Florida
Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Highway Patrol authorities across the country are setting up roadway checks and adding extra troopers on highways and roadways to keep drunk driving accidents to a minimum on New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, authorities have good reason to be concerned. In most areas of the country, the rate of car accidents and truck accidents increases at this time of year.

Many people attend New Year’s Eve festivities where alcohol is served and some revellers decide to drive while intoxicated. A shortage of cabs, night driving after New Year’s Eve parties, and more drivers on the road than usual compound the problem. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is organizing a national campaign. The campaign, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” will continue until Jan. 3.The campaign will see participating police authorities organize checkpoints for sobriety, seat belt use, and traffic infractions on New Year’s Eve. The campaign will also raise awareness and inform drivers about alternatives to drunk driving.

In every state, it is illegal to drive with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or higher. There are many campaigns in place to help drivers avoid driving under the influence. Some cities organize free public transportation for New Year’s Eve. Some bars offer free breathalyser tests and some advocacy groups even hand out free breathalyser test key chains, which allow drivers to test sobriety before getting in a car. Despite all these measures, unfortunately, some people continue to drink and drive.

As a result, many authorities and cities are getting tough on drunk drivers. In some areas, drivers caught at checkpoints with an illegal blood alcohol level will face a minimum five hours in jail, possible addition charges, fines, and other penalties.

If you are attending New Year’s Eve festivities, designate a driver, make plans to stay overnight or find an alternative form of transportation. It is a good idea to have at least three possible ways of getting home, just in case one travel option does not work well after New Year’s. Having more options ensures that you are not tempted to get behind the wheel after drinking.

Older drivers may suffer from conditions and illnesses which make driving a challenge. Since there are more elderly drivers on the roads, however – one estimate from the AAA suggests that by 2024, one quarter of all drivers will be over 65 – manufacturers are creating devices and car options that make mobility easier for elderly drivers. Some of these devices help elderly drivers drive safely and can even help prevent car accidents:

1) Larger wheels and simplified ignition systems. Thicker wheels are easier to grip – even for drivers with arthritis or other conditions – and allow elderly drivers to retain better control of their vehicles. This can be crucial if a driver needs to act quickly to avoid a car or pedestrian accident. Simplified ignitions that do not require a twist motion are also good options for drivers with limited mobility.

2) Power features. Although not marketed specifically at elderly drivers, power features – such as keyless entry, power locks, and power windows – are great for older drivers with limited mobility.

3) High seats. Higher seats make it much easier for elderly drivers to climb in and out of a vehicle. These seats also prevent elderly drivers from having to lift themselves out of a seat. Higher seats also offer seniors a better view of the road. Look for cars that have adjustable seats that come to mid-thigh when standing for best comfort and car control.

4) Good doors. Four-door cars with easy to open doors are important, as they make getting in and out of a car simpler. Older drivers should look for doors that open easily without a struggle. As well, low door thresholds are useful for climbing in and out of a car.

5) Visible controls and good sub visors. Many seniors begin experiencing some vision problems, and visible controls in the car with large, contrasting text are important. Visible controls allow drivers to see fuel levels, audio controls, and other areas of the dash easily without removing focus form the road. As well, extended and flexible sun visors which reduce glare are also important in allowing drivers to see the road clearly.

Sometimes, it appears that driver attitudes cause driving accidents. While many drivers take their driving privileges seriously and work to be safe drivers, others seem nonchalant about their driving, and this attitude can cause fatal car and pedestrian accidents. Some poor driver attitudes include:

1) Seeing driving as a right. Many drivers see driving as a right, because they see driving as freedom or as the only way to get to work. However, driving is a privilege that must be earned and respected. Not respecting your privilege could cause you to mistakes that make you lose your license.

2) Being casual about the physical logistics of driving. Not adjusting a car seat or driving with your hands at the bottom of the wheel can affect your driving ability. In a car accident, such sloppiness can affect how much you are able to control your car. It is important to ensure that you are ready to drive and that your vehicle is correctly adjusted for your size. Adjust all mirrors to give you maximum visibility and drive with your hands at the nine and three o’clock positions for maximum control of the wheel.

3) Assuming that driving does not require all our attention. While most drivers are initially cautious, as they become used to driving they start doing many things while operating a vehicle: applying makeup, talking on a phone, texting, reading, and eating. Any activity other than driving does not belong in the car. If you need to do something else besides drive, pull over. Driver distraction is a major cause of car accidents and truck accidents.

4) Being casual about physical condition. If you feel poorly or are taking certain medications that make you feel groggy or sleepy, stay off the roads. Read your medication descriptions to ensure that you are safe to be on the roads. If you are tired, hungry, angry, distracted, in pain or otherwise not in good physical condition, you pose a danger to other drivers. You could cause a car accident.

5) Being casual about doing pre-drive checks. Most driver education programs teach students that they need to check a car before each drive. After most of us have been driving a while, though, we stop doing this simple check. Unfortunately, this can mean that we miss mechanical problems that could be a serious hazard.

Diabetes is a very treatable condition and many people who have this illness are able to drive successfully and safely. However, if you have just been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may tell you to stay off the roads until your condition is under control. This is because diabetes can make your blood sugar levels too low or too high. This can cause many serious symptoms, including seizures, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, blurry vision, and even loss of consciousness. Obviously, all these symptoms can be very dangerous when you are driving a car.

In a few cases, diabetes may cause complications or permanent problems that prevent a patient from driving. Some diabetes patients, for example, experience nerve damage to the hands or feet or lose their eyesight. In cases where diabetes complications are severe, a doctor may recommend a suspension of driving privileges.

It is important to communicate openly with your doctor about your diabetes. Ask how diabetes may affect your driving and report any new symptoms promptly. Your doctor may ask you to check your glucose levels before driving. If your blood sugar levels are too low, you may have a hard time controlling your car and driving safely. Your doctor can help you understand how to test your glucose levels and can help you manage your diabetes so that your levels remain relatively stable.

With time, you will learn to manage your diabetes and you will be able to recognize signs of a low blood sugar. If you have trouble recognizing the signs of low blood sugar, you might seek out glycemic awareness training, which will help you detect and manage changes in your blood sugar.

It is a good idea to keep snacks and sources of glucose with you in your car at all times. You will also want to buy a blood glucose meter for your car. Keep both items in your glove compartment. When you feel that your blood glucose level is low, pull over and test your levels. You may need to rest and eat a snack before retesting. If your blood glucose level increases after 15 minutes, eat a snack containing protein. Once you feel better and your glucose levels are stabilized, continue driving. Avoid driving on a low glucose level to get home – you could be in an accident and sustain injuries while driving with low glucose levels. Due to your diabetes, you may have a harder time recovering from some types of personal injuries.

If you are anxious about driving with your diabetes, you may want to consult with a driving rehabilitation specialist. You can work with your doctor and your driving rehabilitation specialist to ensure that your condition does not affect your driving. Your driving rehabilitation specialist can check your driving skills and can work with you to ensure that your diabetes does not affect your driving.

When a stroke takes place, the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, damaging brain cells and in some cases, causing brain damage. Strokes vary widely in severity, as does the rate of recovery. After a stroke, some patients are not able to see, move, or think clearly or easily. Other patients recover fully. Some patients experience partial paralysis that is permanent or temporary.

It can be hard to accept that our ability to drive changes after a stroke, but a stroke can affect a person’s ability to drive, sometimes permanently. After a stroke, patients may have a hard time applying the brake or gas or may struggle to turn the wheel. Some patients may become confused while driving and may become frustrated, especially if patients have a hard time thinking clearly. Some patients have difficulty remaining in their lane or even understanding traffic signs.

Many patients are able to recover almost fully from a stroke and are therefore able to drive again. However, this depends on how much damage a stroke has caused. It can take some time to evaluate how extensive the damage from a stroke, which is why it is important to work with your doctor and to avoid driving until you are sure you can do so safely. Keep in mind that you may be at risk for another stroke. If you have a stroke while driving, you may lose control of your car and cause a serious car accident or pedestrian accident. For this reason, it is vital to avoid driving until your doctor says you may drive safely.

The warning signs of stroke include vision difficulties, sudden weakness or numbness (especially along one side of your body), sudden confusion, sudden difficulty speaking, sudden loss of balance, sudden difficulty with movement, dizziness, severe headache. If you experience these symptoms suddenly, get medical help immediately. If you are driving when you experience these symptoms, pull over your vehicle and get emergency help immediately. The sooner you get help after a stroke the more likely you are to recover fully.

If you have had a stroke and are worried about your driving, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may recommend that you see a driving rehabilitation specialist. A driving rehabilitation specialist can evaluate your driving skills and can help you develop a method of regaining any skills you have lost. In addition, the driving rehabilitation specialist can guide you through driving rehabilitation and can help you find devices and tools for your car that can make it easier for you to drive after a stroke.

Keep in mind that you need to be honest with your doctors and driving rehabilitation specialists. If you have worrisome symptoms, you need report them, even if you fear your license will be taken away from you. There are many options available to help you retain your independence. If there is any chance that you may recover your driving skills, a driving rehabilitation specialist will help you regain these skills. If your driving skills cannot be recovered, your doctor and driving rehabilitation specialist can help you find alternatives that allow you to keep your independence. However, if you have been told to stay off roads, it is essential that you follow this advice.

Some experts warn that we are too soft on drunk driving that causes car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and serious injuries as well as fatalities. About half of all drunk driving cases are reduced or dropped entirely, studies have found. This trend worries experts, who claim that a lax attitude about drunk driving sends the wrong message and does nothing to discourage drivers from driving under the influence.

Experts also point to statistics which show that drunk drivers are often repeat offenders. Someone caught driving drunk today has a one in ten chance of getting another DUI charge, according to some studies. Experts worry that people who are not charged with DUIs or have charges reduced or dropped may adopt a more casual attitude about drunk driving. Such drivers may worry less about drunk driving, knowing that they are not a convicted drunken driver. Some drivers may feel or expect that charges will always be lax.

A report by the Daytona Beach News-Journal found that DUI defendants with private attorneys generally are able to avoid a DUI conviction. Virtually all defendants with private attorneys who had a first DUI charge were able to avoid conviction. The study found that between 1991 and 2008, 15,240 single DUI charges were recorded. Of these, 64% of defendants with a private attorney had their charges dropped or reduced. Only 30% of defendants with public defenders had their DUI charges dropped or reduced. Experts note that the disparity may be because private attorneys have more time to focus on flaws in a case and are able to devote more attention to cases on behalf of their clients.

To some, however, the disparity suggests an inequality in the justice system. Worse, some experts claim that such a system is putting dangerous drivers back on the roads without teaching these drivers the importance of driving sober. A study of 12,712 defendants who had their single-DUI cases reduced found that 1,222 were rearrested for driving drunk. Groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) say that such statistics show that reduced or dropped DUI charges only give drunk drivers a second chance to cause drunk driving accidents and fatalities.

Prosecutors of DUI cases are far less likely to pursue DUI convictions if a defendant doesn’t look intoxicated on arrest videos or if there are flaws on an arrest report. The chances of winning a case in these cases is much smaller, so sometimes attorneys decide to allow the defendant agree to a lesser charge. Prosecutors also note that defendants are becoming more savvy about DUI arrests. Some refuse the breathalyzer or sobriety tests. While this deprives them of their license for 90 days or longer, it also deprives prosecutors of important evidence.

Many drivers are also willing to work harder to avoid DUI convictions. More people rely heavily on cars, so a DUI conviction can create problems if someone has to drive to work. As well, employees may become disqualified for some jobs involving driving if they have a DUI conviction. This often compels defendants to spend considerable amounts of money on a defense attorney. Groups such as MADD argue that people who are clearly impaired when driving should be convicted and attorneys should ensure that no deals are available for such drivers.

Unfortunately, New Year’s Eve results in many car accidents. Many people stay up late to attend events and parties. Returning home after midnight, many drivers are fatigued and unable to control their cars correctly. As well, drinking is still a key part of many New Year’s Eve festivities, so drunk driving accidents peak at this time of year. Traveling late at night and poor weather conditions can contribute to accidents on this night of the year.

Many drivers are on the roads on New Year’s Eve, and the extra traffic as well as extra risks can mean more accidents. Taxis and other forms of transportation may be hard to find on New Year’s Eve, compounding the problem. There are many ways to stay safe on the biggest night of the year, but you will want to start planning early.

Consider making your plans now. Determine now where you will be on New Year’s Eve, when the festivities will be finished, and how you will get home. Go online or call your local city information number to find out about New Year’s events and transportation options. Many cities now offer alcohol-free festivities which allow you to enjoy yourself while worrying less about drunk driving after the event. Many cities also offer free transportation from New Year’s Eve festivities via bus or shuttle. Find out whether these transportation options are a possibility for you. If they are, print off an information sheet about them and tuck the sheets into your purse or pocket. This way, you won’t be wondering on New Year’s Eve where to catch the free bus.

Taxi companies are often overwhelmed on New Year’s Eve, so now is a good time to call your local taxi company. Some companies allow you to book in advance for New Year’s Eve, so that there is a taxi waiting for you to be there. Otherwise, your taxi company may be able to give you some good tips on catching a cab.

If you will need to get home after a New Year’s Eve event, have at least three methods of transportation that you can take. Think now about all the ways you can get home. It is important to have alternatives because your first choice of transportation may not be available on New Year’s Eve. You may plan to be a designated driver, for example, but you may be tempted to drink – or the person you may have designated as a driver might drink. Taxis might not be dependable, so find at least three ways of getting home. That way, if one mode of transportation does not work out, you can still get home safely.

If you will be attending a New Year’s Eve event far from home, make provisional plans to stay over somewhere. The longer your trip home, the more at risk you are for a car accident. As well, if you are far from home, you may have a harder time finding alternative forms of transportation. Consider arranging a hotel room – some hotels offer discount rates for New Year’s – or arrange to stay with a friend.

Aggressive drivers are a major danger on the road. They are distracting and take driver attention from the road. They also tend to speed and drive aggressively when enraged, sometimes causing car accidents that result in fatalities or serious personal injuries. In the worse cases, aggressive drivers assault other drivers or even use their vehicles as a weapon, causing car and pedestrian accidents.

According to the NHTSA, aggressive drivers are usually higher risk drivers. Research suggests that they may take out their anger on just about anyone and may not need to be provoked to fly into a rage. Aggressive drivers usually feel safe acting out while driving, some experts have suggested, because cars offer a degree of anonymity and safety. Researchers have found that aggressive drivers tend not to consider or be concerned about the drivers around them and for this reason they take risks when driving. Aggressive drivers tend to tailgate, speed, run traffic lights and stop signs, pass on the right, make unsafe lane changes, weave in and out of lanes, yell, flash their lights, make facial and hand gestures, and honk aggressively.

If you notice a driver behaving in this way, you may be able to avoid an accident and avoid the personal injuries such an accident may cause. Here are some of NHTSA’s tips for dealing with an aggressive driver:

1) Do not allow an aggressive driver to affect your own driving. Try to remain calm and never speed up to keep up with a speeding driver. Continue to drive calmly, ignoring the aggressive driver as much as you can. Follow the rules of the road, especially if the aggressive driver is not. Make sure your seat belt is fastened, as this will help prevent a brain injury or spinal cord injury in the event of a collision. Prepare for defensive driving to avoid a collision.

2) Try to get out of the aggressive driver’s way. Drop back, take a different route and generally attempt to stay out of the way.

3) Take note of the aggressive driver’s details. Note mentally what he or she looks like and try to remember the license plate number or the make of the car. If you have a passenger with you, have your passenger write down this information. If the aggressive driver attempts to harm you or ram your car with his or her vehicle, you will have the information you need to report him or her.

4) Do not engage an aggressive driver. Never return gestures, honk, or yell at an aggressive driver. Experts even recommend avoiding eye contact. Any sign of aggression on your part can enrage an aggressive driver further and could make you a target.

In the United States, someone is killed in a car accident every ten seconds, on average. This is a staggering number, especially when one considers that many such fatalities are entirely preventable. Learn these top causes of accidents to prevent accidents and the personal injuries they cause:

1) Multitasking. Changing the radio station or the CD in your car is a distraction that can cause accidents. As well, reading, applying make-up, or drinking and eating while driving can increase your risk of a car accident. Make a passenger responsible for your music or create mixed tapes that you enjoy and that you will not need to change. For longer trips, use an iPod or similar device with hours of music or wait until a rest stop to change your CD. Wait until you are parked to read, apply makeup, or drink or eat. Drinking and eating are especially hard habits to break, unfortunately, because so many people rely on drive-through fast food restaurants. However, while you are trying not to spill something into your lap, you could cause an accident.

2) Drinking and substance abuse. 2006 alone saw 14,000 fatalities and many more injuries as a result of drunk driving accidents in the United States. Researchers have also found that drunk driving accidents are more likely to cause serious injuries and deaths when compared to accidents involving sober drivers. This may be caused in part by an inebriated driver’s inability to take defensive measures when a collision becomes unavoidable. As well, many drunk drivers speed because they are unable to focus on their driving and notice when they exceed the speed limit.

3) Cell phones. According to a study by Harvard University, call phone users caused millions of personal injuries and 200 fatalities in car accidents. Researchers found that drivers using a cell phone are four times more likely to cause an accident. Blue tooth technology and hands-free cell phones are not an ideal solution, either, since they do not prevent drivers from focusing on a conversation instead of the road. Many collisions could be prevented if drivers waiting until they were parked before making a call or sending a text. While many people have been at least informed that they should not drink and drive, many people do not consider driving a problem when they have been using drugs. Many people are also in accidents caused by over-the-counter medications or prescription medications. Anything that causes you to feel potentially groggy, disoriented, or dizzy can cause a serious car accident.

4) Speeding. Speeding makes it much harder to respond quickly to avoid an accident and when speeding your car takes much longer to stop. These two factors mean that when you are speeding, your chances of being in a car accident increase significantly, especially if you are in a residential area. You simply cannot drive defensively or well if you are speeding and therefore unable to control your vehicle well. You simply cannot drive defensively or well if you are speeding and therefore unable to control your vehicle well.

5) Other car accidents. Rubbernecking to see an accident causes more accidents, which is why so many car accidents happen near other accident sites. Urban areas, where traffic is more congested, especially tend to have these sorts of clusters of accidents. It is important to focus on the road when driving by an accident. Move with the flow of traffic unless officers instruct you otherwise.

Edmunds, one of the leading companies in evaluating cars, offers a number of less-often-hear tips to avoid car accidents:

1) Keep your eyes moving. Scanning the road well ahead of you allows you to anticipate any possible problems and allows you to react more quickly in an accident. Scanning the road a few cars ahead allows you to avoid sudden rear-end collisions with the car in front of you.

2) Stay away from the left lane on multilane routes. Statistically, more highway accidents occur in the left lane. The “fast lane,” as it is often called, has fewer escape options than the right or middle lanes, so that if you need to get out of the way quickly to avoid an accident you might be stuck. You are also more likely to get a speeding ticket in the left lane, where highway patrol officers tend to check first.

3) Take a look at the shape of cars around you. If a car is in bad shape or has obvious problems, such as body damage, that could indicate a driver who pays as little attention to the road as he or she does to his car. Give yourself extra room. Also, be on the alert for drivers who are drifting in a lane. These drivers might be exhausted, talking on a cell phone, or drunk. They are more likely to cause accidents because they are not paying attention to their driving for some reason. Stay well back of such cars.

4) Get a good grip on the wheel. Hold your steering wheel at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock, as this will give you the best control of your steering wheel if you need to make a sudden maneuver to avoid a collision. As well, make sure that your seat is correctly adjusted to give you good control of the wheel. A good rule of thumb is to have the seat adjusted so that when you sit back in the seat with your arm extended, your wrist first perfectly on the top of the wheel.

5) Get to know and care for your car. Know how long it takes you to stop in various conditions and how much grip your tires have. Get to know how quickly your car accelerates and responds and whether it leans in any particular direction. Knowing such little details can help you respond more appropriately to avoid a car accident and personal injury. Once you get to know your car, you’ll also become better at evaluating when you car needs maintenance. You might notice, for example, that your car’s tires don’t have great grip, you might want to invest in a better set of tires to keep safe.