Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Many people already have plans for New Year`s. Whether you already know how you will ring in 2012 or whether you are still considering options, you need to ensure that your plans include planning for safety. Unfortunately, New Year`s Eve means a higher than normal risk of Miami traffic accidents. With more people out celebrating the start of a new year and more people drinking at parties, it can be one of the more dangerous nights to be on the road. To stay safe:

1) Have a plan for a sober ride home. Miami drunk driving accidents are an especial concern on New Year`s Eve, especially since many people ring in the New Year with their favorite drinks. Whether you plan on drinking or not, have at least a few options for getting home safely with a sober driver if you do end up drinking. Make it very easy for yourself to make the right choice – have money on hand for a taxi and have a list of people you can call for help if you do get stuck without transportation. Find out about the many options Miami has for getting home safely on New Year`s Eve.

2) Have a plan for an alert drive home. In addition to drunk driving, another risk on New Year`s Eve is fatigued driving. On this night of the year, you may end up staying out much later than you are used to, and this can make it dangerous for you to drive home. This is one reason you will want to have several options for getting home safely – even if you do not plan on drinking, you could end up simply too tired to drive home safely.

3) Have a plan for a distraction-free ride home. It can be easy to drive distracted on New Year`s Eve. There are many things happening outside the car and you may be tempted to check in with friends during the night. However, with extra traffic on the road (including pedestrian traffic) it is important to focus entirely on driving in order to prevent a Miami car accident.

4) Have a plan for traffic. Traffic can be heavily congested after the New Year countdown, and this can easily lead to frayed nerves and even road rage. Have a plan for heavy traffic. You may want to plan ahead to take a less busy route, to wait a little while before heading home, or have another plan for getting home.

5) Have a plan for a car-free night if possible. A great option is to leave your car at home if possible. Using public transport to get to and from a New Year`s Eve event is a good choice because you will not be tempted to drive after drinking – even if you can`t find a taxi. You also will not have to return to get your car and you will save yourself the hassle of parking on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Continue reading " Will Your New Year Plans Prevent or Risk a Miami Car Accident? " »

No one wants to start 2012 in the hospital or in jail, but New Year’s Eve is in fact one of the most dangerous nights of the year for Miami car accidents. Many New Year’s Eve celebrations do involve alcohol, and this can lead to Miami drunk driving accidents. In fact, each year some motorists are pulled off the roads for DUI or are involved in DUI accidents in Miami. To avoid becoming a statistic, make sure that you:

1) Have several get-home plans available. With lots of revelers out on New Year’s Eve, you will want to have several options. Do not just rely on public transport or a designated driver – what if your designated driver does drink or what if you stay out too late for the bus? Write down a list of friends and taxi services you can call, places you can sleep for the night, and other options for getting home safely.

2) Do not assume that you will not drink. Even if you attend an alcohol-free event, you may eventually end up drinking. The tradition of drinking on New Year’s Eve is well ingrained. Have several plans to get home safely – just in case. This way, you can even help friends who need to get home safely.

3) Do not count on getting a cab home. New Year`s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for taxi cab companies. You may simply not be able to get a cab home right away. Be willing to share a cab and stay flexible in your get-home-safe plans.

4) Plan for an after-New Year event. Keep a list of 24-hour and late-night eateries in your wallet. Getting a snack after the count down gives taxi cabs a chance to return from their first fares, increasing the odds that you can get a taxi home.

5) Consider attending an alcohol-free event. You will be less tempted to drink. However, still plan out a get-home-safe strategy, just in case.

6) Consider hosting an event at your home. If you are at home, you will not need to drive anywhere, so you can ring in the New Year and not worry about driving. This can also be safer, since it keeps you away from other motorists who may choose to drink and drive. If you host your own New Year`s party, however, keep in mind that you need to keep your guests safe. If your guests drink, consider letting them sleep over or make sure that they can get home safely.

7) Consider leaving your car at home on New Year`s Eve. This guarantees that you will not be tempted to drive back home after drinking. You will also not need to worry about traffic, parking, or picking up your car the next day. Miami has several transportation options for revelers for New Year`s Eve – choose the one that is best for you and you just might end up preventing a Miami traffic accident.

Continue reading " Do You Have a New Year’s Plan in Place to Prevent Miami Drunk Driving Accidents? " »

Most communities institute checkpoints in order to ensure that there are fewer drunk drivers on the roads during the holidays. Miami police authorities, for example, routinely put up checkpoints at strategic locations in order to ensure that drivers aren’t taking risks that can lead to Miami drunk driving accidents. Sober drivers have nothing to fear from checkpoints – these checkpoints do not delay sober drivers and help keep streets safer.

Unfortunately, there is a trend in recent years to report checkpoints and their locations. Many police authorities frown on this practice, as it allows drivers who have been drinking to simply avoid the checkpoints. In effect, this can help increase the risk of Miami car accidents in a number of ways:

1) It sends the wrong message about DUI checkpoints. Checkpoints are not meant to be punishment. They remind people that drunk driving causes Miami traffic accidents and ensure that drunk drivers are removed from the roads before they can cause a serious collision. By reporting on the location of a checkpoint, drivers are sending the message that checkpoints are not that important and can be avoided. This is just not the case; checkpoints can save lives and police authorities in some cases give up time with their families to man checkpoints. The courteous thing to do is to stop at the checkpoints and to not report their location.

2) It allows those who drink and drive to avoid the checkpoints and keep driving. Reporting a checkpoint makes it easy for drivers who have been drinking to continue drinking and driving. In some cases, a driver who has been drinking may need to go out of their way to avoid a checkpoint, increasing the length of road traveled under the influence and increasing the risk of a deadly Miami pedestrian accident or traffic accident. By not reporting checkpoints, you increase the chances that drunk drivers will be removed from the roads before they can harm someone.

3) It does not allow authorities to gather accurate information about drinking and driving. In addition to stopping drunk drivers, Miami police gather information during checkpoints. This allows them to see how prevalent a problem DUI is in some areas. In cases where DUI is a problem, Miami police can institute new policies and programs to reduce instances of drunk driving. If checkpoints are reported, drunk drivers avoid the checkpoints and police cannot gather the information they need to create life-saving educational and preventative programs.

The right thing to do at a checkpoint is to stop, cooperate with police, and carry on without reporting the location of the checkpoint. Encourage others you know not to report checkpoints. Not allowing drunk drivers to avoid these police programs ensures that drunk drivers are removed from the road before they cause an accident. Keeping the location of sobriety checkpoints quiet is one way you can help stop Miami drunk driving accidents.

Continue reading " Why Reporting Check Points Can Lead to Miami Drunk Driving Accidents " »

Miami takes extra steps to prevent Miami car accidents caused by drinking and driving during the holiday season. Unfortunately, holiday parties and events can increase the number of DUI accidents on the city’s roads. It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent these types of Miami traffic accidents and there are many things you can do to help prevent DUI accidents this holiday season:

1) Carry extra cash in your wallet. Place this money apart from the rest of your money, perhaps in a separate pocket or behind some of your ID, so that you will not spend it. Having extra cash ensures that you always have money towards a taxi, so that there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel of your car after you have been drinking.

2) Have more than one safe way to get home at all times. In many instances, public transportation or even a taxi may not be an option – especially if you are well outside the city. In your glove compartment, keep a range of taxi phone numbers, cash for taxis, information about bus routes, motel room information, and a list of friends you can call for a safe drive home. The more safe options you have, the more likely you are to choose a safe alternative to get home.

3) Prepare to drink – even if you don’t plan on drinking. It’s easy to assume that you will not drink at a holiday party and will therefore be able to get yourself home. However, once at that party you may be tempted to drink or you may end up unwittingly drinking a holiday punch that is full of brandy. Don’t assume that you will be able to drive yourself home; always have options and cash on hand.

4) Consider taking a no-drinking-and-driving pledge with friends. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) as well as other organizations make such pledges available. Signing a pledge and promising not to drink and drive can help you consider the risks of Miami drunk driving accidents and can help you make the right choice.

5) Talk to your children about drinking and driving. Don’t assume that just because your children are under the legal age of drinking that they are safe from Miami drunk driving accidents. Underage drinking is a very real problem, and even if your teens do not drink, they may get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. Discuss the dangers of drinking and driving with your children and have your children promise to call you rather than driving home with someone who has been drinking. Make sure that you praise, rather than punish, your children for making the right decision if they do call you for a safe drive home.

6) Be responsible when serving alcohol at your holiday parties. If someone is in a drunk driving accident after leaving a party where you served alcohol, you could be held partly liable, and a Miami premises liability claim will make your holidays very unpleasant. Consider holding alcohol-free parties. If that is not an option, stop serving alcohol early and make sure that everyone has a safe way to get home.

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Are there still people on your holiday shopping list? If you are looking for some great presents that can also help your loved ones avoid Miami traffic accidents, consider:

1) A hand-held breathalyzer. These are available at many department stores, and can help prevent Miami drunk driving accidents. There are even key chains with small breathalyzers on them. Although not as accurate as the systems used by authorities, these small items can help a loved one re-consider driving after they have been drinking.

2) A GPS system. GPS systems are more affordable than ever before – and more accurate. They can help a loved one find their way to various destinations without the distraction of maps. They can guide a driver to a destination without requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road, and this can help prevent Miami car accidents.

3) A rear-view camera system. Miami rollover accidents are tragic, but there are small cameras which can be mounted on the back of a car to allow drovers to see exactly what is behind them before they start backing up. In some cases, these systems are combined with GPS systems in one device.

4) A winter safety kit or emergency kit. Emergency kits and winter driving kits are very affordable but contain the various items that someone might need after a Miami traffic accident or after a car breaking down.

5) A gift certificate for a tune-up. Many mechanics offer gift cards and gift certificates. This can be a great gift for anyone, as it can ensure that a driver’s car is in great shape and ready to avoid a Miami truck accident or traffic accident.

6) Driving lessons. If you have a new driver in your life, consider giving the gift of additional private driving lessons. These can help a new driver hone their driving skills and their confidence behind the wheel, putting them less at risk for a Miami car accident. Refresher courses are a great gift for drivers of any age, as are racing lessons. Racing lessons are fun and help teach driving skills and confidence that can help any driver drive more safely.

7) Reflective clothing for the joggers and pedestrians on your list. Miami pedestrian accidents are a major cause of concern, and Miami bicycle accidents are all too common. If you have friends and family who enjoy biking or walking, get them reflective clothing, hats, or accessories, so that they can stay safer while exercising.

Continue reading " Give the Gift of Safety: Holiday Gifts That Can Prevent Miami Car Accidents " »

At this time of year, many Miami residents are making plans to travel to see family for the holidays. While some individuals choose to take planes, cars are a popular method of getting home for the holidays – they can make for a less expensive trip and can offer more flexibility in terms of travel time. If you are planning a road trip to see family, however, make sure that you avoid Miami car accidents (as well as accidents outside the state) by following these safety tips:

1) Give yourself plenty of time. Estimate how long it will take you to drive from your home to your destination (Google Maps is a good tool for estimating this) and then add several hours. You want to offer yourself plenty of time since you may run into traffic and you will want to leave time for meals, breaks, and rest stops. Knowing that you have plenty of time to get to your destination ensures that you are not rushing, and rushing and speeding, all of which can increase your risk of Miami traffic accidents.

2) Get a weather update. Knowing what the weather will be on the day you travel and knowing what weather to expect at your destination can help you plan your trip. If the weather will be bad, do everything you can to give yourself more time and try to travel during the daylight as much as possible to get the best visibility possible.

3) Drive with a friend if you can. You can share the costs of gas and share driving time as well, so that you are not driving fatigued.

4) Plan your route carefully. Have at least two alternate routes planned so that you can get to your destination safely even if roads are closed. When planning your route, also consider possible problems, such as night driving or driving through wintery conditions, so that you are prepared for any challenges.

5) Prepare a drive safe kit. This should include a cell phone, a first aid kit, flares, a blanket, and a flashlight. If your car breaks down, you will be happy to have these items on hand. If you are traveling somewhere with winter conditions, pack a bag of salt or non-clumping kitty litter (in case you get stuck in ice and need some traction), a scraper for your windshield, and a shovel to dig yourself out of snow.

6) Make sure your car is ready for the trip. Get a tune up if it has been a while, since a poorly-maintained car is more likely to have trouble responding quickly in order to avoid a Miami truck accident or car accident. If you will be traveling somewhere with winter conditions, consider investing in a good set of winter tires – they can save your life in slippery conditions.

7) Plan to be undistracted. Well-intentioned family could phone you while you are driving to get an update on your location, so it is safest to turn off your cell phone and put it away in the glove compartment. Make sure that any entertainment you plan for your trip – such as music – will not distract you from driving.

8 ) Plan to rest before your trip. Avoid going to a party the night before your trip. If you drink late and stay out late, you will be exhausted and driving fatigued. You may also still have an alcohol blood level above the legal level, putting you at risk of a Miami drunk driving accident. Get to bed early the night before you travel, so that you are well rested and ready to drive.

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While Miami car accidents are one of the leading causes of fatalities for children and teens in the city, parents need to worry about much more than just Miami traffic accidents. Miami children and minors are subject to many car-related injuries, although the good news is that many of these injuries are preventable:

1) Hyperthermia / Heatstroke. While children in Miami rarely need to worry about hyperthermia, heatstroke is a serious concern for children left in the unforgiving Miami heat in a car. Even leaving a child alone in a car for a few minutes can be dangerous, as on a hot day the temperature in a vehicle can quickly reach dangerous levels. The obvious solution is to never leave a child unattended in a car. However, with parents more busy than ever before, it is also important to routinely check the back seat of a car before walking away. Unfortunately, there have been a number of tragic cases where a parent has simply forgotten a child in the back seat of a car.

2) Backovers. Small children sometimes play in driveways or near cars, and smaller children may not be visible to drivers who are backing up. Each year, tragedy strikes when children in this situation are hit and killed or seriously injured. In many cases, it is a parent or family member who injures the child, further adding to the pain and suffering of the family. Today, there are devices which can be installed in most cars which show the driver exactly what is behind the vehicle so that these types of Miami pedestrian accidents do not take place. In many cases, these devices are less than two hundred dollars and can help save a life.

3) Power Windows. Children who play with power windows can easily get their hands or other body parts stuck in the window, causing broken bones and other injuries. Newer models of cars have child-safety locks and windows to keep children in the back seat safe.

4) Seat Belt Entanglement. In the event of a Miami truck accident or car accident, a seat belt can save your life – if you are an adult. Unfortunately, for children, seat belts can be very dangerous. They can wrap around a child’s body and cause injuries. They can also cut into a child’s neck and head, causing injuries. For these reasons, it is important to put children in age-appropriate child restraints.

5) Vehicle Rollaway. Rollaway usually occur when a child accidentally disengages a parking break, causing the car to roll. This is another important reason to never leave children unattended in a car. Keeping children in the backseat of the car can also ensure that they cannot touch anything on the dashboard that can affect the car itself.

6) Trunk Entrapment. Trunk entrapment occurs when children climb into a trunk – often while playing – and become stuck. If children are not found in time, they can suffocate or suffer hypothermia or heat stroke. Most newer cars have trunk release levers in the trunk. These can usually be installed on older models. To prevent truck entrapment, it is also important to lock the trunk of your vehicle when the vehicle is not in use.

Continue reading " It’s Not Just About Miami Car Accidents: Preventing Common Childhood Car-Related Injuries " »

Cars are one of the leading causes of injury to minors and children. From infancy, children and infants are driven around in cars, and this does put them at risk for serious injuries in car accidents. Across the US, car accidents are the leading cause of fatalities for children in the 3-14 age group. Unfortunately, young children are less protected by adult safety belts and air bags – in fact, these devices can seriously harm a child. Children are also more likely to suffer serious injuries in a Miami car accident, since child-aged Miami brain injury victims and spinal cord injury victims, for example, may take longer to heal and may face more complications. Since children are smaller and more vulnerable, they may suffer more serious injuries.

Adult safety devices such as airbags and seatbelts may pose a hazard to young children, there is much evidence that age-appropriate restrains save lives. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), child restraints have saved approximately 8959 between 1975 and 2008.

It is important to select a car seat or age-appropriate safety restraint system by considering your child’s weight, age, and height. Age alone may not determine the right restraint, since children may grow at different rates. A child that is large for their size, for example, may need to get a restraint for an older child. If you need help choosing a restraint that is right for your child, the NHTSA website has many useful resources that can help.

Once you find the right car seat for your child, consult your car owner’s manual or the seat manufacturer’s directions for the proper use and installation of the car seat. Failure to use the car seat as directed can result in injuries for your child. For as long as possible, keep young children in a car seat – until they no longer fit the weight and height requirement for the seat. As well, once you have a child car seat, make certain that you check often for defects and recalls. You can register the car seat online – often with the manufacturer of the seat – to receive instant notifications in case the product is ever recalled.

The restraint recommendations for your child will change over time. In general, you will want to keep babies in infant seats which are rear-facing. Toddlers are often safest in child safety seats that face forward. Once children are no longer toddlers, they are typically allowed to use a booster seat and to sit in the back using a regular seat belt. In general, children who are younger than 13 years of age should ride in the back seat. According to the NHTSA, this is the safest place for your child to be in the event of a Miami car accident. Florida is one of only four states that does not have a booster seat law, but parents can still choose to use a booster seat for their children. In the event of a Miami traffic accident, a booster seat can ensure that an adult seat belt does not cut into your child’s neck or face, causing serious injuries.

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Aggressive driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), causes many accidents each year. Aggressive drivers can make poor choices on the road due to their anger and they take risks that result in many Miami traffic accidents each year. Many drivers are not even aware that they are aggressive. Aggressive drivers display the following behaviors:

1) They show their frustration against other drivers. This can include gesturing, honking the horn, shouting at other drivers and other signs of aggression.

2) They are distracted drivers. Aggressive drivers pay attention to what is angering them, rather than the road, making them and other drivers at high risk for Miami car accidents.

3) They change lanes often. Aggressive drivers often weave in and out of lanes to speed ahead, and this increases the risk of accidents as well.

4) They tailgate. Following other vehicles too closely is a major cause of Miami rear-end accidents, but aggressive drivers often tailgate as an aggressive gesture in order to pressure other drivers into speeding up.

5) They disobey traffic signals and lights. Aggressive drivers who are experiencing road rage often disobey traffic rules and signs because they are upset or simply don’t want to wait.

6) They speed.
Fortunately, there are many ways that drivers can reduce their risk of accidents and can reduce their aggression when driving. According to the NHTSA, drivers can play relaxing music behind the wheel and can plan ahead so that they know their route as well as alternatives routes. Drivers can also focus on driving by putting away any distractions and can drive the posted speed limit, which helps curb aggression by ensuring that other drivers don’t seem annoyingly slow. Driving the speed limit can also reduce the risk of Miami truck accidents and other traffic accidents. The NHTSA also suggests that drivers focus on driving safely rather than trying to get to their destination on time. It is much safer to be a little late than to drive recklessly to arrive at your destination. Finally, the NHTSA suggests that drivers take public transportation once in a while. Spending a great deal of time on the road can be stressful and can lead to aggression, while taking public transit can provide some relaxation and relief from the usual routine.

Even if you are responsible driver, of course, you may encounter aggressive drivers on Miami streets. According to the NHTSA, your first priority should be to get out of the way of any aggressive drivers. You should ignore the driver’s gestures, shouting (if any) and eye contact where possible, as returning gestures or initiating eye contact can escalate the aggression. If a driver’s aggression is so significant that you think it could cause a Miami car collision, have a passenger call police or pull over when it is safe to do so and call police yourself to report the driver.

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