

A Florida SUV rollover accident on Monday, June 21, left a woman critically injured after she rolled her car and it burst into flames on I-95.

Florida Today identifies her as 19-year-old Katherine Parker of Stanford, Florida. Parker was heading northbound on I-95 in the Palm Bay area when her tire separated. Her SUV drifted into the median and then rolled at least three times. It burst into flames, but Parker had been thrown from the vehicle and was pulled out of the erupting car by a witness. The accident happened in Palm Bay at Mile Marker 170 and Palm Bay Fire-Rescue crews responded.

Parker is lucky to be alive and is in critical condition at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida. Her friend writes that she always wears her seat belt.

The accident is the second one in the area in less than 24 hours that likely resulted from a tire that blew on an interstate. The other accident occurred Tuesday, June 22, in north Brevard County. Also in this case a driver, age 19, was involved. He was behind the wheel of a 1999 Ford pickup that blew a tire and then rolled. That driver is also in critical condition and his passenger is in serious condition.

Though we don’t know what kind of SUV Parker was driving, Ford Explorers have a higher rate of tire-related accidents than other SUVs, especially those equipped with Goodyear or Firestone Tires.

It has been unusually hot in Florida and on the highway the combination of heat and speed and under-inflated tires can all lead to tire separations. It is advised that you check your tire pressure this time of year. Let’s pray that these young drivers pull through their injuries.

DUI checkpoints are a fact of life and are frequently conducted throughout Florida. On Saturday, June 12, one motorist decided he didn’t have the patience to participate in the driving-under-the-influence check and tried to flee. Unfortunately, he struck a trooper when he ran and did not stop.

Based on a News4Jax story, the Florida Highway Patrol is looking for this hit-and-run driver, who sped through a nearby neighborhood being chased by troopers. He still has not been located. Fortunately the trooper who was struck was not seriously hurt.

The checkpoint was set up in front of the Florida Highway Patrol headquarters in Orlando. One lane was set up for cars that needed a further investigation.

Time Magazine recently reported that Florida is top in the nation for hit-and-run fatalities. The nonprofit group, Transportation for America, reports that the four top dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians at risk of being injured in a Florida pedestrian accident are Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa.

For some unknown reason, the number of hit-and-run cases is increasing in the state. In Jacksonville there were more than 2,000 in 2007 and 2008. Compare that to 349 in 2006. This trooper is very fortunate that he was not seriously injured.

Hit-and-Run Laws in Florida
The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash that results in death or injury must stop the vehicle immediately under Florida law. If they do not do that, they can be charged with a first degree felony which can result in a fine of $10,000 and as much as 30 years in prison.

Generally the person flees the scene because they have something to hide. They may be intoxicated, may be driving without a license, may be in this country illegally or wanted by the law. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit-and-run driver, you would be well-advised to contact a Florida accident attorney who can be your advocate throughout the investigation to find this individual. Families of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim to seek the costs involved with a funeral, lost future earnings and companionship. The injured can help recover the costs associated with the hit-and-run accident and get this individual off the road.

You can thank Toyota for this legislation. The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 was approved by a House Energy and Commerce Committee, the first step to making it law. The overriding component is that proposed legislation would require all vehicles sold in the U.S. be equipped with a brake override system. That means that a brake and accelerator could not operate at the same time. The brake would win. That is exactly what drivers behind the wheel of Toyotas experiencing unintended acceleration needed to get their vehicles under control. Instead, what was likely a computer glitch, caused an override in the mechanics of the vehicles and led to a number of fatalities.

Not to be outdone, Honda says it plans to have a brake override system installed in some vehicles beginning in August with fleet-wide installation for Honda and Acura after next year. General Motors says it plans to install brake override systems in all of its vehicles.

Other provisions include increasing the authority of the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration by increasing funding and power.

The Act also mandates automakers add automotive event data recorders or black box recorders in new vehicles. Some vehicles, namely General Motors and Ford, already contain the integrated black boxes in the vehicle’s electronic control unit. Jacksonville Beach car accident attorneys and lawyers throughout Florida and the United States have used the information they contain in some landmark cases in recent years.

A final vote on the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 could come in the fall after a vote by Congress.

A Good Samaritan in central Florida has saved two children after their family van ran into a pond. Kissimmee police says that Eric Maceo Logan, 37 was at his kid’s school, Flora Ridge Elementary on Friday, May 14, when the family van went through a fence and down a slope into a retention pond. According to a News4Jax report, bystander, Kevin Rios-Nieves, 20, who was at the school, heard the little girl yelling, “Help,” out of the van and dove into the water to retrieve a one-year-old boy and the five-year-old girl. He climbed in an open window and grabbed the little boy who was strapped into his car seat and handed him to others who had decided to help. He then grabbed the little girl and took her to shore. The father was unconscious and Rios-Nieves yelled at him to get out. He said the man appeared to be having a convulsion and was shaking as the van took on more water and sank before Nieves could retrieve the father. Nieves said he started to cry because he couldn’t help him.

Escaping a Retention Pond
From the time your vehicle lands in the water until it sinks to the bottom is about two to four minutes, says the Florida Highway Patrol. Since water pressure makes opening the door impossible and electric windows won’t roll down, and its getting dark inside the car as water pours in from all directions, the FHP suggests that it’s best to carry a spring-loaded window breaker to smash your driver side window and get out as quickly as possible. About 4,800 vehicle accidents occur in Florida every year involving a submerged vehicle in a retention pond, says FHP.

Distracted Driving?
There are many questions surrounding this case, mainly why would a young father lose control of his car? A Jacksonville vehicle crash attorney and investigator would have many questions to ask about this case - did he suffer a medical condition? Was there some indication he had ingested drugs or alcohol? Was the driver distracted? What was the condition of the road and of signs in the area? The other issues that need to be questioned are whether there was adequate fencing around the pond to prevent an accident of this sort, and whether the slope going into the pond was too steep? Was there a mechanical malfunction on the vehicle, for example brakes that didn’t work? If so, the family of this deceased father may have a defective product complaint against the auto maker for his death. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim in this accident. We pray for a full and thorough investigation that will yield clear answers about what happened.

A 28-year-old Georgia man has died as a result of a one-car accident Sunday, May 2. Haudrey F. Figuerdo was a passenger in a 2006 Toyota that was being driven by Carlos Rivera, 39, of University Park. According to a Herald Tribune article, the two were northbound on Cooper Creek Boulevard in Manatee County around 3:18 a.m. Rivera, the driver, lost control of his vehicle around a curve, drove up over the curb and then struck some shrubs, then a tree. The car spun around and the Toyota then caught fire. Rivera was listed in serious condition at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
Our sincere condolences are extended to the family of Mr. Figueurdo for his sudden death in this tragic accident.

Florida Accident Statistics
Manatee County, which encompasses the Bradenton area south of Tampa, had 3,777 auto accidents in 2008, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. 445 were alcohol-related and 55 fatalities resulted. In addition there were 3,173 injuries that resulted from Florida vehicle accidents.

Single-Vehicle Accidents in Florida
The cause of this fatal crash is a mystery based on the information provided. If I was a member of Figuerdo’s family I would want to know if there was any negligence involved. Did the driver suffer some sort of medical condition that caused him to lose control of the vehicle? Was he under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Were the vehicle occupants wearing seat belts? If so, did the seat belts work? Was the driver speeding? Were there any witnesses? Oftentimes when a single-vehicle accident occurs early in the morning, DUI or driving distracted is suspected, but without an independent and thorough investigation by a Florida vehicle accident attorney and investigator, those answers may never be uncovered.If there was a problem with a defective auto, a claim could be filed against the automaker. If there was negligence by another driver, that person could be held liable. If a dangerous roadway contributed to this accident, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roads could be held liable as well.

A 22-year-old Orlando man is fortunate he only suffered minor injuries early Monday when his car went into a retention pond in Orange County. The man, Ebraheem Al-Samadi, lost control of his vehicle, reports the Florida Highway Patrol. The accident happened on State Road 50 at the ramp onto SR 408 about 1:10 a.m. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Al-Samadi was able to escape his 2004 Lexus before it sank. The man reportedly swerved to avoid hitting an animal in the road.

Al-Samadi is very fortunate that his injuries were not more serious and he was able to escape. We wish him a swift recovery.

Orange County Accident Statistics
Orange County in central Florida had 16,712 auto accidents in 2008, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. 1,373 of them were alcohol-related and 170 fatalities resulted from those accidents.

Retention Ponds in Florida
With a large number of retention ponds throughout Florida, drivers often find themselves ending their journey in one. It often does not end well, especially if the vehicle turns upside down. This story leaves out a lot of information such as whether the pond had a fence around it, whether this man was speeding or whether another vehicle was involved. A Florida car accident attorney would want to have the answers to those questions before the at-fault driver can be determined and costs assessed. A thorough investigation should also determine if the Toyota was operating normally, and not a runaway vehicle that some Toyotas have been determined to be. If this Lexus was on a recall list, had been “fixed” as Toyota calls it, and then had another unintended acceleration accident, then the auto maker, Toyota, could be held responsible for this man’s injuries and losses.

Three Democratic senators are pushing for a national graduated driver licensing law (GDL) for teen drivers. As it stands now, state laws offer a patchwork of policies for teen drivers. 42 states allow a teen to obtain a learner’s permit before the age of 16.

The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STAND UP) Act would affect teen drivers under the age of 21. STAND UP would raise the age of obtaining a learner’s permit to 16. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that alone would reduce the fatal crash rate of 15 to 17 year olds by about 13%. IIHS has found that about 50% of parents support raising the minimum licensing age, reports USA Today.

The age to obtain an unrestricted license would be raised to 18 as a minimum.

It would establish a three-tiered process including a learner’s permit, an intermediate stage before an unrestricted driver’s license. Nighttime driving would be prohibited during the first two stages. Cellphone use would be prohibited while driving during the first two phases. Federal highway money would be withheld from states that did not participate with the minimum standards after three years.

AAA has stated that the STAND UP is very close to a model GDL.

Experienced Jacksonville injury lawyers are familiar with the unfortunate fact that auto accidents are the leading cause of death of teens. The IIHS has found that major GDL restrictions reduce crashes between 10 and 30%. In states that implemented restrictions, fatal crashes among drivers under the age of 18 dropped 75% in three years, injuries fell 38%.

Two elderly residents of Naples were killed on the interstate in Southwest Florida on Saturday, May 1 in a Florida head-on collision. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the elderly residents’ 2004 Lincoln left the southbound lane of I-75 and drifted across the median hitting a northbound truck at mile marker 148. Based on a naplesnews.com report, the truck driver swerved to avoid the car, but he hit its driver side. He went to Charlotte Regional Hospital with "non-incapacitating injuries," the Highway Patrol reported.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of these accident victims in this tragic and sudden accident. They are in our prayers.

Elderly Drivers Accident Statistics
In Florida, motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for teens 16-19 years of age. While teens make up only 6% of the driving population in Florida, they are involved in 14 % of the fatal crashes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Drivers 20-24 had the highest number of fatal crashes in Florida in 2008 amounted to 546. Compare those numbers to drivers over the age of 90. They were involved in only 18 fatal crashes in 2008, reports the FHP.

Continue reading "Naples Interstate Crash Kills Two" »

This is one of these cases where you have to ask if the police chase justified the result. In Clearwater, Florida a man was trying to run from police. According to the Miami Herald, the 47-year-old man was wanted for failing to appear on a charge of driving without a license. He was at a Clearwater bar and left before he could be arrested. He drove away and may have run a red light when he slammed into a taxi, killing the driver, a 32-year old man. Officers say they initially chased the man and then called off the chase. That is often what they say when they want to distance themselves from a bad outcome, but there is no way of knowing without launching an investigation. The man was also injured in the crash, but has been charged with vehicular homicide among other charges. He is currently in jail.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of the deceased man who appears to have been an innocent victim in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Accident Statistics
Federal agencies do not track the fatalities that result from police pursuits or first responder pursuits. But the closest numbers we get are voluntary reported numbers into the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The citizen group, Pursuit Safety, says that the NHTSA numbers are likely under-reported, since they are voluntary, but 4 to 5 people die every week in the U.S. as a result of a police or first responder pursuit.

Liability Issues
Pursuit Safety is made up of the relatives of loved ones who have been hit by police cars. Candy Priano lost her daughter who was on her way to a school event in the back seat of the car Candy was driving. She and others believe that there is no justification to drive extremely fast through residential areas unless a violent crime has been committed. The biggest hurdle they face is criticism from the public who believes law enforcement should be left alone to do their job.

With a half dozen people being killed every week, does pursuing someone to apprehend them for a failure to show up for a hearing on a suspended license really rise to the occasion of a police chase? The family of the deceased man in the aforementioned case would be well-advised to seek advice from an experienced Florida car accident attorney and investigator. Together they can put together the pieces of this auto accident and try to determine the circumstances. Pursing these cases is the only way they will stop, or at least encourage law enforcement to initiate some reasonable policy that allows them to apprehend a suspect without actually speeding and putting innocent lives at risk. It’s been done in other places with success. After all, the fleeing driver does not care about your family’s safety or your safety, so the burden to protect the innocent citizen falls on law enforcement. Law enforcement has to follow a pursuit policy that puts public safety first as its policy.

A Florida Today story reports that an Orlando woman is recovering from minor injuries from the crash that took place on Sunday evening, April 18, in the Orlando area on State Road 528. In all, five cars were involved in the chain reaction crash that began when traffic came to a slowdown in the eastbound lanes before the U.S. 1 exit, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Apparently a 19-year-old motorist was following the car in front of him too closely, and when the traffic slowed - he didn’t. He apparently hit a car and started the chain reaction. The 31-year-old Orlando woman was taken to Wuesthoff Medical Center in Rockledge, and a 47-year-old was charged with leaving the scene of the accident after she contributed to injuries. The FHP has ruled out alcohol involvement and says everyone had on their seat belts.

Our prayers are with the injured woman for a swift recovery. Let’s hope they are not too serious. Fortunately, there were not more accidents resulting from this accident.

Accident Statistics
S.R. 528 stretches from Orange to Brevard Counties. In Brevard, there were 4,909 crashes in 2008, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. 625 were alcohol-related and there were 81 fatalities. 4,539 people were injured as the result of traffic accidents in 2008.

Accident Causes and Liability
Aggressive driving is responsible for about two-thirds of fatalities on the road, about four times the number of fatalities that result from DUI. We do not know if this caused the chain reaction, but the report indicates that it was, at least, a complicating factor.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles defines “aggressive driving’ as an impaired emotion that can lead to high-risk decisions. Aggressive driving is not road rage, and it is not a charging statute, but it can lead to road rage. Aggressive driving is addressed in Florida Statute 316.1923. It is defined as:

1. Exceeding the posted speed limit by 15 mph or more


2. Unsafely or improperly changing lanes


3. Following another vehicle too closely


4. Failing to yield the right-of-way


5. Improperly passing


6. Violating traffic control and signal devices

An officer can mark the ticket that the driver was an aggressive driver. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in Tallahassee then takes this data to provide statistical information on aggressive driving in the state, which is used to make new laws. Road Rage is a felony and a criminal assault using an automobile on another driver/passenger of an automobile. There are at least 200 deaths a year in Florida attributable to road rage.

You would be well-advised to have a Jacksonville injury attorney by your side if you believe the accident you were involved in was the result of road rage.

An investigation is uncovering the amount of influence former NHTSA employees may have had over the current Toyota probe. Critics in Congress say that Toyota had help from two former NHTSA employees. Christopher Santucci worked as a defect investigator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator. He then got a job at Toyota, the very company he had been in charge of investigating. He worked for Christopher Tinto, who also used to work for NHTSA. Now with these two together at Toyota they helped to limit probes into Toyota records show. Together, they pointed the NHTSA probe to focus on the brief burst acceleration instead of the runaway vehicles that have led to so many accidents and deaths.

Toyota documents that CBS News obtained from 2006 show that while NHTSA wanted company documents on “a broad testing and analysis question” concerning the Camry and Solara vehicle engine surge, Toyota in negotiations with NHTSA, got the agency to “reduce the response” and essentially provide much less data. A third ex-NHTSA employee also helped Toyota, former NHTSA attorney Kenneth Weinstein. Joan Claybrook, who used to head NHTSA, characterizes it like this. “They maneuvered and manipulated and I think Bamboozled the agency.” Congress is taking the apparent conflict-of-interest question before Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Absolutely not” he said.

Continue reading "Toyota Pulls Strings Within NHTSA To Kill Probes" »

A one-year-old girl who was in a car involved in a wreck in Wesley Chapel, Florida, died Saturday, January 9, 2010 according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The young girl was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital, where she had been in critical condition since the wreck.

She was one of three people in a Honda that was struck by an SUV that crossed over the center lane of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, just south of State Road 54. The driver of the 2010 Cadillac SUV was a 67-year-old man from Brando, who died in the collision. He wasn't wearing a seat belt.

There is no word whether the infant was properly restrained in an infant car seat. Our hearts go out to the family of this little girl. There is very little information about whether she was strapped into a child restraint system as is required by law.

Continue reading "Injured Tot Dies in Wesley Chapel Crash" »

News4 in Jacksonville reports that a St. Augustine pedestrian died after he was hit by a car driving down U. S. Highway 1 near Old Moultrie Road in St. Johns County. Traffic investigators say a 57-year-old man was standing alongside the highway around 4:15 a.m. He was wearing dark clothing. A 24-year-old man was driving down U.S. 1 and didn’t see the pedestrian in time to avoid the accident. The male pedestrian later died at Flagler Hospital. The motorist was not injured and the Florida Highway Patrol reports no charges are pending.
Our condolences go out to family and friends of the deceased pedestrian.

Pedestrian Dangers in Florida
The Florida Department of Transportation reports the state’s pedestrian fatality rate during nighttime hours is double the national average. A recent review of all pedestrian accidents in the state, released in 2008, ranked Florida #2 nationwide for pedestrian fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that between 1997 and 2007, more than 5,000 pedestrians died on the state’s highways, 10.4% of all pedestrian fatalities across the nation for that same period of time. A study conducted by the University of Florida points to a number of reasons for Florida’s high fatality rate: warmer weather which encourages walking during longer winter nights and urban sprawl which creates a reliance on high-speed arterial highways such as U.S. 1. These highways are not always well lighted, adding to the danger.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed in Early Morning Auto Accident" »

A devastating crash involving a Broward County Sheriff’s Deputy cruiser and a Honda Civic leaves an Oakland Park, Florida teenager dead and two others in the hospital. According to police and witnesses at the scene, the accident happened at the corner of Dixie Highway and Northeast 56th Street. The investigation into just what happened demonstrates how difficult it can be to find the cause of such a tragedy and how important it is to seek legal guidance to make sure justice is done.

According to police and news reports, a 21-year-old girl was driving the Honda, headed north on Dixie Highway. She was attempting to turn left at Northeast 56th Street when the police cruiser, headed south on Dixie, slammed so hard into the Honda that the back end of the car was sheared off. A 14-year-old a passenger in the Honda was thrown from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and another passenger, who is 15-year-old, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The Sheriff’s Deputy driving the cruiser, a 21-year-old man, was also taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released. He is new to the Sheriff’s Department and has neither commendations nor reprimands on his record. He has not been placed on leave from his job.

Our hearts go out to all the victims of this terrible accident. The loss of a child is especially difficult and our prayers are with the girl’s family and friends as they try to come to terms with what happened.

Reconstructing An Accident
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office says it may take months to determine who is at fault and as more details come to light, it is easy to see why.

First—one witness at the scene who gave an account of the accident to investigators is now accused of having lied about what happened.

Second—while witnesses claim the cruiser was driving at a high rate of speed, the Sheriff’s Office says it is unclear at this time how fast it was going. Furthermore, officials say Honda had a green light, but not a green turn arrow, which means it should have yielded to oncoming traffic.

Third—witnesses asked why the Sheriff didn’t have his emergency lights or siren on during the crash but officials say he shouldn’t have, since he was responding to a routine call at the time.

Fourth—both drivers have a record of traffic citations, both for speeding, and one for charges of improperly changing lanes and failing to wear a seat belt.

Continue reading "14-Year-Old Killed In Crash Involving Police" »

A study by Ohio State University shows the dangers of walking and talking on a cell phone. Hundreds of injuries have been reported from distracted pedestrians. Just over 1,000 pedestrians have visited emergency rooms in 2008 because they tripped or ran into something during a cell phone conversation or texting while walking. The New York Times reports on the case o a 16-year-old boy who walked into a telephone pole and suffered a concussion. A 28-year-old man trapped and fractured a finger while he gripped his cell phone. And 68-year-old man fell off his porch while talking on a cell phone.

We think of the dangers of driving while distracted, but the rate of ER visits has doubled from 2007, which doubled from 2006. And consider this – most people injured while walking and talking would not even thing to call it into a hospital if the injury is minor.

Florida is already the most dangerous state for pedestrians, with nine out of the ten most dangerous metro areas in the south, according to Transportation for America. Far too many pedestrians are killed on an annual basis in Florida. With the explosion of personal communications devices, there is no reason to believe that there will be any improvement in the dangerous practice of distracted walking. To help prevent pedestrian accidents in Jacksonville and throughout the state of Florida, please do not use your cell phone while crossing the street or engage in other distractions when doing so.

Source report: http://www.justicenewsflash.com/2010/01/19/study-talking-walking-injuries-pedestrians_201001193036.html

Two teenagers were killed in Ocala following a crash, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 when the BMW they were riding in collided with the rear of a dump truck. The driver of the 1987 BMW 325i was traveling at a high rate of speed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, when he topped a hill on Northwest 100th Street, near North U.S. 441, and crashed into the rear of a Mack Granite dump truck. His passenger died an hour after the crash. The driver died on Thursday. Both teens were 18-years-old and both were seniors at North Marion High School. The dump truck driver received minor injuries.

Seat belts were in use at the time of the accident.

Our hearts go out to the families of these two young men who were best friends. The driver’s father says his son never drank or smoked and was a good son. We are sorry for your loss.

An investigation needs to determine just how fast that dump truck was traveling when the collision occurred. The FHP says that the truck was slowing for road work and that there were numerous signs along the hilly street to indicate road work was ahead. An investigation needs to confirm that information.

If there were not adequate warning signs posted behind that working dump truck, the company responsible as well as Marion County could be liable.

Continue reading "18-Year Old Killed Rear Ending Dump Truck in Ocala" »

The beginning first months of any New Year bring some new traffic laws to Florida. One specifically addresses bad drivers, sending them back to school when they are at fault in three crashes with a 36-month period. 322.0261 was enacted during the 2009 legislative session.

"In an effort to make our roads safer, those who display a pattern of poor driving ability or judgment will be required to complete a driver improvement course," says Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director, Julie L. Jones. "The new law is designed to modify the behavior of some of our worst drivers."

As many as 1,000 Florida drivers may be subject to the new requirements during 2010, especially when traffic transgressions go back as far as 2007.

Beginning in early January, those drivers who are among the worst will receive notices that they are subject to the new law. Drivers will be given 90 days to complete the approved course. If they fail to do so, they could lose their driving privileges.

Continue reading "New Law: Three At-Fault Crashes Sends You Back To The Florida Classroom" »

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.

Continue reading "Fort Myers Man Ejected From Truck" »

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.

Continue reading "Driver Arrested at Orlando International for Vehicular Manslaughter" »

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.

Continue reading "Emergency Response to Miami Bike Accident Delayed Because of Budget Cuts" »

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.

Continue reading "19-Year-Old Killed in Daytona from Flat Tire, Rollover" »

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.

Continue reading "Truck Crash Kills Merritt Island Woman" »

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.

Continue reading "Clewiston Man DUI Hits Bus" »

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

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.

Continue reading "Fiery Semi-Truck Crash Near Orlando" »

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.

Continue reading "Eight Injured in I-295 Crash" »

Now that the Consumer Electronics Show has come to a close in Las Vegas, NV, promises have been made that additional technology is soon coming to your dashboard, and to the dismay of safety advocates. Talk about distracted – Intel and Google are turning their attention to bringing the power of the PC to your car. Consider 10-inch screens that show high-definition videos, Web pages and 3-D maps. Expect the infotainment systems to hit the showrooms this year. Navigation systems are more likely to be standard equipment. You’ll be able to pull up a restaurant review and click on a music album with the touch of a finger.

But is this safe? Of course not and you can expect laws to follow technology. There is no question that distracted drivers cause car accidents in Florida, but the pursuit of profit over safety is driving this train. Or car.

You have to love what a Ford systems engineer tells the New York Times. “We are trying to make that driving experience one that is very engaging.” Hello! Driving itself is very engaging, especially if it is done safely.

The auto companies are making some concession to safety. Ford’s built-in Web browser works only when the car is parked. Audi says it will restrict access to potentially distracting functions. The Jaguar will allow the front-seat passenger only view the movie. But unless safety advocates become activated now, expect your car to become the most immersive consumer electronic device most of us own.

Source report: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/technology/07distracted.html?hp

The Shands Hospital nurse, who was hit by a suspect eluding police, is talking to the media about who may be at fault for her debilitating injuries.It turns out that the suspect who hit her in a crosswalk was being chased by two police officers, who, instead of rendering aid to the nurse, passed by her and continued on their chase. And the Jacksonville Sheriff’s officers did not have on light and sirens that would have alerted her to get out of the crosswalk.

The pedestrian accident in Jacksonville happened last June. Seven months later, the woman has been through ten surgeries. She still uses a walker and is likely she will not be able to return to her former job because of her inability to move, reports First Coast News.

The man who hit her has ready been sentenced to seven years in prison. He apologized to the nurse but claims he didn’t see her in the crosswalk because he was busy watching the police in his rearview mirror. The reason he was being chased – he ran a stop sign in the neighborhood- raising all sorts of questions about the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office chase policy.

We wish a continued recovery for the woman who was injured, perhaps permanently, through no fault of her own.

JSO Chase Policy
The nurse has announced that she is planning to file a lawsuit against JSO for their reckless conduct. Her lawyer has filed notice of claim with the city of Jacksonville. One of the two patrol cars should have stayed with the victim instead of continuing to case a suspect for running a stop sign. It’s called rendering aid and is the number one duty of the office besides protecting the public. JSO failed on both counts.

Fortunately for her case, there is surveillance video that leaves little to the imagination. It shows the nurse being thrown into the road. Then five seconds later, one JSO vehicle cruises past followed by the second car. They did not even slow down to help her, but one of the officers did send a radio transmission into dispatch calling units to Shands.

“There is someone that has just been fun over by a blue Hyundai sedan I’m trying to get caught up [to it] now,” said the officer.

The nurse wants something other than money – a clarification of the JSO police chase policy. Sheriff John Rutherford is calling for an internal investigation of the incident. Ultimately, the investigation will help clarify what exactly is the JSO pursuit policy, and then whether the officers followed it.

Continue reading "Woman Hit by Driver in Jacksonville Police Chase Will File Suit" »

This may come as a surprise to many but it appears that rural roads have more traffic fatalities than the nation’s highway system.

This information comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With about 23 % of the population living in rural areas, 56% of the nation’s 37,261 traffic deaths occurred on rural roads, according to NHTSA. That is almost six in 10.

The difference may be explained by the fact that while there are more crashes in urban areas, fewer of them result in fatalities.

Why do more crashes in the country lead to fatalities? One reason may be that drivers are traveling faster on rural roads. They are not as well-engineered as urban highways. And an emergency responder may take longer to get to you, decreasing the chances of survival. For example in Montana, the average response time is about 80 minutes.

37% of car accident fatalities in Florida occurred on rural roads or 1,113 fatalities, compared with 2,978 statewide in 2008.

Continue reading "More Fatal Auto Accidents on Florida's Rural Roads" »

A report from the American Automobile Association is giving us a clear picture of just how many of us are texting while behind the wheel. Nearly one out of five U.S. drivers admit they have read or sent a text message while driving, even though nearly everyone in the survey considered that unacceptable behavior. And among those surveyed by the Ford Motor Co., more than 93% of 1,000 licensed drivers say they support a nationwide ban.

It’s these findings that make a ban on texting while driving a key legislative priority for AAA in state capitals.

But so far, only about a dozen states have imposed prohibitions and Florida is not among them, at least not yet. Every year, legislators try to promote some sort of legislation that would restrict wireless communication while behind the wheel, and 2010 promises to be no different. I would predict that this year will make the difference.

Behind the push are recent federal statistics that 58,790 people were killed and 515,000 injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to distracted driving. That may not be an accurate picture as the Florida Highway Patrol is just beginning to include that as a cause of car crashes in Jacksonville and throughout the state on their accident reports.

Source report: http://www.aaafoundation.org/home/

The tragic death of a 6-year-old Jacksonville girl, hit by a car while she was in a pedestrian crosswalk, has sparked calls for justice. The attorney for the family of this young child wants to know why the driver of the truck that killed the girl wasn’t charged in the accident. And he wants changes in the law to correct what he calls dangerous, but common, misperceptions about crosswalks.

Reconstructing the Accident
According to the Florida Times Union, on December 21, 2009, the young girl, her mother and her 5-year-old brother were crossing San Jose at Kori Road and were only halfway to the median when the light at the intersection changed. All three were hit by a truck whose driver was not cited in the accident. The 6-year-old girl was killed; her brother was not injured, but her mother’s leg and some ribs were broken. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has declined comment on this story.

This is a sad story about the senseless death of a small child. Our prayers and sympathy go out to the family as they try to recover from this tragedy.

The Law Protects Pedestrians
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 16.8% of all traffic fatalities in 2008 were pedestrians. 500 pedestrians were killed in pedestrian accidents on Florida highways in 2008. More than half (308) were killed while crossing a street. While not all those fatalities involved pedestrians in crosswalks, the law is clear that all motorists must yield to pedestrians regardless. According to the Florida Driver’s Handbook, it is “the motorist’s responsibility to do everything possible to avoid colliding with pedestrians” (Section 3.6).

The family’s attorney says pedestrians in crosswalks are in danger because of confusion not only about right-of-way but also of how crosswalk buttons function. He says most people think pushing the button at a crosswalk causes the traffic lights to cycle. This is wrong. He says pushing the button instead serves to extend the cycle, giving pedestrians more time to cross the street. In the case of this young girl, the button was not pushed, so the green light was much shorter and the family got caught in the middle of the street.

Continue reading "Attorney Calls for Charges and Changes in Crosswalk Laws" »

Two women were killed Wednesday, January 6, 2010 in Hobe Sound Florida near Stuart, Florida in a two-car collision. The accident occurred around 1 p.m. involving a northbound silver Saturn, driven by a 52-year-old woman and a southbound red Mercury van driven by 73-year-old woman.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports the Saturn overcorrected after veering off of the side of the divided highway of U.S. 1. The car then careened over the center median and into the southbound traffic lanes where the Saturn was struck by the oncoming van. Both vehicles reportedly came to a stop in the middle of the southbound lanes. One of the drivers was pronounced dead at the scene and the other motorist died a short time later.

Our condolences are extended to the families of these two women. In just a moment their lives were extinguished. We are very sorry for your loss.

Construction Hazards on our Roads
We have no more on this accident such as the road condition and whether the individuals involved were wearing seat belts. We do know there is a great deal of road work underway on U.S. highways which contribute to highway deaths. The fact that one driver overcorrected indicates she experienced a drop off the side of the road.

In a recent article in the New York Times, entitled “Efforts Lag to Improve Safety at Work Zones,” reporters note that pavement edge drop-offs are a real hazard that result from so-called road improvements.

Accidents involving road drop-offs kill about 160 people every year and injure 11,000. The edge of a road is supposed to gradually decline into the dirt, but numerous studies have shown that steep drop offs occur when a roadway has not been finished properly or is in the process of being improved. That presents a danger to motorists who tend to overcorrect when they suddenly drop off the edge of a roadway.

In Texas in 2002, seven people were killed when the driver overcorrected into the path of a minivan. It turns out contractors had failed to smooth out the edge of a newly paved lane.

Continue reading "Over Correcting Leads to Two Dead on U.S. 1" »

A 30-year-old man from Fort Walton Beach is in serious condition after an argument Sunday night, January 10, led to a car accident in Florida. The 31-year-old driver from Fort Walton Beach, was heading west on SR 188 when she got into an argument with the front passenger. He reportedly grabbed the steering wheel while the car was in motion. The 2004 Nissan ran into the north shoulder and hit a tree. The passenger in the rear of the vehicle was not wearing his seat belt and flew into the front of the vehicle. The car suffered an estimated $7,000 in damages. Charges are pending.

We certainly hope the best for the recovery of the injured individuals. When one is not belted in, they can become a human cannonball thrown inside the vehicle, through a window, or into a windshield. Head injuries are the most common, devastating, and long-lasting effects from an auto accident.

Seat Belt Law
In 2008, Florida had 1,795 traffic deaths of drivers and passengers in Seat belt equipped vehicles. 60% or 1,085 of these people were not wearing their seat belts, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

And consider that air bags will generally not be able to do their job if you are not belted in.
While many argue that individuals should be able to determine whether or not they want to buckle up, the Florida Department of Transportation estimates 3 out of 5 motor vehicle fatalities are directly due to the failure to wear seat belts. That is why Florida joined 28 other states plus the District of Columbia in passing a primary seat belt law last June. An officer can now pull you over and fine you if your only offense is not wearing a seat belt.

Continue reading "Argument Led to Auto Accident" »

A 27-year-old woman was critically injured after driving her Toyota sedan into the rear of a semi truck on Interstate 75 early Monday morning January 11. The Florida auto injury accident happened about 1 a.m. near Big Bend Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The injured woman is in Tampa General Hospital in critical condition, while the truck driver of Palm Bay Florida was not injured. We send her our prayers for a swift recovery.

After the woman hit the truck from behind, she spun into the grass median. The FHP will have to determine if she ever applied the brakes. If not, it is likely she was distracted or too tired to be behind the wheel.

Distracted Drivers
An investigator should begin by checking the cell phone records of this driver to see whether she was on the phone before hitting the back of the tractor-trailer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates at least one quarter of crashes involves some form of driver inattention. Distraction is just one form of inattention and is a factor in more than half of these crashes. And distracted driving can include tuning the radio, reaching into the back seat, picking up something from the floor, drinking and smoking, texting, and putting on makeup, among other things.

Following Too Closely
Following a vehicle too closely is called tailgating and it is a form of aggressive driving that gives you few options if you need to stop suddenly.

Want to figure out how closely to follow the vehicle in front? Try the three-second rule. Select a fixed object such as a sign or tree. When the vehicle ahead passed the object slowly count ‘one-one-thousand” “two one-thousand” “three one-thousand” - making sure there is at least three seconds between you and the vehicle in front.

Continue reading "Tampa Woman Tailgating Semi in Critical Condition" »

The 2010 Roadmap to State Highway Safety Laws report is out.

Published by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, a coalition of insurance, consumer, health, safety and law enforcement organizations that promote safer roads and highways, it shows that promoting 15 model laws could save lives on our highways and roads. States are graded on their performance in adopting and maintaining model traffic safety laws. The report concludes that not one state has enacted all of the recommended laws. They include:

• Adult Occupant Protection – Seat belt enforcement and all-ride motorcycle helmet laws.


• Child Passenger Safety – Child booster seat law requiring children ages 4 through 7 be placed in a booster seat.


• Teen Driving Graduated Driver Licensing – This phases in full driving privileges in a three-state process and allows for primary enforcement of the law.


• Impaired Driving - Drunk drivers would face an ignition interlock device if they have violated the law in the past. There would be mandatory blood alcohol testing in fatal crashes and an open container ban.


• Distracted Driving – A ban on text messaging for all drivers unless there is an emergency.

There are almost 40,000 fatalities and 2.3 million injuries at a cost of $230 billion every year.

Every day 102 people were killed on the streets and highways while more than 6,000 are injured.

Continue reading "2010 Highway Safety Report" »

Two men riding in a truck in Northeast Florida accidentally flipped over Thursday night and one man lost his life.

A 38-year-old Elkton, Florida man was a passenger in the Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by his friend of St. Augustine. The man who was ejected was not wearing his seat belt when the vehicle traveled into the grass median and overcorrected before it flipped around 9 p.m. There is no word on why the vehicle drifted off the road except that that’s where the road curved. The driver, also not wearing his seat belt, was seriously injured and taken to Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, alcohol was involved in the auto accident which occurred on State Road 207 in St. Johns County, south of Meadowbrook Road.

Our condolences go out to the family of the men involved.

Personal injury attorneys in Florida will tell you that wearing a seat belt is essential to saving lives. Whenever we hear a vehicle occupant was ejected, the first question we ask is, was he wearing a seat belt? More often than not, an ejected passenger will suffer a head injury which could ultimately be fatal.

A new survey shows that seatbelt use in Florida is at an all-time high - 85 percent - exceeding the national average of 84 percent. That may be due to the primary seat belt law that went into effect in June. It allows law enforcement to pull drivers over solely for not wearing a seat belt.

Back in 1998, only 57 percent of drivers buckled up.

Continue reading "North Florida Man Killed After SUV Flips" »

A single-car wreck in Jacksonville has left one person dead and three injured, including a baby. None of the automobile occupants was wearing a seat belt. The accident happened on Edgewood Avenue and Valley Forge Road Monday morning.

Police report that the three people were heading west when their vehicle suddenly hit a sign and a telephone pole about 6 a.m. and then went airborne, during which time all three occupants were ejected. A 20-year-old woman was taken to Shands Jacksonville where she was pronounced dead.

We know there was fog on the road at the time of the accident and the roads were wet. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking for any witnesses to help with information on the case by calling 904-630-0500, or call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS and you can remain anonymous.
In an accident, the insurance company for the other side will argue that there should be little or no liability because the individuals were not wearing a seat belt. The driver’s attorney can argue that wearing a seat belt in this case would not have increased the chance for survival or avoiding injury.

In 2008, The Florida Highway Patrol reports that there were 1,795 traffic deaths of drivers and passengers in the state, 60% or 1,085 of these people were not wearing their seat belts.

And 68 % of the children up to age 17 killed in auto accidents in Florida last year were not using safety equipment such as seat belts or child restraint systems.

Continue reading "Young Woman Killed in Single-Car Wreck" »

A trucker is dead after an early morning accident on I-95 in northern Flagler County, two miles south of the St. Johns County line in North Florida.

The accident happened after the driver of a tractor-trailer rig was trying to pull back onto I-95 from the emergency lane where he was stopped to check for a problem. Heading south, he was struck from behind by another semi pulling onto the highway. The Florida Highway Patrol says the second truck was pulling onto the highway and the first vehicle just pulled in front of him.

Damage to the first rig was estimated at $100,000. The driver who died was wearing a seat belt. No tickets have been issued in the accident.

Continue reading "I-95 Trucking Death in Flagler County " »

A six-year-old Jacksonville girl didn’t stand a chance when she was hit by an SUV in a Jacksonville crosswalk Saturday morning. Her mother was pushing a stroller with her five-year-old disabled brother crossing San Jose Boulevard near Kori Road. The three were in the furthest southbound lane when the light turned green and a SUV pulled ahead and hit the little girl, killing her at the scene. Her 38-year-old mother was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries including a few broken ribs and a crushed ankle. The brother was not injured.

First Coast News reports that teddy bears and candles have been placed in the area of the traffic pole marking the accident scene.

The family attorney says the family didn’t have enough time to get across the busy San Jose Boulevard Saturday when she was hit. When Channel 4 tried the crosswalk, they found that if you hit the cross button, it gave you 45 seconds before the light turns green. If you don’t hit the button, it gave you 30 seconds - far too short for the busy road. While it is unclear when the family entered the crosswalk, that really doesn’t matter. State law says the pedestrian has the right of way the entire time they are in the crosswalk, as long as they enter the crosswalk with the walk light. An attorney for the family says it is clear that the family didn’t have enough time to cross the six-lane street.

That puts the burden of proof on the family attorney to prove that the city was not following the mandate for crosswalks and pedestrian safety.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Child Killed in Crosswalk" »

Two pedestrians were hit by cars in two separate accidents Monday night. Both are now recovering at Shands Hospital.

The first pedestrian, a 70-year-old man, was hit just before 8 p.m. Monday as he was trying to cross Beach Blvd. near the intersection of St. Johns Bluff. The Florida Highway Patrol says the man stepped out in front a car driven by a 25-year-old. The pedestrian is reported to be in serious condition. Then about an hour later, another pedestrian was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Timiquana and Brent Street and is reported to be in serious condition.

We offer our condolences to the family and friends of these seriously injured victims. Please keep them in your prayers.

While there is no word yet on whether any charges will be filed, it is not clear whether the drivers stopped on their own. According to Florida Statute Section 316.027 , the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash on public or private property that results in injury must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene and render aid. When a death is involved and the person leaves the scene, they are guilty of a felony in the first degree, punishable by 30 years in state prison.

Jacksonville is the fourth most deadly city for pedestrians, according to a national study released in November. The top three dangerous areas for pedestrians were Orlando-Kissimmee; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater; and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach. The advocacy group, Transportation for America, measures the “pedestrian danger index,” taking into account the number of fatalities per 100,000 population.

Continue reading "Two Jacksonville Pedestrians in Serious Condition in Separate Car Collisions" »

A woman driving in the Middleburg community near Jacksonville was fatally injured Sunday after being involved in a two-vehicle accident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The 67-year-old woman from Venice, Florida was initially hospitalized in critical condition. The accident occurred on Blanding Boulevard at County Road 215. Investigators believe that she drove her Toyota Prius into the path of a southbound Ford SUV, failing to stop at both a stop sign and a flashing red light. The accident happened about 5:15 p.m. so it was still light enough to see. The SUV was driven by a Jacksonville man who suffered minor injuries.

Both individuals were wearing their seat belts. The woman died at Shands Jacksonville hospital.

The Toyota Prius has had its problems with unintentional acceleration.

While the story here does not say if that was a problem it certainly should be considered as part of any investigation. Other drivers have found themselves behind the wheel of the accelerating Prius they have no control over and have reported the incidents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Continue reading "Woman Dies From Runaway Prius" »

Toyota has had its share of problems recently with the sudden, unexplained acceleration in some of its vehicles that led to a recall of 4 million vehicles. While the floor mat was initially blamed, Toyota will add additional safety features to prevent the accelerator and brake from applying at the same time as part of the fix.

The company is facing another federal safety probe. Now regulators are trying to understand why Corolla and Matrix cars from model year 2006 are experiencing engine stalling problems. That can occur even at highway speeds and intersections. The 1ZZ-FE engines are named specifically.

The Corolla is a top seller for Toyota, ranking fifth among all vehicle sales this year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched the investigation November 30 after it received 26 complaints from drivers. Neither model is included in the previous recall of 4.2 million cars.

Continue reading "Toyota's New Problem - Stalling" »

Cheerleaders didn’t feel much like cheering Saturday but members of the River City Rockets team did so anyway for their late team mate.

The 14-year-old and her mother were both killed in a family accident this week. The young girl was trying to park the family GMC Yukon in an Orlando parking lot when the large SUV suddenly lurched forward and fell into a retention pond landing on its roof. Her mother was killed instantly, the girl after the accident. Three other family members got out alive.

“The driver didn’t stop or the vehicle’s brakes didn’t work,” said Trooper Jorge Dedlahoz at the time.

The 14-year-old had been on life support as well at an Orlando hospital but she never recovered. The ninth-grader at Darnell-Cookman Middle /Senior High is being remembered by friends as sweet and smart. The cheerleaders wore bright colored socks in her honor.

The 14-year old girl’s mother never made it out of the vehicle. Divers found her some time later. But the girl’s sister, who is 3-years-old, remains on life support. The mother’s fiancé and his teenage child managed to get out of the vehicle suffering minor injuries.

Continue reading "Teen Driver Dies after Family Drives Into Pond" »

A Jacksonville woman died when her SUV plunged into a pond in Orlando Saturday afternoon.
She has now been identified as a 35-year-old. Her fiancée was in the car as were two girls. The girls were both hospitalized in critical condition, the fiancée and a 13-year-old suffered minor injuries.

It’s still a mystery how this accident happened. The 2004 GMC Yukon was in the parking lot at the Floridays Resort off South International Drive. For some reason it jumped a curb, went through a fence and overturned after plunging nine feet into the pond.

Orange County deputies rescued the two girls while the others got out of the vehicle themselves. The woman, however, was found hours after the crash. Police have not yet determined who was behind the wheel of the Yukon when it went into the retention pond.

A terrible accident this time of year - the family is in our prayers and we will think of the girls still hospitalized. Police say alcohol was not a factor in this crash and no charges have been filed. There is no word whether anyone was wearing their seat belts.

With all of the water around Florida, the worst nightmare of many is to lose control of your vehicle and plunge into the water. It rarely happens, but if you are wearing your seat belt you, increase your chances of survival. Without a seat belt, you increase your chances of being knocked unconscious, hitting your head on a dashboard for example.

Continue reading "Family Crashes SUV into Orlando Pond" »

A Sarasota man has died after a motorcycle wreck in Jacksonville this week.

The 40-year-old was hospitalized after the wreck on New Berlin Road in Jacksonville on Tuesday.

The man reportedly lost control of his Kawasaki, while traveling north around 2:15 p.m. He was wearing a helmet say police and there were no other vehicles involved in the crash. The man hit a guard rail and was thrown from the bike. He was pronounced dead at the hospital Thursday night.

In another motorcycle accident in Jacksonville a motorcycle and car collided Thursday night. A 59-year old man was on his Harley when it collided with a Honda Civic at New Kings Road and I-295. Police report the vehicle turned in front of the motorcycle as it was attempting to enter I-295. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle. He was not wearing his helmet. He is listed in critical condition at Shands. The driver and passenger in the Civic were wearing their seat belts and were not injured.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Crash" »

A young woman was lucky to have survived a Ford Explorer SUV rollover that killed four of her classmates last June.

The teenager was one of nine inside the Explorer on the last day of school all heading to the beach when the car blew a rear tire and rolled. None of the occupants was wearing a seat belt and all were thrown from the car, except the driver, the only one wearing a seat belt.

That happened six months ago.

Tuesday, another SUV injured this woman, this time crashing through the wall of her bedroom narrowly missing the teen as she slept in her bed. The girl says she felt the ceiling fall in on her. Her father found her under four feet of debris after the SUV plowed into the house.

Luckily, a mattress shielded the girl who suffered a broken pelvis, broken ribs, cuts and bruises. It’s fair to say that she is lucky twice, or unlucky twice, depending on how you look at it.

Continue reading "Teen Critically Injured By SUV, Injured Again" »

A San Diego woman lost her ability to walk after her Ford Explorer rolled over and its roof collapsed on her spine, crushing it. She was awarded $369 million by jurors who sat and listened to the evidence against Ford. That amount was later whittled down to $83 million by an appellate judge.

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the punitive judgment to stand Monday rejecting an appeal from lawyers for Ford Motor Co. They had argued that punitive damages were unfair and unconstitutional since the design of the Ford Explorer met all safety standards set by the government and industry.

It seems that almost weekly we are reporting on Ford Explorer rollovers.

It was an Explorer filled with high school students who rolled on a Jacksonville road killing four of the teens in the Florida SUV rollover accident on the last day of school in June.

Notoriously unstable, until stability control was added, and with a high center of gravity, the Ford Explorer also had an insufficient roof strength that allowed it to collapse. In hearing the case, the jury heard that Ford could have strengthened the roof and avoided catastrophic head injuring for about $20 per vehicle.

Ford was joined by its friends at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the appeal. The Chamber usually sides with big business no matter what the issue and no matter how morally questionable the product made by the industry (asbestos, cigarettes etc).

Continue reading "$83 Million Judgment Against Ford for Rollover" »

She was just 18-years old. A young woman from St. Augustine and another teenager were killed Sunday night when the truck they were riding in collided with an ambulance.

It all happened on U.S. 1 near The Avenues Mall. At about 8:20 p.m., the 18-year old woman was riding in the middle of the front seat in a friend’s Chevy Silverado. The former Bartram Trail High School student was not wearing her seat belt, probably because there is not a belt for three people in the front.

Suddenly their truck collided with an ambulance. Law enforcement on the scene was not sure who had the right of way.

The young woman was pronounced dead at Shands Jacksonville. The driver of the truck, a 19-year-old, was also pronounced dead at the hospital Monday night. The other front seat passenger, a 17-year-old from Jacksonville was in critical condition at Shands. The two passengers in the rear were in serious condition. The four others in the pickup truck were not wearing their seat belts either, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Our prayers go out to the families of the two young people killed. The 18-year-old had left high school in 2006 and was in school to become a nurse. Her Facebook and MySpace shows that this beautiful young woman was full of life and loved by many. Many people say they felt blessed to have known her.

Continue reading "18-year-old Dies in St. Augustine Collision" »

A petite 35-year old woman was a doctor’s office receptionist with a problem.

After purchasing nearly 4,500 doses of painkillers in one year, she got behind the wheel of a Dodge Durango on June 4, 2004 and weaved in and out of traffic before plowing into a man who had helped repair a flat tire on the side of a highway. The 21-year-old young man was killed at the scene. She also hit a 33-year-old man who was helping the other individual. He was injured. The female driver was not.

A lawsuit filed by the families of these afflicted men is pending in the Nevada Supreme Court. It charges that Wal-Mart Stores, CVS, and Walgreen Co. need to be held liable when they do nothing to curb prescription drug abuse.

It’s a precedent setting case that puts all pharmacies on alert. Typically pharmacies have been sued for providing the wrong prescription drug. The pharmacy industry predicts higher prices for all if litigation is allowed to hold them responsible for filling valid prescriptions.

It’s not unlike the situation with bartenders. They too can be held liable if a customer is served too much alcohol and doctors have been sued for failing to warn patients not to drive after taking certain medications.

Under Nevada law, pharmacies share prescription information among doctors, other pharmacists and law-enforcement officials in a database that is reported each month. It’s all intended to track potential drug abuse, such as that by Copening. It is reported to a Prescription Controller Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force which is supposed to send a form letter to the pharmacies the patient has visited to help get the patient into treatment after encouragement by the pharmacist. It sounds like a good intention, but has put pharmacists on the hot seat.

Continue reading "Pharmacies Fear Lawsuits Over Drug Abuse" »

110,000 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks are being recalled. The announcement was made the day before Thanksgiving, a good time to hope something goes unnoticed.

The problem according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is that road salt used in the winter can cause the underside of the Toyota Tundra’s frame to corrode.
That is the area where the spare tire is mounted and a falling spare tire can cause road hazards. That is also the area where the rear brake lines are located and corrosion can lead to a brake system failure, according to NHTSA.

Tundra trucks from model years 2000 through 2003 can be brought back to the dealer. 20 states are affected where they use chemical de-icers or road salt including: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Tundra trucks, model years 2000 through 2003, can be brought back to the dealers to be repaired.

Toyota says it will contact owners.

However, the bigger story is Toyota’s announcement that it will reconfigure the accelerator pedal in 4 million recalled vehicles in the U.S. to avoid the pedal from becoming stuck under the floor mats causing unintended acceleration. The pedal will conform with the floor mat and in some models the shape of the floor surface will also be reconfigured.

In addition, the company plans to install a brake override system in the Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models as “an extra measure of confidence.”

Continue reading "Toyota Recall of 110,00 Tundra Trucks" »

A 14-year-old from Mississippi was killed Saturday in Laurel Hill, Florida while racing at a motocross park in an all-terrain-vehicle, or ATV. The accident happened at the West Florida Motocross Park in Walton County. Witnesses say that the ATV flew into the air after the driver topped a hill, throwing him over the handlebars and onto the ground. At that point, the ATVcrashed on top of him with such force that it split his helmet in half. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

As Christmas approaches, many parents might think getting an ATV for the kids is a good idea. Think again. Recently a five-year-old was killed in South Carolina, a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina, and a three-year-old boy in central Wisconsin. A 15-year-old from Georgia was killed when he lost control of an ATV and crashed in rural Chattooga County. While ATVs were developed as a fun sporting three-wheel vehicle for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, the next generation - the four-wheel version – includes the Yamaha Rhino side-by-side or SXS.

It has two bucket seats, an open cage with roll bar and no doors. The Rhino is a particularly dangerous type of ATV. Described as a “golf cart on steroids,” and a width of 54 inches and a high center of gravity, it is particularly prone to tip, even on flat surfaces or turning at slow speeds.

It’s fair to say this is an example of the tail wagging the dog. The Rhino SXS is new to the market and government regulations have not caught up with design. Classified as a recreational off-highway vehicle, or ROV, it is in a largely unregulated category of vehicle, not low speed, and not cars, and not exactly ATVs because it can go up to 40 mph.

CBS News tells the story of a young mother who went for a ride in the Yamaha Rhino in November 2005. Her husband sat next to her and their 2-year-old was in the back. Traveling down a rocky road in Arizona, the woman tried to turn left and flipped the Rhino causing it to roll onto the driver’s side. The woman hit her head on the roll cage and died instantly. Her husband suffered three skull fractures, while their boy was okay.

Continue reading "Rhinos, Rollovers and Death" »

The city of Palatka is home to approximately 10,804 and has seen a 7.5% jump in population since 2000. As a popular city in Florida, Palatka only has a population density of 1553 people per square mile in its stretch of 6.96 square miles in size, which is fairly low compared to other cities comparable in size. Situated in Putnam County, a little over 20% of Palatka residents both live and work in the city. With such a large amount of people commuting within and outside of Palatka’s area limits, the reliance on privately owned vehicles is evident.

With the amount of vehicles on the road in Palatka in mind, an unfortunate occurrence of accidents, injuries, and death have been known to occur due to defective vehicles. Whether these catastrophic incidents are brought on by disjointed auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a particular auto maker, the failure of auto parts can have damaging repercussions for drivers and passengers to endure.

One of the most controversial vehicles when it comes to auto product liability is the 15-passenger van. Despite continuous warnings about the risk and inadequacy of 15-passenger vans provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, consumers still buy and use these vehicles. Defective in their design, 15-passenger vans possess a high center of gravity that creates a vulnerability of “fishtailing” and overturning. Tire inflation which can cause a rollover accident is also a major issue of concern with 15-passenger vans.

When a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part causes innocent people to suffer serious injury, compensation may be sought on their behalf from negligent parties responsible for manufacturing the vehicle or its parts. The experienced Palatka auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have many years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims in receiving just restitution. Whether you think that your auto accident and resulting injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our Florida personal injury lawyers can help. Please contact Farah and Farah today at our Palatka office for a free consultation:

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


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A bicyclist has been in the hospital and recovering for the last six weeks after a hit-and-run driver nearly killed him while riding on his bicycle.

He was on his bike on McCormick Road in Jacksonville, training for a charity ride, the MS 150, in Daytona. But on October 1, two days before the event, he was hit by a truck, pinning his bike against the railing and throwing him in the air. He says he has no recollection of being hit or of the driver speeding off leaving him behind in the road.

Five broken ribs and a broken shoulder blade, three weeks in the hospital, a drug-induced coma, and 40 pounds lighter, the injured bicyclist is happy to be alive. His wife can’t believe someone left her husband in the road to die.

"I was floored by the disregard that someone had for him. As he said, there was ample bicycle lanes, no reason for this to have happened," she said.

McCormick Road has just received its own bike lane just so accidents like this don’t happen. But they do.

Continue reading "Hit and Run Bicyclist Survives to Tell His Story" »

Because of Florida’s weather, we are a perfect place for off-road vehicles.

There are two-passenger motorized vehicles designed for drivers 16 and older that look like a golf cart, go a lot faster, and with a roll cage, resemble a miniature Jeep. Known as ROVs or off-road recreational vehicles, the consumer Product Safety Commission has decided that these vehicles have so many potential problems that mandatory rules will be written to oversee the vehicles.

This comes after more than 100 deaths since 2003, many of them teenagers and young children.

The makers of ROVs proposed their own voluntary regulations, but the CPSC says they fell short. The Consumer Federation of America believes that the industry has been dragging its feet even when facing well-documented hazards caused by these products.

Continue reading "Off-Road Vehicle Increased Oversight" »

Amelia Island, Florida is situated just off the coast of Florida and is a bustling part of Nassau County. Also referred to as the “Isle of Eight Flags”, Amelia Island has a population of approximately 68,437 within 18.2 square miles. As visitors continue to flock to Amelia Island, tourism thrives and many are drawn to desirable camping sites, sailing spots, and the several festivals hosted by the island every year.

Considering the vast number of visitors and residents throughout Amelia Island, accidents, injuries, and even wrongful death take place as a consequence of vehicles that are defective in some way. Whether these incidents occur because of inefficient auto manufacturing standards or the pure negligence of a particular auto maker, the failure of auto components can inflict several harmful circumstances for drivers and passengers to overcome.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has continuously warned consumers against the potential dangers linked to the inefficiency of 15-passenger vans. However, these vehicles are still purchased and used. 15-passenger vans are poorly designed and create a significantly high center of gravity. Thus, the vehicles have a tendency to “fishtail” and overturn. Tire inflation problems also pose serious issues and can cause a rollover accident to take place.

As an auto product liability injury victim, you may be able to receive compensation from negligent parties to help pay for expenses associated with your grievances. The skilled Amelia Island auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have devoted many years to helping defective vehicle injury victims obtain the restitution that they deserve. Whether you think your auto collision and subsequent injuries were caused by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers can help. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Amelia Island office for a free and confidential consultation of your case:

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


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An 18-year-old who struck and killed a pedestrian drove off Monday night only to be caught by the Florida Highway Patrol three hours later. The male teen was taken into custody for leaving the scene of an accident.

The 65-year-old pedestrian from Jacksonville was found unresponsive at the scene of Timuquana Road and Seaboard Avenue where he had been walking on the side of the road. He died at the scene.

Law enforcement had a good clue where to look for the hit-and-run driver because troopers found a portion of a headlight and side-view mirror from a Ford F-150 pickup truck.

No word on how they found the male driver, but it was good work on their part. The teen driver is now jailed with bond set at $100,000.

If hit by a car going 40 mph, a pedestrian has an 85 percent chance of dying, so when striking someone with a car, it is almost certain there is some injury. To leave that pedestrian in the street with no idea of the extent of injuries or to potentially leave a fatally injured person on the road, turns an accident into a crime and in the eyes of the law is very serious. A conviction of a hit-and-run can bring a 15-year prison term.

His lawyer pled to the judge that the teen is a good kid and was planning to attend college and facing a felony charge and years in prison is extreme punishment. That argument may have fallen on deaf ears. Arguing that the teen is not a flight risk appears to be nonsense when describing someone who left the scene of an accident.

Continue reading "Teen Found and Charged in Hit and Run" »

As the largest town within the Jacksonville Beach community, Jacksonville Beach has an estimated population of 21,849. The population of Jacksonville Beach has grown by 4% since the year 2000. Often called “Jax Beach”, the popular area is a major section of Duval County. In being called home by thousands, Jacksonville Beach also attracts several tourists throughout the year to its beautiful beaches and vast cultural attractions.

With its immense population and large amount of visitors taking to the road and local highways, it is an ill-fated reality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place in Jacksonville Beach due to defective vehicles. Whether these tragic incidents are caused by the negligence of a particular auto maker or auto manufacturing standards that are unorganized, the breakdown of auto components often create detrimental circumstances for drivers and passengers to endure.

At the head of auto product liability concern, the U.S. Department of Transportation has constantly cautioned consumers about the threat and inadequacy of 15-passenger vans. These vehicles are defectively designed due to possessing a high center of gravity which creates a tendency to “fishtail” and overturn. Additionally, 15-passenger vans have demonstrated serious problems with tire inflation which can cause a rollover collision. These accidents may sometimes lead to a roof caving in and seriously injuring anyone within the van.

Those who have been injured by a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part have legal rights and deserve to receive compensation from negligent parties. The skilled Jacksonville Beach auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims obtain the restitution that is owed to them. Whether you believe your auto accident and resulting injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers may be of assistance. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Jacksonville Beach office for a free consultation of your case:

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


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Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has come out with a Legislative wish list for 2010. He clearly stated he is in favor of a ban on texting while driving this upcoming year, adding new momentum for the state Legislature to finally adopt some bill in 2010 after repeated tries in recent years.

At a Cabinet meeting the governor even prodded the head of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to also support a ban.

“We support limiting texting and driving,” Julie Jones said.

The Department of Transportation estimates 6,000 died on the roads last year in part because of distraction from cell phones. It may be a generational issue.

A study by Vingo Corp. of Massachusetts finds that 60 percent of teens admit to at least reading an incoming message while driving. It’s now the primary way teens send messages. An unbelievable 54 percent say they send more than 500 text messages every month, much more use than making a phone call.

In a recent AAA survey, over two-thirds of respondents admitted they had talked on a cell phone and 21 percent admitted to reading or sending a text while driving.

Continue reading "Crist Supports Texting Ban this Leg Session" »

The city of Jacksonville has a population of about 805,605 and is the most populated city in the state of Florida. Jacksonville is also the 12th most populous city in the U.S. Covering 874.3 square miles in size, Jacksonville is the biggest city in the country for total land area. As more and more people are drawn to the vast culture and lively nature of Jacksonville, the area’s popularity for tourism also increases. Taking the large amount of inhabitants and visitors throughout Jacksonville into consideration, accidents, injuries, and even wrongful death occur as a result of defective vehicles. Some of these incidents take place due to shoddy auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a specific auto maker. Nevertheless, the failure of auto components can create numerous life-altering effects for drivers and passengers to endure.

One major point of concern for auto product liability and auto defects pertains to 15-passenger vans. Even with the U.S. Department of Transportation issuing warnings for consumers regarding potential dangers associated with the inefficiency of 15-passenger vans, these vehicles are still purchased and used. 15-passenger vans are defectively designed with a notable high center of gravity which creates a propensity to “fishtail” and overturn. Issues with tire inflation are also a serious problem with 15-passenger vans because this can contribute to a rollover collision.

Individuals who have suffered property damage, physical injury, or emotional trauma from an accident involving a poorly designed auto part or defective vehicle have legitimate legal rights. As an auto product liability injury victim, you may be able to receive compensation from negligent parties to help pay for expenses associated with your grievances. The skilled Jacksonville auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have dedicated many years to assisting defective vehicle injury victims in obtaining the restitution that they deserve. Whether you believe your auto collision and resulting injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury attorneys can help. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Jacksonville office for a free and confidential consultation of your case:

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


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A St. Johns Circuit Judge has refused to dismiss manslaughter charges against a 51-year-old woman accused of letting teens drink in her house and doing nothing to stop it.

The Judge said that the woman’s actions “set in motion a chain of events” that ended with the January 11 deaths of an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old.

The two St. Johns County teens were leaving a party at the woman’s home. Friends say they were too drunk to get behind the wheel of a 1991 Ford Thunderbird. The car veered off State Road 13 near Orangedale and hit some trees, bursting into flames. Both teens died. The driver’s blood alcohol level was 0.18, more than twice the legal limit.

The woman’s attorney says that allowing someone to leave your home intoxicated does not merit a manslaughter charge and her defense will be that the kids arrived at her house already intoxicated.

But prosecutors say the woman allowed, provided, or encouraged minors to drink alcohol at the house party and smoke marijuana. And they say this was not the first party hosted by this particular woman, according to prosecutors. She is alleged to have hosted parties in September, two in December 2008, as well as the one in January.

Continue reading "Party-House Mom Facing Manslaughter Charges" »

Situated within Columbia County, Florida, Lake City is also known as the “Gateway to Florida.” Lake City is a typical stop for travelers on their way to Southern Florida and is a popular tourist destination. The population in Lake City continues to increase and was recently estimated to be about 12,000. Columbia County, where Lake City is located, has approximately 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006. With such an array of residents and visitors taking to the road, it is an unfortunate actuality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place in Lake City as a result of defective vehicles. Some of these tragic incidents are caused by the negligence of a specific auto maker or are caused by inefficient auto manufacturing standards. No matter what the exact cause, the failure of auto parts can inflict serious ramifications on drivers and passengers.

15-passenger vans are a big concern when it comes to auto product liability and defective auto parts. Despite constant warnings from the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding the inefficiently and danger of 15-passenger vans, consumers continue to purchase and travel in these vehicles. One of the issues associated with the vans connects to tire inflation which can contribute to a rollover crash. In addition, these vans are defectively designed and have a high center of gravity which can lead to the van “fishtailing” and/or overturning.

Those who have suffered from a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part in Lake City have valid legal rights and may be able to obtain compensation from negligent groups. The experienced Lake City auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have many years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims. Whether you believe your auto accident and subsequent injuries were caused by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers can help. Please contact Farah and Farah today at our Lake City office for a free consultation of your case:

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


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Married for 33 years, a couple, both 67-years-old, were looking forward to spending their retirement in the Palm Coast area of Florida between Daytona and Jacksonville. But that was not to be. On November 13, 2009, a Circuit Court jury in Flagler County granted the husband $5.1 million in the wrongful death of his wife. Back in 2006, she was killed instantly in a wreck between her Honda minivan and a fully loaded tractor-trailer. Her husband suffered a pelvic fracture.

The lawyer for the husband presented evidence that the tired trucker ran a stop sign at a well-known, isolated intersection in the southwest part of the county known as Cody’s Corner. The driver of Palatka was driving for McMaster Sod LLC of Bunnell, Florida.

An attorney argued that the county shared part of the fault for the accident because there was poor signage at the intersection, and there were worn rumble strips just before the stop sign. But the jury didn’t agree, placing 60 percent of the blame on the trucker, and 40 percent on McMaster and no blame on the county.

Some of the most compelling evidence included a Valentine’s card from the first year of the the couple’s marriage that said, “Our happiness is our wealth.”

Our hearts go out to the widower for his loss. No amount of money will replace his wife, whom he obviously adored.

Unfortunately, we are hearing more often about tired truck drivers. With the cost of fuel going up, and jobs scarce, many drivers are pushing beyond the legal limits on time behind the wheel and hiding those hours by keeping a second set of books so they are not fined. Then there are the added distractions on the road today. To stay in touch with their dispatchers and family, the cab of a truck is often filled with electronics so the driver doesn’t have to stop.

Continue reading "Widower Awarded $5 Million for Trucking Accident" »

Police said a work truck struck a private ambulance on the exit ramp of Interstate 95 to the Main Street Bridge on Tuesday morning, snarling traffic to downtown for more than four hours and starting a chain-reaction involving five vehicles that resulted in five injuries.

Initially, a three-car crash in Florida happened around 10:20 a.m. Then, according to police, a paint company truck exiting I-95 struck an ambulance at the site.

"That caused the Century Ambulance to go out of control," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Lt. R.A. Hartville said. "The pickup truck and the ambulance then, both out of control, struck the rear of the police car as well as one of the occupants of the prior crash."

It was bad news for the patient inside the ambulance when it turned over onto its side. The driver, patient, and two paramedics had to be transported to the hospital with injuries. The driver of the ambulance had to be cut from the cab by Jacksonville Fire-Rescue.

Continue reading "Five Vehicle Wreck" »

A 42-year-old St. Augustine, Florida woman was killed Friday night after authorities say she walked in front of a moving car. She was crossing Florida 207 when she was hit by a Honda sedan about 6:20 p.m. The driver was identified as a 55-year-old female from St. Augustine by the Florida Highway Patrol.

In a separate pedestrian accident in Florida about an hour later, a man was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries Friday night after he was hit by a car in Northwest Jacksonville. The unidentified man was standing near the center of West Moncrief Road near Raines Avenue waiting for the traffic to clear, said the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Then the driver said the man just darted into traffic about 7:30 p.m. where he was hit. The man was taken to Shands Jacksonville hospital. Charges will not be filed against the driver.

On Tuesday, a pedestrian was struck and killed by an SUV at the rain-drenched intersection of North Main Street near 53rd Street. Police say the man was trying to cross the street when he walked in front of the vehicle.

The Times-Union reports the man’s relative identified him and that he didn’t have a car and walked everywhere he went. He later died at the hospital. No charges have been filed in that case.

Our condolences go out to the family members of these pedestrians, who have every right to cross a street as a car does to drive down one. We are sorry for your loss.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, in 2005 there were 576 pedestrians killed in the state, nearly 8,000 crashes that injured pedestrians and 8,626 pedestrian crashes.

Continue reading "Three Pedestrians Hit in Separate Accidents" »

Orange Park, Florida is a prominent suburb of Jacksonville situated in Northeast Clay County. Located south of Jacksonville, Orange Park possesses a dynamic community full of culture and history. Orange Park’s population exceeds 180,000 and has a high population density. In addition to those who call Orange Park home, several visitors and passerby traverse along the local streets and highways in Orange Park.

Within its vast region, residents of Orange Park greatly depend on privately owned autos to get around. With its large population taking to the road, it is an ill-fated reality that accidents, injuries, and even death occur in Orange Park as a consequence of defective vehicles. Some of these catastrophic accidents are brought on by the negligence of a specific auto maker or are caused by disjointed auto manufacturing standards. No matter what the cause, the failure of auto parts can impose life-altering repercussions on drivers and passengers.

One of the most questionable modes of transportation when it comes to auto product liability is the 15-passenger van. Despite continuous words of caution from the U.S. Department of Transportation warning about the inefficiently and danger of 15-passenger vans, consumers continue to purchase and travel in these vehicles. One of the problems associated with the vans relates to tire inflation which can lead to a rollover accident. Also, these vans are defectively designed with a high center of gravity that can lead to the van “fishtailing” and/or overturning.

Those who have suffered from a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part have legal rights and may be able to acquire compensation from negligent groups. The skilled Orange Park auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have many years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims. Whether you believe your auto accident and consequent injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers can assist you. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Orange Park office for a free consultation of your case:

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


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If you are driving a Toyota, I hope you are aware of what is going on.

Last month, Toyota announced it was planning its largest recall ever of nearly four million vehicles over the issue of loose floor mats that may be interfering with the accelerator pedal, causing the car to speed out of control.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has conducted an investigation into a high profile crash in California and is raising questions as to whether the floor mats are the only culprit in Toyota and Lexus models.

Last August, a Lexus ES 350, speeding out of control, killed an off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer, his wife, their daughter, and brother-in-law. All four died when the 2009 Lexus in which they were riding, a loaner car from the dealer, plummeted over an embankment in suburban San Diego at more than 100 mph before it burst into flames. The family was able to contact a 9-1-1- operator to say they couldn’t stop the ES 350. The brother-in-law, said the Lexus had no brakes.

Bob Carter, Toyota’s U.S. brand chief told the annual Reuters Summit recently said that speculation about a troubled fuel delivery system, braking, or runaway accelerator system is inaccurate.

"There's no evidence to support any of that," Carter said, adding that the automaker was working closely with the U.S. government to address the planned recall of up to 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles reports Reuters.

Since then, Toyota has warned consumers to remove the driver-side floor mats from eight Toyota models as a safety precaution, including the Prius.

These models are affected by this consumer alert:

• 2007-2010 Camry


• 2005-2010 Avalon


• 2004-2009 Prius


• 2005-2010 Tacoma


• 2007-2010 Tundra


• 2007-2010 ES 350


• 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350

Continue reading "Toyota's Ongoing Problems" »

Home to the longest-standing port in the continental U.S., the city of St. Augustine is often called “the nation’s oldest city.” Surrounded by beautiful beaches and museums, St. Augustine is home to approximately 12,157 residents and caters to many visitors passing through Northern Florida. As a well traversed area, St. Augustine is situated 60 miles north of Daytona Beach just 5 miles east of Interstate 95, and 40 miles south of Jacksonville.

With the immense population of St. Augustine taking to the road and local highways, it is an unfortunate reality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place due to defective vehicles. Whether these catastrophic incidents are brought on by incompetent auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a particular auto maker, the failure of auto components can impose many negative consequences on drivers and passengers.

15-passenger vans are one of the most controversial vehicles when it comes to auto product liability issues. The U.S. Department of Transportation has repeatedly warned consumers about potential dangers associated with the inefficiency of 15-passenger vans. These vehicles are improperly designed in that they have a particularly high center of gravity which creates a propensity to “fishtail” and overturn. Problems with tire inflation are also an issue of concern with 15-passenger vans because this can contribute to a rollover accident.

Anyone who has endured injury due to a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part has legal rights and may be able to obtain recompense from negligent parties based on auto product obligations under the law. The experienced St. Augustine auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have devoted many years to helping defective vehicle injury victims receive the restitution that they deserve. Whether you believe your auto accident and subsequent injuries were caused by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury attorneys can help. Contact Farah and Farah today at our St. Augustine office for a free and confidential consultation of your case:

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


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A 25-year-old Orange park woman lost her life on I-95 Saturday and it was a scene we’ve seen all too often.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the woman was heading south on Interstate 95 in Flagler County when she lost control of her 1999 Ford Explorer SUV and crashed Saturday afternoon around 3:15 p.m. The FHP report says that the woman changed lanes to pass slow traffic and that’s when she moved to the shoulder of the road and lost control of the vehicle rolling it several times. The woman was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the Explorer and taken to Halifax Hospital where she was pronounced dead. No one else was reported to be in the SUV and no other vehicles were involved in the auto accident in Florida.

Our hearts go out to the family of this young woman whose life was cut short too soon. This accident never should have happened and I wish we could turn back time for the woman who lost her life.

When I read about this accident I was reminded of the Ford Explorer SUV that was overloaded with young people on the last day of school in June 2009. When a tire blew as the kids from Ed White High School were on their way to the beach, the driver lost control of the Explorer and with none of his passengers wearing their seat belts; all were ejected. Four teens lost their lives that day. That horrific accident is being blamed, at least partially, on the tire which blew out.

An accident investigator is going to want to check the tires on the vehicle involved in the Flagler County accident. There may be a cause of legal action if indeed the tire is determined to be the reason the woman lost control of her vehicle.

The second problem is the earlier model of Ford Explorer.

Continue reading "I-95 Accident Kills Young Woman" »

The city of Brunswick is situated in southeastern Georgia approximately 30 miles north of Florida. Brunswick is well-known for a variety of reasons, a few of which include being home to the fourth-largest automobile port in the eastern United States and being the center of Georgia’s shrimp and crab industries. Brunswick’s estimated population was 16,235 in 2007 and it had a metropolitan population of 101,792.

In encompassing the twelfth-largest metropolitan area in the state of Georgia, Brunswick residents rely heavily on personally owned automobiles as transport throughout the vast counties of Glynn, Brantley, and McIntosh. With its immense population taking to the road and local highways, it is an unfortunate actuality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place in Brunswick due to defective vehicles. Whether these tragic incidents are caused by incoherent auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a specific auto maker, the failure of auto components can have detrimental consequences on drivers and passengers.

At the forefront of auto product liability problems, the U.S. Department of Transportation has continually warned consumers about the danger and inefficiency of 15-passenger vans. These vehicles are defectively designed in that they have a high center of gravity which provides a propensity to “fishtail” and overturn. 15-passenger vans also have shown issues with tire inflation which can lead to a rollover accident.

Individuals who have suffered injury due to a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part have rights and may be able to seek compensation from negligent parties based on auto product obligations under the law. The skilled Brunswick Georgia auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have acquired many years of experience assisting defective vehicle injury victims in obtaining the restitution that they deserve. Whether you believe your auto accident and subsequent injuries were caused by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury attorneys can help. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Brunswick, Georgia office for a free consultation of your case:

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

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A 17-year-old lost his life early Sunday morning in a three-car accident involving two other teen drivers.

The teen was traveling eastbound on Butler Boulevard at San Pablo Road near the beaches when his car swiped the side of another car that had hit a concrete barrier and was stopped on the side of the road. The driver’s passenger suffered serious injuries and the condition of another passenger was not reported.

Our condolences go out to the teen’s family. Motor vehicle accidents continue to be the leading cause of death among the young. We wish the surviving passengers a speedy recovery.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the teen was not wearing a seat belt, while his other passenger was. The third it is uncertain.

All of this happened after an 18-year-old of Jacksonville lost control of her eastbound car and struck the concrete barrier. She and her passenger luckily got out of the car and ran to the side of the road before the car was hit by the oncoming car. They were wearing seat belts and were not injured. A third car, also driven by a teen a 19-year-old of Jacksonville, struck the 18-year-old’s car. It was the two car pile-up into which the 17-year-old drove into at 1:30 Sunday morning.

Young and inexperienced drivers, out late, not wearing seat belts, and likely traveling at excessive speed. Is it any wonder that automobile accidents in Jacksonville and throughout the State of Florida are the leading cause of death for young drivers?

Continue reading "17-Year-Old Dies in Sunday Morning Crash" »

With a population of about 10,800 as of July 2007 estimates, Palatka, Florida has a population density of about 1,553 people located within its 6.96 square mile, city limits. Located in Putnam County, Palatka is a city of commuter residents, with only about 20% of its residents both living and working within the city limits. As such, traffic in Palatka is an issue that all residents have to deal with. Unfortunately, with such an influx of traffic entering and exiting Palatka, vehicular accidents are bound to occur. Motorcycle accidents are one type of accident in particular that afflicts a large number of motorists each year. Fortunately though, a skilled Palatka motorcycle accident attorney can assist an injured individual with all aspects of their personal injury case.

More often than they do in passenger car accidents, catastrophic injuries can render motorcycle accident victims forever impaired. When catastrophic accidents result in brain injury, injured motorists can experience significant setbacks. Hospital fees, physical therapy costs, and even wages lost, both past and future, may be sought from negligent parties that caused the accident. In such instances, it is critical that experienced Palatka brain injury attorneys are consulted so as to protect the rights of injured motorists in a court of law.

If you have been injured in a Palatka motorcycle accident, legal help is available. Don’t hesitate to contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah. Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys will examine the circumstances of your accident, and will see to it that your rights are not trampled upon in a court of law. If your injuries are catastrophic, our Palatka brain injury lawyers will seek compensatory damages on your behalf to help assist with the costs associated with your accident. If you are injured in Palatka, please contact Farah and Farah for a free consultation of your injury case:

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


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A 12-year-old boy lost his life last Saturday afternoon in Palm Bay, Florida in a tragic accident.
The boy was riding as a passenger in a go-kart that was traveling about 30 miles per hour down a dirt road when he was ejected. The go-kart was being driven by a 16-year-old who apparently lost control after avoiding a hole in the road. Another passenger was injured when the go-kart flipped.

A witness called 911 but on the way to the hospital the 12-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived, according to an investigator who arrived at the scene.

Our prayers go out to the family of this young boy who lost his life in a senseless accident. His classmates report that he was in fourth grade and will be greatly missed.

We so often see young people who lose their lives when involved in accidents involving wheels. Scooters, ATVs, and mini-bikes all have the power to go at a high rate of speed and cause permanent traumatic brain injury to a child when he falls off. There is little training to drive a go-kart and helmets are rarely used.

Just this month, a 9-year-old suffered severe burns and lost all ten fingers in a go-kart accident at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida. His go-kart flipped over and burst into flames after it allegedly hit some uneven pavement. In that case, the boy’s family has filed a negligence suit against the track for failing to maintain its surface and have fire extinguishers or emergency phones on hand. The boy is lucky to be alive as he was pulled from the burning wreckage.

In August, a 13-year-old also lost his life in a Miami accident when his go-kart was hit by an SUV on a public roadway.

Motorized go-karts are not licensed or equipped to be used on public roadways in Florida. The driver was not cited.

Continue reading "Florida Go-Cart Accident Kills Fourth Grader" »

The push is on to ban texting while driving in Florida, one of 32 states where it is still legal to do so. AAA Auto Club is calling for a nationwide ban so that Florida can join 18 states where the practice is illegal.

Expect the 2010 legislative session to have at least two bills introduced by Florida lawmakers. Once again for the third year, Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton plans to push for a prohibition on texting while driving when the legislature convenes in March. And Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota has filed HB 41 for the 2010 session to address the practice.

So far a ban has been unsuccessful and it’s beginning to be not only embarrassing for Florida, but more important, deadly. Five bills to ban the practice were filed in 2007 and in 2009, 11 bills were sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate, but thanks to some pretty heavy lobbying, none passed. The Miami Herald calls the Florida Legislature the handmaiden to the telecommunications industry.

You would think after what happened to Heather Hurd, Florida would wake up. Heather’s Law, as it’s been proposed, is named after one of two Polk County women who was killed in an eight-car pileup caused by a tractor-trailer driver who was texting.

While the Florida Highway Patrol does not have a way to tally up those who die in the state from texting thought the state is beginning to reformat its crash reports to include that information. The best estimate was that in 2008, 15 people were killed in Florida and 1,400 were injured by distracted drivers.

Continue reading "Texting Ban in Florida Finally Considered" »

A crash Tuesday night has left one 20-year-old dead and hospitalized two others in the San Jose area of Jacksonville. A man was riding in a sedan when his vehicle was T-boned by a van about 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Old Kings Road and St. Augustine Road.

The man died at Shands-Jacksonville. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family.

T-bone crashes occur fairly often. In this case, the vehicle had turned left and into the path of the van. The van’s driver had minor injuries as did the vehicle driver.

Generally in a t-bone accident someone has run a light or stop sign at a fairy good speed. These can be the most devastating accidents. More often than not there are fatalities involved because the side of the vehicle has less protection than the front or rear.

The moving violation brings a $204 fine.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says of the 13 crash types identified, running traffic control accounts for 22 percent of all crashes that led to occupant injuries in 45 percent of red-light running crashes, compared to 30 percent in other types of crashes.

Continue reading "San Jose Fatal Crash" »

The “Isle of Eight Flags” is home to Amelia City and Fernandina Beach, and is more commonly known as Amelia Island. Housing a population of a little more than 68,000 people, Amelia Island, Florida is part of the Sea Islands and is 18.2 square miles in land size. With tourism as the island’s main economic source, a large number of tourists and beach-goers visit Amelia Island each year.

Those unfamiliar with Amelia Island’s roads may not exercise the most cautious driving practices while visiting. While all vehicular accidents are dangerous, those involving motorcycles pose an even greater chance of injury occurring, particularly to a motorcyclist that does not have the luxury of being confined within the framework of a car to protect against impact. When such accidents occur, it is essential that an Amelia Island motorcycle accident lawyer is promptly consulted in order to ensure that the rights of the motorcyclist are not infringed upon as an accident victim.

Injuries resulting from vehicular accidents can range from minor bruises to catastrophic brain injury. While it is the hope that no one is injured during an accident, catastrophic injury afflicts motorists all too often, particularly motorcyclists. Such injuries can be life altering, especially brain injuries, and can seriously impair an individual’s ability to lead the life he or she had become accustomed to prior to the incident. When brain injury or any other catastrophic injury does occur, it is critical that an Amelia Island brain injury attorney is consulted to ensure that the negligent party responsible for the accident is held accountable for playing a detrimental role in causing injury.

If you have been injured in an Amelia Island accident while riding your motorcycle, don’t hesitate to contact the motorcycle accident attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah. Our skilled attorneys will examine the circumstances of your accident, and will see to it that your rights are not trampled upon in a court of law. If your injuries are catastrophic, our Amelia Island brain injury lawyers will seek compensatory damages on your behalf to help assist with the costs associated with your accident. If injured, please contact Farah and Farah at our Amelia Island office today for a free consultation of your injury case:

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


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The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has a new Web site to focus on the state’s most at-risk drivers – teenagers.

Gov. Crist attended a Teen Driver Safety Summit this week where teen drivers and law enforcement exchanged ideas on how to create the safest possible driving environment for your young drivers.

Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the number one killer of teens. While teens make up six percent of drivers, they are involved in 14 percent of fatal crashes.

The Department has development a driving guide and Web site for parents and teens to use as a resource. The new web site is www.flhsmv.gov/teens.

It describes the state’s graduated license law and offers a log where drivers can add up their minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving before they get their license. TakeTheWheel.net is a Web site by teens that talks to teenagers in an interactive forum for teens to share their driving experiences.

Inexperience behind the wheel, a feeling of invincibility, alcohol, not wearing seat belts – all contribute to the high teen death rate behind the wheel.

The Department reports that the crash rate for teenagers 15 to 19 is 399 per 10,000 drivers, twice as high as their parents, and three to four times higher than their grandparents.That may surprise some.

Continue reading "Teen Driver Safety Week" »

Like most coastal locales, Jacksonville Beach, Florida is a popular tourist location that attracts a large number of visitors each year. With a year-round population just shy of 22,000 as of July 2007, Jax Beach has seen a steady increase in its number of residents each year. Only 7.7 miles in land size, Jax Beach can quickly become congested with residents and visitors, particularly its roadways.

With so many people visiting Jacksonville Beach each year, multiple modes of transportation are often incorporated by motorists. Motorcycle travel is especially popular, especially while traveling along a picturesque coast. However, many motorists may not grant some motorcyclists the roadway respect that they rightfully deserve. Furthermore, with dangerous driving practices, such as illegal lane sharing, motorists absolutely have to be vigilant while operating their larger motor vehicles. When motorcycle accidents take place as a result of another driver’s negligence, a skilled Jacksonville Beach motorcycle accident lawyer can help injured victims seek compensation for property damage, medical bills, treatment, and many other expenses brought on by a serious injury.

When motorcycle accidents occur, the potential for catastrophic injury is generally much greater for the motorcyclist than it is for the driver of a passenger car or other larger vehicle. Accidents can be devastating to a motorcyclist, resulting in severe consequences such as a brain injury. With nothing more than a helmet protecting a motorcyclist, the likelihood of such an injury occurring is significant, and the probability that a motorcyclist’s life will be forever altered is likely.

Personal injury sustained during vehicular accidents can be overwhelming, regardless of the type of vehicles involved. Luckily, the motorcycle accident attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah will examine the circumstances of your accident, and will hold negligent parties responsible for your accident accountable for their actions. If you have sustained catastrophic injuries, our brain injury lawyers will see to it that your rights are not infringed upon in a court of law. If you have been injured, please contact Farah and Farah at our Jacksonville Beach office for a free evaluation of your injury case:

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


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You’re driving down the road and suddenly something flies off the truck giving you a split second to avoid hitting it.That’s what happened Monday afternoon in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 295.

One vehicle was heading north when it failed to avoid hitting a ladder in the roadway. It then veered toward and across the median near Duval Road, striking two cars, one of them head-on. The driver, a 30-year-old man, was taken to Shands Hospital and is in critical condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with this injured man and his family.

It takes less than five minutes to strap down and double check a ladder, but for this man, it may take a lifetime for him to recover from his injuries. As is the case for any auto accident victim, this man and his family may want to consult with an auto accident lawyer in Jacksonville to see if they qualify to obtain the compensation they may need to help pay for expenses brought on by the accident.

A very similar incident occurred on the Buckman Bridge several years ago when a ladder fell from a truck causing a collision that left one person dead. In that case, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the owner of the vehicle that failed to secure the ladder properly.

It is not uncommon to see debris on our roadways – everything from furniture to construction to garbage. This is almost always due to a failure to properly secure loads on flat-bed or pickup trucks. It can cause you to take evasive action or even smash through a windshield or flatten tires.

Nationally, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that there were 25,217 crashes in the United States directly related to road debris. Of those crashes, 8,012 involved injury to the occupants and 76 were fatal.

Continue reading "Debris Causes Multi-Car Collision on I-295" »

Jacksonville, Florida is the 12th most populated city in the United States. Housing a little more than 800,000 people at the time of the 2007 U.S. Census, Jacksonville is one of the more popular points of interest in Florida. With a total area of 874.3 square miles, Jacksonville hosts a nice mix of residents, vacationers, and passers-through each and every year.

Commuting in Jacksonville is essential for a variety of reasons. Residents may find themselves commuting to work, vacationers may find themselves commuting to a tourist spot, and passers-through may simply travel over Jacksonville roads while on the way to another location. Regardless, Jacksonville’s roads and highways can be congested places, and alternative methods to traditional automobile travel are often adopted by numerous individuals. Motorcycle travel is one such method of alternative transportation in Jacksonville, and when motorcyclists are injured due to another motorist’s negligence, the cyclist may need the legal advice and assistance of a skilled Jacksonville motorcycle accident lawyer.

At Farah and Farah, we understand that the results of a vehicular accident involving a motorcycle can be catastrophic. Motorcyclists do not have the luxury of being surrounded by the reinforced confines of a car, and their direct exposure to impact can lead to grave injury, such as a brain injury, that may leave the individual forever impaired. This is why our experienced Jacksonville brain injury attorneys are also available to assist any brain injury victim who was injured by another person’s negligence, whether in a motorcycle accident or in another type of accident.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Jacksonville or have suffered a brain injury, don’t hesitate to contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah. If your injuries are catastrophic, our brain injury lawyers will examine the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine where negligent action played a contributing role towards your injury. Please contact Farah and Farah at our Jacksonville office for a free consultation of your motorcycle accident or brain injury case:

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


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Often referred to as the “Gateway to Florida,” Lake City is located in Columbia County and has become a much desired tourist attraction as well as a stop for those on their way to Southern Florida. Lake City has a population of approximately 12,000 and is situated in a county whose population is only increasing (Columbia County has close to 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006). Within its densely populated area, Lake City comes into contact with its degree of motorcycle accidents as a result of negligent motorists failing to see motorcyclists on the road. When another driver’s negligence causes a motorcyclist to suffer catastrophic injuries, the motorcyclist may be able to seek compensation with the assistance of a skilled Lake City motorcycle accident attorney.

Motorcycle collisions in Lake City can have serious repercussions on a motorcyclist, drastically affecting an injured victim’s quality of life for many years. Brain injuries are one of the most frequent afflictions that affect motorcyclists. The experienced brain injury attorneys at Farah and Farah have been assisting motorcycle victims and other personal injury victims obtain the compensation they need to receive proper medical attention and rehabilitative care after a brain injury.

At Farah and Farah, our personal injury law firm has an invaluable pool of resources and legal knowledge that you need to reach a successful outcome in your injury case. To find out how we may be able to help you receive compensation for pain and suffering, loss of wages, medical treatment, and much more, contact us today. For a free and confidential consultation of your injury case in Lake City, call Farah and Farah at our Lake City office:

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


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She will spend the next four years in prison for DUI manslaughter. Many are saying she got off lucky. It was bad enough when last April, the 25-year-old woman side-swiped a van on I-295 near San Jose Boulevard. But instead of staying at the scene of the early morning wreck, police say she drove away.

She might have gotten away with it, but when she left the scene, she kept driving and then lost control of her pickup truck on Crown Point Road and struck a tree. As often happens with people who are driving while under the influence of alcohol, she was uninjured, but her 30-year-old male passenger died at the scene. Despite the death of her passenger, the woman took off on foot and was eventually tracked down by K-9 teams.

The woman pled guilty to DUI manslaughter. This week she was sentenced.

We wonder how the family of her passenger feels about her four years behind bars. According to state guidelines, the woman could have received 15 years for a felony in the second degree. Leaving the scene, in this case twice, bumps the sentencing to a first degree felony.

The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash that results in the death of any person is required by Florida law 316.027 to immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the crash or as close as possible, and remain at the scene.

You are required to stay and render aid and give information to any officer investigating the scene and to give aid to anyone injured at the scene including getting them to a doctor or hospital if that is requested by the injured person.

Continue reading "DUI Hit-and-Run Driver Sentenced" »

California will begin testing a requirement that drivers convicted of DUI install a device in their vehicle that stops the car from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver. The driver’s breath gives him away. A breathalyzer will be installed in the car for five months under the law. Any detection of alcohol and the interlock device will keep the car from starting, even a small amount of alcohol. This is a six-year test pilot project.

A similar law went into effect in Florida in 2003, mandating that some drunken drivers have the ignition interlock device installed in their car.

Florida’s legal intoxication blood-alcohol level is 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or more per 210 liters of breath.

Repeat DUI offenders and first-time offenders with a BAC over .15 would have to install the devices. The law would also apply to those who drove under the influence with a child in the car.

The law states that the lock will be installed for six months for first offenders and the lock will not allow the car to start unless the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) is under 0.05.

With a second conviction, the driver must have an ignition interlock device operated or owned by the convicted person. A third conviction and they get a mandatory placement for a period of not less than two years. A third violation can bring you up to 12 months in jail and the mandatory placement for at least two years. Fines go up from there.

The law also states that for a third or subsequent violation, the offender must complete a DUI treatment course.

If you are pulled over and you do not have an approved interlock device, you will be subject to arrest for violating your driver’s license restriction.

Continue reading "Ignition Devices Could Stop Repeat DUI Offenders" »

Located in Northeast Clay County, Orange Park is a suburb of Jacksonville situated just south of Jacksonville, Florida. As a lively community rich in history and culture, Orange Park has a great deal to offer. 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 high population density, hundreds of residents and visitors take part in the pleasure and thrill of riding motorcycles. Similar to many densely populated cities, Orange Park is not immune to motorcycle accidents that are caused by negligent motorists failing to yield to motorcyclists or even see them on the road.

At Farah and Farah, our skilled Orange Park motorcycle injury lawyers have devoted many years to protecting the rights of motorcycle accident victims. When another driver’s negligence causes a motorcyclist to suffer serious injuries, the motorcyclist may be able to seek compensation to help pay for loss of wages, pain and suffering, medical treatment, and many other financial burdens brought on by a serious injury.

Motorcycle accidents in St. Augustine can have catastrophic repercussions on a motorcyclist, significantly affecting an injured victim’s quality of life for many years, if not indefinitely. Brain injuries are one of the most recurrent injuries that affect motorcyclists when collisions take place. The experienced brain injury attorneys at Farah and Farah have been assisting motorcycle victims and other personal injury victims receive the compensation they require to obtain appropriate medical care and rehabilitative attention after a brain injury.

To learn more about how the attorneys at Farah and Farah may be able to help you receive compensation for the physical suffering, emotional grief, or property damage caused by your motorcycle accident or brain injury accident, contact us at our Orange Park office for a free and confidential consultation of your injury case:

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


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St Johns County Sheriff’s Officer, Col. Art May of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Department says he is seeing it more and more. Often it presents as a swerving car. In the past, he would have pulled the driver over assuming they were drunk.

These days he quickly ascertains more often than not that the driver is texting.

Now the St Johns County Chamber of Commerce is joining forces with the AAA Auto Club South. It developed the idea of getting businesses involved to sign a safe-driving pledge to guarantee their employees will not text and drive.

Chamber President Robin Burchfield feels it is a natural to represent businesses in the community in a positive way.

The movement is not limited to Jacksonville. All of the chambers in Florida will be invited to join in the effort to get businesses to sign the no-texting-while-driving pledge.

Ultimately AAA hopes to put pressure on the Florida Legislature to finally pass a law that bans texting while behind the wheel. At the present time it is legal for drivers to text and drive, but an officer like May can cite you for careless driving.

So far no bills have passed in the Legislature and though one was introduced this year, lawmakers adjourned without voting. Expect it to come back again in 2010 when the session convenes on March 2, including Heather’s Law which would prohibit the use of handheld cell phone while driving.

Continue reading "Florida Focus on Dangers of Texting While Driving" »

The prominent community of St. Augustine boasts being home to the oldest port in the continental United States and finds itself often referred to as “the nation’s oldest city.” The estimated population of St. Augustine was 12,157 in 2004. With its museums that reflect life of the early Spanish explorers who settled in St. Augustine, beautiful beaches and classic architecture, the city continues to attract numerous tourists in Northern Florida. Considering that St. Augustine is situated approximately 40 miles south of Jacksonville and 60 miles north of Daytona Beach just 5 miles east of Interstate 95, one can only imagine just how many residents and passersby traverse through the area.

With a region that encompasses such a vast area and a population that is only increasing, St. Augustine experiences its share of motorcycle accidents as a result of negligent motorists failing to see motorcyclists on the road. When another driver’s negligence causes a motorcyclist to suffer serious injuries, the motorcyclist may be able to seek compensation with the help of an experienced St. Augustine motorcycle accident lawyer.

Motorcycle accidents in St. Augustine can have catastrophic repercussions on a motorcyclist, significantly affecting an injured victim’s quality of life for his or her remaining years. Brain injuries are one of the most frequent calamities that motorcyclists endure, even when a helmet is worn. The skilled brain injury lawyers at Farah and Farah have been helping motorcycle victims and other personal injury victims obtain the compensation they need to receive proper medical attention and rehabilitative care after a brain injury.

The attorneys at Farah and Farah have been protecting the rights of motorcycle and brain injury victims, as well as many other personal injury victims, for over 25 years. Our firm has an invaluable pool of resources and legal knowledge that you need to obtain a successful resolution of your injury case. To find out how we may be able to help you receive compensation for loss of wages, pain and suffering, medical treatment, and much more, contact us today. For a free and confidential consultation of your injury case in St. Augustine, call Farah and Farah at our St. Augustine office:

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


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He is the 15-year-old teen who went for a joy ride on the last day of school in June with an overloaded SUV that rolled, killing four of his friends.

Now 16-years-old, he is set to go to trial October 19th, charged with four counts of driving without a license, causing serious bodily injury and careless driving. Of the nine counts, eight are felonies.

Police say the teen was driving to the beach when a rear tire blew causing the SUV to flip. Several people claim that the teen actually kept the car on the road for quite a while after the tire blew. His defense attorney claims that the reconditioned tire was defective and never should have been sold. With a catastrophic tire failure, many were surprised that the State Attorney’s office decided to prosecute the teen at all.

The community of Jacksonville has been divided over this case. The teen was driving when he shouldn’t have been. At the age of 15, he didn’t even have a permit.

None of the nine individuals in the vehicle were wearing a seat belt, except for the teen driver standing accused in this case. He was unhurt when the vehicle rolled over on I-295 near Pritchard Road. That doesn’t exactly paint a picture of a reckless driver.

Continue reading "15-Year-Old's Trial for Auto Accident Wrongful Death to Begin" »

Located about thirty miles north of Florida, the city of Brunswick is situated in southeastern Georgia. Nicknamed “the shrimp capital of the world,” the area is also well-known for being the center of Georgia’s shrimp and crab industries. Home to the fourth-largest automobile port in the eastern United States, the city's economy encompasses agricultural processing, manufacturing, and bulk cargoes. In 2007, the city proper had an approximate 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 area and a population that is on the rise, a handful of residents and visitors alike who ride motorcycles may find themselves involved in a motorcycle accident at no fault of their own. When another driver’s negligence causes a motorcyclist to suffer serious injuries, the motorcyclist may be able to seek compensation with the help of a skilled Brunswick, Georgia motorcycle accident attorney.

Motorcycle accidents in Georgia can have devastating consequences on a motorcyclist, greatly influencing an injured victim’s life forever. Brain injuries are one of the most common calamities that motorcyclists suffer, even when a helmet is used. At Farah and Farah, our experienced brain injury lawyers have been assisting motorcycle victims and other personal injury victims in receiving the compensation they need to receive adequate medical attention so that the road to rehabilitation after a brain injury can be a smooth one.

In devoting over 25 years to assisting injury victims, the dedicated and aggressive attorneys at Farah and Farah are prepared to take on any motorcycle accident or traumatic brain injury case. All you have to do is call. For a free and confidential consultation of your injury case in Georgia, call Farah and Farah at our Brunswick, Georgia office:

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

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With a population of 10,804 as of July 2007, Palatka, Florida is home to slightly more than 2,400 families. Palatka is just about 7 square miles in size, and has a population density of 1,553 people per square mile. A little less than 80% of Palatka residents commute outside of the city limits for work, making roads and highways particularly busy on any given work day.

Public transportation is an important part of any city. For those individuals that do not have their own personal mode of transportation, Palatka buses can mean the difference between getting to work and holding down a job, and not being able to commute anywhere out of walking distance. However, Palatka buses are not always safe, either through the fault of other motorists or Palatka bus drivers themselves. For those individuals that are injured in Palatka bus accidents, it is important to remember that sound legal advice from an experienced Palatka bus accident attorney is essential in seeking compensatory damages from negligent parties responsible for your accident.

Unfortunately, not even pedestrians are immune from the negligence that often leads to vehicular accidents. Pedestrian injuries occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians, and exhibit a general disregard for traffic laws put in place to ensure the safety of everyone, both motorists and pedestrian alike. In instances where an individual is injured in a Palatka pedestrian accident, that individual has the right to seek justice from the person that caused the pedestrian injury in the first place.

Personal injury can occur whether we’re in a vehicle or on foot. At Farah and Farah, our bus accident lawyers and pedestrian injury attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your injury and will hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. If you have been injured, contact Farah and Farah at our Palatka office today for a free consultation:

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


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A couple of accidents this week raise the question – how old is too old to drive? Not to discriminate against our elders, certainly there are young people who don’t drive safety, but a couple of local fatal accidents seem to be focused on that question.

An elderly woman was killed this week in a crash at Timuquana and Eulace roads. The 90-year-old woman was driving south on Eulace around 11 a.m. Tuesday when she turned left onto Timuquana in front of a semi driven by a 33-year-old truck driver. The elderly woman was taken to Shands Hospital and pronounced dead. She was not alone in the car. Her 94-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Everyone was wearing their seat belts and the driver of the truck was not hurt.

In another accident, an 88-year-old motorist veered into the path of an oncoming pickup truck and was killed in St. Johns County Tuesday morning. The woman of St. Augustine tried to turn onto U.S. 1 when the driver’s side of her car was hit. She was wearing a seat belt but died after being taken to Flagler Hospital. The truck driver was wearing his seat belt, as was his passenger, and both were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

We are so sorry for the loss of these two women. This sort of fatal traffic accident can happen to anyone at any age. But sometimes family members will ask how they can get an elderly family member to stop driving.

Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles generally reports that many seniors realize they should not be driving and give up their licenses voluntarily. That is reflected in the statistics. The department reports that the 2008 crash statistics show that the crash rates for people over the age of 65 are lower than for people under the age of 40.

Someone with an unsafe parent driver can confidentially report an unsafe driver to the department. About 39 percent of all reports came from law enforcement and about 34 percent from doctors last year where there were 7,677 referrals in all. The state can ask someone to take an eye exam or a medical exam. Or the person could be asked to retake the driver test. Younger people can be reported too, but generally seniors are the ones reported.

Continue reading "Two Elderly Motorists Killed - How Old Is Too Old To Drive?" »

Two people died Sunday morning in a single car crash in Hilliard in Nassau County. The crash happened about 1:35 a.m. on County Road 108 and Orange Street. Fire and rescue crews arrived to find a car on its driver side near a power pole. One of the occupants had been ejected from the vehicle and emergency rescue workers had to remove the top of the vehicle to extricate the other passenger.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. The driver has now been identified as a 32-year-old woman of Bryceville, Florida, and her passenger was a 45-year-old woman of Hilliard.

We are so sorry for the loss of this woman to her family and friends, and particularly to her children.

The two occupants were not wearing seat belts, according to law enforcement.

The media reports don’t tell us much about what caused this accident, but it’s fair to say that speed played some role. Generally in a single-vehicle accident, speed is among the first things that accident investigators will look into.

A few things to remember about driving too fast - many of us were taught that for every 10 miles an hour, you need to leave at least one car length between you and the vehicle in front of you to safely stop. That was the good old days- today add distractions, such as texting, that increases the risk of a collision by 23 times, according to a recent study.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says that speed is a factor in about one-third of all fatal crashes that kill more than 1,000 Americans every month. In all of 2007, that accounted for more than 13,000 people. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the cost of speed-related crashes is more than $40 billion each year.

Continue reading "Two Killed in Nassau Car Crash" »

Hulk Hogan, professional wrestler and Florida resident, is suing his lawyers over his son’s auto accident. You may recall that Nick Bollea, the son of Terry Bollea (Hulk Hogan) was involved in a serious car accident when he was 17 years old. Bollea was speeding on State Road 60 through Clearwater when he lost control and hit a raised median. The car flipped and hit a palm tree. Bollea’s passenger and friend were permanently injured. In fact, he just got out of the hospital, but is wheelchair bound.

After the accident, the Hogan family found that their Progressive Insurance had a limit of $250,000 coverage. That is too low. Everyone should carry uninsured motorist coverage and a personal umbrella insurance policy. The cost is very inexpensive. Be aware that not all umbrella policies include Uninsured Motorists/Underinsured Motorists. Carry the limits as high as you can afford. $1 million is not too much to protect you in case you are involved in a catastrophic accident with a third party who has no insurance or insufficient insurance.

Now is the time to learn from this mistake and take a moment to review your own coverage.

In the case of Hogan, he failed to notify Progressive of the accident and instead hired lawyers to protect his family against any civil claim. He didn’t understand that Progressive was on the hook to cover all necessary costs. Instead, he paid the law firm about $550 an hour and ultimately paid the law firm about $1,500,000 in fees and costs. His suit says the firm failed to notify him of that fact, even though Progressive says it tried to communicate with him over the accident, and instead kept charging Hogan excessively high rates.

Continue reading "Do You Have Adequate Uninsured Motorist Coverage? Hulk Hogan Didn't" »

Toyota generally enjoys a good reputation among auto owners. It has had one of the early gas-saving hybrid vehicles, the Highlander. And the car is generally considered reliable. But a lawyer who used to work for the company is putting an entirely different PR spin on Toyota. The 46-year-old man who worked for Toyota from 2003 to 2008 said that his job was to manage electronic records for Toyota litigation. But he quit, or was fired, depending on who you believe, after a breakdown over what the company had him do – destroy engineering and testing evidence in more than 300 Toyota SUV rollover and roof crush cases.

That is very serious, but the allegations are coming out in the man’s lawsuit against the company charging federal racketeering. He says that when he learned that electronic data, such as e-mails, were being withheld by the company, he tried to collect and preserve the information.

Among them was the rollover of a Toyota that left a 6-year-old a quadriplegic and dependent on a ventilator.

Continue reading "Toyota Cases May Be Reopened After Insider Blows the Whistle" »

A Westside family is making funeral plans for a 19-year-old woman and her unborn baby who died in a collision between two pickup trucks Tuesday afternoon.

A pregnant 19-year-old was reportedly riding in the bed of the pickup truck traveling east on Normandy Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. That’s when a late-model blue truck made an illegal turn into a mobile home park and collided with a red truck going west. The pregnant woman was riding in the back of the blue truck and was ejected when it turned in front of the other at the intersection with Parrish Cemetery Road. She was a quarter mile from their home. Today flowers mark the spot where the accident occurred.

The woman was seven months pregnant but the baby could not be saved. Fortunately, her one-year-old was in the truck in a car seat sitting next to the woman’s brother who threw himself over her during the collision. Neither was seriously hurt.

Our hearts go out to the family of this pregnant woman. There are many questions that go unanswered in media reports such as – was there a glare in the windshield of the truck? What were the road conditions at the time and was there rain? Were they speeding? Even 50 mph in a post 50 mph area in the rain is too fast for the conditions.
The Florida Highway Patrol says charges are pending.

Florida Statute 316.2015 says it is unlawful for a person to ride on the exterior of a vehicle, such as the bumper, fender, hood or truck of a car. And it is unlawful for the operator of a vehicle to allow a minor (under the age of 18) to ride within the open body of a pickup truck, unless the person is wearing a seat belt and sitting in secure seating.

Continue reading "19 Year Old Pregnant Woman Dies in Wreck" »

By now we’ve all seen the video on YouTube that aired on British television. It shows four girls driving a vehicle and texting, all staring at the screen just before a head-on collision.

The public service announcement should be seen by all teenagers who are close to the driving age, or presently driving. A warning – it is a gruesome, and not for the faint of heart. Parents may want to watch it first. But it is real and everyday drivers distracted by texting are doing exactly what the teens in this video are doing.

Now a group of Florida teens from Parkland, Florida (population 24,000) is taking the public service message and other videos of the dangers of texting and driving and trying to do something about it.

The teens are donning white t-shirts that carry an anti-texting message. And they’ve taken their campaign to city hall to convince the city commissioners to ban texting while driving in their town.

Wisely, the teens know it is kids who influence other kids, so sophomores, who are just getting their driving permits, have had the most influence on other kids in school.

Continue reading "Teens Rally Against Texting and Driving" »

With a population of 805,605 people as of the 2007 U.S. Census, Jacksonville is the most populated city in the state of Florida and the 12th most populous city in the country. Stretching 874.3 square miles in size, Jacksonville is the largest city in the United States based on total land area, and plays host to not only many residents, but also numerous tourists. With such a large amount of people traveling throughout the city, public transportation is particularly important in both cutting down on the overall amount of traffic in Jacksonville and enabling a large number of people to get from one place to another. However, while necessary safety precautions are certainly put into effect, unfortunately, accidents still cause innocent people to suffer serious injuries.

In the event that a Jacksonville commuter is involved in a bus accident, that commuter shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of expenses brought on by the accident, such as medical bills to treat an injury or physical therapy fees to help one recover from a serious injury. With the assistance of a skilled Jacksonville bus accident lawyer from Farah & Farah, such compensation may be obtained.

Similarly, pedestrians occasionally suffer from the reckless driving practice of motorists in Jacksonville. If a pedestrian is injured in Jacksonville, that individual would be well-advised to seek the advice of an experienced Florida pedestrian injury attorney that will examine the circumstances of the accident and help appropriately attribute negligence to parties at fault.
Personal injury, whether sustained in a bus or pedestrian accident, can be devastating not only physically, but financially as well. In all instances where an individual is injured in Jacksonville at the hands of another, it is essential to have someone on your side that will fight for your best interests and hold negligent behavior responsible for your accident. If you have been injured, contact Farah and Farah at our Jacksonville office today for a free consultation:

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

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An auto accident involving a police car snarled traffic on Interstate 95 southbound at J. Butler Boulevard, closing the road for around two hours Wednesday afternoon during rush hour.
An officer with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was traveling southbound on I-95 behind two other vehicles around 3:30 p.m. When traffic began to slow, the first car, driven by a woman, slowed down. A car behind her slowed too and pulled to the left. Then the marked JSO car failed to slow quickly enough and struck the two cars.

The officer suffered minor injuries and the two other drivers were not hurt. Luckily all were wearing their seat belts. An investigation could lead to charges against the officer or at least a reprimand.

Complicating matters was an afternoon downpour which may have contributed to the accident.

Certainly in rainy conditions, it is imperative to slow down because rain alters drivers’ perception. It’s not only harder to see, but a car can hydroplane or lose traction. We are thankful that everyone is alright and wore their seat belts.

Florida has its share of afternoon rain storms so it’s important to understand the rules of the road under those conditions. Many drivers believe it is legal, if they slow down in rainy conditions, to put on their hazard blinking lights to alert the cars behind them of their slow speed. Many drivers here come from up north where they can use hazard lights in a snowstorm, but in Florida it is not legal to do so. According to the statute, only vehicles that are disabled or stopped lawfully can have their hazard lights on. The law is designed to avoid the confusion of having drivers think the blinking light indicates the car is stopped. This nonmoving violation in the state is punishable with a fine of about $70.

Continue reading "Three Car Accident Snarls I-95" »

Florida driver deaths appear to be substantially down this year according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Seven were killed and the FHP says 136 impaired drivers were arrested during the four day Labor Day weekend. However, the total number of wrongful death auto crashes in Florida has not been released yet. In 2008 during the Labor Day period, 36 people died in crashes.

In addition to the arrests, FHP officers issued over 16,000 citations. That huge number resulted from Labor Day enforcement that was part of a larger effort beginning August 21 and running through September 7th. During that time period, FHP issued more than 57,000 traffic tickets and made 540 arrests for DUI of alcohol or drugs and 20,000 received citations for speeding.
In addition, law enforcement was out in force to watch for violations of the Move Over Law. Troopers issued 2,200 citations for violating that law.

The Move Over Law refers to protecting law enforcement when they are parked on the side of the road to help motorists. It states that:

• On a two-lane roadway, you are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.


• If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, you must slow down to five miles per hour.


• If you are driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, and you approach an emergency or law enforcement vehicle parked along the roadway, you must vacate the lane closest to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are not able to safely move over, you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer.

Continue reading "Labor Day Deaths on Florida Roads" »

Lake City is located in Columbia County, Florida and is often referred to 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 highly desired tourist destination as well as a common stop for those on route to Southern Florida. With such a span of visitors and residents passing through various parts of the city using bus transportation, bus accidents are bound to take place as a result of defective bus parts, negligent driving, improper driver training, or for a variety of other reasons.

When innocent passengers are injured in a bus accident in Lake City at no fault of their own, a skilled Lake City bus accident attorney from Farah and Farah can help. We have assisted many injured victims of bus accidents receive compensation to help pay for medical treatment, pain and suffering, hospital bills, and even loss of wages.

In addition to bus accidents, pedestrian accidents within Lake City’s streets are regrettable occurrences that put the well-being of children, the elderly, and adults of all ages at risk. When drivers fail to adhere to speed limits near pedestrian crosswalks, they put innocent pedestrians in danger of suffering severe injuries and even wrongful death. Pedestrian injuries can have some of the most catastrophic consequences due to a pedestrian’s vulnerable exposure to the surrounding area without protection.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, whether it involved a bus, truck, or other auto, the experienced Lake City pedestrian accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can assist you through this challenging time. For more information on how we may be able to help you hold negligent parties responsible for your bus or pedestrian accident injury, contact the Lake City personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today:

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

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It sounds like a comedy skit, except it is not funny. A man was driving his motorcycle naked on I-75 in Marion County early Tuesday morning. A Marion County deputy was driving when he stopped the naked man, a 45-year-old, at a red light. There were no answers to the question why he was naked but the deputy did get an answer from his breathalyzer test – a blood alcohol level above .08. The man was legally drunk. This was not a surprise.

The motorcyclist was charged with what was his fifth DUI. Jail records showed he was later released on $20,000 bail.

The U.S. is the most lenient nation when it comes to DUI. In Europe, many countries say if you drink, you don’t drive. The general standard for DUI there is 0.05 BAC. Caught over the limit, you are cited and your car is towed. You can lose your license and go to jail for a first offense.

In Dubai, for example, drinking and driving brings you a six month jail sentence. No questions asked. No exceptions. Zero alcohol tolerance.

Zero tolerance means different things in different places. It is illegal in every state for someone under the age of 21 to purchase and publicly possess alcoholic beverages. 46 states, including Florida, have established lower blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) for young drivers. That’s because the federal government reports nearly one-third of all deaths of 15-to-20 year olds result from motor vehicle crashes and one third of them are alcohol-related. In Florida it is .02 for those under the age of 21 driving a vehicle under the state’s “Zero Tolerance” policy.
In Florida an “Enhances Penalty” will be brought if the driver has a BAC particularly high, typically .15 to .20. DUI offenders with a BAC at or above those levels can expect to face additional jail time.

Florida’s “Implied Consent” laws mean that someone driving who is suspected of DUI must submit to some form of a chemical test such as breath, blood or urine testing. If they refuse? They can lose their license usually for six months to a year.

Continue reading "Naked Motorcyclist – 5th DUI" »

Located in Northeast Clay County, the city of Orange Park is just south of Jacksonville, Florida. Orange Park’s name derives from the aspirations of its founders to inhabit a fruit-producing industry, but these hopes of crops were ruined in what is referred to as the Great Freeze of 1894-95. Nevertheless, in its growth as an abundant and welcoming community, Orange Park displayed a population of approximately 9,043 in July 2008. Although having a smaller population than some of its neighboring cities, Orange Park residents utilize public transportation and personal autos to a great degree. As a result, Orange Park is susceptible to its share of auto accidents involving buses and pedestrians as an unfortunate result of negligent driving, dangerous road conditions, and even defective auto parts.

Bus passengers put their trust in drivers and companies to ensure that no harm befalls them while traveling via bus. When bus accidents inflict injury on passengers in Orange Park, the skilled Orange Park bus accident attorneys at Farah and Farah can help injured victims receive compensation to help pay for medical treatment, hospital bills, pain and suffering, and loss of wages.

In addition to bus accidents, pedestrian accidents in the streets of Orange Park are ill-fated occurrences that can cause children, the elderly, and adults of all ages to suffer serious injuries and even wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, whether it involved a bus, truck, or other auto, the experienced Orange Park pedestrian accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can assist you. For more information on how we may be able to help you hold negligent parties responsible for your bus or pedestrian accident injury in Orange Park, contact Farah and Farah at our Orange Park office today:

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

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At the beginning of summer there seemed to be a rash of accidents involving children being hit by cars, usually SUVs that no one could see around.

Well it has happened again, this time in Glen St. Mary, Florida. A little boy was run over by the family SUV being used to pull a trailer when nobody was paying attention. Luckily, the child survived this auto accident in Florida.

One-year-olds generally cannot walk on their own very well, and the story doesn’t say how he got near the car wheel. The little boy had been left in a small wading pool in a play area in the front of his house while the father was busy working filling holes in the yard in the 17800 block of Pleasant Trail Road. A sixteen-year-old neighbor was told to move the SUV forward and that is when they heard the child scream after the right rear tire rolled over him.

Luckily, the boy is in stable condition after being flown to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. Our prayers go out to this little guy who obviously has had a tough time. Why was he left alone without supervision in a small swimming pool? Anyone can drown in a cup of water or less. And it now turns out that the 16 year-old neighbor did not have a driver’s license.

Charges are possible pending a further investigation. The Department of Children and Families should consider they are dong the family a favor if they cite them as well. This story could have easily had a different conclusion.

Kids and Cars, a nonprofit group made up of concerned parents, maintains a national database that tracks deaths and injuries to children left unattended near or in vehicles. No federal agency is collecting such data so a nonprofit has taken over that job.

Continue reading "One-Year-Old Hit by SUV In Front Yard" »

St. Augustine is often called the “nation’s oldest city” for being home to the oldest port in the continental U.S. The population in St. Augustine was estimated to be 12,157 in 2004. Known for its classic architecture, lovely beaches, and museums that depict life of the early Spanish explorers who settled in the area, St. Augustine is quite a popular tourist spot in Northern Florida. With so many tourists in addition to many residents utilizing public transportation and personal automobiles, auto accidents in St. Augustine involving pedestrians and buses are an unfortunate consequence of negligent driving.

Bus accidents in St. Augustine may be caused by driver negligence, defective bus parts, dangerous road conditions, improper driver training, and many other factors. Bus passengers put their trust in drivers and companies to ensure that no harm befalls them on their travels. When bus accidents inflict injury on passengers in St. Augustine, the experienced St. Augustine bus accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can help injured victims receive compensation to help pay for medical treatment, hospital bills, pain and suffering, and loss of wages.

In addition to bus accidents, pedestrian accidents in the streets of St. Augustine are unfortunate events that afflict the well-being of children, the elderly, and adults of all ages. When drivers fail to adhere to speed limits near pedestrian crosswalks, they put innocent pedestrians at risk of suffering severe injuries and even wrongful death. Pedestrian injuries are some of the most catastrophic consequences of auto collisions due to a pedestrian’s vulnerable exposure to hitting concrete, a part of a vehicle, or any other object on the road or sidewalk.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, whether it involved a bus, truck, or other auto, the experienced St. Augustine pedestrian accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can assist you. For more information on how we may be able to help you hold negligent parties responsible for your bus or pedestrian accident injury, contact the St. Augustine personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today:

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

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This mother is lucky her child wasn’t killed. Hopefully she has learned a lesson. A two-year-old was thrown from an SUV today in a single-vehicle wreck in St. Johns County.

It’s not known if the 24-year-old driver is the 2-year-old’s mother, but they have the same last name. The driver, of Elkton, Florida, was driving near Cowpen Branch Road down Florida 207. Riding in the vehicle was a 5-year-old and the 2-year-old who was not properly restrained in her child seat.

Just before 9:15 a.m., the driver started to drift onto the shoulder of the road. She overcorrected and as is typical with SUVs, any sudden turn of the wheel can send the vehicle out of control. Often they roll. In this case, the SUV slid into a ditch and overturned. The 2-year-old was ejected from the vehicle during the SUV rollover accident in Jacksonville, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The 2-year-old was the only one who suffered injuries and not surprisingly, she was the only one who was not properly restrained, according to law enforcement. She was taken to Shands Hospital in Jacksonville, but her injuries are not reported to be life-threatening, the FHP said.

Florida law says you must have all children restrained in the proper seat for their age. The 2-year-old needed to be positioned in the back seat, in a five-point harness with the car seat securely held by the seat belts. An older child, approximately ages 5 through 7 can usually be transitioned to a booster seat, depending on their size. A shoulder belt should be used on a child when it actually hits their shoulder and not their neck. Children should never be allowed to put a shoulder strap under their arm.

Continue reading "Two-Year-Old Thrown from Vehicle" »

Located 30 miles north of Florida, Brunswick occupies part of southeastern Georgia. Nicknamed “the shrimp capital of the world,” Brunswick owes much of its reputation to being the main center of Georgia’s crab and shrimp industries. As the twelfth-largest metropolitan area in the state of Georgia, Brunswick had an estimated metropolitan population of 101,792 in 2007 with a city proper population of 16,235. Considering that Brunswick, Georgia residents and visitors highly depend on bus transportation in addition to the use of other modes of public and personal transport, bus accidents are just as likely to occur as in any major metropolitan area.

As is the case in most large cities that utilize buses, bus accidents have been known to occur due to defective bus parts, driver inattention or carelessness, improper driver training, and much more. Whatever the cause of your bus accident injury, the skilled Brunswick, Georgia bus accident attorneys at Farah and Farah can help. We have assisted many injured victims of bus accidents receive compensation to help pay for hospital bills, treatment, pain and suffering, and even loss of wages.

In addition to bus accidents, pedestrian accidents within Brunswick’s streets are unfortunate occurrences that plague the well-being of children, the elderly, and adults of all ages. When drivers fail to adhere to speed limits near pedestrian crosswalks, they put innocent pedestrians at risk of suffering severe injuries and even wrongful death. Pedestrian injuries are some of the most catastrophic consequences of auto collisions due to a pedestrian’s vulnerable exposure to hitting concrete, a part of a vehicle, or any other object on the road or sidewalk.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, whether it involved a bus, truck, or other auto, the experienced Brunswick pedestrian accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can assist you. For more information on how we may be able to help you hold negligent parties responsible for your bus or pedestrian accident injury, contact the Brunswick personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today:

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


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A 16-year-old female and a number of other teens had attended a birthday party for a fellow friend who was turning 19. The party lasted until the early morning hours of July 27.

For some reason, the teens decided to leave the party house. That’s when the 19-year-old got behind the wheel of his pickup truck to drive everyone home. Since there were six kids and only three seats in the cab, three of the teens decided to ride in the bed of the pickup.

But according to police, the 19-year-old was driving recklessly and too fast in the 13000 block of Bartram Park Boulevard in Mandarin, just south of Jacksonville and Old St. Augustine Road. Traveling at twice the 40 mph speed limit, the pickup flipped, and rolled several times, throwing the 16-year-old girl and two others riding in the bed out of the vehicle.

The 16-year-old, a student at Lee High School, was pronounced dead at the scene of the auto accident in Jacksonville. Four other teens were seriously injured. Law enforcement said the truck appeared to have rolled over her. Another young woman was in critical condition.

Now the young male driver has been charged with vehicular homicide. He turned himself into the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office on Wednesday and was later released on $10,000 bail.
This month, if the deceased teen were still alive, she would have turned 17. Her family said that they would still celebrate her birthday and that she is still in their hearts.

Our hearts go out to the family of this young woman as well as the injured teen who was in ICU. We wish her a speedy recovery.

Continue reading "Teen Driver Facing Vehicular Homicide Charges for 16-Year-Old's Death" »

This is a story that is quite controversial in Jacksonville and raises some interesting issues.
When a DUI crash injures the driver permanently, confining him to a life in a wheelchair, should he be charged with DUI? And although it shouldn’t matter, the person in question happens to be the son of a Chief Judge.

The 25-year-old driver was driving toward Jacksonville Beach last December, when he tried to exit off J. Turner Butler Boulevard onto the Marsh Landing Parkway exit. The young man flipped his truck and he was ejected from the vehicle. He was taken by life-flight to the hospital and spent months clinging to life. No one knew if he had permanent brain damage.

Police say his blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit at .203 at the time of the crash. A beer can was found at the scene, next to his wallet, but finding a beer can on the side of the road is not an unusual occurrence.

Now his attorney says the state attorney’s office is following some bad advice in charging this young driver. A prominent DUI attorney in Jacksonville representing the accused says he can’t understand why someone, now a paraplegic for the rest of his life would still face charges.
Not wanting to look like she is giving the judge’s son a pass, the prosecutor waited until the young man got out of the hospital to file charges. “She is not going to prosecute someone solely because of who they are,” said her office.

The accused in this incident is pleading not guilty.

Our condolences go out to the judge and his family for this tragic turn of events.

Continue reading "Chief Judge's Son, Paralyzed, Now Charged with DUI" »

All eyes in the investigation into what caused a Ford Explorer to roll several times and kill four teens, are now focused on a possibly defective tire.

On the last day of school in June, one young man and eight friends got into his girlfriend’s family Ford, a 1997 Explorer SUV. On the way to the beach, a tire blew. Among all of the teens, this young man was the only one wearing his seat belt. The attorney, who represents four of the families involved, told the judge that the Cooper Tire was defective because it had been in the shop two weeks earlier.

He said Dale Earnhardt Jr. could have been driving the vehicle. Once a tire blows, keeping a Ford Explorer on the road, especially the notoriously unstable cars made before Ford added stability control would have been impossible.

The tire company has faced seven federal product liability and personal injury lawsuits since 1997 and in July, a Florida appeals court upheld a $1.5 million jury verdict against the company after a blowout on I-10 killed a man.

At an exhibition football game at Ed White High School, the four teens were remembered in a moment of silence. Our hearts go out to the parents of the children, who clearly had a tough time attending the game, but were grateful that their children are remembered.

The 15-year-old young man who was driving is facing four counts of driving without a license in the deaths of all four of his friends, who were killed when his SUV wrecked. This teen is also facing four counts of driving without a license causing serious bodily injury, and careless driving. That is a total of nine counts, eight of which are felonies. He is on home detention. For now, another high school, football practice, and church are the only activities he is allowed.
In an exclusive interview with the Florida Times Union after he was charged, the young man says he felt the left rear tire separate causing the car to pull strongly to the right then roll after it drifted into the grass off the right emergency lane.

Continue reading "Teen Faces 9 Charges in Fatal Wreck" »

A man lost control on a motorcycle early Thursday morning on the State Road 312 bridge in St. Augustine, according to police.

He was reportedly racing a car on the well-traveled bridge when he lost control around 1 a.m. But this time the rider was lucky. He was flown to Shands Medical Center in Jacksonville and had a possible broken arm and leg. No word on whether he was wearing a helmet.

Charges may be pending against the motorcyclist. There is no word on what happened to the car he was racing. This was the third crash on the SR-312 bridge this week.

In 2000, when Florida eliminated the legal requirement that motorcycle riders wear helmets, if they are over the age of 21 and carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance, motorcycle fatalities increased by 81 percent. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports there was a 40 percent increase in the number of injured motorcyclists admitted to hospitals.
If you think this doesn’t affect you, think again.

The average head injury treatment was more than $45,000 a decade ago and head-brain-skull injury treatment averaged more than $428,000. By the years 2001 and 2002, those numbers had increased to more than $610,000. Fast-forward seven years and you can see how the cost of treating injuries following a motorcycle accident is an unnecessary burden on society.

Continue reading "Racing Motorcyclist Loses Control in St. Augustine" »

The New Chrysler has reversed itself from its previous stand of refusing to accept any auto product liability lawsuits resulting from the 30 million vehicles still on the road. The automaker has agreed to cover product liability claims that result after the company emerged from bankruptcy protection on June 10.

In a company letter sent to Congress last Friday, Chrysler says that future car accident victims, who believe their injuries resulted from a defective, seat belt, roof, side air bag, or any other auto part, will be able to sue the new company. However, 300 or so claims that were pending before Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy will not be covered.

Victims like a man who lost both legs after an accident in a defective Chrysler and filed before the company declared bankruptcy, will not be able to have their day in court. Instead they will become a creditor and stand in line to receive assets from a bankrupt company.

There are about 300 individuals who had Chrysler lawsuits pending and about 1,500 more with pending claims against General Motors which also declared bankruptcy and wiped out their cases. You can read about their cases in a special report prepared by the Center for Justice & Democracy – Victim Cases Wiped Out. (http://centerjd.org/archives/press/2009/GM-Chrysler%20Victim%20Stories.pdf)

Chrysler is known to have collapsing seat backs that in a collision, collapse backwards into rear passengers. The defect exists in over 10 million vehicles model years 1990 to 2009.
Since 1994, Chrysler has produced over two million Grand Cherokee SUVs with roofs that tend to buckle or cave in, resulting in traumatic head injuries and paralysis.

Continue reading "Chrysler Accepts Liability for Future Accidents in Defective Cars" »

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that two people were injured last Wednesday when a pickup truck driver lost control of his vehicle and rolled, landing on its roof. According to FHP, a 21-year-old man was driving on SR A1A around 1:19 a.m. at the intersection of Grandview Road near St. Augustine Beach.

The driver was taken to Shands Jacksonville with serious injuries after being thrown from the pickup and through a privacy fence. His passenger, also a 21-year-old male, was trapped in the truck and taken to Flagler Hospital.

A blood alcohol test will be conducted and charges could be filed depending on the result. We wish these young men the best for a speedy recovery. The responding officers did a great job in getting the second man out of the vehicle and to the hospital.

I wish we knew more information such as, what kind of car was involved. Was a cell phone found at the scene and had the driver been texting? Were the occupants wearing their seat belts? What speed were they traveling and what were the road conditions at the time?

We hope these young men pull through, but speeding or road conditions and any of the above, including alcohol consumption, just doesn’t mix with driving.

Florida had more than 22,000 alcohol related crashes with more than 1,100 alcohol related fatalities across the state in 2008. Additionally there were more than 15,700 alcohol related injuries. Labor Day weekend in Florida is reported to be among the deadliest for drivers. Last year 36 people lost their lives on Florida roads and alcohol contributed to 12 of those deaths.

Continue reading "Two Hurt in Single Vehicle Wreck" »

One person was killed and another is injured after a truck rolled on a bridge in St. Augustine early Thursday. The driver was thrown from the truck after it rolled a few times, St. Augustine police report. He was heading west on State Road 312 about 1: 40 in the morning. He died at the scene. The passenger was extricated from the vehicle, but his condition is unknown as is the cause of this accident is under investigation.

We are praying for the recovery of the passenger. At this point, we have no idea what caused the truck to roll. Was the driver texting or was alcohol involved? We also don’t know if seatbelts were worn, but if the driver was ejected, it is likely they were not being used. The truck was reported to be in pieces along the road.

Florida law requires everyone to be belted inside a vehicle. The truth is that everyone pays the price when someone is not buckled in. The cost of hospital care for the unbuckled driver is about 50 percent higher than for some wearing their seat belt. And it is Floridians who bear the brunt of these costs. The state estimates on the job crashes cost employers $22,000 a crash and $110,000 per injury due to lost productivity and higher insurance and medical costs.
If you are not convinced, the Florida Highway Patrol has a seat belt convincer that you can view at http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/misc/vehequip/SBConvincer.htm.

Continue reading "Driver Killed in St. Augustine When Pickup Truck Rolls" »

This is becoming a weekly report. Another older model Ford Explorer SUV has rolled over, this time killing a woman from North Florida. A 44-year-old woman from Hilliard was driving on County Road 108 near Amos White Road about 5:10 p.m. She suddenly swerved onto the right shoulder. It was raining at the time. The Florida Highway Patrol reports the SUV crossed a culvert and then overturned, hitting a tree in the process. The woman was taken to Shands Jacksonville where she was pronounced dead. The Florida Highway Patrol reports she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the SUV rollover accident in Jacksonville.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this woman for their loss. Our office offers our deepest sympathies to them as they go through this difficult time.

According to the Florida State Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Data, in the five years from 2003-7, Nassau County had 85 traffic crash deaths and the county has had significantly higher increases in traffic crashes, injuries and deaths than the Florida average. Also in that time period, more people were pulled over for driving with a suspended or revoked license or with a DUI in Nassau County than other counties in Florida.

At the same time there were fewer traffic citations given in Nassau County than in the rest of Florida.

We don’t have much information on how this accident happened. Was the driver distracted? Was she having a reaction to medication? Were the roads simply too slick to get control of the car? We also don’t know if there might be another driver at fault who caused her to go off the road or whether her car malfunctioned.

Continue reading "Hilliard Woman Killed in SUV Accident" »

What caused the driver of a gravel truck to crash into an SUV and overturn on I-295 is still unknown. The driver was taken to the hospital and there is no word on his condition, while the SUV driver was not hurt. The truck was reportedly leaking diesel fuel causing the road to be shut down for awhile on Thursday night.

Then on Monday night, one person was taken to Shands Jacksonville in critical condition after a truck slid into a guardrail along the 15000 block of West Beaver Street. That truck crash in Jacksonville happened near the Winn-Dixie distribution center.

What is going on with truck accidents in our area?

Florida lawmakers want to ban texting while driving, though a bill has not yet made it through the legislature. Though we don’t know what happened in the two incidents above, truck accidents are becoming a regular occurrence in our area.

Continue reading "Concrete Truck Overturns after Crash - What is Going On?" »

The outcome of this crash could have been much worse.

A three-vehicle crash in Jacksonville has left the driver of a tractor-trailer uninjured even after his semi burst into flames, overturned, and slid into a pond. The tractor-trailer was traveling in the right lane of U.S. 1 when an SUV driven by a 21-year-old, who was trying to merge from I-295, lost control in the curve and hit the gas tank of the truck.

Once that happened, the tank burst into flames and the driver was forced to hit another vehicle, before hitting a concrete barrier and overturning. It only stopped when it landed in the water.

Thankfully no one died in this scenario, though it had every possibility. An experienced Jacksonville auto accident attorney would ask a number of questions, among them, what were the conditions of the road, and how fast was the driver traveling?

There are likely some liability questions to pursue as an experienced tractor-trailer driver, who was going the speed limit, should never be forced off the road.

The 33-year-old driver of Middleburg, amazingly escaped with non-life-threatening injuries. And the driver he hit also did not have any major injuries. The SUV driver was not injured either.
Had these drivers not been wearing their seat belts, there would be a different story to report here. Wearing your seat belt is now mandatory in Florida and you can be pulled over just for a seat belt offense. Previously, you had to be doing something else, and the failure to buckle up would be added on.

Continue reading "Three-Vehicle Crash Sends Tractor Trailer into a Pond" »

A construction worker was hit and killed by a motorist driving an SUV Tuesday morning.

A 37-year-old died at the scene. The Nissan Xterra was driven by a 42-year-old man who stopped, but it was too late. This Florida car accident and work accident happened around 11 a.m. when visibility should not have been a problem. Fraser worked for Superior Construction and was painting strikes on the J. Turner Butler Boulevard ramp to I-95 North when he was hit.

Co-workers say that Fraser was very safety conscious and made sure everyone paid attention to their surroundings. It is people like Fraser who make our lives easier on the roads. Our condolences go out to his wife and family for this senseless loss and to his team members for the loss of a valuable member.

Exactly what happened is unclear and it is possible the Florida Highway Patrol could file charges.

Excessive speed would be the first thing to consider in this kind of auto accident in Florida. Drivers are known to travel at excessive speeds through the area. 70 to 80 miles per hour is not uncommon, even though construction zones generally have clearly marked “Reduce Speed” signs of 45 mph. One driver remarks that he faces horns honking and a driver even spit on his car when he slowed around a construction site.

Was the driver distracted? The American Automobile Association reports somewhere between 25 to 50 percent of all motor vehicle crashes have a distracted driver as their root cause and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports there were 37,313 traffic fatalities last year.

Continue reading "Construction Worker Killed at I-95" »

Six officers, escorting a funeral party for Bruce Rossmeyer in Ormond Beach Tuesday, were involved in a motorcycle crash, according to an article. The irony here is pretty amazing. The six were accompanying one of the largest Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealers in the country who died last week on a motorcycle in Wyoming.

The officers from various agencies were riding along with the funeral party in Florida when the lead rider slowed down. The others behind him did not and that caused a chain reaction motorcycle crash in Florida involving six motorcycles at the corners of North Halifax Drive and Granada Boulevard. They represented the police and fire departments of Daytona Beach, as well as the Ormond Beach and Port Orange police departments.

Rossmeyer was in Wyoming on his way to a motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota when he passed a truck pulling a trailer on the left just as the truck was making a left turn. He didn’t see Rossmeyer, 66, and turned into him. Rossmeyer died instantly.

The officers were wearing their helmets and sustained minor injuries. Two of the officers were hurt, though not seriously and they damaged their motorcycle. Rossmeyer was not wearing his helmet when he died. In 2000, Florida decided to repeal is mandatory helmet law and that year there were 933 motorcyclists killed in the state, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcycle deaths tripled after that time.

It was Rossmeyer who put Daytona Beach on the map as the Harley-Davidson center of the country, along with the image of freedom taking to the road.

Continue reading "Six Motorcycle Officers Crash in Ormond Beach Funeral Process for Harley Dealer" »

According to a report, one man is in critical condition in North Florida following an all terrain vehicle crash Sunday morning. St. Johns County deputies are trying to figure out what caused the recreational vehicle (or all terrain vehicle, ATV) to overturn on a private dirt road on Bartram Air Park property off County Road 13 in northwest St. Johns. Apparently, all three men were riding an Arctic Cat when it rolled. Emergency crews responding to the scene do not know who was driving.

A 39-year-old man of St. Augustine was the most seriously injured. He was taken to Shands Jacksonville and is in critical condition. We sincerely hope he pulls through from his injuries and he is in our prayers.

One person was treated at the scene and a third man from St. Augustine was taken to Flagler Hospital by emergency crews. At this time it is suspected that alcohol may have been a factor in the all terrain vehicle auto crash in Florida and none of the men was wearing his seatbelt.

Even the manufacturers warn that riding an ATV can be dangerous. The ATV industry encourages riders to always wear proper protective gear, including a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. You are told not to carry passengers unless the ATV is specifically engineered to accommodate them. And of course, excess speeds, stunt riding, unknown terrain, drugs or alcohol are all discouraged as part of the safety basics when you purchase one of these ATVs.

If indeed alcohol was involved and three men were riding on one vehicle, this accident could well be due to negligent operation.

Continue reading "St. Johns County ATV Accident Injures Three " »

A Jacksonville Beach police officer will have to give up 50 hours of vacation time as his punishment for causing a motorcycle accident that seriously injured the rider. According to a story, the motorcycle accident in Florida happened on Florida A1A last May. The officer who has worked for Jacksonville Beach for 20 years was found to have violated police policy by failing to yield the right of way to the motorcyclist. The man was ejected from his motorcycle and fractured his left leg. The officer said he just failed to see the motorcycle in the left lane.

When the accident occurred, the officer has just concluded six months of probation for showing up off-duty but intoxicated at the police department. Police Chief Bruce Thomasson says, “It was clear that your actions were both negligent and careless.” Thomasson says that the officer has positives on his record as well.

Five days of vacation is equal to 50 hours because police work in ten hour shifts.

Continue reading "Jax Beach Police Officer Discipline after Series of Accidents" »

There is still a lot of confusion out there over the “Cash For Clunkers” program, primarily whether it is still alive. First Coast car dealers seem to be moving ahead with the program despite the question about depleted funds, according to an article.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be administering the program and the official website you can check to see if your car qualifies.

New car buyers are receiving anywhere from $3,500 to $4,500 credit on their old gas guzzlers, presumably to trade the vehicle in for a more gas efficient vehicle. Early reports were that the $1 billion program was tapped out, but the government has approved more money to extend the program.

In Jacksonville, Duval Ford employees are reportedly working late into the night submitting documents to the Department of Transportation. The dealership received about 25 clunkers last weekend alone, all rated at 18 miles per gallon or worse.

One of the top cars for trade-in is the Ford Explorer. In fact the top four spots on the list of trade-ins are taken by the Ford Explorer - 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. 1995 and 1994 help round out the Top 10 list.

Not only is this a good idea because of the gas guzzling engines, but up until 2005, the Ford Explorer was a very unstable car. In late 2005, the Explorer SUVs came equipped with Roll Stability Control, featuring roll-rate sensing and correcting capability to allow drivers to more easily maintain vehicle control during extreme maneuvers such as correcting the steering wheel when the car was drifting off the road. Stability control debuted on the 2003 Volvo XC 90 and Lincoln SUV in 2004.

Continue reading "Cash for Clunkers: Good Riddance Rollover Cars" »

Anyone from Daytona Beach, Florida knows the area is synonymous with Harley-Davidson motorcycles and also is synonymous with one of the largest Harley-Davidson dealers in the country, Bruce Rossmeyer. Ironically, Rossmeyer was on a motorcycle trip around the country when he died in a motorcycle crash on his way to a rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, according to a report.

Rossmeyer, 66, and five of his friends were traveling on Highway 28 around 11 in the morning when they approached a pickup truck pulling a camper. Four of the motorcycles passed on the left, but when Rossmeyer tried to do the same thing, the driver put on his left turn signal and turned left. Rossmeyer hit the truck’s driver door. He was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene.

We are so sorry for the passing of this man who was as known for his contributions to the community and children’s charities. He helped found the Camp Boggy Creek for children with life-threatening illnesses as well as the Boys & Girls Clubs. Rossmeyer always said the kids in the club reminded him of himself when he was a young man and got in a lot of trouble. He leaves behind his wife Sandra and five children.

Rossmeyer was an entrepreneur with 13 Harley dealerships in Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi and Tennessee.Additionally, Rossmeyer co-owned three car dealerships. He also owned a complex in Daytona Beach that includes shops and restaurants which employed about 500.

Continue reading "Florida Harley Motorcycle Dealer Killed " »

An 18-year-old, who was driving a pickup truck that rolled and killed a passenger last January, has been charged with DUI manslaughter, according to a story. The 18-year-old male of Bryceville was driving eastbound on Roy Booth Road, just south of Callahan, when his truck veered off the road at a curve, then traveled through a ditch, back across the roadway and then overturned. A 20-year-old male passenger of Callahan was killed.

We offer our sincere condolences to the family of this young man who left this world at such a young age. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and determined that the 18-year old was the driver. Initially there were some claims he wasn’t, and that alcohol was involved. DUI manslaughter charges will be added to vehicular manslaughter, driving with a suspended license, and failure to wear a seat belt. The 18-year-old in this Florida drunk driving accident faces fifteen years in prison for one night of carelessness in his criminal case.

In a civil case, a personal injury attorney will need to be involved to ensure the defendant is not allowed to deny that DUI was a factor in any wrongful death lawsuit to follow. Determining the driver was drunk establishes that they were driving recklessly and could open the door to punitive damages against the drunk driving teen.

In this particular case, it is not clear why the decedent was ejected from the pickup truck. Family members may want to determine whether he was wearing a seat belt and whether the restraint system worked as it is supposed to. Generally, the assumption is that the passenger was not wearing a seat belt, when the truth may be that the product, the seat belt, was defective in some way. In that case, the family may have a Florida auto product liability action against the vehicle manufacturer or the maker of the seat belt.

Continue reading "Nassau County DUI Accident Kills Passenger " »

This is a dubious distinction for the city of Jacksonville.

Our city is one of three in Florida that tops the list for deadly crashes involving teen drivers. A recent study from Allstate puts Jacksonville third behind Tampa and Orlando as the cities with the deadlines teen drivers, most of them texting, talking, changing a CD, or the radio, all made up 77 percent of deadly crashes involving young drivers. Of course, you don’t have to be young to be a distracted driver, but more experienced drivers are likely to resist the novelty of electronic communication.

Because car collisions in Jacksonville are the number-one killer of teenagers, Allstate is initiating Action Against Distraction driving course for Jacksonville to teach teen drivers how to stay focused on the road. As part of the course, teens are told to talk on the cell phone, listen to loud music, even eat a pack of Oreos as they drive – all to illustrate distracted driving.

One 17-year-old male who totaled his father’s car a few months ago decided to take the course. He tells the Florida Times-Union, “Everybody’s driving needs improvement”. As part of the improvement, he learned to weave through a line of cones that had been made part of an obstacle course at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. He was also asked to read a text message as he drove through the cones at about 10 mph. It was more difficult than all of the dozen teens thought it would be. All vowed no more texting or eating while driving.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Among Top Cities for Distracted Teen Drivers" »

A 16-year-old high school girl was killed early Monday morning on July 27, 2009 when a pickup truck in which she was riding along with six others, over corrected, then struck a curb and overturned, according to an article. The teen, a student at Lee High School, was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. We are so sorry for the loss of this young person. Our hearts go out to her family at this tragic time.

We now know that there were six people in all were in the small pickup truck, three in the cab and three in the bed. All three in the bed were thrown out when the vehicle appeared to be traveling too fast around a curve in Bartram Park Boulevard, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Another passenger from the cab is also reported to be in critical condition with a broken neck, vertebra, and broken ribs. Altogether, four others were injured. The car crash in Jacksonville happened around 4 a.m. according to JSO. Alcohol use was involved, according to law enforcement.

Investigators have determined the teens were at a birthday party that wrapped up early Monday morning. When the party was over, the three jumped into the truck bed for the ride home.

The driver is now identified as a 19-year-old whose birthday everyone had just celebrated.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Rollover Pick-Up Truck Accident Kills Teen" »

You can’t go down the road without seeing someone behind the wheel talking on the phone, doing their make up or eating breakfast. That’s what makes this news so upsetting. In 2003, officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) halted a plan for a large-scale look involving 10,000 drivers to see whether cell phone use behind the wheel was risky, according to a report. It also withheld research warning about the dangers of talking on the cell phone while driving.

What’s most upsetting is what the information said. It was revealed that drivers talking on cell phones caused 955 fatal accidents and 240,000 car accidents in 2002. And that was when approximately 6 percent of drivers were on the phone at any time. Now cell phone use has doubled.

The information was not easy to obtain. Public Citizen and the Center for Auto Safety had to file a freedom of information lawsuit to pry the information from NHTSA.

Why was the information withheld? The former head of NHTSA told the New York Times that officials at the Department of Transportation wanted NHTSA to gather safety data. Period. Any other information would be considered lobbying the states. How can saving lives be considered lobbying? NHTSA had found that not only talking on cell phones, but even using hands-free devices caused distraction.

Continue reading "Government Hid Distracted Driver Statistics" »

A 23-year old woman was killed on the morning of Saturday July 25 in a single car accident in Jacksonville along I-295. The Florida Highway Patrol says the woman was traveling south on Interstate 295 in the left lane when she hit the guardrail then crossed all southbound lanes of traffic and drove into a patch of trees near Old St. Augustine Road. Based on a story, her car hit a tree then caught fire. The woman, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. The accident happened at 9:10 am, FHP reports.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of the woman for their tragic loss. Friends and family writing into the news accounts say she was the mother of three boys. I offer my deepest sympathies to them as they go through this difficult time.

This week the Florida Highway Patrol plans to partner with a safe driving program in Lee County, Stay Alive…Just Drive! To promote safe driving practices with a focus of eliminating distractions. Though we don’t know what happened with the woman in the above incident, it is possible she was distracted by a radio, a cell phone, or changing a CD. Sometimes people actually read the newspaper while driving. Some are distracted by Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

The American Automobile Association reports somewhere between 25 to 50 percent of all motor vehicle crashes have a distracted driver as their root cause and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports there were 37,313 traffic fatalities last year. A Prevention Magazine survey finds that more than 85 percent of 100 million cell phone users talk on the phone while driving, putting many at risk to the susceptibility of auto accidents in Florida and throughout the nation.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Single Car Crash on I-295 Kills Woman" »

A 53-year old woman was killed Thursday night driving in Jacksonville Beach. According to an article, the woman was on Butler Boulevard on the east side of the Intracoastal Bridge about 10:30 pm when she lost control of her vehicle. She then hit a retaining wall and slid across two lanes of traffic, then slammed into another wall. Friends commenting on the local news web site say there is no way that drugs or alcohol were involved. There is no word on whether she was wearing a seat belt or why she might have lost control of her vehicle. Sadly, the female driver died at the scene of the auto accident in Jacksonville Beach.

Our condolences go out to the family of this woman. Apparently two other people were injured in a separate crash right after the woman died from hitting the retaining wall, but the news report doesn’t say if that crash was related.

Without any more information on this circumstance, we can only assume that something distracted the woman, or she became ill, or perhaps the road conditions led to this crash.
When it is raining out, as it has been frequently this summer, there is a thin film of water on the road that can mean tires have less traction. That is the leading cause of hydroplaning. That is why the Florida Highway Patrol says always slow down in the rain. Not only do you not see as well, but once you start hydroplaning, if you brake suddenly or turn the wheel, you could lose control even more and skid, causing a crash.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Beach Crash Kills One Woman" »

A new law in Florida should make our roads safer from individuals who just don’t take driving seriously.

According to a report, beginning January 1, any driver who is convicted of three moving violations that led to a Florida car crash during a three-year-period will lose their license. Once that happens, the motorist will be able to get their license back if they pass a $500 education course and pay another $48 to take and pass the driver’s test.
Drivers be warned - the clock does not start ticking on this new law January 1. Any crashes in 2008 and 2009 will count, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

How many of you have wished there was a “refresher course” for some drivers, especially the ones who follow too closely behind someone, text while driving, and pass on the right in your blind spot?

Continue reading "Three Wrecks and You’re Off the Road" »

Highway 301 in North Florida was closed in both directions, according to a story, for more than three hours Friday morning after a three-car wreck took one driver’s life. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 76-year-old woman of Callahan was driving south on Highway 301 in Nassau County and was trying to make a left turn across the highway to enter her driveway. While slowing down, she was struck from behind by a Toyota sports car being driven by a 21-year-old man of Hilliard. The Toyota bumped the woman’s Buick into the path of a Wal-Mart tractor-trailer.

The decedent’s car was pushed off the road and into the woods. She was wearing her seat belt but the car was a tangled mass of metal and she sadly died upon impact after the auto accident in Florida.

Our hearts go out to out to the family of this woman who was loved in the community and well-respected. She was just trying to pull into her driveway as she had done so many times over the years she lived in Callahan. The young driver, who suffered a minor injury, will have to live with this for the rest of his life as will the big-rig driver, who apparently could not stop his tractor- trailer in time.

The FHP says charges are pending after an investigation is complete.

Normally if you are injured by a tractor trailer in a Florida truck accident, the driver is liable for your injuries and the company they were driving for might be liable as well. In these cases, it is important to have an accident attorney determine the ownership of the vehicles involved, the number of hours the driver was on the road, and whether he had a CDL or commercial driver’s license.

Continue reading "North Florida Three-Car Wreck Kills Woman Heading Home" »

Once again, according to an article, another pedestrian has tragically been hit by a car and killed.

The Florida pedestrian accident happened in St. Johns County on U.S. 1 Saturday night around 10 p.m. The unidentified person was walking on the roadway on the inside lane north of a pedestrian crosswalk on his way to a Target store.

The Florida Highway Patrol will not identify the man until his next of kin is notified. The car that struck the pedestrian was driven by a 21-year-old man of Hastings. He was traveling south on the inside lane when he struck the man who died at the scene. He and his passenger suffered minor injuries. FHP says they had their seat belts on.

Our condolences go out to this man and his family. His was unfortunately one of about 4,000 to 5,000 pedestrian deaths reported nationwide. Typically the hours for accidents occur between 5 and 11 p.m. and nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday in 2003. And Florida is one of four states (California, Texas and New York) that are the top states for pedestrian fatalities, making up 29 percent of total traffic fatalities across the country according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

We also know from statistics that speeding and alcohol impairment are the major contributing factors in crashes of all types and the variety of serious injuries suffered as a result of a car collision can be life-altering.

In Florida, the Highway Patrol reports that 15.5 percent of all traffic fatalities were pedestrians in 2003, with 504 people killed and more than 7,000 injured. Unfortunately in more than 10 percent of all pedestrian crashes, the individual had been drinking and about one-third of all pedestrian-auto crashes, the pedestrian had been drinking.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed In St. Johns County Accident " »

An early morning pile-up auto accident in Florida on Interstate 4 Monday has left a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper and three others injured, according to an account.

A tractor-trailer driver of Orlando was driving westbound when the FHP says he approached a construction zone around 2 a.m. A FHP trooper was in his car and had his emergency blue lights flashing to ensure that drivers slowed down from the road construction ahead. He was between two construction trucks that also had flashing arrows and all were reported to be moving slowly in the center lane.

Instead of slowing down, the semi hit a construction vehicle which then hit a FHP trooper’s vehicle, which then ran into another construction truck.

The truck driver, the FHP officer, and two construction workers are in serious condition.

We are very sorry that someone in law enforcement doing his job was hurt in the line of work as were those who work to make our roads better. It is dangerous work and we wish everyone injured a speedy recovery.

FHP will question whether at any time the truck driver applied his brakes. If not, he may have fallen asleep and faces losing his commercial license and could be charged.

Continue reading "Florida Highway Vehicle Crash Injures 4" »

Just how are we doing as a state in regard to highway fatalities? A new report issued from the Florida Highway Patrol compiled crash data from around the state for 2008.

Unbelievably- Jacksonville was the top city for the number of crashes around the state, even topping Miami by about 50 percent. There were 14,000 auto crashes in Jacksonville in 2008. There are very aggressive drivers around Jacksonville, and add talking on a cell phone, texting and other distractions and it is not entirely surprising. Also, about 60 percent of traffic fatalities result from people not wearing their seat belts.

On the other hand, there is good news to report. The number of traffic fatalities (2,983) on Florida’s roads in 2008 was 3,221 less than the year before. This is the first time there have been fewer than 3,000 fatalities on Florida’s roads since 2000. Alcohol related crashes declined six percent during the same time period. Still, drunk driving contributes to about 40 percent of traffic accidents.

Continue reading "Florida Highway Fatalities Eight Year Low" »

An 11 year old boy has died in Florida behind the wheel of a four-wheeler, according to a story. Four-wheelers are like motorcycles but generally driven by kids off-road in the countryside. This Florida wrongful death accident happened in Madison County near Tallahassee Friday afternoon.

A witness told the Florida Highway Patrol that the young boy passed him on the left before he lost control and went into an embankment. The vehicle then overturned and slammed into a tree. The 11 year old was thrown from the four-wheeler and died at the scene. A 25 year old passenger of Miami was ejected and taken to a Tallahassee hospital with serious injuries.

There is no word on whether either person was wearing a helmet. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the deceased boy. We also wish the very best for the injured passenger.

So often, victims who fall off sport vehicles suffer skull fractures and blunt force trauma to the head and chest. More often than not, young people are injured when the large ATV, made for adults, gets away from them causing them to “lose control.”

Statistics by the Consumer Product Safety Commission show that in 2004, 44,000 children under the age of 16 were injured and 150 suffered fatally. That led to a call for a ban on the adult-size ATVs for children because the machines are too large and too fast to control.

Continue reading "Florida Four-Wheeler Accident Kills Boy" »

A car accident in Florida happened along U.S. 1 in the Northeastern part of the state around 5 p.m. Saturday, according to a report. A Hilliard woman is in critical condition after a car riding nearby slammed into her SUV, causing it to roll.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, both the car and SUV were traveling north. A 50 year-old driver’s car went out of control and struck the SUV. The 45 year-old woman inside the SUV was taken to Shands-Jacksonville with critical injuries. The other driver suffered minor injuries. FHP says charges may be filed.

Our condolences go out to both drivers and especially the woman in critical condition for a speedy recovery from this Florida SUV rollover accident.

According to state statistics, almost one-third of traffic fatalities involve a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher, although we do not know at this time whether alcohol was involved in this accident.

In 2006, there were 959 alcohol-related fatalities in Florida. Under Florida law, DUI or driving under the influence of alcohol is measured at a 0.08 or above blood alcohol level (BAC).

The penalties in the state for a first conviction are no less than $500 nor more than $1,000. When the blood/breath level is .15 or higher, the fines rise to no less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000. Fines go up from there for a second, third of fourth conviction. But when jail time is added at the court’s discretion, it usually gets the attention of the driver. A person can be sent to a residential alcoholism or drug abuse treatment program - for a first conviction for no more than six months.

Continue reading "Florida SUV Rollover Accident Critically Injures Woman " »

A woman was killed and two others were injured in a head-on crash early Friday morning in Columbia County in North Florida. According to a story, a 37-year old driver’s SUV was heading west on I-10. She struck a vehicle driving east with a 25-year-old woman of St. Petersburg behind the wheel. The problem is that the SUV was going east in a westbound lane. When she struck the other vehicle, the SUV left the road and went into the median and overturned. The SUV driver, of St. Augustine, died at the scene of this tragic auto accident in Florida.

The other driver and her passenger were injured when her car spun around. The Florida Highway Patrol will try to determine if alcohol was involved in this crash.

The wreck happened about 1:45 a.m. near the I-75 exchange.

Once again, we are reporting on an SUV that rolled after a collision. There is no word on what kind of SUV this was, but they all have a high center of gravity making them less stable than a car lower to the ground.

Often the problems of death due to rollovers are associated with a design defect that the vehicle manufacturer knew about.

Continue reading "Columbia County Auto Accident Kills One, Injures Two " »

Last week Florida joined 25 other states that have made wearing seatbelts a primary offense which allows law enforcement to pull a driver over. Previously, there had to be some other reason to pull a driver over, with the seat belt violation as a secondary offense. Now an officer can write you a ticket for $100.

Seatbelts save lives and there is no debate on that point. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes that 1,700 serious injuries and 140 lives will be saved in Florida due to the primary seat belt law. This new enforcement will not only save lives, but also millions in associated costs which taxpayers ultimately pick up.

Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that in 2007, nearly 2,000 people were killed in crashes and 61 percent of them were not wearing a seat belt.

A seat belt saved the life of a Jacksonville woman and the three children she was watching, according to an article. Two weeks ago, her Ford Explorer was traveling south on 9A when the traffic in front of her suddenly slowed, she swerved, then overcorrected and rolled the Explorer twice, landing it atop an overpass with the wheels dangling 40 feet above the road. She and the kids were belted in. One child received a scraped knee.

Compare that to another auto accident in Florida in a Ford Explorer, two weeks ago, when four high school students, cutting school, were thrown from their SUV since none of them were wearing seat belts. Four teens died.

Continue reading "Florida’s New Primary Seatbelt Law " »

One person was killed when a pickup truck hit a 15-passenger van carrying six children and five adults on I-10. The family was trying to make up for some lost time on the road because the auto accident in Jacksonville happened shortly after 2 a.m. According to a story, a woman was driving a pickup was trying to exit the on-ramp at I-10 eastbound at Marietta. The Florida Highway Patrol reports the van hit a concrete barrier and rolled over several times. Several occupants were thrown from the van. No one knows how many people were wearing seat belts. The driver of the pickup was not injured. FHP is investigating whether alcohol might have been a factor.

A man involved in the Jacksonville 15 passenger van accident died at Shands Hospital and a one-year-old is in critical condition. Our hearts go out to the family that was just trying to join others in a reunion. We wish a speedy recovery for the injured baby.

According to the federal government, 15-passenger vans are the most dangerous vehicles on the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued guidelines to drivers of these 12 to 15-passenger vans, specifically that drivers have specialty training and pass a written and skills test. Because the vans are top heavy and unstable, only a driver who is trained to stay on the road and who can keep the tires properly inflated and drive under the speed limit should be behind the wheel.

Passengers must wear their belts. Without one, someone in a 15-passenger van in a single-vehicle crash is about three times as likely to be killed as a retrained occupant, according to the federal government.

Continue reading "Auto Accident Involving Family Van Injures Six, Kills One" »

If an individual files for bankruptcy protection because of mounting hospital bills, for instance, depending on the type of bankruptcy, you can have all of your debts wiped clean. The same thing apparently goes for major automakers, even while they are receiving taxpayer money to help them restructure.

With the help of the Treasury Department, Chrysler is wiping clean any liability for consumers who have pending product-liability lawsuits against their defective automobiles or parts.

Reportedly, the plan to do away with product liability claims was settled on during negotiations between the Treasury Department and Fiat. Chrysler chairman and CEO, Bob Nardelli, said that claimants would probably get nothing.

Fiat had initially been willing to assume Chrysler’s product liability claims before the Obama administration steered the company into bankruptcy.

What does that mean for the hundreds of consumers who have pending claims for being injured by exploding gas tanks, a roof that crushes in because the standards are not strong enough, a seat belt that doesn’t work, or a back hatch that flies open upon impact? It means that they are left out in the cold.

Continue reading "40 Million Reasons To Sell Your GM Car" »

A 51-year old Florida woman has been charged with two counts of manslaughter in connection with a single-car wreck that killed two Jacksonville area teens last January. According to an article, a St. Johns County grand jury looked at the evidence in the case before deciding on the charges against the female driver. She is charged with allowing alcohol and drugs to be served at several parties she hosted at her house between September 26 and January 12. Minors consumed not only alcohol but marijuana and nitrous oxide and police say the 51 year old woman sometimes participated.

It’s believed that alcohol contributed to the car crash in Florida that took the lives of 18-year-old and 17-year-old. Early in the morning of January 12, the Thunderbird they were in was traveling along State Road 13 when it hit a guardrail and drove into a stand of trees where the car caught fire. The victims had to be identified by dental records. One of the victims’ blood alcohol measured at .18, twice the legal limit and the other teen’s BAC was .097, above the legal limit for intoxication.

The charged woman’s action led directly to the deaths, says the charging affidavit, as the teens were leaving her residence.

Continue reading "Florida Car Wreck Kills Two Teens Who Were Served Alcohol Illegally" »

We’ve heard this story too often lately. Driving down an interstate a tire blows and the Ford Explorer rolls. It happened last Wednesday to a couple driving on Interstate 75 in Alachua County. According to an account, around 2 p.m. their Explorer had a blowout causing it to roll several times and landing in several trees. The Florida Highway Patrol arrived on the scene and along with Alachua rescue workers had to rescue the couple from the vehicle. Both suffered serious injuries from the car accident in Florida, but thankfully both were wearing their seat belts. That move, which only takes a second, likely saved their lives.

We wish them the very best in their recovery. They are lucky to be alive.

While the reporter does not say how old the Ford Explorer was, until recent models, that SUV was known to be top heavy with a tendency roll. Stability control was standard in the Ford Explorer beginning in 2005 and an option before that. The roof strength was also lacking, making a head injury possible. People not strapped in were known to be ejected from the vehicle and then suffer traumatic head injury. I can’t tell you how many times we have seen the same unfortunate situation time and time again.

The other consideration for any vehicle is the life of the tires. You practically need a secret decoder ring to read the date of a tire. The last number of the DOT tells you when they were made – the week and year.

And just because you buy ‘new” tires and they look new, does not mean they really are new nor does it eliminate the possibility that you have defective tires. Used tires can look new also. Tires are supposed to have a shelf life of about six years as a guideline, but there are many other things to consider such as the climate where they drive.

Continue reading "SUV Accident Caused by Blowout, Explorer Rolls" »

A Baker County deputy and his girlfriend were riding their all-terrain vehicle (ATV) last Sunday night when they went off the road and hit a tree in the Osceola National Forest.

According to a report, they lost control of the ATV when one of the wheels went in a ditch. The Yamaha drifted into a tree, ejecting both the Deputy and his girlfriend, who both suffered head injuries and were airlifted to Shands- Jacksonville Medical Center. The woman was listed in critical condition for her personal injuries in Florida. Neither individual was wearing a helmet. Alcohol was not a factor in this crash.

The injured woman has since had to endure surgery to relieve pressure on the brain from a blood clot. She had her spleen removed but was able to move her toes and fingers, always a concern in a neck and head injury. She is also on a special ventilator reportedly brought in from Orlando.

Our condolences go out to both families with wishes that they pull through this ATV auto accident in Florida.

Continue reading "Deputy and Girlfriend Hurt In ATV Accident" »