Jacksonville Personal Injury Blog

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" »

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

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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" »

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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" »

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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" »

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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" »

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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" »

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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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Known as the “Isle of Eight Flags”, Amelia Island is part of the Sea Islands, home to both Amelia City and Fernandina Beach, and houses a population of 68,347 people. Part of Nassau County, Amelia Island is 18.2 square miles in size, and relies heavily on tourism to bolster its economy. Sailing, camping, and beach-going activities abound, which means that a considerable number of people visit Amelia Island each year.

With tourism such an important factor in Amelia Island’s economy, it stands to reason that public transportation is an important factor as well. Bus travel is an efficient way of moving a large group of people from one place to another, particularly in smaller locations where traffic can build up quickly. However, when commuters place their trust in the hands of bus drivers and other public transit authorities, it becomes the obligation of those authorities to ensure that individuals using public transit are safe at all times. In the event that a bus accident does happen, it is important to have a skilled Amelia Island bus accident attorney on your side to help sort through the details surrounding your accident.

In an area like Amelia Island, where foot traffic is a more than appropriate means of getting from one place to another, pedestrian injury can become more and more problematic with each passing day. While safety laws have certainly been put in place to help curb instances of pedestrian injury, negligent behavior often results in injury nevertheless, and negligent driving practice in particular needs to be appropriately dealt with in order to help deter future instances of pedestrian injury from occurring.

Personal injury can take place when 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 Amelia Island office today for a free consultation:

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


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Jacksonville Beach, Florida is a popular tourist destination and is the largest town in the Jacksonville Beaches community. “Jax Beach” houses a population of 21,849, as of July 2007 figures, and has seen steady population growth since the year 2000. Part of Duval County, Jacksonville Beach is only about 7.7 square miles in land size, but plays host to a large number of beach-goers and vacationers each and every year.

U.S. Route 90 ends, or begins, in Jacksonville Beach, a mere three blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. With both residents and tourists both coming and going, public transportation is an important part of easing traffic congestion in Jacksonville Beach. However, while people place their trust in Jacksonville Beach bus drivers and other public transit authorities, the necessary safety precautions are not always taken, and procedure is not always followed. In the event that commuters are involved in a bus accident in Jacksonville Beach, it is essential that an experienced Jacksonville Beach bus accident attorney is consulted as soon as possible.

Personal injury can strike at any time, particularly in areas where foot traffic is almost as prevalent as vehicular traffic. Particularly because it is a beach community, Jacksonville Beach plays host to a large number of pedestrians regularly making their way from one location of interest to another. Pedestrian injury, unfortunately, is a problem that afflicts far too many individuals each year, particularly in tourist-laden areas like Jacksonville Beach.

Personal injury can be devastating not only physically, but financially as well. At Farah and Farah, our bus accident attorneys are well-versed in traffic law, and prepared to assist you with all aspects of your case. If you have suffered a pedestrian injury, your life may be deemed catastrophic, forever altering the way you live your life. In all instances where an individual is injured in Jacksonville Beach, it is essential to have someone on your side that will fight for your best interests and hold negligent individuals responsible for your accident. If you have been injured, contact Farah and Farah today for a free consultation at our Jacksonville Beach office:

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


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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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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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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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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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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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Witnesses reported that a 60-year-old man was walking back and forth across Main Street in downtown Jacksonville around 2am Thursday morning when he was struck by a car in the 10700 block of North Main. According to an article, the car was driven by 30-year-old woman who stopped after hitting the man and called police. The man was identified to be from Fernandina Beach and was pronounced dead at the scene by Jacksonville Fire-Rescue.

Our condolences go out to the family of the man killed in the pedestrian accident in Jacksonville. Toxicology tests on him have been conducted and are not yet complete. The female driver was not speeding or impaired by alcohol, the Florida Highway Patrol has determined.

Our heart goes out to the family of this man. Online they are fighting cruel comments, but oftentimes someone is impaired by things that are out of their control. In this case, the family reports that the decedent suffered from dementia. He was a kind man a friend reports, who cared deeply about the homeless and always tried to help them. Those who add unkind comments online are too quick to assume someone was drunk, and make themselves look foolish with their online comments.

Last October, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist signed into law Florida’s Silver Alert system, which allow for the broadcast of information on a missing adult who might be suffering from dementia or some other cognitive impairment. Not unlike an Amber Alert, the signal goes out quickly so citizens can assist law enforcement in finding someone before something tragic happens.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Pedestrian Accident on Main Street Kills Man" »

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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 " »

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A nurse of Shands Hospital was injured in a hit and run accident in a crosswalk outside of the hospital where she works around 7pm on Sunday June 23, 2009. According to an article, Police in Jacksonville have arrested a man they say is responsible for hitting the woman and driving off.

The driver who hit the pedestrian said that he was looking in his mirror and didn’t see her. He then made the grave mistake of leaving the scene. He didn’t have a valid license.

We are so sorry for the family of the woman who was injured in this Jacksonville pedestrian accident and wish her the speediest of recoveries. Her condition is not known at this time.

The Florida Highway Patrol says fear is the reason most hit-and-run drivers flee, in addition to the fact that they have something to hide, such as not having a valid driver’s license or being under the influence. While it is not an admission of guilt, state law requires you to stay at the scene of a collision with a pedestrian. It doesn’t matter who is at fault at that time.

Leaving the scene is a crime, the statute 316.027 reads:

(1)(a) The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in injury of any person must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the crash, or as close thereto as possible, and must remain at the scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of s. 316.062. Any person who willfully violates this paragraph is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident" »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury

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With a reported population of 799,875 people in 2006, Jacksonville remains the largest city in the state of Florida. Located in the First Coast region of northeast Florida, Jacksonville is centered on the banks of the St. Johns River 340 miles north of Miami and 25 miles south of the Georgia border. The city of Jacksonville has a total area of 874.3 square miles, making it the largest city in land area in the United States.

Jacksonville is the principal city in the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan Area that withstands a staggering population of more than 1,313,228. Such a large amount of residents makes Jacksonville the most populated city proper in Florida and the twelfth most populous in the United States. Drawn to its many attractions and beautiful city skyline by the water, approximately 2.8 million visitors stayed overnight touring Jacksonville in 2008. Jacksonville is not only home to the NFL Jaguars and a number of minor league teams, but also to two universities, the fourth largest community college in the country, and a four year college.

Considering that the majority of Jacksonville’s metropolitan population lives within the city limits, transportation plays a huge role in how residents get around. In addition to those who call the region home, the large number of tourists and college students add to the potential threat of pedestrian accidents, auto accidents, and many other kinds of Jacksonville personal injury accidents throughout the city.

At Farah and Farah, we are dedicated to helping victims of car accidents in Florida get the medical treatment and money they need to recover properly. We will aggressively represent you in negotiation with insurance, with the other driver, and if necessary, in court. Our skilled Jacksonville personal injury attorneys have more than 25 years of experience in auto accident and personal injury law and are familiar with the law regarding the all too common tricks of insurance companies. At Farah and Farah, we understand that every accident is different and has unique circumstances that deserve to be fully examined to get the best results. Contact us today for a free consultation at:

10 W Adams St
Jacksonville, FL 32202

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury

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According to a report, we should expect some changes in how Jacksonville Beach police patrol the beach in their SUVs. This is an update to a story we told you about last week.

A sunbather, Anne Marie Giffin, 41, is recovering from critical injuries after she was run over by a Jacksonville Beach police Trailblazer. Giffin, suffered a head wound and broken bones when the vehicle backed up and turned around over her, never seeing her under his vehicle in this Florida personal injury incident.

It will take this accomplished pianist, who has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, a long time to heal, but she did survive the accident and we wish her a speedy recovery.

She will also have extensive medical expenses which the city must realize it is liable for. If not, no one would fault her for seeking compensation so she does not have her life further ruined with the cost of medical and rehabilitative care.

Jacksonville Beach Mayor Fland Sharp wants to review all of the police vehicles that travel the beach to find out what happened, why, and to make sure it never happens again.

Sharp said that, after the accident he expects policy changes on which city vehicles are driven on the beach and why, the Florida Times Union reports.

"That's absolutely going to happen," Sharp said. "Once we get all the reports done, the city manager [George Forbes] is going to do that and they'll bring it back to us...I expect some modifications to driving on the beach. But you can't take all the vehicles off the beach."

Sharp points out that lifeguards, trash collectors, public works vehicles all travel the beach and he’s surprised this hasn’t happened before.

If we knew there was a potential for a problem, shouldn’t we have tried to fix it proactively?

Were there some incidents that put the police department on notice that this could happen and chose not to do anything about it?

The city needs to make alternate transportation a priority. Other municipalities have turned to ATVs to patrol or using three-wheeled scooters as they do in Hollywood, Florida, while others have banned motorized traffic on the beach during certain hours to minimize harm to civilians. Many unsettling questions remain to be answered, but for right now, a professional musician has to concentrate on getting well. We can only hope the city is doing all it can to assist her without being forced to do the right thing.

Whether you have been injured on the beach or on the roads in a pedestrian accident, bike accident, or car accident in Florida, the experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at Farah and Farah can help you. Call us today for a free consultation.

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

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It was March 14, about 7:15 a.m. Mario Reyes, 59, was rushing to his job as a construction crane operator. According to a report, he crossed the six-lane MacArthur Causeway, in Miami near a crosswalk, when he was hit and killed by a Bentley being driven by Cleveland Browns wide receiver, Donte Stallworth.

According to Miami Beach police, Stallworth said he flashed his light to warn Reyes. But police also note he was driving about ten miles over the posted 40 mph zone.

They are investigating blood tests to see whether alcohol played a part in the pedestrian accident in Florida. No charges have been filed against Stallworth, who stopped his car after hitting Reyes.

Reyes was hit in the far left lane, just outside of the cross walk.

According to 2008 Florida Statutes, pedestrians must follow traffic signals at intersections and should not walk outside of designated areas that are for cars only. Following this simple procedure should help lower the chances of car accidents in Florida from occuring.

Drivers must stop and remain stopped to allow pedestrians to cross a roadway. When there is no sign, the driver of the vehicle is supposed to yield the right-of-way so the pedestrian can cross the roadway.

But pedestrians are not supposed to “suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.”

Pedestrians outside of crosswalks are supposed to yield the right-of-way to vehicles.

Continue reading "Florida Pedestrian Accident Involving NFL Player " »

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Posted In: Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury

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Last week, a 2-year-old Jacksonville, Florida girl died in her driveway when her father backed up his SUV and didn’t see her.

Kainaat M. Umnair was in the driveway at her parents' home on the Southside, according to an account. It was about 2 p.m. when the little girl reportedly ran toward the car, according to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The girl’s mother tried to stop her but she had another child in her arms and was unable to catch up with her.

The girl was rushed to Shands Hospital but died from the weight of the vehicle.

Pedestrian accidents in Florida in driveways are the kind of story we keep reporting because unfortunately these incidents keeps happening.

The same day this girl was killed, a two-year-old was rolled over and killed in Fort Worth, Texas. Her mother forgot something inside the house and left her daughter and three others outside in an SUV. A child got into the driver’s seat and put the car in reverse then fell out of the vehicle.

A toddler hit by an SUV last November died after she was run over on a sidewalk in Los Angeles. A 16-month-old boy was recently killed by his father’s SUV in the Northwest Washington area.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Driveway Accident Kills Two-Year-Old " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents

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According to a report, the 17-year-old girl was driving in the Ortega area of Jacksonville. She says she was “just glancing at” her cell phone which was on the car seat.

She was not injured in the accident that followed, but 44-year-old Anthony Merrett is in critical condition after she pinned him against a wood chipper. He was working with a tree trimming crew along the side of the road when he was hit in this pedestrian accident in Florida.

Teens are notorious for texting, talking on the phone, and generally being distracted by anything on the console. They do not have the reaction time or capabilities of an experienced driver. Teens don’t want to hear that, but it’s true.

Charges may be filed in this very serious case.

Last month, a bill was introduced in the Florida legislature that bans texting while driving. In fact, it bans reading, manually writing, or typing and sending messages on cell phones.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Pedestrian Accident Caused by Cell Phone Use Injures Man" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Pedestrian Accidents

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A tragic Florida pedestrian accident occurred Sunday afternoon when an unlicensed teenager got behind the wheel of the car.

The 16-year-old was asked by his family to move the family car after a church service at the Summerville Baptist Church near downtown.

The teen accidentally struck his three-year-old nephew when he rolled backward onto the sidewalk. He hit the child and then hit a fence. It turns out the driver’s seat latch broke, putting the seat in the reclined position, causing the teen to lose control of the car. The toddler was taken to Shands Jacksonville with life-threatening injuries.

We wish the family the best and hope the baby makes a full recovery.

This story is reminiscent of another unlicensed teen auto accident two years ago in St. Petersburg. A 42-year old mother let her unlicensed 15-year-old boy have the keys to drive his friends home. The Florida Highway Patrol determined the unlicensed teen was going 70 mph in a 40 mph zone. During his joy ride, he was involved in a crash trying to overtake another car. A 14-year-old cheerleader was killed.

Continue reading "Florida Toddler Struck By Unlicensed Teen Uncle" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Pedestrian Accidents , Wrongful Death

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A young man was walking on Blanding Boulevard in the Jacksonville area around 1:45 Friday morning. A report says he was hit by a Dodge minivan and killed.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the pedestrian fatality. The man has been identified as Cammeron T. Nettles, 21. He was walking southbound on Blanding Boulevard near County Road 220. Nettles was reportedly wearing dark clothing and walking in the inside lane. That was when the driver, 41-year-old Corry L. Hull of Keystone Heights, Florida hit him. Nettles was pronounced dead at the scene of the Jacksonville, Florida pedestrian accident.

The driver said he did not see Nettles who walking in the inside lane wearing dark clothing, the FHP report said. It also wasn't clear what he was doing in the road or exactly where he was when he was hit.

Obviously it is the motorist's responsibility to do everything possible to avoid colliding with any pedestrians, including anyone traveling on a bicycle, skateboarders or someone in a pedestrian crosswalk.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Pedestrian Accident Results in Death of Man" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Wrongful Death

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Toddler Run Over By SUV In Driveway on Nov 28

It has happened again. A West Palm Beach SUV accident involving a little kid run over in their own driveway by a car whose driver never saw them, according to a FirstCoastNews.com report. In a moment a life is lost, and lives are ruined.

The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office says the little boy, Sergio Martinez, was riding his tricycle, not in the street, when Rangel Rauda driving a Ford Explorer ran him over. Rauda says she didn’t see the toddler because a parked car was in her way. Little Martinez later died in the hospital. Rauda may be charged.

According to a report by the Washington Post, in Northwest Washington, a 16-month-old boy is fatally hit by his father’s SUV. The mother was putting things in the trunk of her car. That’s how long the toddler had to wander away from her and into the SUV’s path.

Singer Steven Curtis Chapman told People Magazine about the death in his family when a teenage son ran over his five-year-old adopted sister.

Continue reading "Fatal SUV Pedestrian Accident in Driveway Kills Toddler" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents

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