Florida
Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Airbags are safety devices which are designed to help prevent personal injuries during a car accident, but in rare cases, these devices can actually cause injuries in a collision. Airbags work by inflating quickly in an impact, which creates a cushion for the driver’s head or passenger’s head. The head of the driver or passenger hits the soft surface of the inflated airbag instead of the dashboard, reducing the risk of brain injuries.

Unfortunately, airbags must inflate very quickly in order to be effective. In rare cases, the force with which airbags inflate can cause injuries. In rarer cases, airbag defects can cause more serious injuries. In most cases, these injuries are simply abrasions or small cuts. However, the NHTSA reports that over 260 people have died since 1990 due to airbag injuries. This number is very small when compared to the number of fatalities caused by car accidents and other types of accidents. However, it is worth noting that many of these deaths were preventable.

According to the NHTSA, passengers accounted for about 65% of airbag-related deaths in car accidents. Over 90% of these passenger deaths involved infants and children. Most of these child passengers were incorrectly positioned in the vehicle, either without safety restraints or in rear-facing restraints. When the airbags deployed in an accident, these children had their heads right at the level of the airbag, so that the airbag slammed into their heads while inflating, causing fatal injuries. According to the NHTSA data, about 75% of victims were female and over 80% of those who died were not correctly restrained with safety belts. Older vehicles seem to have a higher rate of airbag-related injuries, too – over 90% of airbag-related deaths occurred in vehicles made before 1998.

These statistics point again to the importance of correctly positioning children in a vehicle. Car accidents are still a major cause of injuries to minors and children, and these injuries can be further prevented with correct use of safety restraints. In all vehicles, the safest place for young children to be is the back seat. Younger children should be placed in an age-appropriate child seat. Older children should be buckled in with a seat belt. In a car accident, these simple precautions can save a child’s life.

Manufacturers are taking the initiative in reducing airbag-related deaths as well. Newer airbag designs make airbags inflate with less force, which may reduce injuries and deaths associated with these devices. As well, the federal government created new guidelines in 1997 to ensure that frontal airbags inflate with lower power levels. Studies have shown that newer airbags are far less likely to cause injuries when compared to airbags made before 1998. Consumers with older vehicles may want to check their airbags and get them checked by a qualified mechanic. Look for any recalls on the airbags or consider getting the airbags replaced with a newer and safer design.

Most airbag-related injuries which do occur involve front airbags. Side airbags are smaller and use less force when inflating. In fact, so far only one serious injury has been reported from a side-impact airbag. It is important to keep in mind when considering any vehicles that airbags are a safety feature that usually prevent serious injury. Customers should not avoid airbags entirely, as these can save lives. However, parents need to be aware of injuries that airbags can cause to children and owners of older vehicles may wish to have their airbags inspected for safety to keep injury risk to a minimum.

One place where many people hope to save money is with their car insurance. However, lowering your car insurance coverage in order to save a few dollars may be more expensive than you think. Being underinsured is a major risk factor, as it means that you may have to pay for damages and other costs out of pocket. Also, being underinsured and taken to court can raise your premiums in the future. If you're underinsured, other drivers may start legal action in order to recover injuries from you if you do not have adequate insurance. You can avoid all of these problems in many cases by having the right insurance.

Of course, finding the correct amount of insurance for your vehicle is somewhat challenging. There are many insurance options, and not all customers understand all the options available to them. Florida state laws dictate that all drivers must carry a minimum amount of insurance. However, this minimum amount may not always fully protect you if you are in an accident causing personal injury.

There are two types of car insurance, the most basic level. Collision insurance covers damages, personal injury, and loss caused by a car accident. Comprehensive coverage covers damage, theft, and other issues not related to an accident. You'll likely need both types of insurance.

It is a good idea to review your insurance needs at least every six months or so. As your vehicle’s value changes over time, you want to make sure that you're not paying too much for your vehicle insurance, while you also want to make sure you are not underinsured. For example, if your vehicle is only worth $5,000, you want to make sure that your collision and comprehensive coverage each cover you for $5,000. If you are paying $10,000 in coverage, and your car is totalled, you will only get $5,000 back. You are paying for the extra $5,000 but may not see that coverage if your car is damaged.

If you have considerable assets, you may want to consider taking out additional coverage above and beyond the value of your car. This helps protect your assets in the event that you're in a car accident that causes personal injuries and results in multiple claimants seeking legal action against you. You have two options to protect yourself from such an event. You can seek a higher policy limit that applies specifically to liability. You can also seek out an umbrella insurance policy that covers you for car accidents as well as other liability claims. This can help protect you in case you are taken to court over a car accident.

Many people travel during the holidays to visit friends and family. Whether you are traveling by air plane, car, or bus, extra travelers and extra traffic at this time of year can mean a larger risk of travel-related accidents. Avoid holiday travel accidents with the following tips:

1) Decide which mode of transport is safer for you. If you will be drinking or will be rushed or stressed while traveling, have someone else get you home – take a bus, plane, train, or taxi. Similarly, if you will need to travel over long distances or in poor weather, it may be safer to leave the driving to professionals or it may be best to take a plane to avoid the bad roads. Anticipate the issues that will arise in your travels and choose the appropriate method of transportation.

2) If you are traveling by plane, take steps to avoid aviation accidents. Take a larger commercial airline, which is less likely to experience accidents than a smaller, chartered flight in a small aircraft. Carefully listen to the flight attendants at the start of your trip, when important safety information is imparted. If something goes wrong during your flight, having this information fresh in your mind can ensure that you get out of the aircraft quickly and safely.

3) If you are traveling by bus, take steps to avoid bus accidents. Travel when road conditions are good and note the presence of any emergency exits. Travel with a trusted bus line.

4) Travel only when well-rested. Being tired and sleeping during your bus, train, or plane ride slows your response time in an emergency. Of course, if you are driving you need to be very well rested and you need to take breaks while driving to ensure that you do not nod off at the wheel.

5) Give yourself plenty of time to travel. If you are driving, keep in mind that speeding is a major cause of accidents. Plan on giving yourself an extra hour or two when driving, more in bad weather. Check weather forecasts and road conditions before taking off, so that you know what to expect.

6) Do not remain distracted while traveling. Distractions such as mp3 players and cell phones can mean that you miss important safety announcements on planes, buses, and trains. In a car, any distractions – even short ones – can lead to an accident and fatalities. Focus in your travel and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation and fun at your destination.

Florida drivers are lucky. In addition to beautiful weather and lots of natural beauty, drivers from Florida do not usually need to worry about heavy snow and ice when driving. However, during the fall and winter many Florida residents leave the state to visit friends and family in other, colder climates. In some parts of the country, snow has already arrived. Florida drivers can be less used to winter weather driving and in bad weather, this lack of experience can mean car collisions, pedestrian accidents, and personal injury. Here’s how to drive safely when you are out of state and dealing with winter weather:

1) Take winter weather training courses where possible. If you have a long trip in winter weather ahead of you and you have never driven in the winter before, a refresher course is a good idea. An experienced driver trainer can show you how to deal with white-out conditions, black ice, and other serious dangers.

2) Get good tires. If you will be driving in areas where there is a lot of snow and ice, consider studded tires. Studded tires offer much better traction on snow and even ice and can help prevent you from slipping. Even if you will be driving in somewhat snowy conditions, get winter tires that offer much better traction than all-season or regular summer tires. Winter tires will help you brake and maintain control of your car.

3) Use an all-wheel-drive vehicle where possible. If you are renting or you have multiple cars and therefore have a choice, drive an All-wheel car in winter weather. This sort of car can help you get out of snowy, slippery areas more effectively and can reduce your chances of getting stuck in the snow.

4) Keep a winter kit in your car. Your car kit should include a shovel (for digging out your car), a bag of new kitty litter (for providing traction on ice), snow salt (for melting snow and ice around your tires), jumper cables (in case your car stalls), and an emergency kit that includes first aid, blankets, water, warm clothes, and flares or flashlights in case you get stuck or are in a car accident. You may also want to have an emergency tow kit in your car. These kits can help you get out of a ditch or icy spot without the aid of a tow truck. They are often sold in auto supply stores.

5) Check the weather often. If you need to go out of state on a business trip or a family trip, check the weather leading up to your car trip. If the weather is very bad, consider delaying or postponing your trip. In the event that this is not possible, give yourself lots of extra time. The best tip for winter driving is to slow down so that you can stop on time if you have to.

Holiday driving can be stressful. In addition to carrying gifts and trying to get home in time for the holidays, driving home at this time of year can also mean bad weather and heavy traffic. Here’s how to stay safe this holiday season:

1) Plan ahead. Since holiday travel is already stressful, do not make things more stressful with bad planning. As soon as you know you will need to drive somewhere for the holidays, create a checklist of things you will need to bring and things you need to do (such as fill up on gas) before you go. Check off this last the day before your trip and ensure that as many items as possible are packed into the car the day before. This will decrease the amount of last-minute worry and rushing that can leave you tired and distracted behind the wheel.

2) Have a passenger in charge of the cell phone. If you are driving with someone else, have the other person be responsible for the cell phone, leaving you free to focus on the road. If you are driving by yourself, turn off the cell phone. If you need to make a call, pull over first.

3) Check weather and road conditions before you go. You can get detailed road and weather reports the day of your trip by checking online. This information is vital, since it can let you know whether you need to leave early in order to arrive on time.

4) Wear your seatbelts at all times. Seat belts can save your life in an accident and can prevent serious brain injuries and spinal cord injuries in the event of a serious accident. Refuse to drive unless everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt.

5) Do not drive tired or while feeling stress. If you are tired or feel emotional, you may not be able to react correctly or quickly to prevent an accident. Get some rest, put off your plans, or find someone else to drive.

6) Have a map handy. Make sure that you know where you are going so that you do not get into an accident while trying to peer at a map over the steering wheel. Plan your route and print off as map that a passenger can read for you. Alternatively, use a GPS device with voice features to verbally guide you to your destination.

Continue reading " Holiday Driving Tips " »

Driving around to look at holiday lights and decorations is a holiday tradition for many families. Many people enjoy driving out during an evening to look at the magnificent displays homeowners and businesses create. Dark roads and distractions, however, can mean pedestrian accidents and car accidents, however. Avoid fender benders and personal injuries with these tips:

1) Designate a driver. If you want to drive out to look at lights, make sure that the driver is not looking at lights. The driver should focus on driving only, to ensure that no accidents or fender benders take place.

2) Consider driving somewhere and walking about. Many small communities create elaborate displays that can be enjoyed on foot and some communities even offer carolers and hot beverages for pedestrians. Parking your car and looking at neighborhoods on foot can be a safer way to enjoy the lights, as long as you remain on sidewalks and avoid walking out on the road.

3) Go during established times. Many communities now have established times for viewing lights. Check your local community newspaper or call neighborhood associations in your location to inquire. Going to view lights at designated times is a great idea, as there are usually extra safety precautions in place at this time. As well, everyone in a community has their decorations up and their lights on during these times, so you can enjoy the full impact of displays.

4) Take two drivers who can take turns looking at lights. If possible, designate two or more drivers. This will ensure that each driver has a chance to drive (with all their focus on driving) and also has a chance to enjoy the lights.

During the weeks leading up to the holiday season, parking spots are at a premium, leading to frayed tempers and harsh words in many cases. Unfortunately, lack of parking and heavy store traffic can also mean more fender benders and pedestrian accidents in the parking lot of your favorite shops. At this time of year, you need to exercise more caution when parking and pulling out of parking spaces. Here’s how:

1) Check out the parking lot as you walk to your car. Look for obvious possible dangers, such as parents with small children on the loose and nearby cars. This will help you anticipate things you need to watch for as you back out. You might also want to park further away from the store rather than getting the nearest parking spot. There is far less traffic in remote areas of parking lots, making it easier to back out of your spot.

2) Check your blind spots. When pulling out of a parking spot, always check all your mirrors and blind spots. Keep in mind that many parents are out and about with children, who can dash behind your car very suddenly. Use extra caution, especially if a parking lot is busy.

3) Drive slowly. Driving slowly and being alert can help prevent an accident. Driving slowly when backing out of parking spaces and driving out of parking lots is especially important when the weather is bad or when the day is dark. Slowing down gives you time to react appropriately to prevent an accident.

4) Consider using a device that offers car rear-view functioning. Some GPS devices offer car rear-view functions which allow you to see everything behind your car, thanks to a tiny camera. These devices are extremely handy in helping you spot small objects – including carts and small children – that might be in your blind spots.

5) Be responsible as a pedestrian. If you are walking to and from your car to get into a store, remember to stay in pedestrian-designated areas and make sure that cars see you. Make eye contact with drivers and avoid dashing out in front of cars without looking.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranks thanksgiving as one of the most dangerous times for car accidents. Many people make long-distance trips during this holiday and traffic is heavy, leading to accidents. As well, drinking at holiday events and dinners leads to many drunk driving accidents during the Thanksgiving weekend. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some motorists try to drive rather than taking a plane in order to save money. However, when they rush from dinner to car to drive home, they often speed to get home or to dinner on time. Late dinners (with drinks) can also cause driver drowsiness, which can lead to accidents.

Thanksgiving usually falls near the weekend, and according to researchers this makes the holiday especially problematic in terms of car accidents and drunk driving. Memorial Day and Labor Day, two other holidays which fall near the weekend, also suffer from the same problem: traffic congestion and days of heavy dinners and events that include alcohol. Since people do not need to return to work immediately after a long weekend, experts note, some people are more inclined to imbibe. When people get into a car after drinking, tragedy results.

Holiday traffic can also lead to accidents. Researchers at York University in Toronto found that drivers confined in cars in heavy traffic have elevated levels of stress, which can lead to aggressive driving. When drivers drink before driving, their inhibitions are lowered and they may make poorer decisions when stressed. They may be more inclined, for example, to drive aggressively in order to try to beat traffic.

New Year’s Eve is also a holiday which results in many drunk driving convictions and many accidents. In fact, researchers evaluated New Year’s as the sixth deadliest holiday of the year. Revellers often drink champagne or other alcoholic beverages in order to celebrate. A limited number of taxis at the end of the night may tempt some people to drive home drunk.

The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s tends to be the deadliest, as there are several holidays and social events grouped together. In fact, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) estimates that each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, more than 1,000 people die from drunk driving accidents alone. Many more thousands suffer head injuries, broken limbs, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, amputations, and other serious injury. Many more thousands are in car accidents caused by factors other than drinking.

Obviously, drivers will want to be extra careful at this time of year. Developing a plan for drinking and getting home safely is a must. Always wearing a seat belt helps prevent brain injuries in an accident. It is also important to turn mobile devices and other distractions off while driving. The more you focus on getting to your destination safely, the more likely you are to arrive at 2010 safe and healthy.